Boss Paul Jewell paid tribute to his players’ outstanding effort, workrate and energy during their 3-0 Carling Cup semi-final second leg defeat at Arsenal. The Blues were a goal up from the first leg but despite hanging on to their lead for an hour eventually succumbed to Arsene Wenger’s side.

Jewell said: “For an hour we held them, we rode our luck a little bit and you could have written the possession stats before the game kicked off. You knew they were going to have all the ball and we were going to try and sit back and soak it up and make it difficult for them, which we did.

“We had a little bit of luck, but I think we earned that and for an hour, as far as conceding was concerned, we looked all right.

“Obviously going forward it was difficult because they worked us so hard when they had the ball. The manner of the goals was disappointing, certainly the second one as it was a set piece.

“I can’t fault the players’ effort, they were outstanding and I couldn’t ask for more in terms of workrate and energy. They put so much into the game when Arsenal had the ball that it was difficult when we had the ball to try and create.”

The Blues manager says his players were downbeat in the dressing room afterwards despite performing so well against the Premier League side: “They’re disappointed because we knew we were massive underdogs, but once it got to an hour [you start to believe].

“I hate it when you come to places and people tap you on the head and say ‘Well done, unlucky, your players did great’ after they’ve just beaten you.

“But the players were great but they lacked that little bit of belief when we had the ball to go on and think we could actually score.

"But it’s very difficult coming here, we know we’re going to be under the cosh and I’ve got to give the players every credit because they worked tirelessly.

“The players weren’t disgraced over two games. They have given a brilliant team a right good run for their money as far as making it difficult for Arsenal is concerned.”

Arsene Wenger said his side needed keep their composure to overcome the Blues: “The players were really up for it, focused and at the end we needed to be patient.

“We have to give credit to Ipswich over the two games. They defended with great attitude, great spirit and we needed tonight to be mature, calm and patient and not to concede a goal.

“The fact that we have stabilised our defensive record helped us to qualify [for the final]. It meant a lot to the squad and the team and they deserved to be rewarded because they have an outstanding attitude and spirit and are on a natural development process.”

Wenger says a lesser side wouldn’t have gone through against Town: “An average team against Ipswich 1-0 down tonight wouldn’t have qualified.

"We have played Leeds and Ipswich and, in fairness, the Championship has improved a lot in the last five or six years because just physically they don’t weaken at all, they keep going.

“When we analyse the physical performance of Ipswich they are at the level of the Premier League without any problem.”

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 23:07 - Jan 25 Credit to the team again tonight for a terrific attempt - after half-time we were all starting to believe! I think we can look back at the semi-finals with some pride, performing against the odds at a time when the team was otherwise struggling. We shouldn't be downbeat, as the Jewell era is here and I believe we will progress from here. With relegation still a real threat the season is NOT over, but I think we can stay safe and move a few places up the table. Let's enjoy the return of some better football and build for the future.

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Suffolk_n_Good added 23:07 - Jan 25 Great effort, so proud of the team tonight, couldn't have given anymore, it was always gonna be tough, but we can certainly hold our heads up high. Lets push on now, 7 improve our league form, a couple of new signings on the horizion to give us a boost too.
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JetaimePeters added 23:07 - Jan 25 Goals were a bit disappointing - glad we've got a week to rest those pegs! Jewell's comments as always are spot on! COYB!
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Karlosfandangal added 23:08 - Jan 25 Well done town
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tomos91 added 23:10 - Jan 25 I would just like to say well done to the team showing what ipswich town football club really is, not 19th in the league. Also i would like to congratulate our massive support. On the tele at one point you could hear the arsenal support then all of a sudden it was ipswich! Made me proud to be an ipswich fan. Now time to get up the league.
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tractor_boy_varnz added 23:11 - Jan 25 Fantastic effort from the lads today, everyone town fan should be proud of the team's performance over the two legs! Support was fantastic and I feel onwards and upwards from now on!!! Bring on Derby!! COYB, Paul Jewell's barmy armyyyyy!
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OrkneyBlue added 23:12 - Jan 25 We were 30mins from Wembley, so just that alone shows how much of a game we made of it. If we put the effort in like that in the league we'll be alright, but that's the cup done with now on with the bread and butter of the league. Extra proud to be a blue tonight all the same.
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barmyarmy13 added 23:12 - Jan 25 The support from the town fans was magnificant. Even when we were 3-0 down we still sung our hearts out, unlike the arsenal fans who only sung when they scored then stopped straight after. Well played lads, you did yourself proud.
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bedsitfc added 23:14 - Jan 25 Dont think any of us can knock effort from the lads tonight, so many positives from it, our defending, o'connor when he came on.
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poringlandblue added 23:14 - Jan 25 couldnt fault the effort or commitment, just thought we didnt hang onto ball long enough and gave it away too easily especially priskin and leadbetter, glaringly obvious we need a right back
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emergencylime added 23:16 - Jan 25 The team gave a great account of themselves tonight and you can see signs of improved communication between players, helped by PJ being on his feet a lot, giving encouragement, as opposed to our former manager sitting in the dugout for much of the game. The second goal was probably the biggest downside, but it's a pity we were only allowed to 'park the bus' for an hour. Still, plenty of positives to take into the next league games. PS: Please don't go Norris, surely a £250k bid is an insult?

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legoman added 23:17 - Jan 25 It was obvious we had them on the ropes for 50 minutes. Then we sunk deep into our suffolk shells. The rest is history. Time to be reborn now. Onwards and upwards.
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itfc1981 added 23:21 - Jan 25 re above if Norris wants to go so be it, if we want to go up over time the club will need better central midfielders. Great effort tonight, but we really didnt want to have to have a Mickey Mouse badge on our shirt next sesson after all! we stick to the major trophies unlike some!
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bluelady added 23:21 - Jan 25 Players and fans alike did us proud!!! Great experience and the boys should be proud, show that kind of commitment in the league and we will move up quickly. Scotland looked strong when he came on, him and Connor w upfront for Derby game.? Oh and Norris looked a town player though and through sign him up this week!!!
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ipswichtillidie added 23:21 - Jan 25 got home to sudbury 20 mins ago,,,, god my 306 is quick,,,, great effort from the Fans tonight... To be fair a decent Ipswich side would have made the final tonight,,, Can't fault the boys for their effort but the lack of quality on the ball is for all to see,,,, Carlos Edwards was our best player tonight,,, class....
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bedsitfc added 23:22 - Jan 25 At least now we can concentrate on contracts and who will be and wont be a town player on the 1st feb.
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Garv added 23:25 - Jan 25 A brilliant attempt and the lads deserve a well done. In the end the arse were just too good, quality shone through (but fabregas is still a tw*t). I think we deserved to gloat having beaten them in the first leg and at the end of the day they've done what EVERYONE expected them to at the second attempt. In a way I think this could be the start of out season now, we can forget annoying cup games (haha) and concentrate on the league and push on and finish where the quality in our squad suggests we should. Onwards and upwards town! COYB

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bluewarrior added 23:29 - Jan 25 What do you mean we need a right back. Edwards was class - looked really comfortable on the ball getting forward and has a good enough football brain for positional sense when defending. Massive effort from the lads and the support was awesome. We just need to get to the level where we can play at stadiums like this on a regular basis - the Emirates is a great place to enjoy a football match even if the home fans are no noisier than PR on a bad day. Jewell has the makings of a town legend!

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bluelady added 23:39 - Jan 25 Edwards at fault first goal didn't stay wide enough for me, fantastic coming forward but not in my female opinion a right back!!!
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:40 - Jan 25 Well done on a great performance! Time now to concentrate on the league.....!
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Garv added 23:46 - Jan 25 Have to say it guys but Edwards was at fault for two goals tonight. Like someone said the other day we won't get punished as badly in the league, for that reason I think Edwards will do alright there but he was caught out tonight, don't want to bring a downer on the night at all just facts. Edwards did give a lot going forward though so I give him credit for that.
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itfc1989 added 00:01 - Jan 26 so very very proud to be a town fan tonight! yeah we lost, but it's 3-1 over 2 games, where arsenal can normally score 3 goals a game against mid table premiership teams. Huge thanks to McParland for the first leg, arsenals class just came through in the 2nd. fantastic support from the guys that managed to get a ticket! at one point on the TV I heard swing low sweat charriot, an amazing moment personally! lets push forward, end the next 15 games or so with some consistency.

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Skip73 added 00:07 - Jan 26 Didn't go I'm afraid but watched it on BBC2. So proud of the lads tonight, I thought we defended like trogans for an hour, I really started to believe. Then came the comentators curse, he said '30 minutes from Wembley' and then Arsenal score twice. I'll be sending him a VERY nasty letter. I'm starting to like PJ alot by the way
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Karlosius added 00:08 - Jan 26 Great effort from all the lads tonight, think we're all massively proud of them. Priskin looked a little lazy at the beginning but then again that might be how he is every week?! Edwards for me, was outstanding. He was caught slightly out of position for the first goal, but Bendtner had a great touch and a lovely pull back after Edwards had made up the ground. All in all, a great performance which showed the players care about the club and the badge!

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tractorblue99 added 00:13 - Jan 26 Well played. We deserved a goal definatly. But the 9000 traveling fans were brilliant and make me proud to be a blue.
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