Kieran McKenna hopes FA Cup tie provides 'welcome distraction' for Ipswich
He says the competition's been a welcome distraction from Ipswich's fight against relegation in the Premier League
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna hopes their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Nottingham Forest will provide a "welcome distraction" from their Premier League troubles.
His side have taken just one point from the last seven matches in the top flight which has left them five points from safety.
Their only wins in 2025 have been in the cup - but a trip to Nottingham Forest, where they lost 1-0 in November awaits - so McKenna hopes a change of competition will offer a lift.
"I think it's a welcome distraction. It's been a nice change of focus, a change of everything, really. A change of narrative around the games," he said.
"The couple of earlier rounds have been a nice break from the Premier League action.
"This isn't as long of a break. With it being a Monday night, the next league game will come a little bit quicker."
However, McKenna admits Saturday's league match away to Crystal Palace will come a little too soon for his liking.
"If we're completely honest, in terms of league action, we'd rather not play on a Monday night and would rather have a full week of build-up and prep for the Crystal Palace game (on Saturday)," he added.
"We'd rather have had one of the earlier fixtures in terms of our Premier League preparations, but there haven't been as many games this season as we're used to and we enjoy.
"I'd rather not be facing 10 days without a game, I'd rather have the chance to play another game, test ourselves against another Premier League team and utilise our squad to get minutes into those who need and deserve them.
"It's also about giving ourselves a chance to be competitive and try to go through in the game."
McKenna knows this is their toughest test in the competition so far.
"It's been a nice progression for the group and for some of the players," he said.
"The fact that we went from playing a League One team to a Championship team, there's a little landmark in there for some of the players and us as a team.
"Now we get the chance to go and play against a Premier League team in a real challenge, but also a really good cup tie away on a Monday night in an historic ground and against a good Premier League side."