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Chambers: I Can Only Apologise to the Travelling Fans
Monday, 30th Dec 2019 06:00

Skipper Luke Chambers apologised to travelling fans for the Blues’ performance as they were beaten 5-3 at Lincoln yesterday in a heartfelt chat with reporters about Town's current situation after the squad and staff had spent an hour locked in discussion in their dressing room.

Asked if the defeat was a painful one to take, Chambers said: “Yes, you’re seeing things happening which shouldn’t be happening on a football pitch and to concede five goals is not acceptable, especially the way we’ve defended this season and as a team prided ourselves on a decent record of defensive clean sheets.

“But the way things happened today, [we conceded] far too easily. Obviously we’ve kept you boys [the media] waiting around today, so I apologise for that, but we’re trying to find the answers in the dressing room, not just people nodding their heads and sitting there with their heads down, but actually standing up and actually giving an opinion or seeing how we can stop this happening.”

What happened that shouldn’t be happening? “Everything that probably could go wrong did go wrong. We’re not keeping the ball, we’re not challenging centre-halves, we’re not winning our battles in the defensive areas, we’re wide open, they’re getting through us like a knife through butter.

“There’s nothing I can really say that’s going to make anyone feel better other than us taking even more stick that we probably are due.”

What was the performance down to? “I’m not sure, obviously we’re so desperate to get back on the winning track that maybe we’ve left ourselves open, whereas maybe at the start of the season we had erred a little bit more on the side of caution.

“We were keeping it solid, keeping it solid, bang, 1-0 and then the game’s in our hands then, whereas now we’re trying to force the issue and maybe taking quick throw-ins and trying to start attacks quickly from the goalkeeper which stretches us as a team.

“I’m trying to settle us down, yet we’re still trying to continue to do the same things that leave us vulnerable. Teams in this division are set up to defend, especially against us.

“We can say we’ve had good possession today, we’ve played some nice football but that means nothing, we’ve been beaten again. Winning football is what required in this division and we didn’t do that today.”

Asked if he feels there’s a need to get back to basics, the 34-year-old added: “Like I say, I don’t want to be here with you guys talking, it’s a nonsense, there’s nothing I can say which is going to make anyone feel any better.

“I can only apologise to the travelling fans because they’ve been absolutely with us from day one. That’s a given, they’re absolutely fantastic, so we need to start turning up, me included.

“We’ve had a discussion in there, that if things don’t change for us then there’ll be even more choice words.

“We need to rectify some of the things I’ve mentioned and put ourselves in a position to win a game of football. I don’t think we did that today.”

Chambers, who joined the Blues after leaving Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2012, says he said his piece but that it wasn’t just him or manager Paul Lambert giving their opinions.

“I say my bit but again, how can I comment when we’ve conceded five goals?” he continued. “You’ve got to take responsibility for your own patch and we’ve not been good enough today.

“So I said, ‘Look if I’m saying stuff that’s out of order or you disagree with speak up, because we’re all here for the benefit of Ipswich Town and we want to succeed as much as anyone’.

“If there are things happening that people want to get off their chests, whether anyone likes to hear it or not, whether that’s me, the gaffer, the staff, the players, it’s got to be said because once you cross that white line together you need to know everyone is on the same page and that needs to happen in the dressing room.

“So when you do have those discussions, everyone needs to at least acknowledge of have something to say for themselves.”

And did people speak up? Are there enough characters or leaders in the squad? “There are characters, there are leaders but it’s easy to say. Like I said, I don’t want to be sat here talking because people will be pointing fingers at me and for whatever reason we haven’t done our job.

“We have to stand up, I was saying before the game that we really have to nail down certain scenarios and we didn’t do that today.”


Chambers admits the poor run - in all competitions the Blues have now gone 10 games without winning in 90 minutes - is now more than just a blip.

“Of course, that’s why we’re having chats and you’re staying here for an extra hour after the game when you boys should be on your way home,” he said.

“We need to find a way to change things because we can talk about the first 15 games all we like but that’s a million miles away from us now.”

However, asked if he felt the situation is a big concern, he disagreed: “No, I don’t think it’s a worry, I think it can easily be rectified, just putting ourselves in a good position to win games.

“If we’re going to kick long, put it in to one side - basics of football really. And, like I say, we’re letting it get on top of us a little bit by trying to force the issue and being wide open and allowing teams to create a chance out of nothing really.

“That’s what we need to do, we need to defend in numbers in certain situations and certain positions on the pitch and I think we’ll do that come Wednesday [at Wycombe].”

He believes it’s the sort of run which could be turned around by one positive performance and result.

“Without a shadow of a doubt because the small details which we didn’t do today are easily rectified,” he insisted.

“We talk about leaders, this that and the other, we need to have a lot more control on the pitch to settle ourselves down.

“We haven’t celebrated a goal today. What are we? Man City playing in an FA Cup game against a League Two team? No, we’re not, we’re Ipswich Town in League One playing against Lincoln, we’re 1-0 down, we’ve scored a freekick - go and celebrate.

“Because it’s the worst feeling as a professional footballer watching the opposition celebrate when you think you’re in a good position.

“It’s now one-all, you’re taking two, three, four, five minutes in the corner, you’re celebrating. That’s winning football, that’s things that need [to be done].

“The second goal to equalise - celebrate! I’ve said that in there. We’ve wasted opportunities, we’ve just run back to the halfway line as if we’re like Man City playing against [a League Two club].

“We’re here for a reason, you need to enjoy these moments with your 2,500 fans that we’ve taken with us and really put the pressure on the opposition.

“Luke Garbutt’s been an absolute revelation for us and the best thing we can do is to try and get him in for the foreseeable future. He needs a home and I think he’s found one.

“Every time he stands over a freekick I think it’s an opportunity for us - go and enjoy it mate. Yes, they want to see us get back in it but there’s so much time left.

“Again, the first goal came from us trying to be eager, trying to take a quick throw-in. We lose possession and it’s on us, we’re on the wrong side of the ball and it’s in our net. Just settle it down. All I can do is be brutally honest with you and that’s what I’ve always done.

“I said we need to stand up and take responsibility for our performance today, it wasn’t good enough and you guys will write what you want, people will say what they want and, like I said before, I can only apologise to the travelling fans that we didn’t put in the performance befitting of their support.”

Despite the current run, does he believe Town should be up there at the top of the division this season? “Absolutely, why not? We’re fourth in the league but the last 10 games tell a different story. We’re still in a really good position after being on a really bad run.

“So, whoever played and contributed to those first 15 games needs to really stand up and the boys that are around the squad need to stand up and be counted. These are clichés I don’t want to use, but what more can I say to you today?”

Would a more settled side help? “Yes, absolutely, why not? Go again, go again, see where it takes us. We’re not going to worry about anybody else from this day forward, we’ll worry about Ipswich Town and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Quizzed on whether the squad were unsettled by Lambert’s comments on Boxing Day in which he called his future into question, the skipper added: “You guys will make of that what you will. We’re all in there pulling in the same direction and we just want to put this bad run behind us and we’re looking to do that starting on Wednesday, and they’ll be under a lot of pressure as well.”

Looking to that live-on-Sky trip to leaders Wycombe, who were beaten 4-1 at home by Coventry yesterday, Chambers was asked if it might be the ideal game to kickstart Town’s season.

“We’re having a conversation about kickstarting the season when we’re fourth,” he added. “I don’t want to say we would have taken this [position at this point in the summer], but we need to draw a line under what’s happened, after 22 games we’re in fourth.

“Bang. The line’s been drawn, we’ve got a 22-game season now, we’ve played everyone [except Oxford] and we’re looking forward to cracking on with the second half of the season.”

He added: “People are asking if there are extra nerves and stuff, but for me there were more nerves in the first 12 or 15 games of the season because we needed to get off to a good start.

“Now it’s almost as if potentially, I don’t know, some of us maybe have taken the foot off the gas. These are questions I don’t have the answers to. All I can try and do as captain is take responsibility for the group of lads, myself, our performance and apologise.

“But we have another game, we’re still in a good position, we have to break this bad run and what better way to do it than on the TV against the league leaders.”

Asked if the younger members of the squad are having to grow up quickly given the situation, he said: “They have to. We’ll be in tomorrow anyway, whether we sit down as a group and talk it through.

“Like I say, actions speak louder than words but if we have to look at videos and see how the eff that’s happened today, how has he run off you, how’s he beaten you in the air, how have you not held the ball up, how have we not missed the chance, how have we not cleared a cross, [then we should]. And if you can’t take that as a professional footballer you’re in the wrong profession.”

Quizzed on whether supporters might need to be patient if the players stop trying to force the issue by taking, giving his example, quick throws, he said: “I think the fans can see that we’re trying, there’s never a question with this group that you’re not trying, you’re not working your nuts off, you’re not pressing the game. It’s naivety a little bit, I think.

“I think if you’re in the opposition half and the ball goes out quickly, bang, by all means. But if you’re away from home and they’re just going to look to get it forward as quickly as possible, just settle it down as and when.

"We’ve got enough experience and the lads have played enough games to know that you have to look at risk versus reward sometimes.

“That’s not me being negative, it’s just saying, ‘Look, put yourselves in the best position to win the game’. The longer it goes on as an away side, the better it’ll suit you.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves thinking we battered everyone at the start of the season, we won 1-0 virtually every week and ground it out. We went 1-0 up, which opened the game up to allow us to have more chances.

“But let’s not kid ourselves, we didn’t batter anyone, so let’s not start thinking we should be up there [by divine right], we’ve got a fantastic squad, we need to work hard every single day in training. Again, I don’t really know what else to say, apart from having a bit more nous about us really.”

He added: “The fans are desperate to succeed but they will back us, they always have. You just have to play the game not the occasion, just block out all the noise, there are no worries. For me, they’re not going to cause us any issues if we’re in our shape for 90 minutes.

“We have a good solid group of players that if you’re in your shape for 90 minutes, if you’re doing the right things, we’ve shown that teams won’t cause us a problem. We went six games in a row with clean sheets. The proof is in the pudding, we’re trying to force the issue and leaving ourselves vulnerable.

“They’ve had a half-chance and they’ve scored today and it takes it to 2-1 before half-time and it took the wind out of us when we were playing well.”

Does he feel there might be some element of a hangover from last season during this run? “No, we’ve got a lot of different players. And we’ve got a lot of different players who can come into the team still. We’re just looking forward to putting these 22 games behind us and looking to the second half of the season now.”

Asked whether he believes the post-match chat has helped cleared the air after such a disappointing result and run, he reflected: “You have to because it’s no good anyone leaving that dressing room and sniggering and chatting nonsense on the bus.

“Take responsibility. I’ve come out in front of you guys, taken responsibility for us as a team and myself.

“There’s nothing more we can do, there’s another game on Wednesday and after what’s happened today there won’t be many people in that dressing room sleeping properly tonight. And we’ll need to recover and get our minds on it tomorrow.”


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cat added 06:20 - Dec 30
So they spend an hour locked in the dressing room to discuss what's going wrong and the big conclusion is - they ain't sure. Probably sums it up quite nicely!
13

ScottCandage added 06:34 - Dec 30
Proper. He's stood up and, although he might know the answers, tried to answer the questions put to him. Fair play to Chambo.
29

Woodbridgian added 06:38 - Dec 30
In any other line of work, if you keeping failing to do your job correctly. Promise to do better then continually fail to “turn up” you get fired. Both players and manger need to stop the talk and deliver.
8

raycrawfordswig added 06:43 - Dec 30
Dropped down a division still not up to its says something
10

Cakeman added 06:46 - Dec 30
When I first read the headlines I thought here we go again. Just words and the usual required apologies.
To a degree I was correct in my thinking but our Captain has the courage and honesty to actually hold his and the other players hands up. It's evident the answers to our very poor form is still unknown to Luke Chambers, unfortunately their will be no answers to be found as our entire squad as a unit are in league One for a reason and that is because they are not good enough to play at a higher level.
There are one or two individuals who could flourish at a higher level with better players around them but that is about it.
We have to face it that we shall not be a top team with the standard of players we have today. That is not intended to be hurtful to our players as I have no doubt they are doing their very best.
It's a very old chestnut but we shall not improve unless there is a major injection of funds into our club. It doesn't look likely in the near future though.
8

blue75 added 07:14 - Dec 30
A lot of sense there but is anything going to change? Are we suddenly going to kept the ball & make the opposition play at our pace or are we going to start hoofing it more & hope our strikers suddenly become better in the air & make things happen. We need a style of play & work ethic to match too many times we have no idea for the 1st 20-30mins that's what needs changing we let the opposition play their game way too much!!
9

TractorRoyNo1 added 07:35 - Dec 30
You can't polish a turd.
0

shakytown added 07:44 - Dec 30
We need to start playing the same team and as a team every week. too much ball watching and no one does any of the hard little things that make a good football side.
8

TractorRoyNo1 added 07:45 - Dec 30
What about sorry to the 12000 season ticket holders who have seen only a handful of home wins in 2019
9

SpiritOfJohn added 07:46 - Dec 30
Two things Chambo said in this interview stand out: sign Garbutt and keep a settled side. At least there was someone talking some sense during that hour.
20

ITFCsince73 added 07:55 - Dec 30
Time to step down Mr Chambo. 2 years to late....but do it now.
-6

ITFCsince73 added 07:57 - Dec 30
On field and dressing room leadership is clearly non existent.
And has been for years.
2

ITFCsince73 added 08:01 - Dec 30
Yes Scott. Fair play to Chambo.
2019 the worst year for the club and team by a million miles.
You keep your chin up Chambo your doing a sterling job.....
4

norfolkbluey added 08:17 - Dec 30
As a lifelong supporter of 60 years I can say I have seen it all before and things can be turned around but radical changes will have to be found and fast. Ten games without a win is laughable. This is a managerial problem caused by constant rotation of players. It undermines confidence and induces confusion on the pitch. This can also induce lethargy as players lose the will to secure a place in the team.
If PL is still thinking that just praising his players up and then laying them off after they have played well what does that say to a player? Maybe he doesn't really think I did well.
What has become of the prolific goal scorer Norwood? This has happened quite a lot at this club in the past. We buy a good player and then play him in a different position to the one he was confident in. I am beginning to lose faith in Lambert which is something I loath doing. I really thought he was the answer despite not saving us from the drop last year. This club needs to toughen up again as the season started. Now we are a soft touch. We need to fight for every goal and not just expect to win because we are IPSWICH TOWN. Sunderland, Portsmouth have both played at the top in their time but they are where they are for a reason. Even Man City were down here at one time in recent years.
So the answers lie with the club set up not the supporters who give their money to watch their team. Supporters are the life blood of ITFC and they are being generally let down because they are not listened to. The writing has been on the wall for some time now so unless we change our tune soon we won't be playing the NARWICH next year. They are doing their best to get back to the championship so lets do our best too.
18

grumpyoldman added 08:18 - Dec 30
I may be pedantic but surely the way to change the poor run of form is to have a team meeting after each match, openly discuss what went wrong and what was good. Not a long meeting only after a heavy defeat, to me that smacks of PR. Being open and honest with teammates and staff breeds confidence and support with each other, it's called team building. This post is not a dig at Chambers, he is imo a limited defender suited to this league, he was just put up for the interview and gave honest answers to questions.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 08:20 - Dec 30
the players need to man up, and play for shirt and pride. Cant start feeling sorry for themselves, they get paid good money, the support has been amazing all things considerd. Lambert needs to get a grip and play a settled team,, stop sodding about. He has as much to prove as the players, all he has achieved since joining Town is to raise hope [initially] in fans, and get the fans back, pleasing Evans ,who in turn will do nothing except smile.I predicted a 17th place finish this season ,judging all from last season. At present that sadly is still a possibility.
1

dangerous30 added 08:21 - Dec 30
We can moan as much as we like but at the end of the day it's the players who need to sort it out. Hopefully. I would like to wish everyone all the best for 2020
4

jas0999 added 08:29 - Dec 30
Can't fault Chambers efforts or his dedication. But he, like many others, are not good enough.
12

Dolphinblue added 08:38 - Dec 30
Chambers still our best defender...club legend...
-5

warktheline added 08:52 - Dec 30
Been hearing this rubbish for far too long! Blah blah blah! Ripping the arse out of the shirt!
0

MickMillsTash added 08:54 - Dec 30
Chambers performances have been ridiculous of late.
Spending most of his time trying to get Harrison sent off at Portsmouth- and then getting sent off himself and yesterday a hot headed no brained performance that resulted in 5 goals conceded. Continued foul mouth tirades at the ref - he's no example
Should be a leader for Wolfenden but is not.
Excuses exist but he's 34 and the captain and should know better.

NEEDED
An experienced, no nonsense, left footed centre back with leadership qualities. Must be able demostrate ability to organise a defence, act under pressure - probably has to be able to work with little or no meaningful supervision.
8

thechangingman added 08:55 - Dec 30
"Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent." Ludwig Wittgenstein
-1

Gazelle added 09:08 - Dec 30
With KVY in the team we won 7 drew 1 and lost 1. Since he's been injured we've won 2 , drawn 7 and lost 5.
One player doesn't make a team but.............
11

BettyBlue added 09:17 - Dec 30
Retire..... and take Judge with you.
-3

TractorRoyNo1 added 09:19 - Dec 30
DolphinBlue - "legend" that is an insult to the real ones like Beattie, Butcher, Mills, Wark, Baxter, Crawford etc.
17


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