Ipswich Town: Richard Keogh on Blues' 1-1 draw with Cambridge United

The Blues’ automatic promotion chances suffered a real blow when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cambridge yesterday, leaving them six points behind both Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday at the top end of the table. 

After three failed attempts to escape the third tier since relegation in 2019, Keogh understands why doubts may be creeping in after such a strong start to the campaign.  

“I get it,” Keogh said.

Harvey Knibbs fired Cambridge ahead (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“This club is so passionate and I learnt that as a young boy when I was here. I knew how passionate the crowd were.  

“I’ve played at previous clubs where the fans are very passionate and expect a lot, which I love as a player. I thrive off it. 

“We’re all fans and we all want our team to do really well. I get it for sure. 

“But the supporters have been amazing throughout the season and have shown how much they love the team and how big the connection is. 

“We’re going to need them between now and the end of the season and, what I’d say to them is ‘just keep being brilliant like you have been and let’s go together’. 

“That can be a really powerful thing between now and the end of the season.” 

Town’s task became difficult at the Abbey Stadium after an extremely poor first-half which saw Harvey Knibbs give Cambridge the lead before Christian Walton needed to keep out a Joe Ironside penalty to keep the Blues in touch. 

Freddie Ladapo scored Ipswich’s equaliser after the break but they couldn’t find a winner. 

“In the first-half I didn’t feel like that was us,” Keogh said. 

“We sort of had control before their goal but it didn’t feel like us. We’re used to hard running and sustaining attacks which I didn’t think we did in the first half. Second half we did, which is why we scored a goal and looked like the only team who would score. 

“We needed to find the rhythm better and our intensity wasn’t there, with or without the ball. We suffered for that but recomposed, got in at half-time and then put it right.” 

The veteran continued: “We go into any game trying to win, regardless of the opposition, whether that be Sheffield Wednesday or Cambridge. 

“In a way, having gone 1-0 down and then had to save a penalty, you take the point but we wanted to win the game. 

Christian Walton made an important penalty save (Image: Pagepix)

“We have always had the mindset of only looking at the next game and, in the league, we have a big one next week against Sheffield Wednesday that we’re looking forward to. 

“There are still a lot of games to be played and a lot of points to play for. We know we’re a really good team and we focus on ourselves, reassess this game and look forward to the challenges. 

“When you come to a big club like Ipswich and you’re challenging then you need to step up, but everyone in there is embracing the challenge. 

“During my career there have always been bumps in the road when you’re trying to achieve something great. That’s not ideal but the quicker you get your head down and keep working hard then the quicker the positives come.”