Town boss Paul Jewell was again left shaking his head after more calamitous individual defensive errors handed Leeds a 3-1 win they hardly deserved at Elland Road. Jewell admitted that the mistakes against the West Yorkshiremen took things to a new level.

Jewell said: “I think we were in control of the game, then I don’t know what the goalkeepers were doing. You have to see it to believe it.

“For 70 minutes we were winning the game. We’ve restricted Leeds to very few chances, if any at all gilt-edged.

“One long ball and our goalkeeper decides he’s coming out for it and handles outside the box. With 10 men we were always going to be up against it but to give the goals away in the fashion that we did. I’ve said it so many times this season, but I think today is another level.

“We’re shooting ourselves in the feet time and time again,” he continued, clearly frustrated by more points having been thrown away after what had been a promising first half display.

“There was so much good about today, about the way we’ve played. We were good in all departments up until decision-making by Alex and Sonko that cost us the sending off.”

Meanwhile, stand-in skipper Sonko said sorry for his mistakes on Twitter: "I do want to apologise for today. My error cost us."

Jewell felt the goals were as bad as the red card: “The second goal is a long ball from the full-back that the goalkeeper should come and collect. The third one bounced on the edge of our box. They’ve scored three goals, and that’s why we are where we are.”

The Town boss is on the lookout for more defenders, having targeted Leicester’s Sean St Ledger and Portsmouth pair Jason Pearce and Joel Ward during the transfer window after a campaign blighted by similar capitulations by his backline: “It’s not just because of today it’s been because of the whole season.

“Having said that, I thought Tommy Smith did well and as a team we weren’t in danger for 70 minutes.

"Leeds were getting very frustrated. We passed the ball better than them, we created more opportunities, we looked in control of the match, we were controlling the tempo of the game. The gifts we gave them they haven’t had to work hard for. Again, it’s the same old thing.”

He says managers can’t legislate for the type of errors made all too regularly by his players: “As a manager, as a coach, there are certain things you can affect, but the decisions I’ve seen today, they’re just bad decisions which have cost us goals.

“I’ll always take responsibility as I pick the team but when people see the goals on TV they’ll scratch their heads.

“It wasn’t as if we were coming under severe pressure. It was just a long ball that our centre-half was going to deal with, he was going to head it back to Alex, and for some reason has decided to come charging out.

“It was windy out there, very windy and I guess even our goal was a mistake from their goalkeeper.”

Jewell says there have been no developments on transfers: “All the offers we’ve made have been rejected but we will be trying to bring in players, there’s no doubt about that.

“I don’t know about [improved bids] yet. We’ll have to sit down and speak about how far away we are from the other clubs’ valuations."

He says he doesn’t expect anything to happen regarding Sean St Ledger, who is back in Leicester’s plans, at least in the short-term, while there are no offers for any members of the current squad: “There are no enquiries for our players. We’ve made lots of enquiries and are pursuing other targets. It’s the same old boring lines I’ve got for you.”

Leeds boss Simon Grayson admitted his team had gained their victory largely by taking advantage of Town’s mistakes but felt the match was not dissimilar to the one between the teams at Portman Road earlier in the season: “That’s what can happen in football matches.

“We were poor in the first half, we never really got going. We would liked to have made a better start in terms of possession of the ball, closing them down and working them.

“We went a goal behind to a soft goal, it took a slight deflection but Andy Lonergan holds his hands up, he should have done better with it, and I think we were fortunate to be only one down at half-time.

“But in the second half we got to grips with things, changed it around a little bit, spoke to the players and gave them the belief that we could go and win the game, never mind draw it because we had to do a lot of things a lot better. We knew that we could still create opportunities and maybe win the game.

“The sending off obviously changed the game and it mirrored the game at Portman Road earlier in the season.

“For part of that game we were the best team, the sending off changed the game and Ipswich went and won the game.

"We’ve won the game off the back of the sending off and we’re delighted to have done that.”

Photo: Action Images

brittaniaman added 18:54 - Jan 21 Well at least we will not have a loanee in goal for the next game, and I cannot see any other recruits coming in either in our position .. WHY DID HE RELEASE FULOP ????????? FOR NOTHING He has not played since he left here ????????? GET JEWELL SOME HELP MARCUS PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!
0

Keaneish added 18:57 - Jan 21 Put your hand up defensive coach (whoever you are!) and resign because it's not improving any and you've had enough time with the same players. Time to get some top coaches in at the very least. Really thought we'd turn the corner now we've brought younger blood in but to throw the game away after controlling like that is criminal. We're in big big trouble and there are only 9 days to sort it out and with no offers being weighed up, it's looking bleak

0

walberswick added 18:58 - Jan 21 Is it some betting scam?
0

whittonite added 18:58 - Jan 21 we are not going to get any sort of good defenders at this stage of the season,we have to get the players(namely defenders!) to iron out their defensive problems or we are going down.simple as....!
0

bedsitfc added 18:59 - Jan 21 so people want p.j out and a new manager to come in so that another year rebuilding only to find same problems. m.e needs to stop trying to do everything on the cheap this is not a buisness like he is used to, in football you have to back your manager with funds not just words. i am really feeling sorry for p.j and starting to fell sorry for boring football roy keane.

0

yorksblue added 18:59 - Jan 21 Just returned too. Agree with past comments, although I'd put the blame on ALB for 2nd . He totally bottled it, full stop. Shall I, shan't I situation. Knob head. Such a shame, as we were cruising until the sending off.
0

PauloJulio added 19:00 - Jan 21 Division 1 here we come!
0

oldelsworthyfan added 19:04 - Jan 21 Oh when will this misery end?
0

smorley added 19:04 - Jan 21 Absolute disgrace what is happening to our club, JEWELL has to go now and should have gone on the 1st Jan!!!!! I fear the longer he stays that league 1 beckons. Faceless ME has to start by sacking JEWELL and get Warnock in to stabilise a sinking ship on Monday. You only have to look at Sunderland, they bring in a quality manager and no new players and look at how they are flying!!!!! I would take Burley, Warnock or Davies NOW, COYB....

0

fourth added 19:06 - Jan 21 Well. I sometimes wonder whether our team has been purchased by a betting syndicate. I must be feeling rather depressed.
0

Lathers added 19:09 - Jan 21 Jewell shouldn't take the rap for this one, 'professional footballers' apparently, but a joke to their profession. Sonko is a donkey, ALB is Sunday league, but I was pleased with what I saw for the 1st 70 and it shows we are ok with the kids. Our luck/bottle will turn if we continue like this and the bottom 3 are sh*te so we will survive just about.
0

Cheshire_Blue added 19:09 - Jan 21 This goalkeeper has cost us at least one goal in every game he has played.Not a good signing.
0

strikalite added 19:10 - Jan 21 All the Clubs will be desperate to hang on to their defenders between now and the end of the season...the Pompey situation gives us hope there, but unless we offer the right money we'll lose them or they'll stay put.. It may have to down to a loan or two i hate to say..
0

alljezer added 19:11 - Jan 21 There needs to be an offical protest at the ground, if you want Laurel (clegg) and Hardy (Jewel) to F..k off. Put it on the map, and ME will respond. This is the worst defence I have ever seen in 30 years.
0

cornishnick added 19:12 - Jan 21 I genuinely feel sorry for PJ. He can't really be held accountable for such dreadful defending - however, something clearly isn't getting through. At the least, I think a change of manager will give an instant boost and steer us away from the drop zone, rather like it did when PJ joined a year ago. After that, who knows, but I don't feel the board has much of a choice anymore

0

grumpyoldman added 19:13 - Jan 21 What do we expect ALB was not offered a contract by Hartlepool we sign him, Ingarmarsson & Sonko released by Reading we sign him, the same with Bowyer, the club knew about Chopra's problems but we sign him. Other players bought in on loan not really bothered about putting in their best If we continue to get cast-offs, loanees and players with problems what do you expect. Either give some of young players a chance or get in players who are hungry to show what they can do. The transfer policy has to change if we are to improve

0

Kuqicoo added 19:14 - Jan 21 I'm lost for words now. For the past few seasons I've thought it can't possibly get worse - no wins for a record time under Keane, numerous heavy defeats, record number of defeats in a row, most goals conceded in whole league....and still we seem to get worse! Has someone put a hex on us or something? What the hell is happening? Surely something has GOT to change as its just getting ridiculous. And I'm now sick of supporting a team that's a complete laughing stock. Will someone please PLEASE sort this shambles out!

0

felixblues added 19:15 - Jan 21 When was the last time we had a decent central defensive partnership? McGreal and Herman??
0

itfc94 added 19:16 - Jan 21 For goodness sake PJ, I've backed you for all this time but Im getting sick of hearing it "PJ blames bad defence" - its a transfer window! sign someone who will sort it!!!! should of had someone lined up since december when collins left! Since Macca left, we've been crying for a centre half and yet we still sit hear moaning! Look at Derby, not quality but have an incredible defence back 4 with a solid goalie, they are winning games by keeping clean sheets and having a solid defence, learn from other teams around you and match them

0

ITFC4daprem added 19:17 - Jan 21 A defence coach please
0

rosseden added 19:18 - Jan 21 so McCarthy shouldnt have come for the first, ALB should have come for the second..... Sonko isnt the best but hes been ok most of the season, today he screwed up tho. if i was PJ id send McCarthy back, and find someone decent and get onthe case with centre backs and a RB, let CE get up field a bit..... at least he can cross which might get some better service to the front guys!

0

stinkiusminkius added 19:22 - Jan 21 Sooooo frustrating. And now very very worrying. On the plus side, we've played well the last 3 games and PJ clearly has the players on his side and is generally getting them playing well enough. All except for the defence. If he doesn't sort this out during the window (which probably means 2 centre backs and a right back) then I'm joining the PJ out brigade. Although I'm not sure that a new manager could sort those defensive players out.

0

walberswick added 19:22 - Jan 21 Why are we the only club that has to put up with nonsense, week after week. PJ can't sort out our defence, therefore we will be relegated. Kick him out now, no-one else would employ this idiot with this record. Why does ITFC?
0

rosseden added 19:23 - Jan 21 and yes, get in a decent defensive coach! there must be someone out there like Linegan, Wilnos, De Vos who would welcome the chance to come back and help get some structure!
0

alfromcol added 19:23 - Jan 21 At least McCarthy won't make any mistakes against West Ham!
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls