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

TimmyH added 10:58 - Aug 17 You have to be very cautious with players like Bowyer, apparantly last night he was non existent - I said this before we signed him (and others were bigging him up) he's 34 and could see this club just as a 'wind down' in his career whilst being payed reasonably. I'd rather this mess in the defence can be sorted NOW rather than later as it is costing us dearly.
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dad96 added 11:07 - Aug 17 if our team consisted solely of 11 aaron cresswell's then we'd win the league.... need to find more players with his hunger and passion; you compare his work ethic last night compared to bowyer, shows you just where we need to be looking for new players: lower league youngsters with a point to prove, not premiership has beens looking for an easy retirement!
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ncharles added 11:23 - Aug 17 We need a central defender and a right back (so we can move Edwards forward to right wing). Drop down a division or even go into our division and offer some serious money for a good proven no nonsense leader. If you are willing to pay then you can get you're man e.g. Marcus Stewart etc. Everyone has their price. At the moment this is the difference between us being a good team and a contender and another season of struggling and declining support. We are doing something right as we can get back from 3-0 against a good team, but then we ship goals again and all the good work is undone!

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flyingdutchman added 11:25 - Aug 17 in jewell we trust lmfao
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flyingdutchman added 11:28 - Aug 17 he got two teams promoted, he was also manager at derby
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carltonmike added 11:37 - Aug 17 The last home game me and my lad went to, was Norwich. Deja Vu last night against a well drilled side with pace and movement. I worry about Jewell. His body language is very tense and negative, maybe that's why Derby always lost at home too..??? Last night was painful, praise be for Chopra as he was the heart and soul and a joy to watch. I like Cresswell but feel he tried too hard sometimes, not much came off for him. I cringed every time Delaney got the ball, strikers will have a field day against us with the weakest centre backs I have seen at this level for many a year. The midfielders are all the same and Leadbitter offers very little for me. Anyway, Soton were light years ahead and worrying to see Leeds beat Hull 4-1, they are due here soon!! Big 6 pointer methinks v P'boro!!! Happy days......

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ncharles added 11:50 - Aug 17 Teams come in and make offers for our captain so we need to be doing the same using some of the Wickham money. The money from Dyer's sale was a major factor in us getting promoted last time.
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Chicago_Blue added 11:55 - Aug 17 Jewell has said a few times now that the players are "mentally weak" and that that needs to change. Fine, but we had 6 of HIS NEW SIGNINGS playing last night - over half the side! Is he including them? If so, then this isn't historic - they're new signings! Also, he's rightly slating the defence, but should single out the two centre backs - not Cresswell, and not even Edwards - who is NOT A FULLBACK but is being played there!

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Modiaeblue added 12:11 - Aug 17 for the last time we did not start the game at 4-4-2! jewell took a gamble and set us up 3-5-2, we got smashed out od sight for the first 11mins and conceded 2 goals so he was forced to go 4-4-2 with people having to play out of position! its not fricking rocket science. he made the correct changes at half time to get us back in the game, but southampton had enough quality to punish on the break when we were chasing the game. as soon as it went 2-4 it was game over. its disappointing, frustrating and it hurts seeing our team get battered like that, but we do have a defensive crisis on our hands. its not like the team we have is massively bad, just that a weakness at the back is a seriously liability. once thats addressed we will be a lot better.

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corshamblue added 12:20 - Aug 17 Agree with most posts, but the one I agree with most is replace the entire back 4 with the exception of Creswell. Simples. Looked fragile at Bristol too, Delaney is too left footed and too slow, Smith too slow at the moment and can't read the game [my mum could get past him] - Iggy has brilliant positional skills and reads the game well but again is slow and small !! We need a RB asap and a right sided CB with quality also asap. We also need some competition of the left sided CB role. Happy with the rest of the team. TBH the home fans don't help much either !!! enough said.

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jr1982 added 12:27 - Aug 17 For the love of god Modiaeblue, and anyone else for that matter, last nights starting formation was a 4-1-3-2. with kennedy being the holding midfielder in front of the VERY narrow 3!!
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BlueVelvet added 12:29 - Aug 17 The explanation is simple, defending is CRAP. DD lacks imagination, confidence and skill and the New Zealander is not up to it. I expect more than I've seen to date at PR. Shake em up or shake em out PJ please
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Whymark4_Lazio0 added 12:37 - Aug 17 WHY WERE THERE NO POLICE AT ALL, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE GROUND LAST NIGHT. NOT ONE, ANYWHERE, BEFORE OR AFTER THE MATCH ! Did they know something we didn't and decide to stay away ???
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Blue041273 added 13:03 - Aug 17 No football club at this level of football should concede 5 goals at home. For it to happen twice in 4 home league games is truly shocking and would indicate that a long hard winter beckons. PJ reckons it's easier to play away from home. Well he needs to make sure that we're pretty much invincible on the road because Clubs coming to PR will surely be licking their lips at the prospect of playing us at the moment because all they need to do is to stay solid at the back and a win bonus is inevitable. It's like when it took so long to win away under JM and when it took so long to win any game under RK. When you've got a monkey on your back it's hard to shift.

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Berks_Blue added 13:03 - Aug 17 Okay...time for a little history lesson, with the exception of Sir Alf and John Lyall...we have never had a manager who has brought us instant success! Sir Bobby...4 very mediocre years before the Texaco Cup win, 9 Years before the FA Cup etc etc....did anyone call for his head after the first two years...i think not..or if they did they wont be admitting it. Moving on..Mr Burley, that must of been nearly 6 years before he won us promotion. Now since then we seem to sack the manager after 3 or 4 years, unless of course your Roy Kean then you just get 2. Thinking about, JR for 4 years, JM got 3, RK got 2 so whats the chances of PJ getting a year or less? Everything i have read on here is pretty much true...PJ has had long enough to get in defenders, we all knew we needed pretty much a complete 1st eleven but the back 4 has been a problem for a very long time now. But for what ever reason he has not managed it. But i have no doubt in my mind that he knows that and that he will be working hard to sort that situation out....lets face it, he wants to win as much as we want to. Personally though i do get a bit fed up with this sack the manager crap every couple of years just because hes been deemed a failure, if we had given Jim another 2 years i think he would of gotten us there, If Roy had another couple of years i believe he would of gotten us there...and i have no doubt that given time PJ will also get us up. This season i very much doubt, or next for that matter. There is no quick fix, its just going to take time. So for all you get rid of PJ crowd....really...think about it a bit!

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StowTractorBoy added 13:13 - Aug 17 Think people are being a bit harsh on Bowyer. On Saturday he was targeted and crocked and battled on bravely and last night he was again the subject of a horrible challenge but he soldiered on. Spoke to a Brum fan yesterday and they really miss him so he can't be that bad.
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ncharles added 13:16 - Aug 17 Berks_Blue yes and this time we've got some good and a couple of very good players. Just need to complete the job, which agreed takes time. A quick fix to defence will though help a lot and give the manager and club time to build a promotion winning squad. Once we stop shipping goals we will grow in confidence and be able to progress.
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Lightningboy added 13:17 - Aug 17 Just read your post tomisasos. Spot on mate..early days..get behind PJ..he's been there and done it before..keep the faith guys.
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Frankley_Blue added 13:19 - Aug 17 Don't try to explain it PJ just get it sorted!
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dugoutdave added 13:21 - Aug 17 Carlton Mike : quote "The last home game me and my lad went to, was Norwich. Deja Vu last night" If thats the case you seem to be a bad luck omen - could you plse stay away next few home games !!!
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dobbie73 added 13:23 - Aug 17 Disgraceful. Come on Jewell, kick some ar$e in the dressing room, please!!
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blueherts added 13:32 - Aug 17 Jewel will turn it around - Give him time - some people on here asking him to be sacked just do not get it - he is changing things and yes he will make mistakes , but i have faith he will turn it around - We should support him otherwise we are never going to achieve any success - As I keep saying just look at last nights team , the team up the road , Swansea , QPR , Brighton , Leicester - they all spent time rebuilding in Div One . We have stayed in Championship - maybe we should celebrate that !!!Some people need to check their expectations me thinks

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Tractamatt added 13:42 - Aug 17 It will be very interesting what news/statements emerge from portman road in the next 48hrs I notice there has been nothing new today,Maybe they are still watching videos.
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SpecialK79 added 13:59 - Aug 17 PJ is still building his OWN team so give the guy a chance, he's got two teams promoted to the big league before so hes got the experience to do it. we won't turn into a championship winning side overnight, just like others have stated teams like southamption have had years of stability to build a great squad and they have had patience in a good manager, which we have! I didnt agree with the team selection to start last night but we dont exactly have the best depth in our squad at the moment. its a work in progress! In Jewell we trust!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:00 - Aug 17 Berks_Blue: Agree with much of what you say. JR not only saved us from complete meltdown at a very difficult time, but nearly got us back up as well, for which he never seems to be given enough credit. Since then, Jimbo has given us our best placings, just outside the playoffs. Not bad for a rookie! Pity things went sour, and also a pity some of his targets didn't come off, because I think his scouting was good (names like Emilio Izaguirre spring to mind). Given more time he would have got us into the playoffs at least, IMHO. I also have a lot of faith in PJ, but he has to work in what is probably a much more competitive climate now than some of his predecessors. I do wonder, though, if he has a somewhat old-fashioned view about the need for experience in the Championship (RK said a similar thing, didn't he?) The recipe for success of late seems to have been thus: first become completely crap & drop into League 1; get a young manager; scout young, up-and-coming players; and then go straight back up and beyond at the next ask. That's not to say PJ hasn't given youth a chance (Cresswell & JET). Also, it's very clear he knows what is needed at the back, but, as he himself says, there's not much point bringing someone in unless they have some quality. Like you, I trust in PJ to get it right if he's given enough time, but I don't exactly envy him the task. And I do hope he goes for younger players from now on.

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