Manager Paul Cook gave no hint of his assistant manager plans at this morning’s press conference, his Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan sidekick Leam Richardson having been named the Latics’ permanent boss earlier in the week, while other members of his DW Stadium backroom team are also in new jobs.

Asked whether he was disappointed that Richardson wouldn’t be joining him at Portman Road, Cook said: “Again it's football, guys, isn't it? It's football and it's circumstances, and it's all of the above. No one could have predicted the outcome of Wigan's scenario coming off the last 12 months.

“We had staff there like Anthony Barry, who is now Chelsea's first-team coach, Nick Colgan, who is now Notts Forest's goalkeeping coach, [physio] Andrew Procter, who's at Blackburn, [another physio] Nick Meace who's at Stoke, and the list goes on.

“And all it shows to me is how lucky and privileged I was to have such good staff working for me.

“That cycle for me has gone on at every club since I started in Sligo into Chesterfield into Portsmouth into Wigan, and it'll go on.

“The most important thing for Paul Cook is my burning desire and ambition to be successful and win football games. Unfortunately, those staff have moved on and all with my blessing.

“Absolutely when you're out of work, it's a tough time for everyone. Paul Cook didn't know when he'd come back into work. I can't ask lads to sit at home and wait for me to make a decision. People have families, players out of contract have families.

“Nowadays, especially with what goes on in the world, it's tough out there for people. I consider myself to be in a very privileged position. I'm the football manager of a great club, and that behind the scenes will change for me.

“I'll be working with new personnel and new staff going forward but as long as the staff have the same hunger and desire to be successful and enthusiasm which is huge in football, too many people talk a good game and don't produce. A bit like myself for Ipswich at the minute. And everything will be fine at the club.”

Currently on Cook’s Town staff are Gary Roberts, who he brought in as first-team coach, along with Matt Gill, who remains from the previous management in the same role.

Goalkeeper-coach Jimmy Walker moved on last week and will need to be replaced in the summer.

Blues U23s coach Kieron Dyer has played an increasing part with the senior side since Cook took over, the new manager having been impressed by the former England international's coaching abilities and he may well be in contention for the assistant’s position.

As reported earlier in the month, former Town central defender John McGreal, who played alongside Cook at Tranmere, is a potential candidate and has been at the club on a number of occasions since Cook took over, although we understand the former Colchester boss may not be in the running as he is keen on a management job of his own rather than an assistant's position.

Ex-Blues forward Noel Hunt is believed to have been under consideration for a role at Portman Road by Cook, who he played for at Portsmouth and Wigan, ahead of his appointment having previously worked as an assistant manager at Swindon. The Irishman was at Tuesday’s game at Northampton, presumably scouting on behalf of another club.

Quizzed on where he is in his search for an assistant, Cook wouldn’t be drawn: “Again, guys, we're at the stage with the club where, as you can imagine, everyone is jittery. It's not a good time. All our plans are jittery. Our results are not good enough.

“I can't remember ever in my career losing games like I'm losing ever. So you can imagine the hurt I feel and the pain I'm feeling.

“Not towards the players, towards myself. I should be doing better. First of all, Paul Cook should be doing better. Not making excuses on staff coming in and this that and the other.

“So at the minute, we'll concentrate on Wimbledon tomorrow. All those other questions will be answered in time. I'm sorry I can't elaborate, but at the minute I want to win football games, I don't like getting beat.”

Photo: Action Images

Swailsey added 10:48 - Apr 23 Third person Paul!
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foshizzle added 10:52 - Apr 23 Hate to say it but Paul surely has four games to prove that he can do a job as a coach and set us up to win games. Can't see our new owners trusting him with their significant investment given the record thus far...and the fact that his old (and very successful) gang are not available anymore just adds to the concern.
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Razor added 10:54 - Apr 23 You may be down the job centre old son if things dont improve and will you stop jabbering on about the summer-----you have a job to do here NOW!!
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OriginalMarkyP added 10:58 - Apr 23 Yep Swailsey, I wondered about the 3rd person. He's losing it.
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longtimefan added 11:25 - Apr 23 Swailsey, well he is the third Paul in a row!
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itfcserbia added 11:26 - Apr 23 Physios and condition coaches the utmost priority as it's obvious how physically inferior we are to most of other teams.
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markytitfc added 11:43 - Apr 23 I'm very concerned that without Leam Richardson, PC is at a loss. He should have done better over 12 games than he has
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SouperJim added 12:17 - Apr 23 Those of you doubting Paul Cook need to listen to our new owners, Berke Bakay said just yesterday that he's looking forward to helping PC put his own team together. I think everyone within the club knows we're treading water until the end of the season because the vast majority of the players on the books don't give a monkeys. Pep couldn't get a tune out of this shower, because they all know they very shortly will no longer be employed by ITFC and they lack any meaningful sense of professional pride. Downes, Dozzell, Nydam, KVY... these are the players we will keep. Nearly all the rest are for the bin and the sooner the better.

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BettyBlue added 12:19 - Apr 23 Cook: I'll Be Working With New Personnel and New Staff Going Forward Oh yes you will, at another club hopefully.
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Suffolkboy added 12:41 - Apr 23 Professional objectivity from top to bottom in selection and recruitment is what we look for ! The requirements are plainly easy to identify ; trust the Americans will bring hard nosed focus everywhere – and couple that with enthusiasm for everything ITFC ! COYB
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TractorCam added 12:44 - Apr 23 I see the muppets have escaped from their caves again. Can't believe we have fans who blame a very successful manager for our situation rather than the disinterested, awful players who have been losing games for 3 years!
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BettyBlue added 13:06 - Apr 23 Please let the muppets know when we are officially allowed to judge/appraise Paul Cook's performance as manger of ITFC. At the beginning of the season everyone repeats "lets see where we are after the first 10 games...." Obviously this doesn't apply to the messiah as he has only inherited 48 players all of which are unable to play football.
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CraigEdwards added 13:07 - Apr 23 I feel sorry for him tbh. He can in trying to continue the run of 3 wins that lambert left which to be honest could have easily been 3 losses. The attitude shown by the 1st team have been nothing but disrespectful and disgusting. All the crap from the players coming out saying we're together and trying our hardest !! Really. The dressing room would tell you that and what he should have done was to bring in the kids and leave the 1st team out to dry. I will be very surprised if we pick up another point this season let alone score. Those so called professionals fully knowing that there time at the club was surely be coming to an end would show so kind of desire to put themselves in the shop window and perhaps get a contract elsewhere. Role on the end of the season now to really start again. It's not going to be easy by any stretch but with the drive and determination of Paul cook and some of the kids it can be done. I haven't looked forward to a new season as next season for a very long time. COYBs

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BettyBlue added 13:08 - Apr 23 And we are playing in the pressure cooker atmosphere of mid table 3rd division football along with empty stadiums.
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BettyBlue added 13:11 - Apr 23 And if we are starting completely from scratch then you can expect to be stuck in league one for several years.....
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BettyBlue added 13:13 - Apr 23 "It's a poor craftsman that blames his tools" especially as you only have 48 of them.
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jayceee added 13:22 - Apr 23 Cook started with a clean slate - sure, maybe he did not inherit a great group of players, but if he cannot even inspire what he has, to at least put in the level of effort we expect - or cannot earn the respect and control of the changing rooms, then he is not up to the task. It was a mistake bringing him in, and I won't be unhappy to see him packing. Downvote me all you want, but words mean nothing anymore - just visible passion from the team and results.

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dirtydingusmagee added 13:29 - Apr 23 Its not going very well is it ?
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Bleu added 13:29 - Apr 23 p*ss poor man management..
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ChrisFelix added 13:47 - Apr 23 What stands out for me are the dreadful loan signings bought in by Lambert in January. A promising full back who impressed almost immediately & then disappeared. A so called striker whose record is almost as bad as Skuse. Previously we have taken one or two quality loanees rather than other teams cast offs
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runningout added 13:52 - Apr 23 I for one was a MM fan but knew his time had come at our Club. PH and PL were VERY poor choices. In that time and before I have watched a group of footballers (when poss home and away) playing with total fear of failure, Due to expectations most of them cannot handle. You get it at ALL clubs. Those lucky enough to get another club must learn to cope with it when things go Kerput. I hope we bring in some decent arrogance to rub off onto those that need it

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BettyBlue added 14:05 - Apr 23 Why did Cook take the job if he could see none of the team couldn't play football?
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AlanG296 added 14:07 - Apr 23 Why are people still going on that we should have made the playoffs. They all know that this lot hardly ever beat a top six team so beating two of them to win the play offs is a pipedream. Promotion is the only thing that matters, reaching the playoffs but not winning them is failure and no manager on the planet could get this pile of manure to win the playoffs.
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JewellintheTown added 14:22 - Apr 23 Small screen so had to take a second look at the guy on the left. Thought it was Richard Wright at first.
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Juggsy added 15:31 - Apr 23 I despair of a lot of these comments. Give the man a chance will you ffs? Oh, and when it all starts going great under him, remind yourself you were a d!ckhead at this point in time.
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