Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna on his side's position in League One

The Blues slipped out of top spot following Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Wycombe but, compared to the 11th position they occupied on Christmas Day a year ago, the signs of progress are clear. 

McKenna admitted he probably would have taken this position had he been offered it at the start of the season, with the Town boss using the contrasting fortunes of Town and Wycombe as a reason for positivity. 

Town finished five places and 13 points behind the Chairboys last season, with Gareth Ainsworth’s side losing the play-off final to Sunderland, but are now ahead by the exact same margins. That’s a 26-point swing.  

Kieran McKenna, pictured with Ipswich Town chairman Mike O'Leary at Wycombe (Image: Steve Waller)

"I'm sure we would have,” McKenna said, when asked if he would have taken this position before a ball was kicked. “I don't set targets like that, but I'm sure we would have and I'm sure the supporters would have.  

"It's disappointing to lose because we had a great away support and we really wanted to give them a victory.  

"But we know we're in a good place as a team and how we've come on. 

"Wycombe are one of many strong teams in this league who were way ahead of us last year in terms of the points they picked up and the consistency of their performances across the season. 

"They are one of the teams we've managed to catch up with and I think there were lots of signs of that today. 

"Look, we have to stay positive. There are lots of things to stay positive for.  

"We've got a big week coming up now. We'll have some bodies back, the squad will be in a stronger position and we look forward to the games ahead." 

Town face Oxford United on Boxing Day, with a crowd of 28,000 expected at Portman Road.