The game that proved Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna is a class above Russell Martin.

Fear, excitement, and hope. Kieran McKenna has the’safest job in the Premier League’ and this steadiness is the cornerstone of Ipswich’s continuous struggle to remain up.

Last weekend, two Premier League clubs in the relegation zone made significant choices, but it appears like Ipswich Town will not follow suit anytime soon.

This season, life under Kieran McKenna has gone pretty much as planned.

Ipswich are now ranked 18th in the standings. Despite supporters’ desire for a higher position, the team has demonstrated a strong fighting spirit.

On Saturday, Ipswich scored a late goal, with Jack Taylor’s stoppage-time victory sealing Gary O’Neil’s fate.

The win saved Ipswich and led Wolves to take measures in response to their own concerns.

Southampton’s firing of Russell Martin is unlikely to impact their fate, since they now have only five points. Unless they pull off a spectacular comeback, the Championship awaits them.

It may perhaps be kind to propose a six-way battle to escape the final two relegation slots.West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Everton are all struggling, but are expected to move ahead.

According to Rich Woodward of the Blue Monday podcast, the outcome of Manchester City’s 115 charges could determine Ipswich’s survival. Relegation is one possible outcome, but any decision will likely be challenged and may extend beyond this season.

“It would be good to do it outright but I will take anything to finish 17th,” replies Woodward.

Aside from that, it’s evident that Ipswich and McKenna are learning as they go.

On Monday, the 38-year-old celebrated three years in command, representing one year in each league they had played in.

McKenna’s career began in League One with a 1-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers and has since gained attention from Chelsea and Manchester United. However, he recognizes that he has time for further challenges in the future, as seen by his long-term deal signed in May.

He’s committed to Ipswich for the long term, whether in the Premier League or the Championship, and his popularity at Portman Road has served as the basis for a campaign in which they want to defy the odds.

Woodward cites an early October defeat as a pivotal moment in the team’s season, highlighting McKenna’s pragmatism and ability to change tactics, which Martin lacked at Southampton.

“We had a really tough start [losing to Liverpool and Manchester City], but the one game that has changed our season in the most significant way was the 4-1 defeat at West Ham,” Woodward recalls.

“McKenna’s tactic in the Championship was to create chaos and attack, which is why we won so many games 3-2 and 4-3. We were occasionally picked off, but other Championship teams couldn’t keep up with us.

“That was mainly the tactic he had in mind, but when we shipped four against West Ham, McKenna found a way to make us much more solid, and we’ve been in games ever since – it’s a slim margin, a mistake. We have six League One players, and they are still adjusting to this level.

Indeed, since the West Ham defeat was followed by a 2-0 loss to Everton, Ipswich’s last eight games have all been tied or decided by a single goal.