Town boss Paul Cook was scathing about his side’s performance as they drew 0-0 at home to AFC Wimbledon, declaring the first-half display perhaps the worst he’s ever seen from one of his teams and that the Blues were like a “Sunday league team that’s won a cup to come and play at Portman Road.”

Asked his assessment of the game, Cook said: “I know I can’t shut up and I’ve got to be careful because I don’t want to go on, so I’ll try and be as brief as I can.

“The first half was possibly, and I’ve got to have a good memory, the worst performance of one of my teams I have ever seen in my whole managerial career.

“I’ve never seen a team play like that, I’ve never seen a team lack every quality on a football pitch, including the biggest one, honesty.

“Including winning contact, winning the second ball, doing basic stuff well. And it’s so disappointing.

“But nothing will sway me now. I’ve been of a mindset for a period of time, before Marcus left the club and the new ownership came in, what needs to happen. The plans behind the scenes haven’t changed.

“I just feel like we’re not far off a Sunday league team that’s won a cup to come and play at Portman Road.

“You look at the stadium being empty and you’re so thankful that it is empty because the first half was an absolute shambles of a performance.

“In the second half I thought we were honest, we did a lot better. Dobs [Armando Dobra] came on and gave us a lift by just purely wanting to play football and being a kid that just loves football.

“You look at some of ours and it’s like they don’t like being footballers. They won’t have to wait too much longer for that to happen.”

Quizzed on whether there have been a few harsh words at half-time, Cook continued: “I’m not coming out to say that, I’ll give you my honest assessment, as I always will. I’m the manager of this team.

“I can’t stand watching us play, and that breaks my heart as I stand here privileged to be manager of the club. That team does not epitomise what I like about the game, it’s just the total opposite.”

Town have now gone more than 10 hours - 619 minutes - without a goal and are closing in on their all-time record of 714 minutes from the 1994/95 season in the Premier League.

has he known a spell like this one? Can the Blues end it before the season’s over? “How long’s left? Three 90s? I reckon our fans are going to have to get ready for more.

“We had a couple of chances second half, Keanan Bennetts has gone clean through in the first half and you can see that sometimes when we get in those positions our confidence isn’t there.

“That’s something that you can speak about for ever, confidence, it becomes boring. Go and be the one who does it. Go and be the one who gains confidence by taking a goal and taking an opportunity.

“There have been enough excuses round here now. I might even ban you all for the next three games because it’s going to actually be quite pointless, isn’t it?

“I think we have a good relationship but it’s pointless me coming out trying to show I’m a tough guy and all the above. I don’t like watching us play. I don’t think that team represents [me].

“I think we’re soft, I think we lack character and we lack big players and I hope and I pray that I’m the one that can change that.”

One positive was the second half display of Armando Dobra having come off the bench: “He came on and he looked like he wanted to play football, and that shone through in a really poor team today, and that’s something I have to deal with.

“We’ve got two weeks to go, the season now that’s fallen completely flat from being in a great position, and that’s under me, a really strong position to wilting away, to becoming a soft touch, becoming easy to beat where teams like Wimbledon come to Portman Road and from the first minute were probably the better team on the pitch. And that’s sad.

“I’m not disrespecting Wimbledon, by the way, please don’t take my comments the wrong way. It’s sad that the best we can offer is not a lot.”

Asked about the change of keeper, Dai Cornell starting and Tomas Holy dropping to the bench, Cook said: “I think you’ve seen with the team, big Oli [Hawkins] came in and did OK. He’s as honest as the day at the top end of the pitch. Dai’s made a few saves including the penalty, which were good saves.

“I think in general now I think we’ve seen everyone and you guys have seen them more than me. There’ll be no stupid statements from me, I think I’ve made one or two there, haven’t I when look back, but I don’t think I need to make many more, do I?”

Cook said after the defeat at Northampton that the criticism of the players had to stop but with performances like the first half they’re making that difficult.

“It has to stop, doesn’t it?” Cook added. “You know me, you’ve been around me a little bit. I’ll always be as honest as I can.

“I’ve enjoyed managing and this is a period where I was out of work for eight or nine months and couldn’t wait to get back in and the way my team’s playing at the minute I’ll be out of work again very soon.

“That’s not me. I don’t represent the football club like that. The players are representing us at the minute.

“I know the fans know. I know that. Whatever I say can’t change anything, so even with you [the media] next week I’m going to try and be a little bit quieter, I’m not going to discuss everything you might want me to and let’s just wait for the changes to come.”

Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson was disappointed that his side didn't claim all three points.

“I have mixed feelings after that result,” he told his club's official website. “We were excellent in the first half. I hope the fans can see that we were excellent in the first half because I’m sure the fans, like us, are disappointed we only came away with a point.

“The chances were there, they’ve put in a couple of great blocks. We’ve also missed chances that we should’ve scored and the lads know that. The game could’ve been over in the first half an hour, so we’re disappointed.

“We started bright again in the second half. Ayoub [Assal] could’ve scored when he cut inside and tried to round the keeper. After that Ipswich came at us for 20 minutes, they flashed a couple of crosses across the face of goal. I don’t think Nik [Tzanev] has made a save.

“When you’re away from home, teams are always going to have a spell but we nullified that and had our own little spell where we created a couple more chances.

“Probably not as many as we wanted but it shows how far we have come, we’re coming to Portman Road and we’re disappointed with a draw. We just need to put [relegation fears] to bed on Tuesday.”

Photo: TWTD

runaround added 00:55 - Apr 25 Paul Cook's reaction is so damming that even Roy Keane would blush! However most of it is true. He has made mistakes of that there is no doubt but a lot of the players have not given him a chance & have not been playing for him from day one. That is bad enough but they are also not playing for the club, the fans or themselves. I think that's a bit disgraceful & the sooner most of them are gone the better

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BettyBlue added 01:40 - Apr 25 ITFC's not scorin'! 'ITFC's passed on! This football club is no more! It has ceased to be! 'It's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! 'I's metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'It's bottom of the league! 'It's kicked the bucket, 'It's shuffled off 'is mortal coil!! THIS IS AN EX-Football Club!! Thank you Paul Cook for the final nails in this clubs coffin.

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eddiespearitt03 added 02:19 - Apr 25 Paul Cooks assessment echo,s what many supporters are feeling right now. These gutless players employed by ITFC were very much recruited and retained with the go ahead from a clueless Marcus Evans. Perhaps there has been a willingness to keep this club stuck in League One by some players. An early exit out of every cup competition makes it an easy season. I do hope Paul Cook & the new owners sort it out .

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bobble added 05:51 - Apr 25 the same players beat the leaders Hull away under Lambert ? Cooks the problem
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Jonaldo added 07:15 - Apr 25 Feel for the guy, he is right when he says a Sunday side would give them a game! Why not arrange a game to ruffle some feathers and take them down a peg or two! But then he has already thrown in the towel on this group and rightly so, Genuinely worried about next season now, relegation is a real possibility!
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Help added 07:23 - Apr 25 @saxonblue. TBH I have no idea, that is a question to ask the players. Then you might find A - they are not motivated B- they are really that bad C - they dont get it C -combination of any of the above
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BettyBlue added 07:30 - Apr 25 D - They would rather get Paul Cook the sack than continue their football carreer.
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BettyBlue added 07:35 - Apr 25 These players got enough points to avoid relegation under Paul Lambert this season. So these players are better than the bottom 4 and even they manage to score goals. Either Paul Cook is pants as a manager or the players are actively fighting against performing for the club and manager.
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Titters added 07:48 - Apr 25 They can do this because they do not have to play in front of fans. If they did this in a usual season they would be rightfully booed and told by the fans face to face that they were unprofessional. What a bunch of gutless tossers. They should all be sacked immediately for not fulfilling their contracts.
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Chris_Knights added 08:25 - Apr 25 I've said it a thousand times ... it's not the manager it's the players .... they've finally worked it out for themselves ... they're all rubbish and unprofessional . They've all realised they have no future at the club and they've all realised they'll play national league football next season .... so instead of giving some efforts they've thrown the towel in. Jackson, Hawkins and Drinan ... three goals between them Third worst defence in the Third tier of English Football Chances created, pass completion and tackles won all amongst the worst ..... and yet some say it's still the manager!! Downes, Dozzell, Lancaster, Bishop and Woolfenden .. all pants . Why seen any premier league or championship offers of any more than £1.5m over the past 18 months ? No.... because they are rubbish and have all gone backwards ... under the previous manager. The club is toxic at the moment. But it will get better under Cook. It's not the managers fault ... keep the faith . COYB

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MickMillsTash added 08:44 - Apr 25 Massive 2 Months ahead for Cook- players return for training in June ? He needs to sort out his off field staff and recruit a spine of a team - that's 6 first team players minimum. Then he can be judged fairly So far he's sorted out nothing and clearly alienated players who were top of the league in September. Its going to take some money - I'm sure the new owners are thinking that - he's taken a team who has just worked out how to beat a top 6 side to one that does not know how to beat a bottom 6 side. Thin ice- If I was him I'd keep my gob shut

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ChrisFelix added 09:10 - Apr 25 I'm a Cook supporter & remain so. But what puzzles me why he can't put our 11 players who want to play for him. Different period but the Bobby Robson player problem of nearly 50 years saw 2 senior players removed & never to play for the club again
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Europablue added 09:39 - Apr 25 I think a lot of people don't really appreciate how unsettling it has been to have a change of ownership. I would say that it has been a huge distraction and created a lot of uncertainty and ended any hopes of having a new manager bounce and sneaking into the playoffs. Most people wanted new owners, and from my point of view as much as I am concerned for the long term of the club, I am very happy with the new owners in the short term. So this change is great, but we need to have a sustained period of stability. I'm not happy with the results that PC has got, but I see them as a part of the bigger picture and I accept that the focus is on the summer and next season. We can judge PC by where we are at Christmas (in my opinion that doesn't need to be top of the league or necessarily in the playoff places, just not in a relegation battle and having an upward trajectory. I'm expecting next season to follow more on the trajectory of Blackpool this season (so being lower middle table until the part of the season where it really counts then pushing into the playoffs) than winning the league at a canter.

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Marinersnose added 09:47 - Apr 25 Cook has made a very honest assessment of his players but he is the manager and after those comments he's basically told his team or squad that they aren't good enough . They will never play for him again after his rant so for me I cannot see what this has achieved. Those of us who have managed people are aware of the issues which will occur on a daily basis but you have to dart and deal with them as they won't go away. I don't think this ground players are good enough but he has to try and get them playing. I'm not in anyway convinced that he'll be in charge come the start of next season. The owners must be concerned, they have to be in my opinion as big money won't save this club. You have to have t(e right personnel who can identify, recruit and coach in order to achieve and as it stands I'm not convinced that this will happen. I pose the question, was it his number two at Wigan who coached the team and Cook was the focal point and voice ? I don't know the answer but I wouldn't question the fact that his record is very good. This scenario is too similar to Hurst who tried to change everything and fell flat on his face. This club needs sorting out quickly. I do agree with Cook that some of this squad will be looking for another job next season away from football as many are that bad. I try to remain positive but he hasn't got any players to bring in. Simpson has been mentioned but seriously he's miles away from first team football. He's big and strong and has pace end of.

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Europablue added 09:54 - Apr 25 churchmans81 We have been top of the league after the first few games two seasons in a row, but the supporters always knew that the results didn't match the results. The three wins in a row were kind of an anomaly. Then we had a very unsettled squad and played a lot of the teams at the bottom who were playing for their lives. Commitment makes a huge difference to whether you win or lose and you can't fake desire. We have to remember that the underperforming players are only human, and whilst the performances are discraceful, it's just the response of a group of players without strong leadership skills. I think a lot of these players are fairly decent and could be part of the team still, but we need the right blend of leadership all over the pitch.

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BobbyBell added 09:59 - Apr 25 We need 15 quality players. That ain't cheap but is better than 25 average or poor players. Keep the 15 fit and play them together and let them bond. In other words build a good solid team and use the youth system as back up only when needed. Too many players have been at this club and well below the standard needed. Rotating a big squad simply because they are there does not work!!

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Europablue added 10:03 - Apr 25 Norwichbeater I guess you weren't around when Roy Keane was here and forgot about Paul Hurst as he was gone so quickly if you think Cook is our worst manager ever. PC probably has the toughest job any manager has taken on for us.
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Wooly74 added 10:08 - Apr 25 I'm concerned that some of the younger lads that many of you are crying put to be included in the team, simply aren't good enough. Is Jack injured at present because we haven't seen him anywhere near the squad for some 10 games now?
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Europablue added 10:12 - Apr 25 Help, the other thing is a lot of these players are not up to playing in the Championship, so their reward for getting promoted would probably have been being shown the door.
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bobble added 10:15 - Apr 25 if they aint playing for the boss and he keeps picking them, then he is the problem first and they are the second problem.//////////////// play any town player of any age that shows commitment to our mighty club.
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Europablue added 10:15 - Apr 25 Monkey_Blue It's not about getting the best out of the players in the short term, it's about the long term. What's the point of sneaking into the playoffs and losing. A few players would earn contract extensions and it might gloss over the problems that have been going on for years now. I'd rather rip off the plaster and start the proper rebuilding job while we are not in danger of getting relegated if it doesn't come together quick enough.

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Europablue added 10:24 - Apr 25 Wooly74 We don't have any young players that are so good that they can come into the team and make a huge difference. Young players especially need to come into a settled side and then we will see the best from them.
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KenHancocksBoot added 10:47 - Apr 25 Last season we were allocated 11th on the basis of average points per game. Now we have played (almost) a full season and are in the same position. Looks consistent to me. This is the current team's level. This is what was bequeathed to us by Paul Hurst and Marcus Evans. Nothing Paul Cook can do can change that. Let's count our blessings and look forward.
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KernewekBlue added 11:10 - Apr 25 Two very telling sentences from the manager in this interview... 1. “I just feel like we're not far off a Sunday league team that's won a cup to come and play at Portman Road." Unfortunately, there's no way we have would have won a Sunday League Cup Final! At this point, I'd welcome us scoring in a win in any Sunday League fixture, let alone winning a cup! “You look at some of ours and it's like they don't like being footballers. They won't have to wait too much longer for that to happen.” Ipswich's Jobcentre looks like it's going to have an influx of ex-so-called-footballers signing on in the next few weeks. Let's see if any of them can manage to serve a Big Mac with some drive and passion? I seriously doubt it! Roll on transfer time!

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KernewekBlue added 11:11 - Apr 25 Two very telling sentences from the manager in this interview... 1. “I just feel like we're not far off a Sunday league team that's won a cup to come and play at Portman Road." Unfortunately, there's no way we have would have won a Sunday League Cup Final! At this point, I'd welcome us scoring in a win in any Sunday League fixture, let alone winning a cup! 2. “You look at some of ours and it's like they don't like being footballers. They won't have to wait too much longer for that to happen.” Ipswich's Jobcentre looks like it's going to have an influx of ex-so-called-footballers signing on in the next few weeks. Let's see if any of them can manage to serve a Big Mac with some drive and passion? I seriously doubt it! Roll on transfer time!

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