YOUNG Aaron Cresswell has apologised for the Blues’ 4-0 midweek defeat at Burnley.

And the left-back believes manager Paul Jewell’s brutal post-match assessment – describing his side’s performance as “spineless” and comparing them to a pub team – was spot on.

Cresswell said: “I think the manager’s comments were fair. We did look like a pub team. It was tough to take, but it was right as we were a shambles and it was not acceptable.

“All we can say is sorry for Tuesday night’s performance but we have to stay positive and look forward to Saturday’s game.”

Clearly emotional minutes after such a dire showing, Jewell yesterday stood by his tough stance: “What I said was exactly what happened on the pitch.

“Even though we’ve lost six in a row, that was the first game where we completely collapsed. It was the worst performance of the season – there’s no doubt about it.”

“I’m not hiding away from that fact. But what I’m also not hiding away from is the fact that I’m the manager and I have to take responsibility.”

Much to the anger of fans, Cresswell’s comments, however heartfelt, simply mirror those of Mark Kennedy and the manager following the 7-1 humiliation by Peterborough earlier in the season. And Cresswell knows the loyal Blue Army deserve a lot better than what is happening on the pitch.

He said: “I don’t know why it was so bad (against Burnley). We are just going through a sticky patch at the minute and we have to get out of this dogfight and start pushing up the table as quick as we can.”

To get themselves out of the slump, Cresswell and his team mates will have to do something that no Town side have done in seven-and-a-half years – beat Watford.

But the 21-year-old believes even a draw at Portman Road shouldn’t be looked upon as a bad result.

“A win is nice but we just have to get points on the board and get out of this rough patch,” he explained.

“The manager and Hutch (assistant boss Chris Hutchings) have been trying to get the boys going and be positive going into Saturday’s game.”

Cresswell, who has missed just one game this season through suspension, admitted he was surprised by the Blues’ drastic fall from grace and that he had expected to join a side challenging for the top when he moved from League One Tranmere in the summer.

He said: “I am very surprised by this considering the players we have got on paper and the size of the squad and the players that have come in.

“No one has seen it coming – it is a shock to everyone.”