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Skuse: We Believe Things Will Turn
Monday, 4th Feb 2019 06:00

Stand-in skipper Cole Skuse insists he and his team-mates remain confident in themselves and believe things will turn. Following Saturday’s last-gasp 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, the bottom-of-the-table Blues are now eight points plus goal difference from safety with 16 matches left to play.

Skuse, who wore the armband in the absence of injured captain Luke Chambers, felt Town were better in the second period than they had been in the first against the Owls.

“At half-time we held our hands up and had to admit we weren’t at the races in the first half,” the Bristolian said.

“We got on the ball more in the second half but it was a real kick in the teeth to concede that late goal. That was a tough one to take.

“The game should have been stopped before that for a tackle [Michael Hector’s challenge on Will Keane] that I didn’t think was a good one by any stretch of the imagination, but the ref thought differently.”

The midfielder, 32, says the players know they need to start picking up points very soon if they are to prevent Town from dropping into the third tier for the first time in 62 years.

“You won’t find a more honest group of lads than what we’ve got here,” he added.

“We’re up for the fight and we can only keep going but we know we need to start picking up points.

“There are 16 games left and that’s a lot of points to play for. I’ve been in the game long enough to know that anything can happen. We’re hugely confident in ourselves and believe things will turn for us.”

The Blues were without both Chambers and fellow centre-half James Collins on Saturday, due to foot and hamstring injuries respectively, with manager Paul Lambert hopeful they’ll both be fit for the East Anglian derby at Norwich City on Sunday.

“They were two huge losses but Matthew Pennington and Toto Nsiala defended well. Totes was a colossus,” Skuse added.

Sub Lucas Joao scored the goal which saw Wednesday to victory in new manager Steve Bruce’s first game in charge.

“Of course I’m happy to score but the main thing is the three points,” the Portuguese frontman, who also scored both goals as Wednesday beat Town 2-1 at Hillsborough earlier in the season, said afterwards.

“It is all about helping the team. If I start I want to score and if I come off the bench it’s the same.

“It was a great bit of play by Reachy [Adam Reach] and I was in the right place at the right time when he cut the ball back for me. In my position I have to score goals. It is my job.

“This is just the beginning. We want to build something big. He is the first English manager I have had at the club and I will give everything.

“I hope he will help me to improve. He says we need to work hard and run more than our opponents. That is very important in this league and then you can show your quality.”

Meanwhile, Town’s table-topping U23s are in action against their Crystal Palace counterparts at the Eagles’ training ground this afternoon (KO 1pm).


Photo: TWTD



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Swn98 added 08:40 - Feb 4
Same old same old i feared we were down after Brentford away last year my fears were confirmed after seeing the way Hurst dealt in the Summer transfer market and the debacle on the pitch.
Some fans got what they thought they wanted the rest of us are suffering the consequences.
We are where we are i believe Lambert can turn it around next year we were to far in it for him to do anything when he arrived he was on a hiding to nothing, lets get behind him and for the first time in a long while have a good season next year
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ChrisFelix added 08:52 - Feb 4
I thought it must be April 1st.
This is a so called championship player who has scored 2 goals in 150 plus games. Rarely shoots at goal or enters the opponents box
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ArnieM added 08:54 - Feb 4
Sorry Scusey , we've had it mate .
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SonOfSpock added 08:54 - Feb 4
Sorry Cole, its all just words now
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:00 - Feb 4
Agree that this false positivity is becoming more than a little ridiculous. OK, perhaps we don't expect our stand-in captain to come out with, "We've totally given up." But a little more realistic assessment is more likely to keep the fans in line than these fanciful ideas about "belief," "confidence," and "turning it round." I'll support the cause whatever division we are in but don't patronise me. To prove my point, I'm over for Derby and Stoke, but I'll be very surprised if we even get a point from these two fixtures.
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Michael101 added 09:16 - Feb 4
well every week someone comes out and says the same thing,keep it up one day it will be true.is there a prize for the player whose turn it is when it happens??
1

ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:22 - Feb 4
The formation needs to change to 442 with wingers.and stop playing Mr Sideways Skuse.
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GiveusaWave added 09:36 - Feb 4
Fan base was behind you all Skuse...but pathetic performance after pathetic performance has taken its toll. Hypothetically...if we were hitting the woodwork time and time again and forcing opposition keepers to work really hard we'd have more hope....

Sometimes I wonder....if the opposition keeper went walkabout and went to talk to his mates on the subs bench would we even be capable of taking advantage? This is without doubt the poorest Ipswich side I have ever seen....

So say what you want....evidence on the pitch suggests otherwise....
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kpblues added 09:37 - Feb 4
The only way it will turn Skusey is if you play the ball forward.

Ever tried it ?
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BerlinBlue added 09:39 - Feb 4
This line has been coming from the players and management for some time now, yet we still find ourselves in a desperate position with no real signs of things improving.

ITFC is currently a complete mess.
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wherescounago added 09:46 - Feb 4
Difficult for me to comment on the game Saturday as for several reasons I was unable to go but I did watch the Leeds v Norwich game on sky in the evening. How on earth can we think we should be in the same league as these two teams just baffles me. They are both lightyears ahead of us. Watching Jamal Lewis marauding down the left side of the field time after time is something we should be doing. I fear for whoever gets picked to play right back on Sunday. Seeing a strong midfield winning tackle after tackle and surging forward like Norwich did is how football should be played. The only chance we may have is that Krul is a bit dodgy in goal and would have been red carded by some Refs for that challenge in the first half and Patrick Bamford exposed a weakness at centre half when he scored with a header almost unchallenged. I just hope PL makes them watch this game not only to see what if anything we can do Sunday but to enlighten our players that this level is what they should be aiming for. No I am not a Norwich fan by any stretch of the imagination, Leeds put up a really good show as well and would have beaten most teams in the league but this was a thoroughly entertaining game as much as it hurts me to say it. Maybe that's why they still get 25,000 plus through the gate and we struggle to get 16,000. Invest Marcus please, get rid of all that deadwood left over from MM and PH and builds us a team to be proud of. Sorry Skusey if Marcus does invest I don't think you will be here to comment next season.
5

BlueBlood90 added 09:49 - Feb 4
Just give it a rest. It's getting a bit patronising hearing this every week after another terrible result. Just admit that we're down and a huge rebuild from top to bottom is required. If you can't do basic defending or stick the ball in the net then what makes you say we can turn it around? Let's just play players who will realistically be here in League One next season and get them to gel ready to bring us back up.
9

Saxonblue74 added 10:02 - Feb 4
Consider myself to be one of the more positive posters on here but I'm really struggling now. Please PL lets have a go,throw the kitchen sink at it and go for a win. What does it matter now if we lose 1-0 or 6-0? If we're going down, lets at least do it fighting. I'll be watching the game sunday in my local social club which will be heaving with Norwich fans, first time I've considered not doing so as I really fear a humiliation!
12

GiveusaWave added 10:10 - Feb 4
Saxonblue74
I don't think it will be a humiliation...just more of the same. Norwich go 2-0 up then sit back and watch us struggle to make any opportunities....we haven't had any 4-0/5-0 drubbings yet and I don't see it happening now....
4

TonyHumesIpswich added 10:16 - Feb 4
Literally nobody else believes it will turn.
3

NewEraNewMe added 10:24 - Feb 4
Shut up Cole, getting sick of hearing “We believe we can do it” Well why after each and every game do we hear the same “we held our hands up and admitted we aren't at the races” WHY ARENT YOU, WE ARE BOTTOM OF THE F***ING LEAGUE
8

blueherts added 10:51 - Feb 4
I think this belief that 'we are too good to go down' has rightly gone from most of us
I look at the Premiership and top 6 of the Championship and there are sides who have 'tasted' more than a few seasons in Division One
As an 'older' fan who remembers the late 70s , early 80s and then late 90s/00s when won and competed the last 18 years have been a steady decline with the odd false dawn
It is time - this day has been coming and to be honest I would rather us take the hit in Div One and re build than scrape relegation and then what struggle again next season
I believe we have enough young talent in our club as evidenced by our U23s and 18s who along with some older pros could make us a competitive team in Div One . It will not be easy but I think , to me , it is the preferred option to another one in Championship
I know some will not agree but I think we may as well start going out and playing one th front foot at least and not end games with 3 DMs and one up top - That I find the most depressing part of the last few weeks
3

TimmyH added 10:55 - Feb 4
If I honestly believe if we were playing well and not getting results then Cole would have a point but we're not and not doing enough to try and win games so can't see it 'turn'...and frankly deserve to be bottom.
6

19781981twtd added 10:56 - Feb 4
Let's be honest we are f***ed this season i have the misfortune of living near a bunch of inbred budgie pluckers they are loving our demise im just dreading Sunday can not see anything less than a complete thrashing and that herts me to say. So Mr Scuse please tell us how the f*** you and the other believers think we can keep the score down on sunday and how we can get enough points to beat the drop ,because so far it don't look good mate "if good words won matches we be bl***y league leaders !!!".
4

terryball2012 added 10:56 - Feb 4
These players are clearly deluded by keepint spouting in this way. I recall Jim Magilton saying last time that we were relegated from Premier League that we were too good to go down even though we were bottom of table at Christmas.

I appreciate Paul Lambert has to keep things upbeat lets look at his record here which I think is now worse than Paul Hurst.He has brought in players that are no better at all than those already here and we have no chance of staying up.We are the worst team in the league and the sooner the players accept that the better.

People keep on about the youngsters but they hardly set the world alight whilst out on loan-excluding Wolfenden-and these are mostly midielders who are the ones who should boss games and I cannot see them doing any better in League 1 next year.Did Nydam sulk whilst out on loan or does he think he is better than he really is ? and Dozzell seems to lack the size and strength for these leagues and probably would do better in Premier with a footballing side.As a striker Morris is too lightweight and would do no better than those in the squad at present. With the position as it is most of the current squad are on high wages,in teams above their ability or our of contract and therefore we will start in league 1 with a team no better than most pf them there at present so likely next year will be not a great deal better than this.

Whatever happens the decision to change managers on the last two occasions was entirely correct and we have to try to steady the ship now before we have any chance of progressing forwards-if that is possible without major investment. Team work and good young players will get you only so far but to have a chance of succeeeding you have to spend on quality which is something we are sadly lacking now.

I have been supporting the club for over 55 years and have seen some good and bad times but sadly the present very much falls into the latter and very disappointing to hear Mick Mills say on Saturday that this was the worst season the club had had since he joined over 40 years ago.

Finally I fear for Sunday but thing perhaps that Paul Lambert should perhaps change his policy for one game and park the bus otherwise our embarassment might well cause the players to regret their positive opinions.I really hope this will not be the case but the omens are not good at this moment.
5

dirtydingusmagee added 10:57 - Feb 4
just another tiring statement put out by the elected stooge of the week im afraid .To turn things around things need to change drastically , and there is no sign of that happening. Each game is a carbon copy of the game before. We have nothing happening up front, nothing happening in the middle and mistakes at the back. We see same thing every game, we are limited to the odd shot which invariably isnt on target, most of the game is spent chasing shadows and defending.I honestly thought PL was going to sort things out enough to at least put up a spirited fight for survival and when the derby came around he would perhaps get one over them at carrot rd. Sadly both seem to be very unlikely.Reality is we ARE the worst of the bottom clubs, and we are NOT improving .
7

blueherts added 10:59 - Feb 4
Err . You have been the 'engine room ' of our invisible midfield for the past few years Cole

Time to be sent to pasture mate - deluded PR - sorry but we are not taken in by this we are close
Lankaster , Downes , Dozzell ,Bishop and Judge should be in every match day team/squad - at least we will have some positive forward movement
9

delias_cheesy_flaps added 11:03 - Feb 4
Comments like this make my blood boil, how stupid do you think our fans are Skuse!
5

BarleyBoy added 11:08 - Feb 4
We all know this is PR garbage & frustrating given it's from a questionable individual in terms of performances & influence on the pitch but to be fair, he's hardly going to come out & say we're dead & buried is he?. I still stand firm that Evans should have taken a punt during our playoff season......we sat top on Boxing Day & there was an opportunity to bolster the squad which may have made the difference.....we all know what's happened since. You simply cannot keep selling off your assets & replenish with inferior quality; something has to give in any form of business deploying such a strategy, not just football; it's basic business management. Evans really needs to share his plan B (if there is one) what's his immediate, medium & long term strategy for the club?...i'm not sure this has honestly been shared & in the absence if a rich oil tycoon suddenly taking a fancy to us as a financial hobby, I think he owes us all this transparency. Looking ahead to the derby, I share the fearful comments. Pains me to say but I watched the scum at Leeds & they were impressive in all areas & richly deserved their win; I can't honestly recall the last time we delivered a performance anywhere near what they did & if repeated, this promises to be yet another nationwide humiliation. Sad times, i'll always stay true, as we all will, but sad times indeed
4

trncbluearmy added 11:41 - Feb 4
What else can he say?
I really feel that the club should not be putting players in this position in the first place.


I to believed until Saturdays result and performance, to be honest we have seen no improvement in the team, just the PR.
3


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