Jewell: Easter Couldn't Have Gone Any Worse
Monday, 25th Apr 2011 18:36

Town boss Paul Jewell admitted that the Easter period couldn’t have gone any worse after the Blues lost 4-1 at Swansea in the wake of Thursday’s 5-1 home defeat to Norwich City.

Jewell said: “It couldn’t have gone any worse, results-wise. I’m just grateful that we’ve got enough points not to have to worry about the next few games affecting our league position because if we didn’t, we’d be in a bit of a sticky situation.

“When we got here, the remit was to keep us in the league and luckily the lads have done well enough to get enough points

“But, and it’s not a kneejerk reaction and they’ve said it themselves, they’re not good enough as a group to get us in the top six and that’s where we want to be next year. There are no guarantees, but we need players to come in and help what we’ve already got.”

The Town boss admitted that having Connor Wickham unavailable due to a rib injury suffered during the Norwich match and Jimmy Bullard out with knee and shoulder problems had an effect: “It was a blow and if you look at their bench and you look at ours, it shows that the lack of strength and depth at the moment .

“We’ve got to make sure that if we get a couple of key injuries next season, we’ve got almost like for like replacements. That’s ideally what we’d like to do.

“It’s difficult to sit here after you’ve lost by five and then four to try and justify it, but we’ve done OK to get here, but OK isn’t enough for me. I’ve said to the players that mid-table where they've been for the last two or three years isn’t good enough.

“This group of players isn’t good enough as a group. There are some in that group who definitely are good enough, but we need some players to help us take us forward.”

Jewell felt his side had begun the game OK before showing their frailties: “We started very well, we passed the ball very well and we were neat and tidy. But it’s synonymous with us — we concede a goal and we can’t really come back from adversity too often.

“I thought we’d got over that to a certain extent but in the cold light of day we are where we are and it’s not as if I’m going to come back on the first day of pre-season and think ‘what do we need?'. I’ve known for a while what we need and the last two games have just clarified that.

“It wasn’t a great day at the office for us. We were a bit ragged but give credit to Swansea, they’re a good team. They and Norwich have been the best teams we’ve faced since I’ve been here, two good footballing teams, and that’s where we’re aspiring to be next season.

“As a group we’re not mentally tough enough and not physically tough enough and if we can try and improve on that and add a lot more quality to the squad next season, hopefully this time next year we’ll be talking about a good Easter and looking up rather than being a bit depressed.”

The Blues boss says there have been no new developments with contracts: ”We haven’t spoken to the players about it. Maybe some of the players should hurry up and sign them.”

Jewell confirmed that Gareth McAuley suffered a groin injury and Darren O’Dea was subbed at half-time with a turned ankle.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers was unsurprisingly delighted with his team’s display: “We were outstanding. We took a bit of time to get going and then - apart from when we switched off on the Ipswich goal - we were absolutely magnificent today.

“It was a brilliant performance against a team who are very good away from home of late. They’ve gone away and got some terrific results at Burnley and other places, so we knew it was going to be a difficult game for us.

“But I thought we had good control of the game and both offensively and defensively we were top class.”

Rodgers revealed that on-loan Town striker Tamás Priskin has been ruled out for the season due to his knee injury and will be returning to Portman Road for treatment. The Hungarian joined the Swans on loan in March with the possibility of the move becoming permanent in the summer.

Photo: Action Images

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SammyT added 10:34 - Apr 26

Really enjoyed being a travelling Blue this season going to most away games, different atomosphere. Wasnt there yesterday but know that people that did go sang all the way through with pride and had hope till the final whistle. At home week in week out we have become the Arsenal of the championship in terms of support, you can feel the nervous tension in the crowd. Can understand it to a certain extent but cant help but feel away supporters have been reaping the reward for their faith in general..... the players on the pitch havent been doing their part at home but nor have we as supporters. Go a goal down and thats it.

TimmyH added 12:00 - Apr 26

I think there are elements of this Ipswich squad which just don't have a backbone and somewhat of clear out needs to happen - but saying this aren't we just going back 2 years or so in time? We do have a core of youngsters that have potential but whether PJ will continually try them out in the first team along with more experienced players next season is another thing if he gets this 'Arsenal' of cash.
I'm not sure I'm any more optimistic now the Roy Keane got the job in April 2009 - I think the club is in a right muddle - perhaps we need to concentrate at starting at the back and not conceding goals and over a period of time work on other areas.We really need to start seeing some consistency.

brockleyblueboy added 12:18 - Apr 26

I don't understand why some people on here are being so harsh towards Jewell? After the Keane era, has it just become second nature to slate the manager after 2 bad results?

Jewell out? Are you mad? we have a shell of a team and need some players. Its been a hard, rollercoaster of a season and I think a summer bonding, solid pre season and some fresh blood coming in we will have a real go at the league.

And for the record we weren't one of the favourites to get promotion this season, we were about 14s to get promotion mICKEYjb.

COME ON YOU BLUES

OrkneyBlue added 12:36 - Apr 26

thechangingman- Cheers. That was my frustration at the time coming out and as i only get to see half dozen or so games every season i was thinking about you guys who are lucky enough to go every week and what you guys and gals must spend!

Now that i have had a nights sleep and am a bitty calmer, i thing PJ will do a good job next season but it all depends on what an individuals idea of that is doesn't it. I think if we are there or there abouts in terms of the playoffs then that'll be a great building block for the season after. It's going to take time but we'll get there.

COYB!

TractorRoyNo1 added 13:07 - Apr 26 didn't anyone tell the players that swansea winning would not effect nodge? another pathetic defensive display
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KnightZ_87 added 13:34 - Apr 26

I seem to remember PJ stating that he has a 2 year contract, and the task of getting Ipswich to the prem will be a 2 year task, or more depending on where we are when his job is under review. Look at the scum since they were relegated from the prem, they have had to drop another league and endure the task of rebuilding and working hard to get back to where they are. Im not kissing their Green and Yellow behinds, but credit where credit is due. They have been patient, and have their rewards. Now we need to get behind the team, and PJ and give him time, because to be frank i dont think we will get a better manager for the task of promotion than Jewell. Hes seen his team, now its in his hands over the summer to make some big descisions about comings and goings. Lets start to ask questions this time next year.

TimmyH added 15:25 - Apr 26

I don't think Norwich supporters have had to be patient at all - if you told them when they were relegated to League 1 they would have back to back promotions they would have told you were as nutty as a squirrel turd! - it's unbelievable what they are on the brink of considering what they have spent, it shows you don't need to spend big - infact I can't really ever remember Ipswich doing well when we have had big cash to spend. All those days in the play-offs in the mid-late 90's we had local players and the occasional foreigner bought which sewed in very nicely, but as mentioned by a poster earlier how are we going to attract any decent players here or will it be a case of loanee's again which is no use for a settled squad. We've been in this league toooo long now and if we're not careful one day we might find ourselves going in the wrong direction and that seems to be the trend over the last few years or so.