Midfielder Jonathan Douglas says everyone at Town has to stick together during what he admits is a frustrating period for players and fans alike.

“We have to stick together,” he said. “We are all as one, including the fans. The gaffer is trying to play a bit more football this year and the fans have to get behind us. They have to understand we sometimes have to go backwards to move forward.

“We created chances in the second half but I can understand their frustration because we are frustrated as players.”

He added: “We want to win all our home games. We have a squad capable of doing that that but at the moment it just isn’t happening. We have to keep believing and keep working hard to make it happen.

“We knew Huddersfield would try and sit and catch us on the break. They have a lot of pace and power up front. Christophe saved one off the line for us but with the players we have we can beat any team in this league.

“Berra and Tommy Smith were different class playing against players of the calibre of Ishmael Miller and Nakhi Wells.

“The defence did very well, it wasn’t just the two centre-halves, but also Cole Skuse and myself and it is up to us to help create chances.

“It is a team game and if we stick together we will do well and be happy come the end of the season.”

Regarding James Vaughan’s late red card for throwing the ball in Jonas Knudsen’s face, he said: “It was too late to make any difference but even so with 11 v 11, we should have been able to beat Huddersfield, indeed any team in this league. We kept a clean sheet so it is something to build on.”

What does he believe has changed since August when Town topped the Championship table? “We’re just missing that little bit of luck. Like the chance right at the end when Didzy’s clean through and the keeper makes a great save.

“In August the keeper may save it but then it trickles into the net. It is stuff like that.

“We’ll keep believing and working hard and we know the results will start coming again for us, just as they did in August.

“The main thing was we kept a clean sheet and we have not had many of them since August, so that was a good positive for us and something to build on.”

The 32-year-old joined the Blues from Brentford in the summer on a free transfer and, having made his debut as a sub against his old club on the opening day, has been a regular alongside Skuse at the centre of the Town midfield.

“I’m enjoying it here,” he said. “It’s a good club and it’s a privilege to be here. I’ve moved here now and settled in well, I just want to do well for the club too.”

The former Republic of Ireland international believes he and his team-mates can make up for Saturday’s disappointment by taking all three points from Tuesday’s trip to Hull City.

“We have dropped points here before and then we went to Leeds and won so we are capable of going to places like Hull and winning,” he insisted.

“Every game in this league is difficult. It is a battle but we are capable of going to Hull and winning."

Meanwhile, the Blues' U21s are in action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate this evening (KO 7pm).

Elsewhere, Ireland were paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina in yesterday's Euro 2016 play-off draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Strikers Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are both likely to be named in the squad for the ties.

The first game in Bosnia will take place on Friday 13th November with the second at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on the following Monday.

Photo: Action Images

Blue_Again added 06:21 - Oct 19 cue the vitriolic comments...
1

battyblue added 06:33 - Oct 19 We may be capable of beating any team in this league all be it a very slim one BUT definitely not with some of the players being selected week in week out under performing and out of position. It would be a good start if we could muster up three points from one of the leagues bottom basement clubs.
2

Flewitt85 added 06:38 - Oct 19 He talks the talk but still not sure if he can walk the walk
2

therein61 added 06:58 - Oct 19 Got to go backwards to go forwards eh! hope he doesn't mean league1.
2

warktheline added 07:38 - Oct 19 What's all this different class? McCarthy would of taken a point before kick off, that I have no doubt. There's already a gap forming in league with the likes of Derby, Reading and Brighton all playing different styles of football, but ultimately hunting 3pts every game. Unless McCarthy wakes up and changes formation and players, I can't see us challenging this season.

10

Penguinblue added 07:40 - Oct 19 'The gaffer is trying to play a bit more football this year' - what a load of cr*p. Gaffer please go and try and do it somewhere else
6

bedsitfc added 08:25 - Oct 19 Gaffer is trying to play more football? So why does he pick you chicken and headless come to mind when I think of you Mr Douglas I have never seen someone caught in possession as much as you
2

northstand78 added 08:39 - Oct 19 "We're just missing that little bit of luck..... Try your missing a load of creativity.... "We kept a clean sheet", whoopy doo, playing such a defence minded team I would bloody hope you would keep a clean sheet Really, is this what Ipswich Town have come to, best squad ever you know..my arse.
3

SamWhiteUK added 08:41 - Oct 19 Flewitt - he certainly can't run the run! “In August the keeper may save it but then it trickles into the net." - What a strange thing to say! How about 'In August, Dids buries that." Douglas makes it sound like the keeper was guaranteed to make a save
2

HarryS_H added 08:46 - Oct 19 Wow, just wow! I'm talking about the comments not Mr Douglas, who talks alot of sense. Get behind your team instead of crying about a couple of bad performances... how do you expect a team to get better when everything they do is wrong in the eyes of ignorant fans?
-4

RegencyBlue added 08:47 - Oct 19 To be fair we did start the season playing a bit more football but we have reverted to aimless hoofball pretty damn quick!
15

gorse added 09:15 - Oct 19 Douglas and Skuse sticking together are our main problem. Like Gerrard & Lampard for England and that's where the comparison ends. Problem being D & S are both holding midfielders but one can't hold and neither are playmakers.
8

BLUEBEAT added 09:22 - Oct 19 agree with gorse, Skuse and Douglas are too similar. time for Bru again, I think.
6

Hegansheroes added 09:27 - Oct 19 We've all got to stick together? Well MM doesn't think the fans opinions are worth a jot & this dispels the idea of being together. I think Douglas must go to the same interview coach as MM cos the crxp rhetoric is out of the same book. This is the worst footballing team I have seen masquerading as ITFC & I include the time with John Duncan in charge.
2

Bluewelshman added 09:30 - Oct 19 To be fair the team is trying to play a different style of football from the more direct style of last season, and I do think it is also a case of "be careful what you wish for", as many of Town fans kept complaining about the way we played last season. Mick has listened to you and has tried to change a system that the players had bought into, bringing in wingers to create more instead of lumping it up field, something which worked for most of last season, and also what created most of Murphy's goals. I think all in all you can't have it both ways, we will not get promoted this season, but if the style of play progresses, and the players buy into it, we may enjoy some good football and progress next season. If some of you are going to moan and complain about last season tactics, and then do the same about this seasons poor performances which we all are unhappy about, when Mick is trying to play the way you wanted, but not getting the results, I'm sorry but that's football, and as I said "be careful what you wish for". COYB

2

Kesgraveblue57 added 09:42 - Oct 19 No Mr Douglas you need to start playing I've seen nothing from you yet
5

brittaniaman added 09:45 - Oct 19 I still cannot get over Micks statement I am satisfied with a point ????? YES MICK I would agree with you if we had been playing Arsenal, Man. city etc. BUT HUDDERSFIELD AT HOME COME ON !!!! So if you can get a point at Hull GOOD !!! But surprise us all with a WIN !!!
7

carlo88 added 09:46 - Oct 19 Mick, why don't you just go and join another club, perhaps a club who might appreciate it when you: a) save them from relegation b) got them into the top half of the table c) got them into the playoffs in successive seasons. Leeds Utd might fancy that. We don't like stability and progress here and would rather just moan. Don't forget Mick, following our enormously successful last twelve years we demand the best!

-5

Up_the_town_81 added 09:58 - Oct 19 The team may be trying to play a different style this season.....but surely we would play a more passing game with the correct personnel? For instance a right back who can pass and overlap? When do any of our full backs get the ball short from the keeper? Chambers gets as far as the apex of the penalty box and then has no idea what to do....Parr came on v Bristol City and immediately got forward to cross and even turned up in the 6 yard box! But that's only one Area I know midfield and up front need sorting to....the players are trying there best I'm sure it's almost like we need smith or chambers and Douglas to get injured to force MM to play Bru and Parr...I could go on but hey....stick with it and COYB!

3

Townie29 added 10:07 - Oct 19 I for one am still very happy with what MM has done for the club. All the calls for him to go are a little over the top in my opinion. Give him time and lets see the progress just as he did at Wolves when results turned a bit due to a better brand of football being created. He also won the league the following year!
4

Ipswichlove added 10:09 - Oct 19 Tommy smith different class? Fack off
1

muccletonjoe added 10:11 - Oct 19 Understand why mm ua sticking to his guns, I am equally sure it will never work. We now have to play the same two players in central midfield for 3 games in a week because we have no one else who is match fit. Crazy management
1

cats_whiskers added 10:14 - Oct 19 We just need more "GAFFER Tape" to keep us together Next trip is to HULL or is that more probably to"HELL and back"
1

bluebare added 10:19 - Oct 19 Whats frustrating is he is still getting picked and playing. As for those that support what he says and keep pointing out what MM has achieved your only as good as your last game/performance.
1

warktheline added 10:27 - Oct 19 @carlo88, yes your points are valid, but also well documented, please go check performances and results since turn of year, Harrys H, maybe you should do the same! I'm yet to meet a single post on forum that can explain McCarthy's team selections, for instance, why are we playing two holding centre midfielders, and why are we playing three centre backs in a back four? Sorry people but chucking past seasons achievements, and excusing a 'few bad performances' don't cut it!!!!

5

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls