Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been impressed by how this afternoon’s opponents Fulham have gone about their business both on and off the pitch in recent seasons.
Following their promotion back to the Premier League in 2022, the Cottagers have established themselves in the top flight with 10th, 13th and ninth-placed finishes.
Marco Silva’s men go into today’s clash at Craven Cottage sitting in ninth position and unbeaten in their last seven games – a run that has included a 2-1 victory over Chelsea and score draws with title-chasing Liverpool and Arsenal.
And McKenna is well aware of the size of the task ahead of his players as they go in search of a victory that will lift them out of the relegation zone.
McKenna, who has confirmed that goalkeeper Christian Walton will retain the gloves in west London, said: “It’s not necessarily one thing which is probably a compliment to what he’s (Silva) done.
“They’ve done a lot of things well and of course they’ve built a squad well from when they were in the Championship and Premier League the first time around.
“They had one season when they were relegated to the Championship but kept a good bit of the group together and some of that group is still together now that came back up to the Premier League, which always puts you in a good spot.
“They’ve added to the squad well in each transfer window and added good players as it went along.
“Marco is doing an excellent job in terms of coaching the team. They’re very well organised, well structured with and without the ball, very good on set plays and they’ve got a clear plan and clear organisation in every phase of the game.
“They’re a really well rounded and well organised side who are understandably having an excellent season. It’s a great challenge for us to go against.”
Ipswich last travelled to Fulham for a Premier League fixture in October 2001 when Jermaine Wright’s second-half goal secured a 1-1 draw.
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