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:

Mowbray Leaves Birmingham
Town legend Tony Mowbray has stood down from his role as manager of Birmingham City in order to concentrate on making a full recovery from medical treatment and to spend time with his family.
Tuanzebe in DR Congo Squad
Town defender Axel Tuanzebe has been named in the DR Congo squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Senegal and Togo next month.
McKenna Speculation Continues
Speculation regarding Blues boss Kieran McKenna’s future continues with Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea all reportedly showing interest in the Town manager.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Leigh and Edwards Win Second League One Promotion
Former Town pair Greg Leigh and Kyle Edwards won promotion from League One for the second season running after their current club Oxford United defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley this afternoon.
McKenna Bookies' Favourite For Brighton Job
Confirmation from Brighton and Hove Albion that manager Roberto De Zerbi will be leaving at the end of the season has renewed speculation linking Kieran McKenna with the Seagulls and the Blues boss has emerged as the bookmakers’ early favourite for the job.
Youngster Nkansa-Dwamena Off to US
Blues U21s right-back Nick Nkansa-Dwamena is to start a college football scholarship at the University of Tulsa this summer.
New Robson Play at Eastern Angles
Eastern Angles is staging a reading of a new play, Bobby Robson Saved My Life, as part of its Play, Pizza & Pints platform on Wednesday 29th May at the Sir John Mills Theatre.
Ashton: Sheeran a Really Special Man
Town CEO Mark Ashton says club sponsor Ed Sheeran is a “really special man”, who “passionately cares about his local football club”.
Austria Trip and Fortuna at Portman Road in Pre-Season
Town will face sister club Fortuna Düsseldorf in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 27th July (KO 3pm) and as last year will hold a training camp in Austria ahead of their return to the Premier League.