Assistant manager Stuart Taylor admitted the Blues’ performance first half performance wasn’t good enough as they were beaten 3-2 at home by Swindon but felt Town improved after the break.

Taylor was in charge in the dugout and of media duties with manager Paul Lambert having been unwell with Covid and watching from a box but in touch with the bench during the match.

“It wasn’t good enough overall, the way we started the first half wasn’t good enough,” Taylor said. “Almost unrecognisable in terms of how we want to go and play, what we look for in training during the week. We just didn’t start the first half like that and you can’t do that, no team can do that.

“I thought in the second half we did better, the last half hour, 20 minutes, we were very good and it was more like us.

“The lads were more like themselves, there was a purpose about their play and an intensity about it but we need to realise, well, we do realise, that that’s the way we need to start games.”

Asked whether the outbreak of Covid in the camp and the resultant lack of a game for 25 days had had an impact, Taylor said: “It obviously has an influence but we’re not going to use it as an excuse.

“They’re facts and certainly there were a lot of tired bodies out there, but certainly we’re not going to look at some excuse because we’re big enough and brave enough to take it on the chin when we don’t do well, and we didn’t do well in the first half, but the second half was better.

“And another positive was obviously Flynn playing the second half and Norwood playing the second half, so we’ve got them back fit.

“You can see how influential the both of them are. We were a lot better in the second half. They’re influential characters, they need to keep fit now and obviously the other five [Teddy Bishop, Gwion Edwards, Jon Nolan, Keanan Bennetts and Kane Vincent-Young, who are all due back in full training on Monday] we need to get them back fit as well.”

Quizzed on what was missing from the display, he said: “I don’t think it was intensity. It might come from not having a game for near enough four weeks.

“But we don’t want to touch on that because we don’t want to be seen to be making excuses, but it certainly does have an influence on it. We had the intensity towards the end of the game and we need to start with it.”

Norwood’s goal in the 62nd minute had seemed likely to see the Blues on their way to a win by Scott Twine’s wonder goal five minutes later turned the game back Swindon’s way.

“It was a fantastic strike, a wonder goal, probably up there with the goals of the season, and quite rightly so,” he said.

“But we were in control of the game at that point but that strike put us on the back foot again but it’s looking at the process of it and it needs to be better.

“Without a doubt [he should have been closed down more quickly], ideally we’d want people up against him so he doesn’t receive the ball in the first place.

“But things like that happen, they moved the ball across the pitch pretty quickly and it’s hard sometimes to shuffle across and be in the right position but it’s a learning curve and it’s something we’ll go and work on and make sure it doesn’t happen again. But it was a fantastic strike.”

Taylor admits the Blues will have to be better when they travel to face bottom side Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium next weekend.

“We’re always looking to see improvements, we’re always looking for a reaction from a poor performance even when you win,” he said. “But certainly with having a defeat, we’re looking for that, we’re always looking for a reaction.”

Photo: Matchday Images

herfie added 20:56 - Jan 9 Watching the players after the final whistle, laughing/smiling/chatting etc, makes me think that they're not playing with belief for PL or ST. By that I mean that they don't believe in the system being asked of them, or the team set up to achieve it. Basically they give it their best shot; but they all recognise that we just don't possess the quality to do so effectively. Hence when they try and fail, because opposition managers have susssed PL out, then they effectively say “don't blame us”. We did our best but....... PL needs to accept the blindingly obvious evidence and change; or, if he's so dogmatically wedded to his flawed beliefs, then he's not serving the best interests of the club, and he should go. Over to you ME on that one. But, of course, your own decision making record doesn't bear too close scrutiny. On that basis we're probably destined to a long stay in this mediocre division. Where's the hope? Where's our salvation?!

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dominiciawful added 20:57 - Jan 9 blues1 is a Budgie.
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RobsonWark added 21:00 - Jan 9 Asked whether the outbreak of Covid in the camp and the resultant lack of a game for 25 days had had an impact, Taylor said: “It obviously has an influence but we're not going to use it as an excuse. If it were the other way round and Swindon hadn't played for 25 games he'd be saying it's because Swindon have fresh legs after a 25 day break. MUPPET!!
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RobsonWark added 21:03 - Jan 9 blues1 added 20:46 - Jan 9 "Oxblue. Tell u what. U get covid, and /or do nothing for 25 days, then when u go back to work, see if ur not tired. If indeed ur not, come back on here and have a go at the players, and the coaches for saying so. ( obviously I'm not wishing you to get it. Just making the point)." Am I missing something? I didn't realise the whole squad had gone done with COVID-19???

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LancsBlue added 21:09 - Jan 9 Anyone using the three week break excuse should watch Accrington's win at Charlton yesterday. They look fresh, lively and up for it. We had passengers out there today. Huws and Jackson in particular looked totally disinterested. Possession football is only of any use if you stretch and tire your opponent. You don't do that by passing harmlessly along the back line and allowing them to get into shape.

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shakytown added 21:14 - Jan 9 I hope the players coming back from injury next week actually care if they win or lose because most of them today did not in the slightest. Worst performance in the history of this club and if Chambers thinks hes a captain hes dreaming.
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alfromcol added 21:15 - Jan 9 I noticed that Lambert has changed his tactics slightly. Whilst we still play it backwards and forwards across the back 4, the keeper is no longer part of this stunning football. The keeper has admitted to Lambert that he is hasn't enough football skill and doesn't want to be part of this anymore.
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 21:16 - Jan 9 Swindon played once during that time. Losing 4-1 at home to MK Dons.
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Carberry added 21:22 - Jan 9 He's learnt everything he knows from PR Paul. It's scary really, the manager isnt good enough, neither is his assistant and the 1st team coach hasn't performed that role before. The fitness coach works remotely from Scotland, no one hears anything from the Director of Football (can you name him?) and the General Manager of Football Operations has no experience. What a shambles.

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oldbri added 21:35 - Jan 9 Predictable
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GiveusaWave added 21:47 - Jan 9 We like to pass it slowly along the back....backwards and forwards...forwards and backwards... Even when we are 3-1 down.....
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billys_boots added 22:44 - Jan 9 ‘They're facts and certainly there were a lot of tired bodies out there'!! Really Taylor?! Tired?! Did we field a team of doctors and nurses who've been working double shifts for 10 months or ‘professional footballers' who are paid a small fortune to do nothing other than train, eat, rest, train, eat, rest and then have a kickabout now and again? I think it's the supporters who are getting tired.

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TractorCam added 22:46 - Jan 9 BUT BUT BUT You said that the Fleetwood game being called off is a blessing to give us more time to prepare for this one. Worst coaching staff this club has ever had and probably ever will have.
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SteveDt added 22:47 - Jan 9 We didn't start well then it went a tad downhill from there , but the boss is happy , we passed the ball about a bit even kicked it towards their goal once but I put a stop to that nonsense , I should know how to play because , and don't tell anyone , I played in Germany for a big club
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raycrawfordswig added 23:37 - Jan 9 Same old same old every game .At least half this overpaid shower of 5hite will be moved on at the end of the season .Worst side I have watched in 60 years .Clueless from top to bottom .
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airliner added 05:46 - Jan 10 It's patently obvious the passing out from the back does not work.Its sluggish, slow and downright boring. Why does Pl carry on playing a formation that doesn't work for us? He needs to go, and Evans needs to just pull the trigger now.
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Help added 07:07 - Jan 10 The Way We played the whole of the First Half Wasn't Good Enough
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ThaiBlue added 07:42 - Jan 10 We never start well,come to think of it we never finish well either,just go lambert enough is enough.
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tractorboy2421 added 08:49 - Jan 10 Do the management team actually believe the BS they are spouting will fool the fans?? This club has become embarrassing. Everybody knows things need to change .. but Evans is obviously happy to see us as a laughing stock ...no pride, no passion, no performance
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chopra777 added 09:16 - Jan 10 Analyse the best from last season and the wins of this season and get our players to perform. We have a lot of players with championship experience. Too many teams come to PR and have a go at the legacy of Ipswich. Unfortunately none of them can match our teams from the 60s, 70s, 80s or the play off winners. Manager, Players and the Owner need to realise the supporters are unhappy. The next six games will seal our fate for season.

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Len_Brennan added 09:34 - Jan 10 You can always be unlucky; be the better side & lose; hit the bar & post a few times; get beaten by a wonder goal out of nowhere or due an unfortunate slip at a crucial time; an outstanding performance by the opposition's goalkeeper perhaps or bad refereeing decisions. All of these scenarios are reasonable excuses to point to when reflecting on a bad result. The problem is, it should only be in the case of it happening once or twice during an otherwise run of good results AND otherwise good performances. But that's not the case with us; we are getting well beaten by the better sides &, if we're honest, have been more lucky than unlucky with results against the weaker sides in the league. The problem lies with the players, the owner & the administration all to significant extents, but the most pressing issue lies with the management & the system that is employed week in, week out, despite clear evidence that it's not working & there is zero sign of any improvement with it. There are signs though, that other clubs have worked us out already & that we hold no fear for them, despite having better players. Like I say, there are problem with many factors of the club, but the change that is easiest to make & can bring the quickest possible change in our fortunes; enough to salvage another dying depressing season, is sacking the manager immediately. With so many first team players coming back, now would be an ideal time for a change of plan/system/formation (whatever you want to call it). Paul Cook is there for the taking if we act now. Sunderland will improve, even Oxford are getting it together with a strong run; we need to act now.

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ChrisFelix added 09:37 - Jan 10 The coaching staff must analyse the game. So me its obvious to me that for the first goal at least our right full back was missing. Their 3rd goal also came from a cross/shot from our right side. Any other player other than Captain Calamity would be dropped. Im fascinated to see what happens when KVY returns
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suffolking_good added 09:41 - Jan 10 How comes we are being out played every game by teams that should be inferior to us ? I'd say it's the way the management set us up . Accrington -fleetwood - Lincoln etc all better than us with less resources. Something needs to change quickly or another season wasted
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Bert added 09:49 - Jan 10 Good post Len. We have been patient and loyal but Evans must act. The focus of fans disapproval has to be Lambert. History shows that fans cannot remove an owner but they can remove a manager who has lost the plot.
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bobble added 09:53 - Jan 10 lets play 10 defenders for 3-5 games until we recover from the break.....i now have joined the choir of whingers who believe our performances are limp and soft and impotent, and the great ipswich town fc is now a useless amalgamation of flesh and weak muscle that couldnt rise up and front against a paper bag full of sheeps farts.
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