Town boss Paul Cook admitted the Blues aren’t ready for the play-offs after a 3-0 defeat at Northampton realistically ended their hopes of a top-six place this season.

The defeat sees the Blues drop to 11th, five points off the play-offs with only four to play. They are without a win in five and a goal in 529 minutes of football.

Having lost 3-0 at AFC Wimbledon a week ago, manager Cook admits thoroughly disappointing Tuesday nights are becoming a habit.

“It’s just a normal one, isn’t it?” he said. “Again, there’ll be no criticism of the players from me now, we’re past all that.

“Our supporters don’t need to listen to me, what you’d consider an experienced manager coming in, I think that’s 12 games from me now. I’d have expected myself to do a lot better, irrespective of any player who has going on the pitch.

“The first level of criticism comes to me, to my staff. I don’t want the players getting any criticism. The fans have watched us for long enough now. The pain, the frustration’s been there for a period of time and eventually, after this season ends, hopefully they’ll see some signs in the club, whatever that looks like, of a positive future.”

Asked whether the players’ confidence is low as a result of the recent run, he said: “I just told the lads in there, you get one football career and sometimes when you play for clubs, the bigger clubs in every league, everyone raises their game to play you. That’s part of the good thing of playing for Ipswich, Portsmouth and Sunderland in this division.

“But it’s also a challenge because you become a big scalp and unfortunately for us, and I’m talking about under myself now, I’m not talking about under anyone else, it hasn’t been good enough. And I won’t be criticising the players tonight, I will shoulder that blame for them.”

When it was put to him that Town aren’t going to reach the play-offs this season, he conceded: “No, it’s not. We came away from home tonight and we started the game so, so well. We were bright, we looked effective. But, like I say to them, the first confidence [hit] or disappointment in games, we always get [affected by that] disappointment.

“As a young group of men, disappointment on the pitch is hard because, I’m talking about my time at Ipswich, no one else, you haven’t got many go-to moments where they’ve been in trouble and they’ve got out of it.

“You’ve gone and crossed the ball, we got in great areas tonight and our quality [was lacking]. But I’m not going to get drawn into aspects of the game.

“The plan for going forward is to be a lot better than we are today, and I’m talking about myself and the staff, I’m not talking about the players.”

What do you want to see from the final four games? “Play, just play. I thought we had a couple of great performances. I thought Andre Dozzell was excellent, I thought Gwion Edwards was as well. And that’s what we want to see as well.

“Again, I don’t want to tell you what’s going on in the dressing room, that’s not fair on the players that, but to manage clubs like ours, it’s a privilege, to play for the clubs it’s the same. But the supporters only want to hear that for so long.

“Unfortunately in transfer windows, you know what’s gone on in the last few weeks, it’s been a difficult time for everyone at the club.

“So let’s all, and from myself, let’s have a bit of manners and a bit of respect, let’s not make stupid, rash statements that people want to hear in football because I think as a sportsperson it’s got to hurt.

“And what you do is go away, let the hurt go to the bottom of your shoes and you do something about it.”

Quizzed on whether he might you look at one or two players over the course of the next few weeks who haven’t featured so far, Cook said: “I’m not going to speak like that. They’re painful these nights now, they really are. They hurt me deeply and I’m sure they hurt a lot of our supporters on iFollow and people who are passionately wanting us to make the play-offs.

“We’re not ready for the play-offs, are we? Let’s have the truth sometimes, the truth hurts a little bit.

“We’re going to be a club in massive transition now, and the quicker that transition starts the better.”

On Saturday Cook was pleased with the performance as Town drew 0-0 at Charlton but pointed out that a decent display has usually been followed by a disappointing one, and that proved to be the case.

“There’s not much to add,” he reflected. “Everyone watches everyone nowadays. If you watch us, you’d generally say we’re soft. Unfortunately that’s something I have to shoulder.

“If my team’s soft, if our team’s soft, that’s us. Ipswich Town Football Club’s a collective. When players go on the pitch they represent us all, I represent the town.

“And the fans know I’m hurting. The people who know me know me. People know me and my dressing rooms know I certainly won’t be throwing players under the bus, it’s not my style. What we’ve offered under me, I’m not talking about anyone else, hasn’t been good enough.”

Did Kane Vincent-Young’s miss early in the second half sum up the game? “I think Kane’s a really bright spark for us. The kid’s doing really well, it’s so pleasing to see. We want to have that athleticism in the team.

“At the end I’m thinking about taking him off because he’s played two games in a short space of time and I’m thinking about the bigger picture. But the bigger picture is you have to win football games and if you don’t win it hurts you deeply.

“As I say, I think we’ve said enough tonight in general, on the game. I thank everyone for the support, the support for the club’s constant, it’s there, so we’ve got to be better, myself included.”

Northampton manager Jon Brady was delighted with his side’s victory, which sees them stay 21st in the table.

“It was a good win," Brady told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo. "The two goals came from two set pieces and that was something we worked on in terms of trying to free up Pete [Kioso] in the box.

“The delivery was on point and he timed his arrival well and I thought it was a very strong performance in the first half.

“We stepped on when we needed to, we closed off lines and we got in a few times in the first half and we also had to weather a few little moments.

“We came out in the second half and we sunk too deep but that's the story of our season a little bit so we had to change our shape and that allowed us to press on a bit higher. I thought thereafter we looked a lot better and it was a good win for us.”

Photo: TWTD

Bleu added 22:17 - Apr 20 Bristol City are set to lose another key figure to Ipswich Town at the end of the campaign, with head of football operations Luke Werhun to join up with CEO Mark Ashton in Suffolk at the end of the season, Bristol Live understands. The Tractor Boys announced last week that CEO Ashton will join the League One side from June 1, with Ashton to link up with former colleague and business partner Mike O'Leary, someone who he regards as a mentor, at Portman Road. The appointment of a manager on a longer-term basis is the first priority however, with Pearson's future still to be decided on, as well as the recruitment of Ashton's successor LEICESTER City manager Nigel Pearson has revealed how close he was to taking up the top job at Ipswich Town. Pearson claimed he was pipped to the post by Jim Magilton when he applied for the Blues job in 2006. Pearson said: “I was disappointed at the time, but Jim Magilton was a local hero here so there you go. It's a lovely club and a lovely part of the world. My wife's got some family down here and I always enjoy coming here.”

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istanblue added 22:17 - Apr 20 ''But it's also a challenge because you become a big scalp...'' Paul, please don't start making BS excuses like this. It just annoys the fu*k out of fans.
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bobble added 22:19 - Apr 20 wheres Burley ?
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cat added 22:22 - Apr 20 The relationship between players and manager has clearly broken down, and not for the first time either. The transition will begin soon and that's going to be interesting. Get your season tickets sorted, the ground will be sold out in a couple of seasons!
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bluesteal74 added 22:23 - Apr 20 We are hurting Paul trust me on next season that's all I can say COYB
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pablo123 added 22:25 - Apr 20 Arnie M , totally agree mate !!!!
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reva added 22:31 - Apr 20 It's obvious somethings not right - these players haven't become bad over night - some of them we were expecting to leave for premier clubs last year - there is something happening behind the scenes and I think it's PC - whatever he is doing be it tactics, training, team formation it ain't working. It's obvious that one up front doesn't work with the players we have yet he persists in the same formation. His system works just like Lambert - except Lambert at least got them winning!! I'd get rid of him now and get a seasoned manager in so we can start building for next season.

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BobbyBell added 22:31 - Apr 20 I've said it many times over the last few weeks "These players don't give damn, there is no passion or drive or desire to win".
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benfromkent added 22:34 - Apr 20 I'm 50/50 on this. There is a MASSIVE gamble afoot now. Do we stick with this guy, let him bring in his choices/team and hope it works. Or has he already shown he's incapable of getting anything from a bad bunch, so is he really a ‘decent' manager (stats don't lie)? His stats since arriving are worryingly bad. If the owners give Cook a shot and by xmas we're in the same sorry state, that'll be a 4th season in whatever crap division this is called these days, and we'll be no further forward. I've said it for years and with the past 4 managers, like it or not, ITFC is a turd and what we need is someone who can polish it (or at the bare minimum roll it in glitter). Reading some of his quotes above, it wouldn't surprise me if he just walked away from it and said go see if David Blaine wants a crack coz you need a magician not a manager! Take over or not, we are nowhere near out of the woods, and I'm. It sure I can see a light at the end of the tunnel based on this sorry excuse for results/staff/players... worrying times.

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ringwoodblue added 22:37 - Apr 20 Don't think anything Cookie could have said tonight would have made any difference to how we all feel right now. I will reserve judgement on him until I see what players he gets rid off and who he brings in over the summer but have to agree, it's been the most appalling start for him.
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Len_Brennan added 22:39 - Apr 20 I was very much a 'get Paul Cook in ASAP' supporter for months, because I felt we were wasting games with an ineffective manager who didn't know what he was doing or who his best team were & therefore jeopardising getting a playoff spot. While I accept the argument that these aren't 'his players' & a manager needs time to get things how they want them, I also believe that a good manager's first duty is to get the best out of the players he has - Paul Cook has failed miserably at that over his first 12 games. Think about how we would have responded had Lambert started like that IN LEAGUE ONE, or even Paul Hurst if he managed us in League One. Yes we need a change of culture & a big clear out of players, but Paul Cook is very lucky that the takeover has gone through & he is going to be the moneybags manager this summer. Had it not happened, & if we were heading into another season of Marcus Evans belt tightening; just how happy & confident would we be feeling now with Paul Cook at the helm for next season?

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norfolkbluey added 22:44 - Apr 20 Is PC really going to be our saviour or are we looking at another loser? Turning this sinking ship into a something approaching seaworthy is not looking good. I am in serious doubt. This has to be the lowest point since Paul Hurst left and that's saying something. The team has to be at its lowest point now surely. We can't even win against teams in relegation zones. Most of these same players were winning games albeit inconsistently under PL but not like this. I joked about a draw being a real possibility but losing 3-0 is just the pits. Hurting, you bet PC and if it doesn't stop sometime soon I doubt the new owners will think they have made an error of judgement in signing you. This is hardly an impressive beginning, poor players or no. This is hardly the premiership league. Disgusted is nothing like I am feeling, its much worse than that as a supporter since 1961.

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Bleu added 22:48 - Apr 20 Southport · Sligo Rovers · Accrington Stanley · Chesterfield · Portsmouth · Wigan Athletic ·....seriously??? ...ta..ra..
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multiplescoregasms added 22:49 - Apr 20 Most of that starting 11 tonight can go. I would keep 3, possibly 4. Obviously that isn't going to happen, so unless they invest heavily in a midfield that actually looks for a forward pass, expect another season of mid table misery.
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MickMillsTash added 22:54 - Apr 20 In the last 3 games we have conceded some of the worst goals imaginable from crosses. I see signs of Cooks coaching In attack but if this is signs of things to come in defence - Good God!
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suffolkblueeye added 22:57 - Apr 20 Dozzell was good? Hold on, we've another Lambert....all have to go, manager and players, start again....
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terryf added 22:59 - Apr 20 Cmon guys this has nothing to do with Manager. Even Pep would struggle with this lot. For several seasons we've all said it.....THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY ARE NOT UP TO THE TASK AND ARE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH...Lambert took us for idiots painting rosy pictures week after week when we all knew the truth and before him Hurst wasted good money on too many lower league players who didn't have the nous for the job. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Hopefully Cook will have the opportunity to bring in proper blokes to do the job. Only the can we fairly jude him.

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suffolkblueeye added 23:00 - Apr 20 This bloke is talking rubbish now, what the fu*k is going on....wrong message cook, please sort this sh*t out someone
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bluesman added 23:13 - Apr 20 When you come into a club at the stage Cook did, you have to make the most of what you've got. And there have been a lot of reasons of course, it's been a turbulent time and he's had his own trust in Evans shattered, but at the end of the day he hasn't got the best out of these player, nowhere even close.
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blues1 added 23:15 - Apr 20 Anyone suggesting cook should go needs to give their head a wobble. If you really think things were going to suddenly go well with a bunch of players, whove let's face it, just downed tools, then ur deluded. Of course it's been poor, probably worse than any of us would have expected, but we have the chance now, in the summer, of getting rid of those players and getting in the players that will start to make things better. So just leave the negativity aside now. What is the point in coming in here, work in, week out and just moaning about the same things over and over. Let's just get these last 4 games over and done with, regardless of the results, then look forwards to what will happen in the summer. We're all unhappy with how things are right now, but calling for the managers head after just a couple of months into his tenure, when hes still only had 1 weeks full training(which the players couldnt even manage), since hes been here, is ridiculous. If the board had listened to fans in bobby robsons early days, wed never have had the glory days at this club. Sacking managers too soon is rarely the right thing to do. Neither should we want to become a club that sacks managers every couple of months. That rarely works. This manager has a track record of getting teams promoted. And I fully believe he'll do so here too. So for heavens sake, let's give him a break, and a chance to get his own team in before we judge him. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen klopp put together wouldnt get anymore out of this squad of players.

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shakytown added 23:21 - Apr 20 Somethings rotten at the core of this bunch of players and it's your job to get rid of it no matter who you upset. Too many players who are just not good enough ,past it , or are just arrogant wannabees.
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warfarinman69 added 23:28 - Apr 20 Does PC know what he's doing? Got grave doubts. And why does he play loanees who couldn't care less. Back to their clubs in the summer. Oh! And boy do we need a goalkeeping coach fast. Weakest part of team is the so-called spine.
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RobsonWark added 23:47 - Apr 20 Cook: "Painful Nights Like These Hurt Me Deeply and I'm Sure They Hurt Our Supporters" Really? Do you think? You are the WORST manager we have ever had at our club. Do one! (as you Scousers say)
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Gforce added 23:53 - Apr 20 Out of tonight's starting line up, I believe only 3 will survive to kick off the new season in August. Vincent - Young /Downes and Dozzell. So let's just look forward to virtually a whole new team, with hopefully plenty of quality in all areas to drive us onwards and upwards. IN COOK WE TRUST !!
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groundhog added 00:00 - Apr 21 I'm so glad Paul Cook was employed to get us into the play offs and not to survive a relegation battle, cos if he had we would have been relegated by now.
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