x

Douglas: We Need to Stick Together - Ipswich Town News

Midfielder Jonathan Douglas says everyone at Town has to stick together during what he admits is a frustrating period for players and fans alike.

"We have to stick together,” he said. "We are all as one, including the fans. The gaffer is trying to play a bit more football this year and the fans have to get behind us. They have to understand we sometimes have to go backwards to move forward.

"We created chances in the second half but I can understand their frustration because we are frustrated as players.”

He added: "We want to win all our home games. We have a squad capable of doing that that but at the moment it just isn’t happening. We have to keep believing and keep working hard to make it happen.

"We knew Huddersfield would try and sit and catch us on the break. They have a lot of pace and power up front. Christophe saved one off the line for us but with the players we have we can beat any team in this league.

"Berra and Tommy Smith were different class playing against players of the calibre of Ishmael Miller and Nakhi Wells.

"The defence did very well, it wasn’t just the two centre-halves, but also Cole Skuse and myself and it is up to us to help create chances.

"It is a team game and if we stick together we will do well and be happy come the end of the season.”

Regarding James Vaughan’s late red card for throwing the ball in Jonas Knudsen’s face, he said: "It was too late to make any difference but even so with 11 v 11, we should have been able to beat Huddersfield, indeed any team in this league. We kept a clean sheet so it is something to build on.”

What does he believe has changed since August when Town topped the Championship table? "We’re just missing that little bit of luck. Like the chance right at the end when Didzy’s clean through and the keeper makes a great save.

"In August the keeper may save it but then it trickles into the net. It is stuff like that.

"We’ll keep believing and working hard and we know the results will start coming again for us, just as they did in August.

"The main thing was we kept a clean sheet and we have not had many of them since August, so that was a good positive for us and something to build on.”

The 32-year-old joined the Blues from Brentford in the summer on a free transfer and, having made his debut as a sub against his old club on the opening day, has been a regular alongside Skuse at the centre of the Town midfield.

"I’m enjoying it here,” he said. "It’s a good club and it’s a privilege to be here. I’ve moved here now and settled in well, I just want to do well for the club too.”

The former Republic of Ireland international believes he and his team-mates can make up for Saturday’s disappointment by taking all three points from Tuesday’s trip to Hull City.

"We have dropped points here before and then we went to Leeds and won so we are capable of going to places like Hull and winning,” he insisted.

"Every game in this league is difficult. It is a battle but we are capable of going to Hull and winning."

Meanwhile, the Blues' U21s are in action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate this evening (KO 7pm).

Elsewhere, Ireland were paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina in yesterday's Euro 2016 play-off draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Strikers Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are both likely to be named in the squad for the ties.

The first game in Bosnia will take place on Friday 13th November with the second at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on the following Monday.

What to read next:

New Call Me Ted Poster For Norwich Derby
Town poster gurus Call Me Ted have produced a new design ahead of the East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road on Sunday 5th October.
U17s Beaten By Hammers
Town’s youngsters were beaten 4-0 by West Ham United in their opening U17 Premier League Cup game at Playford Road this afternoon.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Akpom: Ajax and Lille Spells Made Me a Better Player
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes he has returned to England a better player following two years at Ajax and Lille.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Four in Championship Team of the Week
Four Town players have been named in the Championship Team of the Week following the 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United on Friday.
Ipswich Town Women 0-1 Nottingham Forest Women - Match Report
Ipswich Town Women remain without a win so far this season after losing 1-0 to fellow newly promoted side Nottingham Forest in their first outing at their new home, Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Blades Sack Selles Following Town Thrashing
Sheffield United have sacked manager Ruben Selles following Friday’s 5-0 thrashing by the Blues at Portman Road.
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two Penalties
Town keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.