Town striker Will Keane admits that he and his colleagues are letting down manager Paul Lambert, the man who takes most of the flak for his side’s miserable run of form.

Keane created Freddie Sears’s first goal of the season on Saturday to equalise at Blackpool but the home side had the last word when they scored a stoppage-time clincher to make it 2-1.

Lambert, a huge favourite with the fans when he established Town as early-season leaders, has been the main target for criticism after a run that has seen them win just four of their last 23 games in all competitions.

Keane said: “At the end of the day there’s nothing the manager could have done about the goals we conceded on Saturday. He made it plainly obvious what he wanted us to do and warned us about taking risks in the wrong areas. It’s all about decision-making on the pitch and we were at fault.

“It’s not about looking at individuals; it’s about us as a team. Collectively, we all need to do more, and when we are creating chances we need to do more in terms of making the most of them and putting them away. The same applies to keeping clean sheets.

“I think the players would all admit that they are letting the gaffer down. There’s not much more that he and the staff can do in terms of the way they set us up.

“There was a clear game plan at Blackpool and we knew what he wanted from us and that we were capable of doing it.

“The lads have to take accountability and we know we need to step up over the final 10 games of the season.

“There are a lot of home games to come and we know that if we can perform like we did at the start of the season we can beat any team put in front of us.”

Asked if the players were struggling to handle the pressure, Keane replied: “I don’t think the feeling within the group is that it is down to pressure. It’s just, sort of, doing the basics better and improving our game management. We’ve discussed that in the last couple of weeks.

“We looked at the game against Oxford where we were on top and dominating, and we had some opportunities but didn’t take them.

“At the minimum you go into half-time not losing but that changed when they nicked a goal just before the break.

“That was a sucker punch and there was another one late on at Blackpool when we missed a great chance to go 2-1 in front, only to then go and concede a goal that meant we weren’t going to come away with even a point.

“These are crucial times in games when you’ve got to be strong and make sure you’re doing the right things. We’ve let that slip of late.

“The lads were devastated after the game at Blackpool because we had got back into it and pushed on to try to win it. We had a couple of chances and to then throw it away, last kick of the game, made it all the worse.

“Now we have two massive games at home and the aim is definitely to get six points.

“We know our home form is going to be crucial in terms of getting right into mix for the play-off places, so we obviously need to start tomorrow.

“We need fresh minds, to be fully focused and to give everything we’ve got.”

While Town have slipped down the table to ninth, the gap between them and the automatic promotions places has extended to 10 points, which Keane acknowledged is a large gap to make up with games rapidly running out.

He added: “That’s a lot to make up and there are also a lot of teams with games in hand.

“Stranger things have happened, perhaps, but we need to get some consistency back and go on a decent run.

“If we can do that and at least get into the play-off places it will mean we have a chance.

“We need to stay in the hunt and that’s why the games this week are so important. We’re up against teams who are fighting for promotion, like we are, so we know what we’ve got to do.

“We need to obviously do more and also cut out the mistakes to give ourselves a better chance of getting the wins we need.

“The run we have been on is majorly disappointing. We had a tough run before Christmas but we started the new year okay and thought we’d maybe turned a little corner as we started to pick up again.

“But results haven’t gone our way so we have to look at ourselves and admit we haven’t done enough in games. We’ve probably had what was coming to us so we have to take responsibility and do our utmost to change it as quickly as possible.”

Photo: TWTD

Blue_Moses added 14:49 - Mar 2 You're letting the fans down too
14

TimmyH added 14:53 - Mar 2 It's a chain reaction, Lambert who is the manager has to be responsible.
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DifferentGravy added 14:54 - Mar 2 Evans, Lambert and 6/7 of the first team are letting the fans down.....week after week Only Woolfy, Downes and KVY can hold their heads high.....with Garbutt, Jackson honourable mention.
3

jabberjackson added 15:01 - Mar 2 I know everyone is doom and gloom, and I didn't go to the Bpool match, but seeing the extended highlights back (and listening to the game live), Keane was very effective, in fact we looked pretty solid as a team I went to the game at Sunderland, and we were great for 45 minutes, and the same against Oxford We lack a killer instinct (confidence is frayed), and we have made some stupid mistakes - all of this is well documented However, we can turn the season around if we stick together Not many wanted Lambert out 4 weeks ago, when we were right at the top. Despite our (at best) patchy form. In another 4 weeks we could be 15th, or equally we could be in the top 3. Let's make the best of the next few weeks, I am pretty proud of the Ipswich support this season - let's try and enjoy the ride, starting with 3 points against Fleetwood Who knows what might happen, if we start gettting the rub of the green...

7

Michael101 added 15:06 - Mar 2 No shyte ,maybe if you and a few other's got you tongue out of Lambert arse and made a bit of effort we might pull things round. Bit late I know but pigs might fly??
0

SamWhiteUK added 15:29 - Mar 2 The phrase "results haven't gone our way" really gets my goat. You players HAVEN'T GOT THE RESULTS. You can DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THEM. Stop acting as if it's bad luck or something. You've been CRAP, the lot of you. Get it together.
3

PositivelyPortman added 15:34 - Mar 2 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
1

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:42 - Mar 2 As a fan I don't wanna hear this you've been doing it collectively for the past two months surely you'd have realised this way before now but decided not to do anything about it other than against burton at home.
1

mike added 15:54 - Mar 2 Michael101. No need for that tone!
-1

hadleighboyblue added 15:59 - Mar 2 Another ridiculous soundbite , probably written for him . No mention of letting the fans down …………...the players AND the manager are responsible for all the underperforming on the pitch ………….you need a dose of reality mate , we are being beaten by teams that are better organised and more passionate .
0

Saxonblue74 added 16:02 - Mar 2 I do think the players have under achieved. That said Lamberts overall managerial record is of some concern.
2

multiplescoregasms added 16:11 - Mar 2 How many league goals have you scored this season Keane? 3 in 22 is it? Oh, ok, just checking mate.
2

Town_Boy added 17:06 - Mar 2 How about you try and attempt to win a ball in the air!! 🖕
1

martin587 added 17:37 - Mar 2 The supporters have been behind the team all season and travelled away in large numbers and you the players and manager have let us down in a very big way.
1

ITFCsince73 added 17:42 - Mar 2 The biggest let down is to supporters. Supporters who gave up on the club long ago. But on the back of change, continue to be let down. Clearly an owner who won't invest in the team. Players, and I include 70% of the match day squad. Simply not good enough. A manager who has had success in L1 before, but all his back room staff inc his no2, from previous successes, never came to ITFC. It shows.

0

JewellintheTown added 18:16 - Mar 2 Can someone please whisper in Keanes ear that if he scores more than the shoddy defense let in, we win the game? Is that basic enough for him & the rest of the squad? I don't think he realises he gets paid to score, not give clichéd advise like he's just an armchair fan.
1

karls_dad added 18:39 - Mar 3 Our position is all down to the players, nobody else!!! It's they who cross the white line and are expected to perform! It's what they are paid large sums of money for!!! Sadly they or it would appear do not give a toss? The money is in the bank come and of the month regardless!! Large quantities even! Do they ever look at the bank statement and think hmmmm I really did not earn that, in fact last month I let the club, the fans, then ,the county down!!maybe I should donate this month's salary to cancer research, they really need it, whereas what would I do with it? Another Evoque? I,m totally fed up with the lack of passion, desire of even a passing interest his t shown by our senior squad playsrs, I would not bother me if they have Norwood away for a tenner,hopeless striker, will never be any good, the amount of sitters he has skied to row Z, I guess you could say i,m bitter? Angry, losing the faith? Well yes I am, my club, 30 years of support, being torn apart from a faceless owner, a manager who seems clueless and players that do not give a toss about ITFC

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