Two Britt Assombalonga goals, the first after 17 seconds, the fastest in the Championship this season, and the second in first-half injury time, saw Nottingham Forest to a 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, their first away win of the season. Town huffed and puffed as they looked for a way back into the game in the second half but never seriously threatened a resolute Forest backline.

Josh Emmanuel’s return for the injured Adam Webster was Town’s only change with the 19-year-old in his usual right-back role with skipper Luke Chambers moving to the centre of the defence.

Forest made two changes with Daniel Pinillos making his return from injury at left-back after 11 months with Hildeberto Pereira banned following his third red card of the season. Chris Cohen was absent with a groin injury and Thomas Lam came into midfield.

The game was only 17 seconds old when the visitors went in front. After Town had kicked off, a long ball hit forward by the Forest defence was nodded inside by Jonas Knudsen towards Christophe Berra but the Dane caught the centre-half off balance.

Ben Osborn picked up the loose ball and fed Assombalonga, who was in the clear to the left of goal and hit a shot across Bartosz Bialkowski and into the net to claim the fastest goal in the Championship so far this season.

Forest continued to have the better of the opening minutes and on seven Pajtim Kasami found himself the space to shoot at the far post on the right but failed to trouble Bialkowski.

In the 17th minute Assombalonga struck a freekick which caught the wall and was claimed by Bialkowski after Teddy Bishop had given the ball away to the former Peterborough striker, then fouled him not far outside the area.

A minute later, Kasami hit a low effort from the left which Bialkowski helped past his post, although the shot appeared to be going wide in any case.

Town’s first effort at goal came in the 19th minute but Tom Lawrence’s 30-yard freekick flew wide.

On 25 Bialkowski did well to stretch to grab Eric Lichaj’s deflected cross from the right ahead of Assombalonga, whose pace on the counter-attack was proving a big threat for the visitors.

Town had struggled to make an impression on the game having been rocked by the early goal but on the half hour they weren’t far from equalising.

Lawrence turned Emmanuel’s clever ball into feet into the path of McGoldrick, who cut in from the right and curled a shot which Forest keeper Vladimir Stojkovic pawed away from goal when the striker seemed destined to score against his old club.

But Forest remained the more dangerous looking side and went close again on 37 when Damien Perquis’s header from a corner on the right was blocked on the line at the post by Knudsen.

A minute before the scheduled break a frustrated McGoldrick was booked for a foul on Kasami on halfway having given the ball away just outside the Forest area.

And in the aftermath of the freekick, the visitors doubled their lead. The Blues were repeatedly unable to clear and Assombalonga stooped to head home after Matt Mills had nodded on a cross from the right which had deflected into the air.

Lawrence scuffed a frustrated shot well wide before the half was brought to an end by the referee’s whistle, which was greeted by a chorus of boos.

Town’s first half had got off to the worst possible start, had ended in the same manner and hadn’t been much better in between with the Blues never really getting going after the shock of conceding so early on.

When Town had got on the ball all too often passes went astray, while Lawrence’s freekick and McGoldrick’s shot, which was well saved by Stojkovic, were the only two chances which had been created.

The Blues, so impressive at Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago, required a huge improvement in the second half and it was little surprise that manager Mick McCarthy made two changes with Kevin Bru and one-time Forest loanee Jonny Williams replacing Bishop and Ward.

Town began the half on the front foot with a number of dangerous balls flying across the box but without falling to Blue shirts.

But it was Bialkowski who made the first serious save of the second half, the Polish keeper getting down to his right to block Henri Lansbury’s shot with Emmanuel hooking the loose ball away.

On 55 Lawrence smashed over a low ball from the right which Stojkovic palmed into the middle of the penalty area by past McGoldrick and rather fortunately to a Forest boot, which cleared.

A minute later double goalscorer Assombalonga was replaced by Apostolos Vellios, who was immediately booked for a foul on McGoldrick. On 63 Forest switched Pinillos for Michael Mancienne.

Forest should have made it 3-0 a minute later when the ball was cut back from the left and Berra stabbed it away from Vellios, but it fell loose to Kasami, who slammed his shot against the outside of the post from the edge of the box when he should have scored.

At the other end, Bru played in Sears on the right of the area but the former West Ham man’s ball into the area was cleared.

On 69 Lansbury was booked for a bodycheck on Sears, then while the Blues prepared to take the freekick Emmanuel was replaced by Luke Varney.

Town were getting balls in the box but all too often they’d be cleared by the first defender or would find the keeper’s arms. Forest were continuing to look much more of a danger on the break with a goal looking possible every time they went forward.

Lansbury curled a shot into Bialkowski’s arms in the 71st minute on such a counter-attack before Lawrence scraped a low shot wide at the other end.

Sub Varney threatened for the first time on 74 but Stojkovic got across to his left to claim.

Two minutes later, Lawrence claimed a penalty when he skipped into the area and appeared to have his legs taken from under him as he cut inside Mancienne. Referee Peter Bankes showed no interest.

Forest had another chance to make it 3-0 in the 83rd minute when skipper Chambers headed the ball into the path of Vellios, but his shot was too close to Bialkowski.

A minute later Lawrence claimed a penalty for a second time when he exchanged a one-two with McGoldrick and ran into the solid wall of Forest defenders which was continuing to successfully repel everything the Blues threw at them.

Town continued to look for an opening in vain as the game moved into four minutes of injury time, a somewhat conservative figure given the extensive time-wasting by Stojkovic and his defenders during the second half.

Knudsen shot wide from distance on the left, then shortly before the end the ball ricocheted over the bar off the Dane’s boot.

The final whistle was greeted by boos, albeit more muted than those at half-time, but after another frustrating half.

Having gained their two-goal lead before the break, Forest were able to sit back in numbers and defend their lead, which they did successfully with Stojkovic never forced to make a serious save.

Town, who have struggled when behind all season, frequently got into positions to get crosses into the area but the Forest backline were largely untroubled and deservedly recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

The visitors might well have won the game more convincingly with the second half’s best chances theirs, Kasami hitting the post with an opportunity he really should have taken.

The result, Town’s second home defeat of the season, sees the Blues drop to 17th in the table with QPR, who beat Norwich City 2-1 earlier today, at Portman Road next Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel (Varney 70), Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bishop (Bru 46), Ward (Williams 46), Lawrence, Sears. McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Kenlock, Douglas, Dozzell.

Nottingham Forest: Stojkovic, Lichaj, Mills, Perquis, Worrall, Pinillos (Mancienne 63), Lansbury (c), Lam (Grant 85), Kasami, Osborn, Assombalonga (Vellios 56). Unused: Henderson, Dumitru-Cardoso, Carayol, Lica. Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool). Att: 15,417 (523).

Photo: TWTD

Blue_Again added 20:08 - Nov 19 Not big Sam you twit
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OldClactonBlue added 20:11 - Nov 19 We want our Ipswich back. Protest against Evans. He has ruined our great club. He needs to sell to someone, or a group, who cares andconcentrate on his high profile deals.
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phillo added 20:11 - Nov 19 I'm angry now ..... angry that Mick has made me so apathetic about the club I have supported for my entire life that I actually stopped watching today - something I have never done before even in the days of "he who shan't be named". Apparently Mick hasn't appeared for the Press Conference yet. Although the players deserve a rollicking after some of their performances if he has the cheek to be doing it after his own inept & confused performance on the sideline (I think he changed the "system" so much in the first half only Bart knew where he was supposed to be playing !) then he is a bigger egotist than we thought. Hopefully he's actually tendering his resignation- he's possibly lost the change by room, he's definitely lost the fans, I think he's lost his mind (!)..... but he doesn't seem to care a jot !! GIVE ME MY CLUB BACK !!!!!!! The "family" club built on traditions of exciting football, developing & playing our own youngsters, treating fans/the community with respect ..... and being respected across Europe as being a great and friendly club. And before anything he besmirches the memory of people like Bobby Robson it can and does also bring success !!!! You don't have be a dour, boring, workmanlike team to gain success REGARDLESS of budget. I'll say it again - it bears repeating - GIVE ME MY CLUB BACK !

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brittaniaman added 20:13 - Nov 19 Can we please tell Sky NO MORE CAMERAS AT PORTMAN RD. It is embarrassing enough for our own Fans let alone the TV viewers !!! I am afraid McCarthy has taken us as far as he can because we are now going Backwards, fancy changing our formation after 5 minutes what is the matter with the man ??? I EXPECT HE WILL STILL BE HERE TO LEAD US AGAINST THE MIGHTY QPR. NEXT SAT.

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delias_cheesy_flaps added 20:13 - Nov 19 Quite frankly we f**ing SUCK
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Surco72 added 20:15 - Nov 19 All the people still attending games I blame you , for this lack of heart , commitment crap being served up . You have made MM and his squad to comfortable by constantly supporting sub standard old school matey decisions week in week out and paying over the odds fir the pleasure to do so . It has to be time for a change as MM has no more ideas against a side with no away wins and a keeper who hadnt kept a clean sheet in English football , but I expect they are a top six side eeh Mick . Have some honour and step aside like Jewell did

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martin587 added 20:16 - Nov 19 A total and utter shambles.Clueless tactics from a clueless manager.Best part of the game for me was when Williams came on,and he should have started.Nothing else to say.MM.wake up or get out.
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VulpineBlue added 20:17 - Nov 19 It's a mess from top to bottom. A clueless manager in a once great club now possessed by a tax avoider. My season ticket stayed in the drawer again today. I dont want to take my negativity to the ground. I don't want to boo my team. I went conscientiously to Portman Road all through the awful last days of Jewell and Keane, but it has never, ever been as bad as this last 18 months or so. MM's 'best players' are now fit and playing. There's just no way back from this.

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OldClactonBlue added 20:17 - Nov 19 We want our Ipswich back. Protest against Evans. We need him to sell to someone, or a group, who cares. He can concentrate on his high profile deals and leave us alone.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 20:18 - Nov 19 Isn't Marcus Evans embarrassed to have his name on the shirts?? Agree with EVERYONE on here. The club has died. That was possibly the worst performance I have ever seen. As others have said it needs a total shake up not just McCarthy out. The players look lost and disillusioned. 2 of our best players were loan players who at least have the motivation of trying to get into their club's first teams.

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Edmundo added 20:20 - Nov 19 Total overhaul needed. Can we get a tank and take over the Town by force from the criminal running of this club? I propose we ALL stay out of the ground until the 15th minute, cos it's that many seasons since we last had ambition.
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TractorBoy666 added 20:23 - Nov 19 I just cannot understand how this man is still our manager. There was absolutely no reason to get excited after winning one game but I actually went to the match looking forward to it, then I realised who our manager was. The defence looked worse than it ever has been, there was no intent or anybody to step up to the plate and go FORWARD with the ball. Clueless. I honestly feel so sorry for sears, he ends up getting put at right wing back because mick takes our best player in Emmanuel off! I'm not one to ever look at which players the manager has lost, but it really does look like he's lost Sears. He's ruined him, and he's ruining our club. MICK OUT

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Taricco_Fan added 20:24 - Nov 19 Meh.
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 20:24 - Nov 19 I live in America now, so I rarely get to see games, but I do listen every week. When you're listening to a game I think you listen with rose colored headphones and picture the team playing better than they really are. Seeing this on TV was an embarrassment. No wonder the crowd was 15,000. If this is what you have to sit through week in and week out, I don't blame you for not going. This was terrible. The team looked fragmented and battered and never looked like a team who would win. Really wish I hadn't invited 20 guys over to watch it. I'm being mocked by American "soccer" fans... blarg....

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BlueMachines added 20:28 - Nov 19 Forget the money. Those players should be cabable of playing far better than that. And there is only one person who has 'coached' them to play like that. Your time is up MM.
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heathen66 added 20:29 - Nov 19 We were beaten by a poor team that were unlike us, well organised. Our plan (if we had one in the first place) went out of the window after 17 seconds, and no one was aware of a Plan B. Mick moved his pawns from one position to another in hope something may work, and not because there was any other plan. Expect one change for the next game with Emmanuel being dropped and Webster rightly returning...away you go boys same again. Expect to see Kenlock and Emmanuel loaned out in January to avoid competition for the 'Chosen Ones'.

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surgery added 20:29 - Nov 19 Comments from MM lovers welcome please
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grumpyoldman added 20:30 - Nov 19 Has MM lost the dressing room, I only ask because he has always prided himself in his teams giving everything and fighting for the team, from what I gather tonight's performance was devoid of passion from the team. May be wide of the mark just a thought
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Gazelle added 20:31 - Nov 19 Never thought it would ever come to this, a total nightmare from start to finish.
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wherescounago added 20:36 - Nov 19 Well done Town, I never thought anyone could do the Mannequin challenge for 90 minutes but you all achieved it!!!! Total disgrace the club needs a major shake up from top to bottom and need it urgently otherwise we will be the next Col Utd!
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ITFCZombie added 20:36 - Nov 19 The worst opening 45 minutes I have ever witnessed Diabolical football with no direction We made a below average championship team look really good We delivered Over 35 crosses that mostly hit the first defender Why so many crosses when we had no one in the box Knudsen is an awful player I don't understand how he is the starting 11 Are midfield was non existent Laurence and Jonny Williams the only shining light Marcus Evans really needs to address the fans in his future for our great club McCarthy looked clueless tonight I think the situation is going to get a lot worse until he leaves or is sacked

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BlueMachines added 20:36 - Nov 19 Come on Bohslegend. Your chance to comment on a game you've seen!! Go...
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Manchesterblue3 added 20:41 - Nov 19 Embarrassed to be a town fan. Shambles, if MM cant get us to defend properly then what can he do?! Cos he sure as hell can't attack well! Tactically unaware too, play long balls to strikers who like balls to feet, and then just sticks all his attacking players on and hopes for the best.... ridiculous
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blueboy1981 added 20:41 - Nov 19 Surprised ? ...... why ? - some of us have been saying long enough, what is now plainly obvious. Couldn't even score against a Team that hasn't been able to keep a clean sheet all season - says it all.
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MicksZzzTactics added 20:42 - Nov 19 Soooo so glad I didn't spend my money on going to PR to watch this utter dross, live!!! Soooo so many were either anonymous or outright piZzz poor today, and it's particular painful to see that our Great Messiah apparently has thus ALREADY managed to ruin the once promising and lively Grant Ward (sort of like he did for about 40 games with Tears for Sears) who again today didn't next to nothing! ..... that's apart from occasionally neatly passing the ball sideways and backwards, much like ExSkuse and Dougie The Snooze "master" it btw!. And speaking of "in a different class" + "done nothing wrong" The Snooze, how did his by so pregame hyped replacement Bishop do then??? Generally invisible ... to put it mildly wasn't he now? and not for the 1st time either? And so I could carry on and on and on .... but I'll as for the reminder of my match report I will suffice it to say that the only ITFC incident / proper 'shot on target' worth mentioning at all in the ABYSMAL 1st half by was Didz's noble solo-effort!!! As for the 2nd half? well very Good Thing the hyper clinical Britt Assombalonga left the field after about 55 min I dare say! otherwise and despite obviously being "allowed" to really have the vast majority of the ball possesion thereafter, we might have been seioously clobbered in the 2nd half as well, basically since his tall Greek replacement simply isn't remotely in the same class as a lone striker! But alas my real main point is this: It was obviously more than well-founded to call for "Mick Out" BEFORE the extremely fortunate draw with lowly Rotherham (a game btw MM said we/he had to win "or else..." remember?), and it ought to have continued to be "Mick Out" even AFTER the also somehow fortunate win / "aberration" against Wednesday (although we were well and truly on top in that one, it was mainly down to Wednesday being so very visible TAME on that day -- which especially is the case whenever they for some reason start without their potentially gamechanger Fernando Forestieri btw -- and so ITFC 'shots on target' tally were once again pretty anemic .... until the late winner which literally bounced off Captain Calamity's head! lol), however what do you know??? :-) all of a sudden the notorious dreaded "fickleness" again showed it's ever so joyful face among many ITFC fans after those 3 points, also here on TWTD mind you ! where about 90% of those screaming for the clearly suffering from 'Delusion of Granduer' ultra arrogant, ultra fan-disrespecting Dinosaur's head only about a week earlier once again went hmmmm PUZZZLING silent or else close to non-critical???!!! Well TWTD people (those roughly 90%, the remaining 10% all know who you are and I will always respect you! :-) :, Grow some freaking Cohones will you, please!!! As United & strong we must stand and remain to stand and thus it's darn well still "MICK OUT"!!!!!!!!!!!! .... and it should naturally, repeat naturally, continue to be so, WEEK IN & WEEK OUT, among those ITFC fans who wholeheartedly want a change of football and not the least Football Ideology here before 2020 -- as The Dinosaur could easily stay here at least for this long, if his contractual option as expected is picked up by our wimpy & football-clueless owner that is! -- also even AFTER a papering-over-the-cracks win or aberrational "good looking" performance here and there! Period!!!

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