Paul Hurst was happier with the performance of his Ipswich side as they overcame Crawley Town 1-0 at the GAC Stadium in East Grinstead.

A first-half goal from Grant Ward was enough to please the Town boss, after the dismal performance at Braintree on Saturday.

“It was better, I watched the Braintree game over the weekend and I stand by what I said, but a lot of what I talked about was the decision-making on the ball. Tonight was a lot better,” he said.

“I thought we played forward more tonight, we looked quite bright, and more of a threat than we did at the weekend. It was a difficult surface although the weather wasn’t helping.

“Crawley were watering the surface as best they can, and we’re grateful for that. But the players put on a better performance.

Tristan Nydam was lively in the first half, but was taken off after struggling after the break, and Hurst believes he may need to temper his enthusiasm.

“Tristan was the one prime example of us pressing, he ran himself into the ground, and he looked tired quite quickly.

“At half-time I had a chat with him — I love his enthusiasm and I always love pressing, but you’ve got to be careful especially when you’re playing against better players who can put you off,” he added.

“So you’ve got to do that at the right times, to force mistakes, but I think the lads are gradually understanding what we’re after.

“It was a step forward tonight although certainly not near where we want to be. But at the same time you wouldn’t expect us to be there yet.

“There were more positive signs, and I think there was a more positive mindset in terms of playing forward.”

The game saw the debut of Gwion Edwards from Peterborough, who had joined on Tuesday and played for the whole second half — showing an impressive turn of pace.

“The first time he picks up the ball he goes past his man and the fans here tonight had that little gasp, he had a good half an hour and then probably blew up,” said Hurst.

“He showed in small bursts why we bought him in — he can go past players very easily and it’s competition in that wide area.”

With the Championship opener against Blackburn at Portman Road looming, Hurst admitted he is still looking to add to the squad.

“I still want to bring more players into the football club, to add to the squad. We’re certainly nowhere near the finished article, in the numbers and hopefully the quality as well,” he said.

“My message to the players beforehand was don’t give me another Braintree, otherwise it’s going to make my job too easy.

“I need them to start stepping up and show that I can have faith in them. Some of them played 90 minutes tonight. They will feel it but they’ll benefit from it.

Hurst gave updates on Tom Adeyemi and Joe Garner, who missed the trip to Crawley as well as Braintree.

“In Tom’s case we’re hoping he might train Thursday, although that’s not set in stone.

Joe might be just a little bit longer than that, but hopefully not too much longer. Next week I would have thought.

“Joe has felt his knee — he had a little injection last Friday and rested it over the weekend. Tom is his Achilles which is not unusual at this time of the season. The ground is hard.”

Photo: TWTD

rfretwell added 23:04 - Jul 17 Well the grounds are going to be hard for several weeks to come unfortunately for Tom!
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Gforce added 23:16 - Jul 17 Good to hear more signings are probably on the way,urgently need more quality in central defence and right back,another decent striker wouldn't go amiss either. Great to see Mr Hurst making his mark and stamping his authority nice an early.
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runningout added 23:20 - Jul 17 One sick note is one too many, and we have a few. Two of them had same issues at previous clubs. We took a risk with them for sure
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algarvefan added 23:35 - Jul 17 I like him straightforward and a man with a plan. Looking forward to seeing what he and the team can produce. I'm expecting top half but the style of football is the most important thing to me...........oh and winning of course!!
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bedsitfc added 23:47 - Jul 17 Let's not expect too much this season The club is going through a major transitional period I expect lower to mid table finish but a team looking to try and win rather than contain opponents
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bobble added 00:05 - Jul 18 we should be beating these sides 5,6-0
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PositivelyPortman added 06:29 - Jul 18 Runningout - those sick notes you speak of were unfortunately part of PH's inheritance from the previous manager.
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Dog added 07:03 - Jul 18 Of course more signings are needed when you can only name 6 subs in a pre-season friendly. Sort it out ME.
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fergalsharkey added 07:08 - Jul 18 Bobble ya knob. Who are we then 1992 AC Milan? Off you gew.
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oldtimer3 added 07:16 - Jul 18 bobble didnt you watch the world cup japan south korea come to mind little chance of causing an upset one did and one almost did. Town won and played much better thats the main thing.
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oldtimer3 added 07:16 - Jul 18 bobble didnt you watch the world cup japan south korea come to mind little chance of causing an upset one did and one almost did. Town won and played much better thats the main thing.
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Stato added 07:20 - Jul 18 A lot of emphasis on wingers but no aerial strength up front. It wasnt a great surface but that doesnt explain why the only shot on goal was our goal. No doubt Hurst will get the boys performing but we might have to be patient
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Karlosfandangal added 07:30 - Jul 18 Not expecting too much this season as he starts to build his squad. Better football but still a mid table finish and pushing for the play off next season.
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TractorBoyTommy added 08:00 - Jul 18 Should never have let Mick go, he always overchieved with a poor team that should of been relegated for the last 3 seasons. this clown hurst will be getting us relegated. league one here we come!
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ArnieM added 08:18 - Jul 18 Sling ya hook scummer
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BobbyBell added 09:04 - Jul 18 He wants us to press hard and force mistakes. Brilliant! I love that and he wants us on the front foot. I love everything this guys has said this week. No mention of proper blokes just sensible options and explanations.
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TractorBoyTommy added 09:47 - Jul 18 @ArnieM arr so if you dont agree with someone elses opinion you get abusive, typical snowflake
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hopefulblue added 09:48 - Jul 18 bobble I've seen a few of your posts on the threads, you have to be the most depressing guy on here your comments are nothing more than pathetic
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BlueBlood90 added 09:50 - Jul 18 What's the situation with Huws and Bishop? I thought they were coming back for pre-season. It's really important we get them ready to add some much needed creativity to the squad. Adeyemi needs to sort himself out too. Been nothing but a sick note so far.
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RRanger added 10:45 - Jul 18 Having gone to East Grinstead to watch the match v Crawley its worth pointing out that both Chambers and Skuse played the full 90 minutes and in my opinion both played well.I was also quite impressed with Wolfenden who I hadn't seen before. I would think that Skuse is nailed on to start v Blackburn whichever midfielders are available. One of the things I find on this site is that probably the majority of fans here think Skuse is a waste of space (I don't) but I suspect most in the football business (managers,Coaches, players etc) would take the opposite view: a very solid DEFENSIVE midfielder which every team needs.I believe this season he will be the base that PH constructs his young midfield around. Chambers I suspect will also be (at least initially) a first choice pick.

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martin587 added 11:42 - Jul 18 RRanger, Living in Southend it was a nice easy drive to East Grinstead.I agree with you entirely about Skuse.He had a very good solid game and yes I also think he will be a permanent fixture during the coming season.I also felt Chambers had a good game and was very vocal. Whether he plays all season though remains to be seen. Still a long way to go but the style of play was pleasing and we are prepared to attack more and get more players in the third half and not just sit back like MM's teams. Promising start,still a few positions to be filled as yet and I'm sure they will arrive soon. By the way,Hurst is not a clown just a young manager proving he can compete with the the best.Give the man a chance.Comments like that are unjustified and senseless.That was not an opinion,but a slur on his integrity.

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Bergholtblue added 12:32 - Jul 18 For the last few years there have been posts on this site crying out for MM to snap up young players from the lower leagues, to give them a chance to shine. Now we have some its still doom and gloom from some who say we lack quality and experience! For the last few years there have been desperate pleas for a team to go out and win rather than not to lose; to get a young exciting manager with plenty of ambition. Now e have just that, he is a clown! I just don't get it. I for one do not expect automatic promotion, I don't expect a play off place; I am not even certain that we will finish in the top half, but I do expect more entertainment than the last 2 seasons and I am sure I am going to get it.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 14:16 - Jul 18 People need to realise it took Burley more than a season to assemble a promotion winning side and side that could get us in the play offs, John Lyall also came in and had a defensive side and completely changed the way we played however the rest of that season he came in nobody would have guessed we'd be promoted as champions the season after. Give the new guy time if we get into the play offs this season or even near it then great but if not he needs time to build. It makes me laugh that mainly the people that want him to fail and moaning are the ones that were willing to give Mick even more time and he had 5 seasons and signed over 80 players!! EIGHTY PLAYERS!! lol

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meekreech added 14:19 - Jul 18 If you are satisfied with the transfer business done so far , 1 loanee +1 freebie + 1 player who spent a large part of last season injured , your expectations for the future must be rather limited . Instead of keep praising the signing of wingers it could be more appropriate for you to be worrying about the lack of defenders and the quality in general of the players available and being linked .

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corfu72 added 14:33 - Jul 18 Meekreech, Quality players cost good money,something this club does not have so the manager has know alternative but to look for bargain basement players.Surely your aware of the situation at the club.
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