Conor Chaplin admits he was shocked to be axed from Town’s starting line-up following the narrow 2-1 defeat to league leaders Plymouth at the end of last month.

It meant he was on the bench for the next game, the 4-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers, and again on Saturday when the Blues were held to a goalless draw at home by sixth-placed Oxford.

Chaplin, 24, did start the FA Cup and Papa John’s Trophy home clashes with Oldham and Colchester respectively and is likely to feature in tomorrow night’s replay against the Latics at Boundary Park, where the prize for victory is a home tie against another League Two club, Barrow, in the second round.

The summer recruit from Barnsley seemed to have made the number 10 role his own when manager Paul Cook decided to make changes. “I felt I was doing really well,” he said.

“I had contributed goals and assists as well so I’ll be honest and say it came as a bit of a surprise when I dropped out.

“But that’s not to say I won’t be back in it soon because I’m sure I will be. The game at Oldham is another chance to show what I’m capable of and go again from there.”

Town were well below their best in the first game against Keith Curle’s side, who are struggling just above the bottom of League Two, and without the heroics of on-loan Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton, who superbly saved a penalty from Dylan Bahamboula, they would have progressed on the day.

Chaplin agreed: “I think it’s true that we weren’t at our best that day. We are definitely going into the replay looking to win and get through to the next round.

The fact that we already know we will be at home if we get through is an added incentive, so fingers crossed we can put in a good performance and, more importantly, win the game.

“Every time you play it is an opportunity to impress and remind people what you can do, what you’re good at and what you can bring to the team.

“That will apply to every single one of the players, not just me. I think we all know that we have to play well to stay in the team because it’s such a good squad.

“Attitude is a big part of it. We’re a team, we’re a close group of players and that’s going to take us places this season, fingers crossed. It needs to come from the culture of the club — everyone pulling in the right direction — and that’s something we are trying to create as well.”

Asked if manager Cook had taken him aside to explain the decision to leave him out at Wycombe, he replied: “No, not particularly. Like I’ve said before, we have a strong squad of players and no one can rest on his laurels — you’re either playing well or you’re not.

“I expect to play because I’ve been in good form, doing well and contributing to the team so that’s no different.”

With so much quality available to the manager do players simply need to accept there will be times when they have to be excluded? Chaplin added: “Yes, I think so, but that’s the manager’s job and it isn’t for the players to discuss.

“Every player has come to the club to play games but if you’re not in the side you are wishing the lads well, you fully support them and you’re hoping they do well.

“If you’re in the side you are looking for the same from the lads who are not in it. It’s all about everyone pulling in the same direction.”

Chaplin, who started his career in the academy at Portsmouth and found his way to Ipswich via spells at Coventry and Barnsley, made it clear his preferred position role in the side is behind the main striker, in what has come to be known as the number 10 role.

He added: “I would say that is my best position, definitely. I came to this football club to make a difference and be a leader, which is something I see myself as within the group.

“Responsibility and pressure comes with that but if you’re at a club like this I believe pressure is a good thing. In my view, if you don’t have pressure then you’re not at a big enough football club and you need to run towards it, not shy away from it.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Town4me added 15:27 - Nov 15 I'm surprised too. Would definitely prefer Chaplin in the middle and Celina out wide. Edwards not doing it for me at the moment.
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BlueBlood90 added 16:14 - Nov 15 He's got a very fair point. He's clearly unhappy about it and rightly so. Edwards hasn't really contributed much at all and kept his place for several weeks now. In my opinion we look a far better team whenever Chaplin plays and I'd hope to see both Celina and Chaplin in the same lineup soon.
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Europablue added 16:15 - Nov 15 Chaplin has more end product than many of the other players competing with him. Edwards for example, looks very exciting on the ball, but barely ever has an end result.
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CraigEdwards added 16:23 - Nov 15 Think most were a bit surprised tbh but it must be difficult keeping everyone happy. I also think Fraser played well in there , also it a long season but yes he has been playing well. Same with the piggott comments I didn't think he played that well and n Tuesday and you can drop bonne
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ernie added 16:45 - Nov 15 Edwards should be the one to drop out; It's as clear as day.
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Bazza8564 added 16:50 - Nov 15 A lot of people raved about Chapin's performance at Plymouth but I didnt see it the same way, and I was less than shocked when PC moved it about. I do agree though that Celina is equally effective on the left and with Edwards' form a bit hit and miss, Conor should be back in. It does go to show that PC will yank you out if you don't give him everything even if you've had a decent run, maybe thats a good thing to stop anybody coasting. I really like this guy and I hope the short spell on the sidelines will inspire him, none of this current crop feel like sulkers and the competition for places is good for the club.

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PortmanTerrorist added 16:53 - Nov 15 So obvious and correct Town4me. Chaplin in the middle and Celina out wide is almost so obvious that you have to wonder what PC has seen in training that stops him putting Celina out wide from the start. My son accurately compared Kyle to Gwion....both Edwards have Championship ability but League 2 consistency. So we now know why he was released, but we also know what a weapon he can be (start of season), but is PC going to put up with inconsistency? Predict "no" and that another winger coming in January unless young Yengi forces his way onto the bench; based on what have seen of U23s he can't be far behind.

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BlueRuin69 added 17:23 - Nov 15 Chaplins place in the team should be as concrete as Walton, Edmundson, Morsey and Bonne...........Coyb
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terryf added 17:42 - Nov 15 Totally agree with most of the comments on here. When he first arrived Chaplin looked a bit light weight but then he turned a corner and has been a revelation in the 10 role . Edwards looked a world beater when he first arrived but has gone off the boil, hopefully temporarily, and Celina should be played out left, similar to his role when he first came to Town. Still what do us guys know?

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Jugsy added 17:43 - Nov 15 As I understood it, Chaplin was not 100% going into the Plymouth and given games have been coming thick and fast was due a rest - he looked a bit leggy at Plymouth. He was late into challenges and his frustration was evident before he got booked. When Celina came on in the second half, we looked more threatening. This said, Celina was playing out wide and I think if all players are fit, I'd be looking at a combination of Aluko/Burns/Celina in the wide positions and Chaplin at 10. Edwards needs a rest and to prove himself, he looked a different class earlier this season but has now been found wanting. I find him a bit like Raheem Sterling, a master at ball control but seems to take an extra touch or show indecision at that final moment leading to nothing. Difference being that Sterling sees way more of the ball than an Ipswich side does! Just frustrating to watch when the best we seem to get is a shot from an awkward angle leading to a corner, that's no return compared to the other options.

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Jugsy added 17:46 - Nov 15 Just read your post PortmanTerrorist - I think your lad is spot on. Maybe they need to take a lead from Carlos Edwards... ;-)
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CraigEdwards added 18:54 - Nov 15 Sorry should have read can't drop bonne
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Karlosfandangal added 22:10 - Nov 15 Town4me You read my mind, I like Edwards looks like he will be a player for the future, some nice touches on Saturday but not quite there yet
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Stato added 07:02 - Nov 16 Chaplin does a one man press for 90 mins and recycles the ball continually. He is also our 2nd highest goal scorer. He should be playing 10 especially as Celina looks do dangerous down the left
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Monkey_Blue added 11:53 - Nov 16 Cook has created his own problem. When you sign 19 players all on good money and tell them how great they are and how they are crucial to your plans…. A chunk of them will be annoyed. We have an unbalanced squad in that there are well over 20 who believe and have been told they are first team players. Who of the signings can you say demands inclusion given our poor and not up and down performances? You can tell this club is being run by mainly people who don't know how to manage a baby out with the bath water process. Lambert used to big up the players because he knew confidence was fragile, cook just promotes how great cook is.

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therein61 added 18:35 - Nov 16 It's a funny old game as the late Jimmy Greaves used to say and players peed off with not being in the starting X1 being a big part of it wherever you work from A-Z there are people in positions(unless you own the company of course) above who make decisions which at times you will not like or agree with but that is life young man and you are like all the other(starters in most sides) squad members so just take a deep breath stop throwing the toys out of the pram and knuckle down like all the rest, and when you get the shirt again make it impossible to lose it not blow hot and cold thinking you've cracked it this squad is very much together and what is not needed is a bad apple! so just get your head down and graft.

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Saxonblue74 added 18:36 - Nov 16 Makes a nice change to have good problems! This kind of issue is an advantage that comes with a great squad. We could field a different 11 every match and still be competitive. Up to each and every individual to show their desire and hunger every time they pull on the shirt. I see PC as very fair in this respect, case in point being young Bailey Clements being given his chance recently and grabbing it with both hands.

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