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Skuse: Summer Changes Can't Be Used as an Excuse
Monday, 17th Sep 2018 17:17

The theory that Town are paying a high price for making too many summer signings has been dismissed by long-serving midfielder Cole Skuse.

New boss Paul Hurst has introduced 12 new faces to the senior squad since replacing Mick McCarthy and has yet to record a win from his first eight games in charge.

But Skuse, who is in his sixth season as a Town player, said: “You can say that but it’s not as if we signed all the new players on the day before the season started.

“We had the pre-season together but you have to remember we’ve also lost some very, very influential players.

“Waggy provided a large chunk of our goals and assists, and there’s also Garns and Webby, so we’ve lost some good players. If you took them out of any team in the Championship it is going to be a big loss.

“We’ve brought in a large chunk of players and there may have been a big turnaround but you can’t just use that as an excuse.

“There is still a core of us here who have been here for a while and we need to get together and get round everyone to try to drag us through this little slump that we’re in.

“Like I said, there is a core of us here that have been at the club a little while, but it is tough because it was such a large turnaround.

“I’ve been around the game long enough, and Chambo’s been around the game long enough, and you can’t use that as a palm-off or an excuse.

“We’re still in a very competitive league and the new lads are very hungry players. They’re here to progress their careers and it’s a good step-up joining Ipswich.

“We’re trying our utmost to put things right, digging round every avenue, and hopefully it will take a turn soon.”

Asked how he thought Hurst was coping with the situation, Skuse responded: “I’d never worked with Paul before and he’s only been here a matter of months.


"He’s a good guy around the place and he’s forever in contact with the players, both him and his assistant.

“They are not shying away from the fact that we haven’t won a game yet and are still doing their utmost to do all they can to put everything right.

“He’s conducting himself very well. It’s a new level for him, a new challenge and I’m sure he’s going to stand up and be counted.

“As far as I can see, it’s not getting to him. He’s not coming in, slamming the door behind him and sitting at his desk with a blanket over his head.

“His door is always open, he’s very approachable and he’s taking it all on the chin like the rest of us are.”

Skuse acknowledges Town have an important few days ahead, starting with Tuesday’s home clash with a Brentford side sitting second in the Championship and continuing on Saturday when Bolton are the visitors to Portman Road.

“It’s a huge week,” he said. “We’re under the lights on Tuesday night and it’s a big occasion for the club as a whole because of the passing of Kevin Beattie.

“We want to put things right as soon as we can and can’t be chasing the three points forever because the season will soon pass us by.

“We have another home game on Saturday and we’ve got to make the most of it, really digging in deep for each other and picking up the three points. We need everyone behind us at both games.

“If you are chasing the three points for a little while and you see a little gap developing between us and the team above us, it can have a major effect mentally.

“It’s down to the senior guys in the group to get around the others and drag them through.

“We’re staying positive and that’s the best way at the minute. Tuesday night is a big game and a tough game because Brentford are a very good side.

“They go about their business in their own way and have their way of doing things.

“They like to play football the way they do and they’ve had a good start to the season.

“They are always tough opponents. I know we had a positive result against them at home last season but it’s going to be a real tough one for us.”

Skuse reflected on the decision by Hurst to drop Polish international goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski for the East Anglian derby draw with Norwich in favour of Dean Gerken, who retained his place for the 2-0 defeat at Hull on Saturday.

He said: “That didn’t really come as a shock because Dean performs well in training, day in and day out, and is very consistent.

“Maybe because Bart has had three or four great seasons it came as a shock to people but that was the manager’s decision and we’ve got to stick by that.”

Is there a fear factor as players become scared of losing their place in the side? Skuse explained: “I’ve said this before — you never come in here every day thinking your place is safe. I was left out of the side for the Carabao Cup-tie at Exeter.

“The manager is the manager for a reason and if he wants to change the side he can change the side. It was his decision and that’s the way he wants to go.”

Meanwhile, Skuse reflected on the injury he sustained in the clash with the Canaries, which forced his withdrawal before half-time, adding: “It was a tough one to take. I just went to clear the ball from a corner and one of their players caught me on the soft spot of the head, apparently, which is right at the back.

“I’ve gone down quite hard and wasn’t in a good way. It wasn’t nice for my family to see. My wife and children were there and the kids were in tears seeing me getting stretchered off.

“Thankfully, everything is okay and both the ambulance and medical side of things were both brilliant.

“They did everything they could on the pitch and I can only thank them and the fans from both sides because they were brilliant.

“I received a note in the post from Norwich fans wishing me all the best and a speedy recovery, and that was a nice touch.”


Photo: Pagepix



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peteswindon added 17:24 - Sep 17
Skuse for Manager talks more sense
-3

Surco72 added 17:33 - Sep 17
For me Hull game was by far the worst performance of season so far
Gerken, Spence, Chambo , Knudsen, Skuse, Downes and even Graham were ex MM players for the club 7 out of starting 11 , personally think we have been unlucky in earlier games stop panicking and have faith in what you started Hurst with signings
9

carlo88 added 18:25 - Sep 17
"He's conducting himself very well; it's a new level for him". This is a player talking about the manager! Says a lot methinks.
1

monkeymagic added 22:24 - Sep 17
Skuse's comment “and his assistant” doesn't suggest Doig commands his respect.
0

TraktorBoyz added 08:12 - Sep 18
The new players have looked decent it's yourself that looks 2 yards off the pace.
1

Kitman added 11:43 - Sep 18
“Waggy provided a large chunk of our goals and assists, and there's also Garns and Webby, so we've lost some good players. If you took them out of any team in the Championship it is going to be a big loss." Master of understatement there.... I worried that there lies the root of the problem
1


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