Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says his team will need to put into place all the lessons they have learned at the start of this Premier League season when they host Aston Villa on Sunday (2pm ko).
The Blues started their first top-flight season in 22 years with defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City, but go into this weekend's game off the back of successive draws against Fulham, Brighton and Southampton.
Villa, competing in the Champions League after finishing fourth last season, have won six of their opening seven games across all competitions so far.
“We know we’re not going to dominate every moment of games, as has been the case at times in previous seasons, so it’s about learning how to manage different game states," said McKenna, when asked what his side has learned so far.
“When we’re on top of games, like we have been in spells, in the home games especially, it’s about the execution to go and turn that into clear chances and goals. That needs to improve and we’ve been working hard on that. I’m sure as the players adapt to the league, individually and collectively, that will develop.
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“There have been other phases in games when the opponent has been on top and we have had to defend collectively and with good organisation. We’ve already felt how important that is. You can’t afford to go off strategy and play individually at any moment. Our strength is going to be as a collective.
“I think the players have learned lots already, on and off the ball. They've felt the level, but they’ve also gained confidence from how competitive we’ve been in certain parts of certain games. We’ve played two of the best teams in the division and taken results from two teams just outside the real top ones in the division."
The Blues boss added: "Our intent going into every game is the same. It’s to be the dominant side and to be brave and aggressive with and without the ball, but it’s not always going to pan out that way.
"For us to be competitive in this league and be successful we’re going to have to show a lot of strings to our bow for sure.
"We’re enjoying the journey we’re on."
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