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

BeattiesBackPocket added 16:18 - Jul 18 @meekreech I agree id like to see the manager get more money and the owner show hes not just in it for possible tax right offs however who are you to say these players wont be of the quality needed? What because they come from lower league clubs? Granted they have been hit and miss under Mick but dont forget most of the players under Burley and Lyall (Two promotion winning sides) were lower league players and youth team players so who knows not me and you thats for sure .

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