Debutant right-back Ryan Fredericks's freak goal shortly before the break saw Millwall to a deserved 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Den. Town, who had midfielder Luke Hyam stretchered off early on, were second best for the most part and would have lost by a greater margin had former winger Lee Martin not spurned a 70th minute chance.

Skipper Carlos Edwards started on the right-side of a four-man midfield, making his first league start since the 3-1 home victory over Blackburn on December 3rd, as the Blues — wearing last season’s white and black away kit - switched back to 4-4-2 with Daryl Murphy back up front after recovering from his thigh injury.

Millwall, whose new manager Ian Holloway was in charge at the Den for the first time, included ex-Blues Liam Trotter and Martin from the start, while former loan keeper Stephen Bywater was on the bench.

Neither team had created anything before Hyam underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch for an injury to his right leg after an eighth-minute challenge with fellow former Northgate High School pupil Trotter.

The Town players quickly called on physio Matt Byard having kicked the ball out of play and the 22-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher with Jay Tabb replacing him and going to the left with Tunnicliffe switching to the centre.

Trotter curled a shot wide from 20 yards in the 16th minute with the home side having settled better after the delay for Hyam’s injury.

On 26, with Town still to really get going, an error by Cole Skuse in the centre circle allowed Martin a run in on goal but, having turned inside Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra, the midfielder’s low shot failed to test Gerken.

A minute later, McGoldrick scuffed the Blues’ first effort of the game through to Millwall keeper David Forde.

The Town top scorer created a better chance for his strike partner Murphy soon afterwards with a clever flick but the Irishman’s well-struck shot from the left of the area was too close to Forde.

Aaron Cresswell volleyed Edwards’s 34th minute cross into the ground with the Blues, by now having switched back to 4-3-3, finally starting to settle and get on top.

But, five minutes before the break, the home side went in front. Debutant full-back Ryan Fredericks, who signed on loan from Tottenham yesterday, sent in a deep cross from the right which somehow flew over keeper Gerken’s head, under the bar and into the net.

Town looked to hit back via McGoldrick but his effort was blocked by Lions skipper Danny Shittu. Before play could restart — and shortly before the fourth official signalled six additional minutes - Millwall keeper Forde was replaced by ex-Town loanee Stephen Bywater.

Edwards and Millwall’s Scott Malone got their names in the book for a clash after the Blues skipper had been fouled not far outside the area on the right, the Lions defender believing the Trinidadian had dived. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The Blues were unable to get back on terms before referee Eddie Ilderton — who had frustrated the Town players on a number of occasions during the half — blew his whistle.

After the early injury to Hyam, Town took a long time to get going but had just started to get on top before Fredericks’s freak goal which Gerken will have been very disappointed to concede. Overall though, manager Mick McCarthy will have been disappointed with the display.

Martin nodded Smith’s goalbound header from Tunnicliffe’s corner off the line four minutes after the restart, then on 54 Shittu blocked from Murphy after good work from Skuse and Cresswell. From the corner, Tunnicliffe sent the ball well over.

On 57 Edwards crossed into Bywater’s arms with the Blues starting the half looking more of a threat than they had during most of the first, but with Millwall also still having their moments.

Paul Taylor replaced Edwards shortly after the hour mark, joining McGoldrick and Murphy in the front three. Then, with the home side again starting to dominate, Malone hit a powerful strike across the face of goal after a previous effort had deflected to him on the left.

Ex-Town winger Martin should have doubled his side’s lead in the 69th minute when Scott McDonald deftly flicked the ball in to his path inside the area. The one-time Manchester United man tricked his way past Chambers and into space 10 yards out and seemed destined to score but blazed wildly over.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues, who were by now pegged back in their half by the Lions, who were very much on top. On 73 sub Tabb made way for Frank Nouble.

Taylor curled a freekick just wide in the 76th minute, but Bywater wasn’t often being tested and Millwall were looking the more likely next scorers.

However, on 86 the Blues went close when Murphy sent Taylor away on the left after Fredericks had slipped. Bywater blocked the Town sub’s shot and Nouble just couldn’t get on to the rebound before it was cleared. Fredericks, Malone and the outstanding Shittu all received treatment for cramp in the aftermath.

Shortly before the end of scheduled time, Taylor was booked after shooting well wide in frustration having been penalised for a foul inside the area.

Soon after the fourth official’s board had gone up signalling four minutes of injury time, the Blues threatened from a corner. Bywater was nowhere as the ball came over from the right but it just wouldn’t fall kindly and Chambers amongst others was unable grab a late equaliser.

That was the final chance and referee Ilderton — who had continued to frustrate the Town players and fans throughout the second half — confirmed the Blues’ third defeat in a week.

Despite the fortunate nature of the goal, the home side deserved their victory and the second goal that Martin should have scored wouldn’t have flattered them.

Having taken a long time to get going following Hyam’s early injury, the Blues had a brief spell on top prior to the goal and threatened in the period just after the break, but were rarely in control and all too often hit long balls forward which were easy for Shittu to deal with.

The result sees the Blues drop to 10th place in the Championship, five points behind next week’s opponents Reading — who beat Bolton 7-1 today — in sixth.

Millwall: Forde (Bywater 44), Fredericks, Shittu (c), Lowry, Malone, Trotter (Abdou 69), Bailey (Wright 61), Martin, Keogh, Morison, McDonald. Unused: Beevers, Woolford, Feeney, Marquis.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Cresswell, Edwards (c) (Taylor 62), Hyam (Tabb 13 (Nouble 73)), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Loach, Mings, Hunt, Anderson. Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear). Att: 12,125 (Town: 1,398).

Photo: Action Images

warktheline added 19:01 - Jan 18 Very poor,need to freshen squad.ME back your man.h32-blueboy,whatever you call yourself,when we go on a run you shift your views on MM and slyly support him,when things aren't so good,you slate the boss as inept.You need to remind yourself when people dig you out,you go shouting to Phil for help,practice what you preach whatever you call yourself these days.
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Letchworth_Blue added 19:11 - Jan 18 Having supported town through thick and thin for the last 30 years, i have to admit seldom have I experienced watching such utter boring drivel as this season. Getting up to top 6 is one thing, but seriously we have no midfield spark and are not entertaining in the slightest. If people think that the way we are currently playing is fantastic just because we are 10th, then we are in trouble. ME needs to get the cheque book out now. As we all know in this league the difference between top 6 and bottom 3 is a fag-paper width in terms of quality and wouldn't take much for us to be the latter before long.

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blueboy1981 added 19:12 - Jan 18 Warktheline - I state what I see - GOOD - BAD or INDIFFERENT and post accordingly - it's called being TRUTHFUL - and stating it as it is. Obviously NOT understood by some - or indeed wanting to be. We're on a run now - a NIL points one. And the only time I have ever suggested anything to Phil - is when uncalled for ABUSE has been used by some of you - and NOT necessarily aimed at me in many cases. That's an honorable, and decent request because there is no need for it from any decent person. You're probably suffering because not even you can make excuses anymore for this rubbish performance, or other recent ones. Hard Luck chum - excuses always eventually run dry.

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NoelTheDub added 19:21 - Jan 18 MM was a big old school centre half and his way of playing and tactics are as he saw the game in his day.Hoofing the ball up to a small striker today and every other why would shittu not win headers no brainer,442 not as i see it more like 9 1 formation.We dont have great wingers but playing 3 centre mids and a full back in the middle with murf dropping back says it all.I and many others have been called MOANERS,but the last few games has proven we were heading this way.I do blame MM because the balance and tactics are wrong most weeks even when we scrap a win.

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ArnieM added 19:22 - Jan 18 Evans and his MD's (who apparently work for his Companies and not specifically Ipswich Town) are making Tosn ready for re sale. This I have been told by someone who works at the club. I dont know if its true or not. But what is clear is MM hasn't/isnt being given any money . Make of that what you will.
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smithy91 added 19:23 - Jan 18 woeful...how many shots did we even manage to have today?? Clear to any fan who follows town that we need creativity in midfield....which costs Mr Evans, so if your not willing to spend sell up to someone with more ambition! Oh wait thats unlikely with the debt we have so may as well give mm a bit of money to spend. Hit our peak with the current lineup, and lately MMs tactics seem a bit all over the place

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BillBlue added 19:31 - Jan 18 The only surprising thing today was it took a fluke goal for Millwall to win. The writing was on the wall from the moment Ollie was apointed to Millwall and it is now too late for us to get him. When Evans aoppointed MM he passed over Ollie, apparently, because he would have had to pay a fee to get him but he could have got him for free last week but it probably woiuldn't have suited his ambition to retain us as a Tax Loss!

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Jimmy86 added 19:34 - Jan 18 Lets face it atm we are on a bad run having had a good run over the festive period. It really is poor to lose against milwall though, bearing in mind they had only won once in 10 matches. Mick has done a great job and progression has def been made, even more impressive is what he has done on a shoestring budget, however lets face it, even in our long unbeaten run, how often can we see we actually played well?? Or was it a case of grinding out results. I fear we have been found out now and with the lack of backing from ME we wont be able to sign the 2 or 3 quality signings to help us into the top 6. Yes we prob have punched above our weight, but having had the carrot of the play offs dangled in front of our nose I for one want to see us try our damn hardest to finish up there. Stop thd slide ASAP and evans back your manager

4

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:35 - Jan 18 blueboy - there you go again - not reading posts. warktheline said in that post "Very poor,need to freshen squad.ME back your man" - how is that an excuse ?? he/she has made no excuses for the defeat today, and i agree you do change your views depending on our form AND when we win you make one post saying something along the lines of good result, well done. When we lose however we cant keep you quiet. You also whine on about people being abusive/offensive and everyones opinion being equal then when someone on here tonight has dared to have a go at YOU , you tell them to "go back to sleep". I think everyone on here tonight has said todays result isnt good enough , yet you still harp on about excuses. Practice what you preach dear boy.

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NoelTheDub added 19:40 - Jan 18 IT annoys me when I see posts from supporters like myself of 30 to 40 years saying how bad the club is.MM has built a foundation no doubt from where we were but you have to put something on it .Square pegs in round holes is an understatment as far as this ordinary team is concerned.For gods sake MM have are go at those teams just like ourselves ORDINARY and at least if we lose go down with a fight and give those loyal fans who travel something to talk about other than saying it was rubbish and void of any creativity.MM has backed his players and i dont have a problem with that but its clearly time to throw paper cups and knock at marcus door before it becomes a shambles and MM hard work cracks.

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blueboy1981 added 19:45 - Jan 18 .... didn't think it would be long before the 'brigade' surfaced - truth sometimes hurts them. But who cares ?? That's an absolute bullsh*t post from you - and you know it. Do me a favour - don't read my posts - you are not obligated to, and that way you do not have to reply - how's that ?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:47 - Jan 18 Oh dear - have we touched a nerve ?
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blueboy1981 added 19:49 - Jan 18 ..... read THE posts correctly Dozzells Bobblehat - and you will see that what you state is totally untrue - yet again unfortunately. Regular occurrence - as is our teams current failure rate.
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chepstowblue added 20:00 - Jan 18 Due to ill health ive missed every game since Blackpool and in probably 6 or 7 of those my reliable sources have told me either.."we were very lucky today" or "that was our worse performance of the season"! A fb message from a local Millwall fan who id consider a friend reads "sorry mate but thats the worse team ive seen at the den this season"! I expected nothing more than a finish in the region of 9th-12th this season but thought the fare served up would be of a higher standard.Lacking in pace,natural width and anything creative i really hope MM addresses the problem before the season peters out.After what he achieved when joining the club i still have faith......just.

6

bluelodgeblue added 20:03 - Jan 18 Said it a few times, will say it again we are either up for sale or being prepared for sale. Lets hope we don,nt get a Tan! Do you think Delia might be interested?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:06 - Jan 18 blueboy32 - im confused - you tell me to ignore your posts and then direct a post at me !! Silly Billy
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blueboy1981 added 20:08 - Jan 18 .... it proved you took no notice !!
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HALLSJ added 20:14 - Jan 18 Bottom half after the nxt two games draw wiyth Reading lose at Leeds
1

TimmyH added 20:16 - Jan 18 I don't know whether I'm becoming a bit of a nostradamus as unfortunately the QPR, Preston exit and now this result I could see coming. I said some weeks ago some perspective was needed as there wasn't a great deal between the table from 6th to 16th place and now currently we're slipping down towards where we're always seem to be and that's mid-table (or lower). What's the most worrying thing is that how many of the past games have we actually played well in for the majority of the match? and the answer is very very few, we've scraped and ground our way to 6th position really without playing any decent football. All I can say is thank god for the Doncaster result which now seems a long time ago. It's amazing just how inconsistent this club is, even when we think we've broken the mold and gone on a reasonable run we then revert to the opposite it really is deflating! Reading and Leeds next, at present can't see us beating either of them.

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warktheline added 20:25 - Jan 18 H32-blueboy,you really are so self righteous .I don't make excuses but I have often made predictions,and again I will predict a top 8 finish,if ME decides to back his man we still have an outside chance of 6th.Top 5 positions are cemented as far as I am concerned.As for style on the pitch,the club owner must of known what to expect.Having said that,without Mick's dogged approach,the club would no doubt be sitting along side the likes of Bristol City,in Div 1 now.Think on Mr.Negitive.

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Langdon_Blue added 20:34 - Jan 18 Blueboy - Dozzells bobblehat doesn't have to read your posts and you don't have to 'support' our team. You always have more to say after a defeat, than after a win.
1

TimmyH added 20:37 - Jan 18 @warktheline - hahaha! sitting along side the likes of Bristol City in Div1 if it wasn't for Mick! - I've heard this a few times this season, each time in get's funnier, so no other manager could have saved us back in November last season other than MIck?
1

warktheline added 20:46 - Jan 18 Timmyh,who would of wanted the job,the club at the time was a joke.Score 1 and the flood gates opened every week for teams that played us.I can remember alot of your previous post,you turncoat.hahahahahaha
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tractorboyz82 added 20:54 - Jan 18 Time Mr invisible came out and tell us his intention for our club since he's been the owner not a peep from him and we've been served up some utter dross.us as fans/supporters should do somthing about it over the years I've seen many protests at away grounds to get answers from the board.why do we accept the way Evans runs things,as for slating mm he made mistakes today and a few other games but look what he's working with there's probably only three or four players he'd pick week in week out of which two mite be on the way out come the end of jan he hasn't got a choice with the rest I feel for mm and tc we must be the only club where the fans has no clue who owns them that's b*llocks for a start

4

alfromcol added 20:55 - Jan 18 MM has creativity, but he doesn't give Taylor and Hunt a run in the team!
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