Town boss Paul Hurst admitted the Blues put in probably their worst performance of the season as they were beaten 2-0 at home by QPR. Town are still without a home win this season with their last victory at Portman Road the 1-0 defeat of Barnsley back in April in Mick McCarthy’s final match in charge.

“We weren’t good enough, bottom line,” Hurst said. “We were second best. It’s another game where ultimately we certainly didn’t help ourselves yet again and a combination of that and not a good enough reaction overall to going behind made for a very disappointing afternoon.”

Asked whether the type of defensive errors which again led to both goals are tough for a boss to take, he said: “At the end of the day I’m the manager and we all know that whoever’s the manager of the team gets criticised and that’s part and parcel of the job. I understand that and I can accept that.

“Those things, the mistakes, I’ve never been involved in a season - and we’re not even a third of the way through yet - where there have been so many mistakes in that period of time, as a manager or as a player, certainly from memory, admittedly my playing days were some time ago.

“That just makes the task more difficult. And ultimately goals do change games or change moods, change feelings, outlooks, everything.

“There were 77 minutes left plus injury time today were still left when we scored, so there was still lots of time left.

“The penalty was certainly a kick in the teeth right on half-time, not that we had particularly shown signs of getting back in the game, but while it’s 1-0, we’ve had games here where that has changed [from that scoreline] and we’ve seen a much different second half.

“In the second half today, there were naturally some moments which were slightly better but nowhere near enough in terms of realistically getting back in the game.”

He admitted that having got the first win of the season at Swansea, the defeat was more disappointing, although he pointed out after the win at the Liberty Stadium that result wouldn’t be a panacea.

“Obviously sat here now, I certainly wish would have played sooner to see if it would have been any different but overall the mood’s been good,” he said.

“As I said at the time, one victory doesn’t suddenly make you a good team or change everything, but you certainly hope it would have given the players a little bit of confidence and it felt that way around the place looking at them.

“But it didn’t reflect looking at it today, a lot of the same sort of things were happening, misplaced passes, miscontrols, but I have to say today I just felt even the absolute basics of football we were second best.

“We didn’t win enough headers, and I don’t mean as in Freddie Sears, I don’t expect him to out-jump the centre-backs, but in the middle of the pitch.

“How many tackles did we win? How many times did we drive with the ball compared to them to get to those second balls? We didn’t do enough of that, so it was going to be a massive ask to try and get anything from the game when I think there were a lot of things wrong in truth.”

The crowd showed their frustration with boos at the end of each half, which Hurst says he was aware of but feels the Portman Road faithful are far from the harshest supporters.

“Of course, I’ve heard that a couple of times but nothing that players shouldn’t be able to handle,” he added.

“That was just mentioned in the dressing room downstairs. I think the lads that have been around a little bit know that the crowd are far from the worst that they’re going to play in front of in terms of adding pressure and being really disgruntled.

“They show that they are but a lot of them show it in a certain way and not like you get at some places.

“So from that point of view, if they can’t play here then I think they’ll really struggle pretty much anywhere because I think they are willing the team and the players to do well.”

Quizzed on whether that adds pressure going into the next four games ahead of the November international break, he responded: “We’ve got to try to make sure it doesn’t. It doesn’t put us in the best of spirits going to Leeds on Wednesday but ultimately that’s football.

“There’ll be lots of teams good and bad that have days like today in terms of the performance where they just have a bad day and things aren’t right.

“Again, it’s how you react to that, how often it happens. You can look at the table and look at the results, but I genuinely, don’t think we’ve been that bad that often to be where we are in the league, I’ve said about coming out on the wrong side of things. So today was disappointing from that point of view.”

Hurst admitted it was the poorest display of the season at Portman Road if not anywhere: “Certainly the worst at home and probably overall as well. I think at Hull we had a spell where we were better, in truth, and could have quite easily got back in the game. I understand there was frustration today, 100 per cent.”

But he says those two matches aren’t typical of the season as a whole: “Not overall, but at the same time, we’ve got to try and make things happen, haven’t we? As a group, as a squad and I was hoping that having had the victory at Swansea, not changing everything, but getting that monkey off our back that we spoke about, having that confidence and belief to try and make things happen.

“I’ve opened it up in the dressing room and we’ve had a discussion and people have got their own opinions.

“I’ve had my say in there naturally. One thing that came from the players is we can’t keep making it hard with the mistakes we’re making.

“No one goes out to make a mistake but at the same time it does make it a lot more difficult. And when you’re in that sort of run you don’t seem to get too much the other way and it’s difficult to stop that from happening.”

Regarding the mood of the dressing room discussion, was it frank and loud or a more measured debate? “A bit of both some measured, some a bit louder, some look as though they’re a bit in shock almost.

“But let’s not kid ourselves, we were second favourites to be relegated at the start of the season, so we are clearly are not the best team in the Championship.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to make it extremely difficult for the opposition first and foremost to give ourselves a chance of winning games of football and at the minute all we’re doing is giving teams a helping hand more often than not.

“Even at Swansea we showed a much better reaction but the first goal was more a freak, an own goal that I don’t think JD could score again if he tried.

“We’ve got to change that and it’s only the players that can do that because we’re obviously in a hole and we’ve got to try and do everything we can to get out of that.”

Hurst dismissed the idea of a senior figure more experienced at this level coming in as a director of football to help the Blues get out of that hole.

“I find the level thing is not what this is about, that’s my personal view,” he said. “I can accept people have opinions.

“Again, if it was an experienced manager sat here or upstairs, does he suddenly stop the mistakes happening? I think if that did happen, it would be coincidence rather than anything else. No, I don’t really see personally any reason to do that, so I can’t see that happening.”

With the fans starting to get on the team’s back and the team back to bottom of the table, is he worried about his job? “No, I’m kind of past that stage. I know what I’m doing and the effort and also just generally, ultimately working with the group of players that I have got to try get the best out of.

“Are we managing to do that? Clearly at the minute, no. As I said, we’re all in this together, I’ll take my responsibility but the players have to take theirs as well and I think a lot of those, if they were honest and were sat in front you, they would say that they can do better than they’re doing at the minute. That’s part and parcel of football.

“You’re reliant as a manager, when things are going well, the lads are playing well, when things are going bad, they’re not playing well. It’s that kind of give them that confidence or give them that kick up the backside to do better because we certainly need to.’

QPR boss Steve McClaren was pleased with his side’s victory, although felt they had chances to have won more comfortably.

“Very professional, that’s what we said at the beginning, that this is an opportunity and if you’re professional and do your job we’ve got a chance of winning and that’s what they did right from the first whistle, they were ready,” he said.

“We controlled the game, got the goals and saw the game through. A clean sheet, two goals, should have been more and we’ve started the week well. Recover, Tuesday.”

Regarding the first goal McClaren was adamant it should be credited to corner-taker Luke Freeman rather than as a Dean Gerken own goal.

“It’s Freeman’s goal, it was direct, it was going straight in without him [Gerken] touching it.

“[Assistant coach] Matty Gardiner and [assistant manager] John Eustace work really hard on set plays. They’re very important in this league, for and against.

“And with [goalkeeper-coach] Gavin Ward they work tirelessly and we work a lot on set plays and every time we get one we turn around to Matty and Jon and every time we defend one we turn round to Gavin and say, ‘Well done boys’.

“They can make a massive difference. How many games do you see at a weekend and the first goal or the most important goal is a set play? You saw that in the World Cup with England and in this Championship it is very important.

“[The second goal], the same again [from a Freeman corner], it was a definite penalty, well done to the fourth official for spotting that.

“We were a little disappointed not to see the game out easier than we did. You’re always susceptible to conceding one goal which could have lit the fire but credit to the organisation of the team, we kept a clean sheet but we do need to score more goals from the opportunities that we’re creating.”

Photo: TWTD

Cakeman added 21:27 - Oct 20 It's very difficult to add any different views to what has already been said but I feel the need to add my four penneth if only to try to get this afternoons terrible performance out of my head! No getting away from it we were absolute pants. Enough games have been played to realise that we do not have any quality or very little to arrest this slide. The owner should not let this have happen that is true and since he came the club have slowly dropped in standard. Not just on the field but off it too. It is no longer the homely friendly club that was enjoyed back in the day. Paul Hurst is obviously struggling as it appears he cannot settle on his desired team. In truth whovever he picks will not be good enough. That said why he plays players out of position is a mystery. We have no assets left aside from perhaps Bart if he can rediscover his form. We have many youngsters that could be fine if given a run in the team. Unfortunately some are tied into loans away from our club and I do not know if we can recall them? I would imagine deep down that Hurst wishes he did not let them all go. I like Paul Hurst but he needs help from the owner. It may be too late to save us from relegation but I see no point in sacking Hurst now. Whoever comes in would still have the same lack of quality at their disposal. Sadly I cannot envisage the owner spending a lot more money than he has already. It has been mentioned by a few already but we could become the next Coventry. At opposite ends of the A14 but alarmingly there are similarities. My conclusion is that change of owner is the key.

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muhrenmagic added 21:36 - Oct 20 Mr Hirst sadly has to be a statistic of our past managers. The decision to ask him to leave has to be taken this month to enable the clause in his contract to be auctioned avoiding compensation payments. Why wait for further evidence that he is unable to fulfil his role. Promote, Mr Nash before others put him on their pay roll. It's not a hard decision there's no improvement no morale and what's more no idea.

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blrmy added 21:45 - Oct 20 Wake up! The problem is not Hurst, it's Evans! Salve the cause, not the symptom.
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Tufty added 21:45 - Oct 20 Embarrassing
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Brockleyblue added 21:52 - Oct 20 “I genuinely, don't think we've been that bad that often to be where we are in the league.” Paul, please honestly tell us which teams have been worse than us so far in the Championship? Ipswich Town are currently bottom of the league. Let's put this another way: what Championship club(s), hand on heart, do you think should be beneath us right now in the table? Please name them, because I would genuinely love to know. The only vague positive is that somehow, miraculously, we are still only one point from safety, which I find quite incredible given the dire start we have made to this season.

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barrystedmunds added 21:53 - Oct 20 I've heard it all now “McCarthy must be returned”😔
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TimmyH added 21:53 - Oct 20 jog on swn98...I never wished for Hurst as I mentioned the other week but once a manager goes (thank God) it's always a gamble who Evans might pick! (and his track record ain't good).
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blueboy1981 added 22:06 - Oct 20 ........ this man not only talks garbage, he provides it too. I have never seen such an inept performance as today - I just had to leave 20 minutes before the end. We would never have scored if we had played until this time tomorrow, such was the complete cluelessness of everything on show. People refer to the inactivity of Paul Hurst during the game - one reason for that - he wouldn't know what to tell them to do anyway. This is the worst show I think I've ever seen of a Manager being totally out of his depth, not knowing what to do, or what to say. Mr Evans - your 'trying something totally different' hasn't worked' - accept that, react, and redress the situation accordingly. Spare Hurst the need to talk anymore complete rubbish, and serving up any more of the same.

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herobobby added 22:44 - Oct 20 Heading "Worst display of season" Where does this bloke get off Choose all of them bar one........
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FrankMarshall added 22:52 - Oct 20 Disastrous performance today but we are not a top six or top half of the table team so you have to expect that occasionally. Some of the other teams in this division are simply too good for us and we need to hope for the odd bit of luck (Swansea) or on beating teams around us (Preston). We need to get the 3 or 1 point when we are able. QPR different class today and we shouldn't be looking at comparing our team with teams who have premier league strikers. Bit too much doom and gloom here. Just ONE WIN and we could see ourselves be lifted out of the bottom 3. So there is hope still. Hurst just needs more time for the team to gel and show what they are truly capable of. In the post-match interview, Hurst made it clear that we were second favourite for relegation this season so it was always going to be a hard battle from the off. Surviving relegation is and was always the primary target for our club in my opinion. Too many people with too high expectations has created this issue. Coming 4th from bottom would be a major success for our club and if that happens I will be breaking out the champers and cheering. This was always going to be a transition period for our club. COYB!!

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Tractorboy1985 added 23:19 - Oct 20 PaulHurstITFCLegend.. give us a pint what your having mate!! #deluded #getagrip #openyoureyes
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blueherts added 23:35 - Oct 20 Some people on here say they 'like Paul Hurst' why ? The guy is a fraud of a manager . We got rid of past managers who had no Plan B . This clown and his side kick has no Plan A . Get rid now #clueless
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Surco72 added 23:42 - Oct 20 Evans tried to go cheap it hasn't worked , time for a change Hurst is not learning from his many mistakes
8

WaltonBlueNaze added 05:17 - Oct 21 He says we were 2nd favourites for relegation - that's right PH because the bookies know what they are doing unlike you. They realise that you and your big bully have not got the managerial skills to work in the championship. The buck stops with you, the decisions and so called tactics from you are woeful. You are so much out of your depth it's incredible please do the right thing and resign first thing Monday morning - that will give all the fans a huge lift!

4

Swn98 added 07:58 - Oct 21 Strange how all those shouting for the end of the reign of our last manager are the same ones shouting the loudest for the removal of this one. You hounded out the man best able to do the job with the resource's available this is what we've ended up with.In 45 years I've never been so bored with the whole ITFC experience as I was yesterday. ITFC as I've known it died at Brentford away last season. R.I.P.

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beornioblue added 08:12 - Oct 21 How many times/people need to say it before you adjust it PH we need two up top, we need a defence of good players and chambers and Pennington were ok yesterday the two cart horses you've brought in wow...just wow they were bad. Leaving Freddie ,who worked his a$$ off yesterday, up front on his own when were 2-0 down at home was the last straw for me. Sorry PH out you go, I fear you suffer the same stubborn arrogance as your predecessor. The dictionary definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result !!! PH you're clearly insane then.

1

frantblue added 08:21 - Oct 21 The man has list the dressing room no doubt. He's out if his depth is killing the club we would be better with Nash and Hogg we have the players. They just need belief that they can. And Mr Hurst you don't seem to be able to install this Team for Wednesday needs to be Bart Donacian rb Knunsden lb Chambers cb Pennington cb Edwards Ward Scuse Dozell Jackson Sears .round pegs in round holes Send the lad from wolves back. But we are merely fans what do we know.

4

SpiritOfJohn added 08:43 - Oct 21 Still suffering from yesterday's depressing performance. The Mrs wanted to know if Hurst is worse than McCarthy. I reluctantly conceded that he is considerably worse as a football manager, but at least he hasn't told the fans to Foxtrot Oscar on national TV.
3

norfolkbluey added 08:48 - Oct 21 Dooooooooooooooooomed we're all dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed. Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic. Mr Mannering (alias Paul Hurst) will get us out of this pickle. I have never heard so many negative comments in 68 years as a supporter Mr Evans. Surely this must mean something to you. How did you become one of the richest men in GB and not sack this manager at once. Is it pride at having made yet another bad decision about hiring a bad manager. You certainly seem to have made some really dire decisions about football managers since you kindly rescued us financially. Pick your next one from the top shelf not the bottom one because this just has not worked. You are beginning to look like Pike just a little wet behind the ears!

5

GFH added 08:56 - Oct 21 What a joke this is becoming you can't rip the spine out of the club and expect it to be OK. Give PH any longer and we will be relegated get Burley in now to stop the rot.
2

warwickblue added 09:18 - Oct 21 As if things could be any worse, I think the bookies had us as second favourites to go down before we had even finished selling off most of our previous squad. What the odds would have been if they'd read today's team sheet I can't imagine. I'm not blaming the players, I feel sorry for them.
0

brittaniaman added 09:18 - Oct 21 Perhaps a new manager might put round pegs in round holes for us to go forward ????
3

Dissboyitfc added 09:38 - Oct 21 personally i am still 100% pleased MM has gone,his time to go had come, now hurst's reign must come to an end and he must go, the gamble hasnt paid off! The final straw for me is playing players out of position. Take Knudsen for instance i am not a fan, but he is an international LB who was on the bench and we had a fourth division ( lg 2) RB playing there, WTF! All this business of one up front at home! our youngsters like Wolfie josh and Nydam out on loan, better than what he has brought in! This is a mess, although i dont believe its terminal if Evans acts now, any longer and we are relegated! Evans do it!!!!

4

roytheboy added 09:39 - Oct 21 A team (not really a team) dominated by out of their depth 1st division players, while 2 International players sit on the bench, a Manager well out of touch with Championship requirements, an owner who appears to put up with just about anything as long as he keeps his money safely in his pockets, what more can we expect, Bart is the best keeper and should be playing EVERY game, Hurst appears to me to be very stubborn, possibly more than McCarthy, although Mick was a better Manager, we all wanted change (including myself) but not the change we have sadly inherited.

3

floridaboy added 09:41 - Oct 21 frankblue, what player from Wolves? Agree on the team for Leeds. Pennington needs to be at the centre of the defence and Jackson and Sears need to be up front. Hurst blames the players. He picks the team and the so called tactics. Tactics he and his sidekick are obviously happy with. He has to take all the blame. Playing players out of position is not their fault!! Playing a midget up top is not the midgets fault! Many were happy with the appointment at the end of the day. Don't blame Evans. Hurst has had cash to spend, bought in from the sale and wages of players who didn't want to be here!! Lose against Leeds and a change MUST be made. We can get out of the bottom three. Confidence is part of the problem. The players don't have any in the management and their style!

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