Ipswich Town: Chris Sutton's praise for Kieran McKenna

The Blues were flat in one of their biggest games of the season, succumbing 1-0 to old rivals Norwich City to extend their long wait for a win in the historic fixture.

McKenna said afterwards that Town's batteries may have been drained by a busy run of games and some illness in the camp.

But, speaking on Sky Sports after the game, pundit and panto villain Chris Sutton - who has a long history of picking against the Blues - praised Town and their highly-rated young boss.

READ MORE: Stuart Watson's verdict on derby day defeat

Indeed, he suggested that McKenna should be named Championship boss of the season - he's up for the EFL gong along with Leeds chief Daniel Farke and Hull City's Liam Rosenior. 

Jeremy Sarmiento reacts at full-time yesterday (Image: PagePix Ltd)
"It's a sore one from Ipswich's perspective," Sutton opined. "Norwich is a derby game but essentially it's what happens next and it's how they respond.

"I was a little bit surprised in the interview that he (McKenna) basically said the team looked fatigued. It was a derby game and the team and the players should get up for it.

"They have had a brilliant season. He's my manager of the season, regardless, with the whole story of getting up from League One.

"He has been phenomenal. It is now about trying to see it through and it is one hell of a race that we have got on."

Though losing to Norwich was a blow to the emotions, Town emerged from the weekend still in the automatic promotion spots, after Leeds were upset 2-1 at Coventry.

Leicester are back on top again, with Town now second and Leeds third.

Of the promotion race, which sees that top three separated by just two points - though Leicester have a game in hand - Sutton added: "I think everybody expected Leicester to get automatic. Leeds have been a hell of a story; they are always going to be up there.

"Ipswich have been the dark horses. They had the opportunity (against Norwich) but didn't take it. Onto the next one."