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

blues1 added 08:05 - Nov 20 Warktheline. I totally agree with you that Evans should have seen that McCarthy isn't Up to the job some time ago. My only argument with you is that he saying what will be will be in regards to ur statr ment that Evans should just walk away from the club. How does he do that then? If he does the club then owes him in excess of £80,000,000. Money the club doesn't have. Result. No club to support. At no point have I ever said he's the best owner in football but trust me, if we'd had Cellino, Tan or the Venky s for instance, there's be no itfc. The reason urs elf and others are against him is The lack of transfer fees paid. Well if ne1 could afford to pay the around£100m to buy him out do u think there's be any money left for transfer fees? No, so then everyone would be wantiwanting the new owner out for the same reason. Plus, by his own admission McCarthy has the best squad this season he's had since he's been here. And it's cost a lot of money to get these players in. No signing is free. Despite many thinking otherwise.

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blues1 added 08:41 - Nov 20 Thus the problem we have is the manager. He 1st the team out to play 4-4-2 but when we go 1-0 down he reverted to 4-5-1. And continually changed the formation and position of players within the game. Clueless. So yes, imo Evans needs to get rid of him and bring in a manager who will get the team playing with confidence. It's not all about money. Derby are a perfect example strangely. They spent millions yet couldn't get a win. Suddenly they change the manager and those same players are performing and winning games. Do I trust Evans to get the right man in? I don't know but what i do know is that if he does nothing then things will not improve and more and more fans will be driven away. And, after missing just 5 home games in 44 years, I could be among those who decide not to go.

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:51 - Nov 20 Forest could have put out a team from a local Girls High School ,and still have won.McCarthy must go ,and Evans must invest or ship out.END OF .
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oldegold added 09:10 - Nov 20 ..Still we have the FA Cup to look forward to now under McCarthy.............expletives deleted
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dugoutdave added 09:31 - Nov 20 MM stated that he'd rather have 75 mins of Bishop than nothing at all. That thinking keeps Williams on the bench. If that doesnt say it all, what does. The man thinks he's above reproach and doesn't believe that anyone elses opinion is right or has any merit. Even more arrogantly he does not believe anyone even has the right to voice can alternative opinion, but critucal towards the fans is ok. I suggest that he takes the same stance in the dressing room and I believe that if any of the players could find another club they would. I bet they hate it when its their turn to be rolled out for the weekly " what a great gaffer he is" interview. Its all very very sad for once proud football team.

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warktheline added 09:35 - Nov 20 Still waiting for an answer on why Evans didn't back his man with investment after our play off season! McCarthy is fully aware Evans is disinterested and as such his impetus has diminished, 'you don't care so why should I '. He's in a safe seat and knows it. The bloody cozy club! The club is a bore , the fans are bored, CHANGE IS REQUIRED come what may!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 10:11 - Nov 20 Sorry Swn98. Marked you down by mistake. Was chuckling about your ink comment!
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blue75 added 10:27 - Nov 20 Swn98 you sound like you're about to jump off the Hms McCarthy and open you eyes 👀 😆
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brittaniaman added 10:37 - Nov 20 I missed the first goal, Still looking at the team sheet !! Did not expect any serious action in the first 20 seconds let alone a goal ???? Missed there second goal as well as I went down to the Bar a minute early, BUT I did see it on the TV which was far more interesting.
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Swn98 added 10:52 - Nov 20 Cheers blue 75 don't really know what I'm thinking at moment after yesterday we got most of the team that everyone's been shouting for then we get the most abject display I've seen should we get rid of MM I'm not sure I think if they do and get it wrong we had better be prepared to spend along while in the lower divisions the operative part if we get it wrong.
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DirtyOldNodger added 11:07 - Nov 20 For all the fans moaning about Mick's footballing philosophy over past however many years, I saw a team playing a much more possession based game yesterday, with not too much hoofing it up the field either. Yes it wasn't a game that set the championship alight, and yes we've got to do much much better but I thought there were some signs yesterday of a change of approach (which many have been crying out for) and I think the result yesterday, whilst pretty dire and one that we don't want a repeat of has hopefully given Mick some food for thought as to his team selections and tactics for future games.

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blue75 added 11:10 - Nov 20 Swn98 we may go down if McCarthy stays, probably not but we might. Yesterday to me it looked like the players had lost belief and if that's the case he has to go! We've got some good players that another man might be able to get to play the football our club expects. Going down to sort out all our problems might not be that bad an idea. It worked for Southampton, Mr Klug is starting to turn our academy round and that is one place Evans can spend as much as he likes.

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Brownie added 11:57 - Nov 20 We won't go down & we won't make the playoffs. The problem is which one is more likely. I agree with comments that ME kept/keeps the club afloat. The point is will he invest to take it to the next level. He hasn't recently for certain. I know loan players cost money. All the clubs in Championship have loan players but some are buying quality as well. If we don't we have no chance. The current group are not good enough simple as. ME won't walk away - I wouldn't if it was my money - but bite the bullet, admit the mistakes on things like ticket prices & change the manager. Someone fresh with new ideas and perhaps we will have something to look forward to rather than hoping the budgies are equally as pants as we are..

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yorksblue added 12:50 - Nov 20 15k fans - ground half full speaks volumes. How long can that be allowed to go on before owner opens his eyes?
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budgieplucker added 13:27 - Nov 20 Mick I am afraid is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Two awful mistakes yesterday ironically from a team that has been good defensively this season but at the expense of trying to play any form of enterprising football. Micks management skills are probably second to none but his coaching skills far less impressive unless you are looking for someone to play an ultra pragmatic style of football (shortened to hoof) and to over achieve based on the actual ability of players. Like Tony Pulis I will reiterate they are good managers but often come with a limited shelf life. Ironically again we played little hoof yesterday and at times in the second half we moved the ball around crisply and in Lawrence and Williams we had players who can run and go past defenders. I think the crowd were fair to the players second half and no repeat chants of mccarthy your football is sh1*t. Mind you there are a number of supporters around me who encourage hoof, when we are playing the ball around they shout forward and are impatient when the team at least try to play some form of possession based football. Immensely frustrating as it is there would be some hope if Mick could bury some of his pride. Josh Emmanuel for me deserves a start every week and is a real bright spot, yes he will make mistakes as young player but appears to have to have talent that will only blossom if given games. Johnny Williams and Tom Lawrence must start if fit. Kenlock gives us far more energy than Knudsen who still for me is a weak link and proves that spending money isn't often the answer. Grant Ward needs to do a lot more to retain his place and again is one of the players we bought. Mick get us a target man and physical presence upfront and a box to box midfielder to replace Cole Skuse who actually I don't think is a bad player at this level but we need somebody who is going to dominate the middle of the park to move us out of the also ran category. Add a more accomplished left side wing back and I might just start to believe we can really challenge for a top six place.

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wayway added 14:00 - Nov 20 So everyone moans yet no one is prepared to do anything about it. Where are the walkouts and the protest marches. It is nonsence to say nobody would be interested in the club if the Evans Corp put it up for sale. How about Hutchinson Ports who own Felixstowe Docks? Chinese owners is the way football is going. There must be others out there who remember our great years when we were everyones second favourite team

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BillBlue added 14:06 - Nov 20 Yesterday I decided to watch the match for the first time in several years! I gave up Sky shortly after GB left when they were, in their ignorance of football, continuously saying rude things about Ipswich, gave up Ipswich Player shortly after MM's exhilarating style of football took over, gave my last £60 to the Academy when I realised MM was telling us lies and is was all going to be wasted and stopped watching/listening shortly thereafter and I have just relied on the comments of my fellow posters on this board! Last night I decided to watch. I saw my four old seats - all empty - plus those which used to be occupied by my friends - all empty - and for you four people who have posted on here there were 15,000 present you are seeing at least double!! I went to watch Colchester in one of their Giant Killing FA Cup Matches when they were in th 3rd Division South which turned out to be their biggest crowd to that time and there were more there than at the Town yesterday, so friends stop being kidded, the situation is far worse than is being admitted. For 15k to be there every second seat had to be filled, was it? Apart from empty seats what else did I see? I saw three passes which found their target, mind you, they were from defender to defender trying to draw their opponents forward but even then two of them had to run to be able to accept the passes! After 36 minutes I was so bored that I switched off - unbelievable! In spite of what I have just said I still love Ipswich Town and hate having things stolen from me so I want it back. My feelings go out to you folk who have to watch crap like that, week in and week out, so my advice to you is - don't go! Blues1 - Your first two posts are crap. Evans is as guilty as hell by not firing the idiot no matter what you say later. When MM has gone will be the time for everyone to come back and make the Town what it used to be. It is the lost generation that is worrying me.

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Ipswichbusiness added 15:12 - Nov 20 Before the match I was looking at the fixture list and table. Forest and QPR at home, Bristol City away, Cardiff home; should be three wins and a draw. McCarthy had almost a full strength squad. We were at home against a relegation threatened side with a poor record and we lost with hardly a threat on their goal. A few months ago a Derby supporting friend said to me that the trouble with McCarthy was that he would take you to a certain level and no further. Our level is mid-table. Let's get rid of him and bring in say Frank Lampard as player-manager.

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ronnyd added 15:51 - Nov 20 I should imagine that it would be a case of "join the queue" as far as Lampard is concerned. Unless you mean his Dad.
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heathen66 added 15:58 - Nov 20 The issue I believe is still the defence. We have only started conceding goals since we moved away from the 8 at the back. We had one of the best defences (record) when we had Knudsen and Sears at LB, Smith, Douglas, Berra and Skuse in the centre with Chambers and Ward at RB. It was really more of a 4-4-0-1-1 formation (with the midfield playing so deep), but we did not concede too many goals or actually score many (500+ minutes without a goal). However with the new 'flair' introduced it has exposed the real back 4 plus Skuse who according to Sky, was our insurance policy (although it must have expired !!!). This needs to be addressed however I fear the 8 at the back will return if results do not improve.

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dukey44 added 16:39 - Nov 20 Honestly what is it going to take to change things and get someone new in? We need to freshen the team up and start playing football?
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DerryfromBury added 16:59 - Nov 20 When will the players start accepting their share of the blame. if they are that weak and inexperienced to require constant coaching from the dug out, they shouldn't even be considered for selection.
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Seasider added 17:41 - Nov 20 Went yesterday as have been for last 50 odd years.Most enjoyable part Band of the Parachute Regiment. Unlike some,don't blame Berra for 1st goal as think entirely Knudsens fault,and he should be replaced by Kenlock. Before game Forest had similar record to bottom club Rotherham,but thanks to Ipswich' generosity they have doubled their total away goal tally whilst keeping first clean sheet. Like thundercat600 & runaround noticed that though they play ball around more(mostly at back)but Town seem unable to pass and move forward quickly to unsettle Forest defence.When they do,even in front of goal,tend to pass out wide for crosses;which come in,and are dealt with comfortably as our only target man Best isn't even on bench. Swn98 and Derry from Bury both feel that the players are to blame;but I think the Manager should shoulder the bulk of blame,as he chooses the team,and decides tactics. Talking of which,why didn't he appear on Sky after game,perhaps he was lost for words,or perhaps they didn't want him lol? I feel that Mick is trying to change the style;but hasn't the nous,being a former rugged centre back,and quite what his oppo does I don't know!They seem able to play defensive footy at the expense of attractive football, scoring goals being a luxury;but cant change without conceding. I fear that listening to McCarthy after the game on 'Ipswich Player'sounds as if the change of approach noted by DirtyOldNodger will be shortlived, as he mentioned changing to stop leaking goals,and in the same breath mentioned his old friend Dougie;who was on the bench I noticed,at the expense of Best,even though it was a home match.

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therein61 added 17:46 - Nov 20 Once again (and not for the first time this season) I have seen the worst display from our team!!! how much longer do we have to endure the performances and inane excuses from the manager!!?? from the off Chambo decided to put himself in a left midfield position(what the hell was he doing there!!?) missed a header which put Knudsen out of kilter and exposed also over on the right hand side Josh was left exposed and the result was 0-1 then to compound that our great skipper was a frozen ball watching figure in the area just on half time 0-2, also Mr Skuse(is he really a footballer?) what a joke this guy is Forest just ignored him knowing he would go sideways and put team mates in trouble or give the ball to them!!!! these two have got to be dropped and now as they are the biggest liabilities we have( and that's remembering roger washalo what a night mare!!!!) but then Mick thinks they are great!! appointment at specsavers due!!

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Seasider added 17:46 - Nov 20 Derry from Bury- perhaps players don't want constant coaching from touchline,and would prefer it if Mick shut up during game.Just a thought.
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