Stand-in Blues skipper George Edmundson admitted Town struggled with their final ball as they were beaten 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday, but felt there were encouraging signs in the display.

The 24-year-old was wearing the captain’s armband for the second game running with Sam Morsy serving the second game of his four-match ban.

“It is a tough place to come,” the former Rangers man said. “You never get an easy game here, but I thought we played well, it was just up to the final third, we probably struggled with our final ball. I definitely think there are encouraging signs there.”

Asked whether that might be viewed as a surprise given the attacking talent in the squad, he reflected: “I know, but we’ve had big changes. There’s a new style of play for us, so it is going to take time for us to adapt and get used to play the way the gaffer wants to play.

“But in past games I think you have seen that we can do it. I think we just need a tiny bit more time on the training pitch and it’ll click more often than not.”

He added: “I thought we played some really good stuff. We’re frustrated in there. We’ve had a little chat [with] the gaffer. Like I say, the final ball and that will come the more we play this style of football. It’ll come and we’ll have more good games than bad ones.”

Edmundson says the disappointment wasn’t so much with the performance but with allowing a chance to close the gap on the top six to slip with Wednesday going back ahead of the Blues, who are back to eight points from the play-offs.

“I think that’s probably why we’re disappointed, not performance-wise, more that if we could have come and won here it would have put us right in contention again.

“So, we’ve probably made it a bit hard for ourselves again but I think that’s been the story of our season.”

Town’s next opponents are the bottom two, 23rd-placed Gillingham, who lost 7-2 at home to Oxford yesterday, and table-propping Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium a week on Tuesday.

"“We go into every game thinking we can win every game,” the one-time Oldham trainee continued. “So hopefully we’re just going to go back, debrief on this game on Monday and then we go into the next one hoping to win.”

Asked about Wednesday’s winning goal, Edmundson reflected: “I’m partly to blame in that I lost the ball, but with this style of football, the gaffer wants the centre-halves stepping in with the ball and sometimes it’s going to happen.

“I hold my hands up for it and you just move on, forget about it. Learn from it, forget about it and then move on.

“You’ve seen it in games when JD [Janoi Donacien] steps out and he ends up on the edge of the box or wherever. If it does come off you get in some great positions, but if it doesn’t come off and they put a good ball in, sometimes you are left a little bit vulnerable.

“But that’s the way we’re playing, we like it and I think you could see we can do it. We’ve got to make sure we do it more consistently.”

The Manchester-born central defender says it’s a style of football he enjoys even if it’s not one he’s played before in quite the same set-up.

“Not in a three really,” he recalled. “I have played in a three but not really stepping in. But it’s something the gaffer wants and encourages from us. I think we can all do it, Woolfy [Luke Woolfenden], I know he’s been playing in the middle, but I can see him stepping in as well. It’s something we’ve spoken about and we enjoy it.”

Edmundson was impressed with left wing-back Dominic Thompson’s debut, the 21-year-old having joined on loan from Brentford earlier in the week.

“I thought he did brilliant, I thought he was really good,” he said. “You can see he’s a modern-day full-back, wing-back as we play. He’s up and down, puts in a good tackle, is comfy on the ball. I think he was really good and it was a great debut.”

Regarding skippering the Blues, he added: “It’s brilliant. It’s something that you want to be. If I am captain it’s something that I feel like can improve my game. It brings certain players out of their shell and I feel like it has done that with me, I’ve had to become more of a leader. It’s something I’m embracing and enjoying.”

Asked what kind of leader he is, he said: “I wouldn’t say I’m loud, I try and do my talking on the pitch. Before the game and at half-time, I can talk myself up to be the best player in the world, but if you don’t go and do it on the pitch, then nobody’s going to listen to you. I try and do it on the pitch, try and do things right and hopefully the lads follow.

“Wearing the armband, it’s having a nice title really. When I’m on the pitch, even if Morsy’s in or if Evo’s [Lee Evans] captain, I still see myself as a captain and try and be a leader and encourage the lads through the game.”

Edmundson was up against his former Rangers team-mate Florian Kamberi at Hillsborough and the two enjoyed a good battle.

“I apologised to him for going through him,” he said. “It’s part of football, if he got the chance he’d probably smash me anyway! It’s just one of them, it happens in football, no intention to hurt him, it’s a good battle.”

Edmundson is currently sporting the full centre-half’s look with two black eyes sustained in the previous two matches.

“I know. Accy and Wimbledon,” he said pointing to each in turn. “First minute at Wimbledon, I couldn’t believe it.

“It’s part of the job really. Heading, kicking balls, so you’re bound to get a whack sometimes and a few black eyes, maybe a broken nose or something. It’s something I enjoy, I quite like heading balls. Part of the battle.”

Photos: TWTD/PagePix

Ebantiass added 11:34 - Jan 30 was not his fault, yes he lost the ball but if Burns had done the dirty work and tracked the player running past him things could well have been different. I agree we looked good and up until the final third we were ok. Toothless up front Im afraid. Chaplin looks out of his depth as does Pigott. Im sure or hope they will come good there is still a lot to play for .
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Billysherlockblue added 11:39 - Jan 30 Lets face it bonne has been very poor for awhile now yet piggott gets no chance... why .. hes a proven goalscorer. I really like bonne but he is out of form and was not physical enough to warrent his place. What do ye all think?
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DavoIPB added 11:46 - Jan 30 Bonne a way better striker than piggott. Needed Norwood and Bonne together. I don't like it when players and managers say we played well when we didn't. We were really poor apart from Walton who stops us from getting hammered multiple times.
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billlm added 11:47 - Jan 30 Billysherlockblue, he's well off form, not clinical enough to have bragging rights over a guaranteed starting spot, pigott has had a raw deal at town off both managers, apart from he's probably on a good wage here I'd ask my agent to get a move out asap, been wasted here, goal scorer with good control, wasted,
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ArnieM added 11:52 - Jan 30 “We played well up to the final third”…. Because Sheffield Wednesday ALLOWED you to play in thst discs by using their V formation . They stopped us attacking down the thanks . But had our defence executed a longer accurate pass into the spaces behind that V we would have caused them problems . We were out thought tactically !
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ArnieM added 11:52 - Jan 30 “Allowed you to play in that space “
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chepstowblue added 11:57 - Jan 30 We were totally ineffectual and lacking in pace, creativity and movement.Meaningless possession at over 50's walking tempo. There are no bonus pts awarded for having 65% of possession. Get the bl**dy thing forward .The last half an hr disappeared with us hardly getting into their half. If not for Walton and some dubious finishing this was a 4-0 game. Only when we get a thumping will the penny drop, and performances like this every 3weeks continue to prove that we're not the real deal or improving at the rate that many believe we are. Sorry George, you've been an excellent acquisition, but pulling the wool over our eyes is not appreciated. It was terrible.

3

TimmyH added 12:11 - Jan 30 Usually the case with us - I think we need a big physical No.10 in our squad (not Fraser) - we have too many lightweight short impact type players towards the front.
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blueboy1981 added 13:10 - Jan 30 That is true George - the ‘Final Third' was completely VOID of anything at all… !!!
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Cloddyseedbed added 13:11 - Jan 30 Teams done their homework against us. Stop Burns at all cost, that stops us. We need a big threat on the left too but don't have one. When we were successful bonne and Norwood were playing together with smiles on their faces and goals were coming. 2 up front gives defenders more to think about, just one up front allows defences to concentrate on stopping Burns. Bonne is too isolated, must be as frustrated as hell. We were very weak in midfield yesterday too. As soon as I saw the team sheet I knew we would really struggle as a team. What have Aluko and Norwood done to not get in the team? They would be certain starters for me as they make/force things on the pitch. I hope McKenna learnt a lot yesterday, the more he tinkers and thinks results will still come, the more we loose momentum. Big loss yesterday over a big rival for top 6 place and manager must take responsibility and learn.

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Linkboy13 added 13:13 - Jan 30 McKenna's poorest post match interview so far. Saying the first goal changed the complexion of the game was very weak and so was blaming the pitch. We played into their hands they just sat back and caught us on the break. We are the ones who should be trying to entice them forward we were very naive im afraid.
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Suffolkboy added 13:16 - Jan 30 We looked a bit out of sorts, lacking cohesion and a bit hesitant here and there . That cost us dearly,but with compelling absences , new faces to settle and a ‘rough' pitch surface to hamper its disappointing to lose , but not too surprising ( we can't expect to win each time out ) . There are very promising signs , KM knows what he looks for, how to train ,how to coach and is both strategically and tactically very aware . Getting ITFC back to functioning faultlessly is a longer term task, was never going to be a sprint , but we should be encouraged that standards are being set , enthusiasm fuelled and progress is very evident ! Keep up the good work ! COYB

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ThaiBlue added 13:42 - Jan 30 Really didnt notice it as we had no shots in 90mins,pretty shocking.
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Ipswichbusiness added 13:47 - Jan 30 It is quite dismal to dominate possession yet not have a shot on target.
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Stato added 13:56 - Jan 30 I thought Celina would win player of the division this season but he hasn't hit the heights of his previous loan with us apart from that one very special goal. We are much less direct than under Cook but we aren't giving the ball away as much either. The defence look confident and competent in passing the ball among themselves but if I'm going to be hyper critical maybe sometimes we are just taking too many passes to get the ball forward and maybe the passing could be a bit quicker with a higher risk tariff. Under Cook I saw too much stuff being launched directly to Bonne from Burgess which too often just handed the ball back to the opposition and hopefully McKenna will continue to play through the midfield via than over tghe top of them.

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littlestoneblue added 15:02 - Jan 30 Timmy H we have got a big physical number 10 his name is Tyree Simpson, at 19 he's built like a brick S**T house, scored 11 goals at Swindon on loan stick him up top he's really good at holding off defenders, stick him alongside Norwood or Pigott upfront. But we do need another quality CB to play alongside Wolfie, Edmunson is not the right player to be captain and he's like our ex Toto was, always has a mistake in him, like yesterday, he's too lightweight, we need another Mobray captain type CB one who's faultless and commands respect and commitment from his team, if we can't thump Gillingham and Doncaster next up then we are in big big trouble. I know McKenna has only been here a short while and is sussing out the players he wants in his squad, but if we aren't in at least the top 8 end of the season then there will be yet another mass clear out of deadwood, we have to lose this inconsistency in our game performances, it's ok to have say 2 players having an off day but not 10 that's not on and shows disrespect to the manager and traveling fans, when McKenna was appointed I hoped he would change this side of our game that's been with us for far too many seasons and needs changing, and it's no good us saying oh we missed Morsy, we should have another player that can step in his place and do the same hard-working committed job and keep the team working like clockwork.

1

jas0999 added 15:08 - Jan 30 Time for Bonne to be dropped. His goal scoring record over the past few months has been poor and constantly offside. That said, we need better service. Creativity has been an issue for a while.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:09 - Jan 30 must admit, i wasnt expecting Bonne to keep banging them in like he was ,but his goal drought has gone on longer than i expected. I know we seem to have games where service has been very poor, but even on better days he has not taken his chances. I have not been impressed by Pigott at all, which given his game time is probably a bit harsh. I think it is time to give him a sh#t or bust run in team now though, to prove he is up to the task. Will be interesting to see what Simpson can do too. So yes i would rest Bonne now.

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Bert added 16:57 - Jan 30 It always amuses me that some teams give Burns acres of space when it's obvious he has goals in him. Wednesday worked that one out so Burns was a shadow of his normal self. Edmudson can be allowed the odd slip up, Bonne will come good and despite the defeat we have a manager who knows what he is doing. Two wins in the coming week and we will be in the mix again..... until MK Dons which is of course another must win game. They all are from February.

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blueboy1981 added 19:29 - Jan 30 Be realistic people - we were worse than abysmal against Bolton and Wednesday yesterday. What evidence is there based on those two games, that the gap can be closed to get into the Play Offs ?? - simply there isn't. Whenever a New Manager comes in there is a ‘flurry' of results and excitement - but Cook would have been crucified for losing the above two games in such a manner as we did…. !!! Just saying ….. !!!

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blueboy1981 added 19:37 - Jan 30 The Bonne / Chaplin combo' does not work - to get the best out of Bonne, as he has indicated, he needs NORWOOD with him. We've proved it works - so why the need to change it ??? - other than for some idea of ‘rotation' - but that doesn't work, as we know from previous episodes …… !!!
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WorcesterBlue added 21:28 - Jan 30 No we didn't play well up until the final third. We were slow, cautious and negative. Bonne left high and dry with no support against decent CBs. Backwards and sideways slowly apart from a couple of slicker faster moves here and there. No intensity.
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Help added 07:37 - Jan 31 To me it looks like Edmundson needs some sleep, those bags under his eyes are massive
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oldtimer3 added 08:02 - Jan 31 We need a large presents in the forward line who can score goals! Hey we have a young hungry 19 year old who can score goals. What are we waiting for play him. Goodness me it's not rocket science. I remember a 17 year old John Wark playing his first match for Town in the last 8 FA cup match against the then mighty Leeds. Came in for an injured Kevin Beatee I believe, we won that incredible match! Became a absolute legend. Let's give the young man Simpson a run in the Team!

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Razor added 17:43 - Jan 31 I saw no encouraging signs----far from. Give Simpson a go----him and Nozza up front please playing as a FRONT TWO!!
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