Returning keeper Scott Loach made three important saves from Blackpool midfielder Faris Haroun as the Blues and Seasiders drew a blank at Portman Road. Top scorer David McGoldrick headed disappointing Town's best opportunity wide in the ninth minute with Loach thwarting Haroun twice in the first half and once late on in the second.

Loach came in for his first league start since August with first-choice keeper Dean Gerken missing out having woken up with a stiff neck.

Midfielder Paul Green was handed his full debut and his first appearance for Town at Portman Road, while Luke Hyam returned to the starting line-up after his gashed leg.

Frank Nouble and Jay Tabb dropped to the bench, alongside Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, back from his hamstring injury, and academy keeper Michael Crowe.

Former Town striker Michael Chopra was on the bench for Blackpool, alongside ex-Blues loanee Ricardo Fuller.

Following a minute’s applause in tribute to Sir Tom Finney, McGoldrick went close to breaking the deadlock in the third minute. First he just failed to get a touch on Chambers’s cross from the right, before David Perkins blocked his shot after Stephen Hunt had cut it back from the left.

Daryl Murphy went close in the sixth minute, breaking into the area on the right and hitting a low shot which Seasiders’ keeper Matt Gilks could only palm away, fortunately for the visitors just beyond Green.

Town had started well and in the ninth minute again went close, Luke Chambers crossing from the right and McGoldrick heading just wide at the near post. The Blues number 10 will feel he should have been celebrating his 17th goal of the season.

Both sides were forced into substitutions after only 12 minutes. Hyam, who had been out with a gashed leg, was replaced by Tabb, while Andrew Halliday took over from Jack Robinson at left-back for the Tangerines.

Blackpool’s first chance fell to Kirk Broadfoot, the Scot turning a 16th minute freekick from deep into the side-netting.

Town had been unable to make their early dominance count and in the 29th minute the visitors weren’t far from going in front when Stephen Dobbie played in Haroun and the Belgian midfielder forced Loach to save well down to his left. The ball ran loose but Chambers did well to get to it and stab it away ahead of Perkins.

Haroun picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Tabb soon after, then Steven Davies lashed well over from distance.

The Seasiders were by now on top with the Blues making little headway in the Blackpool half and giving the ball away too easily in their own territory.

On 40 Loach again had to save down to his left from Haroun after Smith had given the ball away on the Town left.

After a bright start in which they should have gone in front, McGoldrick’s chance having been the best opportunity, the Town performance drifted and only a couple of sharp Loach saves had prevented the visitors from being ahead after a not overly enthralling half.

Haroun, who was linked with Town prior to his move into English football with Middlesbrough in the summer of 2011, threatened again within a minute of the restart, hitting a right-footed shot across the face of goal from Dobbie’s pass.

Boss Mick McCarthy had switched around his midfield at the break with Green moving into the centre and Tabb going out to the right. In the 50th minute MacKenzie was booked for a foul on McGoldrick.

Murphy shot not far wide from the left of the area on 54 after latching on to Christophe Berra’s clearance with Town looking more dangerous in the opening minutes of the second period than they had in the closing stages of the first. Two minutes later, Hunt shot over from Murphy’s knockdown.

Blackpool boss Barry Ferguson switched strikers Davies and Keogh for Fuller and David Goodwillie in the 63rd minute, meaning there would be no appearance from ex-Blue Chopra, who earlier had been booed by Town fans as he warmed up.

Perkins was booked for a blatant trip on Murphy after the Irishman had got away from him 10 yards inside the Blackpool half. From Hunt’s quickly taken freekick, Murphy teed up Tabb, who scuffed weakly to Gilks.

On 70 McGoldrick and particularly the Sir Bobby Robson Stand felt Broadfoot had handled in the area as the striker tried to take the ball past him, but referee Mark Haywood waved away the protests.

On the touchline manager McCarthy made his feelings known to the fourth official before switching Green for Paul Anderson, who moved into his usual right midfield role with Tabb switching back to the centre.

Four minutes later, as the game moved into its final quarter of an hour with rain by now falling heavily and the pitch increasingly difficult, Ebanks-Blake was handed his league debut for the tiring Hunt, Murphy moving to left midfield.

MacKenzie headed wide for Blackpool from a freekick on the left but having strayed offside, then Dobbie’s 83rd minute shot deflected wide off Tommy Smith.

The Seasiders were looking the more likely scorers and in the 86th minute Loach again thwarted Haroun, this time blocking from the Belgian from close range. Two minutes later, Dobbie shot well over from distance.

In the final minute of scheduled time, Murphy brought the ball forward from deep but wasted the opportunity. As the game moved into three minutes of injury time the Irishman’s strike deflected wide.

The Blues finally added some urgency to their game in the final moments with a number of crosses flying into the box, McGoldrick scuffing well wide when found in space by Cresswell 14 yards out.

Town had to be content with their first 0-0 home draw since February 2010 and it would have been harsh on Blackpool to have taken nothing from the game.

Having started the first half well, the Blues’ performance deteriorated and they would have been behind but for two fine Loach saves from Haroun.

The returning Town keeper made another important stop from the Belgian in the second half with the Blues again under par.

Manager Mick McCarthy will be pleased with the clean sheet — the third on the trot at home - but disappointed with the overall performance and failure to take all three points against a Blackpool side now without a win in 15 matches.

Town: Loach, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Green (Anderson 71), Hyam (Tabb 12), Skuse, Hunt (Ebanks-Blake 75), McGoldrick, Murphy. Unused: Crowe, Mings, Richardson, Nouble.

Blackpool: Gilks, McMahon, Broadfoot, MacKenzie, Robinson (Halliday 12), Angel, Perkins, Haroun, Dobbie, Keogh (Goodwillie 63), Davies (Fuller 63). Unused: Cathcart, Basham, Grandin, Chopra. Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire). Att: 16,010 (Blackpool: 285).

Photo: Action Images

rambohambo added 17:58 - Feb 15 not good enough, one if the worst games i have watched this season, cant see us getting play offs now.
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oddball added 18:02 - Feb 15 Do we really want to get promoted this season anyway, no we would get smashed in the prem, slow progression :-)
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MattinLondon added 18:03 - Feb 15 My fear is that come the end of the season both McGoldrick and Cresswell will be off to the premier league and that will leave us with absolutely no creativity whatsoever.
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:05 - Feb 15 My 2 highlights of the match were a minutes applause for a great Town player of yesteryear, Tom Finney and the plastic bag that one second was near McCarthy and the next right up in the crowd, then back around McCarthys feet! It was a fantastic attendance that turned up considering the football that is dished up at ITFC. However we did only loose 1 ball today, the last game we lost 3 on the roof. none of the players gelled today, midfield all to samey for me, with no players with any flair. But that's McCarthy game plan, work hard and deny the opposition any chances. I still think this team is at it's most exciting when we take the game to the opposition, we really did not do this until the last few minutes. I am a season ticket holder since the 80's and will support my team forever, do I enjoy what I am watching at Portman Road this season - NO! Come on McCarthy please add entertainment to what is an expensive Saturday afternoon out!

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jas0999 added 18:07 - Feb 15 Terrible result, terrible performance and terrible conditions. As per last week, this is the sort of game we HAVE to win IF we want to challenge for the play offs. However, the reality is we are average at best. Mick has done an excellent job with one of he smallest squads / budgets in he championship, but there is little entertainment. In fairness to Mick, there was also little on offer under Keane and Jewell! Blackpool are poor. Had lost their last 8 away so there can be no excuses. Not good enough today and certainly won't encourage stay away fans to return. I'm a season ticket holder, but would draw the line at paying £30 to watch that. Disappointing.

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Michael11 added 18:08 - Feb 15 Not good at all. Again, I'm not sure what McCarthy's logic was. today When he first took over from Jewell he said about players playing out of position was a big problem. So why are we playing with Chambers at right back (natural CB), Green on right wing (natural CM) then instead of bringing Anderson (natural RM who was a hell of a lot better than Tabb at Barnsley) on to replace Hyam and put Green in the middle, he brings Tabb on instead! He then started Tabb second half on the right wing. Just ridiculous tactics. Play offs my arse.

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TractorBoy666 added 18:23 - Feb 15 You can clearly understand why our attendances are so low with a performance like that today. You'd expect us to be the team more up for the game than a mid table Blackpool who haven't won since November but we were in the end lucky to get a point. Worst I've seen us play this season and I can see already that Green is another defensive midfielder, boring boring. Tough game next weekend but 8th-12th is where we will finish this season, hoping we can build on this season next season!

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EssexTractor added 18:24 - Feb 15 In conditions such as today without flair, imagination and pace, then exciting edge of seat football is impossible. Sadly we have so little of those three qualities. Regular followers/ supporters know and understand that. Loach did what a competent Championship keeper is paid to do. The back four had few nervy moments, Berra is a resilient dependable second tier centre back, Chambers always enthusiastic is playing out of position but nevertheless made the most important tackle of the day. Cresswell quite frankly was a 6/10, disappointing given that he does have more natural ability than we saw today. McGoldrick had little service but was on the end of best move of the game, but aside from that was largely anonymous. Murphy did what Murphy does, another 6/10. But in the engine room, the midfield, as has been abundantly obvious for years rather than months, the kindest compliment is that we are workmanlike, but without variety, without a cutting edge. Tabb, Hunt, Anderson, Green, journeymen who I have no doubt do not lack effort, but truthfully are at best middle of the table Championship players. I cannot imagine many opposing managers drawing up special plans to negate them. Skuse seldom looks flustered but I think flatters to , deceive. How many goals this season , nil, how many direct goal assists, not many, if any. And that's the reality of ITFC. MM has made the team more difficult to beat but so few of his recruits are inspirational, so few are drawing back the missing supporters. Until ME or whosoever provides more financial assistance, and the manager, be it MM or whosoever demonstrates a more positive philosophy games like today with the workforce available will be commonplace. .

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Letchworth_Blue added 18:26 - Feb 15 Oddball, u really live up to your name. Go away u little tw4t. Yet again we fail to deliver in what was a 'must win if we are serious about the playoffs' game. Drawing against Barnsley and Blackpool show we are a mid table team this season. If that was Micks and a few people on heres intention this season then well done.
7

StowTractorBoy added 18:28 - Feb 15 Apart from the Millwall away performance this is the worst I have seen us play this season. Goalkeeper and 3 of the back four did well but what has happened to Cresswell - is he still dreaming of the premiership well he won't get it on the basis of todays efforts. The biggest problem we have is in midfield where we have absolutely no pace whatsoever and very little creativity. What we do have is not utilised properly with Tabb playing in the centre of midfield where he is clearly not happy. Micks team selection and tactics today have to be questioned and whilst we did not lose it is definitely two points dropped and on this form we will be a mid table team come the end of the season. All is not lost but not looking good at the moment

11

blueboy1981 added 18:30 - Feb 15 DIABOLICAL - Please don't excuse / condone such RUBBISH as this was today - we had nothing other than a defence again, and even that looked suspect at times today. PLAY OFFS ? - Forget it !! - nowhere near good enough, and if we don't improve 100% we will be annihilated by Leicester.
11

blueboy1981 added 18:31 - Feb 15 oddball - ...... by name and nature ? - with posts so educated.
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Dissboyitfc added 18:33 - Feb 15 Cloddy...... who was the applause for??
1

broadside added 18:40 - Feb 15 It's the lack of urgency to get into the danger zone that is so frustrating. We must have missed dozens of chances to cross the ball this afternoon. Someone would have been on the end of one of them for sure. We just pass the ball endlessly until we lose it. More route one please!
5

StochesStotasBlewe added 18:47 - Feb 15 Oddball, you can,t possibly be serious, if we all accept this kind of excuse for a football match [most weeks], you & a few hundred others will be all that are left. We are ALL Ipswich supporters, just some of us expect & want more than is being dished up.
10

h32 added 18:59 - Feb 15 pinewoodblueboy - absolutely agree with you, there can be no excuses whatsoever for today or indeed the performance against Bolton (although we won) . As you know I have tried to get this very same message across many times, but some will accept anything such is their low expectancy of all things ITFC. in fact today I thought we were fortunate to muster a point from such an inept performance, against, lets face it another poor team.

10

smithy91 added 19:02 - Feb 15 The most entertaining part of this game was seeing the deserved abuse hurled at Chopra from the north stand end. Whole team was poor bar Smith, Loach, Berra.
3

warktheline added 19:04 - Feb 15 Posted weeks ago top 5 had cemented their positions,6th place up for grabs but would be surprised if we achieved it.Shame funds were not made available to big Mick in January to add a touch of class to the squad.I believe we have a couple of players that may step up in time but for various reasons,as yet to happen.Woldsworth and Blake spring to mind.Obviously the disappointing game today has led to the usual knee-jerk reaction on the forum.

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bluey123 added 19:08 - Feb 15 Any of you people posting today have you seen any other matches this season Bolton game terrible seen every game this the lot garbage bought season ticket absolute waste of money better of giving it to the missus to squander
3

blueboy1981 added 19:13 - Feb 15 EssexTractor - excellent, truthful post.
2

HackneyBlue added 19:14 - Feb 15 When interviewed after match MM seemed more concerned in their diamond and how to combat it thus meaning poor midfield, why worry about their system we are home let them worry about us-shocking game,no desire ,horrendous passing and weather not to blame for so many misplaced 5 yard passes.Anderson came on made 4 passes to wrong team, lost possesion every time he had it and as for Tabb seriously thats a waste of a player-Im happy with losing ,drawing but the performance needs to be ten times better.

8

harlingblue added 19:36 - Feb 15 A nothing game, apart from Loach three good saves, the Blackpool keeper won't even need to take a shower or his kit washed. A very low key, gutless performance from us today against a less than average Blackpool. We must do better!
7

Cloddyseedbed added 19:39 - Feb 15 Dissboyitfc. Sir Tom Finney!
0

Lightningboy added 19:40 - Feb 15 Abysmal result. It's frightening how far the style & standard of our football has gone backwards since Magilton left. Very sad.
11

thebeat added 19:49 - Feb 15 Blackpool: Havent won in 14 games, No manager, Recently lost their best player, And all Mick worries about is how they play with a diamond and trying to combat it. In his own words after the game "you cant play with 2 wingers cus youll leave yourself open" Unbelievable negativity!! At home against a shocking team on such a poor run and we are frightened to play with 2 wingers? I dont care how many people come on here and bleat on about now compared to jewell and keanes time, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT KIND OF NEGATIVITY AT HOME AGAINST GARBAGE LIKE BLACKPOOL!! To play another central midfielder on the right wing when we have Anderson,Edwards and Taylor who can all play there is bonkers! And to put Tabb out there 2nd half is just plain stupid. That was insulting today, simple as

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