Town boss Paul Jewell was again left shaking his head after more calamitous individual defensive errors handed Leeds a 3-1 win they hardly deserved at Elland Road. Jewell admitted that the mistakes against the West Yorkshiremen took things to a new level.

Jewell said: “I think we were in control of the game, then I don’t know what the goalkeepers were doing. You have to see it to believe it.

“For 70 minutes we were winning the game. We’ve restricted Leeds to very few chances, if any at all gilt-edged.

“One long ball and our goalkeeper decides he’s coming out for it and handles outside the box. With 10 men we were always going to be up against it but to give the goals away in the fashion that we did. I’ve said it so many times this season, but I think today is another level.

“We’re shooting ourselves in the feet time and time again,” he continued, clearly frustrated by more points having been thrown away after what had been a promising first half display.

“There was so much good about today, about the way we’ve played. We were good in all departments up until decision-making by Alex and Sonko that cost us the sending off.”

Meanwhile, stand-in skipper Sonko said sorry for his mistakes on Twitter: "I do want to apologise for today. My error cost us."

Jewell felt the goals were as bad as the red card: “The second goal is a long ball from the full-back that the goalkeeper should come and collect. The third one bounced on the edge of our box. They’ve scored three goals, and that’s why we are where we are.”

The Town boss is on the lookout for more defenders, having targeted Leicester’s Sean St Ledger and Portsmouth pair Jason Pearce and Joel Ward during the transfer window after a campaign blighted by similar capitulations by his backline: “It’s not just because of today it’s been because of the whole season.

“Having said that, I thought Tommy Smith did well and as a team we weren’t in danger for 70 minutes.

"Leeds were getting very frustrated. We passed the ball better than them, we created more opportunities, we looked in control of the match, we were controlling the tempo of the game. The gifts we gave them they haven’t had to work hard for. Again, it’s the same old thing.”

He says managers can’t legislate for the type of errors made all too regularly by his players: “As a manager, as a coach, there are certain things you can affect, but the decisions I’ve seen today, they’re just bad decisions which have cost us goals.

“I’ll always take responsibility as I pick the team but when people see the goals on TV they’ll scratch their heads.

“It wasn’t as if we were coming under severe pressure. It was just a long ball that our centre-half was going to deal with, he was going to head it back to Alex, and for some reason has decided to come charging out.

“It was windy out there, very windy and I guess even our goal was a mistake from their goalkeeper.”

Jewell says there have been no developments on transfers: “All the offers we’ve made have been rejected but we will be trying to bring in players, there’s no doubt about that.

“I don’t know about [improved bids] yet. We’ll have to sit down and speak about how far away we are from the other clubs’ valuations."

He says he doesn’t expect anything to happen regarding Sean St Ledger, who is back in Leicester’s plans, at least in the short-term, while there are no offers for any members of the current squad: “There are no enquiries for our players. We’ve made lots of enquiries and are pursuing other targets. It’s the same old boring lines I’ve got for you.”

Leeds boss Simon Grayson admitted his team had gained their victory largely by taking advantage of Town’s mistakes but felt the match was not dissimilar to the one between the teams at Portman Road earlier in the season: “That’s what can happen in football matches.

“We were poor in the first half, we never really got going. We would liked to have made a better start in terms of possession of the ball, closing them down and working them.

“We went a goal behind to a soft goal, it took a slight deflection but Andy Lonergan holds his hands up, he should have done better with it, and I think we were fortunate to be only one down at half-time.

“But in the second half we got to grips with things, changed it around a little bit, spoke to the players and gave them the belief that we could go and win the game, never mind draw it because we had to do a lot of things a lot better. We knew that we could still create opportunities and maybe win the game.

“The sending off obviously changed the game and it mirrored the game at Portman Road earlier in the season.

“For part of that game we were the best team, the sending off changed the game and Ipswich went and won the game.

"We’ve won the game off the back of the sending off and we’re delighted to have done that.”

Photo: Action Images

martleshamitfc added 09:13 - Jan 22 If we do go down, which looks extremely likley, then what squad will we have next season? most of the team will be either out of contract oe leave on a free leving us with no one!
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kipper added 09:21 - Jan 22 The time has definitely come for some sort of protest. ME may be the financial custodian of this club but we will be here long after he, PJ and Clegg have gone.
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TimmyH added 09:21 - Jan 22 Saw the goals last night on the league show and they were almost from a school playground, Sonko looked like he was playing without a care in the world. If Jewell isn't going to be sacked then the defensive coach should be....absolutely disgraceful. As mentioned some players aren't fit to wear the shirt!
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juniorblue added 09:26 - Jan 22 It is really sad what is happening at Town. I have been supporting for over 20 years and feel our proud history is being ruined. ME needs to pay up to get players who can help us out of this mess. Ditch Ellington, Kennedy, Leadbetter and bring in young talent. Clegg does not seem capable of securing a deal. If ME's other company interests were as poor he would have acted. Please, can someone at Town wake up and act before we find ourselves in League One......

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Lower_North added 09:32 - Jan 22 What a joke.Another embarasing defeat, one step nearer league1,more blah blah from the manager,well done everybody you must be proud...
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Lesta_Tractor added 09:34 - Jan 22 the quality of problem isnt the biggest problem, the complete lack of organisation from our management team is the issue.. time for you to go Jewell...
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muhren_8 added 09:37 - Jan 22 I assume we have a defensive coach? Anyone know who he is? Surely he's the one that should be seriously considering his (or her position).
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crossy72 added 09:48 - Jan 22 Damn thought I'd wake up too porno jewell being sacked Wishful thinking on my part,seems the only way that muppet is going to walk is if the fans protest to get him out,mmmmmm Mmmmmmmmm NO CHANCE OF THAT THEN R.I.P Ipswich Town
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NoelTheDub added 09:56 - Jan 22 i manage an over 35s team and have not seen mistakes on the pitch like yesterday.cresswell,drury,and some of the young 1s will suffer if something is not done.
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Pip50 added 10:03 - Jan 22 What a load of bull is posted on here. PJ is no worse than any other Championship manager in fact better than most. But you can't make a silks purse out of a sows ear. Money....we don't have any so we work on scraps. ME services the debts a wages, but where is the Wickham/Walters money? Even the lower league clubs laugh at our offers, which shows how serious we are. I don't know where we would be without ME but don't be kidded we can buy ourselves out of this mess. Ipswich have one of the highest service required debts outside the Premier. Prepare yourselves for more of the same, this is not our owners hobby!!!

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nerdys added 10:12 - Jan 22 Complete and utter s*ite. rather watch sunday pub football now, rather than this bunch of overpaid loosers
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FornhamBlue added 10:16 - Jan 22 @pip50 - then why did ME buy the club in the first place? Our most succesful seasons in recent times was under Joe Royle - and he did a damn good job on scraps (and making good use of the academy). We've spent plenty of good money under ME's reign - Martin £1m, Fulop £1m, Priskin £1.75m, Leadbitter £2.3m, Edwards £1m, JET £1m, Delenay £750k, Kennedy £750k and plenty more I'm sure I've missed - never mind the inflated wages of past journeymen - Campo, Bullard etc. Of course PJ is not one of the best in The Championship - if a teams position doesn't reflect the Manager's decison making then no point having one. The whole point is that those around ME cannot make good decisions - PJ probably ends up with 'third choice' targets because Calamity Clegg couldn't close a deal to save his life. He should have over-ruled Keanes decision to get rid of Rhodes and question some of the purchases that we have made. he didn't/hasn't because he has no idea - and Evans failing is not making that change. Finally,accepting some of the comments made on here are in-appropriate, but everybody is entitled to their opinion and none is more valid than the other.

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Lombokblue added 10:20 - Jan 22 We don't need anymore players we need a team, discipline and organisation. Why he got mcarthy, a young inexperienced goalkeeper, who is no better than Wright or LB but there are not many championship sides who could bring on players like Bullard and Chopra. Maybe get a new defense coach
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Mutiny added 10:23 - Jan 22 Teams that survive are those that lose least - in Ipswich managerial history Jewell is by far and away the biggest loser - over 48% matches lost - Division 1 here we come!
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portlandblue added 10:52 - Jan 22 all these calls for warnock in. has everyone forgotten what a git he is?
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cressi added 11:05 - Jan 22 EVANS FOR GODS SACK CLEGG & JEWELL GET CEO WHO UNDERSTANDS FOOTBALL DAVID DEIN, BRYAN HAMILTON TO NAME A COUPLE BRING IN SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE CLUB ITS OLD VALUES AN D THE SUPPORTERS BEFORE YOU LOSE THEM
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BobbyBell added 11:06 - Jan 22 8 points from 12pt would be fairly good, 8 points from 18 would be poor and 8 points from 25 would be awful. We've got 8pts from 48!!!!! and we are still saying PJ is the right man or the job? WHY do we keep taking Scotland off when we're playing well? To defend you must have an outlet. Some one who can take a pass, hold the ball, protect the ball and allow his allow his team mates to come forward. If you don't have that outlet then to come under constant pressure. All we do is kick the ball out or loose it when Scotland has gone off.

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IvorFeeling added 11:25 - Jan 22 Wanted - Vacancies required at a levels. Job opportunities exist at levels at this historic club. The right candidates will share the current vision of the board, therefore you will need physic powers and the ability to track down an owner who has the benefit of Harry Potter's invisibility cloak. It is imperative that you know nothing ability the vacancy you apply for or can demonstrate that you are totally inept. This could be playing, coaching or an executive role. Pay is totally dispropotiate to your abilities and once on board your incompetence will be rewarded. Please apply to Ipswich Town (Football?) Club Portman

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megamoth added 11:25 - Jan 22 My mate is a Portsmouth season ticket holder. Says the worst player to ever wear the shirt was Sonko. His given name by Pompey fans on the terraces - Donko
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maxharrold added 11:25 - Jan 22 Get Jewell out before he ruins our club even more. At 1st I liked sonko but now instead of a defensive tank, i just see another crap defender. also, another goalie, another shambles
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TractorJed added 11:44 - Jan 22 Changing the subject very slightly, can anyone tell me how many points we are likely to get from the next 6 games????? Its time for some to get their head out of the sand and realise that we are in serious trouble....
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bobble added 11:52 - Jan 22 the lucky green parrot flew into my house today and sat at the end of the table while we had dinner,this is a truly positive sign we are not going down . 2-0 to town against hammers copra back to best with both of course it could have meant that the parrot was just hungry, but you have gotta believe otherwise you might as well support italy in the rugby
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MickMillsTash added 11:52 - Jan 22 The only positive from yesterdays defending was that it happened before the transfer window closes - it surely must force the arm of those with power to ensure that we get in at least one centre back next week. I know we need more. From what I have seen this year the whole league is pretty poor, a few new faces, a bit of organisation and maybe a lucky win and we can pull away from this mess. Given the current form, players and management I just do not see this happening Is this how despair feels?

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Lukeybluey added 12:09 - Jan 22 Just seen highlights of the game, we might as well play with 8 midfielders and no defense! Hell stick the goalie as another striker too! Totally non existent! They cant even deal with the bread and butter balls. Awful awful defending! I'd sack the lot of them to be honest! sell all the players and wipe the slate clean. Build a team around the academy. Joe Royle done that, and he done a bloody good job too! It's inevitable we are going down. Lets face it!

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whippet added 12:12 - Jan 22 Sonko (Donko), Delaney and Smith should have L for Loser tattoed on their foreheads. This team is a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. We defend like an under 5's team. Pitiful, absolutely pitiful. The joke of English Football. We are SO FAR away from Norwich now. Will we ever again be able to match them?
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