Despite Middlesbrough’s recent drop off in form, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is not expecting an easy afternoon when the Teesiders arrive at Portman Road this lunchtime.
Boro had looked a good bet to secure automatic Championship promotion as recently as March, but a run of six games without a victory has dropped them slightly off the pace.
They go into today’s clash in Suffolk sitting fifth, three points adrift of third-placed Town, who also have a game in hand.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. Picture: Barry Goodwin
However, asked if he expected Middlesbrough’s form to have an impact on the game, McKenna said: “It doesn’t change the bearing too much for me, to be honest. We always say, and we genuinely do, always focus on ourselves.
“We know we are facing a really strong opponent on Sunday. They have been, stylistically, one of, if not the, dominant team in the league over the last few months, but have also dropped a lot of points.
“We know we are going to have to play really well to beat them on Sunday. It is going to take a massive effort from the players and it’s going to take a real special Portman Road day, as they are a really good side.
“What their form is coming into the game often doesn’t matter in games like this when it is top team against top team. They are a top team and it is going to take a massive effort and that is just what we are focusing on.”