Manchester United legend Roy Keane says he'd rather thump his Ipswich player than throw teacups around the dressing room.
Keane, who is fighting to save his job just 11 months after taking charge, locked his squad in the dressing room for 90 minutes after Tuesday's defeat at Watford.
He said: "I appreciate the days are gone when you could go around assaulting people.
"But players drive you crazy and some things had to be said. A few home truths shouldn't hurt them. I should have made three substitutions after just 10 minutes the other night.
"I gave players an opportunity to come back in and stake their claim but they threw it back in my face. Others have been making the same mistakes week in, week out, and they will take us nowhere fast."
Keane's team have suffered just two home defeats all season but they have won only three times on their travels.
He said: "It seems they can't cope when they are outside their comfort zone. You would have a better chance of winning the lottery than us winning away from home."