Town boss Paul Jewell was hugely disappointed by the Blues' 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, the Liverpudlian again left ruing individual defensive errors after Forest - who were without a goal in their last seven matches - netted three times for only the second time this season, the previous occasion having been when they last scored in the game against Town at the City Ground in November.

Jewell said: “It was hugely disappointing. Some of the defending which went on today was calamitous really and it’s not the first time this season.

“We created a few opportunities in the first half but we were always susceptible. Every time a ball went in the box or there was a long ball, there was blind panic.”

The Town boss says centre-half Ibrahima Sonko was a big loss: “I think we missed Sonko, I think he’s been a bit plus for us and he was missed today being suspended.

“There were straight long balls that we missed and all of a sudden they were at us and we were under pressure. They were meat and drink to most centre-halves but today for some reason we were all over the place.

“I take responsibility because I’m the manager, so it rests at my door,” he added. “But some of the individual basic errors from experienced players I’m struggling to explain.”

While conceding twice at one end, Jewell felt his side ought to have scored themselves at the other: “Daryl’s had two really good opportunities at the back post, JET’s had a header and he’s hit the underside of the bar.

“We’ve probably created more opportunities than them in the first half but we found ourselves two goals down.

“From their perspective, they’re great finishes, but the second goal should never have come to that. We were under pressure and gave the ball away. The lad did a little bit of skill and stuck it in the back of the net. We shoot ourselves in the foot.”

The Blues manager explained his change of formation, revealed that the missing Jimmy Bullard had phoned in sick: “Jimmy was ill, he rang me this morning about 10 o’clock and said he’s been up all night and there’s obviously been a bit of flu going around.

“Chopra’s been a bit low on confidence. I thought they might play with five in midfield and I just thought it would give Andy Drury a go. He did excellently, I thought he was a bright spark today. We’ve created more opportunities today at home than we have for a while.”

Jewell defended himself against accusations that playing only Jay Emmanuel-Thomas up front was an overly cautious approach: “Daryl Murphy’s an attacking player, Lee Martin’s a winger and Andy Drury’s an attacking midfielder. I don’t think it was a defensive system.

“Against Derby we played 4-4-2 and we created fewer chances then. You can talk about systems all day, it’s about players. We created more opportunities today than we did against Derby.

“You always have to nullify the opposition but for me it wasn’t a defensive formation at all. You can talk about formations all you like, Barcelona don’t play with a striker and you wouldn’t say they’re defensive.

“And if you give goals away like we did today, it doesn’t matter how many forwards you play."

Jewell admitted that it was another poor result and says his side need to improve, particularly at the back: “We’re hugely disappointed and some of the defending was embarrassing but it’s not as if we’re the champions of Europe and Notts Forest are mugs, it’s two teams who both think they should be in the top echelons of the league.

“But I didn’t expect us to be as bad as that defensively, we were very, very shaky. OK, we’ve lost Sonko, but we’ve got to be doing better than that.”

Skipper Grant Leadbitter added: "We can't give goals away in the manner that we have done today.

"We're doing it far too often and you just can't do it at this level or you are going to get punished.

"When you give goals away early in the game you make things hard for yourself, but that is football and we need to look ahead to the next game."

Forest manager Steve Cotterill was delighted with the win, which he says has been on the cards: “If you look at the performances, that result has been coming, unfortunately it’s been taking too long to come.

“I thought the goals we scored today were outstanding, three fantastic goals and we’ve done it with nine players who would predominantly be in your 16, of which seven would be in your starting line-up, not here through injury.”

Photo: Action Images

wrightyblue added 06:39 - Jan 3 Edwards
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ip5w1ch added 07:14 - Jan 3 There was nothing defensive about yesterday's formation hence we were two nil down at half time. We had a defensive pairing that hadn't played together and as individuals are error prone. I wish we had been more defensive and protected those two against the passing of reid and the pace of tudgay. There isnt, and there hasnt been, any defensive organisation since jewell took over. We need to get back to basics and defend as a team. Put pressure on the ball when not in possession, track runners and pick up the free man rather than allow the opposition time and space on the ball. Forest pressed us all over the pitch while we stood off and allowed reid to pick passes at will.

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Brazils_Hair added 09:44 - Jan 3 We sold our soul to ME. Clegg is not a footballing man. All our traditions on and off the pitch are shot to pieces. Jewell seems to be tactically inept. The problems we have are a nightmare and start at the top with ME and then go right down to the fact that we have a bunch of aging mercenaries bleeding us dry on the pitch. I obviously dont want us to go down but something needs to change and the drop may make that happen. Bring back George Burley. Clegg out.

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ElvisMariner added 11:01 - Jan 3 What a poor performance from probably one of the worst Town teams I can remember - the defending was truly shocking,we desperately need a central defender who leads by example in the Mowbray mould.Leadbitter should never be captain in my opinion......sadly we are in real danger of relegation which would be an absolute disaster for our great club.
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Dorsetblue added 11:05 - Jan 3 We need players who actually give a toss about the club. How many times do we see players just give up instead of chasing balls... It would appear the core of the club is rotten, but the same could have been said about Newcastle a few years ago and they are doing well now..
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SWBlue86 added 12:33 - Jan 3 Very poor town side out there today. I thought Drury and Jet were excellent though and certainly both deserve a run in the team.
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Tractastic added 12:52 - Jan 3 Please don't give PJ any money in January ME just call him a taxi.Actually make it a minibus so his bunch of overpaid 'has beens' can join him.And while your at it tell Clegg to clear his desk.Do either of this calamitous management team actually care about our great club and are either actually capable of achieving anything? I doubt it. This is now becoming embarassing. This is exactly what happened at Derby under PJ .Please do something ME before its too late.

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truthhurts added 13:24 - Jan 3 As you'll all see, this is the first post I've put on these forums - mostly because the majority of what is said is complete rubbish. What has really wound me up over the 15 years or so I've been going to games is the utter nonsense chanted out by the idiots in the North Stand. I know not everyone in there says or thinks the same, but some of the rubbish coming out of their mouths will never help the team. Constant booing is hardly going to inspire confidence in the players is it!? I know they should be performing better and that they earn loads of money, but support them for God's sake. Norwich fans put us to shame on that front!!! Everyone is now wanting Jewell out, just like they did Keane (after the North Stand hero-worshipped him for ages for whatever reason). But remember this. Who wanted Magilton out? NORTH STAND. Who displayed all those anti-Magilton banners? NORTH STAND. Who was getting us near the playoffs? Magilton. Hope you guys are happy....

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Tiggs added 13:32 - Jan 3 Absolutely spot-on Tractastic. 100% correct!!!! Maybe ME can join the bus too?
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Southamptonblue added 14:46 - Jan 3 How much will it cost to bring Frank Yallop over from the MLS?
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ITFCforlife added 16:42 - Jan 3 A relistic(ish) town line-up i would like Manager: Magilton (anyone but jewell really, preferably someone up and coming) GK: Smithies or another promising young keeper maybe with an experienced backup RB: ? Need a new one though LB: Definitely Cresswell but whight deserves a few games CB: Sonko with new backup as he misses a few games CB: That Crawley CB (can't remember his name, good young cb) RM: Carson/ Edwards; I would like to see more of them both, Carson looks like a good young player and Edwards played well yesterday but jewell always plays him at rb although we have/had peters :| LM: Martin looks to be improving and has a better discipline record CM: Andrews; just like many I'm hoping he will stay but if not ME should invest in another good, but young CM CM: Bullard, not sure why he has played so few games, have I missed something? CF: JET he has barely played but if he can repeat yesterday than we may have a good striker, he is also backup on the wing and also (oddly) LB CF: Sharp If the £1.8m release clause is true then why not? Also Chopra deserves a few games to try and turn it around for himself. I think £1.8m for an obviously talented goalscorer who is yet to hit his prime is a better deal than over £1m for a non-league striker but what do I know?

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ITFCforlife added 16:49 - Jan 3 that is hoping evans will get out his cheque book out
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h32 added 17:33 - Jan 3 truthhurts - another loser.
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H1960 added 17:37 - Jan 3 I have been watching town for the last 40 years and this is undoubtedly the worst team i have ever seen.The whole club seems clueless from the owner, clegg, the manager and coaching staff right down to the players. We are a rudderless ship heading in one direction....... DOWN!!! The whole lot of them need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are up to their jobs, serious changes are required but i feel it is all too late, if am fed up with all the spin coming out of portman road via the media,actions speak louder than words.

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h32 added 17:38 - Jan 3 ....... who has about as much AMBITION and INTEREST as the Players, and the other bods running this Club.
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h32 added 18:05 - Jan 3 Quite amazing how many of these people that obviously condone this RUBBISH week in, week out - are in fact armchair supporters who don't PAY THAT OFTEN to watch such cr#p. Not all - but some quantity. Not able to get there as often as I would like, university, work commitments, can't afford it, etc; etc; etc; - all understandable reasons / excuses of course. But does it really matter to these people if we play West Ham or Cheltenham ?? - because they are not paying to see it anyway. And playing the latter is becoming a stark reality - MAKE NO MISTAKE. Therefore it makes it all so easy for them to keep backing a clueless Manager who is an out and out failure based on his past 12 months performance. One could say - a bit different for people who have supported the Club (financially heavily) over, in some cases up to 50 years - during which time they have witnessed MUCH success. And justifiably want more.

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truthhurts added 19:09 - Jan 3 Hi h32. Another sensible fan then I see! Out of all seriousness, I didn't say anything that wasn't factually correct - unlike a lot of rubbish on here! I was simply stating that fans need to realise that the grass isn't always greener. Not for one minute am I suggesting the team are doing well, that Jewell is the answer etc etc, just that jumping the gun isn't always the way forward. Who do folk want then as manager? Out of all these names that come forward, think who would honestly take the job as it stands. Not many. In other words do what you're meant to - support the team. Hardly rocket science for future (hopefully) success. Guess some of you can't see that though....

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alfromcol added 19:25 - Jan 3 truthhurts Good post fully supported by me. (only missed 4 home games in last 3 seasons, so hopefully h32 won't think me an armchair supporter)
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wrightyblue added 20:13 - Jan 3 PJ out and bring in Burley and Holland for god sake!
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walberswick added 20:15 - Jan 3 I fear for Jewelio's future if he's lost bluelady's backing.
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h32 added 20:22 - Jan 3 I admire bluelady for her staunch support of Jewell and the Team - but she post's with sense, and knows when enough is enough. Not like some - who are equally as clueless as the man himself.
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h32 added 20:29 - Jan 3 alfromcol - the people to whom it applies will know who they are - IF that includes you - so be it. Thought you were going to make two NEW YEAR resolutions ? :- 1. Less drivel. 2. More ambition. Happy New Year to you anyway.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 20:50 - Jan 3 Truthhurts. I was all for giving PJ a fair crack at the job, but my opinion changed after the Reading home game. I have been to most home matches & a fair few away for the past 45 years & can say that this club is now as badly managed from top to bottom as i can remember. h32 is right. We remember how our club was respected both here & throughout Europe, not just because of the style of football played, but also how we were perceived & superbly run. Changes need to be made NOW or i,m afraid we will be relegated & will probably find it very difficult to ever return.

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truthhurts added 21:00 - Jan 3 h32 Why are we supporters to show more ambition and less drivel? Unless I'm otherwise mistaken neither you, or I, are the current manager of ITFC and, therefore, your latest comment means nothing as it proves nowt as it won't affect what happens at the club. Believe me, however it may appear, I have no issue with you (or anyone else), not least because we've never met. I'm just merely stating, correctly, that ALL successful clubs have everyone pulling in the same direction, which includes us supporters. Unfortunately opinions and views are split and this is leading to extremely poor atmospheres at the games (at home at least). This in turn doesn't help the team, regardless of whatever faults they may have. What I will say, and I'm sure you'll agree, is why on earth can't we give youth more of a chance? If rumours are to be true, the top flight clubs have already been looking at the likes of Joe Whight and Byron Lawrence so surely we can give them a shot in our first team!? Do you know why? Probably because, if they dare make a mistake, some 'fans' will slate them and ruin their confidence before they can get anywhere. Now that is the real disappointment!

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StochesStotasBlewe added 21:07 - Jan 3 Truthhurts. I would love to see some of these younger players given a try & i also think the vast majority of supporters would too, not slate them at every mistake. This was once how our club nurtured the young lads of whom several became ITFC legends.
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