Town captain Sam Morsy rued set pieces as the Blues’ downfall in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

All three United goals came from dead ball situations, Morsy having had the final touch for the first following Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick before centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire both found the net for the hosts.

The frailties were out of character, Town having only conceded three set piece goals in the entirety of the season prior to their trip to Manchester.

Reflecting on the nature of the goals conceded, Morsy says the Blues must look at themselves following a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches.

“They’re all different ones really,” he said. “The first one, two people moved out of the way and it hit me late, I’ll always look to see where I can do better.

“The second one there were a few ricochets and we didn’t quite clear it. Then the third one I haven’t seen it back but it looks like a free header.

“We’ve got to improve as a team, we haven’t conceded too many this season but to concede three away from home is a big ask. We score two goals and in the second half we can’t quite have that creative spark to create something in the game.

“They’re obviously good deliveries but there’s things we can do better. They are good balls in but we have to be better and stronger.

“At half-time the game is in a good place. With the set piece we should do better, it’s three set pieces tonight. I don’t think they looked like scoring, they didn’t have that many chances in open play.

“Set pieces are such a big part of the game and today we didn’t stand up and I’m disappointed for ourselves and the fans tonight.”

Town made a strong start and took the lead after just four minutes when Jaden Philogene pounced on a defensive mix-up from Patrick Dorgu to strike, with Dorgu then seeing red later in the half for a high challenge on Omari Hutchinson following a VAR review.

The Blues were level at half-time after Philogene’s second and appeared favourites playing with a man advantage, but Town lacked ideas in pursuit of getting back in the game at 3-2.

The second half performance was particularly lacklustre, with Morsy not afraid to admit they dropped below their usual levels.

“That was the most disappointing thing of the night,” the 33-year-old said. “We couldn’t find that creative spark and probably played a little bit too safe. That’s where you need a little bit of magic to open them up.

“Us at Villa with 10-men it’s hard to score against, everyone is behind the ball and it’s hard. That’s when you need that little ingenuity and a little bit of quality. We didn’t quite find that tonight.

“In the first half we had the game where we wanted it. Two set pieces can happen and we want to be better. A poor set piece again and we struggled to break them down, a disappointing evening.

“In the second half we didn’t play anywhere near our level which is the most disappointing thing to be honest because you can lose games but we didn’t show enough in the second half.”

Given the Red Devils’ poor form and numerical disadvantage, the Blues will see their trip to Old Trafford as an opportunity missed with the games running out in the fight for survival.

With 11 matches remaining, Town are five points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers having won only three league matches all season.

“It was a great opportunity for us and it could have went another way but it wasn’t good enough from us tonight.

"We weren’t at the level and if you’re not at the level and you don’t defend set pieces it’s going to be hard to win a game in the Premier League. That’s why it didn’t go our way this evening.”

On Philogene, he added: “A great start. A brace for him personally and his confidence will be growing and growing.”

Photo: Reuters

cressi added 23:00 - Feb 26 Sorry Sam it's to late a summer of rebuilding in the championship is coming who's in charge who knows.
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ITFCSG added 23:05 - Feb 26 Ffs Sam, the way the team played tonight in the 2nd half we'd have lost even against 8 men
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JCTractorboy added 23:08 - Feb 26 I love Morsy and I love McKenna and I love this Ipswich but us losing that wasn’t down to man Uniteds set pieces…yes we conceded 3 yes that’s poor but they were good deliveries…we lost because of that completely blunt second half attack against a 10 man United who had been rattled first half and were waiting to be rattled again but weren’t rattled. Not one decent set piece from us. One shot on target against a 10 man block. I back everything about this club atm and have defended every abuse recently but that second half…I could’ve at least put a ball in (pulled a muscle yes) but ball would’ve gone in. Onto Forest

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cpaz97 added 01:12 - Feb 27 That was the most frustrating part of this evening. It wasn't that we weren't at the level. It is that we didn't even bother to attack and test a woeful United. Every time we got forward, we slowed it right down and then just passed around, eventually going backwards. Morsy slows the game down far too much and gave away a silly foul which got a yellow for because he is too slow to keep up in the Premier League. Tonight was there for the taking but watching it in person, it felt like the team just weren't up for it.

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slade1 added 06:32 - Feb 27 I sit in the West stand near the dugouts and every time we have a set piece against us, a free kick or a corner, Kieron moves out of the way and up pops our set piece coach from his comfy dugout chair. He then stands in the technical area whistling, shouting and pointing to all our players as to where they should be standing or who they should be marking etc. He bloody well annoys me and others who sit near me. Then as soon as the set piece is over, he goes back to his comfy chair and Kieron is then back in charge. I don't know his name but either the players ignore him or he's not very good at his job as we are not that good at defending set pieces. Another reason he bloody annoys me is, he is so damn tall he blocks the view of the fans behind and to the side of him. You look at the dug out next time a corner or set piece is given against us and you will see him stand up then sit down again. Who is he?

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BrandonsBlues added 06:56 - Feb 27 We have been pretty poor for a lot of second halves this season, so nothing new there. I am not sure what is being said at half time but it is not working. Not sure these new players really want to compete for the badge. Still trying to walk the ball into the net and no one willing to have a go. pathetic
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Leejames99 added 08:32 - Feb 27 Is he joking, he was at fault for another 2 goal, that loss once again was down to morsy, the ball didn't hit hin on the head, that first goal he scored will be a Match of the day goal of month nominee. Thanks for the last few years captain but you and Dads army are not Prem qualiry or part of future plans, time to give Paul Cook a call or Colchester
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Linkboy13 added 09:37 - Feb 27 Im not going to slag off the two main reasons we are in the Premier league McKenna and Morsy. People have short memories Morsy started the season well but the pace of the Premier league week in week out has told on him . I think Morsy could be a good influence to have around the dressing room and play the odd game but that will probably depend on McKenna staying and that's very doubtful. Dispite what the numpty heads say on here he will be in big demand.

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Bluewhiteboy added 12:15 - Feb 27 I agree with sam. Sad thing is the he's not been at this level all season. It's no fault to him, tries hard but reality is he an avearge championship player. Last season was probably the best in his career, so sadly we've had false expectations. However he earns me good money betting on bookings so don't mind him playing
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itfc2024 added 12:53 - Feb 27 morsy is the problem in midfield he slow we need a player like flynn downes who's got a bit of pace and would move the ball quicker unlike morsy who thinks we are playing walking football
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itsonlyme added 13:57 - Feb 27 You don’t say???
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Motown added 17:12 - Feb 27 The three things that are certain in life - death, taxes and a Lee James comment criticising Morsy under every single TWTD post
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