Ipswich Town: McKenna on role of benched promotion heroes

It was largely the same team that secured back-to-back steps up from League One and the Championship, but the Blues boss then went out and spent £100m+ on 12 new players in preparation for the top flight.

Sam Morsy is still an ever-present, but promotion-winning midfield partner Massimo Luongo has lost his place (Image: PA) Of the old guard, Leif Davis, Axel Tuanzebe, Sam Morsy, Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson have regularly started games this campaign, but the likes of Harry Clarke, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess, Massimo Luongo, Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst have found their chances limited.

Injuries to Tuanzebe, Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson opened the door for Woolfenden and Burgess to start last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Everton though, while Clarke, Chaplin and Hirst were among the subs to come on. Meanwhile, Broadhead was on the bench for the first time this season. Clarke, Broadhead and Hirst are, of course, all still working their way back to full fitness following injuries.

Cameron Burgess made his Premier League debut in last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Everton. (Image: Ross Halls)

“I've spoken to all the boys who've been part of the journey and they all know they have a massive part to play off the pitch in terms of carrying on the culture that we've had,” said McKenna, when asked how some of his promotion heroes had adapted to going from starters to subs. 

“But also, the only reason they're still here is because I believe that they've got a part to play on the pitch. 

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“I've got belief in everyone that was able to stay in our 25-man squad (27, including underage players) that they can contribute on the pitch over the course of a long season.  

“A couple of those boys already have, but everyone will contribute over the course of the season, I'm pretty sure of that. 

Conor Chaplin scored 39 goals across Town's two promotion seasons. He has started just once in the Premier League so far. (Image: Ross Halls)

“The group's working really well. I think the integration from a psychological, social point of view with the players who've been here and the players who have come in, it feels like one group.  

“Of course, some of the players are further along in their understanding of the playing style, the training and all of those things. That's natural. But I think in the dressing room, it’s one group who are all pulling in the same direction.”

In the early days of McKenna’s time at the club, the likes of Burgess and Luongo had to show patience when it came to securing a regular starting spot. Woolfenden was in that position under previous managers too.

MORE: 26 players used in various combos... McKenna yearns for continuity

“I think the boys who are aren't starting every week at the moment have had some incredible examples over the last couple of years to know that things can change quickly,” said the Blues boss.  

“They’ve seen boys who have now left, and I won't name my names because it's unfair and I'll leave somebody out, who were incredible professionals, trained well every day, contributed to the group and were ready to perform every time they got their opportunities. 

Luke Woolfenden (right) returned to the team at the weekend in the absence of injured defenders Axel Tuanzebe, Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson. (Image: PA)

“Those who have been part of this group over the last couple of years have witnessed that first hand and have felt the importance of that to the team and to the success of the team. 

“So they're fully aware of the importance of their roles. The group's been really good and everyone's pulling the same direction wanting the team to do well, competing with each other to play, but wanting the teammate who's in their position to do well. 

“They all know that over the course of the season if you're here and you're in the 25-man squad, you're going to have a part to play.”

Despite being winless after eight Premier League games (D4 L4), Town are preparing for Saturday's game at Brentford still outside the relegation zone.

Greaves (hamstring), Tuanzebe (thumb) and Luongo (unstated) all remain sidelined, but Ben Johnson (unstated) and Jens Cajuste (knee) could be available again.

Leif Davis remains a regular starter (Image: Steve Waller) PREMIER LEAGUE GAME TIME FOR PROMOTION HEROES

Leif Davis - 720 mins

Sam Morsy - 715 mins

Omari Hutchinson - 707 mins

Axel Tuanzebe - 515 mins

Luke Woolfenden - 360 mins

Wes Burns - 347 mins

Massimo Luongo - 143 mins

Jack Taylor - 128 mins

Conor Chaplin - 124 mins

Christian Walton - 90 mins

Cameron Burgess - 90 mins

George Hirst - 67 mins

Marcus Harness (now on loan at Derby) - 43 mins

Ali Al-Hamadi - 32 mins

Harry Clarke - 27 mins

George Edmundson (now on loan at Middlesbrough) - 1 min

Nathan Broadhead - 0 mins