Town’s play-off aspirations suffered a significant blow as they were beaten 2-1 at Huddersfield. Nahki Wells and James Vaughan gave the Terriers a two-goal half-time lead and despite Luke Varney netting three minutes after the break the Blues were unable to get back on terms.

Town boss Mick McCarthy made two changes with Richard Chaplow and Chris Wood coming into the team for Teddy Bishop and Freddie Sears, who dropped to the bench alongside Jonny Williams but there was no place for David McGoldrick.

The Blues, wearing their orange away kit, threatened for the first time in the third minute when Chaplow crossed from the right and the ball reached Jay Tabb at the far post, Huddersfield defender Tommy Smith - one of their three centre-halves - cleared his effort on goal off the line.

The home side went in front via their first serious chance. Left-back Zeki Fryers, in for Tyrone Mings, who was serving the second game of his ban, tried to play the ball inside to Christophe Berra but instead fed one-time Town trialist Wells, who cut into the middle and curled a left-foot shot from the edge of the area beyond the diving Bartosz Bialkowski’s right hand.

Having gone in front the Terriers, previously without a win in seven, gained greater belief and soon after Wells might have done better from James Vaughan’s cut-back from the left but scraped his shot out for a throw.

Sean Scannell, who was giving Fryers a difficult afternoon, claimed a penalty when he clashed with the loanee left-back as he broke beyond him but referee Tony Harrington, probably correctly, felt he’d made a lot of not much contact.

Huddersfield continued to look much the more dangerous side and on 21 Vaughan went close to making it 2-0 when Christophe Berra headed a cross from deep on the left up in the air but the former Norwich man’s overhead-kick flew straight at Bialkowski. A foot or so either side of the keeper and he would have doubled his team’s lead.

A minute later the Blues weren’t far from getting back on terms. Varney flicked on a long ball sending Daryl Murphy in on goal to the right of the area. Town’s 23-goal top scorer took the ball around keeper Alex Smithies but Terriers defender Smith got back to clear off the line.

It was a missed chance the Blues would rue on the half hour when the home side doubled their lead.

Jacob Butterfield chipped a cross to from deep on the right to Vaughan at the far post from where he nodded an inch-perfect header over Bialkowski, under the bar and into the corner of the net.

After Oscar Gobern had shot well over for Huddersfield, Berra picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Scannell with the home side still well on top against a lacklustre Town side which had never really recovered from going a goal behind.

On 40 Bialkowski was off his line quickly to clear ahead of Vaughan after Varney had under-hit a backpass from halfway. Two minutes later, Town’s Tommy Smith was booked for a foul on Vaughan.

The Blues never looked like pulling a goal back before the half was brought to a close by referee Harrington’s whistle.

Town, as poor as at any time this season, could have had few complaints about the half-time scoreline, the Terriers having been well on top having gone in front.

Front two Wells and Vaughan had given their backline as difficult an afternoon as they’ve had this season, while at the Blues had rarely threatened, although Tabb may feel he should have done better with his early chance and Murphy might have opted to shoot rather than take the ball past the keeper when he had his opportunity.

Manager McCarthy opted to make two changes ahead of the second half with Teddy Bishop and Freddie Sears replacing Chaplow and Wood.

Three minutes after the restart, the Blues pulled a goal back. Tabb crossed from the left and Varney flicked his first Town goal into the corner of the net across Smithies.

The early goal woke the previously quiet Town following behind the goal and almost immediately the Blues went close again. Berra headed Tabb’s left-sided corner back across the area from deep but Smithies grabbed the ball ahead of Smith.

There was a big scare for the Blues on 51 when Wells escaped on the right of the box but shot off skipper Luke Chambers and into the side-netting.

From the resultant corner the Terriers would have regained their two-goal lead but for a remarkable double save from Bialkowski, who somehow blocked from Hudson at close range and then Vaughan after he seized on the loose ball.

Just after the hour mark Bishop skipped away from two Huddersfield players in the middle of the field before feeding Sears, who cut in and hit a shot which was too close to Smithies.

Jonny Williams made his long-awaited return to action in the 67th minute, taking over from Tabb. The on-loan Palace midfielder’s most recent game was the final match of his previous spell with the Blues - the 1-0 home victory over Watford when he suffered his groin injury - back in November.

The Blues had been better after the break with Bishop adding some creativity and Sears more of a threat but without ever putting the home side under any major pressure.

On 78 Butterfield hit a 20-yard strike which Bialkowski saved to his left then Berra did well to get ahead of Wells as he ran onto a ball from the left.

From the resultant corner, Bialkowski failed to claim but Wells shot over from a tight angle on the right.

Smith curled a shot wide for Town on 87 but the home defence were still looking comfortable as the fourth official’s board announced four additional minutes.

Despite Berra having been sent forward to join the attack the Terriers were able to see out the final moments with little drama and referee Harrington’s whistle confirmed the Blues’ defeat.

After the dismal first half, Town improved after the break having pulled back the early goal but they never really got on top and rarely threatened to get back on terms with Smithies not forced into a serious save.

Half-time subs Sears and Bishop made something of an impact before fading, while Williams fleetingly showed his class but unsurprisingly after so long out looked a touch rusty, but even so Huddersfield had the better chances and would have won by more but for Bialkowski’s excellent double save.

The result sees the Blues stay seventh - for the moment with Wolves in action at home to Leeds later this evening - but now a point behind Brentford who drop to sixth after drawing 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest and three points off Derby in fifth, who have a significantly better goal difference.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Scannell (Wallace 90), James, Hudson (c), Smith, Lynch, Coady, Gobern, Butterfield, Wells (Edgar 83), Vaughan (Lolley 90). Unused: Allinson, Holmes, Carroll, Majewski.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Fryers, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Chaplow (Bishop 46), Varney, Tabb (Williams 67), Murphy, Wood (Sears 46). Unused: Gerken, Clarke, Anderson, S Hunt. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland).

Photo: Action Images

scottrock added 18:57 - Apr 6 I've pretty much kept quiet on here all season but I've had enough today!! January 1st we were 2nd and in our best position to get promotion for over 10 years. Yes there's still time to turn it around and I know we've had injuries to key players but we're looking at the prospect of not even finishing in the Top 6 now. Mick saying 'We have to win next 2 home mathches', ain't gonna happen because we can't deal with that sort of pressure. How often have we as fans had this at the end of the season (ok not so much in the last 6 years) but I remember back to the last game of the season when Daren Currie missed a sitter and we blew the play offs. I think the loan players coming in have not been up to scratch. Wood is a disaster, Varney scored today ok but he's not a massive threat and too similar to Murph. Fryers ballsed up today, Chaplow works hard but nothing special and Williams clearly not match fit. I know that ME supported MM in not allowing Didz and Mings leave January but even I am starting to wonder about the Didz situation. I also know that although we haven't signed anyone other than Sears that players wages are where money has gone but we needed to buy better in January. I have pretty much trusted MM all season too but as soon as I saw Wood and Chaplow in the team and Bish and Sears on the bench I feared the worst and I reckon MM realised he's got it wrong when both came on after half time. We've come such a long way since MM took over and I take everything into consideration but if we don't make the play offs, there's a lot of players who need to take a long hard look at themselves and admit they will have ballsed it up for us fans this season. I live in hope, but I really can't see us turning it around now :(

13

Geoff added 19:00 - Apr 6 Agree oldegold who would you wish to replace MM with perhaps Gary Rowett.The football we are seeing is even worse then what was served up by John Duncan.
6

Cloddyseedbed added 19:08 - Apr 6 Poorest football and squad in and amongst the top 8. The season tickets have gone up. I'm at a loss for words tonight. I don't like the football we play, it's not football. We don't need a midfield or wingers as we don't need them for the tactics MM employs. Every team we play we are weaker but employ spoiling tactics/hoofball to try and snatch the game. We are never the best team on the pitch. We will finish were we deserve and that is not in the top six. The players we have on loan at the last minute are not fit enough for what is needed apart from Varney. Pathetic.

11

Jimmy86 added 19:10 - Apr 6 Very poor result against a team, who hadn't won in 7 games. Such a shame after the spirited, battling performance against Bournemouth on Friday. Poor team selection from Mick and for me he has to take some responsibility. He usually picks the same team, barring injuries, suspension or a poor run of form. Why did he change it today?? If it ain't broke, don't fix it comes to mind. It is typically ipswich though, play well against the better teams and poorly against teams we would expect to beat. Touch and go now for the play off's, which would be a travesty, based on the first half of the season. Our lack of ambition and failure to strengthen properly when we were 2nd is costing us. Yes we brought in players in the loan window, but has it been enough?? 1 thing I would say though, is that all the investment in the world won't alter Mick's philosophies and somewhat negative approach, That won't change. He has done a great job, that's not in question, but does he really go for it?? As much as I dislike him Howe proved on Friday, what courage and ambition can do, when 1 nil down he brought on 3 attacking players and changed system. Mick doesn't ever do that, he is too concerned on not conceding another and trying to gain a point. He values graters and work horses over creative players, who would be better at retaining possession, thus relieving pressure on the back 4. Disappointing result, hope we can bounce back next game

12

NSL added 19:12 - Apr 6 That result is an effing disaster, a bit like Chris Wood
5

hucks216 added 19:13 - Apr 6 If we do fail to make the Play-Offs then it makes you wonder what the summer will be like. McGoldrick will probably go - and probably not for the £7m Leicester offered - as will Mings and Bishop and again possibly not for the £10m each that has been mentioned when we were flying in the top 2. With those gone, how do you attract the quality players needed when they only have to look at our lack of ambition in the January transfer window and decide that Town is not for them. And how must some Town players be feeling? Holding our own in January and looking good will surely have had some players thinking "I could actually be playing in the Premiership next season," but the lack of investment/ambition in January has potentially taken that possibility away from them.

2

Gazelle added 19:17 - Apr 6 No doubt about it, McGoldrick has played his last game for us so why aren't we told exactly what's going on.
5

Geoff added 19:22 - Apr 6 Gazelle it is called selling season tickets.
4

NeedhamBlue added 19:23 - Apr 6 Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor have done a magnificent job since joining us, yes the result today wasn't the one we wanted, but at least Mick's admitted he got it wrong. Whenever we don't get the result we want there are always too many people jumping on the negative bandwagon, it's a different player each week that should be dropped according to many on here. We're so close to achieving the play offs this year, why not take this negativity and turn it into energy to cheer and support our hearts out in the remaining games, give the players and the staff a fan base they can be proud of, get behind them, not jeer them. The upcoming fixtures are the most vital now, stop with the moaning and push our team across the finishing line. Bring on Saturday!

-11

Cloddyseedbed added 19:26 - Apr 6 It will be a completely different team next season so how about a different manager too. I don't really care what bl**dy league we are in I want to watch football. As somebody commented earlier, this football is worse than John Duncan days. Promoted......my ar*e.
7

bostonusablue added 19:28 - Apr 6 Needham Blue, Mick's got it wrong since bloody Christmas!!! How is that not worth moaning about?????
9

NSL added 19:29 - Apr 6 McGoldrick can do one in the summer, useless waste of space. We will accept 2 million for him and Somehow he will be offered 20k a week by a lower half premiership side never to be heard of again is my prediction.
2

NeedhamBlue added 19:34 - Apr 6 @bostonusablue I didn't say it wasn't worth moaning about, but moaning on a match day doesn't do any good. A team's own supporters getting on the player/staff's backs is ridiculous, it's our job to cheer them on, to get behind them. Before Mick and TC came here being in with a shout of reaching the play off at this point in a season was just a distant dream, but now it's a reality and as supporters we need to do everything we can to get to the play offs. People know when they make mistakes, they don't need thousands of others pointing them out and getting them down as a result

-4

jocasaja added 19:36 - Apr 6 It sounds like the team let MM down today - needs to make a statement of intent, and coukld start by sending Woods and Fryer back - Mings much needed and I think that we will never see McGoldrick again...still 5 games left and I am sure that there will be some twists and turns to come COYB FFS !!!!
3

portmanteau added 19:42 - Apr 6 sorry MM but he should not be given any money to strengthen the team because he will simply not change his tactics even if we had messi. true he turned us round but we are not really much further forward now . MM is ok at rescue jobs ( and who wouldnt be for a million bonus?) but not for the long haul, just ask wolves.
7

Minneapolis_ITFC added 19:43 - Apr 6 Haven't seen the game but read enough post-match reports to ascertain it simply wasn't good enough. McCarthy made further bizarre changes to the starting line-up once again ? Sure the manager knows what's best out there but there's some increasing concern about where this is heading - and where it will all end. I was really expected something out of this today and even a point would have been something but never thought we would get beat. May get a backlash out of this but would it really be such a bad thing if McCarthy was no longer manager next season ? Of course he's been a definite improvement on what came before i.e. Magilton and Jewell but there comes a point when you have to think enough's enough. Or in other words, has he taken Town as far as he is able and could we bring in someone more capable who could do a job i.e. take us back into the EPL. I don't think it's going to occur this year. Bottom line, frustration, anger and irritation. Missed a very good opportunity today to get back in among the top six places and once again seem too dependant on what other club sides are doing rather than concentrate on our own endeavors.

4

essex57 added 19:46 - Apr 6 Old timer dont agree an ordinary season obviously not as good as the halcyon days of itfc but nothing gives us a divine right to be in premiership at least weve had sime excitment this season and ive actualy looked forward to each match first time for many years
-1

Geoff added 19:47 - Apr 6 At least Wigan have sacked Malky MacKay.
1

carsey added 20:01 - Apr 6 Wasn't there today but it was apparent from the team selection how town were going to play and Alex Mathie on Radio Suffolk was struggling to say anything positive about anyone. As others have said I am grateful to MM and TC for getting us out of the mire two years ago and turning us into possible promotion material but the style and entertainment is horrendous. I truly believe we have players at the club (not loanees) who could play decent attractive attacking football if coached to do so but that is not the McCarthy way and no amount of complaining by supporters will change that. Promotion this season, were it to happen would be good for one reason only and that is the money that would come into the club but I fear for us getting battered every single week and I'm certain the heaviest Premier League defeat of 9 - 0 which Ipswich hold vs Man Utd would be beaten more than once. I was at Brentford on Boxing Day and felt it really was going to be our season. Since then it's been getting progressively worse and now I can hardly bring myself to go. For those who think this season has been as bad as the John Duncan days - I reckon it has been worse. Sometimes I wish I hadn't seen Bobby Robsons teams beat Real Madrid and Barcelona et al then I wouldn't have been spoiled.

7

dirtydingusmagee added 20:01 - Apr 6 well looks like its all up now,I just cant believe the performance or the result [and cant we deserved to be beaten ]To start with ,i have not had a go at MM so far ,but today i think he really screwed up .We needed to win the opposition should not have been too worrying .Jump on them from the off ,score an early goal and keep them on backfoot would have seemed a good plan . What does MM do leaves Freddie Sears on the bench ,Sears has worked hard and has been one of our most effective players ,and scores goals. MM puts Wood out instead .We did nothing to unsettle Huddersfield .Passing has been our worst aspect this half of season.We have relied on the big kick and hope ,well today showed why,the team cant pass the ball,it was a bloody nightmare today.The other teams around us are still keeping it together in comparison .We dont deserve to reach playoffs if we play this crap .Sorry all recent form has shown once again ,we are not consistent and consistecy is what it takes . Think the writing is on wall now ,season ended today .

4

BLUETEL added 20:02 - Apr 6 There are 8 teams chasing 6 places ....we are 8th .... and the other 7 have a gap between us and them ... ??
1

blueboy1981 added 20:05 - Apr 6 ..... I guess we know wait for Blackpool (as if by magic) to become such a good team, with some excellent players - just before we play them !!!
6

blueboy1981 added 20:13 - Apr 6 ...... drop the 'k' in last post - fingers too fat for an iPhone ! - plus I'm still fuming at our demise continuing today. Promotion ? - has to be a sick joke, for us anyway.
5

Frase1987 added 20:15 - Apr 6 We need to hoof it more, it's not happening enough.
3

essex57 added 20:16 - Apr 6 Well said Needham blue some fans have got short memories. I just dont understand some of the comments Micks obviously picked a team he thinks can beat huddersfield thats why he put Sears and Bishop on the bench they both ran their socks off fri i think MM thought he couldd use them off the bench to turn the game if need be. Dont fet me wrong im as disappointed as anyone to see our chances slipping away but imo this is as good as the present squad are.

-2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls