Debutant sub Tom Hitchcock scored in the final minute to consign the Blues to a 1-0 defeat at QPR. Town had gone close to going in front before the break when Robert Green saved from Daryl Murphy, but it was all Rangers in the second half with Clint Hill and Charlie Austin both hitting the bar prior to Hitchcock’s last-gasp goal.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side with midfielder Cole Skuse fine to keep his place despite suffering a minor hip problem in training in midweek.

Academy second-year scholar Michael Crowe, 17, was named on the bench for the senior side in the competitive fixture for the first time with second-choice keeper Dean Gerken ruled out with the dead leg he suffered in a collision with Frank Nouble in training.

QPR included former Blues keeper Brian Murphy amongst their substitutes, while ex-Town loanee Danny Simpson started.

Rain fell steadily as the game got underway and within seconds of the start Aaron Cresswell and Shaun Wright-Phillips required treatment after a nasty-looking clash of heads. Both players were eventually fine to carry on.

On five Richard Dunne was on hand to dispossess David McGoldrick inside the box after Jay Tabb had crossed from the left, then Joey Barton took the ball from Luke Hyam as the Blues midfielder looked to shoot from the edge of the area.

The Blues had enjoyed the better of the first quarter of an hour and after skipper Carlos Edwards had broken down the right, McGoldrick just couldn’t get a touch on Cresswell’s low ball from the right. Moments later, Daryl Murphy shot over from distance.

After a 25th minute Joey Barton freekick had caused a few moments of panic inside the Town box, the Blues threatened again at the other end, Hill clearing Tabb’s cross from the left.

There was more danger for the Blues in the 28th minute when Dunne knocked down a Barton corner from the right and Wright-Phillips’s strike was blocked. Soon after, Charlie Austin saw another effort from inside the area blocked by Skuse.

The former Burnley man, who almost joined the Blues under Paul Jewell’s management, went close again a minute later, Loach saving to his left. From Barton’s corner, Hill’s header reached Nedum Onuoha on the edge of the six-yard box but he nodded the ball over.

Rangers were by now on top but in the 36th minute Town ought to have gone in front. Cresswell crossed from the left, McGoldrick and Dunne challenged and the loose ball fell to Murphy just inside the box.

The striker struck a low shot towards the corner of the net but Green did superbly to get down to his left to save. At the other end, Bobby Zamora lashed over after good work from Junior Hoilett.

Town weren’t far away again in the 39th minute when Edwards played the ball to Elliott Hewitt to his right and the Welshman hit a low cross-shot just beyond both the post and his waiting strikers.

Green was almost sold short by Dunne’s backpass in the 44th minute but the former Canary showed quick feet to take the ball away from McGoldrick and avert the danger.

Either manager could have made a case for their sides deserving the lead at the break after an entertaining half in which both teams had had spells on top and chances. But Murphy’s opportunity, which was very well saved by Green, was probably the nearest either side had come to a goal.

Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced Skuse in the Blues midfield at the break, the former Bristol City man having required treatment for an ankle injury during the first half.

On 55 the home side lost the dangerous Hoilett to what appeared to be a hamstring injury, Gary O’Neil replacing him.

Tabb got his name in referee Michael Naylor’s book for a foul on Simpson in the 61st minute, although the Blues’ midfielder appeared to have won the ball.

From the resultant freekick taken by Barton, whose set pieces had been a threat throughout, Hill — who scored his last goal against Town in February 2011 — headed against the bar. Dunne hit the sidenetting with the rebound. The Blues swapped Murphy for Paul Taylor.

Austin shot low to Loach in the 67th minute with the home side continuing to dominate the second half and the Blues only making the occasional foray forward.

On 72 Loach saved well from Austin after the striker was found at the far post by Simpson but the flag had already been raised.

Tunnicliffe cut out a Simpson cross from the right in the 74th minute with Town largely under the cosh and unable to keep hold of the ball. From the resultant corner, Hill headed well over.

QPR spurned a golden opportunity to go in front in the 78th minute when Wright-Phillips floated the ball over Chambers leaving both Austin and Zamora in on goal. The former Burnley striker seemed certain to score but somehow slammed his shot from 10 yards out against the bar.

There was a rare chance for the Blues soon after, the ball falling to Tunnicliffe on the edge of the area after Town’s first corner of the half but the on-loan Manchester United man scraped his strike wide.

A Dunne error allowed McGoldrick to bring the ball in from the right in the 84th minute but the striker’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by Green. His rebound deflected out to Hyam, but the ball caught the midfielder’s hand.

Two minutes later, sub Taylor was replaced by Frank Nouble and went straight down the tunnel, presumably having picked up a knock.

In the final minute of scheduled time, the goal which had been on the cards for most of the second half finally came.

Having been found on the left by a fantastic Barton pass, Wright-Phillips cut the ball back from the by-line and Austin’s mis-hit shot was tapped in at the far post by sub Tom Hitchcock, -the son of QPR keeper-coach Kevin - seven minutes after coming on to make his Rangers debut.

In injury time, Austin hammered a shot over, then at the other end Cresswell’s 30-yard strike deflected narrowly wide. Smith’s header to Green from the resultant corner was the last action before referee Naylor blew his final whistle.

After an evenly-balanced first half, Rangers took control after the break and should have been ahead prior to Hitchcock’s goal with Austin’s miss as glaring as they come.

The Blues battled bravely, rode their luck and created the odd opening, but overall the home side deserved the points, despite the timing of the goal being harsh on Mick McCarthy’s men.

QPR: Green, Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Barton, Henry (Jenas 77), Wright-Phillips, Hoilett (O’Neil 55), Zamora (Hitchcock 83), Austin. Unused: Murphy, Suk-Young, Ehmer, Shariff.

Town: Loach, Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, Skuse (Tunnicliffe 46), Hyam, Tabb, McGoldrick, Murphy (Taylor 62 (Nouble 86)). Unused: Crowe, Veseli, Berra, Anderson. Ref: Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire). Att: 17,075 (Town: 1,789).

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 18:47 - Aug 17 Weve gained nothing apart from a player Mick knows. Jet had the potential to really shine. MM admitted he didn't have the management skill to get the best out of him by selling him. Simple
0

jas0999 added 18:59 - Aug 17 Although expectations were not great for this game, reality is it could be another lacklustre season. Okay, most teams will lose at rangers this season BUT we have lost all three away games this season, scored just two goals full stop from our own players, whilst our strikers are yet to register. I have confidence in mick, but unless Marcus invests again in this team, we are mid table or lower at best. There is nothing going forward. Strikers cost money and we are not spending. Just three points and out of the cup. Poor and disappointing start.

0

blue_moon09 added 19:07 - Aug 17 Was actually at the game today thought Ipswich played very well, just lack a regular goal scorer, hopefully this type of player will be brought before the transfer window shuts. Fixtures this month were always going to be difficult so the muppet know it all fans stay away fans that continue to leave negative comments on this site need not worry to much!
0

TimmyH added 19:07 - Aug 17 @ Billblue - is that the first time you have not entirely agreed with one of my comments or almost the first time you agreed with one of my comments? :) I have to partly agree that Mick's win % has gone down hill over the last 4/5 games and it isn't really what we wanted as a start, I thought there was an air of optimism before the season started and if there WAS a time to play against the relegated teams it would be at the start of the season and what have we produced ' 'nil pois' - so in my book disappointing, I thought Mick was building a team that was hard to beat and personally feel if we are to get near the play-off places we must start producing away from home more often

0

meekreech added 19:08 - Aug 17 JET is a player who flatters to deceive . He will flourish in the lower leagues for a while until people start kicking him , then he will disappear from the game . Besides I would rather have honest hard working players than the flash harry types who flit in and out of games . MM is doing the right things with ITFC and lose narrowly to two of the teams , at this time in the season , expected to be in the promotion places is , to me , a sign that progress is being made and things will improve over the course of the season .

0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:12 - Aug 17 TimmyH- We are harder to beat and i would suggest that had our opening two away games been against teams such as Sheff Wed and Doncaster (no offence) we would currently have more points. We do lack creativity but to judge it on three league games of which two were away to probably the top two at the end of the season is short sighted and rash. Can we please save the hysteria until at least 8/10 games.

0

theobald1985 added 19:25 - Aug 17 think we will be ok personally i would play 424 and sign tomlin from peterborough. we need to stay in toutch by the end of feb and then hope we have a bit of luck and hit a rich vein of form and sneak into the top 6 its a funny old league and there will be many twists and turns yet so lets not get our knickers in a twist
0

tractorboyz82 added 19:26 - Aug 17 What really worry a me is mick thinks we played well we defended well yes but we didn't play well.ive been to all games so far apart from today reading first half we were good in the cup shocking millwall was never a 3-0 but I'd take them results every week today what I herd sounded like us against a team miles miles better than us if we try and defended every week for 90 mins why play two up front doesn't make sense.murphy has to be dropped next week him and mcgoldrick doesn't work

0

brittaniaman added 19:30 - Aug 17 It seems we were very lucky to get away with a 1-0 defeat ??? but 1-0 or 5-0 we still did not get any points today ?? let us hope we can put it behind us now
0

BillBlue added 19:42 - Aug 17 Timmy, unfortunately it is the latter. I do often agree to a point then an addendum and I find myself questioning! Today however, almost full agreement particularly with your last comment. MM has built a team that is hard to beat and well done to him in that respect but, unfortunately, that doesn't win games, goals do that. Nor do I agree with all the posters saying ME should buy this one or that one, you cut your suit according to your cloth and IMO we have an excellent striker if only MM would open his eyes and see him though, again IMO, that lads confidence must be shot to pieces right now just as Paul Taylor's must be after todays fiasco!

0

Tonyitfc82 added 19:48 - Aug 17 Its still early in the season. Just played two very difficult games away from home. QPR have a fantastic team full of international players. We will be making the playoffs come may. I know it.
0

ChrisMakin2012 added 19:48 - Aug 17 Can we score? mid table fodder again.
0

Keaneish added 19:49 - Aug 17 Taylor's confidence shot to pieces? Nah... Not a creative enough team? Nah... Won't score enough goals this season? Nah... Any other winges we can find to use between us to vent our frustration at not winning? That's all they are...
0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:51 - Aug 17 ChrisMakin2012 in negative comment shocker!
0

J4ck22 added 19:52 - Aug 17 I take it from the lack of replies and the negative votes to my post that no one could actually come up with any players.
0

ChrisMakin2012 added 19:57 - Aug 17 @J4ck22 - Craig Mackail-Smith
0

J4ck22 added 20:05 - Aug 17 @ChrisMakin2012 - Good goalscorer at this level, but can't see Brighton letting him go too cheaply considering they paid £3m for him.
0

Stato added 20:17 - Aug 17 What about Watford, Forest and Wigan ? Too many on here excusing cr#p start as if we had started against Man U and Chelsea. No doubt we'll be reading all next week why even a draw against Leeds is a great result. If I was Taylor I'd be really embarrassed by Mick today and wonder what I had done wrong. I like Mick and need to be convinced by Taylor but that decision looked poor to me.

0

TimmyH added 20:18 - Aug 17 Sorry about that BillBlue, but we're all on here to voice our opinions. I agree about what you say about buying players to suit MM's managerial style and to a degree McGoldrick is a(good hold up player) and certainly in Tabb and Skuse it appears he has tough workhorse players but certainly felt he should have gone that extra mile to get a wide creative player in with a bit more flare than Anderson. By the way substituting a player in 1 game won't shatter his confidence, being permanently on the bench or continuously subbed will!

0

ChrisMakin2012 added 20:23 - Aug 17 @J4ck22 Ebanks-Blake
0

thebeat added 20:45 - Aug 17 Always the same people on here talking horse dung and the same people who go to the games and actually know what theyre on about. Calm down horse dungers we will be fine. Weve played arguably our 2 toughest games of the season in the first 3 weeks and have not been outplayed at all. Mick got it right last season and he will get it right this season. If we arent in the top 6 at Christmas then u can moan, until then go back to playing fifa and listening to the games on the radio. We will be there or thereabouts, its just what Mick and Terry do........ (cue loads of negative clicks from the horse dung people)

0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:54 - Aug 17 thebeat - sensible post Bossman - what about those teams ? yes they will probably be challenging too but are you saying QPR and Reading wont then ? We have played 3 games !!!! We beat a poor side 3-0 and lost narrowly to two that i think 99% of people would think will be in the top four at least. We will get a much better picture of where we are in six weeks time. Til then im going to trust MM's judgement as opposed to some of the 'experts' on here.

0

Ipswich24 added 21:03 - Aug 17 I keep reading comments about how we going score goals, need 20 goal a season striker etc. I was at the game today and it is plainly obvious what is wrong. We have two very gifted front players in Taylor and McGoldrick. But they are footballers not basketball players. We need the ball to these two to feet in and around penalty area they will cause havoc. Murphy is waste of time what does he offer? Plays game in 1st gear all the time, just wins occasional header.

0

Ipswichbusiness added 21:33 - Aug 17 It wasn't so long ago that Mr Jewell was the manager and we were being thrashed by all and sundry because the then management couldn't organise a defence. Now we have a working defence (I think that Loach, Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell are an excellent combination), but we need to nick a few more goals. Remember that Mr McCarthy and his management team haven't been in post all that long, they need time to pull things together and they have done a cracking job on little money. Don't panic; insofar as the play offs are concerned we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

0

blueherts added 21:38 - Aug 17 Love the overreaction Two of the richest clubs with premiership players in the whole squad and we have moaners that we lose by the odd goal I thought we did struggle without Skuse and to me he is a good footballer On the Taylor sub - yes - I would have taken off Edwards who has not been great yet this season - kept Murph and Mcg og and Taylor can play wide right Lets look at the table after 10 games - we have played two 'prem' teams away and not been outplayed - just think back to blackpool leicester and Palace last season !!!

0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls