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

TonyHumesIpswich added 08:45 - Jul 24 I'm not expecting miracles from Hurst but the more I read the more excited I am about the coming season. Even though our squad is paper-thin, the approach will be different and that is sorely needed to bring back excitement to the club.
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TractorBoyTommy added 08:50 - Jul 24 Looks like this clown Hurst is already coming up with the excuses before he sends us down. Firstly signing mediocre league 1 players at best and now blaming the players mentality.
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TB42 added 09:06 - Jul 24 I have to say I am surprised by some of the negative comments on here, especially questioning Paul HURST's tactics and suggesting our defence will leak goals and we may end up getting beaten week in week out. Firstly, many were fed up with the style of football dished up by MM - this was not only vented regularly on here but also pointedly reinforced by continually falling crowd numbers at Portman Road. Change was needed and that is what we have got. Secondly, Marcus EVANS made it clear (whether we believe him or not) that he acknowledged that change was needed and that he is firmly committed to moving the club forward and he would carefully select a manager that he felt could achieve that for us. He selected Paul HURST from many potential candidates..... When you look at what Paul HURST has achieved in his managerial career to date, far from being thrashed week in week out, to date, he has achieved quite the opposite and if he continues in the same manner presumably, most will be more than happy. My final point is that MM ingrained a way of playing in the squad that is clearly at odds with the style Paul HURST wants to invoke and at the risk of repeating myself, has been successful for him so far. Such fundamental cultural change does not occur overnight, it will take time. Ipswich Town has a long history of not knee jerking to the short term results syndrome and will give Paul HURST ample opportunity to prove himself, we should do the same!!!!

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lightingblue added 09:10 - Jul 24 Nobody's said this for a while. But be careful what you wish for. Lol 😂👍😘
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JewellintheTown added 09:13 - Jul 24 Nice to hear positive expectations from the Manager. Some have mentioned they think it'll take time for players to reverse years of negativity but I suspect any players left over from the Dino days that were positive but not given the chance to show this on field will relish the chance now to prove a point and be released from those shackles. I expect those that take time to get up to speed will have been comfortable with the previous managers expectations rather than hindered by them, and now are being found out. I suspect that's what Hurst was saying before about players who are lagging. Either they step up or they're out. Should see a new and refreshed team soon, hopefully. Onwards and upwards.

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BlueNomad added 09:13 - Jul 24 TractorBoyTommy - poor trolling
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Bluewelshman added 09:15 - Jul 24 In other words we need to get the players out of "Mick Mode".
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itfcgene added 09:22 - Jul 24 Gegenpressing!
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BlueBlood90 added 09:49 - Jul 24 Absolutely spot on in my opinion. These players had it very easy under McCarthy and it was very one dimensional. I really hope we can play the fast attacking football like Hurst wants us to play. We've been starved of excitement and entertainment for so long!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 09:55 - Jul 24 TractorBoyTommy mediocre players what like Nouble, Coke, players like that your messiah used to sign!?
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floridaboy added 09:58 - Jul 24 Think we will be ok this season because it is going to take a while to rid the players who played under the previous manager a while to lose the mentality that he instilled in them. Same as playing the ball on the floor. What I like is that Hurst will not take any prisoners. Do it his way or close the door behind you! Happy that at the moment Chambers is still captain. Players do have a respect for him which will be needed in the early months of the season. Not sure where young Trevoh will play if he does as he was very poor yesterday. Certainly wont be in a back line that is for sure. Would like to see a couple more signings this week, a CB for one, get the injured players back asap and who knows, we might have a decent season. Wont be top six but could be rather entertaining.

1

GiveusaWave added 10:11 - Jul 24 As long as we take a few shots at goal...that's got to be an improvement.... There were a handful of games I've seen in the last few years where we barely mustered a shot at the opposition goal.... I don't understand the negativity on the board...this is clearly going to be a season of building and Hurst needs time to do that. As long as we don't have unrealistic expectations things will be fine....

5

StokeHigh97 added 10:33 - Jul 24 Paul Hurst is bang on the money! Any fan who remembers Fulham QPR Sheff Utd Burton Hull at home last season will find these comments refreshing: no player had freedom they were scared to try something different & it was always Safer to go side 2 side or Backforwards: I've liked every comment Hurst has made! If we have a go & lose, fans are far more forgiving than sitting back waiting to lose or thinking a point at home to Burton is exceptable: I'm also a realist I'm not expecting the team to be blowing teams away & playing glorious football every game: I just want a manager who puts a team out to win: you don't have to be great at maths to realise 3 is better than 1 point:

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marinerswagepacket added 10:44 - Jul 24 brilliant mentality from Hurst, we have the players to do this now with 2 more additions in defence. been waiting for a manager like this since burley left , now's the time for us to stick together get down to Portman rd and have belief in the club that we all love .....I.T.I.D.
2

FrankMarshall added 10:44 - Jul 24 Think we will be ok this season because we do have enough to stay up and I refuse to get into the doom-mongerer mindset. Do need four or five signings between now and the end of the transfer window and I trust in Hurst to get this done. He sounds like a positive manager with a positive mindset and I am looking forward to some high scoring games next season. Paul Hurst is bang on the money and won't be aiming for a 0-0 grinding draw.

3

Lightningboy added 11:09 - Jul 24 Obviously years and years of negative coaching (certainly in an attacking sense) is going to take a while to recover from...bit like those kids coming out of the cave last week and out into the light. So refreshing hearing Hurst's attitude - it may take a while but I hope fans are patient with him.
5

afcfee added 11:27 - Jul 24 Midfield have got to keep possession better we haven't dominated possession against non leauge teams hope we can do better on that front tonight.
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toxtethblue added 11:45 - Jul 24 Tractor boy Tommy-; League Champions FA cup winners Uefa cup winners Vs Mickey mouse cup winners. No wonder you're bitter...
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oldelsworthyfan added 11:59 - Jul 24 It will take time. Remember Alf Ramsey's first match in charge? We lost 2-0 at home to Torquay! Ended the season third.
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TractorBoyTommy added 12:23 - Jul 24 @toxtethblue I went to both legs of the UEFA Cup final so not sure what your logic is? Just because I am not deluded and dont share the same opinon as you, you presume im a N*****h fan?? I am all up for a debate but unfortunately you are to simple minded to have one. I hate to say it but I think we will struggle and can see us get relegated, supporting town for over 50 years I think i am entitled to my opinion

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thechangingman added 13:02 - Jul 24 Oh for goodness sake, give the bloke a chance!! He is here now - end of. He will bring changes - end of. He will be different - end of. Get used to it because this is the way things are going to be now - end of. After all we've been through are folk really going to moan when he wants us to press and be positive. This could well be the beginning of a bright new era and it's incumbent upon us - the FANS - to get behind Hurst and our team. Put another way - why WOULDN'T people want to be positive??? I for one am more upbeat than I've been in a long, LONG time and I can't wait for the new season to begin. In Hurst I trust...

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ArnieMsBigToe added 13:39 - Jul 24 Eh Hursty. If you're reading this, how about seeing if we can get Carter Vickers back on loan for another season?
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Taricco_Fan added 13:43 - Jul 24 “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." Exactly. McCarthy stifled the creativity and freedom of expression of our players, favouring cautious, disciplined play, even at home. It may take some time to knock the McCarthy doctrine out of the squad but Hurst is saying the right things and let's hope he can instil a more positive style of play.

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runaround added 13:47 - Jul 24 I like what Hurst says & it's definitely a change for the better from how things turned out with Mick. Yes it will take time and there will be some poor results along the way but the change had to be made & I for one think Hurst is the right man with the right ideas.
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chripswich added 13:50 - Jul 24 Blimey! Off to surgery to get my ears syringed..can't believe what I'm hearing.. "...and I don't understand why because I'm never going to shout at them for driving at the defender and taking people on..." nah..can't be..I'm off to the doctors
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