Town boss Paul Jewell felt his side played as well as they have all season as they drew 1-1 at home to Birmingham. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas equalised Chris Burke’s first-half injury time strike in a second period dominated by the Blues.

Jewell said: “I thought we played really, really well. Probably over the whole game, that’s as well as we’ve played all season.

“The only thing missing was, as we’ve spoken about before of late, was the end product which is goals. I thought football-wise, from our perspective, we played really well.”

He thought the Birmingham goal came against the run of play: “I think even their fans were singing ‘one shot and we’ve scored a goal’ and I think it really was their first shot on target.

“We said at half-time to just play the way we’d played in the first half. It’s easier saying that, than going out and doing it in the second half because you’re never going to dominate games like that.

“I thought we started the first five minutes a little bit slowly in the second half, but after that we were excellent.

“They were always dangerous on the break and to be fair to them they’re a good team, defensively they’re very good, they get a lot of blocks in. But I think we deserved that little bit of luck we got for the goal.”

Asked whether Emmanuel-Thomas had said whether his goal was intended to be a shot, Jewell joked: “He can say what he wants! He hit the bar and he’s done that two or three times this year already. He had an impact when he came on.

“When he’s like that, I wouldn’t say he’s unplayable but he’s a really difficult opponent. Four or five times after he scored he lost it, but he’s like that.

“He does get you off your seat. He’s got great feet, unbelievable natural talent and we’ve just got to make sure we nurture that into a player that gives us consistency.”

The Blues manager explained his switch to a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation with Jason Scotland and Michael Chopra up front: “Sometimes you do it just to freshen it up at this time of the season.

“I knew they’d play 4-4-2, I know Lee played very well down there at Birmingham and scored a great goal. We went 4-4-2, it’s no big deal, and I thought we played really, really well.”

The Liverpudlian felt his defenders handled 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigic well: “He’s obviously a handful because of his size.

“King plays on that shoulder, he’s always a threat. Burke’s got 14 goals for them this season, King’s got 18 and I think Zigic has got 11. If we had that return, we’d be somewhere close.”

He was also pleased with Aaron Cresswell’s clearance off the line from Zigic late on: “Aaron must have done that two or three times this season. I think he’s been terrific for us this season, young Cressy, never gives up. I thought he was excellent tonight too.

“I thought the whole team was excellent from start to finish. Grant and Andy both passed the ball and linked up very well and you could see they were enjoying themselves out there. We showed a bit of character to come back from a goal down as well.”

The Liverpudlian believes performances such as tonight’s show his team are moving in the right direction: “I think we have made progress. I know the season lasts 46 games and you can make stats say anything you want, but over the last 17 games we’ve been competitive in all of them.

“We lost at Brighton, we lost here to Leicester and we lost at Watford, where we should have been well ahead at half-time.

“What we’ve done is toughened up. I think early on we were definitely a bit of a soft touch — when we conceded one, we conceded a couple.

“But we’ve toughened up, we’re mentally stronger and you can see the confidence that’s going through the team.”

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton thought a draw was the right scoreline: “I think it was a fair result. We know that Ipswich put us under a lot of pressure, particularly in the second half and they’ve got the players that are able to do that, particularly in the wide areas. They were always a threat.

“I know Ipswich have missed some very good chances, as we have, but I think in the context of the game and the fact that we lost Steven Caldwell in the first half and how we’ve had to jiggle the team around, I thought it was a fair result.”

Photo: Action Images

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:56 - Apr 17 Hmm, think Chris Hughton must have been at a different game.
0

Mark added 22:58 - Apr 17 Town were excellent tonight. We had a fantastic work rate and dominated play, so credit to all the lads tonight. Despite conceding a goal in first half injury time we didn't let our heads drop and were unfortunate not to win the match. I think Paul deserves praise for motivating the team to play like that, and for making the substitution that got us the equaliser. Well done all round.

0

StanwayBlue added 23:01 - Apr 17 Waiting for jas to blame PJ for those chances not being converted...................
0

StochesStotasBlewe added 23:11 - Apr 17 As much as i like Hughton, he must have seen a very different game to me.
0

Karlosfandangal added 23:23 - Apr 17 We need a striker to put the ball away. Over the last 4 games we have had around 60 shots on target and scored 3 goals. Need a Vas Te or Sharpe type of player, Scotland has played well this season but need him in double figures and the same for Jet with Chopra our 20 a season man. Chopra and Jet very hit and miss this season, lets hope next season they will really deliver the goods.

0

Sindre94 added 23:34 - Apr 17 We were EXCELLENT! Cant wait to hear Jas' comments, something like this I guess. "Decent game thanks to the players only, but we didnt win and thats the important thing, Jewell out, eh"
0

Garv added 23:36 - Apr 17 We wanted a 90 minute performance? We got it. Thought we were fantastic tonight. Probably should have won it, but we couldn't have done much more to try and do so...so I don't see how you can be critical. Can't think of anyone that had a poor game tonight? Murphy, JET, Drury, Leadbitter, Martin, Edwards, Cresswell all very impressive! Delaney also I think was pretty solid, almost always gets a foot in, and his distribution is really not that bad! Lee-Barret - what a trooper. Couple of really good saves from King. A completely uncharacteristic fumble though as well, very unlike him. Don't want Saturday to be like Barnsley and Bristol at home were, as in very slow paced, no urgency, seemingly because the opposition were a very low standard. Let's play like like we did tonight and put three or four past them. Bizarrely its scoring goals we find difficult now and defending is a walk in the park! Was very downbeat after Leicester, now I'm the complete opposite, very happy after watching that.

0

buryblue77 added 23:37 - Apr 17 If Jewell is as poor as some might suggest then how come he manages to get us playing this well, he can set the team up, organise the tactics but the one thing he an't do is get out there and put the ball in the net himself and that's what we seem to be lacking over any other position at the moment, a striker who will guarantee you goals. Easier said than done though.

0

buryblue77 added 23:37 - Apr 17 If Jewell is as poor as some might suggest then how come he manages to get us playing this well, he can set the team up, organise the tactics but the one thing he an't do is get out there and put the ball in the net himself and that's what we seem to be lacking over any other position at the moment, a striker who will guarantee you goals. Easier said than done though.

0

Tractastic added 23:42 - Apr 17 Great game and well played to town but agree with Karlosfandangal that we need a striker to put the ball away.Chops plus one(Henderson/Evans) could be awesome. Thought Leadbitter and Drury in midfield looked good and just hope Leadbitter signs a new deal. JET superb at times again and another good performance from Cresswell. However although i'm not sure he is a town number one in goal well done to ALB tonight for some great saves.(again) Always under pressure from PJ and the fans he has done really well this season and has shown incredible backbone.Respect.

0

bluearmy4life added 23:47 - Apr 17 You wouldn't think Brum would be in the top six from tonights performance. I thought we excellent tonight, should of won the game. How did Chops and Murphy not score with there heads tonight? I can handle drawing as we played very well and the players gave it there all Can't ask for much more than that. Jet made a massive contribution, but deserved to be drop. Let's win the last two and finish off a building topsy turvy season.

0

taylor15 added 23:48 - Apr 17 i repeat my comment, once again. we are easily one of the best teams in the league. i'm not a biased fan, but, if we get another striker that is a PROPER finisher, we'll go up next season. would be so happy with this team next season.. Keiron Westwood Adam Smith, Tommy Smith, Krystian Pearce, Aaron Cresswell Lee Martin, Lewis McGugan, Luke Hyam, JET Michael Chopra, Ched Evans Subs. ALB Edwards (centre back) Carson Bullard Scotland. and to be honest, it's not out of our reach.

0

taylor15 added 23:48 - Apr 17 also, daniel powell for milton keynes is a brilliant shout! young, hungry, talented. what we want?
0

fanofblue added 00:01 - Apr 18 Think Chris Hughton was watching a different game to me,we were very good tonight,our passing and movement was excellent and we dominated the game.Reckon Brum were pleased to get away with a point.If only we could convert some of the numerous chances we created ,we could have won by at least three.Despite what the moaners say I think we have improved as a team and with about two or three additions in the summer we can be in the top six.

0

Duncan added 00:22 - Apr 18 Didn't manage to get to the game tonight, sounds like I missed a good one! even the crowd seemed to get going - Leicester was like a library!! Glad we are playing well and if not then tough to beat, Hopefully Sir Bobby stand will be back pumping again next season there cant be many better places to be when we get beind the team! I just hope ME, SG & PJ can keep the vast majority of the team together 2 or 3 additions and we could be laughing - one thing I have noticed though we have had very few injuries this year not sure if this is good work from the physio's or just lucky, but decent defensive cover or first team player needed for sure!!

0

Sindre94 added 02:49 - Apr 18 @taylor15 , not for me mate, sorry.. My next year "dreamteam" would be.. Westwood Edwards (or perhaps someone instead) Jason Pearce - Tommy Smith - Cresswell Leadbitter - Drury JET - Martin - Paul Taylor Chopra Kyle Bartley also someone I rate, and I also think we should get a young striker in, someone like rhodes ? Or is marriott a decent enough talent?
0

Len_Brennan added 08:01 - Apr 18 I see that St Ledger has dropped to the bench for Leicester since Bamba has come back in. Could be back on the radar over the summer. Would try to sign him even if we manage to finally get Pearce. The 2 of them along with Delaney & Smith would leave us very strong at centre half next season - 2 left footers, 2 right footers. I know it's highly unlikely & of course I'd be happy to get just one of them.

0

brian_a_mul added 08:28 - Apr 18 Well bishop Brennan, I think you are spot on. All are good youngish defenders with best years to come. Dont forget we also have Sonko who was our best player early on in the season. Pearce would be the cheaper option, probably a free transfer. I have been very impressed with Smith & Delaney recently. Smith in particular has come on leaps and bounds and cut out those silly mistakes. His awareness (of colleagues and opposition) is really improved.

0

bluelady added 08:36 - Apr 18 Sadly one of the only home matches I have missed, I usually hate listening to radio ds often we sound under pressure, last night even the commentator could not believe quite how one sided it was. With the final touch we would have linched them. Good on PJ for raising his team when we have nothing to play for, or was us not Birmingham that seemed to be the team with everything to play for. I hope Saturdays game is as good, we are owed a decent last home game of season after last couple of years. One thing does Grants inclusion indicate he may be staying? PJ said he would know yesterday and also said if leaving he wouldn't play him? Just a thought, he either played a blinder as a goodbye or to celebrate new contract!!!

0

KenDubZ added 09:26 - Apr 18 Chris Houton I love ya but you can't take away what is our credit their or simply you were watching a diffrent game who knows? We done well yesterday Jason should have out is up if he shot across goal but he didn't, lee barret made some vital saves!
0

CornardBlue added 10:04 - Apr 18 Well played Town great performance, Houghton was at different game to me, i thought Birmingham very poor, if all they have up front is a old lag with no pace they have no chance in play-offs.
0

walberswick added 11:08 - Apr 18 Having avoided a relegation scrap, and with 6 games to have a look at people we will have learnt nothing about our fringe players or our team for next year. Unless this is our team for next year?
0

brittaniaman added 11:18 - Apr 18 A very good evenings entertainment..... if that can be carried on in to next season, with 1 or 2 additions,, we could look forward to the future with a better prospect !!! so keep it together BLUES !!!!!!
0

bluelady added 13:00 - Apr 18 walberswick your picture is as ridiculous as your posts! anyways thought you had said goodbye to the forum until after the summer break? :-)
0

walberswick added 13:12 - Apr 18 Sorry. You're right this is all a waste of time. Off to have a few margarita's wilth the local ladies who lunch (but who haven't eaten all the pies so they are too embarassed to have photo).
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls