Nottingham Forest saw themselves to Championship safety with a 3-0 final-day victory over the Blues at the City Ground. Britt Assombalonga put the home side in front via a 43rd minute penalty, skipper Chris Cohen made it 2-0 on 57 then, having missed a second spot-kick, Assombalonga added the third in the 69th minute. The defeat, the third in a row without scoring, sees Town finish 16th, their lowest league position since the ending the 1958/59 campaign in the same position in the old Second Division.

Danny Rowe and Dominic Samuel came into an otherwise unchanged Town side for the injured Tom Lawrence (ankle) and David McGoldrick (neck).

The Blues, who hadn’t won at the City Ground since December 1999, lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Samuel in the centre and Rowe on the right with Freddie Sears on the left.

Town named second-year academy scholar Flynn Downes, a central midfielder, among their subs for the first time, while centre-half Adam Webster returned to the 18 for the first time since injuring his ankle in January.

The home side went into the match fourth from bottom but ahead of Blackburn in 22nd by a goal difference of just one.

Rovers were at Brentford, while Birmingham, who play Bristol City away, are one place and two points above Forest with a significantly poorer goal difference.

The home side made an explosive start to the game, with a Jamie Ward cross from the right deflecting off Christophe Berra, who could well have been playing his final game for the Blues, in the opening seconds but just beyond Britt Assombalonga, who netted after only 17 seconds of Forest’s 2-0 win at Portman Road earlier in the season.

The East Midlanders kept up the early pressure with the Blues pinned back inside their box and with Grant Ward and skipper Luke Chambers both blocking strikes before Jamie Ward curled an effort not too far wide of Bartosz Bialkowski’s left post.

But Town, wearing their white away shirt and blue home shorts, quickly got into the game and began to control possession. On seven, Rowe cut in from the right and hit a shot through to Forest keeper Jordan Smith.

Two minutes later, Grant Ward brought the ball in from the left and hit a powerful 20-yard shot which Smith did well to save down to his left. Samuel was unable to get to the rebound.

As the game moved into its 10th minute, news that Blackburn had gone a goal in front at Brentford filtered around the City Ground as the home side again began to threaten, Bialkowski coming off his line quickly to head away in front of Assombalonga.

Forest were forced into a substitution in the 14th minute when Zach Clough took over from Mustapha Carayol, who had suffered a knock.

Two minutes later, the home side were hit by a further double blow as Blackburn doubled their lead at Griffin Park and Birmingham went in front at Bristol City.

As the game approached the half-hour mark Town enjoyed a long spell of possession but without creating an opportunity before Forest’s danger man Assombalonga was twice found inside the area, Berra crowding him out the first time and Kenlock forcing him wide the second.

Forest created what was the best chance of the half up to that point in the 34th minute when Jamie Ward crossed from the left and Eric Lichaj got ahead of Kenlock but slammed over from a few yards out with the Town backline claiming he was offside.

It was Forest’s turn to appeal to the officials a minute later when Assombalonga claimed he’d been manhandled as Berra beat him to another Ward cross from the left.

The Blues came within an inch or so of going in front in the 37th minute when Rowe’s deflected shot fell to Samuel on the edge of the box. The on-loan Reading frontman hit a well-struck shot but Smith reacted superbly to tip a ball he had no right to save on to the bar.

Six minutes later, the home side took the lead from the penalty spot. A long throw from the right was sent in from the right, Bialkowski came to punch but was beaten to it by Jamie Ward, who hooked goalwards. Jordan Spence cleared off the line but referee Andy Davies pointed to his spot as the Blues keeper had collided with Ward having missed the ball. It looked a spotkick not too many officials would have given.

Assombalonga took the kick and smashed it into the roof of the net to transform the mood at a previously downcast City Ground. It was the former Peterborough striker’s 13th goal of the season and his third against Town.

Town weren’t far away from getting on terms in the remaining minutes of the half after Rowe won a corner on the right with a strong run. Huws sent over the flag-kick and Berra won it but failed to make enough contact with his header and the ball bounced wide.

Soon after, the whistle ended the half with Forest out of the relegation zone ahead of Blackburn on goals scored.

The scoreline was a touch harsh on Town who had ridden Forest’s early spell of pressure and had then been on top for long spells and but for Smith’s remarkable save from Samuel they would have been in front.

However, they were made to pay for poor defending - the throw which led to the rather soft penalty should never have been allowed to reach Ward - and the home side left the field at the break with the atmosphere around the City Ground far more positive and significantly less nervous than it had been minutes before.

Town switched Kenlock for Josh Emmanuel ahead of the start of the second half and it was the Blues who were first to threaten when Rowe curled a shot into Smith’s arms.

The home team, however, quickly began to look the more dangerous side with Spence doing well to outmuscle Assombalonga after the striker had been found in space in the area.

Moments later, with the Blues having switched to 3-5-2 with Rowe the left wing-back and Emmanuel on the right, Jamie Ward shot over.

And in the 57th minute the City Ground was sent wild by their side’s second goal. The ball was played wide to Chris Cohen some way out on the left and the home skipper hit a shot which deflected off a Town defender and past Bialkowski’s left hand.

That goal, and Brentford pulling one back against Blackburn moments earlier, meant Forest were now very much outsiders for the drop and home fans tentatively started to get into a celebratory mood.

In the 66th minute Forest were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon when Emmanuel bundled over Ward as he chased back with the former Sheffield United man in on goal, the Town sub picking up the game’s first yellow card.

Assombalonga again took the spot-kick but this time Bialkowski palmed his shot, which was high to his left, over the bar. Two minutes later, Town swapped Sears for Kieffer Moore.

Despite the missed penalty, Forest’s third goal of the afternoon and Assombalonga’s second of the afternoon wasn’t too much longer in coming. On 69 the striker brought the ball past his man on the left of the area and hit a powerful shot into the roof of the net from an angle.

The City Ground was by now very much in party mood with their team now playing with great freedom and creating chances regularly. On 73 Assombalonga hit a low volley straight at Bialkowski from Ward’s right-wing cross.

On 81 Assombalonga smashed a shot over from distance having cut in from the left before Berra was replaced by Webster. The 32-year-old looks set to return home to Scotland over the summer after four years with the Blues and was warmly applauded off by the Town away support.

Webster slipped into the left-sided central defensive role alongside skipper Chambers, the Blues having switched back to 4-4-2 following Forest’s third goal.

Samuel claimed he should have been awarded the game’s third penalty after a Matt Mills as the game moved into its final minutes - and he might have had a case - but referee Davies was unmoved.

Forest finished the game with 10 men after Ben Osborn was forced off with an injury all their subs having been used.

Despite the deficit, Town kept pressing in the final moments of injury time and Moore headed Ward’s cross from the left into a defender but there was to be no consolation for Town.

The match ended with a huge roar and a pitch invasion from the home support, their Championship status confirmed for another year. Blackburn went down despite their 3-1 win at Brentford, while Birmingham’s 1-0 victory at Bristol City saw them to safety.

It was a fairly typical end of season game with the Blues having shaded the first half until the contentious penalty.

But with their tails up in the second half there was only one team in it and the second goal all but sealed it with the third calming any remaining Forest nerves. Town never looked like getting anything back into the match.

The Blues' season has ended disappointingly with three defeats without scoring, completing a frustrating campaign in which Town have never looked like competing for a play-off place and briefly flirted with the relegation zone without ever really looking in any serious danger of going down.

The summer ahead seems certain to be one of much change if the Blues are to be a more competitive force next season.

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Lichaj, Mancienne, Mills, Cohen (c) (Cash 85), Assombalonga, Osborn, Carayol (Clough 14), Ward (Brereton 79), Vaughan, Worrall. Unused: Evtimov, Tshibola, Lam, Vellios, Cash.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra (Webster 81), Kenlock (Emmanuel 46), Skuse, Huws, Ward, Sears (Moore 68), Samuel, Rowe. Unused: Gerken, Pitman, Dozzell, Downes. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire). Att 28,249.

Photo: TWTD

josimar added 19:46 - May 7 My grandad was a season ticket holder for years and my great uncle used to work in the 'announcement box' in the 80's , hearing his voice whilst watching my team gave me goose bumps, I remember playing football in the park and in the street growing up with my ITFC kit on and feeling proud with every kick thinking 'one day, maybe one day' instead of the street or bumpy park I'd be playing one day in front of a packed out Portman Rd, my dad used to work at the EADT and often would come home with the original photos from the photographers and I'd put them up on my wall...I remember like yesterday going to the Suffolk Show and having my photo taken next to the UEFA Cup with a grin from ear to ear I'm now in my 40's and now angry, disillusioned, miffed and above all upset about how a once great club, whose football was a joy to watch has now disintegrated into a shambolic excuse for a club, for the sake of the supporters who spend their hard earned money, get rid of that idiot in charge. Marcus, if you're not interested in the club anymore, do the right thing. And ITFC, don't lose your identity which was once the envy of every other team, its quickly fading

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planetblue_2011 added 20:07 - May 7 We are lucky to stay up just lucky there were 8 teams worse than us this season, but very close in the end. Next year will be different if we don't spend some big bucks. Assomballonga would be an ideal striker for us next season. Our defence couldn't deal will him in both games. Was it 4 goals he put past us this season. We need a new midfield & strike force if we are gonna get any where next season. too many players in the side give up & don't give a 100%. We were brilliant against Newcastle & ever since that win its gone down hill. Think some first team players need the boot not just the manager. We seem stale & not up for it enough, so a big overhaul in the summer or else we are going down!!!!

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Scuzzer added 20:12 - May 7 Honestly....the only thing that Evans will take notice of is if season ticket sales next season are significantly lower. If you have a love for the club...then do something to save it...it may be a painful sacrifice but don't renew your season ticket.
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BlueArrow added 20:18 - May 7 @Seaside Yes you're right. Memory loss has started already. This is mainly due to the fact of head meeting with Brickwall after poor team selections poor results and poor season
1

tallguy6767 added 20:26 - May 7 Birmingham could of gone down today and at the end of it all we finish 2 points better off than them. That says it all about the season and about the shambles of our football club ! Got to be favourites for the drop next season whilst current regime in charge. Disgraceful! !!!!!!!
14

grubbyoik added 20:26 - May 7 I'm going if he's staying
5

ArnieM added 21:06 - May 7 F_l_uk OFF Evans and McCarthy........YOURE KILLING OUR CLUB!!
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Kirtonspanner added 21:06 - May 7 Evans is a parasite!!!! He's draining the club dry!!! He's not one of us! We need to rid him from our club!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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runningout added 21:07 - May 7 and who would replace MM?
0

blueboy1981 added 21:08 - May 7 ......... looks like our inept performance today sent Mogga down - and possibly out of a job. Shame - Mogga was a good honest player for us, and great example.
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blueboy1981 added 21:18 - May 7 ArnieM .......... you've seen the light ... !! Have admired your belief for most of the season - but with the Dino, the right end result was/is always going to be the same. Money to spend, or not - he doesn't want money because he would have to be accountable for such. Mid table at best, on a shoestring budget, is the limit of McCarthy's ability - and he knows it. The game has left him behind, and he painfully lingers on within the closing of ranks, and self praise.

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blueboy1981 added 21:26 - May 7 ......... have a good break one and all - will be back one day when the Dino has gone, and there's evidence the Club is heading in the right direction again. Thanks for all the support of people who've up marked my posts throughout the season - as for the people who have been abusive, and disagreed with everything (even if I stated white was white) - disdain as deserved. Have a great Summer - and let's ALL hope for better things. After all it's OUR Club, and the one we ALL love.

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warktheline added 21:39 - May 7 An owner who's heart isn't in it, add to that ,ruddy clueless! A lapdog in the form of Milne, also clueless and inept in regards to football! A manager fully aware of the above mentioned, very happy and extremely comfortable with mediocrity, and finally, two thirds of a football team, very complacent, in the knowledge that the club they play for hasn't any ambition! Rebuilding my a**e! If you're serious about such, the first thing you do is lose that losing mentality. Therefore Chambers should have been the first out followed by his, and managers mates! Its so bloody simple! Compare the McCarthy that started his tenure, to the one that's running things presently! ENOUGH SAID.

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madmouse1959 added 22:29 - May 7 Time is up on McCarthy well and truly. Sorry to single out players, but both Sears and Skuse need to join Berra and Douglas away from this team sheet and this club. There are a few more who could easily join that list too. Thank you very much but it is time to find some better footballers being encouraged to play attacking football and possession football... Being regular team members because their "good lads" has to be a thing of the past under a new manager and coach.. Players automatically selected despite one absent performance after another. Most of the fans want change.

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warktheline added 22:31 - May 7 @swn, you really are a numpty! I should have added you into the equation of my last post!
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norfolkbluey added 22:40 - May 7 OMG, OMG. What on earth is going on at my club. How could things get as bad as this. We should have beaten this team so that one of our previous heroes namely Tony Mowbray could have kept Blackburn up. The passion has gone. Marcus needs to leave or sell our club asap. He obviously has either no idea about running a football club or has lost interest. Ambition, whats that? Lowest league position since 1959! I started supporting the club in 1960 when I was 15. PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE don't come back after going on holiday Mick you are no longer welcome. You seem to have the idea that if you buy enough reject players one will be a gem. Your gamble has not paid off. We now have a collection of misfits. A perfect example was buying Skuse a square passer from a relegated club . I suspect that nobody will be interested in buying our club now because no one will remember how brilliant we once were.

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2_Goal added 23:03 - May 7 First half we played ok, not great but ok. Rowe looked a real threat attacking on the right. What does MM do? He changes it to 3 at the back and puts Rowe as left wing back! Poor Rowe disappeared after that. He takes off kenlock who was playing fine. Puts Emanuel on on the left, then switches him to the right, ending up with Emmanuel and spence playing on top of each other. They didn't have a clue where to position themselves, probably because they have never played like that in training. Then MM realised and puts Emanuel on the left again. One of best strikers is stuck on the left. Poor sears. Sears - do yourself a favour - find a club with a half decent manager. Yes chambers is much better at centre back, but how many times did he get done over by Assam... or ward? All you have to do is run at him. Berra had his best game for ages, except he gave the ball away in the lead up to the first goal. Apart from that he was back to his best. At the end we played with two central strikers, shame sears couldn't be one of them. Or even pitman. Both are significantly better that Samuel and Moore. Can't MM see that? And skuse...he's does what he does but what he does is limited. Big 'Dave' from Leeds was an all round better player. He actually attacked the ball, and looked to make attacking passes. He was a box to box player. Skuse will never be that. I truly believe the players are not to blame. We have been heading in one direction over the last two and a half years. MM just go, and do so without having a dig at the fans or the players, please.

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bobble added 23:09 - May 7 sh-te football from a sh=te manager..
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Palestine added 23:16 - May 7 Evening all, well as I was at the game today (disclaimer: first/only live game of the season) I think I should jot down some reflections on the game . Pretty excited to be going to a good old school ground, and a new one at that. And a sell out with so much riding on it. Went with a Nottingham mate so sat in the home stand just to the right of the ITFC fans. Was a bit gutted not to be amongst the Town faithful, but by the end I was glad I was not as by end they had nothing to cheer for, whilst I was forced to try and watch as a neutral and not cheer at the wrong moments (difficult - though luckily there were precious few moments). The game Forest started great, and almost scored in the first minute - twice. After that the game settled down and it became apparent that they didn't have much to offer other than balls over the top playing in the always dangerous Assombalonga. In fact after I'd told my mate Ipswich couldn't pass at all, we then started playing it around. This was an indication of how far Forest stood off us. The game was totally there for the taking we got in lots of good positions in front of their area and I think they (Rowe, Ward, Huws) should have shot on sight from outside the area as they had so much space - one would have gone in. Rowe could really have put his name on the map. Didn't try any. With the scores coming in it looked bleak indeed in Forest, getting outplayed, offering nothing, and down as it stood. It would have been a horrific outcome for them - hell would've broken loose I think. Then a mistake and they got their goal. Probably a penalty(?) - I'm not going to fault Bart. Halftime analysis: I thought both full backs had looked good, bright and got forward. The midfield did ok but didn't utilise the opportunities. Sears looked totally wasted on the wing - ridiculous. Samuel - big lad, I wasn't sure he was ever in the right position. Never really in a position to cross to. Didn't look very effective. I'm thinking: there will be more goals, the game is still totally there for the taking. We can sand should still win. 2nd half Inexplicable change at the back - why? (turns out was for punishment) I was trying to work out how we were now set up - and then it struck me, Rowe was now playing as a LEFT BACK. This was a disaster - he couldn't get forward and isn't a defender. Farcical and nonsensical. We looked completely at sea. He then changes it, and Spence and Kenlock both looked dangerous and rampaging. For me Spence reminds me of Mings, I think he will go on to great things and will be worth millions. Rowe.....I watched him carefully. He's clearly comfortable on the ball, likes to run with it, but POSITIONALLY I couldn't work him out. He seemed to stay deep, didn't exploit the space, didn't really offer the overlap and for me this made him almost completely ineffective. I was really disappointed with him actually as if in better positions he coud've even been a match winner. Maybe that can be taught? I hope so. The game needed some quality so what do we do? Bring on another big striker - so two big lads up top. Perhaps Moore was better than previous occasions, and maybe better than Samuel, but he had one good headed chance - fluffed. I'd have to agree with others and say neither look good enough. Huws had a disappointing game overall. All in all, we created b*gger all, especially in second half where we went through the motions, let them have some more goals I think the second came when Berra tried to dribble it past someone and got robbed,, and limped to a third soft defeat with out scoring. Went down without fight once again, just as we did in both Cups. Does this set out the intention for the team, for the manager? Is this how you win fans back with promise for next season? Ironically I actually think we have quite a promising defence. With Smith Webster and Chambers we have good CBs, then we have cracking fullbacks that can offer a lot going forward. Knudsen should be no nearer the team than Chambers should be to playing RB. We have an amazing keeper, but I guess we will sell him. Gerken isn't Championship standard. If we sell Bart I think we need a new top stopper. MIdfield appears to need 2 or 3 additions. Up front we look to need another two quality strikers. What chance we get half of this...? Highlight of the game was probably getting involved in the pitch invasion - was I the only Town fan on the pitch?! Was great to be back on the pitch - reminded me of PR in the 90s when there were quite a few (particularly remember a protest invasion against Coventry?). Then exited in the opposite stand, and whilst waiting for my mate to use the facilities I suddenly saw a big bloke in a Forest shirt. Went to investigate it was Britt Assombalonga himself. Shook his hand and said well played and got a photo. Nice lad. Would be happy for him to come to us! Couldn't believe he wasn't swamped! Then we watched him and a small entourage go back on to the pitch meeting and greeting. Nice touch. Ipswich Town is completely floundering and in disarray with no direction, or ambition or even heart. It's easy to blame MM - his tactics and football are undoubtedly horrid and not worth wasting money to watch, but for me, to pick on him and not Evans doesn't make sense. MM is the perfect manager for a owner that doesn't care and doesn't want to spend money. He broadly achieves what he is asked to. It's a vicious circle. Evans doesn't want to pay him off, but can see the club is going nowhere. Are they calculating how much they need to spend to stay up (but not challenge) and appease the fans sufficiently? There is no sign at all that they are seriously thinking about trying to challenge, or get out of the division. We are a great and proud club, with great fans. It gets eroded every day this is allowed to continue. Very very sad. All the best

5

BrettenhamBlue added 03:28 - May 8 9/2 on us to be relegated next season, surely worth a flutter? We are a hoofball team with no target man and a GK who has to turn in world-class performances week after week in order for us to compete. Hope we don't have the usual super-optimism pre-season, we need realism next season. Avoiding relegation should be our aim.
3

Minneapolis_ITFC added 04:00 - May 8 I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate Marcus Evans and Mick McCarthy for their collective input and support of Ipswich Town Football Club regards the immediate past few years. What you guys have achieved is something quite unique. The number of instances of incompetence, apathy and mismanagement have ultimately reached astounding proportion and how the latter has remained in employment at this club for the best part of four years is something of an enigma that warrants discussion among the worlds top conspiracy theorists. Don't know what else to add to this, certainly the team and aforementioned names don't deserve any more of my time. Can only offer sympathy to the season ticket holders and frequent travelers that have been subjected too often to sub-standard scores, play and achievement. Bottom line if both of these pr1cks are still in position at this club from August and beyond then any further interest in this clubs endeavors will evaporate to such an extent that will simply not bother to catch up with game progress. Taking on board the Lincoln City two-game embarrassment, this could be the most disappointing and lackluster season since Joe Royle's tenure. Christ, what I'd do sometimes to go back to those days and weeks and actually watch a team that could challenge and in with a real chance of achievement. In all truth it sometimes appears so distant, I have trouble even recalling it.

7

EuanTown added 07:29 - May 8 ME , don't bother to release the season review DVD, you wont cover the costs.
4

H1960 added 07:41 - May 8 Don't know about a holiday extended gardening leave would be a better option for him
4

Swn98 added 08:04 - May 8 Thanks for the insult Warktheline par for the course why don't you mention the many players that have underperformed or more like not capable of performing.
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Surco72 added 08:19 - May 8 SWN98... Your posts are as boring and predictable as MM and his team . You cannot blame players for playing poorly when they clearly have no system , tactics , or style to play to . Again a number of players were played out of position Sears has been scoring when up front so put him wide left out of the game when he is fully right footed ,Emmanuel brought on at left back ? Kenlock taken off after one mistake when he was one of the best players we had in first half ? Skuse playing at all he is so ineffective , Samuel and Moore selected above Pitman who are out of there depth at this level You can carry on backing MM all you want but you sound more an more desperate each week as MM does

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