Boss Paul Jewell was pleased to see the back of the Blues’ disappointing 2010/11 home campaign after the 2-1 victory over Preston. The win was Town’s 10th league victory at Portman Road this season, but they also fell to 10 defeats, a record at this level.

Jewell said: “It’s an end to a disappointing season, certainly at home, and we’re just glad that this season’s out of the way and we can start the job of putting a team together that’s serious about challenging.

“There are no guarantees, but the last few weeks have shown that we’re quite a way away from where we want to be.”

The Blues boss says this season’s side are incapable of seeing out a game: “We were sat there at 2-0 and when you’ve got a team which is used to winning and that mentality you know you’re not going to lose the game and you’re actually going to go on [and win more comfortably].

“Give Preston credit, they played well in the second half, they pushed us back, but from our point of view we have to do better.”

Jewell, who admitted to feeling a little flat, was pleased to end with the win but would have liked to have put on a better show for the 18,000-strong crowd: “It’s nice to get the victory and everything else, we were depleted, we didn’t have Connor, we didn’t have Gareth McAuley and we were playing with a few square pegs in round holes.

“Winning the game was the most important thing, but it would have been really good for the fans, who have been great all season, to put on a decent performance and at half-time we were 2-0 up and cruising. But you never get the feeling with this team that we’re going to win comfortably.

“The fans have been fantastic and hopefully we can get them back in bigger numbers next season, but that’s up to us to do. It’s about winning football matches, signing the right players who are going to get the fans excited for next season. That’s my job to do between now and next season."

Preston manager Phil Brown says his team need to break out of the routine of losing: “We lost the game and that’s a habit we need to get out of our system as quickly as possible.

“I’ve said I don’t want to finish bottom of this league and we can still catch Scunthorpe, if we beat Watford next Saturday.

“There were one or two things out there that weren’t acceptable but, in the main, I’d say that 95% of what the kids did, and some of the seniors, was acceptable, in terms of performance and behaviour. In the main, as manager, I was quite pleased with individuals’ performances.

“It was a big day for the kids making their debuts and it was a big day for me too, because at 2-0 down you’re facing an uphill task.

“But fortunately we caused a lot of problems for them in the second half and I thought one or two of my players were sensational.”

Photo: Action Images

Jesney_Havoc added 18:32 - Apr 30 I'll bet he's please to see the end of it. So am I - our worst home record since being in the top two leagues. Bring on next season, I can hardly wait.
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Suffolk_n_Proud added 18:41 - Apr 30 On a completely different note, is J Scotland really that bad? Started about half the games this season and made double figures for goals. As a second striker could this be seen as acceptable? I've only seen him play a handful of times due to living in Belfast though. Thoughts?
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Mark added 18:51 - Apr 30 Don't worry about "square pegs in round holes" Paul, we had that every week for two years under the previous manager. It was strange to finish the game with no strikers/forwards at all, but it goes to show what Jewell had to work with when he took the job. To take us from 19th, 3 points off relegation, to the top half (the lowest we can now finish is 13th) is a very good achievement I think so credit to Jewell, his staff and the players. It was good to see Fulop back and he made crucial saves. Brown did well, although he is not quite as big and dominant as I like centre backs to be. Murray brought some freshing pace to the team, although I don't think he is a good enough player. Scotland had his best game in a long time; but conversely Leadbitter was chasing around all match without really doing anything. Much work is needed in the summer, but I am looking forward to seeing a much improved town team next season. As for "getting the fans back in bigger numbers", the club could help by reducing match day ticket prices. If an adult turned up with £30 today and asked for the cheapest seat, they would have been turned away as it was not enough money for this "Grade A" game!!

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fourth added 18:54 - Apr 30 This inability to play at home is clearly psychological. Is it that the team cannot respond to expectancy? Is there a gap between the local supporters and the diverse footballer nationalities? Is the manager setting the scene properly rather than concentrating on how good the opposition manager/team is ? Change is needed.
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come_on_blues added 19:16 - Apr 30 Well done boys, hope for better next season with new players who realy wont to help us get promotion.
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StowTractorBoy added 19:37 - Apr 30 Brilliant summing up Mark can 't disagree with a word of that. There are several new players required but the most vital are goalscorers. Good luck PJ in your search for new players and thanks for guiding us out of the mire. Just want a Cardiff and Pompey double on Monday now.
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harlingblue added 20:00 - Apr 30 Entertaining first half, disappointing second. Scotland looked a different player with Murrey making good runs, allowing him to play...even got more bodies in the box during the first half, hence the two goals. The second half was a let down, Preston pushed more men forward and our defence looked at the least uncomfortable. We are crying out for a hard core centre to the team, and a 'real Captain'. Having said that well done Paul Jewell for what you have achieved since your arrival, I have far more faith in you than the last two Managers, who have frittered away ME's money, leaving you an unbalanced team.

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TimmyH added 20:08 - Apr 30 It was only a few seasons ago under Magiltons management we were unstoppable at home and Lee and Counago were scoring goals for fun - how things have changed - now more money available and worse results, then the fans were begging for Magiltons head as we couldn't get in the play-offs! - something must have gone dreadfully wrong - funny ol game isn't it.
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jas0999 added 20:15 - Apr 30 Me to PJ, me to. Now surely PJ can see the 4-4-2 is effective and the 4-5-1 isn't ... ? Heres hoping for better next year. PJ, over to you ...
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dommyboyblue added 20:34 - Apr 30 Did anyone see the preston 43,looked like someone let a fan on the pitch,did he win a comp?!? Basically good to finish on a win but here is to next season and a full competitive season with pj in charge and with his team,lets hope for better things and some hungry players in the summer.
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tractorblue99 added 21:09 - Apr 30 good to end with a win at home and cannot wait for next season. What did they put in scotlands pies? He looked like messi...in a way. It was good to see little jaime peters back and hopefully PJ saw what a good reception he got and keep him.
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stoofer added 21:55 - Apr 30 pj you have inspired the team to a position in the league that only a few months ago seemed impossible,but along the way we have been heavily defeated in games that maybe are a true indication of where we are right now,hopefully we can get some quality in the sqaud and be contenders next season. ps,need too drop ticket prices next season ,need more fans in the ground to produce some atmosphere and help the boys,

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DiamondGezzer added 07:15 - May 1 Mark :- Totally agree! My personal thanks to Paul Jewel. Looking forward to next season. Who will come in and who will go ?
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Keaneish added 10:15 - May 1 Atmosphere would help us win more home games than we do, no doubt about it. It's been proven time and time again. Look at clubs like Stoke and the home success they have with a big vocal backing. Bring the away fans next to the north stand would help as well. Ridiculous they were ever moved. Good to have them there for the Arsenal game.
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h32 added 14:29 - May 1 Suffolk n Proud - pair Scotland with the right person up front, get him to lay of the pies a bit, and he would still do a decent job at this level. He has done well to score what he has, and let's face it - he hasn't had the support or service that he requires for most of the time when he has played. Lone strikers, invariably don't work whoever they are - just ASK them what they think of that tactic !!! I think we've seen enough evidence of the negative's of that ourselves this season - and not just when Keane was here either !!!.

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h32 added 14:40 - May 1 Keanish - be realistic - what has there been at Portman Road this season, other than the very odd occassion, to generate 'atmosphere' that you refer too ?. Agreed, it definately helps - but it should be generated, and orchestrated, by those well paid people on the pitch. That's what we pay for, and then it's up to us to compliment what's served up, or not, as the case maybe.

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bluelady added 17:06 - May 1 H32, fully agree Scotland a poacher who can score or supply others but needs support either as a four three three with two quality wingers or two up top. Played like this all season and with decent supply and a few less pies and he is still capable of a decent return..... let's c what next yr brings!!!!
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 20:40 - May 1 Lovely to hear the boos and the "there's only one greedy b..." chants after Norris was announced as a scorer - in the lower SBR stand. It's that kind of attitude which will take us to the next level. Morons!!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 20:43 - May 1 thank $£%$ that's over, there will be many ins-and-outs in the summer, but i am sure come 1st sept PJ will have a squad good enough to at least reach the play offs
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