Ipswich boss Paul Jewell accused his players of lacking a killer instinct despite their 1-0 win over Barnsley.
Ipswich boss warns his team about their cocksure attitude
Ipswich boss Paul Jewell accused his players of lacking a killer instinct despite their 1-0 win over Barnsley.
The Tractor Boys maintained their good recent home form courtesy of Daryl Murphy's winning goal three minutes after the interval to give them their sixth win in seven games.
Jewell, however, believes their winning margin should have been even greater.
"We fully deserved to win but I was little disappointed we didn't kill them off," said Jewell.
"We should have been out of sight, having missed three or four gilt-edged chances when it was 1-0.
"We had two one-on-ones with the goalkeeper and failed to hit the target.
"We get a little bit cocky when things are going well and because of that - our lack of ruthlessness and not being clinical enough - we nearly paid the price.
"The players deserve real credit because we've won six out of our last seven home games.
"We started the second half really well but want our standards to be higher.
"Sometimes we can be over-elaborate and complicate the game when there's no need to."
Victory
Jewell admitted to being delighted to win on such a special day for the club.
Ipswich were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1961/62 league championship and before the game they officially renamed one of their stands after the manager of that team - Sir Alf Ramsey.
"It might not have been the best game but at least we got a victory," said Jewell.
"We respect the history of our club. It's a very traditional club and always honours the people who have done well in the past."
Murphy scored the only goal after latching on to a pass from Michael Chopra, outmuscling Jim McNulty and sliding the ball past David Button.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas then rattled the bar but Murphy and Lee Martin failed to hit the target from one-on-ones with the Tykes keeper.
Barnsley had their moments, too, and Craig Davies twice and Frank Nouble forced top-class saves from Arran Lee-Barrett.
When asked if his side deserved a share of the spoils, boss Keith Hill said: "It would have been harsh on the opposition, because of the way they started the second half.
"Ipswich huffed and puffed in the first half and had one or two speculative shots.
"But the way they started the second half, and the way we started, was disappointing for us and encouraging for them.
Decisions
"Maybe they should have sealed it on the counter-attack, but I can't be too disappointed with the courage, endeavour and commitment our players showed.
"However, we're not making the right decisions in the final third, especially away from home.
"When we're breaking three versus two, I expect the players to make better pass selections and show better quality."
Barnsley appear safe of relegation but Hill is refusing to rest on his laurels, especially with struggling Coventry climbing out of the bottom three after winning at Hull.
"We've got to survive but we're looking over our shoulder," he said.
"Coventry won today, there are six games to play and we're nine points above the bottom three.
"That's encouraging but we can't take anything for granted. It's important we survive and then we can try and grow and establish ourselves next season."
