Blues boss Paul Jewell hailed his players’ spirited second half comeback after Town’s incredible 5-3 win at Barnsley.

Jewell said: “A credit to the players. We were 2-0 down at half-time and there were shades of the second half at Burnley.

“I sat the players down at half-time and told them that we need men. There’s no easy way out of this, it’s live on telly, which shouldn’t make any difference, and now wasn’t the time for shrinking violets. We came out second half and you could see that we had a reaction.

“When you’ve been on a run like we’ve been on, it’s easy to feel sorry for yourself and think the world’s against you,” he continued.

“All you need is belief, desire and determination and we showed that in abundance in the second half. We looked lively all of a sudden, from nowhere.

“The front players got hold of the ball, the midfield players were picking up second balls, we were getting crosses into the box, everything we didn’t do in the first half.”

He says his players deserved criticism for not seeming to care during the recent 4-0 defeat at Turf Moor but is pleased with the way they have reacted in the last couple of matches: “I think anyone who was at the Burnley game can level those things at the players, because I did.

“But the reaction we got against Watford showed that the supporters will stick with the players as long as they give everything they’ve got.

“Against Burnley, I’ve told them, a few of them went missing. Today, at 2-0 down, we’d have been any price but we created opportunities and we looked like a confident team from nowhere.”

The Blues manager admitted that Keith Andrews’s first goal coming so soon after the break was a key moment: “Goals change games. I thought we should have a penalty in the first half when the lad’s hand caught the ball. They get a penalty and all three of their goals were set plays — a penalty, a freekick and a corner.

“I said to them at half-time, the next goal is vital. I said we didn’t have to score it straight away because when you’ve got a 2-0 lead and the opposition score, believe me, you can get edgy.

“We scored after 20-odd seconds of the second half and all of a sudden we were on the front foot.”

Jewell refused to single any particular player out for praise: “I think the whole team had a really good second half. We’re disappointed to have conceded three goals but at least we’ve shown a bit of balls and a bit of character in the comeback.

“We’ve let leads slip ourselves over the last few weeks and it’s nice to show our supporters who have come all this way that we've got a bit of fighting spirit. We’ve got to continue with that and get better at lots of things.”

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 01:06 - Dec 11 What's with all the Bowyer abuse? I thought he showed some of his class today and set up Chopra's goal with a simple but tidy ball. At the end of the day (literally) today wasn't about the performance, it was about getting a result any way we could. It was just the way it was that we ended up putting Barnsley to the sword. That will give a lot more confidence than a grubby 2-1 win! So pleased that Scotland scored, Andrews probably deserved the motm award with his goals but Scotland's overall performance stood out I think and deserved his goal. Chopra as well scoring put a smile on my face, especially a goal like that, what a finish! That's what we bought him for. I like Martin's corners, he puts them into good areas at pace which is nice to see. Two great assists as well for Cresswell, top class left foot that boy! I thought Murphy was strong as an ox as well which we need. All good signs!

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alex12345 added 01:07 - Dec 11 What a difference 45 minutes can make. At half time on a different post people were saying jewell out etc... and 45 minutes later he's a hero. People need to make their minds up. I've always believed PJ should be given plenty more time as he has assembled a squad quickly and they need to "gel." Great to see he had confidence in the same team that lost last week to keep them together and got our rewards. Stand out performers for me: Cresswell - Absolutely fantastic left foot on the young lad and assissted a lot of our goals. Bowyer - Come in for some very harsh criticism over previous weeks and felt he had a very solid game today controlling the midfield (much needed experience) Andrews - Of course, scored two goals but also controlled midfield with Bowyer Scotland - Fantastic hold up play and deserved the goal Chopra - Had a very difficult few weeks but deserved his goal for the effort he always puts in, making neat runs into the box and doesn't always get the service but finished beautifully. I also felt Lee Martin had a decent game. However, it is so evident we need an established right back. Edwards made mistake after mistake today, giving the ball away far to often, not winning headers, getting beat down his wing too often. Also sonko looked very shaky today but can't be blamed as we do bundle a lot of pressure on him to solidify the centre backs. Also i would like to say that everybody who complains that the team is too old, today showed that although we need a few more younger players, experience can be vital when backs are to the walls. Hopefully Leadbitter won't regain his CM place too soon. Proud to be a town fan tonight.

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moggasnotebook added 01:08 - Dec 11 We can build on this but although stating the obvious we MUST get behind the lads at the next home game from the first minute to the last and we need to do everything we can to stir the North Stand into action. The country may be in the sh*t but it is Christmas, we have just WON a game and for those in the ground at the next home game there is NOTHING stopping you showing your support and cheering the lads on. ENJOY!

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IvorFeeling added 01:17 - Dec 11 Game of two halves then! First off, great result, great for the players, PJ, the fans made me proud and great second half performance, but........ So much still to fix. We are averaging shipping two goals a game this season and it doesn't look like getting better anytime soon with Collins going back. Andrews our top scorer also unlikely to return (IMO but hope proved wrong) and we were lucky in first half not be further behind. I believe we will have turned the corner when we can keep the average goals against around 1 for a period of 6 to 8 games. I really enjoyed tonight, well from about 1815 onwards and hope we can build on this but remember that pulling one fit bird one Saturday night doesn't make you Brad Pitt!

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TractorBeezer added 01:31 - Dec 11 Garv and Alex, lots of effort from Bowyer but I would be interested to see his pass completion stats...especially in the first half. He was very hurried with his passing and many attempts didn't reach a blue shirt but he generally made his presence felt. Agreethat he provided a nice set up for Chopra's goal.
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Michael11 added 02:10 - Dec 11 Don't know what PJ put in their lucozades at half time but i'm not complaining, just wanted to say how well i thought Scotland held the ball up in the second half, best half in an ipswich shirt for me! just praying that we can hold on to Andrews and Collins as without them alot of the much needed quality will be gone.
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Guthrum added 02:12 - Dec 11 Nice to have a smiling photo of Jewell on the news page again.
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gav_g added 03:37 - Dec 11 PJ OUT!... ...To the offy because he needed a twentypack to relax him after that result ;)
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scunnyblue added 06:00 - Dec 11 oh boy did we need that.. was drowning my sorrows at HT. once we scored 2 ND half we were like a different team . hope this is the start of a good run too see us push up the table.. don't fancy doing a naarwich and dropping to league 1
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ericgates added 07:36 - Dec 11 Well done Town, I'm very proud to be a town fan, but I think we always are, even in adversity, albeit very embarrased a lot of the time in the past few seasons. Lets build on this, we must beat Derby next week and keep building momentum. Talk of the play offs are too early. We must stop conceding so many goals, and even grind out some draws, even at home. Does anybody know how soon Delaney will be back? I would prefer him to play with Sonko I think, rather than Ingarmarrson, when Collins goes back after Derby. Also, watching on TV, did anybody see Jimmy Bullard on the bench after our goals were going in! I was wondering if he had a few drops of the strong stuff in his lucozade bottle!!!!

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WorcesterBlue added 08:32 - Dec 11 Lots of common sense comments on here for once. Great comeback and Scotland, Creswell, Martin and Collins outstanding. However Andrews and collins are off IMO, Sonko and Bowyer suspect and Edwards is still not and never will be a RB. Defending is an art and he's not got it! Still great reaction and let's hope the start of a recovery. Well done lads.
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newboy added 08:38 - Dec 11 1 win makes no difference what pathetic comments you will all be calling for his head when he loses next week GET HIM OUT NOW WASTE OF SPACE
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Benters added 08:47 - Dec 11 I watched it in the pub playing pool lost my game as the second went in for Barnsley,walked over the chinese to pick my tea up,by the time i got back home we were 2-2 !!! didnt believe the missus! great stuff well done team,fans and Jewell because what ever you said at half time it did seem to spark them into life !!
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broomfield123 added 08:49 - Dec 11 Can pj do his half time talk before the game starts. Apart from the passing and crossing in the 2nd half there was more hunger desire and fire in their bellies aswell as going in for challenges and not given the opposition no time to settle on the ball
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broomfield123 added 08:49 - Dec 11 Can pj do his half time talk before the game starts. Apart from the passing and crossing in the 2nd half there was more hunger desire and fire in their bellies aswell as going in for challenges and not given the opposition no time to settle on the ball
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DurhamTownFan added 09:10 - Dec 11 This was an incredible comeback from 2-0 down, but I don't think anybody should be getting carried away here. As the sky team noted, we still have the worst defence in league football, and we were totally abject in the first half. To concede 3 in most games means defeat, and we certainly got lucky that everyrhing clicked for us second half. I would suggest we reserve judgement on our long-term prospects for another 3 games or so.

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broomfield123 added 09:11 - Dec 11 Newboy change your name to scumbag
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dalinghooblue added 09:16 - Dec 11 Watching on TV, to me the difference in the second half was that Bowyer took control of the midfield and, up front, Scotland had an outstanding game. Still in a daze but looking for us to push on from this.
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Fuzzydoodle added 09:27 - Dec 11 Well a much welcome result, but I fear that it papers over the cracks. I'm a fan of PJ and am not calling for his head but the match should have been over at half time but for some luck on our side. I'd love to know what happens on the training pitch every day for our defensive unit to be in complete disarray as was the case first half. A keeper that has no long term future at the club, our best two centre halves the wrong side of 30, no dedicated RB or any cover if Edwards gets injured and midfield that blows hot and cold too often. What exactly is the 'masterplan' that ME and PJ has, I'd love to know because I can't work it out. I cannot recall a club that was promoted with so many loanees so why should we be any different? I thought Scotland was absolutely amazing last night which says alot when we tried to offload him to Swansea recently. The sooner we get rid of the mediocre players like Martin, sign some players rather than loan them and get players playing in their correct positions the better. Really enjoyed the result last night but let's not kid ourselves, we as a club are in a mess and need some direction.

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llewej_tuo added 09:54 - Dec 11 i recall us beating leicester 3-0 after a similar rubbish crappy run, we still conceeded 3 goals ... great 45 minutes YES, redemption for clowno muppet Jewell, NO DEFINITLY NOT REMEMBER, COLLINS AND ANDREWS WONT BE HERE IN A FEW WEEKS
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brittaniaman added 10:05 - Dec 11 That game reminded me of Big Joe days when the opposition scored 2 but then we go and get 3. but last night proved we can do it again, and we must carry on doing it ???? Andrews goals puts him in the top 5 now in the chart, also it has put him in the showroom window being on telly and all that.????? GREAT recovery town and keep it up !!!!. We seem to have been stuck on that 20pts. far too long, upward we go now ??????

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hogster1970 added 10:16 - Dec 11 well what a game, well done boys, the difference last week and this week is bower and andrews, controling the midfield not saying bower was brillant but very solid, goes show how why we dont need leadboots in there. the whole team came together and played for each other and the ball was no longer than a hot potatoe unlike the first half. though martin played well cressy, scotland andrews, well the whole team all had positives but a few negatives though, but every game you play you will get mistakes. keep it up and derby is a 6 pointer next sat some come on boys show that passion grit and determination next week and hopefully we will bag 3 more points

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choprawontcome added 10:20 - Dec 11 Incredible turnaround,I thought Lee Martin should have been man of the match to be honest,he was superb and im his biggest critic,a bit more mobility/stability in midfield now,just need this shaky defence sorted out,our achilles heel in the past 2 seasons!!!! Great to see chops on the scoresheet also. Well done Lads!!!!!
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bluearmy4life added 10:30 - Dec 11 It was good to see the players had passion when they scored as well. I really hope we can sign Andrews and Collins.
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Keaneish added 10:31 - Dec 11 I only managed to get back in the house in time for the second half...and what a turn of luck that was! Fantastic 2nd half. For the first time in a long time i saw midfielders sprinting back in straight lines when we had lost possession to make the numbers up and win the ball back. Scotland's hold up play deserves a special mention as it was key. Sonko though....awful at times. Hope this was just a blip because other than him, we have no-one else to partner Collins. A couple of permanent centre haves in Jan is still a MUST. If this result doesn't turn our season and our poor run into something then nothing will. Fingers crossed...

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