Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor on 2-0 defeat at Leicester City and the battle to finish 18th in final week of the season

Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor believes the Blues did not deserve the reception they received following the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Both sides have already been relegated to the Championship, with Leicester leapfrogging Town into 18th place following back-to-back home victories with just next weekend’s matches left to play this season.

Jamie Vardy and Kasey McAteer scored either side of half-time to condemn the Blues to their 23rd defeat of the season, and leave them with just one victory in 18 league matches this calendar year.

Following confirmation of Town’s immediate relegation back to the second tier at Newcastle United three weeks ago, Taylor was asked whether it had been difficult to find motivation in the final knockings of the season.

“When it comes to it, it’s not that bad,” he said. “The context of the game today was a bit better for us because it’s us versus them for who could finish above each other, that was the main focus on the week.

“You’re still representing the club in a Premier League game so it’s still a proud moment to represent the club at this level.

“The fans showed a great account of themselves again today and I don’t think we deserved the clap off at the end, but it just shows the connection we’ve got with the fans and how much they believe in the journey that we’ve been on.”

Reflecting further on the reaction from the 3,200-strong Blue Army in Leicester, Taylor said: “It was surprising. Coming away to an also-relegated side, you expect to make it at least a more even game on the scoreline even though we probably created more chances than them.

“It shows a great account of them and how much they’ve supported us this season, no matter the results or the performance. Hats off to them and we can only thank them.

“It’s just an overall thank you. Week in, week out, they’ve backed us from minute one until the last kick of the game, so a big thank you.

“It’s not going to come across how much it means to us as a squad, but we know what it means and the players know what it means for the club and for the town. Again, just a thank you.

“It’s not the outcome that everyone in the club wants, this fairytale season if you call it that we’ve had, we’ve come short.

“The togetherness and they understand the journey, but I don’t think we particularly deserved it today with how we performed in some aspects of the game. We’ll be back stronger and everyone is ready for next season.”

Town had more shots and touches in the opposition penalty area than in any other match this season, but found the final product difficult with Leif Davis hitting the woodwork being the closest they came to troubling Jakub Stolarczyk’s goal.

Taylor said: “We’ve had so many chances, the boss said we’ve had 20, so it’s on us to take accountability for that for not taking our chances or making the right decision at the final bit. We’ve created enough so we’ve got to look back on it and try and improve.

“It was [a tough afternoon] because I think we’ve shown some good stuff on the ball. Like so many times this year, there’s been moments that have gone against us.

“It’s a tough one to take, it’s more about looking forward to the future and getting back for pre-season.

“It’s obviously tough, I’d rather be standing here still fighting. It’s a part of football and the club will come back stronger.”

Asked whether finishing 18th or 19th makes a difference, Taylor continued: “It does matter, it’s still points to play for. Next week we’ll go in to win the game and hopefully they drop points so we go above them.

“There’s still points to play for and to come a place above them would be a nice ending to the season considering where we’ve been.”