Skipper Luke Chambers says he can't wait for the Blues’ disastrous 2018/19 campaign to be over, with Leeds visiting Portman Road for the final game of the season on Sunday, and says he's put his celebratory fist-pumps on hold until Town's form drastically improves.

Writing in his column in Sunday’s programme, Chambers said: “Has the fact that we will be playing in League One next season sunk in yet? No it hasn’t. I’m the leader of the team and I’ll always keep going but I’m being honest again, I can’t wait for the season to be over.

“It’s a disaster what’s happened. Let’s have it right. A disaster - football-wise it is. You can dress it up as much as you like, we’ve been relegated. It flaming hurts and we have to react. Everyone’s position should be questioned. I’m no different.”"

Turning his thoughts to next season, the 33-year-old added: “We will come back for pre-season and I know there will be a lot of optimism about the place.

“I’m sure we will bring in some more players and freshen the squad up for next year. Everyone needs to be ready to hit the ground running.

“We will be one of the biggest teams in the league next season. That will be through history, the size of the club, the fanbase. The goal for us is to bounce back straight away. We want to build a team that can go again.”""

Over his seven years with the Blues Chambers’s fist-pump victory celebration has become a familiar sight, although a rare occurrence during this campaign, however, he says it will be on hold until form takes a significant step in the right direction.

“It’s something the fans took to and ran with,” he reflected. “We won at Bolton and supporters may have being waited for it but that was a ‘thanks for your support’. That was no fist pump celebration. We have to improve drastically here before we see that again.”

Chambers, who recently signed a new two-year deal, paid tribute to the Blues’ support: “It’s the first time I’ve been relegated. I’ve had a couple of years where there has been a threat and in those circumstances you are getting pelters from the fans.

“You have to respond. You don’t get cheered off when you are beaten. We have done here though this season. Don’t get me wrong, the support we’ve had has been brilliant. The fans are the ones - the only ones - who deserve credit this season.

“We should be getting pelters though. We should be going to them with our tails between our legs. We should be expecting some expletives coming in our direction.”"

Photo: TWTD

JackSted added 14:39 - May 3 Neither can us Luke... neither can us
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Dolphinblue added 14:46 - May 3 True....but cannot wait fot next season! Whoop 😀😀😀😀
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Dolphinblue added 14:46 - May 3 True....but cannot wait fot next season! Whoop 😀😀😀😀
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clint_eastwood added 14:50 - May 3 Well, you're so awful, Luke. I can't wait for you to leave! Yeah, go on people....gimme the thumbs down!
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Cakeman added 14:57 - May 3 Very true it's been a horrible season. Chambers speaks well and honestly which is good. Unfortunately he receives a lot of stick from some supporters. In some people's eyes he cannot say anything right which I think is undeserving.
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Dolphinblue added 15:09 - May 3 Oh go on then Clinteastward....just this once 😋
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Toperz added 15:14 - May 3 Chambers will be doing donkey rides all summer if anyone misses him
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hampstead_blue added 15:18 - May 3 I still can't believe Chambers got a two year contract.....TWO YEARS!!!! Pinch me....
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ITFCBlog added 15:19 - May 3 I think you're getting ahead of yourself, Phil - the 2019/20 season hasn't started yet!
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Smithy added 15:24 - May 3 Oh well another year of hell then "Skipper Luke Chambers says he can't wait for the Blues' disastrous 2019/20 campaign to be over"
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Wishing4arightback added 15:44 - May 3 Hopefully you will play better next year! Dropping a level may help him, if not, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE show you do care for the club and the honorable thing and stop playing.......
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PhilTWTD added 15:54 - May 3 Typo spotted and amended!
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PhilTWTD added 15:55 - May 3 Been a long season!
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:03 - May 3 yes several weeks too long Phil.
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BarbelBoy added 17:04 - May 3 I have supported Town for 55 years and hate to criticise the club or anything connected to it and, in fact, this is the first time I have vented my utter frustration about any individual player. I get it that Luke is a good club captain and that he does a lot of things off the pitch which are to his credit BUT everyone who dons the shirt on a Saturday afternoon has to be able to justify their selection and frankly I don't think that can be said of Luke for the last two seasons at least. Check out the videos of the goals we have conceded over the last couple of years and you surely can't come to any conclusion other than he has been found wanting time and time again. He has not only been weak as an individual but in my opinion has rarely shown any true leadership qualities. Despite his PR as the focal point for the team he is often very quick to point the finger at and berate others. Many years ago a trusted work colleague offered me two pieces of advice both of which are I feel rather apt for Luke. The first was that your greatest strength in life was to know and acknowledge what your weaknesses were. The second was that growing old does not automatically provide a person with experience and good judgement. Both of those things have to be earned. When I watch Luke on the pitch I see a player who lacks pace, is often flat footed and regularly gets caught out of position and, sadly, who doesn't seem able to make up for those deficiencies by his tactical nouse. In short, and I don't really like saying this, someone who is well passed their sell by date as a Town player. If Luke really was the wise old pro' he purports to be then he would surely recognise his own faults and weaknesses and, for the greater good of the team as a whole, would stand down and let someone else take his place.

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Gforce added 18:19 - May 3 Barbelboy Great post,totally agree.Chambers was our forth choice centre half three years ago,now he's supposedly first choice,baffling. Still think we also need two experienced full backs for next season.
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ITFCsince73 added 18:22 - May 3 The poorest captain in the clubs history. Leading the team down to the 3rd tier after all these years. The players who took part in it should be ashamed, as for captain fantastic, he should have already given the arm band in. The team leadership needs urgent redress....but it should be him personally to give up the captaincy. Our win rate over past 75 games is way past shocking....and until the captaincy is changed, no promotion party...far from it.

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RobsonWark added 18:56 - May 3 Chambers says "We should be expecting some expletives coming in our direction.Ӊ۬ Here's one... F*** O** OUT OF THIS GREAT CLUB CHAMBERS!!!
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