Kieran McKenna blasted for Ipswich 'disaster' and 'awful' Muric

Kieran McKenna is to blame for the “awful” Ipswich defending as they conceded the third goal at home to Newcastle, according to Rachel Brown-Finnis.

Aleksandr Isak had a memorable match, scoring a hat-trick in just 57 minutes against the Tractor Boys. His second goal came after some poor decision-making in Ipswich’s build-up play thanks to a number of mistakes they took advantage of.

Arijanet Muric, hesitating in possession, passed under pressure, allowing Jean Cajuste to lose the ball. The Swedish striker was in the box to tap in the easy finish on the way to a 4-0 win.

BBC Sport’s Final Score pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis was less than impressed. She had previously criticised the concept of playing out from the back on the show and again blamed the manager for the goal.

She said (15:49): “It’s awful. Muric shouldn’t have played it out; it’s never on. But the only option for the defender, when he has his back to the rest of the play facing his own goal, is to ping it out wide.

“It’s a low-percentage advantage to play the ball there. It should never happen, and as I had my little rant to counter your argument [Others blaming the keeper], it’s the manager to blame.

“It’s poor decision-making by Muric; your team is 2-0 down, about to go in for half-time. Just don’t do stuff like that”.

Sky Sports pundits also had their say on the goal, with Tim Sherwood clearly frustrated by the nature of the error. He said: “It’s Isak again; he’s never going to score an easier goal than this, and it’s all their own making…

“Just mix it up! Play! Sometimes you have to go long. Rolling it to the midfield player in the 18-yard box is not good enough. 3-0”.

Ipswich heading for relegation as things stand

McKenna’s surge into the top flight with the Tractor Boys was a fairytale but they have been brought back to reality this term.

He isn’t alone in terms of promoted managers being heavily criticised for his players failing to pull off a style of play they don’t appear suited to, but Russell Martin has lost his job at Southampton as a result so the Ipswich boss will have to take not.

On the other hand it’s been a memorable week for Eddie Howe’s side after their Carabao Cup victory over Brentford. Sandro Tonali was on the lips of Newcastle fans following his impressive display, scoring a brace.

He finally seemed to be building chemistry with Bruno Guimarães in midfield. The Magpies will hope that the duo stays together for at least the rest of the season, despite interest from Manchester City.

Isak has also been linked with other clubs, and his eleven goals this season will continue to attract attention.

Howe’s team are facing some issues with profit and sustainability rules, but losing one of these key players would be a setback in what has already been an injury-hit season.

With form finally starting to improve, fans will hope the January transfer window won’t see one of their top men leave.

In other news, Newcastle are planning to sign two players in January.

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