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

Ipswich24 added 00:29 - Aug 17 Tonight was a joke it is not just defence it is midfield lack of pace and creativity and guile. Please PJ sort this out can't go through another season of this sh*t
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alexsmith111 added 00:30 - Aug 17 We cant have any money pure and simple, only explanation for 8.5 mil in, 2.5 mil & tribunal out. If we have the money then someone needs sacking and im 99.99% sure that its NOT pj. If we did have the cash i dont see why bullard isnt playing for us. 3 defenders needed ideally. Start with ainsworth sat not smith and edwards can play right wing if hes not covering rb. We have not striker issues. Id jet and chops have service they will both hit 15 easy, plus duke scotland priskin and murray as back up we need no more just more service.

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tomisamos added 00:36 - Aug 17 Is it just me who thinks actually JET up front was a lot better than JET on the wing? Another day we'd have won that game the attacking play was good enough to beat Southampton, our defense was useless. Stockdale - shaky, no wonder, he was hung out to dry more times than the laundry Edwards - is a winger, PJ does need to get a right back Delaney - Keane's and has always been useless (tbh I don't think McAuley really was a world beater either, we need better to go up) Smith - no confidence, the result of no games. Take the heat off and put him out on loan Cresswell - looks very good, PJ's signing Bowyer - good buy, good experiance - PJ's Andrews - looked very good, good goal, good tackes - Pj's Leadbitter - looked quiet, probably the position but who could have moved there? We have no right backs and JET was more effective up front Kennedy - wasn't bad but he's not really a long term fix is he Scotland - looked much better in a 442 than he ever did for Keane Chopra - will score us lots of goals - PJ's JET - made a massive difference tonight - PJ's Martin - to me has little touch and messed far more up than he got right today, still has looked better since PJ took over. With Keane it would have been 5-0, not 5-2. Although we've had a summer, we haven't played all summer, even good players need time to gel. Some of the football has shown real signs of promise and we're bringing in players who could be in lower premier teams, we need this, and we have some good experiance from bowyer and chopra. If Woodgate, Ferdinand, Upson or any of the other deals had come off you'd all be saying it was a stroke of genius, I think it's quite clear Jewell is looking for CB's and knows ours aren't good enough and I'm confident he will find them before August is up. We're 3 games out of 46 in and showing far more promise and progress than anyone's prepared to acknowledge, how about you all let the man get on with his job, sacking him won't get us anywhere, if we're to get up and stay up it will need some time and a lot of shovelling out from Keane and Magilton's players who just weren't good enough. So basically shut up and stop being so short sighted. I guarentee by Christmas we'll be right up there. If not perhaps the TWTD forum ought to take on the job, see how many better players fancy coming then.

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RAH4 added 00:38 - Aug 17 Just returned to nottingham after the usual 300 mile round trip and for the first time questioning Jewell's judgement, What was the starting formation...5-3-2....3-5-2.....3-2-3-2? I didn't know and neither did the players. It was if after 2 goals it took Kennedy and Andrews to sort it out for themselves. And then when you go to 2 up front for a home game JET is left out and Scotland brought in ? Why ? The changes at half time brought us back to where we should have been at the start and by then ...despite a surge the game was lost. Simply poor choices and poor decisions. Some other lessons are not new,we have not replaced McAuley,even when Ingaretc is fit there is no strength in the air. Plus Delaney and Smith are not good enough,we knew that last season ..Also Edwards is a good player but not a right back. Finally it does not have to be spend spend spend on expensive journeymen. Look at Norwich and you see the same in a good Southampton team lead by good managers who have not been dragged off the SKY sofa and can spot young talent,rather than those falling off the premiership roundabout, where is our once famed scouting network ? Rant over and onto Peterborough but I'm already looking forward to another Premiership buyback season ticket offer !

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shaunminx added 00:42 - Aug 17 I'm no rocket scientist but buying a defender or three (creswell exempt) who can actually defend would maybe help and someone who can play the midfield and create chances. Can't afford jimmy's wages is not an excuse anymore. If Marcus is serious about going up then it's about time he bit the bullet and put his money where his mouth is. Speculate to accumulate? A disgrace tonight to be a town fan.

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HurleyBurley added 00:43 - Aug 17 I think we all need to stay away from Portman Road until our team has its confidence back.
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Garv added 00:47 - Aug 17 Lambert is the next Holt and Lallana will be in the Premier League by the end of January (if a big enough bid comes in). Soton will win promotion if not the league. I say this too much but you have to give credit to the opposition​. They took pass and move to the next level and we can't do that and any level really because theres no movement. Sad night, reminded me of April 21st. I have said Smith needs replacing but after tonight so does Delaney, they were as bad as each other. Great comeback second half but alas they split the defence again too easily and thats because of the centre backs. Terrible result. Fancy an away win on Saturday though, f*cking hope so we need it!

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baznsez04 added 00:49 - Aug 17 anyone for tennis?
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Modiaeblue added 00:57 - Aug 17 RAH4 I'm glad I wasn't the only one that noticed the formation from the start. Everyone else I spoke to thought we started as 4-4-2! We clearly didn't and got smashed. Hence the makeshift 4-4-2 after their second goal. JET and Chops have to be up front, and we desperately need a CB. Other than that we 're not in massively bad shape.
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tractorboy2434 added 01:39 - Aug 17 I have said this before but it is clear for all to see, the cash is not there, Yes Evans has plenty but PJ has a limit, he has spent 2M plus and I estimate maybe there's another 2M, but it waS ALL ABOUT BALANCING THE BOOKS, players out and a few in, PJ said the squad had to be smaller, Evans has trousered the rest that said it can be done, look down the road and at teams like Saints to see hopw careful spending can help, I'm afraid that all the future holds is the club being sold if things do not improve and there is no sign of that, no pace or quality.

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NorfolknWay added 01:42 - Aug 17 I blame Marcus Evans and his penny pinching ways. Paul Jewel says "We'll have a look at that video tomorrow"?? Open your wallet and spring for a DVD player you miserable sod!
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bobble added 03:19 - Aug 17 i know whats wrong'''' when they come running at us passing the ball to each other we should tackle them and take the ball so they cant score against us.
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bobble added 03:21 - Aug 17 kennedy should be a centre half and wheres alan hunter when u need him ?
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oldtimer3 added 03:32 - Aug 17 if your two down after a few minutes how can you get behind your team hey if we played at the stadium of light some of the players would be linched delanny is just not good enough leadbitter wants away, i like him he is a good player but as gone stale here, confidence so important in sport, to many changes after winning at Bristol Always play your best team always, didnt against Northhampton bad mistake!

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bobble added 05:36 - Aug 17 if they drank cyder at half time they would play a lot better. too many wimps i am afraid we need cyder drinking men not these lager sipping nancy boys
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foster added 06:01 - Aug 17 the problem doesnt just lie in the back 4 we had no center mids not once ddid a center mid make a challenge in the middle of the pitch
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pinablue added 06:31 - Aug 17 Thank you bobble for making me smile :) ...re the ummmmm performance........ I am applying what my Mother taught me many years ago..if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all,,, :(
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bluetractor73 added 07:17 - Aug 17 2 new centre halfs and a right back before end of window as we cannot leave it that long 2 more games before end of window
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fourth added 07:58 - Aug 17 Yes, coping with expectancy requires character
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Pabs added 08:02 - Aug 17 I'm also struggling to find words to explain your first half team selection. Scotland starting and 3 centre mids and a left back as our midfield. No point playing 4-4-2 if your still going to be so negative.
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KirbyStriker added 08:03 - Aug 17 To many people on here talk about stuff and clearly either were not at the game and or didnt have their radio on. Example ITFC " bowyer and leadbitter need to be doing alot beter in centre mid" Leadbitter played on the right so that would be why! I agree CB poor, DD needs a leader next to him to tell him where to go and he will be OK " shocking for a Pro player i agree. As for our captain, he is no leader new boy Andrews was motivating more that GL. We need a new captain who will lead and shout. Jet looked good up top, need to keep him there PJ. Remember its game 3 in the league " dont panic" just yet.

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Blue041273 added 08:08 - Aug 17 While acknowledging that a new CB must be a priority I, like Foster, do not attribute the blame for last night's performance totally at the feet of Del & Smithy. The number of times our midfield players found themselves isolated when confronted with a Saints attack was mind boggling. We need to develop a pack mentality and pressurise the guy with the ball more. We seem happy to stand back and let them play in the hope that they will make a mistake.

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DiamondGezzer added 08:10 - Aug 17 We know what positions need filling and so does PJ, so no point in labouring on the problem. Also, I can't believe for one minute that he hasn't been trying to find the right players, but you can't just go and buy a player off the shelf if they aren't on offer. Not only that, but only he knows how much he has to spend. As has been posted, what about casting the net further, can't believe the scouts are not working overtime looking for players who haven't yet hit the radar. Couple of additions and all will be fine.

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andygizmo added 08:16 - Aug 17 Ummmmmm let me explain in the simplest way I can....... Tommy Smith was not even good enough for Colchester ..... therefore not good enough I have more chance of being the next town centre half than Delaney.... hence he is not good enough..... oh and PS..... defending also comes from the front..... perhaps we could put Scotland's a**e in front of our goal.... nothing would get past that!

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brittaniaman added 08:16 - Aug 17 No wonder Marcus Evans left early, watching his money float away again. Southampton was like watching Norwich again, what is up with these league 1 teams, they seem to surge forward in numbers and we had no answer for it.
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