Boss Paul Jewell slammed his big name players for talking the talk but not walking the walk after their disastrous 4-0 hammering at Burnley, but conceded that ultimately he carries the can for the Blues' run of six successive defeats which has seen them drop to 21st in the Championship.

Jewell says his players simply aren’t performing to the required standard: “I feel physically sick. For 35 minutes there was nothing in the game but then there’s the old Achilles’ heel — we concede from a set play.

“There are a lot of people with big reputations in that team and people keep on talking about what an experienced team we have and what good players we have, but they’re not putting out, that’s for sure.

“I don’t see anyone making a tackle, they can all talk the talk but at the minute they’re not doing it and it’s unbelievable from a team which not so long ago was looking like a decent side. Now we look like we can’t win a 50/50 tackle or even 60/40 in our favour.

“Their third goal the kid runs from midfield right through the heart of our defence. The first goal was a set play.”

The Blues manager says his team capitulated after the first goal went in: “I think in the Forest and Reading games, we were in those matches without playing well, but tonight the white flag came out.

“I think Mark Kennedy and Lee Bowyer were unlucky to come off because it could have been anybody.

“I understand that confidence at a low ebb but there’s no excuse for not making it difficult for the opponents and we aren’t making it difficult.

“We just want to play on the ball and look pretty, but we don’t want to do the ugly things in football that make teams winning teams.

“I know what it’s like to have a good team. At 2-0 down I’ve had teams where I’m thinking that we can still get something out of games.

“I’m looking round the dressing room tonight and thinking it’s a case of damage limitation, I can see it in their eyes. We’ve got to change that very, very quickly.”

Jewell felt for the 319 Town supporters who made the trip to Turf Moor, accepting that the buck ultimately stops with him whether the players do what they're told to or otherwise: “At the end of the day I’m the manager, I carry the can, but some of the stuff that I’m seeing going on on the pitch, I don’t know where it’s coming from. I expect tons better, it’s just not good enough.

“We use all these words - unacceptable, not good enough, this, that and the other, but I’m embarrassed coming to see you guys [in the media]. I’m embarrassed walking past those supporters of ours who have travelled all that way to watch absolute garbage.

“Ultimately, it’s my responsibility, but some of the stuff that’s going on out there is not what we’re preaching, in fact none of it is.”

He feels some of his players are taking matches too lightly: “It isn’t just another game, it’s people’s livelihoods. People have been on a 500-mile round trip tonight, probably have had a day off work, and then have to put up with something like that.

“Supporters will put up with anything, so will managers by the way, but they can’t put up with gutless, spineless efforts like that.”

Jewell knows that as the defeats mount up the pressure on him grows: “I’m not stupid. I know that if you lose six games on the bounce you’re not going to be flavour of the month, I understand that.

“I want what’s best for Ipswich. As I said when I first came, it’s a long-term job. It’s a massive job, a huge job and we’re nowhere near moving forward at this moment in time.

“But I’ll keep going, I’ll keep fighting and I think that’s all you can you can do. You can only ever do your best but ultimately I want what’s best for Ipswich.”

He believes that club owner Marcus Evans is still backing him: “I think so, but if he thinks it’s best to make a change, that’s entirely up to him. I want what’s best for Ipswich and that isn’t good enough for Ipswich Town. That ain’t good enough for anybody, never mind a team of this great tradition.

“Ultimately I have to lead the team out on to the pitch and it reflects on me and that doesn’t reflect me.”

Jewell now has to lift his players for Saturday’s visit by Watford, the Blues’ bogey side: “That’s the difficult thing. There’s always another game of football and the longer you go without winning, the harder it becomes.

“I said before the game that we need men at this moment in time and there are a lot of people with big careers, international players out there and they’re not doing enough.”

Conversely Burnley boss Eddie Howe had an excellent 34th birthday: “It was a good night, a really good night. The second half was enjoyable, I don’t think I’ve had many second halves in my short reign at Turf Moor which have been as enjoyable as that. I thought we were excellent.

“I think it was a strange game in that we created so many chances that we could have scored double the four that we did.

“Jay Rodriguez had chance after chance and to be fair to him kept going and got his reward in the end for an excellent individual performance. But what pleases me more was the team effort, I thought we were very good in the second half.”

Howe was also delighted that his side didn’t concede against a Blues team he feels is better than their current performances: “It wasn’t just the clean sheet for me, it was the manner of it.

“Although they’re on a disappointing run, they are a good side, they’ve got a lot of quality in their team. We kept them very quiet and I don’t think Lee Grant had a save to make.”

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 23:38 - Nov 29 I really feel for Paul, his players let him down, no doubt about it, but at the end of the day, he bought them... Not sure if I think we need a change in manager, but we do need something inspiring... COYB
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roytheboy added 23:39 - Nov 29 Is this another Club record 92 minutes without a shot on goal ?
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bostonusablue added 23:39 - Nov 29 Bye, Bye. You're getting fired in the morning.
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blueoff added 23:43 - Nov 29 big name players ?, you forgot the word OLD, when bowyer and kennedy came off, that was removing 69 years between them.
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leewheel added 23:44 - Nov 29 Ouch - players don't seem up for it - may as well give in....
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dad96 added 23:45 - Nov 29 YOU feel physically sick?! try being in the fans shoes! at least you're getting paid to watch this absolute pile of crap!
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RM909 added 23:47 - Nov 29 Got to agree with Sindre94, something needs to change but I'm really not sure if that something is the manager...
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broomfield123 added 23:48 - Nov 29 Maybe there has been a conversation between jewell and mr evans regarding our present plight. Oh well life goes on. I for 1 don't have many hobbies . I think it maybe a blessing I don't have many hobbies cause if they were like ipswich I'd be phoneing the samaratons. anyone got there number by the way
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Notts_tractor added 23:50 - Nov 29 I would rather be relegated with a team of kids than watch this bunch of overpaid has-beens continue to embarrass the proud name of Ipswich Town FC.
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PSGBlue added 23:52 - Nov 29 What did PJ expect tonight when his "Diamond" midfield consisted of four players over the age of 30. One or two for experience, but all four? Where is the pace going to come from? Where is our Matty Holland, John Wark or even Tommy Miller type of player going to appear, te one who makes a gut busting run from box to box. Its like the Emperor's new clothing! When will the little boy stand up and say the bleeding obvious. That the team is a complete shambles from defence to attack full of players who are either too old, misfits or just injury prone or a combination of all three! Between them Evans, Clegg, Keane and now Jewell have made this once great club the laughing stock of English football!

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brittaniaman added 23:53 - Nov 29 Jewell me thinks you have lost the dressing room, and the players do not want to play for you am I right ????? After Sat. I really thought we would get something tonight even a draw, but it seems as though you have lost the plot. who to bring in to replace you I just do not know, we just cannot carry on like this. !!! IT seems like we are going down the DERBY RD. fast..

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roytheboy added 23:54 - Nov 29 I agree with you Paul, it was "absolute garbage" and I am seriously concerned that we are heading for possible relegation, if that is allowed to happen then I fear it will be several more seasons before we are anywhere near getting into the Premiership, something is very very wrong and Paul is the man who's job it is to identify it and put it right urgently, for goodness sake.

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TimmyH added 23:58 - Nov 29 I thought too we might get a draw tonight, but the management's all over the place and the players (well most of them are feeling their age now). We're a complete shambles but as mentioned Jewell took a big gamble on buying some of these players at their age and it looks like it's back firing on him.
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Karlosfandangal added 00:01 - Nov 30 If the players are not intrested then we are down as we need players too fight to get us up the table and push for the play offs
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itfcinwales added 00:02 - Nov 30 "We just want to play on the ball and look pretty, but we don't want to do the ugly things in football that make teams winning teams." that comment worries me a bit unless ive completely misunderstood it (correct me if im wrong)......surely we should be trying everything to be a winning team....even if it does mean "looking pretty". if it works for other teams why cant it work for us???

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TractorBeezer added 00:03 - Nov 30 Those players that have built the good name of Ipswich over the years (many of whom were on twenty quid a week) must be feeling sick when those wearing the blue shirt today are not making the effort. Our players should be ashamed of themselves.Hopefully we'll have Sonko back on Saturday to stir things up and win some headers. I would be relucatant to make a management change yet but wonder of Paul is getting the assistance he needs from Hutchings who apparently didn't make a great impression at Hartlepool. Well done to our supporters who made the trip.

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itfc1981 added 00:05 - Nov 30 Nice bloke, but has not worked at ITFC.
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Blandford added 00:05 - Nov 30 SPINELESS and GUTLESS. At last a manager that can see what most fans have seen for years. Too many players at this club, over the last decade, have been an absolute disgrace. I am not claiming our managers have been faultless but in my opinion the players need to start showing the fans and club some respect. I hope it does not come to this but if it means getting rid of the overpaid mercenaries we employ and giving an opportunity to young and eager talent I would accept the threat of relegation. Lets hope that tonight was a low point for our club and that everyone starts pulling in the same direction and makes this club a success. Good luck for Saturday.

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arablue added 00:13 - Nov 30 Wonder if ME practices some Zen mind/body relaxation techniques; great patience the man has, with all these defeats...
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ITFC1978 added 00:15 - Nov 30 Another shower of sh1te from our beloved ipswich town, our manager is clueless and our players gut less! Just a bunch of over paid has beens! I had high expectations at the beginning of the season! What an idiot I am When is that idiot jewell going to realise that he is destroying our team, Do the honourable thing pj leave by mutual consent!
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arablue added 00:16 - Nov 30 Kudos though to the 300 or so brave & loyal Town supporters at Burnley for having to put up with such abject display...
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Garv added 00:19 - Nov 30 Both Jewell and players have to be blamed. Couldn't understand the team, no Martin in the squad, what?! When you're not doing it, go back to basics, 4-4-2, with wingers and crosses. Just go simple please Paul! Martin and Carson on the wings and two of Bullard/Bowyer/Andrews in the middle would have satisfied most fans before the match, but you are making it very difficult for yourself. At the same time you have to, HAVE TO question if some of the players' hearts are in it. Bullard and Bowyer two in-particular. You hear on commentary that Bowyer is going in half hearted in tackles , and Alex Mathie actually said the both if them didn't seem to want to be there. These are both permanent players, Bullard on a two year deal for goodness sake! Now you can't blame Jewell for this, no one was complaining when these two were signed, actually not many grumbled at ANY of our summer signings - its easy to be wise in hindsight. But as has been said the players are letting Jewell down right now, if effort is not being shown on the pitch, there's only so much that Jewell can do to make them put a shift in. When the players cross the white line, IN TERMS OF EFFORT its up to them, but as I've said the system is up to Jewell and he surely got it wrong tonight.

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GTRKing added 00:20 - Nov 30 When Keane left I back jewels & had faith in him but lost 6 games in a row & that's down to the manger for the formation & the tactics & the players playing well. It looks the the management is poor & the players don't know what there role is or what they are doing/have to do. Most of our players are old we need pace & youth & A mix of old & youth. Also PJ keep letting the younger players go we need to keep them if there good not shove them out the door. PJ your on thin ice so you better start winning or you will likely get the sack. I am not getting anther season ticket till I have faith that we can win games & if we do lose it like 3-2 or 1-0 ect but not all the time. Something must be done soon but we can't keep changing managers & before PJ Started here what has he done nothing except from Wigan & Bradford. If he dose get the sack we need a manager that has good experience/is young & let him build a team.

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Tractamatt added 00:21 - Nov 30 All well and good but at the same time we're letting players like o'conner leave and loaning players like murray out, there is no passion ,no will to go get a win some players are just expecting to be handed the points. I 'm not dissapointed i'm not even surprised, i'm just fed up and for the first time in nearly 40yrs of supporting ipswich town i'm resigned to the fact that barring a serious miracle we're gonna be playing 1st division football next season.When the 4th goal went in I laughed my nuts of,I struggle every month , like a lot of people,to make ends meet yet these idiots,management and players a like get thousands a month to leave thier supporters feeling likethis.Lets hear the optomists points now.Idid hear that our best player was our keeper.

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RedDust added 00:22 - Nov 30 Relegation with youngsters YES!! just avoiding relegation with this team NO!
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