Conor Chaplin has commented on departed manager Paul Cook and the search for a replacement while interim boss John McGreal prepares the players for a trip to face second-top Wigan on Saturday.

Leaders Rotherham are only at the summit on goal difference, while the in-form Latics — 13 points from their last five league games and unbeaten in 10 in all competitions — have a game in hand on their Yorkshire rivals.

Chaplin, 24, has netted four times in 14 league appearances, nine of them starts, and has also claimed a further two goals in Papa John’s Trophy and FA Cup fixtures since his move from Barnsley in the summer for an estimated £750,000.

The forward, who played for Cook at first club Portsmouth, agreed that the former manager played a big part in his decision to join Town and said: “Of course he did. I was gutted when I found out he had left, the same as everyone else.

“It was a surprise at the time but it just outlines the ambition and the way the club is going, not waiting for anyone and they want success now.

“As a player that’s exciting but at the same time it also means that if you’re not doing your job as a player, if you’re not bringing enough to the table, you need to sort of have a look at yourself and try to carry on, otherwise you won’t be at the club for that long.

“It’s exciting as a player when you are part of an ambitious project — it’s a big thing for your career — and I don’t think there are a lot of players who get the opportunity we have, to play at a club like this, with massive ambition, in their careers.”

Does he believe that Cook will soon be back in football elsewhere and that his new club will be lucky to have him? “Of course they will,” he added.

“I spoke to the gaffer after he left and obviously that was a private conversation, but wherever he goes and whoever is next for him they will be very lucky, very lucky indeed.”

Town are now adrift of the play-off places by nine points — the same gap that separates them from the drop zone — and Chaplin says the players, who under-performed in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Charlton, need to pick themselves up — and quickly — if the season is to salvaged.

He continued: “It has been difficult but we can’t be feeling sorry for ourselves. There’s a game round the corner and there are points to be made.

“We know we’re playing catch-up — we’re not in denial about that, we’re staring it straight in the face. We need to get to winning ways quickly and get back on track.

“The form hasn’t been good enough and that’s completely the responsibility of the players. Every single one of us accepts that and owns up to that.

“There’s been a lot said, an awful lot said, in terms of that and especially with the gaffer losing his job as well.

“It’s not really a time to keep talking and talking about it. We need to start showing it on the pitch and that’s something that everyone will be pushing to do.

“What better way to get back on track than with a win on Saturday? Wigan are doing well — they’re flying — but what better way could there be for us than to go up there and pick up the points?

“Our full focus in training this week is on preparation for that game and as I’ve said none of us are feeling sorry for ourselves or looking anywhere else other than inside the dressing room. We need to come up with the answers and fast.

“The training has been good and it’s been lively. It’s tough for the interim manager and his staff as well as they try to get the morale going again and get the confidence up. They’ve come in and encouraged us to go out and express ourselves.

“They don’t know — and nor do we — how long they are going to be in the job or in charge but there’s no point focusing on that.

“The club are looking for a manager and it’s nothing to do with us. We are employed by the football club to go out there and work for the fans and the club so that’s something we will be doing.”

Asked if the thought the appointment of the next manager should happen as soon as possible, Chaplin responded: “Yes, probably, the sooner the better obviously. But rather than the timescale, it’s probably more important that it’s the right person.

“There are people a lot higher up in the club who are responsible for that and the players have no interest in that until the new gaffer is here. We’ll just keep doing our jobs, keep staying professional. That, and nothing less, is what’s expected of us.”

Photo: Matchday Images

pennblue added 06:18 - Dec 10 We have to put Paul Cook's sacking behind us now. I hope Morsy shows up tomorrow, because he is top notch and we need him leading from the front.
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Barty added 08:56 - Dec 10 Unfortunately Morsy is no leader
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Monkey_Blue added 09:04 - Dec 10 As I've mentioned before the players who played for Cook previously have all also seen cook up and leave those clubs when it suited him. They have no excuse for downing tools and frankly all but 4 if you include Walton wouldn't likely have cared who the manager was given the salaries we are dishing out. You also can't claim none of those 4 would not have signed without cook being here.

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Bazza8564 added 09:22 - Dec 10 I like this fella, “It's not really a time to keep talking and talking about it. We need to start showing it on the pitch and that's something that everyone will be pushing to do. Yep !!
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ArnieM added 10:04 - Dec 10 It's almost like Groundhog Day because this squad is largely Cooks players. They joined this club for him! Now he's gone, thought processes are likely to be the following… 1) utter shock and dismay that PC has been sacked so unceremoniously. 2) initial anger even? ( Charlton game affected) 3) then the feelings of “ am I next”? …”Will I fit in with new regime ?” All the feelings the last squad had when the take over happened . The next month will be very interesting. Will it be fight or flight from these players ?

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Unhinged_dynamo added 10:12 - Dec 10 We've had these same comments from various players every week for years, must try harder etc etc. Bored of it now
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DaGremloid added 11:50 - Dec 10 Sorry Barty, meant to give you a thumbs up, not down! My brain is fried!
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DaGremloid added 11:53 - Dec 10 Agreed, Arnie M - but what the squad needs to realise - and very quickly - is that it's Ipswich Town Football Club who pay their wages, not Paul Cook.
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Barty added 11:55 - Dec 10 DaGremloid - cheers mate
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Monkey_Blue added 12:46 - Dec 10 ArnieM…. We signed 19 players, which ones joined because of Cook? Keep in mind only 4 of them have played for him before( Walton needed to play somewhere) and we are offering big salaries and long deals. The sentiments of “once i spoke to the manager” etc are par for the course. If any manger signed ex players as is often the case they all claim they signed because of the manager….and the ambition, the training facilities etc. How much do you think Kyle Edwards cared about who was offering him a contract? Or those moving from smaller league one clubs where their salaries were going to be increased substantially? Stop peddling this claim they all signed for cook.

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BlueRuin69 added 15:56 - Dec 10 Chaplin should be in first 11 along with Norwood both are fighters. Coyb
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Monkey_Blue added 16:18 - Dec 10 Morsy didn't want to be here regardless of Cook. He wanted to stay at Boro and they pretty much forced him out.
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