TOWN captain Jim Magilton has admitted some of his players need a reality check and has told them it's no good moaning about systems when they should be getting on with winning games.

TOWN captain Jim Magilton has admitted some of his players need a reality check and has told them it's no good moaning about systems when they should be getting on with winning games.

He spoke out after Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Coventry City at Portman Road. Marcus Bent had put Ipswich ahead but Michael Doyle equalised. Magilton knows the Blues are not doing themselves justice and need to get themselves sorted out for tomorrow's trip to Wigan and then home to West Ham on Saturday.

Magilton – who was coveted by Wigan boss Paul Jewell before he agreed a new contract with Ipswich and was handed the captain's armband – knows what is required. And accepting whatever formation they are told to play is the first step.

He said: "It is the manager's decision and that is it.

"Anyway, it is not about systems. It is about players and their willingness to go out there and show enthusiasm to perform. First and foremost you need endeavour to go and roll your sleeves up and concentrate on the job in hand.

"We've worked hard for six weeks but in the end it comes down to individuals. Some of us need a reality check that it is not going to be easy. You can't just turn up and think it will just happen."

Magilton refused to point the finger at individuals: He added: "As a group we have not done it. Defensively we have been fine but going the other way we are not firing on all cylinders. The manager is confident it will work or will tinker with things at half -time. With the attacking flair we have you know it will happen sooner or later. The manager is keeping faith with these lads because he feels they can produce for us. The rest of us have to like it or lump it. I'm quite happy, I want to play and I want to go out and win games and if 4-3-3 wins games, then fine.

"It is up to the management and staff to change it if they feel it is not working."

Magilton admits he is fed up with Royle getting stuck into them after yet another disappointing 45 minutes and is hoping for a good start in his first visit to Wigan's JJB stadium. He said: "It would be nice for us to start a game sharpish and not get another rollicking off the manager at half-time. It would be nice to come in at half-time and him saying nice things for a change.

"The sooner we knuckle down and get the three points the happier man I will be."