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

Ebantiass added 11:41 - Apr 25 100% agree with Cooks view. For far too long players have coasted and enjoyed good pay for minimal effort. Remember our young goalie that quit football partly because the complete apathy he saw amongst players after a defeat? The players have to trust him and the staff and want to die out there on the field for the club, their teammates and themselves. This season i really dont can what happens just that there are some signs of growth and desire for the future. Poor sod Cook has to get 7/8 out at least and a good handful in. Thats not going to be easy. BLUEARMY FOREVER

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markytitfc added 12:11 - Apr 25 He does say what we are all thinking, but, 13 games and he can't get a performance out of them. I am definitely sitting on the fence about PC. I'm not convinced he can do the job without his previous assistants. Chris Wilder is still available??
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:19 - Apr 25 WELL having read that ,for the time being im going to stick with it. FOR ONCE a manager has stated his views on this group of players that actually matches that of the fans thank goodness for that . I couldnt have put it better myself. Just wish he would dump the lot of them. . I WILL wait to see what happens in summer .
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blueboy1981 added 12:33 - Apr 25 Like I've said - these failures that are destined to leave are on the phone every two minutes to their ‘Agents' and being promised all sorts of ‘being in demand by other Clubs'. Some, if not all, may well see that instead of listening to what may well turn out to be false promises, they should have been putting in a shift to earn another contract here. The ‘Agents' will be telling them not to get injured too - so this is all what we are seeing now. Agents have much to answer for - and only interested in MONEY !! Should Division 3 level players need ‘Agents' ?? - of course NOT - this game has gone BONKERS !! And who ultimately pays for it ?? - the Supporter Mugs !!

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BettyBlue added 12:46 - Apr 25 What if the manager and the players are both crap?
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BettyBlue added 12:49 - Apr 25 Who would want anything to do with ITFC at present? The manager, the pLAYERS OR THE FANS. we'd all like to walk away at the moment. Marcus has already gone.
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atty added 12:52 - Apr 25 “ I'll be brief” really.? Frankly l wish you would be. We understand and share your frustration, anger, disappointment but what's the point in keep banging on about it after every game. It's pointless, getting very boring, and basically you've destroyed your relationship with most of the team. Also you keep saying it's down to you and you are right in some respects. You have not improved performances at all, not on bit , either individual players or the team collectively. In fact they have got worse. So give it a rest, stop jumping in front of the media whenever possible, and a bit more circumspect. Oh and given all the talk of a new era, clear out, new players, positivity about the future you better get it right next season.Most of the fans are backing you, so In the top six at Christmas, and motoring please. Anything less and you could see the other side of the fans.

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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 13:09 - Apr 25
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ESSEX75 added 13:20 - Apr 25 Cook should wind it in a bit we were on the edge of playoffs when the Keyboard warriors of twtd news site hounded another manager out now look where we are when's the freefall of our great club going to end . The warriors are as good at picking managers as Evans after all when Mickma Was hounded out cook would of been top of the list of many melts on here.
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ESSEX75 added 14:45 - Apr 25 Down arrows from the kings of the key board warriors I rest my case who next are you going to consign to the cemetery of football managers
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Monkey_Blue added 14:50 - Apr 25 13 games isn't a long time to build a side but it's more than enough tome to see some improvement. We've gone from underperforming to looking like the worst team in the division which no matter what you say, we are far from. A managers job is to manage which means he's responsible for results and the teams performances. Is Cook admitting he can't motivate, come up with tactics and plans to beat opponents? The idea all of these players are terrible and don't care is not just ridiculous, if true it makes lambert look like a genius which he clearly isn't. He's taken the Job and so Cook needs to know that comes with responsibility. Man up and look at yourself rather than simply blaming the players. They are responsible for their own performances, you are responsible for the entire teams performance.... it's in the job description.

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Cheshire_Blue added 15:11 - Apr 25 This is the same squad of players that were able to top the league at the start of the season. I have never known a manager to criticize his players in the way this man does. Two wins in thirteen games says it all. Paul Cook is not up to the job and the sooner the new owners realize this the better. A bad workman blames his tools. Failure to score goals is down to the coaching and when you throw criticism at your players at every opportunity there is little chance of motivation. It is only a couple of games back that Mr Cook felt his squad was good enough to get to the Play offs. Now he can see nothing but failure he is anxious to shift the blame. Get him out quickly.

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BettyBlue added 15:55 - Apr 25 "There's no way I'd have allowed that group to be built, it just wouldn't have happened" "I think a few of the players should be embarrassed " "It's tough from a distance. You think 'OK, if we get in and we get the processes right and we come in, albeit a side that's struggling, we can turn it around' and then you get in and you peel the layers of the onion and you realise 'God, what have we got ourselves into?'. "We've got some hard work to do this summer, but I have said all the time that my commitment to these fans will be that there'll be a team that turns up from the first day of next season that they will be able to get behind and be proud. "How many of those in that dressing room will be in this building I'm not sure, but I reckon it'll be single figures, not double figures. "There are a few of them in there who are fortunate to be professional footballers. In 12 months time I think there will be a few of them who'll be very, very fortunate to still be in the professional game." Paul Cook? No Joey Barton another hot air blame shifting manager.

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Bleu added 18:44 - Apr 25 Nigel Pearson......asap
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norfolkbluey added 19:44 - Apr 25 The cement has set. No current player will perform for him now. Big mistake slagging them off just keep feelings inside your head PC. There can only be another year in this division and I can only hope that next season we start winning because on current performances we will go down. I feel that the ship continues to sink but thank god we have owners now who won't tolerate failure and funds to change fortunes. I include players, trainers and managers.

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brittaniaman added 20:01 - Apr 25 Well it took a 20yr old Boy who came on at half time to show those others how to play and show some Passion , which they buck up in the 2nd half after watching him. Well done Dobra ?? Just slip in one or 2 more Boys PC. you know the ones
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BeattiesBackPocket added 21:24 - Apr 25 @Phil1969 These players aren't being made redundant it's nowhere near the same or even close example?? These players are out of contract so should either be trying their ars@s off for a new contract or putting themselves in the shop window? Plus they're paid a hell of a lot more than me or you? Fact is apathy has been rife under evans tenure added with no investment is why we've declined as has the state of the squad telling your manager that well be settling for staying in the championship under evans and proven by McCarthys remit is why we are where we are. Mcgoldrick, Lambert, McCarthy and evening loan players in the past have come in and out of our club and said this so no wonder the players are going through the motions but it's nothing like being made redundant they have the chance to play well move on maybe even more money but they're just not good enough or interested and this started years ago or if you look at this season started swindon town defeat onwards. No Holland, Mowbray or anyone from our 80's sides would've come off laughing and smiling having lost except this shambles of a team

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BettyBlue added 08:36 - Apr 26 We won't be in the race for promotion next season. No way. How do we avoid relegation will be the biggest challenge.
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brendenward35 added 08:47 - Apr 26 One thing that I can't work out, PC knows who the trouble makers are but they are still in the building. If we had a staff member causing trouble they would be out of the door. Chances are their contract is up end of season so why doesn't town just pay them off. Something just doesn't add up here I bet the owners have someone else lined up so just playing a waiting game. Bet if it was someone like Pearson he wouldn't take that sh_te from anyone.

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Razor added 10:42 - Apr 26 The manager seems to have given up like a lot of the players and is only thinking of the summer--------he seems to lack motivational skills and I am not sure the new owners expected or like what they are seeing. You may be out as well in the summer PC so dont count your chickens like you seem to have nbeen doing.
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WorcesterBlue added 10:59 - Apr 26 To be fair I think PC has mismanaged this from day one. If the people about to mark me down seriously think management of any kind is about openly disrespecting a whole team of human beings, calling into question all of their commitment and ability to do something they've worked hard at for years (or in the case of the youth have dreamed of for years) and finding yourself unable to stop slagging them off in the most abusive way, then think again. I wanted him for the job but he has lost the plot. If you are Downes would you play for him next year? No chance. Get a modern coach in with modern ideas and start again.

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Barty added 12:59 - Apr 26 well I think our free flowing , scoring for fun football that we have been playing under PC should be subject to nothing but the highest praise well its not like we have scored in the last 10 hours of football - I mean that really would be laughable
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BettyBlue added 13:51 - Apr 26 Sidegate Lane Primary School have a good under six five-a-side coach and my granny would like to help. Give them a call Paul, perhaps they can motivate the players.
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:15 - Apr 26 not good is it .
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bluesman added 19:51 - Apr 26 Erm think you might have lost the dressing room Paul
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