Town skipper Luke Chambers has leapt to the defence of under-fire colleague Jonathan Douglas after supporters made him the number one target of their frustration at the team’s recent lack of success.

Mick McCarthy’s men go into tomorrow’s visit of Douglas's former club Blackburn Rovers having registered just three wins from their last 11 home games in all competitions, a run that has tried supporters’ patience and turned the Portman Road atmosphere toxic at times.

Things reached an all-time low when experienced midfielder Douglas, 35, was subjected to loud boos upon his introduction from the bench, with 21 minutes left for play, in the 2-1 defeat at QPR earlier this month.

Chambers said: “Jonathan has had a hard time of it. He’s getting abused when he comes on. Why would anyone ever want to play for the club again if you are running on to the pitch as a sub and you’re getting booed by your own supporters?

“I don’t get it. If that was me I’d be thinking ‘I think it’s time for me to leave now.’ How do you come back from that? The only good thing is that it doesn’t seem to have affected Jonathan because he’s such a strong character.

“He’s been here, there and everywhere, he’s been successful in his career and he’s played hundreds of games.

“But I still don’t see how that treatment of a player is going to benefit anyone. It’s just letting the frustrations of the situation we find ourselves in come through on to the pitch.”

Chambers, 31, admits he is close to Douglas, but he added: “We’re all close in there. When you’re a player, and one of your team-mates is getting that sort of stick, you think it’s unwarranted and unacceptable.

“But you’re never going to win a fight if you’re picking it with the fans. They are entitled to voice their opinion.

“The lads appreciate what Jonathan does for the team and what he’s done in a very difficult time for us.

“For me it’s very, very disappointing, and it was especially disappointing during the game at QPR.

“When he came on it was no small thing. I think the lads almost went ‘Hold on a minute, what’s happening here?’ It’s never a good thing during a game.

“We need to try to be pulling in the same direction, regardless, and I know we’re not playing well at the minute.

“We just need to try to stick together and get ourselves through this difficult period because it’s a long season and as much as everyone is getting frustrated we need to try to stick on the same page and try to get ourselves of this — it’s not a mess — difficult period that we’re having.

“Jonathan will laugh and brush it off, but everyone goes through periods in their careers where they’re singled out or become scapegoats. He hasn’t got any other thoughts on it than that and he’s probably been made to feel pretty crap.

“But we’re backing him and we know that when he’s called upon he’ll do a job for the team.

“People are going to have their opinions and that’s what football is all about. Everyone’s got an opinion, whether they’re right or not, but you generally tend to hear the negative opinions the most.”

While the fans’ frame of mind may be largely negative, however, Chambers insists there is still plenty of positivity in the dressing room. Asked about the mood in the camp, he replied: “It’s probably where it should be at the minute. We’re not overly pleased with ourselves.

“Half the season has gone and we’re not pleased with our result last week (against Lincoln) so we’re looking to put things right and try to get a sustained run together. Unfortunately, that’s something we haven’t managed to do so far.”

Photo: TWTD

Garv added 19:58 - Jan 13 Very impressed by these interview by Chambers, very open and honest. Might not agree with everything he says but you have to respect what he's saying here and in the other pieces.
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sirmichealmills added 20:28 - Jan 13 He's having a laugh, ITFC is one of the more 'soft' clubs compared to others. If I was chambers I wouldn't like to leave either, and Douglas wouldn't even be on the bench in 90% of the other championship sides, how pathetic that basically trying hard and running about is now the bench mark of a "good performance". I remember going to old Trafford once on a works comp, not I thought one of the more hostile grounds you think of, they were playing Fulham, game was ok, 0-0 at halftime, players were walking off and about 5 manc lads (yes there were some!) race down to the front ,screaming abuse at Ryan Giggs. I couldn't believe it!!!, they'd won the treble like two seasons before... Chambers needs a reality check, I'm afraid "that's football"

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Pencilpete added 20:35 - Jan 13 Do you know what else is unwarranted and unacceptable ? Pretty much every home 'performance' in the last 12 months.
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braveblue added 21:07 - Jan 13 If Chambers think Douglas is playing well that is just a reflection on his own ability.
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Pilgrimblue added 22:24 - Jan 13 My Brentford friend cant believe that we're playing Douglas so deep but he also thought he was well past his best. IMHO he's not good enough but if MM thinks he's the best available, then we're in a mess. Douglas shouldn't have been put in that position by MM but then again nor should Chambers at rb. This is why fans are booing MM and that's football. If he doesn't change it'll only get worse

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littlestoneblue added 23:20 - Jan 13 There's only one solution for Mick, and that's leave at the end of the season, but also get rid of all the dead wood on board, players that are past their sell by date, and lastly please please fans take banners with your displeasure shown for Mick, Marcus, & the players all to see, and for those who cant do that, just don't go to any more matches until the change happens, 16 seasons stuck in same division is nothing to be proud of, its time for change BIG changes

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TraktahBoi added 23:28 - Jan 13 As said above, it's more MM decisions than Douglas himself. I think the QPR game is a classic example of that.
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lilcornishblue added 23:58 - Jan 13 I'm sorry I have read this article and it's beggars belief at how deluded one of our own players can be, least of all our captain. How can any man, other than the tactical genius that is MM, justify Douglas's performances and sit back and wonder after "dougie's" continued mistakes and continued lack of basic footballing skill for this level of football, why we are showing our displeasure as fans, is he forgetting that we pay an insane amount of money to go and watch a team we love just to see such inept performances such as the ones "dougie" has been producing. To try an justify such performances is a joke. I fully get loyalty but there is a time where someone in that team or our club needs to step up, grow a pair and point out that his performances are way under par and challenge him on it. You do not need to be a pep, a Jose, a sir Alex or a Sir Bobby to see that dougie is not fit for this division of football nor is he good enough for this club. some wake up calls need to happen, hard truths need to be said and then acted upon and some tough pills need to be swallowed if our club is going to survive and with deluded leaders that think they can out-smart or play fans for fools need to re evaluate themselves and question whether they should be apart of this club.

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nitroblue added 23:59 - Jan 13 half hearted scripted bullsh*t .... Milne thinks to himself... Lets wheel out the captain to try and rally some support among the plebs,he can talk about how the treatment being given to players by supporters in unwarrented, even though they pay an extortionate amount of money to watch the top quality hoofing on offer every fortnight plus we can deflect all the cristisism of our amazing manager and then the plebs can argue amongst themselves about whether they should boo individual players for being a bit sh*t or booing the manager for being a stubborn, tactically inept dinosaur who makes decisions based on his on ego rather than what is actually required to win a football match, preferring to scrape a draw from the jaws of victory. Seriously..if Chambo was "jumping" to the defence of Douglas, he would have done it last season when we discovered that Douglas is past his best, slow, cant pass forwards, cant head a ball and cant run....on the plus side he can bang in the odd offside goal which is a massive help......FOMM

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thebeat added 00:02 - Jan 14 Lets make it quite clear. Yes Douglas is a truly awful player and its like playing with 10 men but he doesnt personally get booed. Its the decision to play him or bring him on that is being booed. How else are we supposed to let Mick know how frustrated we are? Drop him a whatsapp? Email him? When fans are frustrated they will get the message across in the only time period they have i.e during a game. There is no other way.

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shakytown added 00:35 - Jan 14 Douggie is absolute cack but the real problem is the moron who sent him on. Aim all the boos and vitriolic abuse at the loser on the sideline. Sooner or later even someone as thick as Mick will get the message and just go away
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battyblue added 05:09 - Jan 14 Agree with the majority its not the players fault entirely if they are not up to the job they are being asked to do its the Manager and the faceless owner so lets get off the players backs and make sure the disapproval goes where its intended and get the tactical inept pillock out.
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prebsa added 06:09 - Jan 14 Abuse is not the right word. Fans simply state he is not good enough! And he is not good enough so the fans are well within their right to express that in whatever way they see fit!
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tallguy6767 added 06:36 - Jan 14 Re itfcgene...Spot on comments !!
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richnblue added 08:03 - Jan 14 For me the boos at QPR were not aimed at him but our negative stance on play. They were aimed at the management.. That said, Douglas just does not do it for me... He added nothing to that game, nor any other he has played of late..
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thundercat600 added 08:22 - Jan 14 So, players are getting bood by our so called "fans" how can these so called "fans" give a player abuse when he is only doing as he is told by the manager. To these so called "fans" if you do not like what you see there is one answer don't go, no one is forcing you to. How can any football team play with confidence with booing coming from the home supporters
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 08:46 - Jan 14 Thundercat - judging by the attendances of late, those 'fans' are starting to stay away. More would stay away if they hadn't already paid the £400-£650 odd for a season ticket. Just because fans boo, it doesn't make them any less of a fan. They just want the best for the club too and in their opinion, Mick, Douglas and Chambers at RB aren't what's best for the club. MYbe the ones who don't boo are the problem? Happy at just being sheep and lapping up whatever bull the club put out? Happy to plod along in the lower reaches of the Championship?

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DurhamTownFan added 08:48 - Jan 14 Surely a dehree of two faced from several posters here? Suddenly chambers says we shouldn't boo so we all write 'oh yeah, you shouldn't boo' when I'd bet £1 most of you have booed Douglas at some point or teared into him on this site!
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Bert added 11:28 - Jan 14 To boo a player when they come on is a shameful disgrace but it also infects all the players and the crowd. Whilst the management and the players are responsible for poor entertainment and style, the fans are also guilty of making a home game a dispiriting experience. There have been worse times at Portman Road but never has the crowd shown such hostility to players on the field. Criticise after the game not during it and show our younger supporters how to behave.

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jas0999 added 12:19 - Jan 14 Miles - good point. But yes in my opinion MM does have a big ego. He has, on countless occasions, stated that the more times the fans chant for changes, he point blank isn't going to. The man has admitted himself. This was primarily in regards to Tabby.
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blue75 added 12:51 - Jan 14 Anyone who thinks Douglas was booed at QPR is as deluded as McCarthy!! All the booing is aimed at McCarthy his tactics are not the Ipswich way and he should be told!!!
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DirtyOldNodger added 14:42 - Jan 14 I remember being at the game we played against Bornemouth at PR the season before last (I think it finished 2 - 2) and there was a section of fans quite clearly booing at Douglas whenever he got the ball. Didn't matter whether he played well or not, he still got booed. Even then it was pathetic and ridiculous. Mick_Mills_Tache, just because someone pays for a season ticket, doesn't give them a moral right or obligation to boo the team when they aren't doing very well. If the team is performing badly do you really think its going to help any of them to boo them off the park? I'd argue that actually its whinging moaning fans like yourself who are not whats best for the club. Why don't you do one instead - no one would miss you or your £600.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:56 - Jan 14 For me it's a matter of principle. I don't agree with booing your own players. It's just not cricket.
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 13:20 - Jan 15 Dirtyoldnodger- your name says it all. Being a paying customer (especially at those prices), if you do not find something satisfactory, you are well within your rights to complain. Seeing as the only time to we are able to complain is during the two hours we are attending matches....we are well within our right to. Also, as for nobody missing my £600? I think the club will as it only takes another 100 people to feel the same way and that's another £60,000. At the very least, 1000 people didn't renew this year so that's approximately £600,000....if nothing changes this year, it could well be at least double that for next season - £1.2m. Along with the loss in on the door ticket sales, lost revenue in merchandise/programmes and in the food/drink side of it. With the club already running at a loss of over £5m a year, I think the club will miss my £600. Maybe you should get off your high horse and stop being a 'happy clapper'.

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 13:28 - Jan 15 Oh, and having already paid my £600 for my season ticket this season, I already have decided to "do one instead". A couple of months ago. I now either go out watch Leiston or Needham in the Ryman league or I take the wife out shopping or I grab my MTB and take the dog for a ride/run about at Rendlesham. I'm enjoying my Saturdays far more now than I was watching McCarthys turgid hoofball and totally inept tactics. Maybe you should give it a go sometime.

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