Blues boss Paul Hurst says he wants to see a more positive approach from his players, believing that they sometimes seem a little “fearful” and that there may be a “little bit of a hangover” from last season. Town visit the MK Dons for their penultimate pre-season friendly this evening (KO 7.45pm).

Hurst, who feels his squad needs augmenting, Bristol Rovers striker Ellis Harrison having become his fourth addition last night, says he can’t criticise the players’ endeavour but feels they need to be more forward-thinking.

“I don’t think I have to send that message out, I think the fans can see that the players do need some help, as I said on Tuesday, and nothing’s changed since then, they need some competition.

“The group are working hard, there’s no doubt about that. I can’t fault their attitudes, I just think there’s still perhaps a little bit of a hangover from what they’ve been used to, things like that.

“We’re trying to change a bit, perhaps, the mentality around the group, which takes time, but we want them to be a little bit more positive in everything that they do and I think that sometimes they look almost a little bit fearful.

“I look at our wide players on some occasions, they do something good and then they turn back towards their own goal, and I don’t understand why because I’m never going to shout at them for driving at the defender and taking people on.

“I want to be sat on the side or stood on the side whatever it may be excited because there are little moments in games when you turn into a fan and then you have to remember what job you’ve got and get things right.

“But that’s what fans want to see, the closing down. I thought we did it OK at times, Jordan Roberts had an opportunity in the first half [at Barnet] which just flashed past the post, which was exactly what we’re looking for; people on the front foot.

“Sometimes we still seem a little bit cautious to really go all out. If they get past us, they get past us, then we have to work hard to get back.

“And in possession, like I said, just be a little bit more positive. And again, we’ve just had a good chat about that and hopefully they’re very clear about what we want and it’s not a case of digging them out, that’s not what that’s about, it’s just about everyone understanding exactly what we’re after and enjoying their football.”

Hurst is likely to take the same approach tonight as he has in the last two friendlies with most of his senior players - Harrison probably among them - used from the start and a handful of youngsters coming off the bench in the second half.

Photo: Pagepix

bobble added 06:07 - Jul 24 most players in the Ipswich camp are psychologically damaged from a decade beginning with the dark lord and ending with his greatest foe mick mcCarthy, and their inept management....we will see very soon if things are going to get better for fans, but for the players there may be no cure...maybe a complete cull of the damaged goods is the answer..
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Benters2 added 06:09 - Jul 24 He lists all the things Mick Mac asked the players to do especially the turn back towards goal.
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terry_butchers_twin added 06:19 - Jul 24 Re the headline, would be great to have a more positive mentality from posters on this site!!
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Cakeman added 06:25 - Jul 24 It could take quite a long time for the longer serving players to change their mindset. With some it just may not happen. The new players will be fine as they know no different so will play with the positive approach that PH requires. Not a five minute fix though and this season may be a season of change and development, maybe coupled with a desire to actually winning a Cup game as well.

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trncbluearmy added 06:29 - Jul 24 Excellent,first time I have read him have a little go at Dino (who deserves it) Lot of rebuilding to do but signs so far are spot on,this season may well be a bit up and down, but remember Sir Bobby he had a similar job to do as well. In Paul Hurst we really do trust!
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northerngeezer added 06:30 - Jul 24 As fans now is a time that we need to support our players. This squad is not the finished article it is a work in progress. At home and away (but more so at home) we need to be behind the team. We need to be patient. COYB
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itfcbam added 06:41 - Jul 24 Spot on northern blue. People also need to be more realistic, on a lower end of the table budget we aren't easily going to make top end of the table. Everything will have to be in tune, including us (the supporters). The previous manager achieved high positions than the resources given to him so it is possible (and that was with supporters nowhere near united behind the team). We have moved on from then as a more attractive style is needed but we have to be patient but stay positive otherwise we are killing the new era before it even has chance to start.

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casper16 added 06:42 - Jul 24 What a wonderful thing to hear. This is exactly what I wished for. A manager who actually encourages attacking play. Can't wait for the season to start
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dangerous30 added 06:48 - Jul 24 I thought at times last season we defended well as a team and I hope we still can do that. What we never really had was the pace to hurt on counterattack so I hope we can get the balance right.
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Simonds92 added 07:01 - Jul 24 This is so good to hear! Last season we were crying out for someone to go in to that group and try and give them confidence. We've had 5 years of our wingers being told to defend the opposition full back rather than going to attack them. I think the players we have are technically a lot better than many think its just they need that encouragement and bravery on the ball.

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bedsitfc added 07:09 - Jul 24 For all the good things MM did for us I think he made players feel inadequate. His style was to match everyone up no matter if it was the league leaders or the bottom side home or away. I believe this tells the players your not good enough to win in your own right.
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Wooly added 07:21 - Jul 24 All the commentsyou would expect to hear, but sorry guys I'm still to be convinced that the club have taken the right direction. Will be interesting to hear what the excuses are when one of the quality Chanpionship sides come to PR and tear us apart with our more positive football??? These comments are designed at getting the fans on side and little else. We are clearly lacking goals at present and I hope like all Town fans that the young lad brought in yesterday brings some with him. The issue we have had for many, many, many years at our beloved club is that we lack quality and goals from midfield. Until we address that we will always be at this level... Please, please, please Mr Hurst for the love of god prove me wrong this season!!!!

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ArnieM added 07:30 - Jul 24 Poor old Hurdt is now trying the break the McCarthy indoctrination of “proper blokes, sit back and defend first , second and last “. Most of our players get a nose bleed if they dare to venture over that half line. Sad legacy really .
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fergalsharkey added 07:33 - Jul 24 Just remember though he is stepping up a level and when you lose possesion in this league you are more likely to face danger quicker than you are jn league 1 and 2. I like the sound of it but our defence doesnt look complete yet so a bit fearful of early season tonkings.
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Karlosfandangal added 07:38 - Jul 24 The fans did not help last season, the way they booed and jeered the team..... we understand why as we were all frustrated with the football, but most of the players were playing the way the gaffer had told them to play. Having said that the amount of stick the Skuse and Chambers get on here is shameful really. Get behind the team for a change.
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Jewels added 07:43 - Jul 24 Brilliant PH. I was at the game on Sat and must say Emmanuel was the best player out there, he ran forward at every opportunity as he is used to playing that way from his loan spell last year. It didnt come natural to Kenlock as yet although he did make the run for the goal. Our existing players would rather play the easy ball backwards than take a chance with playing slightly harder ball to an attacking player in space asking for ball.

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H1960 added 07:50 - Jul 24 What a breath of fresh air Hurst is, trying to change years of negativity instilled into the players by the previous manager. This will take time and we may have to suffer a bit along the way but I am with him 100% COYB
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eddiespearitt03 added 07:53 - Jul 24 Paul Hurst is saying all the right things. There was a culture of players having an easy time under McCarthy. In return the quality of football and supporters suffered. Most fans supported the idea of MM being sacked after the Lincoln FA Cup exit because many of us knew McCarthy did not want the extra workload of cup games. Let us hope our new manager can weed out the non performers. A need to build a more honest solidarity without silly nick names and favouritism. A new era where a player has to earn his selection. No more passengers.

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BloomBlue added 07:53 - Jul 24 Not surprised the players feel like that with all the booing by the fans last season, even booing some the youths.
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H1960 added 07:56 - Jul 24 Sorry Eddiespearrit great poet sorry I marked you down by mistake
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MVBlue added 08:10 - Jul 24 If he can make Skuse a positive attacking player then he is a mircale man. Good words from Hurst, the Ipswich way is outscoring not 1-0 I believe.
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crazyblue68 added 08:15 - Jul 24 I just wonder how long people take to throw their toys out the pram, when we start getting beaten week in week out, because of tac tics which dont appear to include defending.
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1RWR added 08:23 - Jul 24 BloomBlue: Think you are a tad harsh & factually incorrect. As far as I know, no youth was ever booed directly. All I can think of was, Barry Cotter got sub'd on 70 mins & the fans booed the manager not the player. To be fair, had you endured all the crap last season that I/we did, I don't begrudge anyone voicing their opinion. But, that's all in the past now. New manager, new tactics, new players......I for one just can't wait for the season. If we get beat every now & again, so be it, it just can't be any worse than the last few seasons! The future is blue, the future is ITFC.

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carsey added 08:38 - Jul 24 I'm not expecting miracles but the more I read from Hurst the more I am thinking the coming season will be exciting and entertaining.
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Palestine added 08:43 - Jul 24 Seems he's hit the very obvious nail on the head here. 5 years of anti-football and trying to sneak a 1-0 from a set-piece. Imagine it will take awhile to change this ingrained approach but I'm sure it's possible. Evolve or move on! Good times ahead! COYB!!
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