ON THE day Ipswich fans once again accused manager Jim Magilton of not knowing what he is doing, two former Blues were showing the sort of fight and goals Town lacked at Sheffield United.

Derek Davis

ON THE day Ipswich fans once again accused manager Jim Magilton of not knowing what he is doing, two former Blues were showing the sort of fight and goals Town lacked at Sheffield United.

Former Ipswich club captain Richard Naylor, allowed to join Leeds United for nothing in January, skippered Leeds to a 1-0 win at Colchester United to consolidate their play-off place.

While Town were conceding two poor goals, Naylor led from the front in the victory and as this picture shows still possesses an unquenchable desire to succeed and battle for his team just as he did during his 14-year spell at Portman Road - no wonder the Leeds fans and players already love him.

Meanwhile Billy Clarke, told by Magilton he will not be offered a new deal in the summer, scored for Brentford in their 1-1 draw at Bradford to keep them top of League Two.

The news of Clarke's release came on the day Magilton admitted he was looking for a left-footed attacking player to replace Luciano Civelli who is out until at least Christmas after severely damaging knee ligaments.

Town fans chanted 'you don't know what you are doing' when he made a double substitution in the defeat at Bramall Lane but Magilton dismissed their claim.

He said: “Let them get on with it. I know what I'm doing.”

Magilton was at a loss to explain away the 2-0 reverse at Sheffield United.

The defeat leaves Town with just two away wins and a draw in their past six on the road and saw them drop to 11th place in the Championship. With five matches to go, Magilton's men are eight points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City who have two games in hand after their 2-2 draw with Swansea yesterday.

Greg Halford and Darius Henderson scored for the Blades as they blew Town away in the first half.

Magilton said: “I don't know what to put it down to. Going into the game we looked ready and we looked sharp.

“That first goal was very important we have managed to play a real counter attacking style of football but that goal deflated us.

“We huffed and puffed but Sheffield United shut the game down and we didn't really rest the keeper.”

Magilton was less than impressed with his side's defending for both goals.

He said: “The first goal is always important in games and it gave Sheffield United, who are flying high, a foothold in the game.

“If you give someone of Halford's ability that much room he will punish you and he did.

“The second goal was a poor goal to give away. That was typical of us all afternoon. We lacked any real punch and gave away the ball and didn't defend properly.

“We restored a bit of pride in the second half but it was very disheartening.”

The Town boss admitted it was unlikely the Blues will reach the play-offs but promised to not let the season peter out.

He added: “I very much doubt we can reach the play-offs but we will keep going. We will try and win as many games as we can. We will have to play better than that but I won't allow the team to stroll to a lovely end to the season they will be kept on their toes.”