Michael Chopra scored his third and fourth goals of pre-season as Town came from two behind to draw 2-2 at Cambridge United.

Blues boss Paul Jewell started with new strike pair Michael Chopra and Nathan Ellington for the first time, while Lee Bowyer was handed the captain’s armband.

Ívar Ingimarsson again missed out with his thigh problem, while Jaime Peters, Luciano Civelli and Conor Hourihane were left out of the squad entirely and will presumably join the likes of Shane O’Connor, Ronan Murray and Joe Whight in the reserves at Bury on Wednesday.

The Blues went behind in the second minute when a misplaced Bowyer pass back to Damien Delaney 10 yards outside the area put Ryan Charles through on goal. The Cambridge man held off Delaney before hitting a shot across Arran Lee-Barrett and into the net.

A minute later it was two. Bowyer rather needlessly fouled Ashley Carew five yards outside the area to the left. The midfielder took the kick himself and curled the ball beyond Lee-Barrett and into the net.

The rip-roaring start continued with the Blues pulling a goal back in the fifth minute. Lee Martin played the ball wide to Nathan Ellington and the former Wigan man whipped in a cross which Chopra diverted past U’s keeper Simon Brown.

The basketball-esque pace of scoring relented and it wasn’t until the 18th minute that either side managed another significant shot, Cambridge left-back James Jennings cannoning a strike off Delaney after he had found space just inside the box.

Town pulled level on 21 when Josh Carson — who had swapped flanks with Lee Martin having started on the left - pulled the ball back from the byline on the right and Chopra slammed in his fourth goal of pre-season from 10 yards.

The Blues were by now getting on top after their somewhat calamitous start and Lee Martin came close to putting them in front on 24 with a dipping shot from 25 yards which only narrowly flew over.

The Blue Square Bet Premier side might have gone back in front in the 29th minute when Charles was presented with a free header from Jennings’s corner unable to keep it down.

There was a further scare for the Blues a minute later when Delaney missed a ball in behind and allowed Adam Marriott to break into the area. Fortunately for Town, Arran Lee-Barrett was able to stretch out an arm to dispossess the Cambridge striker as he tried to take the ball round him.

Chopra came close to a first-half hat-trick on 37 when he hammered Martin’s corner from the right against strike partner Ellington when it looked goalbound.

Cambridge, who were far from being outclassed, weren’t too far from a third themselves moments later when Charles lashed a 25-yarder across the face of Lee-Barrett’s goal.

Healy slammed over from 20 yards as the half drew to what was a quiet close after the fireworks of the opening few minutes.

Town had started sloppily, particularly defensively, but fought their way back into the match via a couple of well-taken goals but had still given the ball away far too often to truly dominate a side three divisions below them.

Chopra had again been the standout performer, netting his third and fourth goals of the pre-season campaign and illustrating precisely why Paul Jewell — and Roy Keane before him — wanted him at Portman Road.

Town made four changes at the break, Jason Scotland, Mark Kennedy, Jack Ainsley and Andy Drury taking over from Nathan Ellington, Aaron Cresswell, Colin Healy and Josh Carson with Carlos Edwards moving to the right of midfield.

On 49, Scotland saw a shot deflect wide, then from the resultant corner the ball reached Chopra. The former Cardiff man laid it back to Edwards, whose strike was also blocked.

Scotland had another shot stopped by a defender with the Blues making a somewhat better start to the second half than they had the first.

Jennings again went close for the home side on 56 with a shot across the face of Lee-Barrett’s goal, prior to Cambridge youngster Luke Berry getting into a brief but perhaps ill-advised bout of wrestling with Lee Bowyer.

The Blues were moving the ball around more slickly and with greater pace than in the first period. On 64 Drury found Ainsley with superb crossfield ball, the right-back sending in a dangerous cross but beyond Chopra.

After more substitutions, Town almost went in front when Edwards cut the ball back to Scotland, his fellow Trinidadian turning the ball against the near post. At the other end, Carew shot wide.

Grant Leadbitter, who had taken the armband when he came on, saw a goalbound shot deflect over after a Drury corner from the left had been deflected out to him on the edge of the box.

Priskin, playing wide on the left of midfield, deftly curled a shot just over on 83, then with four minutes left Cambridge should have won it. Jordan Patrick beat Hyam round the outside on the left and sent in a cross which Liam Hughes sent over the bar with the goal gaping.

Cambridge sub keeper Danny Naisbitt blocked from Chopra as the game moved into injury time, a tardy linesman’s flag calling back play for offside.

The home side came close to winning it in injury time with Conal Platt first hitting Hyam and then the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Scotland just failed to get on the end of a through ball for Town before referee Kevin Wright — a familiar face in the Championship — blew the final whistle.

Town had been better in the second period but still without being overly convincing. They had kept the ball better at times, with Andy Drury’s first time passing increasing the tempo, but too few chances were created and Cambridge might have won it with their opportunities towards the end.

Blues boss Paul Jewell will probably have been more impressed than he was with the first half display — particularly the sloppy start — while Michael Chopra continues his excellent start to his Town career.

Town: Lee-Barrett (Fülöp 66), Edwards, Cresswell (Kennedy 46), Healy (Drury 46), Delaney, Smith (Hyam 81), Carson (Ainsley 46), Bowyer (Leadbitter 66), Ellington (Scotland 46), Chopra, Martin (Priskin 66).

Cambridge: Brown (Naisbitt 46), Roberts Hudson 80), Coulson, Wylde (McAuley 72), Jennings, Carew (Eades 80), Shaw, Berry, Dunk (Platt 66), Charles (Hughes 54), Marriott (Patrick 66). Unused: Allen, Brighton. Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire). Att: 2,307 (Town 752).

Photo: Action Images

Umros added 22:52 - Jul 19 Went. Not great really, sharpness lacking, hopefully this will pick up in next two weeks. Still carrying som players, can't see Scotland/priskin in Jewells thoughts. Defence suspect, smith, cresswell average, Delaney seems lost without MCCauley, edwards simply not a right back and terrible crossing when i promising positions and space time and time again. Jewel likes Martin for some reason but as always promises but delivers very little and gets knocked off ball far to easily. Still key signings to be made and some of loaded in my opinion. Chopra looked sharp until Scotland came in and seemed to just get in the way, is he a boxer?

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pazelle added 22:56 - Jul 19 I think Delaney is crap - he's playing his best position in this game, Smith on the other hand is younger and is being played on his bad side with a dumbass partner - we desperately need a right footed centrehalf to partner Smith. Why did we let Brown and Eastman go with no replacements? I don't think there are even youth players ready to step in if we get desperate! Joke

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suffolkpunchdrunk added 23:00 - Jul 19 Conceded 68 goals in the championship last season. Unless PJ brings in some decent defenders expect more of the same this season.
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jas0999 added 23:13 - Jul 19 I am very sorry, but I can not believe the early posts! 'Well done Town'. Why?! I fear some people are so easily pleased! Of course this was only a friendly, but as one of the 752 ITFC fans at Cambridge tonight (GREAT support by the way), I was bitterly disappointed. TWO down after just 3 minutes and some people think it's well done? Clearly some people are VERY deluded. We were not great - particularly in the first half. At best, under the current set up we are an average team. Sorry to all of those who are optimistic, but this simply wasn't very good - without Chopra we would have been well and truely beaten - and to be frank they could have scored others, where we looked fairly toothless - despite Scotland putting himself about and hitting the post second half. The biggest problem is the defence. I would be surprised if ALB would actually get into the Cambridge side. Sadly, he isn't very good - his positioning, kicking and catching is poor. Fulop looked better, but the keeping situation is a concern. As for the defence - oh dear. Right-back is a problem area. Edwards was woeful - exposed by a Conference side. Smith was possibly worse - no wonder he was dropped from a division one side when on loan. Delaney needs an experienced partner - but Ingermarson is so injury prone, we simply can't rely on him. Midfield: Bowyer looks a week or so behind the others fitness wise - and despite some decent touches, he was guilty of some poor play. Carson looked okay, whilst Martin showed glimpses of what he can do. Healy on the other hand looks completely out of his depth. Drury came on and did well. Strikers: Chopra was the stand out - two chances, two goals. I didn't rate Ellington at all. Didn't test the keeper. Scotland did okay. We are at least FOUR decent players away from a team who can actually challenge. Possibly FIVE. It is now time for PJ to sign some players - and not 35 year old freebies.

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power19 added 23:15 - Jul 19 Give me bloody strength - an away draw against might non-league oppo!! Notwithstanding shortfall in potential signings, it is obviously disappointing. We should be turning such teams over convincingly and I dont care what BS others say to the contrary. Not good enough although well done Chops!
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power19 added 23:19 - Jul 19 Sorry forget to say thx for Jas0999 informative report and someone who could be actually arse to go to the game and not sit at home, feeling satisfied that we didnt actually lose. Agree entirely! Whilst we need to get behind the team - we have to be realistic at the same time and this just isnt good enough!
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norfolk_mighty_horse added 23:36 - Jul 19 Test will be if Chopper can score in a real game as Cambridge are pretty Mickey Mouse these days. Still a concern at the back, but a couple more weeks to get things sorted. COYB!
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radiogaga added 00:00 - Jul 20 I went tonight and left with very mixed feelings. First to the positives, it is an absolute breath of fresh air to have a striker of Chopra's ilk. He arguably has the sort of cutting edge and movement up front that we have missed and needed since Bent and Kuqi left. We have a natural goalscorer. Ellington did okay in the first half and showed some good pace, nice touches, worked hard and did very well in the build up to Chopra's first goal of the night. Bowyer also played very decent (yes, he was involved in both Cambridge goals though that was more down to him failing to sort out Smith and Delaney's circus style early game cock ups than it was poor play on his part) Also, Andy Drury came on and made a very good impact with some quick, more incisive and forward thinking passes, and Scotland to his credit came on and looked decent too. To the negative side, and I think that our weaknesses were very apparent tonight. The central defensive pairing of Smith and Delaney desperately lacked leadership, presence, pace and the ability to clear the ball properly. As a more experienced defender, Delaney does not lead at all, a huge concern, and Smith's performance was littered all over the park with near suicidal mistakes and shocking lapses in concentration. Lee Barrett's kicking is a big big problem - We might as well give the opposition a restart on the centre spot when we get a goal kick, because we are always back under pressure! Right back, and Carlos Edwards was alarmingly drifting out of position all too often, though he looked much better in his preferred position of right wing. Lee Martin blew hot and cold, never knew quite what he was going to do next. Overall, we also lacked creativity and height, which caused huge problems tonight and will do come the start of the season unless changes are made. Fair to say we need a leader at the heart of our defence who (unlike Ingimarsson) will stay fit - someone of the same ilk as Paddy McCarthy of Palace or Darren Ward of Millwall, a pacy and combative full back (perhaps check out the possibility of a former Jewell servant and current out of favour Newcastle full back in Ryan Taylor), an energetic box to box midfielder and another wide player will serve us in good stead. Not to mention the loan market, dare I turn to that, is an alternative which could bear fruit provided it is used in moderation. COYB, in PJ we trust. Not to say we've not made good progress, plenty of positives along the way!

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Tractastic added 00:25 - Jul 20 Firstly well done Chopra again and its only pre season! At last a proven goal scorer and i think he could work up front with Priskin or Ellington. Problem is defence and midfield as i see it.No point scoring goals if we can't keep them out. With no Bullard and Norris in midfield and Macauley in defence unless we strengthen in these area's in the words of Frazier in dads army 'We're doomed' .Delaney can be great but Tommy Smith is average and not so sure good enough for the rough and tumble championship. i believe in PJ and i'm sure he must realise this so watch this space fingers crossed.!! We also need a captain so we need a huge signing PJ p.s. Good luck to Macualey in the premiership and we will miss him.

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SitfcB added 02:30 - Jul 20 martleshamitfc...
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RexCarr added 03:43 - Jul 20 Good start for Bowyer then
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TheDalaiFarmer added 03:59 - Jul 20 Where's the bit in the report about Sitters being there? Don't you realise that he's the only Town fan ever to attend an away game since we turned professional in 1936?
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brittaniaman added 07:37 - Jul 20 So without Chopra we would have lost 2 out of 3 of our pre season games, it shows we do need to spend a bit of money instead of depending on freebies, to make up our team !!!!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:45 - Jul 20 we all know what positions are needed, dont we? so does PJ and he is working on it i am sure, preseason results and performances mean nothing, they are for match fitness and match practice, can remember other preseasons when we have appeared awesome, only for the season to start and we are rubbish, assume nothing from these games. more players coming soon. coyb
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DiamondGezzer added 07:47 - Jul 20 Well done once again Michael Chopra, and glad to see Andy Drury had a good run out. Early days. With more bodies to come in, its hard to make any realistic assumptions.
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alanbrazilnuts added 09:15 - Jul 20 I will add my view on last night having been at the game. Firstly it is a pre -season friendy and I dont think to much should be drawn upon the result as lookign at all the pre-season friendlies teh results for all teams are varied and there is some much chopping and changing as well as to be far a lower opposition going to be fair more up for it as it is like a cup final to them. Comments on the team though is that in my opinion we looked indecisive at Centre Half and looked unfortbale with 2 left footed players. Edwards at right back was shocking and at one stage as I sat just behind Jewell he told edwards after aboutr 20 minutes another pass like that and you will be sitting in here !!! Looked slightly better wide but crossing was poor !!! JKennedy looked far more comfortable at left back compared to cresswell but give the lad his due he is young and give time. Midfield to be honest I forgot Healy was playing ! Bowyer I thought looked at times to intelligent for the other players !!! Carson did ok in spells. Martin did alot of dancing and I wondered if he could pull his shorts up any higher !!! I thought Drury when he came on looked by far the most lively and creative from the middle of the park and in fact made things tick. Whether that was because he was used to conference football not sure ! Felt for Hyam as could have done with more than 10 minutes ! ALB just gives me no confidence in goal to be honest like the lad but sorry a number 2 at best ! Up front thought Chopra looked lively in the 1st half expecially and was unlucky not to get his hat trick when EWtherington got in the way of his volley !! Etherington looked ok in parts. Scotland again ok, but priskin looked dis interested and I know he played on left but surely he wants to impress !!! I would have liked to have seen peters given another go at RB personally as the last game I saw him there at home to Arsenal he played well. Credit to Cambridge thought they battled hard and fully deserved a draw. Onwards and Upwards but I would 150% agree we need 4 or more players and no surprise to say RB, CB, Winger (prob LM) and CF and if Evans has any money left another Midfielder.

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brian_a_mul added 09:23 - Jul 20 I have to say I like the prospects of Drurys first touch forward passing, playing the ball on the ground at pace with Carson/Martin/Peters etc bombing forward down the flanks. Bowyer adding energy, bite and an attacking threat from the middle all sounds promising. We can see the ideas PJ is trying adopt. A ball playing CM (eg Drury) to help us retain possession and create a quicker pace game. Dynamic wide players that can get forward and support attack (with crosses, passes inside or shots). A good crossing wide player is needed as PJ has stated b4. A good solid 4-4-2, something we havent seen for a few years. Fulop should start but we need that additional CB badly. Not too concerned about full backs. Edwards, Ainsley, Cresswell, Kennedy, O Connor (if he stays) and Wight if required can do a decent job. Another Midfielder is required as we are light on cover there too. Chops looks lethal at the moment and I think we have plently of attacking cover in Priskin, Scotland, Ellington, Murray, Carson but we could do with a starting striker with height and ariel ability.

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:25 - Jul 20 well done lads,keep em coming when real deal starts Chop!
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CambridgeBlue added 09:33 - Jul 20 I was at the game last night, and I think the report, while giving Cambridge credit, is a bit generous to Ipswich. I know it was only a pre-season friendly so we shouldn't read too much in to it, but that was basically our starting XI, and we looked very shaky. I was stood in the terraces with four or five Cambridge fan mates of mine, and they were very surprised by three main things: 1) Martin was utterly appalling. Couldn't pass, couldn't dribble (despite many failed attempts), not sure what he is actually capable of. We need a left wing asap. 2) Edwards was even worse. Passing, covering, tackling atrocious. How he's made a career out of it at that level, I have no idea. Desperately need a right back. 3) Our back four in general was very very poor. My Cambridge mate asked me if that was our starting defence for the league, and when I said yes, he said "Well you're f*cked then." Bowyer looked tidy, if a little unfit; Ellington was a bit like Scotland in disguise, if a little better; Drury looked good; Chopra looks a class act. Everyone else quite average. All credit to Cambridge though, if they can play like that all season, they'll do well in that league.

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JayITFC added 09:55 - Jul 20 Was at the game last night. Delaney/Smith partnership looked like a train wreck. We BADLY need a quality CB to replace McAuley. Plus we gave the ball away a ridiculous number of times against such poor opposition. On the plus side Chopra looks like he's going to convert every chance he gets! As mentioned the Duke got an assist and looked lively, good work rate - potential great partnership there.

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Surco72 added 12:41 - Jul 20 Brittaniaman how empty is your glass ? We have won 2 and drawn 1 in our games but your view is "without Chopra we would have lost 2 games " !!! But Chopra is our player so we are not going to be without him ? The squad still needs strengthening as Jewell has said on numerous occasions ,surely he should be congratulated on getting a player like Chopra for so little fee ?

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saffronblue added 15:40 - Jul 20 Like many, i was at the ground last night. I know it was only a friendly but we look very fragile over the back 5. Smith and Delany - oh dear, Edwards was all over the place and whilst Cresswell looked ok I fear he may be too short. ALB kicking poor but he had no chance with either goal Bowyer look pretty good and despite many comments Martin looked dangerous. I thought Drury was excellent in the second half and yound Ainsly did well at RB when he came on. Chops looked good as did Scotland and would like to see them start. Priskin did nothing and I felt sorry for young Hyam as he is clearly not a CB and looked worse than the other 2. We need a CB and a RB urgently as well as a quality wide player

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Premiertown added 20:15 - Jul 20 I was there and chose to sit with the Cambridge diehards in the main stand. Observations were that cambridge United played really well and could have had 6 with more composure near the Town goal. We were weak on the flanks, both full backs shredded in the first half, nothing on the wings as Martin ran into blind alleys time after time with audible screams at him to pass!!!! Ellington not tall enough to play hoofball, nor is Chopra come to that, and we have nobody who can pass and play from the back. Bowyer was half paced and had too much ot the ball in the first half. Chopra is a finisher but wont win much chasing back. Midfoeld we were weak in the first half and better when changes mad with Drury working hard and hitting long balls acroos to right wing. Leadbitter at least had urgency about him. Cresswell too small to be part of a back 4 so back 5 needed but woeful in central defence when under pressure, not helped by goalie rolling ball out to marked defenders! Oh dear. We need 4 defenders and a goalie, Bullard and a midfielder with pace and bite beside him, and another striker to partner Chopra, must be 6 feet plus. This squad will take us down, please spend now!!!!!!!!!!

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runningout added 22:03 - Jul 20 I'm sorry but there is far too much praise going on.. Get real guys and girls and give your heads with your rose coloured glasses on, a good shake.. This was Cambridge United, not West Sham United...
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h32 added 23:25 - Jul 20 Chopra will need to keep firing on all cylinders because up against Championship teams, we will concede goals with this lot on show. As for the muppets who see a draw, conceding two in the process, against CAMBRIDGE, yes CAMBRIDGE, even in a friendly as a positive result - they really do indicate how our standards and expectations as a Club have wilted over recent times. Hard times ahead - get real everyone.

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