Town manager Joe Royle had no excuses after his side was defeated 3-2 by George Burley's Derby County at Pride Park. Despite going in 2-1 up at the break, the Blues deserved little from the game.

Royle said: "I think that is the poorest we have played for a long long time.

"We were fortunate to be in front at half-time and I warned the players there had to be a vast improvement, but if anything, we got worse.

"Derby were more competitive than us in midfield and we looked lost at the back. We let them get too many crosses in and I cannot complain at the result. We got what we deserved which was absolutely nothing.

"At times, it wasn't so much a case of giving the ball away, it was a question of not getting the ball. We were just poor all over and there are no excuses.

"I cannot disagree that overall Derby deserve to win the game and we were just not good enough."

Former Town boss Burley was relieved to gain three points: "In the two previous games I was pleased with the performance, but today it could have gone against us, we had 10 mad minutes after scoring the goal.

"I thought the penalty was dubious and then Nathan Doyle, who's only 17, made a mistake.

"But he has showed some courage, a lot of youngsters would have folded after that, but he hasn't.

"It's always a relief to pick up points because if you keep playing well and get beaten it affects the confidence so you need to win games."

Burley was particularly pleased with summer captures Tommy Smith, Morten Bisgaard and Inigo Idiakez: "They all did well, Tommy needs a goal, but I thought he was outstanding and I don't where Morton gets his energy from.

"Inigo is quality in the Jim Magilton mould and when he took the freekick I expected him to score because I have seen him do that nine times out of 10 in training."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls