Town boss Paul Jewell again bemoaned his side’s tendency to concede “calamitous goals” after Doncaster left Portman Road with a 3-2 victory. The Blues manager praised his side’s second half character as they pulled two goals back but felt they’d left themselves far too much to do with their first half display.

Jewell said: “With the goals we’re giving away we’re giving ourselves mountains to climb at the moment. We did it at Peterborough, against Southampton, Millwall and again today. We’re giving calamitous goals away and when you do that you’re always going to be up against it.

“When we’re bad, we’re hopeless,” he conceded. “ We just look so vulnerable and every time they went forward they almost scored a goal.

“I think we showed a bit of character in the second half, even though at 3-1 we wanted to be more on the front foot, but I don’t think it was as bad as the [Peterborough and Southampton] games. We showed some character in the second half.

“But the first half performances and the way we concede goals is killing us. We’re making basic errors. There are experienced players out there, as well as one or two young ones.”

The Blues boss outlined the failings on each of Doncaster’s goals: “Every goal you concede is a bad goal but the first one’s from a freekick, which doesn’t get cleared, gets crossed and Diouf gets a free header.

“The second one is a cross from the right under no pressure, another a free header. The third one, the two centre-backs get in one another and the game’s over almost. It’s not the midfield, it’s not the forwards, it’s the team as the whole.

“When we’re not controlling games, we’re getting done. There are plenty of teams that haven’t controlled games that have got a 0-0 or a 1-0. And we, at the minute, because it’s not going our way, we get done at the back.”

Freekicks and corners are also a problem: “It’s not just a defensive point of view, it’s set plays as well. We switch off at set plays. When we got to 3-1 and everyone’s got their man for set plays, they could have scored two goals. That’s just down to basic poor defending. That might not be a defender, that might be a midfield player, it might be a forward player.

“Even if you’re playing not very well, as we were in the first half, we’ve got to be able to get in at half-time at 0-0 or still be in the game.

“At 3-0 you don’t give up but you give yourself a mountain to climb. Our goal difference tells you that we don’t defend very well.”

Jewell wasn’t using the switches of personnel as an explanation for the alarming drop in form: “All those things we were doing three weeks ago have just disappeared for whatever reason, through confidence or whatever.

“Perhaps we made a few changes through injury, but we’re not going to use that as an excuse. Some of the goals we’ve conceded, not just today but this season, are not of the standard of a decent Championship team, or a bad Championship team even.”

Doncaster boss Dean Saunders was delighted with the win but admitted he was worried at the end: “We played really well today, although George Friend’s missed four open goals, so I’m a bit disappointed at what happened right at the end because if there had been another five minutes on the clock, you never know, they could have forced the ball over the line somehow, got a lucky break.

“But I can’t complain. Those were two great crosses from Coppinger, he worked his socks off and played really well and the finishing from Diouf and Billy Sharp was great. It was a good three points for us, we needed it.”

Rovers striker Sharp, whose new-born son Luey died last week, thanked Town fans for their applause after his goal and when he was subbed via Twitter: “Just like to say a big thank you to all the Ipswich fans for the ovation they gave me when I scored and got taken off.

“Will never forget that moment today at Portman Road. Ipswich Town fans unbelievable, never seen anything like it.

“And another thank you to all Blades fans, heard about the minute's applause on 24 minutes, very special, I scored on 24 minutes too,” said the former Sheffield United player and boyhood supporter.

Photo: Action Images

beetlebum added 20:35 - Nov 5 You talkin' to me?
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yorksblue added 20:36 - Nov 5 Alpine Blue - Open your eyes Pal
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AlpineBlue added 20:37 - Nov 5 Well who would you get instead? Steve McLaren?
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Oldsage added 20:37 - Nov 5 I was watching the warm up before play started. Leadbitter did not do some of the stretching exercises all the other players were doing. (Presumably beneath his dignity). In the pass and move warm up he gave the ball away to the "opposition" twice out of three attempts - a foretaste of things to come. I was going to do a detailed analysis of his contribution to the game - passes to home side , balls given away, tackles made, players not closed down etc. In the game he did not touch the ball for over 4 minutes. His first 4 passes went to an ITFC player and then things went downhill. After 7 minutes, I became so depressed I gave up. Andrews was trying to gee up his teamates at times during the game. I only wish he had tried to gee up himself - largely a spectator for long periods of the game. With two players like this in key midfield positions, what can we expect? (OK, I know Andrews is probably our leading goal scorer. How many goals would Diouf have scored in his place? The point I am trying to make is that whoever plays in the back four, or even in goal, if the midfield go AWOL we have no chance of winning.

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jas0999 added 20:37 - Nov 5 'The Blues manager praised his side's second half character' - PJ is even more deluded than what I thought. The two goals flattered us. We were abysmal. Moreover, PJ's tactics, selection and management was utter utter rubbish. No doubt the PJ lovers will find an excuse for this - but bottom line is results under PJ have been worse than Roy and Jim - look at the thrashings we have taken under him. Building a team - what with injury prone has beens and loans? No - PJ is a disgrace and the sooner he goes the better. Think we need a younger manager, with ideas and someone who will build a squad over several years - not a 'Dad's Army' type - who is badly out of touch. It's depressing to watch this slow team in action. It is little wonder attendances have fallen by 6-7K under him. The man will do to us as he did to Derby and before anyone dares say it: ROY was RIGHTLY SACKED. ME's error was appointing PJ - just as I predicted before his appointment. Utterly inept.

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HALLSJ added 20:39 - Nov 5 Totally agree with Irishtim, Burley/Holland isn't a bad call at all. People with the club in their hearts. It is very upsetting when your conceeding so many goals. Forest aren't too hot right now either, but unless the improvement is not massive the best I can see is a draw. To top it all, my brothers a hammer and after beating them they are leaving us well behind.
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muhrensleftfoot added 20:40 - Nov 5 I feel really low at the moment. Normally quite upbeat, but season after season now, just when you think we may have turned the corner, we get fed a diet of rubbish. Last 5 games just rubbish, even the 1-0 win against Portsmouth. Not really Marcus Evans' fault, but since he put money into the club, it's just got worse and worse. When John Walters scored a hat trick against Bristol City, we had a side full of nobodies and youngsters, and people like Walters who had been plucked from obscurity. It must have been hunger. Now we've got a team of old has beens who don't give a toss anymore except for picking up another big fat pay cheque. Give me the struggling days of Joe Royle with no cash but Bent and Kuqi outscoring the opposition week after week

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AlpineBlue added 20:40 - Nov 5 Beetlebum, yes. Among others. And, I am sure you will have forgotten your sack him comment come May.
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jas0999 added 20:42 - Nov 5 MattinLondon - why are you blaming Roy? PJ has been here TEN MONTHS and has brought in around 16 new players - it's his team, his signings now. He is in charge of selection and tactics. Not Roy. The fact he revereted to Roy's signings today just goes to show how a) rubbish b) injury-prone his have been. When are people going to stop blaming Roy, Jim, Joe etc and accept that after ten months PJ has not improved us; in fact looking at a number of results we have been worse off!! How many times do we need to get a good thrashing before people accept it?

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Woodbridgian added 20:45 - Nov 5 Worst 45 mins of football i've seen at PR for a long long time, Getting very disilusioned with the way things are going. Yes PJ is always very honest about how the team has performed but talk is cheap and its results that count and i'm really starting to doubt that PJ is going to deliver. Everybody could see the so called diamond hasn't worked for the last 3 por 4 games and to continue with it with key players missing shows a complete lack of sense.

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AlpineBlue added 20:45 - Nov 5 Burley/Holland is a terrible call. In cloud cuckoo land with the canaries! Now I was screaming for Keane to go like everyone, but Paul Jewell must stay or we will drift away like the two Sheffield clubs. We need consistency and stability. What has Burley done since he left us? What experience does Holland have (and why would he give up a potentially lucrative TV career)? Burley would sleep with a few WAGs and get sacked in 6 months.

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ChestnutSe added 20:47 - Nov 5 We were rubbish today and I blame Jewell and the fact that our players are not good enough. Healey, Priskin and Martin should never feature in a ITFC squad again. I think Jewell needs and deserves time to get it right but he is right when he says its a long term project. We badly miss Sonko and Bullard is out of position playing in front of the back 4. He needs to play in the centre with 2 wide men (Carson and Edwards). Perhaps Hyam deserves a chance in that holding role. Leadbitter might as well go as well and God knows why he is skipper, he is anonymous on the field. It was a 3-2 massacre today. Looks like we will be lucky to stay in the Championship this season on todays showing. Sign Coppinger asap.

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tractorboy1961 added 20:56 - Nov 5 We can't keep blaming RK as this is very much PJ,s team now. The problem as I see it is leadership right through the club. Our owner never has anything to say in public.Clegg can't even be asked to write in the programme anymore so we have no idea about his thoughts for the club. Our manager proved today he is clueless and we have no leadership on the pitch . Leadbitter is a joke as captain. We have not progressed at all since ME took over as a team, and as a club we have gone backwards. As to on the pitch we lack pace and above all effort. Stop saying the players are tired as they can't be. They lead privileged life's and the least we expect is some effort. Let's face it Doncaster were bottom of the league and scored just 10 goals all season before today. Think that shows how poor we are. So what's the answer? Well pay me Cleggs wages,Jewells wages and Leadbitters wages and I will tell you!

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dommyboyblue added 20:56 - Nov 5 Was so angry at the team selection as I sat down to watch the match but had to hold back as in the family enclosure, no fecking pace or width in the midfield. I knew we were in trouble and low and behold two goals from the flanks where we had no cover and were so exposed. Also no sursprise that our two best players were Carson and Martin when they came on. I am a big Jewell fan but today he got it wrong for me. Bullard was just letting them run through him, felt for colin healey though, he is a centre mid. Rant over!! COYB

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bluetractor73 added 20:59 - Nov 5 I agree with irish tim time to get rid of pj and bring in burley or curbs alpine blue your on a different planet are you telling me you will accept another 3 or 4 defeats like that this season and still finish in the top ten start thinking of the goal difference its going to cost us huge
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MattinLondon added 21:00 - Nov 5 Jas0999 - As strange as it might well seem to you I'm going to judge PJ at the end of the season. The idea of sacking managers at this point of the season is utterly ridiculous. Yes I think PJ has made mistakes but how many managers haven't? AlpineBlue - I agree with you.
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DeanoBlue added 21:03 - Nov 5 midfield has been our problem for years, hardly protecting the back 4 and no creativity, any striker can score when provided amunition which it proved once we got wingers on so thats hope jewel sticks with width and just makes a decision on 2 of 4 centre midfielders to play in the middle,
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muhrensleftfoot added 21:03 - Nov 5 Wouldn't have picked Healy from the start, but he was the pick of a very poor midfield. Really sorry for him that he was substituted early on - he certainly didn't deserve it. Some of his no doubt better paid colleagues in midfield should hold their heads in shame. Bullard was awful, however I think he should be given more of a free role rather than the back of the diamond. He's one player who could possibly open up the opposition defense, so why play him in front of the back four. PJ not quite as bizarre as RK, but getting close!

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AlpineBlue added 21:06 - Nov 5 I am telling you I don't think there will be another 3 or 4 of these performances this season. There is real quality in this team and it will get better. How good were we against Boro, West Ham, Coventry and Brighton? The squad is better than what it was under Keane. I do think Jewell knows what he is doing, but we have injury problems. It is a sad fact that we rely so heavily on Sonko, but that won't be the case after January, and with lick he will be fit more than not. Really, I was so proud to be a Town fan this afternoon. When I read this short-sighted whiney drivel on here it leaves a pretty sour taste in the mouth.

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Garv added 21:11 - Nov 5 If you think we're getting relegated you're deluded. ChestnutSe how can you say that about Martin, along with Carson he changed the game and got an assist. Jewell is doing himself NO favours at the minute but changing our manager after ten months is not the answer. At the end of the day we should have kept Magilton.
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WashbrookBlue added 21:11 - Nov 5 As per "my report", I am amazed at the lack of comment/questions/discussion about the strange non appearance of an uninjured Scotland. I can't believe this wasn't asked about at press conference......PHIL...can you enlighten us?? Alpine blue, admire your optimism, I'll have whatever you're drinking........
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Keaneish added 21:12 - Nov 5 Chesnutse - how can you say that about Healy, Priskin or Martin based on today's performance!? Healy was tactically subbed after 20+ minutes, Priskin had nothing to work from and Martin was one of our better performers and actually look liked it meant something to him to be losing in a town shirt! Martin's balls in to the box aren't always the best but he can carry the ball up the field and beat people. Him and Cresswell will form a good partnership on the left although i'd like to see O'Connor play there again in a Town shirt too.

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IvorFeeling added 21:14 - Nov 5 Alot said already I have to agree with but this is my thoughts. 1. Team selection had me thinking that either PJ doesn't have a clue or he played bingo to get that team 2. Hull, Leeds, Brighton, CPalace & Portsmouth - each of these home games has seen really crap first half performances. This is too much of a coincidence and the matchday prep is all wrong - Jimmy running for CP match backs that up, plus thye comments that we don't spend the morning/night before together as a team 3. 4 of the goals today come from crosses/wing play - PJ wake up and smell the coffee. 4. Many crap performances but Ingi's legs/positional sense are crap - I would really fancy my chances against him Too soon to call for PJ's head but as a betting man I will be hitting the lay button on betfair

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bobble added 21:43 - Nov 5 to wake up to this result, after a hard nights drinking and gambling is a fair dinkum screaming disaster.this is definitely someones fault we need a witch hunt of the most painful variety to weed out the weaklings. we need some real cyder drinking men these coffee+tea sipping wimps couldn't squash a jellyfish. on a brighter note it looks like excellent beach weather today

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Keaneish added 21:45 - Nov 5 AlpineBlue - Are you on a wind up!? 'Proud to be a Town fan this afternoon'!? We were three-nil down at half time to a bottom of the league side (who will go down) who only had three shots on goal all game. The starting formation and selection lost us the game, the passion, desire and belief from the first whistle wasn't there, there was no leadership and the movement, passing, tracking and ability to win the 2nd ball was pathetic. So, can you list out for me what in this is there to be proud of? Doncaster are not a good side mate and neither are Millwall. 6 points dropped, 7 goals conceded. To watch both them games has cost me the best part of £120. On another note... Can anyone tell me what Leadbitter offers to this side? I think he's the biggest waste of money we've had in the last 10 years and should never ever have been given the armband. Agree with everything you've posted IvorFeeling.

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