Ipswich Town: George Burley on Kieran McKenna and the Blues

The iconic former manager and player told BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley that he hadn't been panicking about Town's winless start to the season before they got off the mark with an impressive 2-1 triumph at Spurs on Sunday.

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Town got their first win at Spurs on Sunday (Image: Ross Halls) “I’ve been to every game and to be fair the performances have been excellent," he insisted.

“People say ‘we’ve got to win, win, win’ – but it’s about making good performances, that wins you games.

“I haven’t been panicking because the team have been playing really well.

“I mean, the last home game against Leicester it was disgraceful how we drew that game. We can go into VAR, but it was so blatant and we were so much on top there was only going to be one winner.

“That was bad luck and bad decisions. So it will change because the performances of the team and Kieran (McKenna), and how much improvement they’re making every week with what Kieran’s doing to the side, it’s getting better and better.

“So I’ve got every confidence that we’re going to stay in the Premiership this season, which is a priority, and then keep building on for the next few seasons.”

Burley says Town's win at Spurs will be 'great' for the team (Image: Ross Halls) Asked what getting that first win of the season under their belts would do for the side, Burley was emphatic.

“It’s great," he enthused. "I can remember our first couple of home games when I was manager and we finished fifth.

"We played Man United and Arsenal and did well and got two draws – and that gave us confidence to build on.

“And that deserved win at Tottenham will give them loads of confidence to go into games.

"Nobody will be talking about the only team that hasn’t won, they’ll be talking about how well the team’s played and competed in the Premiership, and I’m sure a lot of people will be saying now ‘yeah, I think Ipswich are going to stay up this season.’"

One man Burley is particularly impressed with is the one who sits in his old hot seat, brilliant young boss Kieran McKenna. Indeed, McKenna is the first Town manager since Burley to lead the Blues to a win in the Premier League, some 22 years after the Scot.

George Burley says Town boss Kieran McKenna is 'fantastic' (Image: PA) “He’s fantastic," the 68-year-old stressed. "As a manager I was always wanting to work with players on the training pitch and you can see the way Kieran does, he’s got that relationship with the players, which is so important.

“When you’re working with players they want somebody to be out on the training ground to make them better, because players want to get better – and that’s what Kieran does.

“He gets into their mind and head, to continually improve their game and that’s a joy for players, and you can see how they enjoy working with him.

“He’s done a fabulous job, and I’m really looking forward to every time I go to Portman Road now, for the style of football they’re playing, the attacking flair, and the youngsters.

“You can see how the young players are improving and how they really appreciate what Kieran’s done for them.

“That goes a long way to winning games and keeping that team spirit going.”