Town boss Paul Jewell admitted he was struggling for ways to describe how bad his side’s defending had been during their 5-2 home defeat to Southampton.

Jewell said: “I’m struggling for words really because some of the defending we’ve seen tonight, I don’t know where it’s come from. We look frightened to death, absolutely frightened to death.

“They looked like cutting us open all the time on the break. We defended desperately and looked frightened to death.

“We gave them too much space to play in, certainly in the first half, and once it goes to 3-2, you’re thinking we’ve shown a bit of character, the fans have given everything they’ve got, but then we gave a goal away.

“Defend as a team, attack as a team. People were running from midfield but once their forwards get the ball down and play, you’re always going to be susceptible to midfield runners. They’re playing under no pressure. It was like the Alamo at times with them running from midfield and we couldn’t deal with it.”

The Blues boss was disappointed that the second half fightback fizzled out: “It was a bit of a cameo performance, 20 minutes in 90 isn’t good enough. At 3-0 down at half-time we were looking down a barrel.

“We started the second half on the front foot but even on the fifth goal we’re trying to play little balls. There are not enough of us that want to do the ugly things in football.

“I’m sick and tired of telling certain players that when we’ve got the ball they’ve got to mark.”

Jewell says the difference in the mentality of the two teams was all too evident: “They’re full of confidence, we’re scared to death to play at home, you could see that in the first half.

“Why that is I don’t know because the crowd here are terrific. We get to 3-2, everything is going our way and then the bubble bursts and we end up collapsing.

“For 20 minutes you think we might get something out of the game but once it goes against us, it goes against us. We just don’t seem to be able to stop that tide.

“We don’t seem to be able to grind anything out for 10 or 15 minute periods in games. When the opposition are on top, they create opportunities. It’s very worrying. The Norwich game was very, very similar.

“Mentally, we can’t get over the fear of playing here. And we’ve got to do it because this is the best place to play, this our home ground. We’ve got too many people going across the line completely lacking confidence the moment."

The Town manager says the Blues' continuing bad form at Portman Road is getting to him: "We lost 10 games at home last year, we let in five goals against Norwich, we lose by five tonight. It really hurts me. I'm not sure it hurts some of the players enough. We'll have a look at that video tomorrow. It won't be nice watching."

Jewell says he’s hopeful that he can add to his squad before Saturday’s visit to Peterborough United, with two bids having been made last week.

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins was unsurprisingly happy: "The first half was very pleasing. We continued what we've been doing and that's playing fluid football with lots of movement.

"We had a goal threat throughout the game and to be three-up at half-time was excellent.

"Ipswich made a couple of changes and that made it a hell of a game. We had to work very hard to keep a grasp on it and we played some exceptional football.

"We've got a winning mentality but it's very important we keep our standards and principles high. We've got a group of players who are very honest and hard-working professionals. We give them a framework to express themselves.

"We're only in the first week of the season and lots of teams - ourselves included - will have aspirations. But it's going to be a very demanding campaign and we've got to keep our principles high.

"We've got to keep working hard and give our fantastic supporters plenty to cheer about - then we'll see where we are at Christmas."

Photo: Action Images

GiveusaWave added 22:35 - Aug 16 Delia and Smith in CD- thats the problem
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Illinoisblue added 22:37 - Aug 16 and what exactly is it that the players are "frightened to death of"? Sick of hearing this. Extremely well-paid professionals should not be cacking their pants at home a couple of games into the season. Pathetic and spineless. Where are the leaders? Where are the men?
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icetruckiller added 22:38 - Aug 16 Disgraceful performance
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pazelle added 22:39 - Aug 16 Try playing a 442 with wingers Jewell you absolute nutter! What are you doing? Keep it simple not all this 4231 championship manager garbage! Roy Keane II, you're just Roy Keane II! Cause you're a mate Paul, do this: Stockdale Edwards, Ainsley, Delaney, Cresswell JET, Andrews, Leadbitter (C), Martin Priskin, Chopra. And leave it alone and let it gel! You're insane!
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Frase1987 added 22:40 - Aug 16 Against Norwich was some of the worst defending I've ever seen and that was with McA. Replace the entire back line bar Cresswell.
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Smithy added 22:40 - Aug 16 Has had months to find at least a couple of centre halfs, stop looking at Premiership bench warmers and find those gems in the lower leagues or abroad. Would have thought Cresswell would have proved this. Has had even longer to find a right back, yet we still persist with Carlos Edwards who quite clearly isn't a regular full back. You can moan all you like about how bad our defence is but PJ has had long enough to bring players in but persists as Keane does at looking for Premiership players who are more than happy to warm the bench, move on FFS. Did the likes of Norwich, Southampton, Swansea, Brighton etc. bring in Premiership players?? Yet they all look more solid than we do, simply a joke at the back.

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Illinoisblue added 22:42 - Aug 16 and what exactly is it that the players are "frightened to death of"? Sick of hearing this. Extremely well-paid professionals should not be cacking their pants at home a couple of games into the season. Pathetic and spineless. Where are the leaders? Where are the men?
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marcus139 added 22:44 - Aug 16 I can explain defending to you paul in one word, hopeless. They wouldnt let me post my initial response. Honestly, we lost mcauley weeks ago, delaney reminds me of robin, a sidekick. And we laud ingimarrson. He is as old as methusala and we will get 20 games max from him. Honestly, if we can employ some joined up intelligent thinking we may get some where, instead of losin players for nothing etc. It all seems like a farce to many on the outside.

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MattinLondon added 22:45 - Aug 16 I could well be being stupid but I think that I can explain the rubbish defending. Delaney and Smith are not good enough and Edwards isn't a right-back. Added with little creativity in the middle...well hence the performance
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dundeebloo added 22:46 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:46 - Aug 16 Disgraceful performance. The worst I have seen at PR. Smith, Delaney, Edwards- where to start? Why make Leadbitter Captain if he is meant to be so quiet? We need fighters.... Men against boys tonight- I was glad at the end that it was only 5-2. We could have lost that one 10-0 easily.....
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Karlosfandangal added 22:48 - Aug 16 More excusies Why are we not playing Carson on the right and Martin should be on the left, Bowyer and Andrews in the middle, Chopra and Jet up front Stockdale in goal and Cresswell on the left. Edwards on the right and we need 2 new centre backs. PJ has as much idea as Keane. At the end of last season we lost heavy to Norwich, Swansea and Leicester, and then this season we lost to Northampton. We have now let in 21 goals on the last 7 times What is the problem THE DEFENCE and i am not being paid a million pounds a year Gate are at the 18000 mark now, o why did we get rid of Magilton at least he was moving the club forward but slowly. Been going backward ever since

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blueherts added 22:48 - Aug 16 See Adam Smith has gone to MK Dons - A good defender , proper - stop trying to get Woodgate etc and look at either a loaner from Arsenal or Tottenham or use the scouting system that got you Creswell and find about 4 others like him !!! What about the Tranmere back 4 cannot be any worse and at least they would know each other
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dundeebloo added 22:49 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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3_5_2 added 22:49 - Aug 16 Agree that 3 of tonights bck four are not good enough to start Edwards will never be a defender first, assuming Ingy gets (and stays) fit, we at least one CB and a RB We played Legbiter right side of a 4, and Edwards as right back!! Smacks of Roy Keane Better spend some money and quick or its going to be another "if only" season and the crowds are dropping slowly but surely which will not please ME who already sticks £6m a year into this club

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dundeebloo added 22:49 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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dundeebloo added 22:49 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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paulnstar added 22:50 - Aug 16 jewell out
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DaneITFC added 22:52 - Aug 16 Can't explain the defending?? Sh!t centre backs is a start, stop going on about who we should and get the damn players, on a positive JET looked quality up front and I would put him for motm
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webside added 22:53 - Aug 16 Its been said above, but the 2cbs needs replacing. Neither are commanders, nor competent nor confident. I even thought MacA was a liability. And right back needs sorting too. If only we could have another Cresswell, or even have kept rosenior or Harding!
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phumph added 22:53 - Aug 16 Im struggling to watch this sh*t, let alone explain it. PJ What are you playing at. GL A wide midfielder???.
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dundeebloo added 22:54 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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Daleyitfc added 22:54 - Aug 16 While even one Keane player remains the 'scared to death' mentality will remain. That said, Jewell has no idea and will have to go : yet again, the longer we persist with the wrong manager, the worse it will get. Once again, we couldn't cope with pace : and we haven't had any in our team since .... (answers on a postcard). The changes need to start at the top. My fellow shareholders naively voting away their control and giving it to a faceless corporation, started all of this. Marcus Evans Group OUT. Clegg OUT. Jewell OUT. Edwards, Smith, Delaney, Leadbitter, Kennedy, Bowyer, Andrews, Scotland (et al) OUT.

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dundeebloo added 22:55 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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dundeebloo added 22:56 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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