Ipswich travel to Manchester City after defeat in their opener to Liverpool, but Kieran McKenna hopes a tough start can fast-track their adjustment to life in the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys produced a strong first-half display at a buoyant Portman Road on Saturday before the Reds improved after the break to clinch a 2-0 win through Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah goals.
Having secured a historic and emotional top-flight return following 22 years away, McKenna insisted they would relish a trip to the current league champions City.
"The way the fixtures have come out, with it being Liverpool and Manchester City the first two games, we take it as a real positive," the Co Fermanagh man said.
"We know that it will give us a real good insight into the top echelons of the league.
"It will be about full commitment to each game..."
"We know the group is right in at the deep end, but we feel like that can hopefully fast-track our development and adjustment to this league.
"We won't spend much time talking about the league table, positions or points because that is not how we work. That is not how we have got to this point.
"It will be about full commitment to each game, give each game our best, learn our lessons, train and prepare really well and get ready to go again. That will be the same whoever we play."
McKenna gave first Premier League starts to 10 players on Saturday and was eager to highlight the patience of goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Walton was first choice during Ipswich's promotion from League One, but was back-up last season and got a late call-up due to a calf injury for summer signing Arijanet Muric.
He added: "We were hoping Muric would be OK up until he had a fitness test in the morning, but he wasn't able to make it.
"It is such an important lesson for the group because Christian Walton has come in having not played a league fixture for 15 or 16 months.
"His last league fixture was in League One. He's trained and prepared all last season, didn't manage to get minutes in the league and lost his position after injury, but he stayed ready and performed really well.
"It is a big lesson and a big reinforcement for the group in terms of everyone being ready and everyone being needed."
Liverpool spoiled the Ipswich party to ensure new boss Arne Slot made a triumphant start to life as Jurgen Klopp's replacement.
Salah acknowledged patience was required under the Dutch head coach, telling the club's website: "It's quite different for all of us, so we need to adapt.
"We just take it step by step because some players also came back late, so we just need to know his way of playing and to enjoy the football.
"We don't need to put more pressure on him. We just need to play football and enjoy our games and let's see in the end."
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