Boss Paul Jewell admitted that his side were soundly beaten as Reading left Portman Road with a 3-1 victory. The Town manager was at a loss to explain such a muted performance.

Jewell said: “It was so flat it was unbelievable. I’m at a loss to explain that. The one thing we’ve had in most of the games is endeavour, I’m not saying there was no endeavour, we just looked flat, we looked leggy and we looked tired.

“I’m not using that as an excuse because they’ve had as many games as us, they were better than us in all areas tonight and we were soundly beaten.”

The Blues boss says losing Jimmy Bullard to a hamstring injury was a blow but that the rest of the side failed to match their previous performances: “Jimmy has a hamstring injury. He had a fitness test this morning and we were quite hopeful he might come through, he was a bit tight after the game on Saturday.

“He had the test this morning and when he went into a 60% run he could feel it. You just can’t play with a hamstring, so it was a disappointment to lose him, but we’ve got to do better than we did tonight.

“I think losing Jimmy was a huge loss to us but there didn’t seem any spark to the team at all tonight from anybody.

“We were flat, were second to every ball. The first goal was disappointing and was always going to be key. We never really put enough pressure on our goal, and they always looked a threat.”

Town had one or two chances in the second half, but Jewell admitted that his side deserved little from the game: “It would have been masking a multitude of sins. I think you’ve always got to be honest, and we just didn’t play well enough tonight.”

Reading boss Brian McDermott was delighted with his side’s performance: “That’s as a good an away performance as you’ll see in the Championship, let alone Reading.

“As we didn’t have Jimmy Kebe, Jay Tabb and Jobi McAnuff we played a different way tonight and everyone carried out their jobs really well. With 10 minutes left we changed back to 4-4-2 and we got the two late goals, which were very useful.”

Photo: Action Images

BrandonsBlues added 21:04 - Mar 9 A few of those out of contract players may well find themselves not offered any deal at all. And a few in contract may find they are not wanted either. Players inconsistancy is very worrying. I wonder if some of those players are already thinking of their holidays instead of the job in hand. The 7 difficult games that started with Hull, although there has been some good performances for 45 minutes here or there, the results prove that some of the players have not got what it takes to drive us on next year. Many changes in personnel and formation required for next year. Not looking foward to the Narwich game, feel they could be doubling us this season, again a team still pushing for automatic promotion, and already hammered us once will be looking to rub salt into the wounds, and I dont think the players have got the balls to beat them.

0

jas0999 added 21:24 - Mar 9 Disagree with some. Reading didn't really have to go beyond gear one in order to beat an extremely poor ITFC side who's manager seems to think it's acceptable to play just one very isoltaed striker at home. Struggling to think of a worse performance recently (yes - several on par - but not worse). Jewell has to quickly re-think his tactics. Understand one up front away from home, but ITFC fans have always moaned with such a tact at home - so see no excuse for Jewell. Shockingly bad last night - hope Jewell turns it round. Otherwise can see attendances of 12K next season. P.S. Still think Jewell makes decisions (subs/formation) too late in a game. ALSO - agree with those questioning the desire of out of contract players. Only one deserving last night was McAuley.

0

DiamondGezzer added 07:56 - Mar 10 Brian a mul:- Billy Sharpe wouldn't be the worst buy in the world. Would I change him for Priskin or Scotland? Let me think............................Bloody Right I would !
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls