Boss Paul Jewell apologised to fans after his worst defeat in management as nine-man Town were hammered 7-1 at Peterborough. The Blues manager refused to blame a number of questionable refereeing decisions for the severity of the loss.

Jewell said: “I think that’s worst defeat I’ve suffered as a manager. For 12 minutes I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Well, I could believe what I was seeing because it’s happened too often, and obviously the 45 second minutes was the longest 45 minutes of my football life.

“It was damage limitation at half-time. We had nine men, they were playing with superb confidence and popping the ball around. We were just trying to keep the score down.”

The Blues boss refused to blame a number of contentious decisions by referee Graham Scott: “I’m definitely not going to hide after a 7-1 defeat and blame it on the referee.

“Someone just said that three of their goals were offside and the penalty was outside the box. That might be true, but it doesn’t hide what’s going on in our team and the defending was of shambolic proportions.

“I’ll take responsibility, I’m the manager, I pick the team, so I’m not hiding behind anything else. I’ll take it on the chin, I’ll get my tin hat on and fight through it and try and get people in there who are worthy of playing for us because there are too many people who are not good enough or worthy to play for us.”

Jewell says the results in the last week are as poor as they come: “I don’t think too many teams can have conceded 12 goals in five days and it’s hugely embarrassing and it’s really, really hurting me. But what can I do? I’ve just got to try and bounce back tomorrow and try and get people in the building.

“Some of the goals we concede are just ridiculous. The last goal sums us up. The guy’s gone through three challenges and has just brushed us off. When it becomes physical, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, the white flag comes out.

“Whenever we come under pressure, we collapse. Anyone who has seen us over the last couple of years will have seen that as soon as it gets tough to many go missing.”

Jewell apologised to supporters and promised that he will turn things around: “I’m hugely embarrassed and I’m sorry. They’ve been fantastic for this club. I’ll take it on the chin, I know it’s down to me. I’m hurting every bit as much as they are.

“They were singing ‘we want our money back’ and they deserve it. These fans that turn up week-in and week-out, home and away, they deserve better. I think I deserve better than what I’m getting from the players as well. I’m determined that we will eventually get it right.”

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was unsurprisingly delighted: “It was as comfortable as it could possibly be when they went down to nine men, but even before that the most pleasing thing for me was the first half because for 20 minutes we just carved them open and got four quick goals.”

Photo: Action Images

TractorBeezer added 00:16 - Aug 22 Looking ahead (at least short term) and assuming that Smith and Martin will receive suspensions how will we fill those positions? At CB the Delaney/Ainsley combo isn't yet a viable option so we must ship someone in fast if Ingy hasn't healed. On the left, how about giving O'Connor a try ? We have debated him extensively recently and he is clearly out of favour...but does anyone really know why? Someone started a rumourthat he had an attitude problem and others assumed that he didn't perform well during training. The fact remains that he has looked very promising when publicly on display and I am really curious to understand what is holding him back. If there isn't a valid issue then let's give him his chance. Also I hope that a video is submitted to the FA about both incidents resulting in red cards plus one penalty. There was still a chance that we could have made a game of it. I expect that the Scum will do likewise for their red card / penalty issue v Stoke. Admittedly officials can make mistakes but in each case the line (sorry Asst Refs) were well positioned. In our case we had seriously underperformed but if the officiating had been on the ball we could at least have had the opportunity to make a game of it.

0

yorksblue added 00:20 - Aug 22 Are you Wenger in disguise? The whole country knows what we're lacking, yet you're doing f**k all about it.
0

tomisamos added 00:43 - Aug 22 Marcus139 - couldn't agree more Yorksblue - pretty harsh, the only thing that's been on here for days is the numerous attempts we've made trying to buy new defenders and the success in buying some other decent players.
0

yorksblue added 00:52 - Aug 22 Yes, you're right. It's the frustration speaking, I'm afraid.
0

Garv added 01:23 - Aug 22 People saying Jewell has taken us backwards please leave this page and never attend Portman road again. We were, what 20th (?) when Jewell took over and as he often states his remit was to keep us up (took us to midtable in fact), please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he did that? We are four games into the new season and yes we look dreadful at the moment but I bet you Norwich fans felt the same after another certain 7-1 scoreline, (proof when two fellas chucked their season tickets at Gunn and wasted probably 350-400 quid in one moment). Different league but same principle, they went up and look at them now. Can't believe Walters missing a pen at Carrot road while we're on the subject.

0

Ohiotractorboy added 02:52 - Aug 22 That was God Awful! I got some friends together and we hit The Pub (real name) over here since it was on live TV. Was going to show them Town and all. By the 40th minute, they were looking at me and saying, "Dude, really?" Effing embarassing. Fact of the matter is the Columbus Crew would kill Town right now, and they knew it. So much for showing off Town. We need to get the back line straightened out immediatley or it is going to be a disaster of a season.

0

bobble added 02:58 - Aug 22 put 100 quid on town to go up this season you will never make easier money.
0

Sospiri added 04:30 - Aug 22 It's a concern that PJ didn't identify a long time ago that Smith and Delany were only barely good enough with a strong player and organiser alongside them - and not good enough without it - something that was identified on this site eons ago. I know we have heard recently how PJ has been trying to get a new CB, but this talk was noticably absent from transfer talk at the start of the summer. He seemed to have been most interested in attack (and then midfield). Perahps he was just keeping quiet about his attempts to get defenders, but it does make you wonder if he got his priorities wrong.

0

fourth added 06:04 - Aug 22 Bryan Gunn August 2009 Colchester. It's a management problem
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:31 - Aug 22 Do you remember when Jim first started? There was a feeling of optimism and realism combined. I remember losing to a handy Palace team early on, but coming away actually quite buoyed up by the way our team had performed. Few actually thought we would win anything for a year or two because we didn't have any money, but we still were behind Jim because he was willing to play attacking football,and he put emphasis on the yoof; then when ME came, there was the expectation that with a bit of extra money we would take it to the next level. I think Jim came close to succeeding, but then, for internal reasons I don't really understand, things went sour. My point here is that we need to get back to that team spirit we had before the money came in, and any money we now have that we wouldn't have had without ME should be used differently. Firstly, we should invest most of it in the academy. Secondly, we should go for young, promising players from the lower leagues (plenty of people have said this already), and only thirdly should we go for established players to plug gaps we haven't been able to fill in stages 1 and 2. Now we are in a situation where we need emergency stage 3 measures, because stages 1 & 2 haven't been in place to provide us with the back line we need. But as soon as this is done, I suggest we pretend we are a club with little cash to spend [pause for obvious reaction here!] and go back to basics even if it takes time. We are not going to build team spirit by buying a collection of relatively aged individuals. Jimmy Bullard is not the answer. This doesn't mean I don't think PJ can do the job, but it would mean a change of direction on his part. Cresswell and (maybe) JET have shown the way. Let's continue down that route and start from the bottom up. I hope this doesn't mean League 1, but if that's the case, so be it.COYB.

0

brockleyblueboy added 09:00 - Aug 22 Horrific performance. Hoiw can things go from so right against Bristol on the opening day to what has to be one of the darkest days I have ever experienced as Town Fan. But we know what the problems are - defence and a terrible captain (Put Andrews as Captain) but the thing that is crucial will be the confidence. You can get all the best players in the world and put them together but if the confidence isn't there, then it will spell dissaster and a very long season. It will be down to us as supporters to help give them the boost and cheer our socks off at the Leeds game and really get nehind the team. Things have been bad before before and I am sure they will get worse before they get better, but it can turn around and it must turn around. Lets not forget this result but use it and learn from it so it never happens again. COME ON BLUSE ARMY WE ARE NEEDED MORE THAN EVER NOW.

0

Surco72 added 09:21 - Aug 22 In Keanes first season it took him 8 games to get three points so lets all calm down .Until Jewell can get rid of the crap players that Keane put together Leadbitter,Edwards,Delaney,Scotland,Priskin,Healy, Smith and replace when the premier clubs decide their squads we are where we are . We need to go back to playing 4-5-1 and not listen to those who claim it is negative as i would rather be negative than what we have watched over the past two games .Bowyer and Ingermarrsson a massive miss for us at the moment but i am confident that Jewell will put together a challenging side that doesnt take until the end of November to register another league win and has more than 10 points by then . We are 1 point behind Leicester who have spent millions and have scored 6 goals which is up there with the play off positions ,clearly we need new defenders but Jewell has stated this on a number of occasions and has tried to buy a number of players,. So lets all take a deep breath and as i said before judge after 12 games to see where we are some teams will take more time to gel hopefully we will sort it out soon

0

bugledog123 added 10:03 - Aug 22 Agree with above - a long way to go this season. Let's see where we are after a few more games and try to remain positive. COYB!
0

ventilator added 10:34 - Aug 22 Maybe we have hit rock bottom and now the only way is up ??? To be fair to Jewell, the players he has brought in have worked for the most part. Stockdale, Andrews, Cresswell and Chopra look the part. Ingimarsson looks pretty good - if only he could avoid injury. JET is exciting when he is in full flow, and Ellington and Bowyer are solid if unspectacular at present. The remainder are what PJ inherited I think, and that seems to be where the problems lie. It's not just down to PJ - team needs to get together and talk about what they are going to do - there are some experienced players in the team, who know what is needed to have a winning team. I would hope that they are all embarrassed by Saturday, and would want to turn things around. Let's see what response they give against Leeds.

0

buryblue77 added 11:09 - Aug 22 After reading many of the posts on here, agreeing with many my takings on that performance and the team as a whole are. It's the managements fault that we haven't brought in defenders good/fit enough but let's just look at the team that was out on Saturday. Stockdale, Looked fairly ordinary at times but did make some key saves to keep the score below double figures, however doesn't look in any way convincing in one on ones. Good Jewell signing. Edwards, out of posistion at right back, Jewells fault for not adding a new RB (also Keanes for playing him there in the first place and never replacing David Wright) Ok Keane Signing Ainsley, young Right back still learning but probably not good enough to make the grade a prodcut of out underperforming youth system. Delany, A league one player at best, not good enough as senior CB and carried by McAuley, Very poor Keane signing. Cresswell, Young and learning, needs to get to grips with the LB posistion and learn from someone like Kennedy, Good, potentially excellent Jewell signing. Carson, youth product, potential but still very raw, right guidance could become a very good player and the next to leave on a big fee no doubt. Leadbitter, where do we start, awful, never been convinced. Maybe Jewell thought giving him the armband would bring him to life, should retire and maybe find another career because at the moment looks a long way from being a professional player. Dreadful Keane signing. Andrews, cracking goal, very good player, should be captain and if we settle down as a team will be instumental in possible future success, very good Jewell signing. Martin Good touches, rash challenge but prob shouldn't have been a red. Looks a lot more assured and confident now, just hope it lasts good Keane Signing Chopra, has little to work with, given creativety he will score no doubt, with that in mind a very good Jewell signing JET looks a little awkward, reminds me slightly of Kanu, could be good, maybe try him at CB unless Ingi is fit, new signings brought in Poentially a very good Jewell signing. Over all I'd say with the like of Bowyer and Ingi too Jewell has brought some good players, experienced and will do a job. But we depserately need some confidence at the back and that is up to Jewell to sort out, the three transfers he paid for are all good signings and Ellington as a squad player is better than any of the strikers Keane brought in. For me the rot started under Keane and is continuing under Jewell, but he has to sort it out and very soon.

0

WarkyWonderLand added 13:36 - Aug 22 Totally agree with Surco72 and buryblue77. The problems we currently have go back before PJ and really set in under RK. He should never have been allowed to sign the players he did in 18 months and that goes to the top who authorised this. The trouble was that most of these were loan signings and what did it leave us with, not alot. Here are his signings:- GK - Begovic (loan), ALB, Murphy, Fullop. Who is left? ALB Defence - Rosenior (loan), Zuiverloon (loan), Delaney, Kennedy, Brown Midfield - Edwards, Leadbitter, Martin, Hourihane, Healy, Colback X2 (loan) Forwards - Priskin, Scotland, Fallon (loan), John (loan), Murphy (loan), D Healy (loan) Forgive me for any I have missed but given the money he spent this got us nowhere and didn't improve any area of the pitch IMO. There are too many people/supporters who are too quick to moan/whinge and and we have become a club full of them. WE, THE FANS need to stick together and get behind the team when we go cos they need us. Do we really want a football team to be successful? Yes, but we need to get some positivity on the terraces at PR instead of the easy route of moaning to one another. There are 42 games to go and to speak of the season being over is plain crazy. Come on people, our club need the real fans who have seen it before. We have no devine right to go up, we have to earn it. Hate to say it, but we could learn from those down the road, both on the pitch and the support they give. COYB.

0

cornishnick added 13:43 - Aug 22 Is this a record number of comments for a single story? Shows the strength of feeling
0

BlueJewells added 13:56 - Aug 22 just get 2 centre backs and it wont happen again!
0

h32 added 18:48 - Aug 22 WalkyWonderland or Cuckooland ? - Don't you think the support of this Club has been patient enough already ? - the demise of our great Club has been progressive for far too long, during which time an Owner, Chief Exec, Manager/s have had adequate time to at least start sorting this mess - which there is no current evidence of (quite the reverse in fact) as is proved by recent results. Much talk - no progress I'm afraid. If the above people start acting out there words, as they indeed should - support will instantly return - because a SUCCESSFUL Ipswich Town will ALWAYS be well supported. What the supporters deserve, and have every right to expect, is PROGRESS, such is evident down the other end of the A140. No chance of an apology from me for saying so either. Like I have previously posted 'the Club has lost it's pedigree' - and under the current regime, DOUBTFUL THAT IT WILL RETURN. We need some true IPSWICH blood back in the Club - until then ..........!!

0

churchmans added 22:32 - Aug 22 i dont want your appology jewell i want to know WHAT THE PHUK YOU GONA DO ABOUT IT!!!!!!!??????????????
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 00:38 - Aug 23 maybe? but if we go 2 down on saturday the knives will be out for this useless shower ventilator added 10:34 - Aug 22 Maybe we have hit rock bottom and now the only way is up ???
0

ozzydog added 07:34 - Aug 23 problem,problem problem and the problem is you.................................marcus evans downhill from the day you and your useless sidekick smeghead walked into our Club
0

Dorsetblue added 10:53 - Aug 23 Sorry heard to many apologises. Norwich, Southampton, Peterborough. There is a massive problem and it needs fixing. Either the scouting reports are rubbish, or it's the man management, formations, team etc.... The players seem to not have any idea what the game plan is and who is supposed to do what. My view change captain to the one with the biggest mouth and tell him to keep having a go at the team and actually go for it. Play attacking football as we may get hammered but look like we may get a result rather than roll over and die.... Mr Evans... think it maybe time to change Clegg as he must be the problem at getting players in or is it down to you not wanting to splash the cash?

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls