Jason Scotland revealed how Paul Jewell delivered a frank assessment to his under-performing Ipswich players after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Charlton Athletic.

Scotland grabbed Town’s only goal of the game – courtesy of a big deflection off Leon Cort – and was one of the home team’s better players on a disappointing afternoon at Portman Road.

The club now have a week to prepare for their trip to Barnsley, a game which has suddenly become a far more daunting prospect following the Reds’ emphatic 5-0 win at Birmingham on Saturday.

Ironically, last season’s stunning 5-3 victory at Oakwell – a televised game in which the Blues trailed 2-0 at half-time – is considered by many to be the result that saved current boss Jewell his job.

With a threadbare squad to choose from, the under-fire Town manager has few options to change things round and is therefore banking on his current crop of players, several of whom have been below-par this season, to rescue Ipswich from a sorry start.

“Everyone is behind the gaffer and he said after the Charlton game that there are maybe six or seven players that are not pulling their weight,” said Scotland.

“It is not just down to the manager, the players have to look at themselves.

“It is not as though we are not scoring and being tight at the other end, we are not scoring and we are still conceding. We need to be tighter at the back and capitalise on our chances in attack.”

Included in Saturday’s 18-man squad were youngsters, Aaron Cresswell (22), Massimo Luongo (20 tomorrow), Luke Hyam (20), Josh Carson (19) and Jack Ainsley (21).

Scotland insists it is important the youngsters do not take defeats too much to heart but admitted they can take some lifting.

“The gaffer tries his best and I, as one of the senior players, try my best, but it is tough picking up players,” he said.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”