x

Managers on Result - Ipswich Town News

George Burley, like the majority of supporters, feels that the Blues will have to perform a lot better than they did against Southampton today if they are to avoid relegation to the Nationwide League.

The Town boss says his players know that they have a difficult battle ahead: "The mood in the dressing room is that it will be very tough, and if we don't show more determination and grit than we did today then we will go down, it's as simple as that. We are a good passing team who like to play football, but you need to have all the elements there."

Burley says the Blues preparations in Cyprus were not to blame for the lacklustre performance against the Saints: "We prepared properly for this game, played last Saturday and knew it would be tight. Southampton work hard and get men behind the ball and don't give you time to lay, and overall we didn't match their commitment to closing people down."

Burley felt the first Southampton goal was unlucky: "The first goal was very unfortunate. Andy would have saved it but it took a wicked deflection, but the last two goals were poor defending, which we guilty of in the first half of the season. The first goal can be a deciding factor in the Premiership, and we were unfortunate the way it went against us."

Of the late penalty shout where the ball appeared to catch a Southampton hand Burley merely said: "The referee made what he thought was the right decision."

Burley added that the Blues had no new injury worries after today's match, although pre-match worry Chris Makin appeared to hobble off when replaced by Jermaine Wright.

Unsurprisingly Gordon Strachan was happy with his side's performance, although he felt that his team's win might have been in danger after Finidi George's goal: "I thought we might have a problem when they made it 2-1, but we showed bravery to keep playing and we got our reward with a magnificent goal. I did a Barry Fry and I apologise if that offended anyone, but it really was a fantastic goal.

"Before the game and at half-time I felt there would only be one goal in it. Rory Delap missed a good chance for us when he hit the post, and then another just after the break and I thought then we would be unlucky, but we were fantastic and brave in the way we tried to play."

What to read next:

[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town Linked With Loan Approach For Spanish Striker
Town are reported to have made a loan approach to Serie A Como for Spanish striker Iván Azón.
Brentford 'Remain Keen' on Hutchinson
Brentford are reportedly expected to make a renewed move for Blues forward Omari Hutchinson.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town Women Sign New Zealand International
Ipswich Town Women have announced their third signing of the day, New Zealand international right-back Grace Neville, who was previously with WSL new girls London City Lionesses.
Edwards: The Ball's in Hackney's Court
Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards says the ball is in Hayden Hackney’s court as to whether the midfielder joins the Blues or stays with the Teessiders.
Town Women Sign Midfielder Dear
Ipswich Town Women have signed midfielder Jenna Dear following her release by fellow WSL2 side Sunderland at the end of last season.
Blues Target Guiu Closing in On Sunderland Loan
Blues target Marc Guiu is closing in on a loan move to newly promoted Premier League Sunderland.
Town Women Sign Full-Back Roe
Ipswich Town Women have signed full-back Bethan Roe following her exit from fellow WSL2 side Charlton Athletic.