x

We Were Poor - Royle - Ipswich Town News

Town manager Joe Royle labelled his side's performance against bogey side Grimsby as the worst since he's been at the club. The Blues were indebted to Darren Bent for two equalisers against the struggling Mariners.

Royle said: "It was out poorest 90 minutes since I have been with the club.

"We weren't creating, we weren't crossing well and we weren't passing well.

"The pitch is crumbling a bit which is making it hard for us but we cannot go on leaking goals like we are at the moment.

"Only Matt Holland defended properly, but we need him in two different positions."

Another player Royle was impressed with was top scorer Darren Bent: "When you get the ball to him Darren looks dangerous.

"I didn't think we deserved to lose because our goalkeeper didn't have anything to do except for the two goals."

Royle says that youngs keeper James Pullen took full responsibilty for the second Grimsby goal: "The kid held his hands up and was embarrassed by the second goal.

Pullen was thrown in as a replacement for the underperforming Andy Marshall as the Town manager is unable to bring anyone in at present: "As we are in administration we cannot get anyone in any position."

Grimsby player-manager and scorer of the first goal, Paul Groves, was understandably frustrated after dropping two points right at the end: "Of course I am disappointed. You always are when you lead until a couple of minutes from the end.

"We didn't create much in the second half but our keeper hardly had a save to make either.

"John Oster and Richard Hughes played a big part. It was just as though Oster had not been away. He's a class act.

"I am sure the relegation battle will go to the very end of the season. It will be difficult, there's no doubt about that.

"The positives from the game were that we scored two goals away from home and limited a good side to not too many chances."

Town skipper Matt Holland said that the Blues being in administration is no defence for such a poor performance: "It's a lame excuse for players if they use that fact for any failings on the field.

"Once you have crossed the white line you forget all about that. When I was in a similar position at Bournemouth it united us, if anything."

There were boos for Town at the end, and Holland could empathise: "To be honest I can understand their frustrations."

What to read next:

Halo Tease Town Shirt Sponsorship
Stowmarket-based service management specialists Halo appear to have confirmed that they are Town’s new shirt sponsor via a social media post.
Thomas On as Sub as Reggae Girlz Beaten By England
Natasha Thomas came on as a 62nd-minute sub for Jamaica as the ReggaeGirlz were beaten 7-0 by England in a friendly at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
England U21s 3-2 Germany U21s - Highlights
Highlights of England U21s’ 3-2 after-extra-time victory over Germany in last night’s Euros final in Bratislava, Blues forward Omari Hutchinson scoring the second goal.
Thomas Set For Third Cap as Reggae Girlz Face England
Ipswich Town Women’s striker Natasha Thomas will be hoping to win her third full Jamaica cap when the Reggae Girlz face England at the King Power Stadium, Leicester this evening (KO 3pm, ITV1).
Hutchinson on Target as England U21s Win Euros
Town forward Omari Hutchinson scored as England’s U21s beat Germany 3-2 after extra-time to retain the European U21 Championship in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Ex-Blues Forward Morris Suffers Third ACL Injury
Former Blues forward Ben Morris, now with USL Championship side Detroit City, has suffered the third ACL injury of his career.
Assistant Keeper-Coach Martin Leaves Town
Assistant goalkeeper coach David Martin has revealed he is leaving the club after a year.
Hutchinson Aiming to Become Third Town Player to Win U21 Euros With England
Forward Omari Hutchinson will be aiming to become the third Town player to win the European U21 Championship with Town when he and his teammates face Germany in the final in Bratislava, Slovakia this evening (KO 8pm, Channel 4).
New John Wark Book Now Available For Pre-Order
He’s Here, He’s There, the book celebrating the career of Blues legend John Wark is now available for pre-order.
Ashton: We Have to Look at Recruiting a Different Type of Player
Chairman and CEO Mark Ashton says the Blues will be looking at recruiting a different type of player with the physical attributes required to compete in the Premier League.