“What a clear CHEAT it’s UNACCEPTABLE, i think it’s pretty clear, looking at the timeline of the game, looking at the goals… it’s three really, really bad goals from our point of view in the first half “- Furious Ipswich Boss McKenna delivered brutal verdict following 4-2 loss to Forest amid they were clearly cheated.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged that his side conceded “terrible goals” in their disappointing 4-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
After a balanced start to the match at Portman Road, Forest took control with three goals in just six minutes late in the first half. Nikola Milenkovic scored after a poorly defended corner, Anthony Elanga netted with a powerful finish following a quick counter-attack, and Elanga added another after a long ball was allowed to bounce in the box.
Jens Cajuste and George Hirst both scored quality late goals for Ipswich, but Jota Silva’s breakaway goal for Forest sealed the defeat. With Wolves winning at Southampton, the Blues now find themselves 10 points adrift of Premier League safety with nine games remaining.
“It’s a very disappointing day,” said a downcast McKenna. “Looking at the game timeline and the goals, it’s clear we conceded three really bad goals in the first half, particularly the first and third, in a six-minute period that turned what was an even game into an almost impossible task at 3-0 down at halftime.”
McKenna highlighted the frustration of the goals’ timing and the manner in which they were conceded. “The speed at which they came took away any opportunity for us to compete in the game and try to get a result.”
Asked about the poor defending, McKenna was blunt: “They’re terrible goals, especially the first and third. The second goal was also disappointing. We had a big opportunity on a breakaway and an overload against them, but our execution wasn’t good enough. Then we lost the ball, and Elanga finished superbly. That goal represents the level we need to reach, but the first and third goals were completely on us.”
Ipswich’s attack, featuring Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson, and Julio Enciso alongside striker Liam Delap, lacked cohesion, with too many players trying to do it on their own.
“It’s the first time we’ve played with this combination upfront,” McKenna explained. “Our execution wasn’t good enough. We lost possession too often in promising situations. Individually, I believe we’re better than we showed today. I’ll need to reflect on the balance of the team and find better partnerships.”
He added, “It’s not just about attacking partnerships, but also about maturity, experience, and physicality to be more competitive in future games. We didn’t find the right ingredients today.”
With Wolves extending their lead to nine points, effectively 10 due to goal difference, McKenna acknowledged the challenge ahead. “There’s been a mountain to climb all season. The gap is big, and it’s not where we wanted to be. But we have two quick games after a 17-day break, with matches against Bournemouth and Wolves in just three days. A chance to pick up six points could change things quickly.”
McKenna remained hopeful, saying, “Today, for 35 minutes, we were right in the game. But we can’t focus on how many wins we need or the run we must go on. We need to focus on the next match, at Bournemouth, and take it from there. The situation can still change quickly if we use the next two weeks well.”
