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

warktheline added 20:42 - Nov 19 Jog on McCarthy and take Evans with you! For those of you that hit the minus button, that's fine, but please enlighten us with the way forward under McCarthy!!!!!
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blues1 added 20:42 - Nov 19 As usual, every time we lose a game it's Evans fault. But when we win he doesn't get mentioned. The players we had on the pitch today were good enough to win that game. But pretty much to a man, bar Lawrence and Williams they didn't perform. That's partly down to them but a large part down to McCarthy. Constantly changed the formation throughout the game leaving the players not knowing what their job was. So how any of that is Evans fault of love to know. For those who constantly say they want him to leave u say this. Would I rather him or A Cellino, Tan or the Venkys? Be careful what u wish for. Also who is going to pay in excess of £100,000,000 to buy the club which is prob what it would take for him to sell (£80,000,000+ debt plus whatever he wanted for the club itself). Not gonna happen. What Evans does need to do however is be more up front with the fans and to sack a manager who hasn't got a clue and get in a man who will give our players the confidence to play

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Woodbridgian added 20:46 - Nov 19 McCarthy has always played dull,boring,negative football. But the only saving grace was that we were also difficult to beat and could grind out results. Now we play dull,boring,negative football and are easy to beat. Makes McCarthy as useful as useful as a chocolate fire guard
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GiveusaWave added 20:53 - Nov 19 That was undoubtedly the worst we have played this season. The first half was beyond awful and we should have been 6 or 7 down at half time. Unbelievably embarrassing and the result majorly flattered us. The only positive I can see from this game was the incredible saves from Bialkowski. In the first half he pulled off 3 saves that would have been certain goals if any other keeper had been playing for us, in the second he continued to perform miracles. We did try to pass the ball around as well (but were completely outplayed). We made an average team look like AC Milan from the 90's. Our creativity was non-existent and our lack of replacement for Murphy was clear for everyone to see. I don't understand why we let Murphy go with no replacement lined up? That decision beggars belief. I know we have to do what's right for the players but other clubs wouldn't have let him go until the replacement was found. We do look a VERY weak side and I just hope that performance isn't repeated against QPR.

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blueboy1981 added 20:56 - Nov 19 Total confusion throughout tonight - only the Goalkeeper knew where he was supposed to be playing - quite convinced that the rest of the players didn't. I'll bet Freddie Sears head was spinning at the end - for example.
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RegencyBlue added 20:58 - Nov 19 ITFC - RIP!
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GiveusaWave added 21:04 - Nov 19 Blueboy1981 Sears covered Emmanuel at right back at one point, which sums up your point entirely. In the 40th minute there was an unbelievable moment where it looked like 4 of our players were assigned to all mark the same player. Total shambles and chaos.
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OwainG1992 added 21:04 - Nov 19 F*ck me! I felt so miserable watching that guys!! 1st half was just so bloody bad! Knudson was terrible to put it lightly! 2nd half we played the ball around nicely but without a proper striker what on earth do you expect! I want a striker in January who wants to prove a point....queue Ched Evans anyone?
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TimmyH added 21:06 - Nov 19 Absolutley shocked by the lacklustre effort put in by the team maybe only Lawrence and McG put in a half reasonable shift, Forest just looked like they had more desire and as for the defending (something that MM use to pride himself on) well lets not go there... Makes the 2-1 win at Wednesday fairly meaningless, we should have kicked on today but have just reverted to the average team that Mick has gelled us into. Forest not a clean sheet this season until now...utterly laughable, more fuel to the fire that Mick needs to go.

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Geoff added 21:08 - Nov 19 Well where are the dinosaur lovers now in all my years i am now completely switched off with the town. I even do not want to watch them on tv i do not know how 15000 fans can suffer this awful boring football been served up.Please lets get evans out as he obviously has lost interest like most of us fans.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 21:08 - Nov 19 Utter f*****g rubbish from start to finish. The end.
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Carberry added 21:09 - Nov 19 Mick, did you notice they had a striker? He was the bloke who was in the box to latch on to those two gift wrapped opportunities. Why don't we have one of those? You sold our striker and didn't replace him. You conned us with Leon (he can be the one) Best, where was he tonight? Maybe he's not the one after all? Goals Mick, they entertain us and win games, you've blown it because you are achieving neither. It's time.

9

Lightningboy added 21:11 - Nov 19 Truly abysmal. Almost got to a point where I can no longer be bothered coming on here. Too many players half asleep. God knows what Chambers says to them in the huddle for "inspiration". Cannot believe how far backwards Bishop has gone. Keep saying it but Skuse is one of the biggest reasons we will go nowhere,ball watching for both goals,just useless. Knudsen terrified of running with the ball. Sears chasing aimless balls. McGoldrick trying to win 70 yard passes in the air/getting beaten easily every time. At least Lawrence tried & Williams brought some energy. Other than that another wasted 90 minutes I won't get back. Mick - have some self respect and go.

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TimmyH added 21:12 - Nov 19 I should mention I only saw the 1st half as I had to go out (thank god). I take it the 2nd was just as woeful (if that was possible).
4

TimmyH added 21:16 - Nov 19 Where are all the bods who gave me -82 down votes last season over Micks contract extension...hhmmmm strange can't see any of them on here (tonight anyway), 1 or 2 might resurface tomorrow.
3

BrettenhamBlue added 21:20 - Nov 19 I'm not happy with any of them: the outfield players for how they played and Bart for saving Micks job, a good thumping may have got Mick out quicker.
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blueboy1981 added 21:21 - Nov 19 Bohslegend, Elto, and a ( becoming fewer ) others - Where are you .. ?? Lost for words ?............ at long last maybe - or maybe 'seen the light' eventually.
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obliquewordsmith added 21:25 - Nov 19 Dire. Forest weren't any good, but we were worse, and showed no urgency to get back into the game as they happily sat back for the whole second half. We can't take corners, Knudsen's throw ins are pointless... Why did McGoldrick spend so much time wide? Without a striker in the middle you're going to struggle, although having said that, we don't create chances, which for me is the most worrying thing. We get into the corners and then cut back. When someone (McGoldrick) is crying out for a quick through ball, we delay and allow them to regroup... and Knudsen seems utterly unable to run with the ball even if he's got space. The number of times he checked, passed inside and put us back under pressure beggars belief. I know Chambers is the current bogeyman, but while his passing is poor, surely the lack of communication between Knudsen and Berra is worse; how often do we concede after losing the ball at left back, or Berra being pulled out of position because Knudsen isn't where he should be? I think that's why Berra had such a tricky season last year. Williams, Lawrence, Emmanuel and Bart excepted, and to a certain extent, Skuse, there was no imagination, no movement, no urgency and seemingly no pattern or plan. I also don't think we've got a bad squad, but I can't see anything changing because it's not bad luck it seems systemic.

3

warktheline added 21:29 - Nov 19 @blues1, Evans doesn't give a bloody tuppence about Ipswich Town FC, his interest died a long time ago, please answer why, when McCarthy , managed to achieve play offs, no funds were forthcoming to strengthen squad to push on? He wants it on the cheap, and that my friend isn't going to happen! My wish is this, McCarthy has taken club as far as he could on nowt, times up! As for Evans, he's a capitalist through and through, only interested in self gain, well like many before him, he's found football doesn't work to such methods, thus let him take his pot of gold and clear off! What will be will be, it might get worse before it gets better, but for me, anything is better than where we are at present , and that my friend is OUR CLUB with no SOUL!!!!

12

dirtydingusmagee added 21:39 - Nov 19 cant swear on here but muck fe this was abysmal .Dont know how anyone could be remotely optimistic after that. That was a relegation performance ,no effort no pride nothing .Cant even say it was down to tactics, there werent any tactics. I dont go to matches now and im glad i didnt go to the pub to watch the match,it would have been embarrassing I watched at home in disbelief. Evans will run this club into the ground, he isnt interested and will jog along with McCarthy ,until that changes the club is destined to fail .

8

judespiveyg added 21:44 - Nov 19 I suppose we can be thankful that we didn't play too much hoofball?
2

Swn98 added 21:47 - Nov 19 I've been patient for 11 long months waiting for us to have our best players fit and available to play, today was the day and it was absolute rubbish blame the management if you want I believe those players that pulled on the shirt today should take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are capable of playing or worthy of the vast wages they receive. Whilst i was driving home Mick Mills said at the end of the radio Suffolk programme you shouldn't take anything out of this match draw a line under it and prepare for next Sat well Mick I've drawn so many lines under matches in the past 11 months I've run out of ink.

4

Taricco_Fan added 21:57 - Nov 19 Just need to hope there are three worse teams in this division (there are).
3

thundercat600 added 21:57 - Nov 19 What rubbish, the players were just walking around, some one should give them each a map so they can find where the goal is. Why won't some player take responsibility and run forwards with the ball instead of treating it like a hot potato and keep passing it sidewards or backwards.
2

heathen66 added 21:58 - Nov 19 If we are not very careful, we are going to need a McCarthy like Manager to get us out of the mire where McCarthy will leave us in. We are seriously facing a relegation battle and face a resurgent QPR next week, where defeat could leave us one place above the relegation zone. The only thing we seem to be doing fast is going nowhere...except backwards. We need a new manager with a different philosophy. a manager who is not afraid to drop of substitute senior players. it is easy to drop Emmanuel, Kenlock, Webster, and it is easy to substitute those mentioned plus Ward, Lawrence, Bru, no matter how the game is going, how well they play or what tactics we want to try and play. The likes of Skuse, Berra, Chambers do not even bother looking over when substitutions are made as they know their places are safe.

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