x

Joe: Players Cruised - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle was unhappy with his players despite picking up three points away at Milton Keynes against Wimbledon. Royle felt that some of his players switched off once Shefki Kuqi had netted Town's second goal.

The Town manager thought that Wimbledon had a good first period despite his side dominating: "I said we would have to be patient and I thought they did well in the first half without us looking too vulnerable.

"But once we'd gone 2-0 up it should have been a cruise. Unfortunately one or two did cruise, switched off and the smallest man on the pitch gets a header from a freekick.

"I wish I could say that's the first time this has happened but it isn't.

"It's three points and you dread coming here when they are on such a bad run. You don't want to be statistics that break the run for them."

Dons' boss Stuart Murdoch was pleased with his side: "Tell me when the spirit hasn't been there.

"There's been a couple of times this season where it hasn't but it's hard work for them. It's been hard work ever since we lost five players in January, and it was hard work before that.

"They've kept going and kept battling. We lose two goals in a minute and we are thinking it's going to go to three or four, but they've rolled their sleeves up again and had another go. I was really pleased that we scored and really pleased for the supporters.

"There's all sorts of things that we take away as positives and hopefully it will give them a bit of belief.

"We struggled for the first 15 minutes to contain them and then once we realised that we perhaps could do that, we started to get some belief. It's that belief thing that's the problem."

What to read next:

Huni Camp to Lodge Appeal After Wardley Defeat
Justis Huni’s manager Mick Francis says his team are to launch an official appeal to the WBA regarding the manner in which referee John Latham ended last night’s fight with Fabio Wardley at Portman Road.
Brentford Linked With McKenna Move Should Frank Depart For Spurs
Town boss Kieran McKenna would be targeted by Brentford should Thomas Frank depart for Tottenham Hotspur, according to various reports.
Wardley Wins!
Fabio Wardley won his Portman Road fight in sensational style, knocking out Justis Huni with a huge right hand in the 10th round to claim the WBA interim Heavyweight title with the Australian looking on course for victory.
Pitts Wins Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts won his second Malta U21s cap in this evening’s 2-1 friendly win away in San Marino (KO 5pm).
Waiting Over For Wardley
The waiting is finally over for Fabio Wardley, with the Town-supporting boxer’s long-held ambition of a Portman Road fight set to be fulfilled this evening.
Pitts Set For Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts looks set to win his second Malta U21s cap when his side takes on San Marino in the second of two away friendlies this evening (KO 5pm).
Clarke: Slicker Thrown Into Situation He Perhaps Wasn't Ready For
Scotland boss Steve Clarke says he feels for Blues keeper Cieran Slicker following his difficult full international debut in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park and admitted that the 22-year-old may have been thrown into a situation he wasn’t ready for.
Tough Scotland Debut For Slicker as Four Win Caps
Town keeper Cieran Slicker was handed his full Scotland debut off the bench in the opening minutes and had a tough time as his team, which also featured George Hirst, was beaten 3-1 by Iceland in a friendly at Hampden Park, while Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor added to their Republic of Ireland caps in a 1-1 friendly in Dublin.
Tuanzebe Out of DR Congo Squad
Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe has left DR Congo’s training camp in Orleans, France due to injury.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season