Wing-back Gwion Edwards admitted Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to his former club Peterborough United has hurt everyone at the club. 
Edwards was one of the few Blues players to come out of the game with much credit as Posh picked up their first win at Town in 60 years and their first ever league victory at Portman Road.

“It’s not nice to lose any game but to lose at home like that in front of our home fans has really hurt us and hurt the fans, it’s hurt everyone at the club,” Edwards said. “We need a reaction now and go again.

“I’m not going to say what’s been said [in the dressing room], we keep that to ourselves but it’s obvious that it wasn’t good enough.

“In the first half we were actually playing well, I thought. I haven’t seen it back but a few people said it was a penalty, I’m not too sure, but I think it was.

“That changed the game and then we’ve gifted them another goal. But even then we were still actually getting a lot of the ball, we were creating chances and I think we’d got the next goal then we’re actually still in the game but they’ve put the game to bed and that’s not good enough from us.”

Reflecting on what was a an evenly-balanced first 20 minutes, he added: “I don’t remember chances that they actually created, I think we dealt with what they were throwing at us and then [Siriki Dembele] has gone down for the penalty.

“That’s changed the game, then we’ve gifted them another goal and the next goal is crucial, we’ve got to get it and we didn’t.”

Regarding Will Norris’s error for the second goal, Sammie Szmodics having taken the ball off the on-loan Wolves keeper inside his six-yard box, Edwards said: “Everyone makes mistakes, even at the top level, you see it in the Premier League, people make mistakes.

“It’s not ideal, you’d like him to kick it away, but you’ve got to put your arm round him, get your head up and we go again.

“We’ve obviously tried to go again, we haven’t had the reaction we needed, they’ve got the goal and it’s changed the game completely and we’re chasing it.”

He added: “Will’s been brilliant for us in goal, he’s made some really top saves that have kept us in games and probably won us games this season. Tomas [Holy] as well, when he’s played he’s been brilliant.

“We’ve gifted them a goal, it happens, it’s a mistake but now we need a reaction this week and we go again at Sunderland.”

Looking ahead to the visit to the Stadium of Light, he said: “Every game’s tough from the start of the season to now and it’s going to be even tougher from now in, they’re going to come thick and fast and we’ve got to react now, dust ourselves off, put this game behind us.

‘We’ve got to go again this week, work hard and turn up on Saturday and have a reaction.”

Town, who are down to fourth, five points off the top, haven’t won a game against a team currently in the top eight, drawing six and losing four. Asked why he thinks that’s the case, Edwards said: “I’m not sure, I don’t look at the stats so I didn’t know that.

“As I say, we’ve got to react, every game’s a big game and you can’t think you’re going to win the game coming into it, we’ve got to do better.

“Today, I think in the first half we were playing well and if we’d nicked a goal we’d probably have put the game to bed ourselves and we’d probably go on to win.

“But, as I said, [the penalty] changes the game, now we need a reaction this week, we’ve got to turn up on Saturday.

“The fans are brilliant for us, home and away, so hopefully the travelling fans on Saturday can come home with three points.”

The 26-year-old could empathise with supporters after such a disappointing afternoon: “Of course, we’ve all got frustrations, everyone, fans, us, everyone. It’s hurt us all, we’re all in it together, so they’ve got to stick by us, we’ve got to stick by them and we go again and have a reaction Saturday and get the three points.

“There’s a long way to go and we’re still right in it. It’s not a crisis. We need a reaction, every game’s big from now on and we’ve got to turn up every game from now until the end of the season, there’s no reason why we still can’t do it.”

Edwards will miss the trip to Wearside having picked up his 10th booking of the season, which means he is subject to a two-game ban.

“It was a bit of a soft one to be fair, I’ve not really touched him, but what can you do?” he reflected ruefully. “I’m not going to say too much on it, I’ll probably get done.

“It’s one of those things. I’ve not really touched him, he’s done down really softly and it’s cost me two games now.

“It’s really frustrating. I think of the yellows I’ve had, some were yellows and some haven’t been yellows, but the referees on the day have decided they were and no one can do anything about that.

“But it’s cost me and it’s cost the team because I’ve had a good run of games and now I’m out for two games.

“But we’ve got replacements to come in, they’ll come in, the manager will pick his team and I’ll be ready to go when I’m back in.”

Edwards, primarily a winger, says he’s got to grips with playing at right wing-back the more he has played there.

“I’ve had a run of games, and as a team we have as well, we’ve got better and better after Christmas apart from the last two games, which have hurt us,” he said.

“We’ve got to react now, go again, the boys who go up to Sunderland will have that reaction and obviously I’m ready to go when the ban’s up.”

He added: “I’ve played on the left all my career and when I have played wing-back I’ve played left wing-back.

“But I’m right-footed so there’s no reason why I can’t play right wing-back. I personally think I’ve done well when I’ve played there.

“I think every player wants a run of games and I think I’ve got better and better, not that I was playing badly when I did play [earlier in the season], but if you’re playing every week you’re obviously going to get better.”

Photo: TWTD

BeattiesBackPocket added 14:54 - Feb 3 Very we don't have as good a squad as you think that's shown by the fact we haven't beaten one side in the top 7 yet so unless we finish automatically what on earth makes you think we'll beat them in the play offs? Noones saying it would be easy to sell the club however why is it the managers and players get grief on match day but Evans gets nothing tell me WHY shouldn't he know it's not good enough?? Let's be honest the debt is his he's made it and where is it?? Not on the playing staff he's sold any quality we've had cheaply when other clubs with half the gates like Brentford hold out for proper market prices Maupay went for over £16 million we sell waghorn who was worth over 35 goals in one season either scored or made and went for a fraction of that, Webster we sell for 5 million year later Bristol city hold out for over 25 million and turn down numerous bids until they get current market price! Evans sells cheaply and every club knows it because he's pretty much advertised it look at Bart worth a million start of the season WITH an injury now after being one of their player of the season sold for half that!? Who's the businessman here I thought it was him!? Someone who supports him give actual answers to these question please instead of ‘he puts money in, he's saving us!' He's not we're going further down the leagues and if we don't go up which is increasingly likely we will struggle next season as any decent players we have will be gone and the wage budget reduced. It's his debt he made it and we the fans are paying for it! If we'd held out for proper market prices you can sure as hell believe we'd be nowhere near as much in debt as we are now no where near and would make it a better opportunity for someone to buy!

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BeattiesBackPocket added 14:54 - Feb 3 @bert
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cooper442 added 15:16 - Feb 3 Just a worn out record, the impression I get is the club genuinely feel this sort of nonsense talk is a good idea,well it isn't.
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HackneyBlue added 17:49 - Feb 3 Funny Watch the game back and then write the column again,it will read different im sure. It was a penalty,they did create chances ,they did look comfortable,we were out run and out thought in all departments,we yet again played to the opposition strengths.
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blueboy1981 added 18:01 - Feb 3 ...... sign of a good Manager's tactics HackneyBlue !! - one word:- incompetency.
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blueboy1981 added 18:06 - Feb 3 BeattiesBackPocket ....... only a foolish Owner would give an incompetent Manager loads of dosh to spend - equally so, only a foolish Owner would give an incompetent Manager a five year contract. That's our Football Club of today.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 18:11 - Feb 3 Blueboy1981 I don't disagree but there comes a point after 5 managers under the owners tenure some of which are experienced in getting teams promoted that the buck stops with him. He didn't invest when top on the championship then he'll never invest and continue losing money cos he'll continue doing what he does in taking panic bids for players making a bigger debt etc etc how he's worked isn't working he SHOULD know how fans feel on it

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bugledog123 added 18:20 - Feb 3 We need a billionaire, not a millionaire owner.
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blueboy1981 added 18:20 - Feb 3 I'd take my original suggestion of the Burley/Butcher combination any day / we would have seen a much different team, and style of play than what we currently are. All those ‘against' will see it eventually, if not already. Much of what we are seeing now is possibly worse, or equally as dire, as we saw under McCarthy - and what an inditement that is .... ?? Over three hours of play again Rotherham and Peterboro' and not a cat in hells sign of beating either. Couldn't be much worse whoever we had as Manager - pick a straw.

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ITFCsince73 added 18:29 - Feb 3 I think it's all there to be seen. If the owner wanted instant promotion, the billionaire would have funded a tweak of the squad over the past 4 weeks. He didn't. The same billionaire has promised, yes promised, a stadium makeover. This was nearly a year ago. I've, for various reasons, seen the last 3 home games in 3 different stands. And absolutely nothing has yet started, not so much of a wipe down with a damp cloth. The catering is as poor as ever. All very strange. All very strange.

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blueboy1981 added 18:42 - Feb 3 Agree with you Beat', but Evans has paid extremely good money for people who should know, and be expected to produce the goods. Evans has made mistakes, which in fairness he has admitted on several occasions - not many, if any, Club owners know that much about the game - subsequently the reason for paying people mega bucks for that ‘so called' knowledge. What is apparent, as I've mentioned previously, is that this our Club under his ownership has become far too easy to Manage, Play for, and quite possibly work for in general. Unless we become ruthless, and expect more, the demise will continue. Peterboro' for instance continue to produce gems, season after season in terms of players - have we got Scouts ? - if so, what do they do ? - where's the evidence ? We have good lads in the Academy yes, but what happens to them ? - other than the odd one here and there. We've become a ‘limp wrist' of a Club under Evans - granted. But the easy option for everyone is to blame him for everything - that will get us nowhere. BUT - the buck stops with him, he has to get tough and make a few more on the payroll man up, and produce what they are paid for. How many of us, in our jobs, could get away without performing ?? Although I could suggest certain levels that can, and do ..... !! No need for names, we all know them, and suffer.

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Bert added 18:50 - Feb 3 @bbp ... agree with much of what you say but you haven't addressed the question of ‘ who and what sort of person would buy the club' ? All this hot air about Evans is a waste of time unless the players themselves show there is something worth buying. The squad has potential but for reasons we all find perplexing they cannot string a couple of decent games together.
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blueboy1981 added 18:52 - Feb 3 Agree with some of that 73' - but on his current record of what he has brought in, I wouldn't trust Lamberts judgement on spending my money. I think the penny will soon drop with Evans that he has made another mistake with his faith in Lambert, and that ludicrous contract. I sincerely hope I'm wrong, and if so, willingly hold my hands up - but I am convinced now from what I've seen, he will do nothing more for us than what we are currently seeing. It just isn't there - spin doesn't win Football matches, or con' people indefinitely.

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norfolkbluey added 18:58 - Feb 3 I don't particularly like negative comments about the club but I have to agree with most what has been posted recently. I do feel that ME has found a way of getting rid of his tax commitment using the club as a way of doing it. I don't for a moment know how but I do feel recently that the way we sell players cheaply especially with no add on clauses seems suspicious but maybe I am wrong and perhaps he's doing his best. Who knows and certainly not the likes of many supporters. The most important thing is how is the management going to turn things around before we slip any further down this league. Many of our immediate competitors seem to be seriously improving whilst we are incredibly constipated and cannot even break wind in front of goal. Plenty of possession but no end product. Frustration for everyone but PL is the only one who can change things. So we must support him and hope he listens to the shouts for Holy and Norwood to return to the team for a decent period of time. We the supporters see this but why can't he? We need him to be back, focussed and less belligerently obstinate. Come on Paul and take a firm grip again and get your hair dryer out!!!.

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blueboy1981 added 19:09 - Feb 3 ...... agree with you Bert - the Club is, and has been for sale to any interested party - but where ?? are they .... ?? Fact is that we are not an attractive potential purchase, for many reasons that we should all be aware of. Football is becoming more ‘big business' like each and every day - and the reality is a Club these days need 40k gates minimum to compete with the big boys. Geographically alone we couldn't do that - geographically too we are not in an area to attract top players / club buyers. Times have chanced. What is realistic tho' is - we can expect to compete and hold a level much higher than the ‘old' 3rd Division . Just compare us with Rotherham, fantastic, club well pleased with a 9k gate against us - 21k plus for us against Peterboro' - should be us doing better on the pitch, with NO excuses. I rest my case. Goodnight All.

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chepstowblue added 19:18 - Feb 3 I don't think you have to be a genius.I'm certainly not,but did predict defeats to both Rotherham and Peterborough. I fancied we'd get a point at Sunderland...but that's with an optimistic rather than realistic head on.3 or 4 players out makes a huge difference to us. Kenlock and Donacien will have a tough task on Saturday,coupled with injuries to Huws and Bishop and the reluctance to play gifted players like Dobra removes what little creativity we may have and leaves us with an 11 that wouldn't frighten anybody.Scrapping out a horrible 0-0 looks our only option.Top 6 looking very unlikely....let alone top 2. I don't particularly like living in a realistic world tho it does keep delusional behaviour at bay !

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midastouch added 21:49 - Feb 3 Some Burley discussion on the forum I've just noticed: Would Burley do any worse? by BryanPlug 3 Feb 2020 11:24 [content removed at the owner's request] Some for and some against, as you'd expect.
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eddiespearitt03 added 23:49 - Feb 3 Forget the tattoo,s, fist pumps and post match apologies. Forget the lack of cup action and early cup exits . Forget the five year plan. The nonsense spurted out from the "easy to forget no-bodies" who were handed the microphone at this club to do the talking for Evans. This club is in poor hands . A club with poor staff forming the back bone of this decline all because Evans does not know any better. One day Evans just might wake up and sweep the rubbish out of this club and replace the tired pro,s with young players wanting to win..

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BeattiesBackPocket added 23:56 - Feb 3 Guys just because we have a lack of options and no immediate buyers because Evans has made the club that way doesn't mean we shouldn't let him know at games that it's not good enough we let managers and players know well the buck stops with him maybe just maybe the more we let him know it's not good enough the more he may do something about it especially if he sees the gates go down in half next season? As for burley in my opinion I'd take him in a heartbeat! He was sacked too early with about 4/5 games in hand and we were in Europe as well.

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Vanisleblue2 added 05:02 - Feb 4 Lock them in a dressing room for an hour when we lose 5-3 to Lincoln (Lincoln!) Everyone is hurting again 2 weeks later when we get stuffed on our own pitch by Peterborough. The worst thing to say to me is they were better than us. Why? Sort it out and shut up with all of your talk. The shirts you are wearing were once worn by legends. When we lose to Sunderland will they say they are the better team, a big team these things happen, we have no right to beat them etc. I am not interested I just want my club back from the mediocrity of the 3rd division. I love this club but it is the most frustrating and heart breaking football club you can ever follow

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dieselmorris added 16:30 - Feb 4 have to agree with the sensible posters on this site, i first saw my lovely club and fell in love when i was about fourteen watching the likes of crawford, bailey did not see many games then had the arse out of my trousers then first real hero gerry baker saw him control ball dropping out of sky and that was it been lots of town players since then. but this is a club in decline just look around the place the cobbled stand is filthy,i watched a buddlia growing out of the guttering in the boring years of mick McCarthy.if somebody can tell me what evans has actually put into the club this season we got key but about fifteen players left.keeps pleading no money for players, what do other clubs do they INVEST IN THE FIRST TEAM.

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dieselmorris added 16:33 - Feb 4 PS, THERE ARE NO HEROS DOWN THERE ANY MORE, JUST A COUPLE OF PROMISING YOUNGSTERS AND THEY WILL BE GONE SOON.
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ITFCsince73 added 18:27 - Feb 4 What bits don't you agree with Blueboy. Maybe I can clarify.
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ITFCsince73 added 18:40 - Feb 4 Agree with all that dieselmorris. The general state of the stadium is a real issue. Since the redevelopment of the churchmans and North stand. Which included a freshen of the other 2 stands, not as much as a paint touch up has occurred since. 20 plus years. I come home from games grubby, the stadium is dirty everywhere. Along with many others promises and plans...the wait goes on.

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Facefacts added 22:23 - Feb 4 Nothing will change until the manager is sacked. And it needs to happen now. Need to keep the crowd on side before we drop into midtable. Try anything rather than this drift. Watching Oxford v Newcastle tonight. League One team doing proudly.
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