Town's U21s fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Coventry City at a bitterly cold Portman Road on Monday evening. George Thomas won the game for the Sky Blues during the second half.

Dean Gerken started in goal for his first appearance after being knocked unconscious in the early stages of the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, and Elliott Hewitt featured at right-back following his recall from a loan spell at Colchester.

Town also included two trialists from the start, 17-year-old Canadian striker Dario Zanatta, who has played in the last two U21 games, and former Waterford United left-back Kevin O’Connor.

The 19-year-old Irish U16, U17 and U18 international, who can also play at left midfield, broke into the Waterford side during the 2013 Irish season, playing alongside former Blue Jack Doherty, and went on to make 44 League of Ireland appearances before leaving at the end of the 2014 season.

O’Connor, who is 6ft 2in tall, recently spent time on trial with Premier League Hull City and was offered terms before talks broke down. The Enniscorthy-born player subsequently joined AFC Bournemouth on trial.

After a fairly even opening, trialist Zanatta blazed high and wide from the edge of the box before the visitors broke and Blair Turgott rolled the ball just wide of Dean Gerken's far post.

Coventry left-back Ryan Haynes, who impressed throughout, should have given his side the lead midway through the first half but he headed wide from Maddison's cross from six yards out.

Gerken then did well to prevent Maddison's deflected effort looping over him, while Kyle Hammond pulled his effort well wide at the other end after Town's best build up play of the half.

Shortly before the interval, the dangerous Maddison struck a low left-foot shot that cannoned off the foot of Gerken's post.

Ten minutes after the restart, Thomas did give his side a deserved lead with a simple finish from close range after a fine left-wing cross from Haynes, although Hewitt will have been disappointed he didn't prevent the cross from entering the danger area.

Town responded well and Darren McQueen's crisp low drive was blocked by keeper Reice Charles-Cook, who also smothered Hammond's follow up.

McQueen then pulled a shot inches wide of Charles-Cook’s far post from a tight angle, and with 10 minutes remaining Matt Clarke headed Hammond's cross just over the bar.

Overall, the visitors controlled the majority of the play and looked comfortable in most areas, playing some nice passing football in the process.

Zanatta failed to make much of an impression during his time on the field, while O'Connor was easily beaten on a couple of occasions in the first half but looked more comfortable during the second period.

Dylan Connolly again looked dangerous and willing to run at his opponents, while Alex Henshall was unable to cause the visitors' defence many problems in front of watching first-team boss Mick McCarthy.

U21s: Gerken, Hewitt, O'Connor, Guldbrandsen (Blanchfield 74), Fowler, Clarke, Hammond, Benyu, Zanatta (McQueen 46), Connolly (Ramadan 74), Henshall. Unused: Crowe, Robinson.

Photo: Action Images

Wallingford_Boy added 22:44 - Mar 30 Sounds like yet another uninspiring performance from the second string. No one too close to pushing on it seems.
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RaymondovicBlue added 23:33 - Mar 30 Yep.... When we are crying out for peace from a winger, you expect one of them named to be ripping it up in games like this.... Does Henshall even get a mention in the match report????
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GiveusaWave added 00:23 - Mar 31 By the sounds of things Connolly played ok. Henshall does get a mention but only in the context of not having caused any trouble to their defence. Hewitt sounds at fault for the goal too.
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essexbluey added 00:33 - Mar 31 I was up in ipswich so i used my season ticket to go see a free game. Henshall did not have a good game in fact no one stood out. Got to say coventry are a good side and there number 11 looked a good player.
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strikalite added 03:22 - Mar 31 Wake up Town we shouldn't be losing on our own patch to CovC - no disrespects to them but the side fielded should certainly be doing better than this... A 'bitterly cold Portman Road' ha....it aint mid December but it's probably the best excuse we have :) Mick said he was 'delighted' ............................to get them off the ruddy pitch at the end! :)
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Cloddyseedbed added 09:21 - Mar 31 I was at the game last night on a very cold, windy, rainy night but I wanted to see what our youngsters were like again 1st hand. I was not impressed and confirmed what I had thought on my last visit many months ago. Hewitt will not be played in the right back roll as he looked uncomfortable there last night against U21 opposition. His mistake led to the goal. He's not good enough and lets players cross for fun. When he does venture further forward he couldn't cross for toffee's. Connoly were told is a pacey winger with an eye for goal. He was played upfront for most of the game feeding off scraps and like all Ipswich players on the pitch lacked touch. He is far away from the 1st team in my opinion. When they are praised up so much in the press it is a hell of a let down when you go to watch them I can assure you! Henshall was his usual self of not being involved and no confidence or skilll to take his man on and deliver a cross. In fact he spent 90% of the time helping out in defence, if that is his brief how on earth can he be a winger who's expected to attack and supply ammunition for the strikers? He has gone downhill in my opinion, whether it is his attitude or that of the coaches that is to blame remains to be seen. McDonald when he came on did show skill and composure on the ball and was the only one who looked positive and lively up front. It was good to see Hammond back too, he looked strong and did the simple things well and looked back to fitness. All in all we were outplayed and outclassed all over the pitch and I question the coach of this team like I did last year. I expect better. Simple things like touch and control are missing. Coventry boys are a good outfit, strong confident and skillful. Embarrassing really. None of our boys are knocking on the 1st team door from what I witnessed last night. For all the comments of give Henshall a go in the squad - why? Go and watch him for yourselves.

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Kirbmeister added 10:38 - Mar 31 Henshall ain't going to make it. MM gave him a chance but they don't always work out. Anyway wingers are a thing of the past. Can't think of many wingers I've seen in the championship this season who have the ability to skin fullbacks regularly. Full backs are too good these days - unless your as good as Ronaldo or Robben!
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Smithy added 11:01 - Mar 31 Yep, took a trip down to PR as it was free to get in and thought it would be interesting to see what the back up for the first team was. Overall summary, very very poor, not one player (other than GK) really wanted to stake a claim and push himself into the first team window. Coventry however played some lovely stuff and we were lucky to lose just 1-0, as said above their number 11 and their left back looked promising. Gerken - very very vocal, one tremndous save, looks ready if called upon Hewitt - crossing poor, positional sense poor, not willing to run at his man etc. O'Connor - OK, got beaten easily early doors but settled down and was comfortable enough without being outstanding Gulbrandsson - Steady, has promise but needs to get more involved Fowler - Poor passing and clearances generally went sdtraight to the opposition, looks awkward at centre half Clarke - Probably the pick of a poor bunch, but has so many players ahead of him. Felt confident when any danger was around him, a loan out would do him the world of good Hammond - Steady, but not going to set the world alight, maybe a better option than Hewitt at his preferred position of right back Benyu - Dissapointing, gave the ball away alot, not keen on a tackle, although to be fair to him he always wanted the ball Zanatta - Very poor, first touch terrible and looked well out of his depth Connolly - Willing runner, pacy, but out of position, let him progress and develop play him in his position Henshall - Very disappointing, long way from first team, no end product, failed to get past his first man all night

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muccletonjoe added 13:06 - Mar 31 I didn't watch last night game, but have seen in the past how Cameron Stewart, henshall and others have failed to impress in these games, and when the club manager is watching on, there can be very little excuse for not showing.
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baznsez04 added 13:25 - Apr 1 Agree with Smithy, I went to the game and the conditions were terrible. The Coventry lads looked very good and adapted to the conditions better than us. Their left back Ryan Haynes was the standout performer for me and based on this performance has a very bright future ahead. As for Town well Gerken was commanding, comfortable and vocal throughout, Hewitt didn't do enough for me to show he wants 1st team football, Henshall was non-effective and disinterested. Hammond playing out of position on the right of midfield never stopped running and at least went looking for the ball causing them problems and nearly set up an equalizer with a fantastic whipped ball midway through the second half. The CB pairing of Fowler and Clarke looked solid enough defending but lacked composure when distributing, As for the rest very ordinary i'm afraid but give Coventry credit they are a skillful young team that would cause most opponents problems. I'm not sure what positives Big Mick would have taken from watching this performance other than underlining the fact as to why he doesn't pick Henshall and Hewitt for the first team squad.

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