Town boss was once again left bemoaning his side's lack of a cutting edge and poor defending as they ended the season with a 4-2 defeat at Leicester. The Blues manager confirmed that keeper Brian Murphy has left the club having turned down his contract.

Jewell said: “I think we’ve had three gilt-edged opportunities and don’t score a goal. Then we went a goal down and then it was like the house of cards and we were three down.

“We were looking for a response in the second half and their keeper’s pulled off a couple of great saves. We get back to 3-2 and then there's the usual soft underbelly, two minutes later they score — 4-2.

“If that had been the other way around I think we would probably have lost that game. That’s the mentality that we’ve got to get into this team.

“It’s a big task, but one that I’m relishing. Today didn’t show me anything I didn’t know, I’ve been saying it almost since I’ve been here.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for making us safe, but it isn’t enough to take us forward next season. Everyone knows that, players know that, I’ve told them that. We’ll have debrief on Monday.

“The reason we are where we are is we don’t score goals when we should and when we come under pressure we concede, it’s dead simple.”

On-loan midfielder Jimmy Bullard missed out because his knee flared up at training on Thursday.

The Town boss confirmed that Irish keeper Brian Murphy was left out having turned down his new deal at Portman Road: “Brian’s refused his contract and he’s left the club.

"Colin Healy’s accepted a year’s contract and I think Arran Lee-Barrett’s accepted as well.”

Jewell refused to comment on goalkeeper-coach James Hollman, who wasn’t warming up with the keepers prior to kick-off and who TWTD understands is set to leave the club.

One-time Town loanee and Jewell's ex-Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt, who was recently linked with the Blues, may well be seen as the man to take on the role next season.

Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was happy to end with a victory but felt his side's weaknesses were also evident: “It was nice to finish with a win. It was important for the home fans, the owners, the players themselves and even for me.

“As usual, part of it we were brilliant, we pass the ball around, create chances and score fantastic goals, then suddenly we switch off and, after the penalty, which maybe was or wasn’t, allow Ipswich to score a typical Leicester City goal-against, which we have done all season.

“That has cost us at least a place in the play-offs. It’s important that we change that and make it right for next season.”

The former England boss was happier with the playing conditions than he had been in his side's 3-0 defeat in the snow at Portman Road earlier in the season: “The weather was a little bit better today! That was a crazy game. Much better today.”

Photo: Action Images

radiogaga added 02:10 - May 8 Yes, we had a hard last 4 games, but a minus 8 goal difference is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. A lot of gutless wonders at this football club right now, a lot of flushing needs doing. Would be a good and affordable promotion chasing team below: Westwood Ryan Taylor Delaney St Ledger/ Martin Taylor Edwards Gavin Rae Bullard Martin Wickham Nugent Billy Sharp Subs: Lee Barrett Carson Brown Leadbitter Vincelot Jason Roberts Ronan Murray

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DiamondGezzer added 08:01 - May 8 Now Paul Jewell can come into his own. Hopefully, next year after the incomings and outgoings, we will have a team which will compete 100% [ win or lose ] for ninety minutes. Here's to hoping that the incomers prove better than the outgoers !
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Aitchy added 08:42 - May 8 Well finally the season is over. Thankfully we are still in the championship which was PJ's main objective for this season. Its clear we now need a major shake up of the squad. To those that go, thanks for your efforts but if you don't want to be playing for ITFC then there should be no place for you here. Looking forward to the close season with more anticipation than ever. I really hope we get the sort of players in that we have been missing and and soon. I want to see PJ build a solid team that includes some of our better incumbent players. Personally, I would like to see more of Peters, Civelli (rather than Leadbitter). Onward and more importantly upward. COYB's..........

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Lay added 10:17 - May 8 if we get sharp and mackail smith they wont both be in the line up we will be playing 4 4 2 and it will be either 'ONE' of them up there wiv wickham as sharp and smith are very similar players! But i was just saying how good we are going forward wiv carson martin and wickham going forward! And martin could EASILY be part of a promotion push!
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Lay added 10:17 - May 8 if we get sharp and mackail smith they wont both be in the line up we will be playing 4 4 2 and it will be either 'ONE' of them up there wiv wickham as sharp and smith are very similar players! But i was just saying how good we are going forward wiv carson martin and wickham going forward! And martin could EASILY be part of a promotion push!
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tallguy6767 added 12:18 - May 8 P.J has a massive job to do in the summer! The club is riddled with under achieving players. My worry is who the hell is gonna want to come here, let's face it were not gonna be tipped for promotion so we've just got to hope p.j can perform some kind of miracle !!.
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JoshTheLad added 12:23 - May 8 Lay, I like the sound of that, however I would probably find a better left back, Kennedy can't cut it at this level, he has no pace, could give oconnor a chance?
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Gazelle added 21:00 - May 8 People keep rabbiting on about ME handing over money to buy players but Norwich have gone up without spending a fortune. Why can't we ?
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Matteo_Sereni added 10:03 - May 9 Good riddence to bad rubbish...Murphy is awful...no idea why he would reject the offer...i cant imagine he'll have many others on the table!!
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