Interim manager John McGreal, the former Town defender and Colchester boss, has been quick to sound out the players about what they consider to be the reasons for a recent form slump that has seen them win only two of their last 10 games in all competitions.

The 11th-placed Blues suffered their latest setback in losing 2-0 at Charlton on Tuesday, just three days after boss Paul Cook was sacked following Saturday’s goalless FA Cup second-round tie with League Two strugglers Barrow at Portman Road.

The game at the Valley came only 48 hours after McGreal answered the club’s SOS — save our season — and the next challenge for him and the players could hardly be stiffer as it comes in the form of a trip to face second-top Wigan on Saturday.

Conor Chaplin revealed: “There have been open and honest conversations within the dressing room and people have been able to voice their opinions.

“Talking is fine — it’s fine to talk about it and say what you think has gone wrong and how you think we need to improve — but we need to start showing it with our performances on the pitch and definitely fighting and scrapping.”

Asked about the players’ relationship with supporters, which suffered on Tuesday when fans clashed both verbally and physically with Toto Nsiala and Christian Walton following the final whistle, Chaplin added: “I get it 100 per cent, completely. I feel like I’m starting to get a good relationship with the fans.

“They’ve been really good, really welcoming and supportive, to me since I’ve come in. I really can’t speak highly enough of them.

“Obviously, we need them onside but we need to give them something to shout about. There are people paying good money to come and watch us, to travel the length and the breadth of the country to support us.

“They are completely entitled to their opinions and they want to see more on the pitch than they have been seeing. The frustration is there for numerous reasons and it is up to us to put it right on the pitch. Fingers crossed, the fans can get behind us at Wigan.”

A second-half substitute at Charlton, Chaplin was also asked how tough it had been on a personal level in recent weeks. He replied: “It’s only been one game — one game where I haven’t started — and that’s football. It’s just that we’ve got some very good players here.

“I’ve come to the club to play, if my performances warrant me to play, and I’ll be looking to play on Saturday.

“But whoever is in charge, it’s their decision. Whether I play or not, I’ll be fully behind everyone who does, and if I get a chance I’ll be doing everything that I can to help the boys get a win.”

From being one of the country’s leading sides in terms of goal scored, Town have struggled to find the net recently. After a thumping 4-1 success at Wycombe five weeks ago, they have only netted twice — against lowly Crewe — in their five most recent League One outings.

Chaplin said: “The lack of goals has coincided with out loss of form. We haven’t looked so fluent or so dangerous and it’s definitely something we have to pick up on as soon as possible.”

Finally, Chaplin is refusing to look too far ahead with regard to a possible FA Cup third round tie at former club Barnsley early in 2022, provided Town can safely negotiate next Wednesday’s second round replay at Barrow, which is being screened live on ITV4.

He said: “I wasn’t actually watching the draw on television. We were at the hotel where we stayed before the game at Charlton but the lads told me when they found out and I had a few text messages from boys at Barnsley who are my mates.

“We’ve got to get past Barrow first and that’s not going to be easy, as we saw in the first game. Away from home, obviously, so it’s going to be tough.”

Photo: TWTD

phillev231069 added 06:36 - Dec 10 Yawn zzzzzzzzz!
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Woodbridgian added 07:30 - Dec 10 The final comment on here tells you everything you need to know about the confidence of this team. For Ipswich Town a trip to barrow should be seen a tough, it should be seen as a easy win. Mind you a win in a home tie should of been a no brainier.
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Woodbridgian added 07:33 - Dec 10 Should not be seen as tough!
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Barty added 08:43 - Dec 10 Actions speak louder than words so please all of you give 100% tomorrow and restore some pride in wearing the shirt and get 3 points.
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Linkboy13 added 08:47 - Dec 10 Expect another gutless performance tomorrow then.
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Monkey_Blue added 09:09 - Dec 10 These stories of team meetings, comments about letting the manager down etc etc are all par for the course for clubs struggling. Results have told a story and the players need to shut up and earn their very good salaries.
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number8 added 09:20 - Dec 10 Agree with above these players need to put some graft in and show attitude and desire. I don't buy blaming formations as no one ever blames the system with shabby results when employing a 442 system. It's down to attitude. We need a manager who will only accept 100% and driven attitudes and desires.
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bobble added 09:45 - Dec 10 the mighty barrow have killed 1 manager......maybe the world beating barrow wererever that is ,will claim another ??
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ArnieM added 09:45 - Dec 10 I think our form will start to pick up away from home because at home opponents come here and sit back and wait for us to break them down . I've always said home form would be trr we liking this season . As a club we have struggled for years to break teams down at PR . Playing 1 up front doesn't help . Onwards and upwards COYBs 👍
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Bert added 10:01 - Dec 10 Chaplin is one of our better recruits and given the right formation can score goals. If Cook's sacking has sent a shockwave through the team then they all need to do their stuff on the field if they want continued employment at Ipswich. For many of the players this must be a dream club to be part of so they have to match the ambition of the owners. Saturday will define their intentions but not our destiny.

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Bluespeed225 added 10:06 - Dec 10 Woodbrigian, do you remember when one of the best teams in Europe used to go to Shrewsbury and struggle? Barrow will be thinking themselves favorites for this one!
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Saxonblue74 added 20:42 - Dec 10 Chaplin can hold his head up and say with some confidence that he is putting in a shift. Always looks full of energy and commitment.
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