Jon Stead threw his support behind Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton after the Blues’ 2-1 home defeat by Cardiff City.

The under-fire manager was again taunted with jeers of “you don’t know what you’re doing” during Saturday’s setback at Portman Road.

Stead scored Ipswich’s consolation but was substituted 20 minutes from time by Danny Haynes.

It was that change which prompted the fans’ reaction – exactly as happened during an earlier home game against Crystal Palace.

Stead said: “I’m gutted every time I’m taken off but haven’t got any complaints because the manager has to do what he feels is best.

“Everything he does is for the good of the team and I have no problems with it.

“Of course we can hear the crowd but that’s the manager’s decision.”

Of his side’s current predicament – they lie 12th in the Coca-Cola Championship, six points behind sixth-placed Preston – Stead added: “The players talk to each other day in, day out and we talk about how we feel we can improve.

“The manager and coaching staff are helping us but the players have to take responsibility.

“Once we cross the white line it’s up to us to put in a performance.

“It’s not the manager’s fault we gave away two goals and we know that.”

The Ipswich squad were flying to Dublin after Saturday’s match for their Christmas party.

Ironically, they were jetting out from Stansted – the same airport the Cardiff players were using to get to their party in Belfast.

Stead said: “We’re all pretty down and, although we should be away enjoying ourselves for a couple of days, it’ll be hard because we lost.

“It might not be as lively as we thought it might be.”