Lee Martin awaits the appointment of his third manager since joining Ipswich in 2009 and agrees that he and his Town team-mates had a major part to play in Paul Jewell’s departure.

Martin said: “The more you are in football you know to always expect the unexpected. Nothing really surprises me. We’re all bitterly disappointed, more so in ourselves because we need to look at ourselves more than anything else.

“But we can’t dwell on it too much because we have a game on Saturday and it’s important to get our heads down and concentrate on that. It hurts massively that we are in this situation.

“I’ve been on a real low, especially after the defeat by Derby and then the manager going. As players we do care.”

Martin & Co have failed to win any of their last 11 games and in their last five they have taken the lead, only to relinquish it and collect a mere two points from a possible 15.

He added: “Getting the second goal is vital. It would give us a bit more belief and point us in the right direction, and make us believe that we are going to get the three points.

“That’s the important thing, especially down the bottom, because your confidence does get battered and you’re at a low. It’s important that we try to get that second goal when we’re on top and take it from there. Hopefully, if that happens, we won’t look back.

“This type of situation is never easy and especially when it results in losing the manager. You’d be mad not to look at yourself and criticise yourself. All the other players in there are doing exactly the same.

“We all analyse our own games individually and if someone isn’t pulling their weight or making mistakes they need a rollicking and that’s what you give them. Certain players need an arm round their shoulders and others need a kick up the backside.

“Confidence is low but we all have to embrace the situation. It’s a challenge and most of the players — we have quite an experienced group — have been through it. We know what we have to do. It’s down to us to lift the crowd and get them going.”

Photo: Action Images

tractorboy1961 added 06:20 - Oct 27 Partly to blame? If the players performed week in week out we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.
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pennblue added 06:23 - Oct 27 Well said Lee, I hope what you say is true and you do care. I think the players are EXTREMELY responsible for PJ's exit, and a lot of the players he has bought to the club have let him down badly. Confidence is low? What you need is a kick up the backside, get the 'bit between your teeth' and say I am not going to get beaten today. Talk is cheap, you need to go out and do the business today. You players are playing for a future now, rest assured if we get relegated no-one is going to want to touch you with a barge pole, you will have to take a big wage drop to play in League 1. The new manager, whoever that ends up being, WILL be watching you today so it is about time you stood and be counted. Show some desire at least, working your socks off for 90 minutes would be a good start. Close down the opposition players when they get the ball and HASSLE THEM OFF THE BALL, don't give them space, have you got it?

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GibbsITFC added 07:57 - Oct 27 Partly to blame? Lol, its all your faults entirely. Jewell sent you out there with a game plan and by going 1-0 up in the last five i think he said, shows it worked, losing the lead is something the players must take responsibility for. Week in week out poor PJ got asked the same questions and he could only give the same answers! Feel very very sorry for him, thought the treatment he received tuesday night was a disgrace.

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Morgan added 08:22 - Oct 27 PJ was probably no tactical genius but it has become apparent since he left the club that he enjoyed his time here and cares a lot more than maybe came over. As far as I'm concerned the players can take full responsibility on the basis that is you all performed to a level near your best each game with whatever team PJ selected we would have more points than we do now. I hope this is the Kick up the arse you all need.

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Karlosfandangal added 08:40 - Oct 27 Don't get me wrong Jewell had to go was not the right man to take the club forward, but the one person who really cared about the club the fans slagged off and has now left. All those that really have not put in the effort and are not bothered are still here. Never mind lets give them another half a million in wages and then when they walk off the pitch they can look at the crowd and think " those muppets are paying for my flash house and car"

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jocasaja added 08:46 - Oct 27 Players should play and not talk or twitter - seems like modern footballers are like big babies - even when they lose they think they are still world beaters - I really hope we get a good manager who is not 'too nice' but can motivate, kick ass, and get this underperforming bunch up and running !! - Win lose or draw today I will not boo Chris Hutchings - The only people I might 'boo' will be the players if I think they are not sweating blood for the cause

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Kesgraveblue57 added 09:17 - Oct 27 tractorboy1961 is a 100% right
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Doctor_Albran added 09:40 - Oct 27 Anybody else hearing 'blah, blah, blah" when they read these it's our fault, we feel bad, etc, etc stories? just appoint megson and complete the perfect start to our season...!
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