Cook to Speak to Players on Monday
Friday, 7th May 2021 11:23 Boss Paul Cook has paid tribute to Stephen Ward, whose departure from Portman Road was confirmed on Wednesday, and says he will speak to the rest of the players about their futures on Monday.
As revealed by TWTD on Tuesday, like Alan Judge, Ward’s contract included a clause which meant he would automatically get an additional year with the Blues if he made a 30th league start, the 35-year-old former Irish international having made 29.
Despite Ward having been given the news that he wouldn’t be staying at the club, he was with the squad at Shrewsbury on Tuesday, which Cook says a lot about his character.
“One hundred per cent,” he said. “Absolutely superb lad, a superb pro, had an outstanding career and been a great player, conducted himself really, really well.
“We had a conversation very similar to the conversation I had with Judgey [Alan Judge], again another lad who is no different to Stephen.
“And just as men, we spoke about the future and the reality for Stephen would be that his future wouldn’t be here. So, we mutually made that decision.
“Stephen has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant and not just at the game the other night, he’ll be at the game again on Sunday, and he’ll finish the season like the true professional he is and obviously with my best wishes and our best wishes as a football club.”
Asked whether he can say anything yet about any other players who are leaving with 19 out of contract* and not having had their futures already confirmed, he responded: “It would be easier to say who’s staying, that’s for sure.”
But the players must have a fair idea? “As you can imagine guys [the media], I understand you have a job to do, and as we’ve come this far, we’ve got to conduct ourselves as well as we can.
“We’re actually talking about people’s livelihoods here, we’re talking about families and children and kids in schools, and it isn’t a joking matter, it’s a very serious matter.
“Football is a serious business, so whilst I am trying to be a little bit tongue in cheek, the reality is we’re all hurting inside, aren’t we? We’re not going to be in the play-offs, we’re not going to be successful and that has to hurt.
“That will come to the table on Monday when we speak to all the players individually regarding what’s gone on, what’s going to go on with the future of the club. And the future of the club is the most important thing.
“For managers today, the results-driven business is there for everyone to see. We don’t last long anymore, we can talk as much as we want, we can do what we want.
“For players, being successful at clubs is absolutely huge. Players can be passing ships in the night now.
“We’ve got to put a squad together for next year and that will include some lads who are here and it will include some new arrivals.
“But certainly one the town and the supporters and the new ownership can be proud and happy with. But at the minute that’s probably a long way from where we are.”
Asked whether it's been a conscious decision to field players who are in most cases will still be in contract in the last couple of games, Cook wouldn't be drawn into commenting.
“Again guys, I’m going to do my best not to debate players,” he said. “There’s no point for me.
“I actually enjoyed watching the last two games. Within that, we did our best to try and throw the Swinson result away. We tried our hardest and that’s something we have as a group.
“We’re in control of a game that we should be winning four or five-nil if you like, and we end up hanging on at 2-1. That’s not correct, and then going on to Shrewsbury.
“We’ve got so much work to do as staff as a football club, we know the work ahead, we know the summer’s going to bring long hours at the club for recruitment, for people for myself.
“We know the challenges of football, so I don’t really look back on anything this season, to be quite honest, with any type of feeling that is proud or good.
“I just feel a sense of underachievement by everyone, and that includes myself.”
*Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse, Emyr Huws, Freddie Sears, Kayden Jackson, Teddy Bishop, Toto Nsiala, Janoi Donacien, James Wilson, Gwion Edwards, Aaron Drinan, Tristan Nydam, Ben Morris, Idris El Mizouni, Liam Gibbs, Bailey Clements, Levi Andoh, Bert White and Tommy Hughes.
Town have previously confirmed they have options to keep Skuse, Sears, Bishop, Nsiala, Donacien, Wilson, Nydam, Morris, El Mizouni, Clements, Andoh, White and Hughes.
Photo: Pagepix
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buzbyblue added 11:32 - May 7
I can count on less than 2 hands those I would personally keep, the rest of the 44 can quite happily leave, and after recent displays I'll be surprised if many find new clubs |  | |
ElephantintheRoom added 11:35 - May 7
"Football is a serious business". So serious it doles out contracts with renewal clauses that are reneged on with impunity. Then this catastrophically awful manager (so far) has the nerve to criticise players for being demotivated and demoralised. Be interesting to see what chancers are joining the in queue at the revolving door. |  | |
WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:36 - May 7
Very business-like in manner PC. I am cautiously optimistic for next season but PC has put himself under enormous pressure and you can tell in the way he speaks. He knows he simply has to make it work next season but with a new squad. Play offs will be the realistic aim but not going to be easy. | | |
Nobbysnuts added 11:36 - May 7
Shouldn't take long...your sh#t, your sh#t, your sh#t, your sh#t..etc etc etc...... |  | |
PackwoodBlue added 11:38 - May 7
I personally hope that Chambers will be named in the first 11 and given the Captain's arm band for what I'm sure will be his last appearance for the club. | | |
Suffolkboy added 11:39 - May 7
It WILL be an interesting ,possibly controversial few days next week ; but there's little doubt about Paul Cook's determination ,his desire to reset standards and professional objectives so let's wish him every success .
No matter how long he's been a Manager , no matter he and the players know the score .actually effectively terminating employment and association with a Club and colleagues is a very testing experience.
Best wishes to all .
COYB | | |
Cheshire_Blue added 11:47 - May 7
This manager's record so far is awful and I have no confidence that he can improve. No motivational or man management skills and even less coaching ability. It has become clear that his success elsewhere was down to his No. 2 who is now manager at Wigan. The sooner the new owners bring in their own man the better. | | |
STATMAN added 11:50 - May 7
I have been saying for a number of years that ITFC needs a shake up on ON and OFF the field. It looks like that is now going to happen. | | |
sixtyblue added 11:59 - May 7
These players shot themselves in the foot when they proved to PC that when asked prove themselves in four days full training they could not manage two full days.If they are on the list to go they have only themselves to blame. | | |
atty added 12:00 - May 7
Keep KVY,Wilson, Wolfie, Kenlock, Downes, Nydam, Dobra, Norwood, Edwards, Bishop...... struggling now. | | |
TimmyH added 12:15 - May 7
Paid tribute!?!...you gotta' be kidding me, what did he do? 'a superb pro' - where have we heard that before? |  | |
Europablue added 12:29 - May 7
ElephantintheRoom
No clauses have been reneged on, unless you are talking about the spirit of the clause, but that is not what counts. | | |
BeattiesBackPocket added 12:55 - May 7
Shame about ward in my opinion we got him a couple of years too late and didn't see the best from him. As much as it's a shame many players will leave its gone past that time where we show too much apathy or our club will continue to decline. | | |
Reuserscurtains added 13:27 - May 7
Clear out the wet lettuces please Mr Cook! |  | |
Linkboy13 added 14:17 - May 7
Some very hard decisions to make for Cook . In view of the fact Cook is going to bring in some supposedly better quality players most of the current squad will be even further down the list for first team selection. Take for example Morris who has been very unlucky with injuries and failed to impress when on loan at Forrest Green the chances of him breaking into the first team next season are not good. A year long lone somewhere would do him the world of good but that would probably be in the National league. And what about Donasien by all accounts he has been outstanding for Fleetwood and might be a different player under Cook. | | |
Linkboy13 added 14:18 - May 7
Some very hard decisions to make for Cook . In view of the fact Cook is going to bring in some supposedly better quality players most of the current squad will be even further down the list for first team selection. Take for example Morris who has been very unlucky with injuries and failed to impress when on loan at Forrest Green the chances of him breaking into the first team next season are not good. A year long lone somewhere would do him the world of good but that would probably be in the National league. And what about Donasien by all accounts he has been outstanding for Fleetwood and might be a different player under Cook. | | |
Linkboy13 added 14:19 - May 7
Some very hard decisions to make for Cook . In view of the fact Cook is going to bring in some supposedly better quality players most of the current squad will be even further down the list for first team selection. Take for example Morris who has been very unlucky with injuries and failed to impress when on loan at Forrest Green the chances of him breaking into the first team next season are not good. A year long lone somewhere would do him the world of good but that would probably be in the National league. And what about Donasien by all accounts he has been outstanding for Fleetwood and might be a different player under Cook. | | |
ArnieM added 14:36 - May 7
Really looking forward to the new era under Paul Cook. Hopefully we will be seeing a much higher tempo of play and attacking football, which we simply haven't seen at this club in over a decade under any of the last 3 - 4 managers. I think we have finally got ourselves a very good attack minded manager, and hopefully a decent infrastructure and strategy going forwards, all of which have been missing under the previous owner and managers.
COYBs, Paul Cook, The Three Lions & Ed Sheeran ðŸ‘🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸 ...” Perfect”! |  | |
MidlandsBlue92 added 15:26 - May 7
Lots of clubs have fallen to the depths of L1, cleared out and started building a philosophy and style which has seen them rise through to the Premier League. Arguably our biggest ever summer, but an exciting one! | | |
therein61 added 16:21 - May 7
Whoever is kept on get your heads down and for once take on board that your meal ticket days are over just knuckle down and pay the club back for the easy ride you've had , for those let go good luck in the future but apply yourselves as professionals to any club taking you on. |  | |
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