Former Blues loanee Chris Wood’s 35th minute header saw Leeds United to a 1-0 victory over Town at Elland Road. The Whites might have won by a more comfortably margin having come close on a number of further occasions, while the Blues never looked like getting anything from the game once they had gone behind.

Town started with the same XI which began last week’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, however, Teddy Bishop and Luke Varney both missed out on places on the bench.

Bishop broke his nose against Villa, while one-time Whites striker Varney suffered a hamstring problem during Monday’s 4-0 U23s victory over Leeds. Andre Dozzell and Josh Emmanuel replaced them among the subs.

Hadi Sacko struck the first shot of the game for the home side in the fourth minute but screwed his effort high, wide and deep into the stand.

Neither side had threatened again before Wood cut in from the left past Christophe Berra and smashed a shot which beat Bartosz Bialkowski but crashed off the post. Kalvin Phillips scraped the follow-up well wide.

On 12 Brett Pitman, again playing as the lone striker with Tom Lawrence in behind him, required treatment for an ankle problem after a strong but fair challenge from Pontus Jansson.

Grant Ward was inches away from putting the Blues in front right on the quarter hour. The former Spurs man hit what’s becoming a trademark shot from the edge of the box which deflected away from the target off Kyle Bartley and appeared to graze the outside of the post on its way wide.

From Lawrence’s resultant corner from the left Berra powered a header over with Wood challenging him.

Pitman was eventually forced off by his earlier injury in the 25th minute with Leon Best taking over.

Two minutes later, Adam Webster played in Ward down the right and the winger sent over a cross which a defender only just managed to divert away from Jonathan Douglas as the former Leeds midfielder looked to volley goalwards.

The Blues had shaded the half but without having been able to create any clear-cut chances, however, on 36 the home side went in front.

Charlie Taylor was played into space on the Leeds left, crossed and Wood rose above Berra to head home his seventh of the season.

Wood, Blues defender Tommy Smith’s room-mate when on international duty with New Zealand, shot over on the turn on 42, then two minutes later Lawrence overhit a Town freekick from just outside the area on the right, which had been won by Best.

There was a scare for the Blues in injury time when Lawrence dallied on the ball inside his area following a Leeds corner but Berra reacted quickly to close down Wood and block his shot.

Up until Wood’s goal, when the one-time Town loanee outmuscled his former team-mate Berra with whom he had spent most of the half battling, the Blues had been on top but without creating a serious chance other than Ward’s deflected effort and Berra’s header from the subsequent corner.

The goal gave the Whites confidence, however, and they were well on top during the spell up to the break.

Six minutes after the restart Lawrence and Ward exchanged passes as the Blues broke from their own half but the ex-Spurs man misread Best’s run and sent his pass beyond the substitute.

Leeds were starting the second half where they ended the first and on 54 Pablo Hernandez sent a low cross-shot in from the right which Bialkowski claimed.

A minute later the Blues’ Polish keeper prevented Wood from scoring his second of the game when he rushed off his line sharply to block from the New Zealander after he had been played in on goal by Hernandez.

Moments later, Webster, who looked to have suffered a knock, was replaced by Josh Emmanuel with skipper Luke Chambers moving into the centre of the defence.

Leeds should have doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Freddie Sears was caught in possession midway inside his own half and Wood was fed with only Chambers and Bialkowski to beat.

The Town skipper stood his ground and blocked the striker’s shot and the ball cannoned across to Sacko, who somehow smashed wide. Bialkowski subsequently left Sears in no doubt of his opinion on the former West Ham man surrendering the ball in such a dangerous area.

The Blues were fortunate still to be only one goal behind having made little impression in the second half with the home side dominating. On 70 Phillips struck a freekick from the left which Bialkowski clawed over.

As the game moved into its final 15 minute Ward limped off and was replaced by Kevin Bru with Lawrence moving up front alongside Best, who had shown his ability in flashes but had largely been peripheral.

Almost immediately Bru was booked for a foul on Stuart Dallas just outside the Town box. While Hernandez prepared to take a freekick he eventually hit straight into the Blues wall, Sacko was replaced by Kemar Roofe.

Town finally started to make some impact as an attacking force in the 80th minute, an Emmanuel cross from the right eventually ending up at the feet of Jonas Knudsen, whose shot deflected wide. In the aftermath of the corner a grounded Berra was booked.

Bialkowski mis-hit a clearance to Wood on 84 but Berra did well to get back and the former Millwall man eventually hit a weak shot through to the Town keeper.

Seconds later, Skuse did well to get back to slide the ball away from sub Alex Mowatt when he otherwise looked to be in on goal.

With three minutes remaining Lawrence won a freekick just outside the Leeds area to the right. Sears, who twice went close to ending his goal drought - now 35 games - with freekicks last week against Aston Villa, this time shot high and wide.

A minute later, a Town throw from the right was cleared out to Lawrence, whose mis-hit shot was flicked towards goal by Bru but home keeper Robert Green was untroubled.

In three minutes of injury time with the Blues pushing virtually everyone forward, Wood was sent breaking away on the Leeds left but failed to find an untracked Mowatt with his cross.

A second Leeds goal continued to look more likely than a Town equaliser in the seconds prior to referee Stephen Martin bringing the match to an end.

The Blues never really got back into the game after going behind to Wood’s goal 10 minutes before the break.

Town were unable to threaten in the second half until the closing stages and even then keeper Green wasn’t required to make a serious save.

Leeds had chances to increase their lead but the Blues’ backline made their usual blocks and Bialkowski his now customary impressive saves, while some of the home side’s finishing could have been more clinical.

Overall, a disappointing result and second half performance in particular - the poorest since the Brentford game - which sees Town drop to 14th ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Leeds United: Green, Ayling, Jansson, Bartley (c), Taylor, Phillips, O’Kane, Hernandez (Mowatt 82), Dallas (Grimes 86), Sacko (Roofe 77), Wood. Unused: Silvestri, Coyle, Cooper, Antonsson.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster (Emmanuel 56), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Ward (Bru 75), Sears, Lawrence, Pitman (Best 25). Unused: Gerken, Kenlock, Grant, Dozzell. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 22,554 (Town: 902).

Photo: Action Images

Gcon added 15:51 - Sep 25 'fan' overreaction #654389. Just get down there Tuesday night and support your team
-23

ChrisFelix added 15:54 - Sep 25 I thought mick was going to take us back to the premiership & put the icing on his career. Sadly I think this dream has gone. I was glad when he took over, but I now feel its time to take the risk & get a new manager.
11

Keaneish added 16:00 - Sep 25 You're having a laugh Gcon. Its actually beyond comprehension how MM still has as much backing as he has given the dross he serves up. Too many fans scared of change. Symptomatic of the world today.
24

Gcon added 16:45 - Sep 25 Keanish - I have no fear of change. If you could find a new owner, with deeper pockets and more commitment, I would be very happy. We'll agree to differ but in my opinion you are barking at the wrong person. Silk purse, sow's ear and all that.
-15

warktheline added 16:46 - Sep 25 My wife run an half marathon at Windsor today and I got chatting to a Stoke City fan who said his club was in a similar situation with Tony Pulis. "Bloody dire football but guaranteed Premiership footie, but you reach the point of, to hell with the guarantee give us something to watch". Also mentioned majority of Wolves fans would of drove Mick to 'lands end' to get rid! Evans, if you want a manager on the cheap I'm sure Gary Johnson would walk from Cheltenham to grace the home dug out, and entertainment would follow, that I'm certain of!

8

grumpyoldman added 16:53 - Sep 25 The reason so many still believe in MM is because they are the true supporters unlike those who dare to criticise anything associated with ITFC. We ignorant plebs who know nothing about football do not deserve to be considered even followers of town, we are scummers in disguise whose only objective is to get rid of the genius manager we have! If we were scummers in disguise surely logic dictate that we did everything to keep MM here for longer, which raises the question are those who fervently support MM in fact the scummers in disguise. Don't really believe this crap but it does make logical sense more than arguing amongst ourselves

13

surgery added 16:55 - Sep 25 Goon...it doesn't matter how much money he was given. If he were in a position to buy Ronaldo and Bale he'd play them at RB & LB.....well maybe not RB!
14

surgery added 16:56 - Sep 25 Sorry, Gcon
0

Keaneish added 16:59 - Sep 25 Gcon - Evans doesn't dictate the style of play. Day to day management is all on MM and it doesn't take millions and millions to get out of this league. Teams have proved that time and again. The revolt that is starting to gather momentum is not an "over reaction", its far from it. Ask anyone of the 900+ fans who went to Leeds yesterday what they think. The performances and the contempt for the supporters has to be addressed and MM is seemingly incapable of it and ME probably has his eye on other matters at the moment. Supporting Town at the moment is ironically the wrong thing to do. If us fans had any ambition, people should be staying away in their droves to force change. Sadly though, too many people are happy to turn up, wait and see what happens and then rinse and repeat until another season goes by. I think many of us on here are tired of all these wasted years we'll never get back. Its time for change and i'm up for leading some kind of action if i can get a strong group together on here and the backing of some other voices on different Town channels.

25

HackneyBlue added 17:02 - Sep 25 Absolutely amazed-Myself and thousands of others decided to stay away this season,i had been going for hundreds of years and do not miss it one iota ,you lot who are either mad or just blind need to join me and others to force the change for this once great club,the longer we stay away the harder it will be to come back,no one and i mean no one can surely say they enjoy going to PR anymore so dont bloody go!!!! The players are not to blame,they are told to play that way ,i believe once you replace Chambers and adjust the the way we set up we could be decent but that will not happen until a change is made.

15

Seasider added 17:09 - Sep 25 Like hancock in goal and dirtydingusmagee,have been supporting Town for over half a century;and like them feel sad and disillusioned at what this owner and manager have done to this once great club. 5 wins in 17 games,and only scored more than 1 goal in 1st game of the season shows how negative McCarthy's outlook to what has been called the' beautiful game'.Nothing like this for the arrogant,stubborn dinosaur we have the misfortune to be Manager of our team,who prefers to use other adjectives. This trait of indifference to fans has once again surfaced with the interview about Chambers; when he said he is first name on team sheet at right back,and will be for rest of the season!Does he really think he couldn't get a replacement without he says paying an arm and a leg;or is he just trying to prove a point to the detriment of the club?Did MM notice that both when Wood hit the post,and again when they scored,that it was down their left.For the goal Chambers was slow at closing down the crosser,and only managed a token dangle of the leg to try and stop the killer cross. McCarthy had to admit that his team were well below par yesterday,and even seemed a bit concerned about the lack of goals;but as manager it his his responsibility,and he seems to have no idea how to correct this deficiency.If you don't shoot you don't score,and Town rarely get into double figures often ,managing just the odd shot like yesterday,when Green never had a serious save to make unlike Bart. Facing a tough game against Brighton on Tuesday.Is the dinosaur capable of putting out a team to try and attack or will he stick with his present set up,when his team are still hoofing it forward even though Murphy is no longer there! Said would give it 10 games before deciding;but now like many feels it is time for a change.Boring boring Mick,boring boring Mick,boring boring Mick,boring Mick McCarthy.

25

Surco72 added 17:18 - Sep 25 Stop bleating about the owner not giving money , he has given money he also said more was available it is just the players MM wants and can attract are very limited . Look at the players we bid for but missed out on 2 more work hard strikers who don't actually score , I got shouted down for saying get Lambert it Armstrong both already have goals on the board compared to our signings and intended signings . Get rid of MM and let's have a new approach , new style , new tactics it cannot be any worse than this dire , boring tired crap served up every week

17

oldegold added 17:19 - Sep 25 Bring back Burley..and now please. He at least will make us play the Ipswich way and get fans back. Thanks McCarthy but you should have gone when you bottled it against Portsmouth.Time to go..now before you wreak more havoc.
8

martin587 added 17:41 - Sep 25 Whatever you say or think,this club is in decline under MM.He has had his time and gone as far as he can.MR.OWNER,see the light and please release dear Mick of his duties and Terry.Until this happens we will just plod on and on and be a mid to bottom half club.
9

H1960 added 17:52 - Sep 25 I am another long standing supporter (46 years and counting) and cannot ever remember our beloved club at such a low ebb, this includes the John Duncan era and I thought then it could never be any worse. The soul of our club is being ripped away by this awful manager and his deadful boring football, many of the previous posts say it all and it would be boring to repeat them again. If there is anything I could do to help remove MM I would be more than happy to get involved as keanish has suggested earlier. Mccarthy OUT NOW

18

Bergholtblue added 19:15 - Sep 25 Just watched the highlights. Was the editor a Leeds fan. What happened to the footage of where Town peppered the Leeds goal for most of the match? What do you mean that was the only shot we managed all match!
8

warktheline added 19:26 - Sep 25 Bohslegend over to you! Your silence is deafening !💤💤💤💤💤
6

BillBlue added 19:46 - Sep 25 Noelthedubb - sorry mate, gave you a negative which was meant to be a positive. Blues1 - No, you are wrong! His point had nothing to do with sales in or out of windows it was solely making the point that there was a saving on the number of players having to be paid and he is absolutely right, meanwhile you have created a big song and dance about absolutely nothing. Mind you, that point apart, I agree with all your other feelings, comments.

0

superblue70 added 20:35 - Sep 25 I'm with you keaneish what do you suggest?
5

dukey44 added 21:06 - Sep 25 Hang on there's been a few of us calling for micks head for a while yet get gunned down? Jesus how long does it take for the man that runs the club to see the people that matter want to see our club play and do much better? It isn't going to happen with MM??? Amazes me what does need to happen to change it?
7

battyblue added 06:43 - Sep 26 McCarthy out the sooner the better does not matter if we win tomorrow night or not he is still a boring deluded useless out of date manager passed his sell by date long ago,style and tactics will never change under him,and he lies to fans constantly.
6

thebeat added 08:04 - Sep 26 Keaneish id be up for getting involved. Enough is enough.
3

GiveusaWave added 08:26 - Sep 26 That's the 15th game I have been to now where we didn't score a goal. I have to go back to 2014/2015 season to seeing a goal being scored live. To say it's unbelievably boring is an understatement. What angered me about this was the fact that we never really looked like getting into this game. It was a simple matter of how many goals they were going to score, and we did well to keep it to 1-0. I'm not at the Brighton game so I am sure we will end up scoring! Boring? Unbelievably so.....

4

OnlyOneJimmyJuan added 13:48 - Sep 26 I really don't see why everyone is panicking. We have a balanced squad, creative midfield, Sears looks good on the left. We have a manager in Mick who knows the ins and outs of the league, people forget we were rock bottom a few years ago and only play offs 2 years ago! I like the look of Leon Best ( another great bit of business from Mick AGAIN) , but if we had a proven goal scorer with him like Cameron Jerome or Matt Derbyshire then we'd really be a force to be reckoned with. Mick really has made an effort to pass it more and our midfield shape with Skuse and Douglas has come on leaps and bounds. I've noticed that Bart parries a lot of balls, I do think Gerken deserves another shot especially with Barts lack of form. Recent crowd attendances have been quite disappointing. Maybe the scummers are right. They do have better fans than us...

-5

dirtydingusmagee added 14:56 - Sep 26 OnlyOne you are having a laugh,if it wasnt for Bart we would prob be in bottom 4 .
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls