Striker Jon Stead has admitted he was surprised to be subbed during Town's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Boss Jim Magilton later admitted he made an error in replacing the former Sheffield United frontman.

Stead said: "I was a little surprised to be taken off but that's the manager's decision and I respect it.

"No one likes being substituted but whatever he decides, in terms of who to bring on or take off, he's always trying to do what's best for the team.

"There's a good, strong squad here and I realise rotation might be the key. We're every bit as disappointed as the fans because we know this wasn't a brilliant performance and, apart from the goal, we didn't create enough.”

Stead says the season is still in its infancy and feels that the Blues have put in improved performances away from Portman Road: "It is still early and expectation is high because of what happened last season. The fans expect us to be better at home and so do we. On the other hand our away form has been better, so we are working to put both right.

"Barnsley is an important game for us and one where we feel we can get all three points.

"We have to put Saturday to the back of our minds and look back to the Reading game and use what worked for us so well in that game.”

Meanwhile, Town owner Marcus Evans is reported to have spoken to a number of people at the club regarding the Blues' poor start. Evans was at Saturday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and last Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat to Wigan.

The Town owner, who has been making himself known to more and more people at the club in recent weeks, is said to have sounded out various individuals regarding the Blues' slow start which currently sees them 16th in the table.

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