NO excuses, no messing – Joe Royle told it straight and pointed accusingfingers at his side's woeful defending for the reason why Ipswich have slipped to ninth in the table.

NO excuses, no messing – Joe Royle told it straight and pointed accusing

fingers at his side's woeful defending for the reason why Ipswich have slipped to ninth in the table, writes Derek Davis.

The Blues boss also hinted that he was ready to allow more youngsters their head.

Royle said: "Millwall have done nothing to win the game – we have lost it. The game was lost in the first half because of our inability to defend simple crosses. We went in at half-time minus two goals and two centre-halves.

"Anything it takes to get us going we will do.

"I took a lot of heart from the second-half, especially from our younger players.

"We have dominated in the second half, passed it well and played with more spirit.

"But it doesn't alter the fact that, when you give goals away the way we do we are always going to be up against it. I feel very sorry for our keeper. We have conceded eight goals yet he has barely had a save to make.

"Anything that can go against us at the moment is going against us. We could do with a kiss from Lady Luck because she has not been too kind to us for a while."

Town lost central defenders Drissa Diallo and Georges Santos to facial wounds before half-time, but are hopeful of having at least one back for tomorrow's game at Walsall.

A defiant Royle admits achieving the stated aim of a top-two place is looking increasing unlikely, but he has not given up all hope. And while not a fan of the alternative route, will be happy enough to finish in the top six, although nothing has yet been decided.

He said: "It is not May yet. I have seen late runs in the past and if we win 10 games out of 10 then we will be up there. It is unlikely, but you have to believe.

"I despise the play-offs because the top three clubs should go up. But if we have to go up via the play-offs this season, I'll take it."