Town boss Paul Cook admitted his side was beaten by a far better team all over the pitch as they were defeated 2-0 by new League One leaders Rotherham United at Portman Road.

Ben Wiles and Shane Ferguson scored a goal in each half for the Millers, who never looked in any danger of not claiming all three points.

“I’ve got no problems with the result, no problem with anything, crowd reactions or anything else,” Cook said. “The brutal truth tonight was we were beaten by a far better team all over the pitch.

“That’s just a benchmark to this division, to where we want to be and where we want to go as a club. And tonight we were well off it.

“Credit to Rotherham, I knew it was going to be a difficult game, I’ve known [Rotherham manager] Paul [Warne] for a long time, I know what his team brings and tonight they brought everything to the table that makes them such a formidable team in this division.”

He added: “There’s no excuses from me tonight, there’s absolutely none. Saturday, I was really disappointed because we played well at Sunderland and we deserved to win.

“Tonight we deserved what we got, which was nothing out of the game and sometimes you’ve got to make sure that that’s the motivation to drive you on to get better because everything that was good about Rotherham tonight was lacking in us, and that was really disappointing.”

Regarding Rotherham, he added: “They’re a well-oiled machine, what you see is what you get. Solid, great work ethic, great desire from all the players, clear team play, strategy how they play, and they’re very good at it.

“For us tonight, it just proved a little bit difficult. Listen, you can debate the game. You guys watch Ipswich, you have done for a period of time, tonight’s really disappointing because we have made some good strides, there has been positivity about, but we’ve probably dampened that a lot tonight.”

Things for the players to learn from the match? “We’ll see won’t we? Runs are what they are? For us 19 games into a new campaign where there’s been so much optimism around the club, the ticket sales going into Christmas, the fans turning up as they have done again tonight.

“We appreciate it, it’s no use me saying ‘Well done and thanks’ to them because I understand it. I feel exactly what they feel tonight, which is that I’ve watched an Ipswich Town team be second best all over the pitch.”

Quizzed on whether he believes Rotherham are likely to be the best team in the division this season, Cook said: “Good luck to Paul, he’s put together a very strong team, he’s a good guy. He’s got good staff, good players and they’re a very strong team.

“It’s something we aspire to being, so tonight we hold our hands up, we didn’t at Sunderland on Saturday where we felt we deserved to win the game. Certainly tonight we got what we deserved.”

Town are now 13th, eight points off the play-offs and 13 from the Millers and Wycombe in the automatic spots.

Asked whether every missed opportunity puts pressure on future games, Cook said: “Everyone wants to fast-forward, to be promoted. The reality is when we’re doing what we’re trying to do, there are going to be hiccups, there is no doubt about that.

“We’ve recruited a lot of players, we’ve walked into a team tonight that’s good and we’ve felt the full force of them. We acknowledge that, there’s no problem from me with that.”

Given the 13-point gap between the Blues and the Millers and Chairboys, isn’t the top two now going to be a big ask this season?

“Everything’s a reaction to a result in football,” Cook responded. “If we’re going to hopefully build a solid team that will take us forward, the bigger picture is something you must look at and we can’t have the short-term outlook that after a win that we might think we’re getting there and the defeats make you feel like the world’s about to end.

“The reality is we watch our team perform and that will be the biggest indicator of where we’re at. Where we feel we’re at tonight at 10 o’clock after that game, is not a great place, so we have to manage that.”

Town have now failed to score in their last three league games. Is that a concern? “Three games ago we were the highest scorers in the division. We haven’t said to them to stop shooting, we haven’t said stop crossing it, we haven’t said creating chances.

“It is what it is and on nights like tonight, I like to think I’m experienced now and I think sometimes we just say well done to Rotherham, wish them a safe trip him, they’ve travelled down well today, they’ve played really, really well and they’ve gone home with the thoroughly deserved points.

Cook brought on Joe Pigott to join Macauley Bonne in the second half and Cook was asked whether he might consider starting the pairing.

“I’m not going to debate the team selections and formations,” he said. “It’s just a difficult night tonight, we lost Sone Aluko, whose father passed away, which is a really disappointing one because Wes Burns on that right-hand side is out with his hamstring.

“You can debate your team and what’s gone on, there’s no point now. Let’s just have some manners.”

How long might Burns be out for? “I don’t want to debate the players and where we’re at. It’s a disappointing night tonight and we’ve got to bounce back from it.”

Bailey Clements was subbed in the second half and Cook was asked whether he felt it was a tough night for the youngster, who was making his third league appearance.

“Bailey’s been excellent in his three or four games and you’re always going to get tested,” he said.

“Defensively you’re always going to get challenged and Bailey’s come into the team and done really, really excellent. He can certainly hold his head up high.”

Rotherham boss Warne was delighted with his side's evening's work after a setback prior to kick-off.

“It didn't start great when [keeper] Josh Vickers went down with a sore groin about 10 minutes from the end of the warm-up, but in the end it was a really good performance,” he told the Millers official website.

“I'm really proud of my group. I say how much I love my players all the time, but they're great. They take on information and they work so hard out of possession of the ball.

“We sort of suffocated Ipswich really because of our work ethic and we got two good goals, and on another night we could have had another couple.

“As away performances go, I'm really pleased. They're a really good team and Cooky is a brilliant manager who will have success here no doubt, but tonight he was against a really good Rotherham side who managed the game really well.

“They all mean a bit but I think you always feel more engaged with the fans when you know how much effort has gone into coming to the game.

“The 250 or so that have come down in midweek is some effort and you do want to enjoy those moments. I didn't want to go full Jurgen Klopp but I sort of did!

“It is a big win and Oxford is going to be another good test on Saturday and then we have two cup games.”

Photo: TWTD

Saxonblue74 added 06:55 - Nov 24 Decent performances against Oxford and Sunderland with memories of Doncaster, Portsmouth and Wycombe still fresh. We got found out against the likely champions of lge1. We've got the likes Burns, Coulsen, Carroll and Nolan on the sidelines. We're a few short months into a new era. Until 3 games ago we were the lge top scorers. Patience is a virtue, the owners have it so we have no choice but to go along with it. For those stating that we're in a worse position than a year ago, try looking at the bigger picture.

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solomon added 06:59 - Nov 24 Actions speak louder than words Paul, you need to work harder and smarter to turn this around.
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:30 - Nov 24 Cook is the weakest link
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martin587 added 07:36 - Nov 24 His win ratio is terrible.I've been to almost every home and away game for many a year and I just don't see anything to convince me that PC has the quality to get us anywhere near promotion.We have the squad now almost all signed by him which compared to other clubs in this league is very strong.There is very little consistency from week to week so the motivation is apparently missing.One thing that worries me a great deal is the back room staff.Where are they or should I say what are they doing in training ?.I've never been disloyal and I don't like seeing people dismissed but surely now the owners need to have a very hard think about the way we are dropping points week after week.If and I say F we loose our next two home games then there needs to be changes at the top and those words come from a supporter who has followed the club I love for over sixty years.We deserve better PC you only have to look at the support this club has so pull your socks up and sort this mess out.PLEASE

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tractorboybig added 08:04 - Nov 24 so with all the money you have spent, blaming the players for last season and your back room staff to fill the titanic YOU HAVE FAILED
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BluePhilG added 08:06 - Nov 24 What an utterly inept manager, riding his luck until the axe falls. Not once have I been impressed by ANY decision this guy has made. He peaks at being average.
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blu_dru added 08:35 - Nov 24 Don't want to discuss tactics, players, injuries, formations - what do you want to discuss?? He is so evasive in interviews.
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phil_itfc_brown added 08:40 - Nov 24 PC is not the man to get us promotion.. we have only had 3 or 4 good performances since he has been manager… not good enough, his ITFC record must be one of the worst ever for us out of any manager we have ever had?? Time to change before this season is all but done…!
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Karlosfandangal added 08:44 - Nov 24 Not sure why people are saying 4231 system does not suit the team now when we were scoring 4 or 6 goals from it. The problem for me is when we start in a game with it and it's not working Mr Cook sticks with. Last night after 20 minutes it was clear it would not work, did not like Celina on the right for me he had a poor game there, Chaplin was well off the pace. No problem to losing to Rotherham because they are a yo-yo club who know what this division takes to get out of it and are better than Ipswich at the moment Against Sunderland we looked good but the players never took their chances. If Town are in a few points of the play offs by January and strengthen the side not by just signing Celina and Bonne by bring in players who can take the club up to the next step I think we will be ok Need to sign Walton he looks a good keeper. As Rotherham struggle to stay in the Championship and watching the game last night you can see how far we need to go if we are to win promotion and stay in the Championship.

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runningout added 08:56 - Nov 24 Lacking threat and another Morsy type. Our wing backs are not reading game
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norfolkbluey added 08:59 - Nov 24 Playing the current in form team is always going to be a tough call but the trend up to this point has not been very positive. Mr Cook these are your own chosen players and on paper they should be doing much better. Confidence helps but this bunch of players' playing style is not going to worry any opponents. You get 5* for for doggedness sticking to a style of play, but its becoming blatantly obvious its not working and being belligerent is a negative for me. I am now thinking that the new owners made a mistake in hiring you. We are definitely way off promotion contenders playing this way which is another great disappointment for all supporters who need a boost after years of under achieving. Yet more lows and patience is running out Paul. It is a mark of ITFC supporters that they are not calling for your head. Expectations Paul!!

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Dear_oh_Dear added 09:12 - Nov 24 Time for a new manager
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ArnieM added 09:29 - Nov 24 Question: noting the lack of desire, intensity of play and forwards runs are the players starting to lose confidence and belief in their manager ?
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Hiltzkooler added 09:48 - Nov 24 which ever way you look at it, it was poor from Town last night....I am in the patience group of fans, but last night was worse than Bolton....at times clueless, balls going backwards, too many players way off the pace (Toto, Morsy, Evans, Chaplin...)....Rotherham were a better team, but some of the basics simply werent there....points of note...like others have said, Walton a good keeper, Edmunson impressive and I liked that he went round after the game...he didnt slink off or a half hearted clap (Toto)....and Clements did not hide, he battled but he has no confidence bombing forward to get the delivery in...but he will get there because his work ethic is there for all to see. But it isnt a team, when components are missing....we have a long way to go and for the first time this season hopes of play offs have all but disappeared...you need to get a grip PC or otherwise you could be going next summer, it is a harsh reality....a twenty goal striker on the bench and at 71 mins you bring him on...?...I suppose that is better than 89 mins....the highs and lows of an ITFC ....tomorrow will be better

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BlueBlood90 added 09:49 - Nov 24 It's quite easy to see that Paul Cook was actually Leam Richardson's assistant.
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rodc added 09:50 - Nov 24 ITFC are paying huge wages to Celina and what is he contributing? He often gives the ball away with bad passes!
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Chris_Knights added 09:56 - Nov 24 Beginning to lose the faith Paul. 19 games in and 6 points worse off than last year…. Which is staggering when you think of the ‘quality' that was brought in… these players are good enough, but they need help. We need an experienced centre half and a ball winner in the middle of the park. Basically this team lacks “b@lls' …. It's your watch Cookie. Honeymoon over … no excuses. Get a grip and make it better.

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oldegold added 10:04 - Nov 24 Boy, are we in trouble.Totally inept performance..one of the worst in a long time
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FrankMarshall added 10:19 - Nov 24 Bit one dimensional. Teams have worked out our tactics and have nullified them. Season is disappearing very fast. Need 4 straight wins now just to get back into the race. Not happy to be honest. Fans were extremely upset when we were a top 8 side under Lambert.
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IpswichToon added 10:23 - Nov 24 Imagine if we were so quick to sack managers back in the 70's. Bobby Robson's first two seasons ended with town 18th and 19th in the league, after taking over a club that had just finished in 12th. Had he been sacked we'd never have seen the UEFA Cup win. Top 2 is out of the question. Play-offs are always there for the taking. Our best shot at making the play-offs from here is to stick with Cook.

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Gazelle added 10:24 - Nov 24 What's the matter with some people on here, three matches ago we were the league leading scorers and although we were by far the better side against Oxford and Sunderland we've just been beaten by a far better side. Rotherham have just gone 15 games without defeat but have the clubs they have beaten been calling for a new manager, probably because I can remember some of your ancestors even calling for Sir Bobby's head when we lost a few games. Get a grip, yes so we've signed a lot of players but did you expect a Premier league team for the money we could afford ? And lastly if Cook must go replace with who, think about it and come up with a sensible suggestion.

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yorkieblue62 added 10:50 - Nov 24 Can anyone, particularly the manager, explain how we can beat Portsmouth 4-0 away, then win one in five, with no goals in three, whilst Portsmouth go on a 5 match winning run. Perhaps Cowley would have been a better bet. Like many I am totally fed up with what is wrong at the football club. It is looking like institutional under performance but what do we change now?

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TimmyH added 11:12 - Nov 24 Cook has to get us playing consistent football into the New Year...if he's still failing to do so he has to go!
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TB42 added 11:34 - Nov 24 Why do I get the feeling of deja vu? Another manager trying to contradict EINSTEIN's “keep doing the same thing but expecting different results….” theory!!
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sally added 11:46 - Nov 24 He has to go together with all those backroom staff. P Reid has not made an impact!!!
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