Ipswich manager hails Hutchinson for right attitude

LONDON, England (CMC):

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna praised Jamaica international Omari Hutchinson for his work ethic and the impact he has had on the club in the English League Championship.

The 20-year-old scored in each half after George Hirst netted the opener and looked to have secured full points for the Tractor Boys, as Ipswich are known, in their chase for automatic promotion to the top tier English Premier League (EPL), but Hull City equalised each time and earned a hard-fought 3-3 draw at MKM Stadium.

“He deserves it because he works really hard on his game,” Kieran told Town TV in an interview post-play.

Hutchinson, on loan to the second-tier club from EPL giants Chelsea, scored his first goal in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to give Ipswich a 2-1 lead at half-time and put them ahead 3-2 in the 67th minute to take his scoring tally in the Championship this term to nine goals.

He joined the Blues from Arsenal two years ago, but he was sent out on loan last summer to gain experience, and the decision has been a roaring success.

Hutchinson has been a constant threat for Ipswich down the right this season, and his brace on Saturday highlighted what he has to offer.

“He played two different roles in the game, causing a lot of problems, and he’s frustrated not to have got a third goal,” McKenna added.

“That’s him. He holds himself to high standards, and if he keeps doing that he’ll do very well for himself.”

The result on Saturday meant that Ipswich are third in the 24-team table on 90 points, four points behind leaders Leicester with two matches remaining, and level on points with an inferior goal defence with Leeds, who have one match left.

Bravery, spirit

McKenna said he saw plenty in the match about which he could be positive.

“The bravery, the spirit, some of the quality and seeing the players giving every ounce of themselves on the pitch once again,” he said.

“How we didn’t manage to get the fourth goal at times, I’m not sure, but it’s a hard-fought point at a time when points are really hard to win.”

He said: “We played a team who threw absolutely everything at us with a lot of talent and quality, needing to get a result themselves from their last home game. We stood up to a lot of that.

“Of course, we’re disappointed with the goals we conceded and could have had a couple more of our own, but there are lots of good things in the performance.”

Ipswich return to action today when they travel to Coventry City.