By Aston
November 21 2004

Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle has admitted Town were second best to Sunderland after today’s 2-0 defeat against the Black Cats.

Royle’s Reaction: Sunderland

Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle has admitted Town were second best to Sunderland after today’s 2-0 defeat against the Black Cats.

Royle: “We didn't pass the ball well enough in midfield and never looked like scoring so overall we can have no complaints that we came away with nothing.

“It was our worst performance in a long, long time but I am not going to over-react. We were just poor on the day.

“We could have had a penalty in the first-half when Dean Bowditch went down and he was our brightest forward but whatever combination we played, we never really threatened them in attack.

“Sunderland were the strongest team we have played this season, judging on that performance but we will give them a much tougher game when they come to our place.”

Joe had admitted defeat with 80 minutes gone and decided to give Darryl Knights a 10 minute run out, adding: “We weren't going to score the way we were playing so I thought I would give the lad a taste of first-team football, he has been playing well in the reserves, is a great talent and deserved his chance but he's only a kid and has a long way to go yet before he's a regular.”

Source: Ipswich Town - the official website.

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