McKenna: If You're Here and in the 25-Man Squad You'll Have a Part to PlayFriday, 18th Oct 2024 17:00

Blues boss Kieran McKenna has praised the likes of Conor Chaplin, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess and Massimo Luongo, key members of the team over the last few years but who find themselves on the fringes since promotion to the Premier League.

Inevitably, Town's climb from League One to the top flight in two years has seen players move on or find themselves outside the starting XI having in some cases been among the first names on the teamsheet in seasons past.

McKenna says the right attitude has been shown and believes they will have a part to play over the course of the campaign.

"For the most part, they've been fantastic," he said. "Certainly, the boys that you're mentioning, Conor, first of all, has been outstanding.

"Of course, he's maybe had three, four or five appearances, which are his first appearances in the Premier League and signifies the fantastic journey he's been on. Luke is the same and Cameron, I'm sure his time will come very, very soon. I think they have been terrific in the group.

"I've spoken to all the boys who've been part of the journey and they all know they have a massive part to play off the pitch in terms of carrying on the culture that we've had.

"But also the only reason they're still here is because I believe that they've got a part to play on the pitch and I've got belief in everyone that was able to stay in our 25-man squad that they can contribute on the pitch over the course of a long season.

"A couple of those boys already have, but everyone will contribute over the course of the season, I'm pretty sure of that.

"The group's working really well. I think the integration from a psychological, social point of view with the players who've been here and the players who have come in, it feels like one group.

"Of course, some of the players are further along in their understanding and their - the playing style, the training and all of those things that's natural.

"But I think in the dressing room, it's one group who are all pulling in the same direction, and those names you mentioned have been a big part of that."

Going back to McKenna's early days at the club, Luongo and Burgess both had to show patience when it came to winning a regular spot in the side, same with Woolfenden prior to the Northern Irishman's arrival.

"I think the players have seen enough good examples, really," the Blues manager recalled. "Cameron Burgess wasn't a regular starter whenever I first arrived. Luke Woolfenden wasn't a regular starter before I arrived, so they know that things can change quickly.

"Also, I think the boys who are part of the squad who maybe necessarily aren't starting every week at the moment have had some incredible examples over the last couple of years because the boys who have been here who were part of the squad who are now left, and I probably won't name my names because it's unfair and I'll leave somebody out, but we've had some incredible professionals who've been here trained well every day, contributed to the group, were ready to perform and performed every time they got their opportunities.

"Those who have been part of this group over the last couple of years have witnessed that first hand and have felt the importance of that to the team and to the success of the team.

"So they're fully aware of the importance of their roles and the group's been really good and everyone's pulling the same direction wanting the team to do well, competing with each other to play, but wanting the teammate who's in their position to do well and knowing that over the course of the season if you're here and you're in the 25-man squad, you're going to have a part to play."

Photo: Matchday Images

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