Anthony Wordsworth has revealed the full depth of his frustration at being axed from the Town side against Nottingham Forest recently.
The ex-Colchester midfielder made his first two league starts of the current campaign, deputising for the injured Cole Skuse, as both Brighton and Derby were defeated in the space of just three days towards the end of last month.
But when Forest came to Portman Road to complete a busy schedule of three games in eight days the fit-again Skuse was preferred and Wordsworth, recalled for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Blackburn, was not only missing from Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up but also absent from the bench.
He said: "I was deeply hurt and disappointed. The manager is like every other manager and says if you get your opportunity and you do well you will keep your place. That wasn’t the case and I was deeply upset.
"I was upset but the manager had his reasons for what he did and I’ve just got to agree with him really. If I disagree it isn’t going to make any difference — I’m still going to be sat in the stands.
"I can try to do my best in training and try to get back in the team, and I did manage to do that against Blackburn. Hopefully I’ve done enough to keep a place in the squad.
"I still wanted my team-mates to win against Forest because we had a chance of getting into the top six and I was probably our best fan from the stands.”
Wordsworth said he and McCarthy had a chat about the situation. "We had a discussion but I had to agree with him because he’s the manager,” he added. "I can say my piece and it still isn’t going to change anything.
"I’ve been there before in the past and disagreed with managers. I’ve learned that it doesn’t really get you anywhere. The best thing you can do is to get your head down, work hard and try to get another opportunity.”