STAND-in skipper Mark Kennedy insisted that it was the players who should take the blame, not the manager, for Saturday’s 3-1 home reverse at the hands of Barnsley.

STAND-in skipper Mark Kennedy insisted that it was the players who should take the blame, not the manager, for Saturday’s 3-1 home reverse at the hands of Barnsley.

Kennedy had sat out the previous six games with a hamstring injury, but was recalled to the team as skipper in the absence of the experienced trio of David Norris, Grant Leadbitter and Gareth McAuley.

But it was not a great day for defender Kennedy, just as it wasn’t a great day for Ipswich Town. The 34-year-old ended on the losing side, and with another sore hamstring, which will keep him out of next Saturday’s trip to Hull.

Kennedy defended manager Roy Keane, despite a second home defeat in four days and a hot reception from some fans.

“This is nothing to do with the manager,” insisted Kennedy.

“The team that goes out there is well prepared. He (Keane) sets us up well.

“When we cross that line we have to do the business, and at the moment we are not doing it.

“We’ve got to stop giving away such silly goals. Conceding a third goal early in the second half killed off the game.

“It was just one of those days. But we are still only two points off the play-offs.

“I think the division is more open this year. With the exception of the top two, it’s much closer between the top and the bottom,” added Kennedy.

Barnsley boss Mark Robins enthused: “It was without doubt the best performance we’ve seen since I became Barnsley manager.”