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Ipswich Town 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers - Match Report
Tuesday, 7th Mar 2017 22:03

Town recorded their fifth consecutive draw as their home game with Wolves ended in a drab 0-0 stalemate. The visitors came closest to winning it late on when Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Ben Marshall both struck the woodwork.

Toumani Diagouraga replaced Emyr Huws, who suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford, in the Town midfield, while Josh Emmanuel took over from Jordan Spence at right wing-back.

Tommy Smith was handed his first start since undergoing back surgery in September with Jonas Knudsen switching to left wing-back and Myles Kenlock moving to the bench.

Wolves, who had lost their last six matches, made five changes from the team which lost 2-1 at Reading at the weekend, bringing in Danny Batth, Matt Doherty, Jack Price, Andreas Weimann and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson for Mike Williamson, who was suspended, Dominic Iorfa, Conor Coady, Helder Costa and Nouha Dicko.

As so often in recent weeks the Blues started slowly with Wolves enjoying most of the early possession but without creating a chance.

However, in the fifth minute Town carved out the first opening when David McGoldrick found Tom Lawrence with a cross-field left-to-right pass. The Blues’ top scorer fed the overlapping Emmanuel but his low ball ran between the Town players in the box and McGoldrick who was breaking into the area.

The first quarter of an hour continued in much the same vein with Wolves having most of the ball but without threatening and Town making the occasional foray forward.

On 16 McGoldrick rode a challenge and fed Skuse on the edge of the area to the right but the midfielder appeared undecided whether to cross or shoot and the ball wafted harmlessly wide.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 21st minute when Knudsen handled as he tripped with Doherty breaking into the area behind him.

Wolves claimed a penalty and the Danish international, who was booked, was fortunate but it did appear he initially touched the ball with his hand outside the box. After a lengthy build-up, Romain Saiss shot well over from the freekick.

The incident briefly seemed to wake Town up with skipper Luke Chambers forcing his way into the Wolves area after an Emmanuel cross from the right had been cleared to him.


On 31 Diagouraga came a couple of yards from scoring his first goal for Town when Lawrence played a corner from the right to him on the edge of the box from where he smashed a powerful low drive not too far wide of Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme’s left post.

Wolves again claimed a penalty in the 35th minute when Ben Marshall crossed from the right to Dave Edwards at the far post. The former Luton man nodded back across goal but McGoldrick slid in and diverted the ball behind, off a hand according to Edwards, although it had appeared to strike the Irish international’s body.

Three minutes later, Lawrence carved out an opportunity in the 38th minute, the Wales international’s clever flick from Diagouraga’s pass taking him beyond Kortney House but wide and his well-struck low cross was cleared by Doherty.

As what had been a dull half moved into injury time McGoldrick and Lawrence forced an error from the Wolves backline and the on-loan Leicester man fed the Town number 10 on the left of the area but the Irishman’s low shot was saved by Ikeme.

That was the final action of an unmemorable half in which Town had never taken the game to an opposition who had had a lot of the ball without ever actually looking comfortable in possession.

Neither keeper had been particularly tested with the Blues’ best opportunities McGoldrick’s shot shortly before the whistle and Diagouraga’s strike, while for Wolves Saiss should have done better with the freekick from the edge of the area earlier in the half.

Town began the second half more positively and in the 47th minute Smith won a freekick midway inside the Wolves half on the left, visitors skipper Danny Batth picking up a yellow card for the foul.

Lawrence’s ball into the box seemed to be on its way towards Berra’s head until George Saville’s boot took it away from him.

Town felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Lawrence exchanged passes with Grant Ward and broke into the area before Doherty ran into him and sent him tumbling.

Referee Darren Deadman, perhaps recalling the two earlier Wolves calls for penalties, waved away the protests, however it looked a better shout than the earlier claims.

Town won a series of corners with Ikeme just about dealing with balls curling under his bar before Wolves broke through Weimann following a Smith error. His cross was deflected to Bodvarsson, who fed Marshall, who shot wide.

Another Town corner saw the ball just fail to fall for Berra then, with the half more open than the first, Bodvarsson crossed into Bartosz Bialkowski’s arms from the right.

On 61 Kenlock took over from Smith with Knudsen moving to the centre of the defence.

Wolves continued to have most of the ball but without testing Bialkowski, while the Blues were unable to keep possession and never threatened until McGoldrick hit a low shot to Ikeme from just outside the box in the 79th minute.

Two minutes later, Diagouraga sent McGoldrick away down the left with a clever pass with the outside of his right boot but the striker’s low cross to Ward was cut out.

On 82 Wolves brought on Helder Costa for Weimann, then two minutes later Kieffer Moore took over from Emmanuel for Town with Ward moving to right wing-back.

The visitors came close to winning it with five minutes left, Bodvarsson cutting in from the right and hitting a shot which Bialkowski pawed onto the post and wide.

Wolves threatened again a minute later after Skuse had conceded a freekick 25 yards out. Marshall’s shot struck the top of the bar and Knudsen nodded over and behind before any of the Wolves players were able to react.

The end of two minutes of uneventful injury time was met by boos from the home support after another frustrating evening at Portman Road.

The Blues, who badly missed Huws’s presence in midfield, looked a shadow of the team which dominated against Reading and Leeds and it was a display which will have done little to persuade any fans wavering over whether to renew their season tickets to part with their cash.

Wolves will feel they did enough to win having had most of the ball but without ever looking particularly comfortable in possession with Bodvarsson's late strike which Bialkowski palmed on to the post their only shot on target, while the Blues managed just two during a game which won’t live long in the memory.

Town, who are now unbeaten in seven but having won only one in their last 11 in all competitions, drop a place to 16th, nine points from the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to 11th place Barnsley, who lost 2-1 at QPR.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel (Moore 84), Chambers (c), Berra, Smith (Kenlock 61), Knudsen, Skuse, Diagouraga, Ward, Lawrence, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Pitman, Spence, Bru, Sears.

Wolves: Ikeme, Doherty, Edwards, Batth (c), Saville, Price, Bodvarsson, Saiss, Hause, Weimann (Costa 82), Marshall. Unused: Lonergan, Stearman, Dicko, Coady, Iorfa, Cavaleiro. Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire). Att: 15,076 (Wolves: 443).


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MickCuresInsomnia added 22:03 - Mar 7
WOW........what was that????? 🙁

Eddie Charlton the ex Snooker Player would provide more entertainment than Mick 😴........that's one for the over 40's 😊
23

prebsa added 22:04 - Mar 7
Another truly awful game at Portman Road. First half was appalling second was not any better. Kenlock kicked out again for the ever worsening Knudsen. He was awful as always and should of been sent off.

Set up to win a point and boy I'm sure Mick will be happy with that. Skuse the crab sideways and backwards with everyone else doing the same. McGoldrick and Lawrence having to come and do all the work leaving no one upfront.

Terrible tactics and even worse subs. Taking off smith instead of the awful Knudsen. And then brining Moore on again who has contributed zero to Ipswich town. Pitman must be begging to leave if he can't get on ahead of the tall waste of space.

Nothing will ever change. People were happy with February but all we did was just draw games. We are boring backwards and unorganised. And nothing will ever change until Mick, Marcus and most of the old farts have left and we change something.

Mick lovers will be happy once more. A great clean sheet and a fantastic point is enough to keep them all happy.

Mick out!
39

Spanishblueblood added 22:05 - Mar 7
Only three attack minded players in starting eleven, ffs!
Mick out!
32

VulpineBlue added 22:08 - Mar 7
Beyond ennui.
6

Bluetone added 22:09 - Mar 7
I see McCarthy is up for an award for his work on the prevention of Insomnia
28

ITFC_Cotton added 22:09 - Mar 7
Recent performances don't really inspires season ticket renewals, definitely not 15,076 in the ground tonight. Surely MM will be gone come summer, if not he would have signed another contract by now. So get rid of him and get a manager who might actually inspire hope in the fans for next season.
27

martin587 added 22:09 - Mar 7
This was dire.Turmoil comes to mind.Big changes needed NOW,not later.Another poor gate,just how low can it get.!!
29

cromwellblue added 22:10 - Mar 7
Awful
16

Battyboy added 22:13 - Mar 7
Watch the 23s play on a Monday and you will see plenty of talent on show.
5

NorthFar added 22:13 - Mar 7
Not renewing. Can't waste anymore time watching this garbage. Really struggling to remember when I enjoyed a game. McCarthy just spouting rubbish to justify his awful, negative selections. It's impossible to watch.
25

sproughtonblue added 22:14 - Mar 7
McCarthy calls it a "Well deserved point"
You complete and utter tit.
29

Tony88 added 22:14 - Mar 7
Another great result one point nearer safety and MM leaving and when we get a new manager he will be the wrong manager, too young poor record with other clubs and the same old moans will start all over again.
Come on you fans.
-24

mikeybloo88 added 22:14 - Mar 7
Eddie Charlton vs Terry Griffiths would have been more exciting MCI....no surprise the Mick McCarthy derby ends 0-0...abysmal
14

TimmyH added 22:15 - Mar 7
At last Mick has found consistency with this team - draw, draw, draw, draw, draw yawn!!

To be honest I knew Wolves losing streak would end against us tonight, we practically ALWAYS help teams in dire need, just fed up of this club presently and Mick going ASAP will get back some enthusiasm, Oh! and an owner who will stick his hand in his wallet (not asking for millions). Wish this season would be over.
23

jpring89 added 22:15 - Mar 7
Really not bothered anymore but i really should be. I wish the season would end now this has to be the worst season i can ever remember supporting the club. I hope we can turn it around next season.
26

dalianwasexciting added 22:18 - Mar 7
And as for that post match interview......PATHETIC
26

backwaywhen added 22:20 - Mar 7
That 1st half is as bad as i have ever seen in 45 years of watching Town , no intention of trying to attack , what they must do in training god only knows ....a deduction in wages to charity would be nice ...utter boring garbage.
26

SheptonMalletBlue added 22:21 - Mar 7
McCarthy is probably soiling himself after that result!!!!
7

algarvefan added 22:23 - Mar 7
Sounded dire and comments support that, may I remind everyone that we are still not safe fro relegation, hopefully we'll keep grinding out draws until the end of the season. Time for MM to go at the end of the season too, fresh blood and game time for some of our more worthy players please! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
9

cfmoses added 22:23 - Mar 7
Time for us to get real. Survival is what it's all about. If it's a point at a time then ok. Forget the entertainment. This is a very below average squad trying to keep their heads above the parapet. Get used to 1 or 2 shots on target. If MM keeps us up then it's worth it.
-27

Dissboyitfc added 22:23 - Mar 7
2 words, Muck out!!!!
23

truckertractorboy added 22:25 - Mar 7
So glad i didnt go
7

warktheline added 22:25 - Mar 7
The end product of McCarthy's attempts to play entertaining football ! It's easy in training but not so when we face opposition!
No doubt Mr Clueless found the positives!
14

poldark added 22:26 - Mar 7
Super Super Super Mick McCarthy come you McCarthy lovers what a match excellent point against a fabulous Wolves side how this man takes his wages is beyond me and hope you all heard the wonderful after match interview how inspiring was that just hurry up and get your season tickets as I m sure they will soon sell out
McCarthy Evans need to leave now
16

MickMillsTash added 22:28 - Mar 7
NO need to play 5 at the back against Wolves- what will we do when Newcastle come play 7 indefence with a holding midfielder?
Wingbacks have no creativity - a mark of the transfer policy over the last 3 years.
Why play Skuse and Diguarogogo at home?

Poor Poor Poor - I do not trust anyone at the club to get a better manager in should McCarthy go - its a hopeless mess but I'm going to Barnsley.

11


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