Frustrated skipper Luke Chambers admits Town’s current position is “not acceptable for this club” and that the Blues, beaten 1-0 at home by Peterborough yesterday, have to start beating the division’s better sides if they are to be promotion contenders this season.

The loss to Posh, the Blues’ fifth home defeat in six, saw them drop to ninth in the table, two points off the play-offs but now 10 from the automatic promotion spots.

Asked what he made of Saturday’s game, settled by Mark McGuinness’s 69th-minute own goal, Chambers said: “It was a tough result to take, I think we played with a bit more intensity this week. The lads were certainly trying to press, certainly trying to implement the game plan.

“But we’re still leaving ourselves a mountain to climb a little bit, we’re missing chances, we’re giving chances away, so it’s a tough one. What do I say? It’s not good enough. Not good enough.”

What are the missing chances at one end and giving opportunities away at the other down to? “When you’re out on the pitch it’s just decision-making, you’ve got to make the right decisions at the right time.

“Listen, the goal, any centre-half playing there that’s happened to them before, so we can’t be starting to point fingers at anyone.

“It’s a tough one for Mark to take, he’s learning the game still, a young player. But those things are going against us at the minute.

“We’ve had chances at the end today, we probably haven’t created loads throughout the season, so when those come along we’ve got to make the difference.”

Town have beaten only two teams currently in the top 10, Accrington and Crewe earlier in the campaign when the Railwaymen were well down the table, while losing eight games against sides at the division's top end. Last season they won only twice against teams who finished among the 10 above them.

“If we want to be promotion contenders ourselves that’s the minimum requirement,” Chambers added when asked whether Town need to get that monkey off their back.

“We gave ourselves a decent enough platform, we got away with the penalty miss but I felt we played a little bit further up the pitch, we were higher as a defensive unit and we were able to get some pressure on them, so they didn’t cause loads of issues.

“But we’ve got to find a way to beat those better teams, the teams that are higher up the league if we want to be challenging at that top end.”

Is there a danger of there being a mental block when up against the top sides? “Whatever you guys talk about really. At the end of the day, it’s another game and another three points. You have to try and beat whatever’s in front of you. We find ourselves still in a good position in the league. We’ve got games in hand, we can still achieve something this season.

“I’m talking here with a lot of frustration but that happens half an hour after the game’s finished. It’s not all doom and gloom, we’ve got players coming back fit, we’ve got a lot more options, I think we’ve got a lot more legs in the team the last couple of weeks, which have shown more in our pressing and our defensive play.

“But we can’t just keep losing out in the fine details in games, that’s what we’re doing at the minute.”

Town are going into a period where games and opportunities to pick up points will quickly with no let-up.

“Every game’s an opportunity at the minute and we have to take it,” the 35-year-old added. “Games are coming thick and fast so there’s no point in dwelling on things, we have to put it right.

“I stand here as a footballer, I’ve been doing it for a long time now and what do you say? It’s not good enough to be beaten 1-0 at home against one of your promotion rivals when it was a game we could have taken something from.

“The games will come thick and fast now, we can whinge about it all the time but Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday is what you are as a footballer. You need to be ready, we need to prepare properly as players and be ready for the challenge on Tuesday again.”

The former Nottingham Forest and Northampton man continued: “It’s frustrating, look where we are. It’s not acceptable for this club, so I’m very frustrated but we have to keep going.

“We’ve got a game Tuesday [at home to Sunderland], like I said before, what do you say? You’ve got to keep spirits high in the dressing room, that’s what I keep trying to do for the boys, I put my arm around Mark at the end there just to say ‘Look, we’ve got another game on Tuesday, it’s not all your fault, you can’t put it on you because there’s a lot more to your life than football’.

“It eats away at the team at the minute, I’m going home Saturday night to see my wife and my kids and that won’t leave my mind, I won’t be a good person to be around for the next couple of days but you have to suck it up.

“There’s another game Tuesday and if selected we need to be ready to play and put in a performance because at the minute, when it counts we’re a bit short.”

Quizzed on whether spirits are keeping up in the dressing room, he said: “You have to, what can you do? We are living in unprecedented times and what are we going to do, let everything consume us, all the negativity, even if you don’t ready all the stuff, you can still feel the stuff that’s going on.

“But the boys have to keep going. As a footballer, you’re lucky that you have another game, but if you don’t perform over a long period of time, you won’t be playing at that level, that’s football.

“You have to be mentally strong and I think we’ve got to bounce back as a group and we’ll look to do that Saturday-Tuesday.

“All I can do here is talk about the game and how it went and how the situation is, a lot of frustration but I think we were a lot better on the front foot today, stopped them playing a lot more than we have against teams who seemed to have a lot more of the game than they should do, especially at home.

“I felt that was a positive we could definitely build on, as a said earlier, we had quite a few chances and we have to really score those.”

Is he concerned by the recent home form? “It had been good up until the last few weeks. We had a good start at home, that’s two [defeats] in a row.

“There are no fans here obviously but it’s still our patch. I don’t think we let them come here and cause us massive issues today, so that’s a positive but it’s very hard to talk immediately after a game when you’ve lost 1-0 in a game from which you think you probably should have got a bit more out of.”

Chambers says the returns of the likes of Teddy Bishop, Gwion Edwards and Flynn Downes after injury is another positive, as well as new recruits Josh Harrop, currently out having tested positive for Covid-19, and Luke Thomas, who made his debut as a sub against Posh.

“Exactly, they’ve been a miss but we’ve still had a big enough squad to really have a go at things,” he said. “I think we were lacking in a striker today. Obviously it was a big ask for Aaron [Drinan] who hasn’t played lots of minutes over recent weeks, it’s a tough gig for him up there on his own.

“We need the players back, we need them staying fit, it’s no good people just coming back for one game, it’s a tough ask. It’s going to be even more intense now, so we can’t wrap anyone up in cotton wool, you’ve got to be ready.

“It’s as simple as that, you’ve got to put your body on the line for this football club or there’s no point in you even being here.”

Striker trio James Norwood, Kayden Jackson and Oli Hawkins were all missing, the former two due to minor niggles and the ex-Portsmouth man as he has to undergo a knee operation.

Chambers says those players create a hole but he says that can’t keep being an excuse: “We’re missing some players, but what are we going to do, talk about that forever?

“What can you do about it? You can’t do anything about it, you’ve got to get on with it, there’s games. We’re not stopping games, we’ve got to play so it doesn’t really matter who is available we have to put the shirt on and produce, simple as that, everyone.

“We have to do that on Tuesday night, regardless of whether it’s on the TV, down the park, at the training ground, it’s here, it’s our home, there’s no fans, there’s no pressure, just go out there and try and play. That’s all it is, a bit of freedom of thought and just going out there and having to give your all.

“I think the lads do give their all in every game, you can’t question their commitment, you can’t question their endeavour, they’re trying their nuts off, it’s just not working out for us at the minute.”

Personally, he says he’s ready to play Saturday-Tuesday having operated in his less-favoured right-back role all season so far.

“Nothing changes for me, I’ll be available for my team-mates, for the club,” he said. “If I’m picked I’ll be ready to play, trying to do my bit.

“I’m a member of the team, I’m trying to motivate the boys and keep everyone going but at the end of the day we have to put in a team performance, one to 11, and the boys off the bench, we can make a lot of subs as well, so it’s definitely going to be a squad game over the next few weeks. But I’m ready to play as and when.”

Regarding new signings Harrop and Thomas, he said: “It just sums our luck at the minute, Josh getting diagnosed with Covid. They’ve looked sharp, they’re Championship level players, so they’re adding quality to the squad. It’s just a shame we couldn’t see Josh out here today because he made a real impact in his first session.

“He’s probably not played as much as he’d like to but Preston had a really good season last year and they’re up at the top end of the table, so to get a player of that quality, it’s going to make a big difference. However, we’re going to miss him for a few games now. We can’t keep looking at what’s not available, you’ve got to look at what is available.”

Looking ahead to Sunderland’s visit on Tuesday, Chambers is looking forward to it and to putting Saturday’s frustrations behind him.

“Yes, again, we’ve got to be ready to go,” he said. “What can you do? You can’t sit and sulk about it. There’s no one more frustrated about the situation than me, and the players themselves, so we have to stand up and be counted.

“What more do you say? These games are coming thick and fast and you can’t keep letting opportunities pass you by.”

Photo: Matchday Images

BeattiesBackPocket added 12:00 - Jan 24 He's right and despite his inadequacies as a player now he has been a great servant and is honest in his assessment which completely went against his managers so let's see if he gets dropped same as Woolfenden did after his honest interview? I doubt it very much and this has been Ipswich's problem past few years. Some people are undroppable past few years and these exact same players are responsible as well for where we are. I love this guy for his commitment to our club but that doesn't mean a player should play no matter what every single game. We had a lull in English football a few years back and a lot can be said for the fact certain players knew they would get picked. He's no right back never has been always struggled when mick put him there a couple of seasons good against lower down the league clubs but anyone top half and he struggles but again he's not a right back we have constantly scraped the barrel due to lack of investment that we've played numerous players out of position including sears chambers even Dozzell etc It's tough being a season ticket holder and I have been past 37 years Even this year to support my club knowing I wouldn't see many of any games but think it's about time to hit evans where it hurts which is his pocket let's see what he does then.

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RobsonWark added 12:00 - Jan 24 ArnieM added 11:01 - Jan 24 "The naivety of youth (Woolfie) was “Punished”( dropped) for saying similar only a couple of weeks ago ." Whos said he was dropped for saying something Arnie? Where do you get your inside info from? I'd say he was dropped for coming of the pitch laughing and smiling after the Swindon game. We don't need players who don't care about the club.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 12:07 - Jan 24 Robsonwalk many fans think he was dropped because of what he said doesn't make them any less wrong than you view. As I said why are you not blaming rest of the players laughing after Swindon??? Every one of them was doing it not just Woolfenden then he makes a statement which is honest and true and gets dropped no coincidence there considering he wasn't our worst defender that day how do you know it was anything but the interview and why not blame the rest of the players laughing like Norwood and many other players coming off laughing? As I said it's not right Beattie burley mills etc wouldn't have done that but stop blaming one player especially our best defender and one of only 4 players we have who are worth some money

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SpiritOfJohn added 12:09 - Jan 24 I agree with Chambers' assessment of the match. We managed to stop the opposition from playing by pressing higher up the pitch. Sadly, we were unable to create much and Drinan had no chance on his own up top. Reading between the lines I detect that Chambers is questioning his own selection in the team, as he has clearly lost form over recent weeks. However, with Donacien given away, Chambers will have to soldier on and remains undroppable regardless of his performances.

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warktheline added 12:17 - Jan 24 Chambers can come out and say whatever , ultimately he's a big part of what's wrong with this club! On the field of play he's been ‘freewheeling' alongside many others! This awful work ethic has been filtered down via an owner who's been ‘sourced' at stating (prior to the club dropping another level), ‘winning isn't a priority, Championship status/survival is sufficient'!!! Absolutely outrageous so many continue to defend this Trojan Horse!

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jas0999 added 12:33 - Jan 24 He's right - but not the first time he's said it and nothing has changed.
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blueboy1981 added 12:37 - Jan 24 MICK MILLS - Complete CLUB LEGEND.
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dukey44 added 12:41 - Jan 24 Perhaps if Chambers wasn't so light weight they would never had got the cross in in the first place.. Just saying Mr Chambers you are rather past it now👍
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:46 - Jan 24 i dont care anymore , we wont go up this season and things will get worse.Those that said when we were relegated ''we will rip up Lge 1'' and ''perhaps relegation will do us good'' should be choking on their words.We will struggle to stay in Lge1. We are not competing ,just look at the teams weve struggled against even those we somehow managed to beat ! a few years ago we would only be thinking of meeting them in a cup tie.or pre season friendly.Thinks have got progressively worse for years.And now we cant cope or buy our way out of Lge 1 .Lambert has to go,Evans should have sold way back,when it was obvious he couldnt or didnt want to invest.NOW HE CANT,and ITFC is fcuk'd.

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blueboy1981 added 12:51 - Jan 24 Mick Mills and Luke Chambers are right to speak out in what they've said, unfortunately Chambers has never ben the player that he, or we, hope he would be. However just like Mick, his loyalty and commitment to the Club could never be questioned. For that full credit due to him - our main problem is LAMBERT - who has proved a failure ever since he left Norwich - just check his record ! This Club of OURS has to start expecting more from people on the payroll, and demand success - I've said it time and time again - we are too COSY !!! Players who are WINNERS don't laugh after a loss, and a MANAGER who is a WINNER doesn't praise faiure. This is exactly what we are seeing, and it has to STOP. Equally so - a WINNING OWNER will rightly not accept anything less. We need to get back on track - to what was once our trademark and expected from ALL.

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pennblue added 13:02 - Jan 24 No good saying it post match, time to step down as Captain Luke. You are responsible for the team on the pitch and they have not performed. That is partly your responsibility.
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Pilgrimblue added 13:19 - Jan 24 Well I don't know what you're on about as I thought that was one of your worst games! Better if we'd kept Don and loaned you out plus change Ward for Kenlock. On top of that I feel that Dozzel isn't adding much. His passing is loose and sake loses out in most tackles. Glad to see changes made in 2nd half when PL made changes to midfield. Thomas must start plus we only need one defensive mid BUT wher eare our goals going to come from? Drinan is very average so unless Norwood comes back we need to turn to our youth.

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midastouch added 13:34 - Jan 24 Say what you like about Chambers but at least he cares! He's past his best as a player but I'd swap him as a manager for Lambert in a heartbeat. My preference for a manager is: George Burley and Terry Butcher or Keiron Dyer and Terry Butcher And Mick Mills, Bryan Klug and possibly even Luke Chambers as wildcards to be involved possibly in some capacity. I just want to see somebody given the role that is connected to the club and that genuinely cares and feels badly hurt when we lose (and will try and move heaven and earth to put things right).

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MonkeyAlan added 13:35 - Jan 24 Chambers Skuse, Sears. All should have gone 2 years ago. Too comfy here. Too much sway. Chambers might be a good bloke, but he ain't no captain when you look at our great captains of the past.
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midastouch added 13:45 - Jan 24 We keep getting managers in from outside the club with little or no connection to the club's traditions. None of them have done a lot to get excited about for a long time now. The last time we played any pretty football was under Magilton. And the last time we looked a real promotion force was under Joe Royle apart from the one season when Mick got us punching above our weight with little financial support from Evans. Evans lack of support is obviously a massive problem for any manager to work with but there are plenty of other managers in this league doing far better with far less still. That in itself shows Lambert is totally out of his depth and it's time to look within the club rather than outside to try and stop the rot!

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BettyBlue added 13:50 - Jan 24 we are still in with a chance of playoffs there always seems to a club that comes out of nowhere o get there why can't it be Ipswich? there's no point in getting rid of lambert as its too late in the season what could a new manager achieve by starting again in February chambers and co seen to have too much authority and where is norwood Jackson and skuse when you need them? if the current situation is all part of a plan to get chambers as manager, sack him and stick with lambert...

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Skip73 added 13:53 - Jan 24 We've heard this crap time and time again. F*** off and take the rest of the team and manager with you. You're not wanted here.
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cat added 13:55 - Jan 24 The captains normally the last off a sinking ship but in this case hopefully not. We all know the pros and cons with him but the simple fact is he's not good enough and ‘has been' (lol) leading us down for too long
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TimmyH added 13:57 - Jan 24 It hasn't been acceptable for the last few years...non of the players seem to be playing for the badge. Expect Mutiny on the bounty very soon especially if Lambert stays.
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MonkeyAlan added 14:07 - Jan 24 What have we achieved under Chambers as captain? Nothing only relegation and we get worse every year. Fkuc off and retire.
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istanblue added 14:10 - Jan 24 Part of me feels sorry for Chambers. The idea of expecting a 35 year old centre back to bomb up and down the right flank for 90 mins week-in-week-out is patently ridiculous. He's being asked to fulfil a role that he simply cannot do. Nevertheless, it needs to be said that the time has come for Chambers to leave the club. His contract should not be renewed at the end of the season.

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BettyBlue added 14:32 - Jan 24 If we can't sack Lambert can we at least have a new first team coach to help Taylor?
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heathen66 added 14:34 - Jan 24 All too little too late from the skipper imo It was not just yesterday, last week, last month or last year the has not been acceptable. Unfortunately you have been one of the main protagonists in the decline, not wanting or allowing any changes. This club needs a complete change on and off the pitch but the whole club needs to be pulling in the same direction. If this club was to change and get promotion the likes of Chambers, Ward, Skuse, Sears etc... would need to find other clubs and probably move their families late in their careers. All is too nice here at ITFC We need players who want to better themselves and not just be content with mediocrity !!!

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patrickswell added 14:46 - Jan 24 We've. Heard. It. All. Before.
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higgistockwell added 14:48 - Jan 24 Chambers I'd gladly have a wager with you for charity that us fans are far more frustrated with this situation than you are
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