Ipswich Town defender Luke Woolfenden has claimed the Tractor Boys are only going in one direction under current boss Kieran McKenna - forward.

McKenna took over at Portman Road back in December, but was unable to guide the club into the League One play-offs.

Despite this, there is a sense of optimism building at the club, with many expecting big things next campaign.

Now, speaking ahead of the summer window in which Ipswich have already secured deals for Dominic Ball and Freddie Ladapo, Woolfenden says the only way is forward with McKenna at the helm.

“This is probably the most I’ve ever looked forward to coming back for pre-season,” the 23-year-old told the East Anglian Daily Times.

“If I’d had things my way we wouldn’t have stopped and kept rolling on. A lot of us would have said the same I think.

“As a team we all know that anything apart from promotion would be a failure and a massive disappointment for the whole area."

On his own personal aims, Woolfenden continued: “For me, I just want to play as many games as I can, stay in the team, not have any dips in form and stay really consistent all season. Even if problems come, hopefully I can bounce my way through them.

“There hasn’t really been a doubt about my ability but the big question mark was about consistency and doing it every week, game after game.

 

 

“I’ve had some great purple patches with some really high highs but then some lows as well.

“But with Kieran here the only way is forward.”

Luke Woolfenden agreed a new contract with Ipswich Town ahead of the summer, along with Tractor Boys star Wes Burns.

The Tractor Boys will find out their League One schedule later this month when the EFL fixture list is released.

The Verdict

You would have to agree with Luke Woolfenden here.

Ipswich Town are seemingly only going in one direction under boss Kieran McKenna, and the club should be looking to challenge for automatic promotion next season.

With the likes of Freddie Ladapo and Dom Ball having already been signed, Ipswich have already made strong additions and the transfer window has not even arrived yet.

There will no doubt be more to come, which should only bolster the Tractor Boys' promotion hopes further.