Town manager Paul Jewell felt his side never recovered from conceding Ben Marshall’s freekick moments before half-time during their 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City. Jason Scotland had put the Blues in front four minutes before Marshall’s injury time goal with David Nugent netting the winner for the Foxes in the second half.

Jewell said: “In the first half we played well, we were in the ascendancy and were the far superior team — lots of crosses, lots of shots.

“Then to go in at half-time after the manner that they equalised was a right kick in the teeth and in the second half we didn’t seem to recover from it. We were laboured, we got stretched and we went out with a whimper really.”

The Blues boss wasn’t quite sure how Marshall’s freekick made it beyond the wall but thought keeper Arran Lee-Barrett ought to have saved it however it did so: “It took a deflection, I’m not sure whether it went through the wall or by the side of it.

“If it went through the wall, it’s disappointing and if it did so the keeper should save it, it’s a long way out.

“It was a cheap freekick we gave away. As I say, that kicked us right in the teeth. It was almost the last kick of the first half.

“It’s the worst time to concede a goal. It gave them a lift because I thought we were decent in the first half. Second half they came out, made a couple of changes and picked up the tempo.”

Jewell admitted that it wasn’t the first time his team had faded after the break in recent matches: “In the first half against Watford and against Derby were excellent and today was excellent.

“But in all those second halves we haven’t performed, but you’re never going to be on top of a game for 90 minutes.”

The Liverpudlian made four changes to his starting line-up which he says was to give a few players rest with games having come thick and fast recently: “We’ve kept the same team for quite a while. I know they kept their same team from Saturday, but I thought the lads needed a bit of a breather, one or two have been a bit jaded of late. So I made a few changes, it didn’t work but after 45 minutes we were looking good.”

Jewell was pleased with debutant Ryan Stevenson: “He was absolutely knackered, that’s the only reason we brought him off.

“I thought he showed great tenacity and great endeavour but that’s his first game since December and he had to come off as he was in danger of pulling something.”

The Blues boss says Leicester are a decent side who he expects to reach the Premier League before too long: “They’re a good team. If they don’t go up this season, I feel they’re certainties to go up next year with the squad they’ve got - not just the team, the squad. They’ll think they’ve got a chance of getting there this season.”

Jewell is well aware of David Nugent’s record against the Blues: “You always fear when the crowd boo him because players like that thrive on it. He was always going to score.”

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson was pleased with his team’s display which leaves them three points from the play-offs: “We’re still hanging in there. It was a great result for us. We certainly played a lot better than we did on Saturday.”

Pearson made two changes at the break as he thought his side seemed jaded in the first half: “I just felt that we didn’t really look to have the energy levels that we needed, so it was a case of making a couple of changes to inject some fresh legs into the team.

“I thought Paul Gallagher had an immediate effect in terms of what he brings to the team quality-wise.

"I thought it was a good second half for us and I never felt we were in any danger. I thought we could have won it more convincingly.”

Sub Andy King was booked for a dive, a decision his manager thought referee Tony Bates got wrong: “Not particularly happy about the booking of King but you’ve got deal with decisions like that during a game.

“The player couldn’t understand what the referee was talking about. We felt that there were a number of incidents which were a bit odd, but that’s life. We didn’t let it affect us.”

Pearson said he wasn’t aware of Nugent’s record at Portman Road and against Town: “I never look at stuff like that.”

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 18:18 - Apr 9 Most disappointed in my team I've been for a while, worst than Watford for me. We just had no idea what to do in the second half, I can't remember us having a chance do you? I don't know what else to say.
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bluearmy4life added 18:26 - Apr 9 I thought we played well first half, matched Leicester. We go and get a good goal then Carson gives the away a poor free kick. Second half was not good enough really poor. Two players were given a good chance today and both have not proved there worth. Bowyer was terrible. Delaney mom for me.
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Pip50 added 18:30 - Apr 9 Langdon_blue where are you with your pathetic optimism. Another inept display over 90 minutes I say again how is this progress we are exactly in the same position as 12 months ago. I like all supporters wish for £££££ in the market or youth coming thro but prepare yourself for much of this same mid table existence the current fact of life. Yours a realist!
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Mark added 18:35 - Apr 9 Paul summed it up. If our goalkeeper had have saved that free kick, I expect we could have picked up the three points. It looked awful goalkeeping to me, which was a shame as Lee-Barrett had been looking good, and he did make decent saves in the match to be fair. I thought Bowyer and Carson were particularly poor, and it should be an easy decision to release Lee in the summer as surely Hyam is a better option. Stevenson did okay and may be worth keeping for next season. Oh well, can't win 'em all. 8 games unbeaten at home before today was a good run.

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AbujaBlue added 18:44 - Apr 9 Really as Jewell said: First half we were better, although lacked the finishing. Second half we were completely lacklustre and completely lacking inspiration, while players like Bowyer played with zero spirit.
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buryblue77 added 18:50 - Apr 9 We have been on a good run recently and still not lost that many over the last 12 games or so, however our recent form over the last 6 games puts us in the same position in the form table as we are at in the full league table so I guess these things even themselves out. I'm a fairly optimistic type and not getting down after 1 defeat but, I don't think there is any money to be spent at PR anymore and I really can't see us challenging the Championships big teams for the types of players we need to be signing to get us out of this league. I think the last of the money was spent last summer and Evans doesn't want to put his hand in his pocket anymore. Whilst I'm on the subject of Marcus Evans, I was reading (somewhere) that he's valued at around £200m, which is the world of rich football owners is nothing, and certainly well short of the 'billionaire' status that was bandied around when he came to the club, so maybe he simply hasn't got the money to spend as some of that wealth is undoubtedly assets in terms of his business and not 'cash in the bank'. Having said that I could make do with a small portion of that wealth, say 0.5%, would do me just fine!

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wideblue added 18:52 - Apr 9 There was no desire or positive action in the team today. Carson was no worse than most, although I agree Bowyer was poor. However, Delaney mom?!?!?! How many moons does your planet have?
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Pabloisgod84 added 18:54 - Apr 9 bluearmy4life! were u at the game? delaney mom?????? he was dreadful as ever, wrong side of his man most times and his passing abilities are woeful!! i rate him as one of the worst defenders we have ever had in my time as a supporter, smith isnt much better either. This is our main trouble if we had 2 decent centre backs we would be an ok side, nothing amazing but able to compete for playoffs! Harsh on the keeper who made some good saves today and thought the goal took a deflection from my view. why bowyer was playing i will never know ! whats the point when we have nothing to play for, he has to go in the summer along with delaney and smith.

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Wickets added 19:06 - Apr 9 Same old same old, ALB good saves on goal line but useless at the bread and butter,must be a nighmare being a defender with him behind you.Bowyer for Dury??? why? Beckford and Nugent's movement too good for our back four,poor Tommy Smith ,defenders struggle against nugent on their good foot he had to face him with his right!!after the Sir Bobby stand predictably motivated him,I remain unconvinced that our management team know what they are doing.

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bluearmy4life added 19:16 - Apr 9 Pablo is god..... I was there today that was just my opinion. I really can't think of many players who did gave a good game? Carlos gave 100% leadbitter tried. Are main problems today wasn't defending it was lack of creativity in Midfield. Two mistakes today have cost us.
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:21 - Apr 9 A few weeks ago I described us as a good mid-table side. Some poeple had a little go at me. Having drawn away with mid-table Derby and lost at home to mid-table Leicester, it looks as if I was all too right! However, with some sensible work during the summer I believe that we can be promotion contenders next year.
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taylor15 added 19:21 - Apr 9 wasn't at the game, but 2-1 against a decent side isn't a bad result, plus we having nothing going for this season anyway. just like to say, people are saying carson played poorly, that is because he's been out the side for a long time, and has been chucked in the side against a decent opposition. have a feeling jewell doesn't rate him, and wanted him to play poorly today, because he knew he couldn't handle it. hope i'm wrong! next season looks promising though if we get in a decent keeper, maybe another striker, a decent centre half and right back, and i think we could easily get play-offs with the ability we have in the squad. oh, and chuck bowyer - worst player i've seen in a town shirt - after sam parkin!

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wideblue added 19:22 - Apr 9 There was no desire or positive action in the team today. Carson was no worse than most, although I agree Bowyer was poor. However, Delaney mom?!?!?! How many moons does your planet have?
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tomisamos added 19:23 - Apr 9 Before people start grumbling again, here's my two cents. I don't go to many games cause I'm a student, I saw every home game up until October, the Forest, Derby and Blackpool games, Forest away and anything on TV. I came today optimistic for seeing my first win! For a start, before people start moaning about the performance: we dropped JET, Martin, Chopra and Drury - arguably our four best performers from what I've heard and seen. We gave a couple of new/young players and Bowyer and chance and these chances weren't taken, but if they had been Jewell would have been able to up the competition and desire, with the summer coming playing some of the lesser team members will help us know who needs to go and who is worth keeping. I actually was very impressed with both Leadbitter and ALB today. ALB should have saved the free kick, but it came through everyone quickly, it's a more forgiveable mistake than, say, the keeper's howler for Doncaster against Leicester two days ago (look it up.) He also bailed us out several times with some excellent saves and he collected several crosses and was commanding his area. He's still young, but he's improving. For me, he wasn't the issue. Our issue was not making the most of the first half good spells by snatching a couple of goals, we were missing the creativity and clinical ability of Martin, Chops and JET it seemed who came into the game when our heads had already dropped. I was also pleased with Leadbitter. He showed desire and ability in tackling and passing and fizzed a couple of dangerous looking shots at their goal. I thought he looked like our most dangerous midfielder and certainly worth his place, and I've seen some of his poor games this season too. I think he needs keeping and for Jewell to keep him on his toes, once he was fighting to stay in the team and not the captain he started looking the player we wanted him to be! As for the season, we were being stuffed left right and centre this time last year (Leicester handing one of those to us). We had a poor defence which looked so much better than it did considering it was the same as the Posh and Southampton games at the start of the season. We scored a great goal with Scotland and actually spent far more time attacking than defending against a side really pushing for promotion, this was not an awful game. This season has been frustrating but Jewell against odds has found the best out of Martin, Drury, JET, Cresswell, Smith (eventually) and more and the team look better every time I see them and I go months at a time without. I believe Jewell needs to take this team with another clinical striker, perhaps a playmaker and a solid CB. That's all it needs and we could be up. Had the first two months of the season been like the last two we'd be in the play-offs. I think we can improve further under Jewell and anyone who hasn't clocked any progress at all I'd question whether they actually really want to, or just want a moan. It's not all over, there's nothing more to play for this season so let's keep our minds open until August, we might just be surprised with the progress... As for the crowd, it really was like football in a library, with half the fans constantly grumbling, anyone would think we'd lost all of our last eight at home, not stayed unbeaten! We only just lost to a good side we could have beaten, it wasn't like the drubbings with no positives a the start of the season. Stay calm and keep singing and Jewell may just surprise you.

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righty added 19:28 - Apr 9 You supporters who think Jewell is doing a good job must live on another planet he truly doesnt have a clue 14 months no RB no CBs and most of all no GK. As for today why Leadboots why Bowyer Subs awful today why he kept Bowyer on and took Murphy off played Martin on the left as anyone knows he is not so effective there. Next season will be no different with this clown in charge

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Steelmonkey added 19:31 - Apr 9 We should have had Leicester hung and dried with the amount of pressure and posession in the first half. How did Bowyer stay on the field in the second half. Was it because we didn't really have an option on the bench to replace him? Still cannot understand PJ playing Leadbitter, unless of course he is staying. Well done Grant, much more like your usual self today. Sure, ALB was at fault for their first goal, but if the chances had been put away at the other end not many would have been slating him for it now. Silly free kick to give away at such a point in the game. It's after performances like this I ask myself why have I just renewed my season ticket, must be because every time I cut myself I bleed blue.

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buryblue77 added 19:33 - Apr 9 tomisamos, trouble is with our fans is they moan as soon as we lose one game. They forget we were unbeaten in eight at home and on the back of a fairly good run of form as a whole, they also forget we played almost twice the amount of games in March to what you'd play in most months, so the players must have felt that. However, I only hope Jewell can go out and uncover some more Cresswells, Drurys and Stevensons, because the way we're already getting on board with the financial fair play (which isn't fair play at all, because if rich benefactors can't support clubs, as Evans has done and a team can only spend a proportion of its turnover on fees and wages the gap between the big and small will only get bigger) it seams to me that any chance of us spending much in the summer seams pretty remote.

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Tractamatt added 19:36 - Apr 9 Was'nt at the game because of work commitments but going by what I've heard and read on here are we suffering a lack of fitness if so we need to get a fitness coach in asap.Yes I would have liked a win but we are safe and now is the time to play Hyam, Carson ect ect and give them a chance in the team.This summer can we have Pearce, Loach, Ward and a young striker.
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Karlosfandangal added 19:37 - Apr 9 For all those who keep asking why does PJ not play Carson as he is the futrue After today you may have your answer
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walberswick added 19:45 - Apr 9 I wasn't interested in sex for a while and my partner turned to internet porn. How do I restart our sex life?
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walberswick added 19:45 - Apr 9 Sorry, wrong forum.
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townietilidie added 19:48 - Apr 9 Ive always backed Jewell but for the first time im starting to question is he really going to take our club anywhere ?. Its not just because we lost today but i for the life of me can not understand what he see's in Lee Bowyer . Bowyer is just awfull , he brings absolutley p**S all to the team , he makes us so weak and worthless in the middle of the park . Todays game was crying out for Drury in the middle . Many people will or are blaming ALB for the loss , thats just crazy if it wasnt for him it would of been 4 or 5 -1 ,he made some outstanding saves . Was glad to see scotland start thought he played there big center back very well . Carson wasnt great but then how often was the ball played out wide to him ? . PJ still ha alot of work to do . Leiceter were not even a good team , average at best and we should be beating average teams at home .

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StowTractorBoy added 19:52 - Apr 9 Well supporters were all calling for changes as there is little to play for. Today Carson did himself no favours and needs to lose half a stone in the summer. Stevenson looks an OK back up if he comes back fit next season. Bowyer has probably cooked his goose now and PJ did not help the cause playing Martin wide when most effective in midfield behind our lone striker. Delaney mom I think not and has been said all season if the goalkeeping and centre back positions are not resolved, next season will be no different to this. On the plus side at Christmas I thought we would be relegated but can't help feeling really gutted after such an awful second half display today.

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jas0999 added 19:58 - Apr 9 More utter nonescence from PJ. It was HIS JOB to ensure he motivated the players at half time to get them over the set back. He didn't. Despite a decent first half - the second period will I suspect cost the club season ticket sales. With four games to go, we have to look at the season as a whole - not just from West Ham on 31 Jan. PJ will have been here a season and a half - the same as Roy and IMO we have not moved forward. At least when Roy left we were in the semi-finals of the league cup. Today, should demonstarte to everyone why if PJ stays it will be year after year of mid to lower table. Poor result, poor second half, poor team selection, poor tactics, failure to address keeper and CB situation, needlessly dropping poor Drury in favour of a has been, still relying on a loanee who is unlikely to be here next year. I know a number of people on here absolutely love PJ and that's their choice. But this season has been poor, and after a season and a half of the same old mistakes, whilst shattering the confidence of a number of younger players - can people honestly say that PJ is the future of this club? It's really no better than Roy. Surely people can see that the reliance on loans and has beens is shattering the confidence of the up and coming players? ALB - kept being dropped; any surprise he makes mistakes when playing well then dropped. Ditton Carson - been frozen out after decent showings - then expected to come in and perform. Drury and Hyam - not even on the bench. SHOCKING. I really think this club has an opportunity to progress next year - but not with PJ in charge. His failure to address the defence and keeper situation is truely abysmal. He's had a season and a half to sort all of this. He hasn't. If ME wants more seasons of average to poor finishes then great. I suspect many fans will not tolerate it. PJ needs to improve - I hope he does - I doubt he will.

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whittonite added 20:02 - Apr 9 today after todays performance i'm now convinced josh carson would have had more impact if he had been playing more often.how he wasnt lee martins automatic replacement when lee got tired doing his usual 100 mile an hour game is beyond me!i also believe lee has run himself into the ground this season and is looking forward to a good brake this summer.he has lost his edge through his enthusiasm to win.when you get jaded, a couple of starts off the bench for lee would'nt of been a bad thing, had the gaffer had put a bit more stock in josh given more starts to him he would be up to speed,and we saw today he isn't!i thought that was the idea of having theese guys in our squad,like hyam,bullard etc...guys that can step in and maintain the balance of the team.while i'm doing this i also would like to know how the heck jamie peters has'nt featured at all this season!when we were in it up to our neck earlier in the season everyone was crying out that our team needed some energy.for me jamie had to feature somewhere in our recovery.how many times have we seen endless balls fed in between defenders for chopra to run on to very rarely beating them for pace.theese guys need to feature somehow in our team more often and not just dumped in when guys are knackered.

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