Town boss Paul Cook admitted the Blues aren’t ready for the play-offs after a 3-0 defeat at Northampton realistically ended their hopes of a top-six place this season.

The defeat sees the Blues drop to 11th, five points off the play-offs with only four to play. They are without a win in five and a goal in 529 minutes of football.

Having lost 3-0 at AFC Wimbledon a week ago, manager Cook admits thoroughly disappointing Tuesday nights are becoming a habit.

“It’s just a normal one, isn’t it?” he said. “Again, there’ll be no criticism of the players from me now, we’re past all that.

“Our supporters don’t need to listen to me, what you’d consider an experienced manager coming in, I think that’s 12 games from me now. I’d have expected myself to do a lot better, irrespective of any player who has going on the pitch.

“The first level of criticism comes to me, to my staff. I don’t want the players getting any criticism. The fans have watched us for long enough now. The pain, the frustration’s been there for a period of time and eventually, after this season ends, hopefully they’ll see some signs in the club, whatever that looks like, of a positive future.”

Asked whether the players’ confidence is low as a result of the recent run, he said: “I just told the lads in there, you get one football career and sometimes when you play for clubs, the bigger clubs in every league, everyone raises their game to play you. That’s part of the good thing of playing for Ipswich, Portsmouth and Sunderland in this division.

“But it’s also a challenge because you become a big scalp and unfortunately for us, and I’m talking about under myself now, I’m not talking about under anyone else, it hasn’t been good enough. And I won’t be criticising the players tonight, I will shoulder that blame for them.”

When it was put to him that Town aren’t going to reach the play-offs this season, he conceded: “No, it’s not. We came away from home tonight and we started the game so, so well. We were bright, we looked effective. But, like I say to them, the first confidence [hit] or disappointment in games, we always get [affected by that] disappointment.

“As a young group of men, disappointment on the pitch is hard because, I’m talking about my time at Ipswich, no one else, you haven’t got many go-to moments where they’ve been in trouble and they’ve got out of it.

“You’ve gone and crossed the ball, we got in great areas tonight and our quality [was lacking]. But I’m not going to get drawn into aspects of the game.

“The plan for going forward is to be a lot better than we are today, and I’m talking about myself and the staff, I’m not talking about the players.”

What do you want to see from the final four games? “Play, just play. I thought we had a couple of great performances. I thought Andre Dozzell was excellent, I thought Gwion Edwards was as well. And that’s what we want to see as well.

“Again, I don’t want to tell you what’s going on in the dressing room, that’s not fair on the players that, but to manage clubs like ours, it’s a privilege, to play for the clubs it’s the same. But the supporters only want to hear that for so long.

“Unfortunately in transfer windows, you know what’s gone on in the last few weeks, it’s been a difficult time for everyone at the club.

“So let’s all, and from myself, let’s have a bit of manners and a bit of respect, let’s not make stupid, rash statements that people want to hear in football because I think as a sportsperson it’s got to hurt.

“And what you do is go away, let the hurt go to the bottom of your shoes and you do something about it.”

Quizzed on whether he might you look at one or two players over the course of the next few weeks who haven’t featured so far, Cook said: “I’m not going to speak like that. They’re painful these nights now, they really are. They hurt me deeply and I’m sure they hurt a lot of our supporters on iFollow and people who are passionately wanting us to make the play-offs.

“We’re not ready for the play-offs, are we? Let’s have the truth sometimes, the truth hurts a little bit.

“We’re going to be a club in massive transition now, and the quicker that transition starts the better.”

On Saturday Cook was pleased with the performance as Town drew 0-0 at Charlton but pointed out that a decent display has usually been followed by a disappointing one, and that proved to be the case.

“There’s not much to add,” he reflected. “Everyone watches everyone nowadays. If you watch us, you’d generally say we’re soft. Unfortunately that’s something I have to shoulder.

“If my team’s soft, if our team’s soft, that’s us. Ipswich Town Football Club’s a collective. When players go on the pitch they represent us all, I represent the town.

“And the fans know I’m hurting. The people who know me know me. People know me and my dressing rooms know I certainly won’t be throwing players under the bus, it’s not my style. What we’ve offered under me, I’m not talking about anyone else, hasn’t been good enough.”

Did Kane Vincent-Young’s miss early in the second half sum up the game? “I think Kane’s a really bright spark for us. The kid’s doing really well, it’s so pleasing to see. We want to have that athleticism in the team.

“At the end I’m thinking about taking him off because he’s played two games in a short space of time and I’m thinking about the bigger picture. But the bigger picture is you have to win football games and if you don’t win it hurts you deeply.

“As I say, I think we’ve said enough tonight in general, on the game. I thank everyone for the support, the support for the club’s constant, it’s there, so we’ve got to be better, myself included.”

Northampton manager Jon Brady was delighted with his side’s victory, which sees them stay 21st in the table.

“It was a good win," Brady told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo. "The two goals came from two set pieces and that was something we worked on in terms of trying to free up Pete [Kioso] in the box.

“The delivery was on point and he timed his arrival well and I thought it was a very strong performance in the first half.

“We stepped on when we needed to, we closed off lines and we got in a few times in the first half and we also had to weather a few little moments.

“We came out in the second half and we sunk too deep but that's the story of our season a little bit so we had to change our shape and that allowed us to press on a bit higher. I thought thereafter we looked a lot better and it was a good win for us.”

Photo: TWTD

DifferentGravy added 10:33 - Apr 21 MCcarthy did very well considering the constraints but unfortunately his attitude and dire brand of hoof ball alienated fans. However, that team was broken apart and replaced by league 1 footballers under Hurst. It didnt work and Lambert inherited them. He added his own signings, many of which havent worked out either. Added to the very average, ageing regulars and you have the squad that Cook has inherited. I, like many, thought that a fit starting 11 were good enough to reach the league 1 playoffs at least..... and that a negative tactical approach instilled by Lambert would be given a tweak by Cook and we would jump up the league. I think Cook believed that too. In desperation he has tried every conceivable player/formation to change our fortunes. It hasnt worked and seems to have had a negative impact by unsettling the players. However, in doing so, it has highlighted two key points.....many of the players are not fit enough(scandalous) and some are simply not good enough Whats interesting is that Lambert was given a free ride in the championship. He inherited a squad and couldnt get them to turn things around, even having 30 games and a transfer window......yet he and the players were then applauded off as we were relegated. Cook has now inherited a squad and has been unable to turn things around after a dozen games.....and people are calling for his head. Our squad needs a complete overhaul......not a few sticking plasters and loanees. We need a new captain and a strong spine. Personally, I would only be keeping KVY, Wilson, Nydam, Downes, Mcgavin and Norwood( only if he can prove fitness). This doesnt refer to youngsters like Gibbs/Baggott etc who I havent seen play. We now have owners who seem prepared to back us with funds. So whoever the manager is, they have to be given the chance to build their own team. We are all desperate for exciting, attacking football......chances being created, goals scored and hopefully far more wins than losses. We all wanted immediate success but have to wait until next season now.

12

grumpyoldman added 11:01 - Apr 21 DifferentGarvy totally agree, PC has had no say in the players he has at his disposal. Even Sir Booby would struggle with this bunch of over hyped, inept players, who seem incapable of basic football skills.
6

ImAbeliever added 11:08 - Apr 21 Thanks for that Mr Gravy, I also totally agree and have calmed down for reading it.
2

barrystedmunds added 11:20 - Apr 21 The balance here is who we let go and who we bring in and then attempt to mould them into a team capable of getting us out of this god awful league. The problem is, time is not on our side and unless PC is some kind of magician you, you worry that another season at least looms in the back waters of English football. I'm not after his head, but I am at a loss as to how quickly our season has nosedived since his arrival given that it wasn't exactly on a soaring trajectory under Shambles! Worrying times off the back of ten years of considerable under achievement!!!

0

BettyBlue added 11:37 - Apr 21 Get him out, Now! Al the fans who object to the super league are the same fans who have no problem accepting money from Americans hoping to outspend the opposition to success. Why can't we get a decent manager who can grow the club from the academy and from their own ability.# Why are we trying to buy success???
-1

BettyBlue added 11:43 - Apr 21 Dozzell is a donkey.
-2

Orraman added 11:48 - Apr 21 If Leam Richardson keeps Wigan up as now looks likely they will probably want to keep hold of him. So that leaves Cook stuck here without the brains that made him appear a good manager. New owners just cannot take the chance of Cook getting off to a poor start next season so best to get rid of now and give a proper manager time to get to work on the players retained and potential new signings before August

1

HarleydavidsonBlue added 11:56 - Apr 21 Yes, it was a terrible result, but trying to put this into some sort of context, and in fairness to PC, he is trying to motivate a team that probable knows it wont be hear next season. Why would would you try and bust a gut for a club knowing that you will be out of a job in 4/5 weeks time ? I think the players have only them selves to blame, as this malaise has been in the dressing for far too long. As the old saying goes, "The boss may not always be right, but he is always the boss" Lets see what happens during the summer. C O Y B

1

Europablue added 12:05 - Apr 21 Smithy63 The results were great at the start of the season, but the performances were not. Anyone who was paying attention knew that the season was likely to end in disappointment like the previous season.
2

Europablue added 12:15 - Apr 21 Just looking at the first two goals that we conceded it is difficult to see past the fact that their striker really wanted it and our defenders' heads were down and they didn't look too fussed. PC has had some shocking results, but I think DifferentGravy put things into context really well. This isn't just a group of players who stopped playing for the last manager, they are a group of players that have no spirit and belief and no capacity to push themselves. We looked pretty good until they scored a very soft goal, then our heads went down. This group of players just can't deal with adversity.

2

Derbyshire_Blue added 12:20 - Apr 21 Paul Cook has had success at every club he's been to. He has tried a number of approaches to get a reaction from this squad without any success. Get rid of the lot of them and start again, which is what I'm sure Cook will do.
5

Carberry added 12:29 - Apr 21 This isn't just down to coaching or ability it's about 20 players who are out of contract at the end of the season and therefore have no motivation as they know they will be surplus to requirements. That situation alone is an indication of the completely inept, unprofessional management of our football club. How could you possibly let 20 players run down their contracts - it beggars belief.

3

Europablue added 12:30 - Apr 21 A lot of people were so happy about our run in, but actually playing all the bottom teams at the end of the season scrapping for points is not an ideal situation. We should still have the character to overcome that challenge though.
3

Cheshire_Blue added 12:31 - Apr 21 Is this man up to the job ? I don't think so. Hopefully the new owners will see the light and replace him at the end of the season with their own man who is capable of motivating players to win football matches. His time in charge this season provided an opportunity to see what he is capable of and now we know. Not a lot.
-2

KenHancocksBoot added 12:32 - Apr 21 I agree Europa. PC himself said that if we get into trouble we don't have the mental strength to get out of it. That attitude was also prevalent in the relegation season. I'm also disappointed that we won't make the playoffs, but we wouldn't have had a free ride there. Did anyone seriously think we'd get promoted this season on the basis of our performances? There was no chance, whoever the manager happened to be. We should get rid of Tractor Boys and henceforth be known as the Bottlers.

2

WonTheCupin78 added 12:42 - Apr 21 We are a joke of a club at the moment. I hope this is as low as we will ever fall.
1

martin587 added 12:52 - Apr 21 This diabolical situation we are in almost certainly stems from the fact that the club allowed so many contracts to run down at the end of this season.If players feel they are not wanted then where is the motivation. We all agree some of this squad are past there sell by date and others are just not good enough but contracts do have a very big bearing on players lives as in all walks of life.Surely the blame must lie with the previous owner and managers.PC really is on a hiding to nothing here and we just must be patient and hope everything is put right for the start of next season.There in no point in blaming the manager now.He has to be judged on next season with his own players.

5

Tractorboy58 added 13:27 - Apr 21 Cook Out
-4

cat added 13:47 - Apr 21 Completely agree Martin, but with all these contracts coming to an end it's going to be far easier to have the ‘Mother' of a mega clear out at the end of the season. Makes you wonder if this has been part of a much bigger plan, something us fans are not going to be privy to. Either way it's going to be an exciting summer with transfer business and PR will hopefully be rocking again next season. I'm all for giving P.C time, he's honest and unlike most of the previous managers he don't hold back in saying it as it is.

4

dubblue added 14:10 - Apr 21 Like all here I am very frustrated that PC has not had a positive impact so far especially as we were on a mini run just before he joined. The fact we have new owners might be an excuse to get rid of him. However I think we need to give him more time otherwise we will be a laughing stock! Once he has had the opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad I think the expectations will be that we should be contenders for promotion - of course we had false dawns at the start of this and last season so we will need to focus carefully on whether our place in the table is down to a combination of lucky wins/weak opponents (like Northampton lol) or are we on a sustainable upturn! Roll-on 2021/22, RIP 2020/21

1

Barty added 14:34 - Apr 21 All I can say is thankfully we amassed enough points under PL to avoid a relegation battle because PC record so far is certainly relegation form !!
2

inghamspur added 15:36 - Apr 21 'Dozzell was excellent.... "? Was he watching the same game? He was absolutely awful, doesn't do anything - again.
2

Pabloisgod84 added 15:58 - Apr 21 CANNOT believe some of the daft comments on here about blaming COOK and that is he up to the job and that he needs to do something different , unreal! think hes played a lot of different players to give them a go to show something and they have all let him and us down., this is the worst bunch of players ever. some will never play for a club as big as ipswich again and they dont even want to fight for a new deal. JOKE. some of you need to get real and give cook and the club chance to ship 20-25 players out and bring a whole new team and set the new ethos. saddens me how brain dead some of you are.

-1

SpiritOfJohn added 16:13 - Apr 21 Looks like Sheffield Wednesday and Derby could both be joining us in League One next season, so it won't get any easier to get promotion. The league was weak this year and we were nowhere near good enough.
1

Help added 17:01 - Apr 21 To Be Honest PC I have had enough and I expect many other ITFC fans have also.
1

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls