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Ipswich winger Jack Clarke says "the levels are ruthless" in the Premier League, after the Tractor Boys' 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth at the weekend.
Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, Clarke said: "It's really difficult because I don't think we were sort of a million miles off it in the game. It probably felt and seemed worse than what it was.
"Felt like we were in an OK spot to build on in the second half, and then shot ourselves in the foot again. Not so much of an error, but an avoidable scenario that's obviously punished us again.
"That's just the level - it's ruthless and we should know better."
Clarke has recorded three goal involvements after being substituted on in the Premier League this season (two goals, one assist) - the most of any player in the competition this term.
Ipswich have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their past 29 Premier League games, the longest run in the competition since Watford's 30 between March 2020 and January 2022 and the longest ongoing such run.
"I think the levels are ruthless. Every time you feel like you make a mistake, it feels like you're going to get punished, or it's going to lead to something, and we should know that," he added.
"On the flip side, when teams make mistakes against us, we should be the ones punishing them, and at the minute, especially in this sort of last block of games, it feels like every time we've made a mistake we've been punished."
The Tractor Boys have now failed to win in their past four games in the Premier League and will face Tottenham next after the international break.