Match Preview | Ipswich Town vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to Ipswich Town’s Portman Road on Saturday, September 2nd (3pm KO) in the final game before the international break.
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OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Ipswich Town’s manager is Kieran McKenna, who was appointed on December 16th, 2021.
Whilst studying a degree in Sports Science at Loughborough University, McKenna spent time as a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest, whilst also spending two months as a guest coach at Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada.
After graduating, the Tractor Boys boss was named Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Spurs, going on to coach a number of age grade teams at the club, latterly the U18 side.
Guiding the young Spurs to the Semi-Final of the FA Youth Cup during his time in charge, McKenna left for the same role at Manchester United.
After leading the Red Devils’ U18 side to the Premier League Northern Division titie, McKenna was promoted to the First Team coaching staff as José Mourinho’s assistant manager, also working in the role under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.
Moving to Ipswich Town as manager in 2021, McKenna has since had success with the Tractor Boys, leading the club to promotion to the Championship at the end of last season.
Since his appointment, McKenna has a win percentage of 56.5%, having won 48 of his 85 games in charge.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Tractor Boys have made a positive start to their league campaign, claiming three wins from their opening four fixtures.
McKenna’s men began their season with a 2-1 win at Sunderland, before recording a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.
Travelling to Queens Park Rangers in their third game of the campaign, Conor Chaplin’s second half goal gave them all three points.
Their most recent league fixture was a seven-goal thriller against Leeds United, which saw Town suffer their first defeat of the campaign as the Whites ran out 4-3 winners.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Wales international Nathan Broadhead has made a positive start to the league season.
The winger has recorded two goals and an assist in the opening four matches of the campaign.
Broadhead found the net on the opening day against Sunderland, scoring against his former club.
The 25-year-old also scored his side’s second goal in the 4-3 defeat to Leeds United.
CLUB CONNECTION | MARK KENNEDY
Left-sided player Mark Kennedy joined the Bluebirds in 2008 from Crystal Palace, quickly making an impression at Ninian Park.
With Joe Ledley cementing his place on the left wing, an injury to Tony Capaldi led to Kennedy featuring as a left back.
The Republic of Ireland international flourished on the left side of a strong defence, going on to make 66 league appearances in his two years in the Welsh capital.
Kennedy left the Club in 2010 for Ipswich Town, who were managed at the time by his former international teammate, Roy Keane.
In his first season with the Tractor Boys, the side had success in the League Cup, impressively reaching the Semi-Finals.
Ipswich Town was Kennedy’s final club in his playing career, with the 47-year-old now managing at League One club Lincoln City.
