Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell: Norwich defeat was "embarrassing" (From Gazette)

Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell: Norwich defeat was "embarrassing"

10:44pm Thursday 21st April 2011

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Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell was left deflated after his side’s “embarrassing” 5-1 defeat at home to Norwich City.

Jimmy Bullard’s goal was scant consolation for Blues fans on a miserable night at Portman Road.

Afterwards Jewell said: “It was hugely disappointing.

“It was a derby and you want to put on a good show for your supporters but unfortunately the score was embarrassing.

“It’s a humiliation.

“We probably had more possession and attempts on goal than them but they were clinical and their strikers gave us a hard time.

“Norwich were quick and incisive and their front two held the ball up well.

“Every time they attacked they looked like they might score.

“We haven’t got that and we’re not incisive enough.

“It was obvious that in both boxes they were exceptional, whereas we were average to say the least, and at both ends we lost key battles.”

Town had won four of their previous five games before this setback but Jewell believes they are susceptible at Portman Road.

“For some reason we get caught on the counter-attack at home,” he said.

“Teams get behind us and we can’t deal with it.

“It’s an area we need to improve on and I know where we need to get better.

“It’s wasn’t a one-off tonight because we conceded three against Watford, Reading and Middlesbrough.”

Prior to their derby defeat, some Ipswich fans had suggested their side had an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

“You never want to dampen supporters’ enthusiasm but I’ve known from day one that the remit was to stay in this division,” said Jewell.

“We’ve done that and the lads deserve great credit.

“But if we’re going to have a serious challenge next year we’ve got to do a lot better.”

Norwich boss Paul Lambert said: “My players were incredible, right from the off.

“They were extraordinary, in terms of the football they played.

“We were up against a team that have been on fire recently so to come here and do what we’ve done was a big test of character and I thought the performance was excellent.”