Blues boss Paul Jewell was left feeling “sick” after his side surrendered a 2-1 lead late on for the second week running. The Town manager again cited individual errors as his team conceded twice from set pieces, just as they did at Nottingham Forest a week ago.

Jewell said: “We didn’t play great, it was a nervous performance and in the situation we’re in that’s going to be the case.

“If we could have hung on for the win, it would have been great for the confidence but the goals we’re giving away from set plays and the third one are just beyond comprehension really. Sick is the right word.”

The Blues manager said players weren’t doing their jobs: “If there was never a mistake in a game, every game would end 0-0, but people have got their man to mark and they didn’t, basically. We got away with a couple in the first half as well.

“Individual errors cost us. What we’re trying to do from the throw-in [on the third], I just don’t know. From that, you get the feeling they’re going to score because that’s the way it is with us at the moment.

“We should have seen the last two games out. If we were mentally tough we should have got six points out of the last two games. But at the moment, because our confidence is so low, every time the ball goes in our box we’re nervous.”

Jewell said he brought on Jimmy Bullard late on to try to help see the game out: “We tried to play 4-3-3 and just shore it up a little bit, but we didn’t keep the ball, we didn’t pass the ball really, but even so, the goals we gave away didn’t come from that, they came from people not marking.”

One positive was Daryl Murphy’s performance and goal: “Considering he hasn’t played for a while, I thought Daryl did very well. His goal was great for him.”

The Town manager says skipper Grant Leadbitter is likely to miss out at Burnley on Tuesday, while keeper David Stockdale and Ibrahima Sonko are doubts: “Grant’s got a nasty groin injury, so that was why we had to make that substitution. We tried to put Reece in there but unfortunately we couldn’t keep them out.

“I would have thought Grant would be out for Tuesday. He limped badly into the dressing room so I would have thought so.

“Stocks did his shoulder in training on Monday afternoon. We don’t think it’s too serious but we don’t know if he’ll be available for Tuesday. Richard wasn’t to blame for any of the goals.

“Sonko’s only trained once with the first team [after his hamstring injury], so we’ll have to see how he comes through tomorrow and Monday.

“I think we’ll have to make one or two changes for injuries [at Burnley]. We’ll have to see how everyone is in the morning.”

Reading manager Brian McDermott admitted he wasn’t confident of a victory as the 90-minute mark approached: “I thought it was going to go against us again at 2-1 down with not long to go.

“I thought we started the game really well, the first 20 minutes. We didn’t get the goal we needed in the first half, then we gave a goal away for a set play which was disappointing. We got back into the game, then we gave another goal away that we’re not happy with.

“But I always feel that with the team that we’ve got and with the group of people that we’ve got, we can score late goals.

"When it got back to two-all, there’s a lot of difference between one point and three and we thought the third goal was a quality goal. I’m delighted with the win.”

Photo: Action Images

Mutiny added 21:01 - Nov 26 Where is Evans and Clegg? - they need to sort it - some hope with those two clueless individuals - Jewell must be laughing at having those two dopes in charge - keeps him in a well paid job for a few more weeks. Should follow the Norwich model - UP THE CITY!
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TractorJed added 21:12 - Nov 26 Mutiny, you what.................
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Talbs77 added 21:13 - Nov 26 Mutiny you bellend!!
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Crazee added 21:19 - Nov 26 All of a sudden Keano is not looking such a loser after all. Bloody League 1 here we come. Someone please get rid of this clown before it's too late!!
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TownOnTheUp added 21:20 - Nov 26 More than a bit miffed tonight. Today it seemed to me that the players underperformed against what was a pretty woeful Reading side. McAnuff might be one of the worst opposition players I've seen at PR this season. However, they did their basics well; they defended and stopped us playing and they threatened from set plays. When we got at them we looked better and scored twice. Then of course, Bullard comes on and it falls to pieces, as we lose shape and direction. So, we played badly. However, this is Jewell's team. Aside from Edwards and Leadbitter, these are his signings. If they play badly, consistently, then the buck stops with him. Add in the formation/personnel change of Bullard coming on and it's not a pretty picture for him. On top of that, you have the classic Town problems of having no mental strength and being poorly coached defensively. Arguably, Jewell's fault again. So, what's the solution? Would Burley really come here, would Holland, would Curbishley, would (my preference, but purely fantasy) Lee Clarke? I doubt it, unless they were promised serious cash, eg £8-12million. Then again, if that cash was available, why not give it to Jewell? Who's to say he couldn't fix the team with that kind of investment. Either we back the manager and give him the money, decide he's not the right man and give his successor the money, or decide there's no money to give and consign ourselves to a relegation dogfight. In a weeks time, with what I can only see as 7 straight defeats, it'll be time for Evans to make a decision.

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kerryblue added 21:23 - Nov 26 Off with you Jewell and take that useless keeper with you.Your all talk ,we were better off under Roy keane.
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walberswick added 21:29 - Nov 26 Jewel Out? Sod Jewel, I'm out of here for the foreseeable future. Good luck Town.
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TractorJed added 21:31 - Nov 26 Kerryblue....are we getting the vibe that you dont rate wrighty????? When are we all going to admit that football at this level is at best average and we now have a team that is falling short of average?? In all honesty does anyone really think that we will in anytime soon reach the Premier League let alone compete at the highest level? Many clubs throw money at the 'dream' these days, only a couple will make it. Would love to be in the top flight holding our own but cant see that happening with current men at the top!

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poggie added 21:39 - Nov 26 Ok ... deep breath. Now that some of the dust has settled, i am going to try to be objective. This is how I saw the match today. And our current situation: Firstly, I have to say that the first 45 mins of this match, was one of the most boring, negative halves of football I've ever had the misfortune to watch.Half time just couldnt come quickly enough. And after recent home performances, that's really saying something!! Reading, if anything, were even worse in that first half than we were. Thank goodness! When I think back all those (long, painful) months to the time when PJ took over at Ipswich, i recall being fairly happy at his appointment. Largely because I was just so very glad to see the back of Roy Keane. And I'm sure a lot of you felt the same. At the time. But what now? How many excuses can we make? This is Paul Jewell's team, pure and simple! He chooses the eleven that "play" every week. He knew that we were desperate for defenders at the end of last season (yes it was obvious to most of us a long time before that, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt), yet he wasted money on strikers and midfielders we really didn't want ... or need. But for some reason, he left the defence pretty much as it was. A shambles! Surely an experienced manager shouldn't make such a basic error? The "team" we have now are Paul Jewell's players. He has built his own team, designed his own formation(!) And, he has had plenty of time to see where the problems lie! Surely , he can tell by now that we have no defence... and our midfield is laughable. Don't get me started on our so-called Captain. Some of the players he has bought (they know who they are) just look like they can't even be arsed to put in anything vaguely resembling a performance! Poor old Chopra, Martin and Carson are swimming against the tide week after week.They appear at least, to be trying their best. So, what should be done about this situation? Clearly something is wrong, but is it entirely the manager's fault? And if PJ does get sacked ... who should be brought in to replace him? Dowie anyone?

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MickMillsTash added 21:42 - Nov 26 This time last year we were losing 6-7 on the trot. The squad this year must be alot better and no doubt we are paying a lot more in wages so emotion aside I do not think we will go down BUT..I genuinely see little hope for the future. The club and the team seem to lack direction or have a strategy. This time last year Keane was told to play the kids, since we blown a fortune and have signed a team of geriatrics. Jewell does not seem to be building towards a certain style of play or shape. The diamond was more a result of accomodating the players we have signed than by plan. 3 of our best 4 players this season have been loans - its a bloody mess. Whether with or without Jewell the club surely has to show a consistent approach. We need to build a squad of motivated players playing in an organised way. As a short term measure it is clear we need a defensive coach in - What is Stewart Houston doing with himself right now?

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TimmyH added 21:45 - Nov 26 Garv - ok short memories you say, can you prove that we lost 6/7 games in a row under Keane (and we're talking league games) - good to see your still behind PJ and the team but surely you must be starting to get cheesed off with some of the results. Too early to call for his head but ME and supporters WILL get tired if there isn't an improvement. At least after we got relegated we we're refered to as the team who played attractive passing football, we don't even do that now!

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llewej_tuo added 21:46 - Nov 26 KEANEs record .... 81 games, 28 lost JEWELL record .... 42 games 19 lost JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT

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megamoth added 21:54 - Nov 26 I had thought that Keano and then Jewell promised a new dawn for the club that we love. They both have records of success at this level and made wholesale changes to the squad. WTF! How could they get it so wrong and show themselves so clueless with Keano signing Sunderland fringe players and unknowns from Ireland and now Jewell signing so many loan players in vital positions on the park and routinely selecting a captain that has no footballing skills let alone captaincy ability. Some or all of the loanees could be gone in the next few weeks and where on earth does that leave us? I do think that we will beat Burnley but this only masks a serious issue for us - the black hole that is our team spirit and morale. I pray that this isnt a nuclear winter but with our spiraling debt (entirely owned by our businessman chairman - not a Dave Whelan with a long-standing love for the club, thats for sure), we need players to stand up and be counted. I ask you, what single player is there in the squad with the heart of a micky stockwell or any number of other ITFC stalwarts?

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Calmingwind added 22:06 - Nov 26 It's at times like this the club captain needs to step up... Oh wait forgot we don't have one
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Tractamatt added 22:13 - Nov 26 Sorry Paul it's time for a change within 2 games we could be bottom of the division and no sign of this slump ending we need new faces you have simply run out of ideas.
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Notts_tractor added 22:40 - Nov 26 I hear that Rochdale is particularly nice in the winter months.
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ClassyCranson added 22:47 - Nov 26 Just some thoughts in no particular order. I am not a fan of Leadbitter and don't think he should be in the team and certainly not captain. However it is not right for some fans to say that they are glad that he is injured so he won't be picked on Tuesday for the Burnley game. Also we were 2 - 1 up when he went off today. Both Keane and Jewell have been disastrous for the football club. I am not bothered if Jewell is better or just as bad as Keane, they are both below the required level. Jewell is doing himself no favours at the moment and most of his players are playing as though they don't really care. Jewell is also being let down I think by Hutchings who seems to be anonymous in this mess. Fans quite rightly talk of selling Jordan Rhodes under Keane but the biggest loss I think under his tenure was getting rid of Bryan Klug. John Duncan has got a lot mentions recently for largely the wrong reasons. I was not a fan of the football played under him but I think it was a lot better then, than it is now. What came after the Duncan era was very good as we got John Lyall in as manager. John Lyall a manager who had proved himself over a number of years, his teams played good football and his last role before Ipswich was managing West Ham. I wonder what Alan Curbishley was doing today.

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Lightningboy added 22:55 - Nov 26 The problems started 4 years ago when we started chucking bucket loads of money at our football team. Evans should've just cleared the debts & let Magilton get on with the quite frankly brilliant job he was doing at the time (23 home games,1 defeat - remember that everyone?) Since the january transfer window in 2008 things have gone from bad to worse and our principles of bringing through youth players,complimented by the odd freebie & the odd old wise-head have totally gone out of the window. Like i've said before,I hope Jewell can turn it around but I fear that even if we go on a run again like we did a couple of months ago ,that sooner or later we'll hit another run like we're in now - we're already way off of the top 2 and at the moment we should'nt be thinking of the prem - we should be trying to figure out a way of getting our club back on it's feet - with a "proper" long term plan & a manager we are all confident with to carry this out. Don't want to call for PJ's head BUT it's getting beyond a joke now - though most of this is down to the players,not just the management (who is our defensive coach btw??) I think PJ may well be gone sooner rather than later if this nonsense carries on - hopefully some of these players will be gone too..would love to see Jim back here,even Burley But there is one guy who I am convinced could sort it out without having to spend bucket loads - a certain Mr Billy Davies.

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TownOnTheUp added 23:03 - Nov 26 Oh good lord, Lightningboy, please not Billy Davies. Know a Forest fan who would have chopped his testicles off to get rid of him by the end of his tenure.
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GiveusaWave added 23:05 - Nov 26 Having gone to the game yesterday I feel bigger questions need to be asked about what is going on at our club. JET, Bullard, Chopra, Bowyer. Top Championship Players. So why are they underperforming week after week after week? Rightback. Why are we still waiting for one since David Wright left? We are exploited time and again on our right side. Teams know its a weakness. Yet we NEVER do anything about it. Defence General. Why are we conceding so many goals? Is it our individual defenders or our lack of strategic coaching? If its individuals, bring in new personnel. If its the coach, bring in new personnel. Why is our team spirit so bad? 2 guys were speaking next to me and saying it was a miracle we are 2-1 up and we've snatched victory again from a game we should have easily lost. Of course we then conceded 2 goals (one was comical as usual) and lost but they were right. Even when we win we are clinging on and I haven't seen a game all season where we have truly deserved it. I'm sorry but the team out there deserves time in Division 1. Maybe then we can win some games occasionally and be happy.

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TownOnTheUp added 23:08 - Nov 26 Apart from Coventry, I agree, we've never looked like we've deserved to win
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VanIsleBlue added 23:46 - Nov 26 Ipswich World on Sunday; Steve Pearce "Just goes to show Paul Jewell that any team can beat anyone in this division, Town were unlucky to concede so late...positives were we score two good goals" Town fan "Shut up. we are served up the same crap week after week and you say the same thing all the time"
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Pettitt10 added 00:15 - Nov 27 well said @neillrumsey
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arablue added 00:38 - Nov 27 PJ, big difference feeling sick and still get paid decent money and feeling sick but having to fought out one's hard earned cash!
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nerdys added 00:39 - Nov 27 ITFC Always seems to be Happy to give our opponents 3 points every game we play. get back G Burley and M Holland sort this crappy club out once and for all. 11 years in the Championship league. Millions wasted on Journey Men. sell our hot prospects ie (J RODES)
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