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

inghamspur added 13:58 - Jul 24 Good to hear that PH is trying to instil some positive mentality in the players and trying to give them confidence with playing a more passing game. I always thought when we tried the passing game last season that it was just down to the quality of players as 9 times out of 10 it would end up with a big hoof. Possession has to be the way forward in this League ie Fulham & Wolves the best 2 sides to come to Portman Road last season - look where they are now.

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SamWhiteUK added 13:59 - Jul 24 So many games I have seen we look frightened to take a shot. Perhaps that's because the chances weren't created very often and we didn't want to waste them. Bit like watching England vs Belgium
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Barty added 14:31 - Jul 24 Too many times under MM we would sick back on a one goal lead and ultimately end up conceding. I hope under PH we will be more positive and push for the second / third goal. Best form of defence is ATTACK.
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runningout added 14:36 - Jul 24 Positivety is a must. As a pro footballer, if you ain't got it, find it and mix it with arrogance and your there
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cat added 15:20 - Jul 24 Whether PH is a success or not, and I sincerely hope he is, we will one day reflect on the Dark Dino Days and even the hardcore of the anti football Dino brigade will realise exactly what a bad fit he was for ITFC. Good times, ladden with entertainment are upon us, sit back and enjoy the ride!
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SheptonMalletBlue added 15:45 - Jul 24 Once the season starts the dinosaur will be completely washed out of the players system!!
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BlueBlood90 added 15:53 - Jul 24 TractorBoyTommy You say you went to both legs of the UEFA Cup final, well good for you. You're one of the lucky ones who don't really have a reason to moan as you've seen the good times before. Those days were 40 years ago and you need to realise that it's a completely different ball game nowadays. Get behind the boys and they might even surprise you. Until we actually start the season and do badly then there's no real need for your negativity

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tractorboybig added 16:20 - Jul 24 Well you are the manger...……..change it.
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therein61 added 17:44 - Jul 24 A gentle side swipe at the comfortable shoe ins from the previous regime who must now worried that instead of going straight to the dressing room and getting changed they will have to check the team sheet 1st!!! and about flipping time, over to you number 4 & 8 time to step up big time and stop coasting and picking up the fat contract your mate made sure you were given before his inevitable departure.

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Northstandveteran added 17:46 - Jul 24 Tractorboytommy. I'd be negative and bitter had I seen Ipswich win the UEFA cup and enjoyed the Robson era and had to sit through the last few years of durge. Fingers crossed though, let's hope that Hurst is the man to revive our fortunes.
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