Central defender Christophe Berra says drawing too many games has been the Blues’ biggest problem during 2016/17.

Town, who are 17th, nine points off the bottom three with five to play, have drawn 16 times this season - 10 at Portman Road, more than anyone else at home in the Championship - including nine of their last 14 games. The record total of draws in a season was the 20 amassed in the 2009/10 campaign under Roy Keane.

“We’ve drawn too many games, that’s been our problem this season,” Berra told Ipswich Player HD following Saturday's 3-1 loss at Fulham.

“That’s only our second defeat in 12 games, which on paper isn’t a bad record but I think we’ve only won two and drawn eight.

“If we could start converting those draws into victories it would make a big difference. But usually we’re a tough team to beat.”

Reflecting on Saturday’s defeat, in which the 32-year-old netted his second goal of the season, he said: “It was a tough game, we know they’re a good team, they were probably the best team that’s come to Portman Road.

“They had chances and we had a lot of chances as well. It could have been anything, to be honest.”

He added: “It could have been 2-2 10 minutes into the second half, we had two great chances, or maybe three, and that’s football for you. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don’t.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up, we’ve got five games to go and we’ve got to give our all.”

Berra had praise for the 2,500 Town fans who travelled to Craven Cottage: “It’s a great stadium to come to, especially with it being in London, I know with a lot of the other games there’s a lot of travelling involved, but this is one of the local ones.

“They came down, they cheered us on and the players really appreciate that. On another day we could have had three or four goals and it would have been worth their while.

“I think this is the first time I’ve come here and been beaten, I think the last two times we came here we’ve won, so two out of three’s not bad. We’re disappointed but we’ll pick ourselves up and will go again.”

Looking ahead to the Easter fixtures, Berra believes the Blues still have to be wary of getting involved in the relegation battle when they travel to Burton, who are 20th, five points off the drop zone, on Good Friday.

“Mathematically we’re all still in it, so it’s going to be a tough place,” he said. “It’s a small ground, a tight ground, fans will be on top. They’ll be up for it, they’re a good team.

“I know we beat them 2-0 earlier in the season but they played really well, they’ve got a lot of runners, they get people into the box, so we’re going to have to be on it and produce a performance to get the three points.”

Newcastle visit on Monday when Berra says former Blue Daryl Murphy and his team-mates might have something to celebrate.

“The game will maybe be when they seal their promotion,” he reflected. “They’re a big squad, they’ve spent a lot of money but Portman Road for the majority of the time I’ve been here has been a hard place to come to, so we’ve got to keep on making it like that.”

Meanwhile, Town’s U23s are in action away against Millwall at Dartford FC’s Princes Park this afternoon (KO 1pm).

Photo: TWTD

Bluetone added 10:13 - Apr 10 Quote "Christophe Berra says drawing too many games has been the Blues' biggest problem" I disagree the biggest problems have been poor team selection, poor tactics and the presence of McCarthy
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Lightningboy added 10:37 - Apr 10 If you set out to draw every game then you're going to end up with a hell of a lot of draws - i'm sure even Mick "Einstein" McCarthy must realise that....?! God I hope there's some truth in these rumours re the Dutch manager being linked...just anything to give us some hope for a fresh start over the summer otherwise I really do fear for us next season under McCarthy. This "anti-beautiful game/picking all my favourites" attitude from McCarthy is smothering the club. C'mon Marcus..do something positive.

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martin587 added 10:50 - Apr 10 When the team selection is negative then you will get negative results.It all adds up to a Negative manager and faceless owner,I'm afraid.🤔
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Carberry added 10:54 - Apr 10 After a loss he comes out to tell us we had too many draws. How does that work.? And Christophe this was your big chance - you are off back to Scotland so why haven't you at least alluded to the car crash that is our club?
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dangerous30 added 11:12 - Apr 10 Let's just get this season over with and look at building the team with a new manger who will play are younger players and bring in a few more too help us move forward. Christophe has been a good player for this club but by his standards his season has been poor.
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muhrensleftfoot added 11:13 - Apr 10 It's quite simple: 1. Lack of investment by the owner 2. Negative tactics by the manager
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bobble added 11:37 - Apr 10 am i the only fan who feels like i am being treated like a 2 year old by the manager ,the owner and the players ?
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BlueMachines added 12:18 - Apr 10 Weevil. You seem to have forgotten our goalkeeper.
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peteswindon added 14:39 - Apr 10 I think we've only won two and drawn eight.You should blinking well know exactly how many we have won lost or drawn. Hasn't got a clue, does he really care ?
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 15:50 - Apr 10 Not scoring goals has been the problem. Players out of position has been the problem. Not spending money on the team has been the problem. Playing favorites to has been players has been the problem. The manager blaming the fans has been the problem. Our strikers going 20 - 30 games without scoring has been the problem.
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Bluesquid added 16:29 - Apr 10 "On another day we could have had three or four goals..." 'Barcelona' Berra has been playing too much FIFA methinks!
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dukey44 added 18:29 - Apr 10 Yawn yawn he's protecting the boss again one thinks!!
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therein61 added 18:46 - Apr 10 That's the closet he can get to venting his feelings as a pro footballer while still under contract re the managers selection policy, although not the player he has been in previous seasons the poor beggar must have felt like changing his name to Custer with the onslaught the defence has had to endure with the inept display of the so called play breakers in front of him all season, step up Mr Skuse and answer and that one!!!!!!

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therein61 added 18:47 - Apr 10 closet!!! sorry about the typo.
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TimmyH added 19:37 - Apr 10 Interestingly enough we had 15 draws last season - far too many! but as many have said MM lines up not to be beaten rather than going for 3 points.
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terryf added 14:12 - Apr 12 Without Bart 'at least one world class save every game' and unfortunately 'not our Tom' we would definitely be facing a relegation fight. If something doesn't change at the top end. Investment by the Owner and a New Manager with a desire to play entertaining football there will be a mass exodus of season ticket holders next season. As things stand after 57 years as a supporter I will not be renewing. I can count on one hand the number of games I've enjoyed over the past two seasons. These are sad times!!

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madmouse1959 added 17:33 - Apr 12 TOO MANY GAMES YOU HAVE PLAYED IN MR BERRA.
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