Cole Skuse says it is time for Ipswich Town’s players to redeem themselves following a near fortnight of criticism.

The Blues were booed off the field following their 1-0 home defeat to relegation-battling Rotherham and then had plenty of time to dwell on it thanks to an international break.

Mick McCarthy’s men remain just four points adrift of the Championship play-off places though and begin their eight-game run-in at Wolves tomorrow.

“I’ve bumped into people at the shops and out and about and they’ve been quick to say that they felt we were very, very poor against Rotherham,” said midfielder Skuse.

“We can’t deny that. We were poor. That’s football though. If you look at any team in the world, maybe bar Barcelona, teams do have off days.

“None of us go to work and have a brilliant day every day. That’s the case for anyone in any job.”

He continued: “One guy stopped me and elaborated on the way it was boring. I can’t repeat the words, but I had to hold my little girl’s ears!

“He didn’t enjoy the way we played, but we’ve not overly changed the way we’ve played in the three years I’ve been here.

“We had success, or part-success, playing that way last year by finishing in the play-offs. We’ll try our utmost to redeem ourselves this weekend and get a good positive result at Wolves.”

Skuse added: “Supporters pay their hard-earned money and they are entitled to voice their opinions.

“One thing you can never, ever question, though, is the want of trying from anyone in this squad. You can’t ever question anyone for chucking the towel in or taking their foot off the pedal. You can never question anyone’s effort or desire to win the game. It was just our quality on the day that let us down.”

Asked if he felt Ipswich would make the play-offs again, Skuse said: “I really do and I’m not just saying that because I’m talking to the press. I really do.

“It would be a failure if we didn’t because we set the benchmark last year and we said the minimum requirement would be to finish in the top six this year.”