Boss Paul Jewell was disappointed after what he felt was an untypical performance as the Blues ended their home campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Millwall.

Jewell said: “It’s really disappointing. We had lots of the ball and didn’t do a lot with it. We were very laboured. But in the last 18 games we’ve lost four games.

“We were slow today, lethargic and even the games that we’ve lost I thought we were unfortunate but today we were a bit laboured and laborious, those words I’ve used when we were really struggling reared their ugly heads again today.

“But put things into perspective, we’ve done OK in the last 18 games, it’s the fourth defeat. I think we’ve got 30 points out of whatever it is, it’s just the last thing the supporters see at home is a 3-0 defeat and we accept that it’s not acceptable.”

The Blues boss admitted that it wasn’t easy to come out for the annual post-match lap of the pitch: “It was difficult but we owe that to the supporters that stayed to show our appreciation.

“It’s embarrassing a little bit, but if people and young kids have stayed we want to show our appreciation to them. We would have liked it to have been on a happier note, but you’ve got to bite the bullet.”

Jewell felt the early goal set the pattern: “Goals change games and we were 1-0 down after three minutes and that changed the complexion of the game.

“We’ve got to give Millwall some credit, they came here and sat back and counter-attacked us. Take your hats off to them, they did that very well.”

The Liverpudlian says there was nothing on show that he wasn’t already away of: “We are where we are not because we’ve been unlucky but because we haven’t been good enough.

“At one time we were looking at a relegation fight. We got over that, but today we’ve been caught by a sucker punch, and we gave away bad goals. The defence over the last 16 or 17 games has been pretty tight but today all over as a unit we were second best.

“It’s horrible getting beaten at home like that but we can’t go away from here thinking that’s the end of the world.

“We didn’t play well today, we’ve been punished by a team which has come and done a job on us, but since January we’ve played really well and we’ve shown top six form.

“Today we’ve been beaten 3-0. That’s the Championship for you. We’re not happy about it and the reason we are where we are in 15th with 58 points is that we haven’t been good enough in too many games.

"The second half of the season has been acceptable but we’re paying a price for the first half.”

The Town manager dismissed suggestions that one or two of his players might already have been thinking too much about their summer holidays: “No one said that on Tuesday, and I know that in training we haven’t taken our foot off the pedal at all. That performance was most unlike us, very unlike Ipswich since the turn of the year.

“We know people will go home disappointed but that’s been a one-off. Even when we got beaten by Leicester we were well in that first half. That’s the first time we’ve been beaten where I’ve felt we’ve deserved to be beaten. “

Jewell felt there wasn’t the opportunity to give 16-year-old Byron Lawrence his debut: “We couldn’t really get him on. It would have been difficult for him to go on with the team 2-0 or 3-0 down and chasing the game. We didn’t want to knock his confidence but he’s one for the future.”

The Town boss, who confirmed that Aaron Cresswell suffered a hamstring injury which will see him miss next week’s final game at Doncaster, says he and his squad will now start preparing for the trip to the Keepmoat: “This is gone now, we’re disappointed for our supporters but next week’s another day.”

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett was delighted with his side’s victory: “It was a super result. It looked like we’d slightly let Ipswich into the game, but I didn’t think it was a penalty, I haven’t seen it again, but I thought it was a harsh decision.

“But it was a great save by my goalkeeper and then on the counter-attack we got the third which finished the game.”

Photo: Action Images

opinionscount4nothin added 20:30 - Apr 21 Won't matter next season ... once the Olympics are over, ME won't need the use of the excellent corporate facilities at Portman Ed and he will disappear. ... the talk of a plan to get us out of this division (unless he meant downwards ) was obviously utter crap!
0

CornardBlue added 20:30 - Apr 21 Very poor today although we were in game until Cresswell went off,after that the defence went awal and all attacking threat was gone. I hope we have seen the last of ALB as first choice keeper, his kicking today was as bad as ever, was lucky not to concede a penalty and was clueless in what to do for Millwalls third goal. Thought Trotter played well for Millwall. another Keane masterstroke.

0

oldegold added 20:36 - Apr 21 We are where we deserve to be. Since 2005 we have been a mediocre, middle of the road club that has lost its way. The Ipswich Way has been consigned to the dustbin. The famed Academy isn't producing any notable players and our manager doesn't seem the least bit interested in playing them. Sonko is on his way so what does the manager do ? He plays him as a sub and considering that we are in no-man's land..what about blooding some youngsters? Not a chance. Give Hyam a decent run ? Not a chance..let's offer instead Bowyer a new contract as he represents the future of the club. Bah ! Let's face it..Supple was right a few years ago when he said that the passion has gone out of playing for Town and if we lose, who cares ? The future looks really grim and we are shipping water.

0

righty added 20:44 - Apr 21 Everyone picks out players to blame ALB Defenders midfield and strikers no its JEWELL he is the worst manager in our great history we will be in the same or worse position next season if he stays. People wanted Magilton out and his record is so much better than Jewell you wanted Keane out, his is better and I was one who wanted Keane out , how wrong was I. If Evans has the best interests of Ipswich Jewell should be sacked and someone like Lee Clark brought in so he has a few months to put the club on the right track otherwise I belief we will struggle again

0

MickMillsTash added 20:47 - Apr 21 The squad has more youth, mobility and shape in it than it did at the start of the season. In general the defence looks more solid and JET, MARTIN and CRESSWELL have been success stories. Aug- Jan I generally did not enjoy watching Ipswich, Feb- Apr I have enjoyed it a lot more. I have optimism for the New Season, I think last summer the stragety was to gain promotion at all costs, the players we targetted were never going to join and we ended up in panic mode. Now we seem to be building rather than buying a squad, Jewell must must have a clearer picture of what and who he needs and surely any signings will be more useful than Ellington. Whether Jewell has the ability to then turn the squad in to a promotion challenging team is still uncertain but I am a little more confident based on the last 3 month performances.

0

bluearmy4life added 20:53 - Apr 21 Hope for a speedy recovery for cressy. I think we had 20 attempts at goal today and still not a single goal? Can't fault for trying to score but I still think we need another top class striker alongside chops.
0

StowTractorBoy added 20:56 - Apr 21 Today was a very disappointing performance to say the least and us loyal fans deserved better however I don't subscribe to the thoughts of many that Jewell cannot lead us forward. We have made big steps forward since those dark days around Christmas and there is no reason that with a few tweaks we cannot give it a right go next season. There is a very thin dividing line between success and failure in this division and today we missed glorious chances when 1-0 down that should have been put away. Millwall are 2nd in the form table and are no mugs despite the comments of some posters on here. Millwall are a decent side and there are many like them in our division. Yes we are now the longest serving Club in this division for consecutive seasons but many Clubs bigger than us would be grateful for that. If we can get rid of that clown of a goalkeeper we have, get a balanced central defence, a decent tall striker and some pace in midfield we will be fine. All is not doom and gloom and I'll be at the Keepmoat next week as I am sure 1500 others will be.

0

stoofer added 21:00 - Apr 21 sad end to the final home game of the season, another pretty average season draws to a close, some great results against top teams but some equally shocking results against others, what is really disappionting we know its going to be very difficult to attract players to the club with little progress shown this season!!
0

paulnstar added 21:03 - Apr 21 jewell out jewell out jewell out jewell out another season in lower half of the table same old same old
0

paulnstar added 21:10 - Apr 21 chopra been on the lash again has he ,get rid asap
0

Keaneish added 21:14 - Apr 21 No arguments with any of the statements on here. It's not just 'not acceptable' to lose your last game at home, it's a disgrace to lose your last game at home like that against a side like that... Lots of work to be done in the summer...
0

tractorboy2434 added 21:22 - Apr 21 Cards on the table time,Q should the manager go, answer yes, he is inept. Q Will he ho, of course not because Evans does'nt want to pay him off. Q Will there be any money to rebuild what is a very average squad A A little, but not enough to make much difference Q What does next season hold A More of the same, so glad I did'nt renew and today was the end for me, really really glad this awful season is over and bring on the cricket and beer.

0

TimmyH added 21:31 - Apr 21 Re: 20 shots on goal today, that stat must be correct I read the other day (we were 4th in the table for shots and Burnley were leading, unfortunately this is one area of our game which might not improve next season unless JET steps it up, Chopra has been very 'on and off' this season (more off than on) and I can only see his best days behind him now. Clinical in front of goal we are not, just look at Reading at games against West Ham and Southampton when largely they were being outplayed but scored when their chance came along. Saying all that a really shambolic last home game, and Doncaster next week - can't see a repeat of a 6-0 that's for sure.

0

Tractastic added 21:43 - Apr 21 Mr Jewell loves to manipulate and spurt out stats that in some way back his extremely mediocre tenure as Ipswich Manager. As he claims“But put things into perspective, we've done OK in the last 18 games'' Well personally i can't remember any season that has been 18 games long and even then its hardly been spectacular as some of you have already pointed out. Its like a golfer who has had a poor round saying yeah but i did ok between holes 6 and 13!!Irrelevant its your score at the end of the round or season that counts. Even worse one point from the last three home games...is well.... answers on a postcard? Taking all emotion from this post the facts are very clear. - Less points than last season and Jewell was in charge for half of that season. - If we finish lower than 15th and this a possibility , this will be the lowest we have ever finished in the Championship and this is his team. Its not as though ME hasn't given the management money to spend so something isn't working and whose taking responsibilty? Today was the chance to really put in a great high energy performance and get the fans excited about the prospect of a bright new season. Instead we are left deflated and wonder what lies ahead and then Jewell gives us the same old we should of,could of lacklustre post match review. I admire town fans who are positive enough to think that Mr Jewell is someone to take us forward but personally i would rather see him on Sky Sports on a Saturday afternoon rather in in the ITFC dugout. Progress...really?

0

Crazee added 21:46 - Apr 21 Today was poor beyond words .... but what bothers me more than anything is that I can't see anyway that next season will be any better. A mediocre manager and far too many mediocre players I am afraid.
0

buryblue77 added 21:54 - Apr 21 So that was rubbish, end of! I will pass judgement on PJ after the start to next season, if things don't improve then he will have to go, hopefully they will though. I don't understand so many people slating Drury, saying League One at best, do they not remember how good he was when he came back into the first team? Goals appear to be our big problem at the moment, Chopra seems to have lost it and for all JET's attacking flair I don't think he'll ever be a prolific striker so those pinning their hopes on him are misguided, stylish attacking winger is the best we can hope for from him I think As for attacking Stevenson, he's not settled in yet, but has had a few good games when coming off the bench, so given time he could come good. A pro PJ person, but it's not forever and if come the Autumn there hasn't been improvement then I think his time will come. Having said that, Lee Clarke anyone?

0

StochesStotasBlewe added 21:58 - Apr 21 Although i must agree that this season has on the whole been sh*te, i have renewed for next season & am going to Doncaster next weekend. A football club is for life, through thick & thin, to follow when the going is tough, or perhaps that makes me a retard/deluded as some on here so eloquently put. I hope some of you that wont be joining us at PR next season enjoy your saturday afternoons pushing a trolley in tesco,s.

0

Blue041273 added 22:31 - Apr 21 Tactically we are a joke. Everyone who follows Championship Football knows what Keogh can do. Seemingly not our manager who did nothing tactically to negate his particular talents. It's fine to place your faith in your own players to create situations in your own favour but there was not much evidence today that any homework was done on the Millwall danger men. Surely it is just common sense to balance the defensive strategy with that set up to score goals. We are going nowhere fast with an incoherent approach to games, particularly home games. We may get the odd good result but we will also suffer when the opposition realise and understand our considerable limitations.

0

bobble added 23:08 - Apr 21 at least it wasn't 4-0
0

CraigForrestGateau added 23:36 - Apr 21 This website is Hilarious. Poor performance, yup. Fans with short memories, most definately. This club is. now built on a generation of fans who's earlier memories are based on us finishing fifth and getting into europe. Then theres the generation of fans who remember the 5/6 yrs of frustration after relegation from the premier league in '95 and finally winning promotion. Then theres the older bunch who went from watching one of europes best club sides to witness a near on collapse of a great side. Stop pretending we deserve better just because we have a rich owner. What does he owes other than stabilising a football club? Onwards and upwards and hopefully fans will turn up next season and just try, just try and make encouraging sounds rather than pathetic moans, forgetting how we were dreadful earlier in the season, before outplaying some of the leagues best. Have a little faith or sod off.

0

NSL added 00:48 - Apr 22 CraigForrestGateau - I think we probably have the most patient fan's in the country to be honest. if this were somewhere like Leeds then all hell would have been broken loose by now. The fact is we have a complete and utter farce of a 'squad' put together by managers who have been continually breaking 'records' of the worst set of results since . . . . having squantered huge salaries on total, to be blunt, tossers such as Messrs Chopra, Bullard et al. whilst we all struggle to pay some of the highest ticket prices in the football league. On this basis, can you blame a slight lack of 'faith' at the moment?

0

nitroblue1970 added 02:15 - Apr 22 NSL like your style....we have made zero progress in what...8 years? if anything its getting worse! A procession of managers given a tidy sum to build a team thjat at least challenges at the top end of the table..Jim failed and was sacked...keane failed spectaularly and was sacked...PJ is still there????? He was never the man for the job IMO and has given coaching jobs to his old mates. Spent a bit of cash and not delivered...so we wait for another close season of failed signings and old fossils wheeled out to impress us into getting into P road next season!...and we will cos we are town fans right!....jewell will be back on soccer saturday in the new year!

0

lscooper23 added 03:13 - Apr 22 Shocking today! Very poor, thought JET looked like he didn't want to be there! Although it was shocking I still have optimism for next season! Walky's_Tash - you saw Bullard tonight? Was he out having a good time? Are footballers not allowed to have a good time or do they have to be in bed by 8? They have a life too! Is he missing training? I don't think so, get off your high horse

0

Devontractor added 04:58 - Apr 22 What a shocking set of 'supporters' Town have these days. Lathers:Whilst Millwall has its share of troublemakers they don't represent the majority: I lived close to the Den for years and very nearly married a girl from that part of the world - your judgement of them perhaps demonstrates your IQ. I was at the Den in '78 with said girl who thought the behaviour of a few discgraced the majority as did those in the stand I ended up in after escaping the bottles and bricks thrown by a few. All these cries of 'Jewell Out' - have any of you checked back on years ago and checked out Sir Bobby's first few seasons here? I doubt it! It strikes me that many of you seem to think that Town have a divine right to be in the EPL - rubbish!! Town are a small, provincial town 'club' that through the Ramsey and Robson years punched massively above our weight. We need some consistency, the youth policy put together again (even if it is with tier 2 status), and some financial common sense: there are people on here that advocate spending stupid money on League1/2 equivalents of Andy Carroll whilst also saying we should be looking for bargains in the lower leagues: what the hell do you want guys?? Truth is ITFC as its been run is not sustainable so something has to give and that means transfer money and salary money. Average salary for a CL player is now of the order of £250k - not bad and far ahead of average wages compared to our wonderful side of 80/81/82. One final thought: Ticka tacka?? I can remember Barca at Portman Road (Complete with Cruyf et al) and we ticka-tacked them of the park - it'll never happen again: love the memories guys but accept footie has changed and ITFC are consigned by finance to be a second tier team. Just one lingering thought: Just suppose the Champions League had started in 1973...................

0

HK_Bluey added 07:23 - Apr 22 Nicely put Devontractor, I too was at that Barca game and many others when Town really were able to compete at the highest level. Managers like Ramsey and Robson do not come along often, but both made their name at ITFC. More than ever I think our club needs to be realistic about our targets for both managers and players and rebuild the essence of the club, something we have clearly lost in recent years. We can only do that with stability and a consistent approach over many years. The manager must not be under pressure to find instant success and be given the time to build a strong nucleus of committed and loyal players who can be the basis of our next great team. Will new FairPlay rules will be a mechanism to do this? Could be, I for one am glad we are already taking steps to structure the club to live within a more sustainable commercial framework. Despite comments to the contrary on here, I believe ME and SC are trying to do this with the best long term interests of ITFC in mind, at significant personal cost in ME's case, but we all need to expect a transition that will mean more roller-coaster seasons ahead. COYB, onwards and upwards!

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls