We are not good enough.

That is Paul Jewell’s damning indictment of his current squad just a over a fortnight before the start of the new season after Ipswich conceded two goals in just 11 minutes in a 2-1 friendly defeat at Southend United last night.

Coming just three days after a woeful loss at non-league Luton Town, Jewell will today step up his pursuit for new signings ahead of the season-opener on August 18.

When asked by the Green ‘Un whether he expected new faces before the curtain-raiser at home to Blackburn Rovers, Jewell insisted: “There will be. We will bring in someone new in before then, at least one if not two or three.”

Speaking after the poor showing at Roots Hall in which the Blues could have conceded four in little over half an hour, Jewell added: “I don’t think (the team on August 18) will be what it was today.

“Let’s be brutally honest about it – we lost to Luton, a Conference team, and Southend. The team is nowhere near good enough, I think everyone knows that.”

As talks with Derby County striker Steve Davies apparently stall and rumours linking him with a loan move for old boy Connor Wickham were laughed off due to high wages, Jewell did reveal he had spoken with three Premier League managers yesterday in a bid to improve his squad.

He said: “I am frustrated as hell, as frustrated as everyone. I am never off the phone, but it is 46 games in the season. I must have tried for 20 players but for different reasons it hasn’t happened.”

The one saving grace was no further interest from Aston Villa over left-back Aaron Cresswell while Jewell said talks had begun with Lee Martin over a new contract.