Town boss Paul Jewell felt his side’s lack of confidence and more bad defending allowed Blackpool to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Portman Road.

Jewell said: “At 2-0 up, a team that’s full of confidence wins the game. We were the best team right up until they scored and obviously when they score the doubts set in again.

“At 2-0 with 10 minutes to go, you’re thinking that we could lose this, but in the end we could have won it. It was an end-to-end game. But up until they scored, we were by far the best team.

“Bad defending has cost us all season,” he continued, “which is why we’ve got the worst defensive record in the division.

“If Ipswich score against you, with our record, you always think you’ve got a chance and we’ve got to work harder to stop goals going in.

“One long ball seems to get in behind us too often. We defended high, we defended deep, we just defended badly at times, it’s been the tale of our season.”

Elliot Grandin pulling one back for the Seasiders was the key to the comeback, Jewell believes: “Goals change games. At 2-0, we’re trying to play the ball through the middle, we lose it, a cross comes in, we don’t win the first header and we don’t get near the second. From that perspective, we’re disappointed.

“Their second goal came from us conceding a freekick deep in their half. We switched off from the freekick, they took it quickly and Phillips does what he’s been doing all his career - peeling off and scoring goals.

“Phillips has got fantastic movement, he’s a credit to himself and all young strikers of his size should have a look at how he plays because he’s got brilliant movement.”

The Blues boss - who wasn't sure about the second half penalty incidents - had no problem with his side’s endeavour, although he felt one or two tired towards the end: “I think we put a lot of effort into the game, we had a game on Wednesday and we didn’t get back late.

“I’m not making excuses, but these are all factors. Jason got a tight hamstring, Josh was tight a little bit as well, so we had to make one or two changes.

“You can’t question the players’ effort. I think there was only one game this season, at Burnley, when some us threw the white towel in. Even in games in which we’ve been beaten badly, other than that one, I can’t fault the players’ effort.

“I thought the crowd’s reaction to them was terrific at half-time when they were coming off, they got behind them, and even at the end of the game.”

He says his line-up — with Lee Martin in a role between the midfield and lone striker Jason Scotland — worked well for the most part: “We obviously had to look at how Blackpool play and they’ve had that system in place for two or three years, Ollie’s done a brilliant job there. In the stats, they’re the best passing team in the league.

“We wanted to try and stifle that and give them a problem, and I think we did with our two wide players and Lee in there. We definitely stifled them, certainly in the first half they never really threatened our goal.

“Certainly for effort and determination and chances created, it might have been a good game for the neutral. I’m really sick that we haven’t won the match.

“Ollie will probably come in here and say that at 2-2 they’ve had chances to win it. We’ve had a chance to win it right at the death, it was an open game. We can’t keep on scoring three goals to win a game.”

He says Daryl Murphy was left out having played a lot of games recently: “I just gave him a rest. He’s had a lot of games lately, Daryl. He’s put a lot of effort in. Everyone else is in consideration, we just gave him a rest.”

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, who believed his side should have been awarded a penalty when Gary Taylor-Fletcher went to ground in the second half, thought his side was bested for much of the match: “I thought we got outplayed for quite a bit of it, to be fair. I didn’t expect the energy in their team like that.

“They got tight to us, close to us, stopped the front three playing and stopped all of us playing, to be honest.

“I think that shows that sometimes when your young ones are off the boil a little bit, you need some senior ones who know the game and are happy to be sit there and show a great attitude to come on and show their class.

“I think Gary Taylor-Fletcher did that, I think Elliot Grandin’s not as old as them but he was terrific when he came on, and as for Kevin Phillips he’s like a fine bottle of wine, and thank God he is.

“I think we’re all a bit shocked that when he went through the second time, the goalie managed to save it. I think it would have been far too harsh on Ipswich’s performance today if they had ended up with nothing.”

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich24 added 20:54 - Jan 14 We played really well for three quarters of the game today it's a shame game is for 90 mins. We just can't defend when put under pressure. When two nil up just need see game out. Martin was superb today so much effort must of covered most distance. Jet was close second if you give that boy the ball in good areas he will hurt the opposition. A big improvement today I was gutted we didn't win as our performance deserved three points. I thought Kevin Phillips was the difference fantastic movement. Unlucky lads keep it up but just for 90+ mins. Martin,Drury,Jet and Scotland were class.

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Vic added 20:55 - Jan 14 Tomisamos - very poor effort. Read what he said Scotland and Carson were feeling injuries coming on. Was he supposed to leave them on and let them get worse and be out for longer? Dear oh dear, criticise the bl;oke when it's deserved but give it a rest when it isn't. Most of the stuff on here is just mindless now, open season, with ignorant people just jumping on the bandwagon to take cheap shots at the management.

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Ipswich_Feen added 21:00 - Jan 14 I wasn't at the game, I listened on the net. For me Jewells subs cost us. I'm not sure if that is down to who was available to him, or his choices. I would like to say though, that this is the first game in longer than I can remember (even when we were winning earlier in the season) where I was excited every time we got the ball. Prior to the subs that is. Hopefully he will be forced into keeping Hyam, Carson, JET and smith in the team now.

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BrettenhamBlue added 21:02 - Jan 14 I think we played some great football at times and should have come away with all 3 points. I only heard the match via radio but it sounded as if the youngsters in particular played well. Strange how we always seem to play so much better without Leadboots and co. The most important thing is that we got a vital point, so important in our battle against relegation. This will be a long battle and difficult battle for the rest of the season. Pj must have had his reasons for bringing on Priskin. It's easy for us to look at the decision in hindsight and say it was a mistake but maybe Priskin looked the right man for the job. Bad defending cost us 3 points again. Pj is trying hard to rectify this and I think we should have a couple of new centrebacks in in the next couple if days. The amount of one-on-ones with our keeper was completely unacceptable. We just seem to lack heart these days. When we concede we just expect to concede more. Have no idea why we went all-out- attack when we were 2-1 up.

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StowTractorBoy added 21:23 - Jan 14 Great shame we could not hold on today after such an excellent first half performance. Was not at all impressed with the goalkeeper as his kicking was awful he gifted the first goal and was beaten at his near post for the second. Thought the referee was very iffy today and should have cautioned several of their players instead of concentrating on our players. Hyam and Cresswell did well to ride out the tightrope after their early cautions. Martin was superb in his new role and Carson was always lively. Him going off definitely changed the game for me and whether injured or not he was sorely missed as the whole midfield lost its way. Well done to Tommy Smith who I have to say looked out of his depth last season but today proves he may get back to his best. Still think we need 2 centre backs and a right back so we can push Edwards forward. Finally PJ I know you are a joker but resting Murphy because he has worked so hard - give me break the bloke does not raise a sweat.

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michaeldownunder added 21:28 - Jan 14 Most fans would have taken a point before the game, infact a lot would have taken a low scoring defeat. Onwards and upwards, still need a 1 or two new c/halfs (maybe from the same club so they know how each other plays), plus must get one new full back in Edwards again in wrong position for most of the game
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Bluefinger added 21:43 - Jan 14 Turning a very long corner. Leicester got relegated on 52 points (07/08) so that has to be the target. Looking at the relegated third placed team in recent seasons gives an idea of the task ahead. PNE 42(10/11) Wednesday 47 (09/10) Narwich 46 (08/09)Leicester 52 (07/08) Southend 42 (06/07). Currently Town with 28 points, so 24 points to go. Obviously these figures mean nowt when you have three worse teams in the league. Luckily for us we have Doncaster and Coventry who look woeful. I thought that about Forest until they turned us over with ease. We need to be turning that corner more quickly else we are may be that third team. For what its worth, based on Brum away and today I think we will. Keep the faith....

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casanovacrow added 21:44 - Jan 14 Dont get me wrong, Jewell is a tactical plank at times but I dont get the comments about slating him over substitutions. Scotland and Carson were injured. He had to do something
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stu_ward27 added 22:07 - Jan 14 i don't think the keeper was actually as bad as some of you are making out yes he was suspect for the first goal but he prevented us from losing with his outstanding save at the end and his distribution was better than both ALB and Stockdale but his kicking needs a lot of work!!!! And Jewell originally had got his tactics spot on and with the substitutions he didn't have a lot of choice as they were both injured and we don't have any other central midfielders left other than bullard and i'm sorry i would rather have had priskin on at least he is not overweight and short of confidence like Chopra is!!!

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:21 - Jan 14 Sort the bloody defence out then, you clot. The substitution cost us 2 points today, as the whole shape of the team changed, why play Bullard up front, i,m not convinced Carson was injured & had to come off at all, as PJ has made baffling changes in games before and that has cost us valuable points. The lads played well today, but Ollies substitutions were inspired, PJ,s were not.

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BurleyForever added 22:24 - Jan 14 JEWELL OUT BURLEY IN For Gods sake i'd rather watch Ipswich Wanderers prob. more entertaining
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ClassyCranson added 22:28 - Jan 14 After the Burnley game, Jewell said the custodian will not have to tell him when its time for him to go, as he (PJ) would do what is best for the club. Jewell then says that as long as he has the support of the custodian he will stay. These are two contrasting statements. PJ just go. I will never consider it anything other than shambolic to let a 2 goal lead slip against a team like Blackpool. The article by the custodian today is hugely concerning. I know he is a very busy man so the article could have been prepared sometime ago but if it has been prepared in the last few days we are nowhere near rock bottom. Forest, Doncaster and Coventry are really poor teams and should get relegated this season but are they any worse than this spineless, gutless Ipswich team? Relegation 50 years on from Sir Alf's league championship winning team to the third tier, it is becoming more and more realistic all the time. ALB - I am not sure why he is still not between the sticks, another Jewell gem. Jewell, Clegg and 10 straight defeats Leadbitter go.

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Tractastic added 22:35 - Jan 14 Firstly well done to the team today, a spirited effort against lets not forget a premiership team last year.Forgetting the obvious poor defending again (including the new keeper) I can't for the life of me understand why he bought on Priskin rather than Chopra? How does that make any sense at all? When has Priskin featured in PJ's plans this season and who thinks he's actually any good and what message does this give to Chopra? Despite that good to see Martin growing in confidence and nice to see Jimmy back. Still think Jewell is hopeless but lets hope if Evans is going top stick with him we get in a couple of CB's (urgently) a central midfield general,keeper and a big strong centre forward.Mid table mediocracy this year will be very nice!!COYB.

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alfromcol added 23:09 - Jan 14 You lot who keep prattling on about PJs substitutions lost the game. Don't forget they were forced substitutions AND Hollaway made substitutions which also had a major effect on the game. Blackpool changed the way they were playing and suddenly realised that long punts up the field over the heads of the back four had the defenders in trouble. It was always going to be the case that Blackpool would try to step up their game as they were two goals down. It takes two to tango. Edwards was again brilliant going forward but woeful defending. When will PJ realise that he isn't a RB or a defender.

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Tractastic added 23:15 - Jan 14 @ alfromcol - So you would have bought Priskin on ahead of Murphy,Chopra and Ellington?
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alfromcol added 23:21 - Jan 14 Tractastic Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Prior to the match Priskin had a 100% 'assist' record. 1 appearance and 1 assist!!! Another 'assist' today and we would have won. I would certainly brought him on ahead of Ellington. Chopra, like Priskin, has done little lately and he has been on the field. Murphy was 'tired' after his exertions in recent games.
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bluelady added 23:24 - Jan 14 Jas which interview did he say tired as a matter of interest? I know you don't want to hear it but like it or not you have to accept jewell is going nowhere....... for whatever reason Evans is backing him so you get yourself worked up into a stew week in week out or just get behind your team. I really enjoyed the game today, but gutted at result, simply not good enough..... however play like we did for first sixty and we will move up the table....

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alfromcol added 23:27 - Jan 14 bluelady Agreed. Exciting game, bad result. Bring on the new RB and CH and bring back ALB
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suffolk_punch added 23:27 - Jan 14 wow ,rocket science from P J , poor defending cost us . It must be extremly hard to figure that out because its been the same all season .
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alfromcol added 23:32 - Jan 14 suffolk_punch At least he knows what the problem is and he has been saying it all season. Why criticize him for saying it? Asked a question and he has to provide an answer.
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Tractastic added 23:35 - Jan 14 Alfromcol, Agreed hindsight is a wonderful thing and if either Chopra,Murphy or Ellington had come on with Blackpool searching for the equaliser and our defence especially on the right side looking so vulnerable the chances are the score would have still been 2-2. However I as were all the fans around me amazed when we saw Priskin come on. Priskin deserves a chance but when we are 4 up not looking to protect a lead as for all his undoubtedly potential ability he doesn't press defenders and work hard off the ball. Chopra has had his problems and recent critics but he is class and he needs to play and he is very much part of our future where Priskin clearly is not. But its at least a point with a spirited display and although i have little faith in Jewell we have played pretty well this week against 2 ex prem teams so lets hope we can continue at Leeds.

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suffolk_punch added 23:44 - Jan 14 alfromcol saying it and acting on it two different things , just hoping things work out in defence is not dealing with the problem , everyone knows edwards shouldnt be playing at the back ,but P J continues , hoping it works out . also knows our centre backs are woefull but again all we hear is he his bidding on players he cannot get , again lip service to the blind faithfull .

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bluelady added 23:44 - Jan 14 Classycranson against a team like Blackpool? The team who were in premiership last year? Don't let holloway hear you say that. Poor defence but rest of team far from gutless did u go?
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tomisamos added 00:07 - Jan 15 Vic - worse effort. Most people can vouch on here who ever read what I've said that I've never called to sack Jewell and rarely criticise him. I'm not saying don't take off an injured player, but why bring in and play Priskin when the guy so clearly want's to leave? He put absolutely no effort in at all today which let down a side of players who pretty much played their hearts out. Bullard wasn't looking up for it either. If he was still ill, leave him out the squad. That's down to Jewell, and I think it cost us the game when we actually played really well for most of it!

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martleshamitfc added 00:42 - Jan 15 I thought Priskin was a disgrace today. The 1st half display was a breath of fresh air with the whole team working so hard so when Priskin came on and strolled around it highlighted even more what a waster he really is. I for one hope he never wears a blue shirt ever again.
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