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'We're not too far away' - McKenna says three narrow defeats won't rock confidence

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna turns away after Bournemouth's late winner. _(Image: Steve Waller)_

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna insists his team are 'not too far away' from being able to win games consistently in the Premier League.

The Blues looked set to secure their first home victory of the season yesterday when leading Bournemouth 1-0 going into the latter stages, but the Cherries struck twice at the death [to turn the game on its head](https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24780025.ipswich-town-1-2-afc-bournemouth-stuart-watsons-verdict/).

That result made it three single goal defeats in the space of eight days, following on from 1-0 losses against Nottingham Forest (a) and Crystal Palace (h), and leaves Ipswich second-bottom with nine points from their opening 15 games (W1 D6 L8). 

"It's been a disappointing week for us - we know that," said McKenna.

"But at the same time, I think the players know and feel that we're not too far away. Over the three games is the margin to us taking three points, five points, seven points that huge a jump? I don't think it is. It is a jump, we're not unlucky every single game, though we've had unlucky moments, and that is a jump for us to make.

"But within that I don't want to lose all the good things we're doing to compete relentlessly week-in, week-out. I think we're doing a lot of things well, so I don't think the players will drop confidence in the direction we're going. I can't guarantee what that will give us at the end of the season, but I think they all really believe in the path that we're on."

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Town travel to Wolves, another side in the relegation zone, for another 'six pointer' on Saturday.

"The boys are improving," insisted McKenna. "Look at some individual performances. I'm sorry, but Cameron Burgess, Jack Taylor, Conor Chaplin - to give three examples - are lads who have gone from League Two to starting in the Premier League.  

"The players know that so much good work is going on, but we need to own what we can own and keep trying to improve in every way we possibly can - to go and get a second goal and open up a margin, and own the mistakes we made late in the game. 

"It's not (bad) luck. It's things we can do better. It's also about facing a very, very, very high level of opponent who are going to chase the game with top quality forward players."

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