Town boss Paul Jewell admitted he was struggling for ways to describe how bad his side’s defending had been during their 5-2 home defeat to Southampton.

Jewell said: “I’m struggling for words really because some of the defending we’ve seen tonight, I don’t know where it’s come from. We look frightened to death, absolutely frightened to death.

“They looked like cutting us open all the time on the break. We defended desperately and looked frightened to death.

“We gave them too much space to play in, certainly in the first half, and once it goes to 3-2, you’re thinking we’ve shown a bit of character, the fans have given everything they’ve got, but then we gave a goal away.

“Defend as a team, attack as a team. People were running from midfield but once their forwards get the ball down and play, you’re always going to be susceptible to midfield runners. They’re playing under no pressure. It was like the Alamo at times with them running from midfield and we couldn’t deal with it.”

The Blues boss was disappointed that the second half fightback fizzled out: “It was a bit of a cameo performance, 20 minutes in 90 isn’t good enough. At 3-0 down at half-time we were looking down a barrel.

“We started the second half on the front foot but even on the fifth goal we’re trying to play little balls. There are not enough of us that want to do the ugly things in football.

“I’m sick and tired of telling certain players that when we’ve got the ball they’ve got to mark.”

Jewell says the difference in the mentality of the two teams was all too evident: “They’re full of confidence, we’re scared to death to play at home, you could see that in the first half.

“Why that is I don’t know because the crowd here are terrific. We get to 3-2, everything is going our way and then the bubble bursts and we end up collapsing.

“For 20 minutes you think we might get something out of the game but once it goes against us, it goes against us. We just don’t seem to be able to stop that tide.

“We don’t seem to be able to grind anything out for 10 or 15 minute periods in games. When the opposition are on top, they create opportunities. It’s very worrying. The Norwich game was very, very similar.

“Mentally, we can’t get over the fear of playing here. And we’ve got to do it because this is the best place to play, this our home ground. We’ve got too many people going across the line completely lacking confidence the moment."

The Town manager says the Blues' continuing bad form at Portman Road is getting to him: "We lost 10 games at home last year, we let in five goals against Norwich, we lose by five tonight. It really hurts me. I'm not sure it hurts some of the players enough. We'll have a look at that video tomorrow. It won't be nice watching."

Jewell says he’s hopeful that he can add to his squad before Saturday’s visit to Peterborough United, with two bids having been made last week.

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins was unsurprisingly happy: "The first half was very pleasing. We continued what we've been doing and that's playing fluid football with lots of movement.

"We had a goal threat throughout the game and to be three-up at half-time was excellent.

"Ipswich made a couple of changes and that made it a hell of a game. We had to work very hard to keep a grasp on it and we played some exceptional football.

"We've got a winning mentality but it's very important we keep our standards and principles high. We've got a group of players who are very honest and hard-working professionals. We give them a framework to express themselves.

"We're only in the first week of the season and lots of teams - ourselves included - will have aspirations. But it's going to be a very demanding campaign and we've got to keep our principles high.

"We've got to keep working hard and give our fantastic supporters plenty to cheer about - then we'll see where we are at Christmas."

Photo: Action Images

dundeebloo added 22:56 - Aug 16 I am not blaming PJ for this but we seem to have spent all summer and possibly before trying to get centre halves in its not like we don't have the money after all connor was sold after we signed Chops yet all we have spent is bringing in JET there has to be defenders out there so open the cheque book Clegg and give us a chance before this season is lost
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MartinS added 22:56 - Aug 16 Appalling. Delaney was awful, kept committing unecessarily and getting caught out. He clearly needs a more experienced defender to guide him through each game (embarrassing for a pro of his years). Smith woeful again. Leadbitter hasn't contributed anything for about 2 years. Chopra looked good, he is very clever on and off the ball with a great touch. I thought Edwards looked very good as well, came to the rescue a few times and was full of running. Even Stockdale looked shaky. A massively disappointing evening.

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Hungry_Badger added 22:58 - Aug 16 First half preformance was just awful, no marking what so ever and stood off them and let them play, was always going to be unrealistic getting back from 3-0 down and getting caught on the counter at 3-2 was always going to happen. two new CB needed and a RB, havent had a specialist RB for 2 seasons now and both centre halfs arnt good enough at this level. A LOT of improvment needed. Southampton gave us a lesson tonight, and they are what we should be inspiring too.

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Blue_75 added 22:59 - Aug 16 I couldn't believe that we finally played 4-4-2 and then dropped both our wingers and played 4 central midfielders with no pace! Poor old Scotland did ok given the lack of supply. 2nd half performance was much better, JET looked good up front with some decent moves. Martin was a clear improvement too. Carson should be playing on the right or on the bench at the very least! Bottom line is that we urgently require 2 quality Central Defenders, but we all know that! Not all doom and gloom and we'll most probably win away on Saturday.

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NasAZ added 22:59 - Aug 16 Smith and Damo should be playing non-league football, So'ton just played one-two's round them all night!! Jewell, sort out the defence then play Carson Andrews Bowyer Martin JET cHOPRA
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whippet added 23:00 - Aug 16 Delaney and Smith. Need 2 centre-backs before our season gets any worse. That Ingi guy is always injured-isn't that why Reading got rid of him? Edwards need to go rw rather than rb. New RB urgently needed. Creative nidfielder urgently needed. 4 new players needed if we are even going to compete in this division.
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Karlosfandangal added 23:00 - Aug 16 Fed up with hearing we are hoping to have 2 new players by Saturday. It wont happen, we might have them in by the close of the window. 10 new players if the 2 come in and yet we are worst than last year. They are scared to play because the fans are always on the players back, and in a way dont blame them
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lTFC added 23:01 - Aug 16 chopra was one man team in the 1st half, bowyer and leadbitter need to be doing alot beter in centre mid.. keith came to light in the second half and cresswells is an amazing signing. As for the two centre halfs.. well if we dont sort them out im afraid it will be yet another mid table finish Still early on tho COYB
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oldbarrackdan added 23:01 - Aug 16 Dundeebloo do you have a problem with punctuation?
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Notts_tractor added 23:01 - Aug 16 He's bang on about playing at home, but it has to be him who sorts it out. I don't get to many home games but so many have been like the Hull match (which I did go to) where players seem scared stiff of doing anything but hoofing it and hoping. The crowd gets restless and goes quiet and the malaise sets in. It then just takes decent footballing sides like Nodge or Soton to come along and they can pass round us and score at will. It almost seems like we need to go down just to get a winning feeling back at home! It feels toxic at Portman Road these days and the pitiful crowds show this. It was only Saints' decent following which has kept it to a barely respectable figure tonight.

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Brockleyblue added 23:01 - Aug 16 I repeat my blog of a few days ago. If Smith wasn't good enough to get in Colchester's League 1 team at the end of last season what made PJ think he was good enough to get in a Championship team? His defending for the Hull goal was embarrassing, please Paul, put the lad out of his misery and play Ainsley on Sat. Show a bit of common sense and play a right footer on the right of the middle of defence; it's really not rocket science. Or admit your error in letting Troy Brown go and re-sign him. Alternatively, I noticed that WBA have a decent centre back who didn't play on Sunday by the name of McAuley; we seem keen on reserve Premiership defenders, so he might be worth a punt.

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Tractorboy24 added 23:02 - Aug 16 Absolutely shocking result, however I'd stress that pj should still sort it out. But dear god please bring in at least 2 defenders, maybe even 3! Just a word about us targeting woodgate & co, if one of them had come those complaining would be dancing on the cornhill, it's great to complain with hindsight!
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manualthetisfanclub added 23:03 - Aug 16 What an absolutly pathetic showing that was,at least pj wasn't making excuses this time as by and large its his team,his signings.as everybody says he knew back in jan gmac was off so why did he sign ingimarsson,injury prone has been.what exactly does lee bowyer bring to the table,jack $h#t!loads of work and money needed to turn this club around!
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 23:03 - Aug 16 Thank F*ck I live 5,332.30 miles away (thanks mapcrow.info)and don't have to watch that sh*te week in week out, listening too it is bad enough!
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siralfstrackie added 23:03 - Aug 16 2 centre backs, a right back AND a box to box midfielder (like Bowyer USED to be, like Norris is) required. Defending tonight was not just embarrassing, it was down right upsetting. This is going to need Jewell AND Clegg to be on their A game (I have faith in one of them) Must try harder D-
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Lightningboy added 23:04 - Aug 16 Not going to knock Jewell..he's been a revelation since coming here BUT he needs to go out and bring in a RIGHT-BACK & at least 1 centre-back seeing as Ingimarsson's injury prone..stop wasting time trying to sign the likes of Upson,Woodgate,ferdinand etc and go into league 1 and bring in a couple of no-nonsense,hard as nails defenders that know how to defend. 2-5 at home is not acceptable..the players need to realise that not just the manager.

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alfromcol added 23:08 - Aug 16 As a matter of urgency we have to get 2 CHs and a RB. Delaney is lost without McK alongside him. Edwards is never a RB always wants to go forward and his positional sense leaves a lot to be desired. Without strengthening the defence we will be going nowhere. When I heard PJ's line up for the game, I thought Keane was back, square pegs in round holes came to mind!!! We started the game with a team lacking pace and height, no surprise that we got turned over. Chopra is a class act but needs support from those around him.

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bluearmy89 added 23:09 - Aug 16 Its just so simple, Edwards is a winger and Smith and Delaney are NOT good enough and need replacing. Get that sorted and we keep clean sheets and score goals which we have been doing. Being a Norwich based Town fan, the abuse im receiving atm is horrendous they are just laughing at us!
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whippet added 23:11 - Aug 16 btw- thats the worst defending i've ever seen outside of those stupid videos on youtube where Australia beat Federation of Micronesia 21-0 etc. Norwich must be laughing their socks off at us. You could put together a worst goals conceded comedy video of our last 2 seasons. Bring in the teletubbies at centre back + Cresswell and Edwards- might find its less of a joke. Richardson and Harding showed us how to defend tonight- outstanding.

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StowTractorBoy added 23:13 - Aug 16 Its easy to explain the defending PJ - woeful. Team selection getting very worrying and very Keanesque with Leadbitter playing on the flank - honestly what chance has the bloke got playing there. We have known for years that you need pace in the team from the flanks and we still do not have it. Saying all that we got back into the match well and then threw it all away with dreadful defending. Well all you 4-5-1 haters I think it will come back on Saturday and it will have to with the totally inept Smith and the sadly out of form Delaney. Cresswell and Chopra bright spots and JET livened us up but we will do nothing with the centre backs we have (Ingi apart when fit) and I have to say Edwards defending tonight was shambolic. Getting very worried now and seeing us 16th again seems to be where we have been for far too long now and I cannot see it getting any better until we have a defence.

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andrewstevens1984 added 23:15 - Aug 16 well after being at that shower of crap would really love a refund but fat chance of that. well for starters you have to question jewell starting eleven and formation what the hell was he thinking it had disaster written all over it, leadbitter looked completly out of position. well as for the back four there is no exscuses for that ive seen better defending on a sunday morning park. delaney a irish international my ass he is and smith well no words can describe him his that bad. looking at the two teams you would thimk it was ipswich that had just been promoted in all fairness southampton look worthy off a team thats gonna challenge for a top 6 finish was impressed by there passing and movement which does make me think can ipswich match that, no chance.

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Tractamatt added 23:16 - Aug 16 Can I try and put a sensible spin on this: 1,pazelle pj is not roy kean II if he had been we would not have made the signings we made this summer 2,Paulnstar I hope that was tongue in cheek, The 2 guys at the back smith and delaney he has inherited 2 cb's who cant play together i'm sure that when delaney played with ingy the injury he was much better but at the moment they are all we have,3: Edwards is playing in a position thats not natural to him but he is doing his damnedest and has played well lately although he does struggle to get back4:Scotland must go!To sum up the powers that be need to get their act together and buy 2 cb's and a striker as priskin is'nt gonna play for us again and a creative midfielder koumas springs to mind or is it time to phone jb cos if we had him we would not have lost tonight simply because of the confidence he inspires in the team.I cant stand these kind of results but better this time of the season than later on.COYB ONWARDS AND UPWARDS...

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wrightyblue added 23:19 - Aug 16 4-2-2-2 worst formation I have ever seen at Ipswich! Edwards out of postion! Too many players out of position and not knowing there role! Poor chopra got to feel soo sorry for this lad he is too good to play for itfc. JET has got to play up front with chops he is lost out wide so not rocket science we need a winger maybe 2 wingers! We need a RB, 2 center halfs a jimmy bullard! And a striker! Pj u r 2 blame completely! We had Bullard last season that saved us from the drop who have we got this season!!!!????? Clegg y the hell didn't we sign st ledger when we had the chance?!?!?! Very bad management! This club is going bad to worse!

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algarvefan added 23:19 - Aug 16 Start paying the players by results and they may take an interest then, overpaid bunch of tossers, feel sorry for those who paid out good money tonight the club should refund their money!
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blueherts added 23:23 - Aug 16 Get that SLOVAK in where did he go !!?? Kennedy and Ainsley in defence - teams do run at Edwards as know that is a weakness - three defenders and a Creative mid and all is happy in the garden Positives - MC , jet , AC . LM and Carson must be in - Drury and play Andrews or Bowyer in middle not out on left !!
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