Ryan Shotton and Nick Powell scored a goal in either half to consign Town to a 2-0 defeat at Wigan. The result was harsh on the Blues, who hit the bar early on through Luke Chambers and had plenty of other chances.

Boss Mick McCarthy has made the one expected change with Paul Anderson coming in at right midfield for skipper Carlos Edwards, who dropped to the bench with Chambers wearing the armband.

Town were close to going in front in the second minute. Anderson sent in a corner from the left and Chambers’s downward header came back off the underside of the bar and the ball was scrambled away.

There was a further scare for the home side within a minute when a miscommunication between keeper Scott Carson and left-back James Perch almost gifted Cole Skuse the ball inside the area, however, former England goalkeeper Carson blocked at the midfielder’s feet and the ball ricocheted out for a goalkick.

Blues defender Christophe Berra appeared to be caught by Jean Beausejour’s flailing elbow midway inside the Town half in the ninth minute. Referee James Adcock stopped play, but only due to the head injury, and spoke to both players without issuing a card.

The Blues had had the better of the early stages but on 12 the home side went in front. Nick Powell sent in a deep corner from the left and on-loan Stoke defender Ryan Shotton - a one-time Town target making his league debut for the Latics — arrived at the far post to head down and into the roof of Dean Gerken’s net.

Thomas Rogne’s toe just prevented Daryl Murphy’s through ball from reaching David McGoldrick in the 15th minute, then, following a long spell of Town possession inside the Latics’ half, Luke Hyam scraped a shot wide from 20 yards.

On 21 Berra headed an Anderson corner from the left wide off a defender, then from the subsequent flagkick McGoldrick failed to test Carson with an overhead kick. Wigan broke quickly but Callum McManaman was thwarted by the sheer number of Town defenders who had got back inside the area.

McGoldrick seized on Perch and James McArthur’s error on 25 but the midfielder got back to put the ball out for a corner. The Blues striker won the ball in the air from the flagkick but couldn’t direct his header goalwards when he probably ought to have done better.

Town went close again a minute later when Skuse found Ryan Tunnicliffe breaking into the area on the left. The on-loan Manchester United man was forced into an area from where he couldn’t shoot but managed to square to McGoldrick, whose shot was blocked by Leon Barnett. The ball was half-cleared to Murphy just inside the area but his strike was stopped by Latics’ skipper Ben Watson.

The Blues were continuing to have most of the chances but the Latics looked dangerous whenever they were in or around the area. On 28 James McClean’s freekick deflected wide off the wall.

Town went close again in the 33rd minute when Chambers sent in a long throw from the right, Murphy flicked it on and Anderson headed over when he will feel he should have hit the target.

A minute later, Anderson crossed right-footed from the left and McGoldrick flicked a header across the face of goal but wide.

Town should have been on terms in the 36th minute when Aaron Cresswell’s mis-hit strike deflected to Murphy about 10 yards out but Carson reacted quickly to close him down and block. It was a great save, however, the Irishman will feel he should have scored.

Skuse’s deflected 40th minute strike forced Carson to save well down to his right with the Blues still on top and pushing for the equaliser.

Two minutes later, Berra was booked for a foul on Nick Powell - a Town target in his Crewe days - 25 yards out. The set piece was eventually played to the on-loan Manchester United man who took a couple of touches before hitting a shot not far wide of Gerken’s right post.

Moments before the break, McClean hit a shot on the turn over after a well-worked from the right but a second goal would have hugely flattered the home side.

The Latics could count themselves fortunate to be ahead at all as the sides made their way down the tunnel.

Town had been on top for the most part, having come close early on when Chambers hit the post and on a number of occasions later on in the half when Murphy in particular will feel he should have got his side back on terms.

Mick McCarthy is unlikely to have been pleased that his side conceded an early goal from an opposition corner for the second time in three games.

Town started the second period brightly, Tunnicliffe crossing from the left but Carson claiming ahead of McGoldrick and receiving a kick for his trouble.

Carson saved down to his left from the again impressive Tunnicliffe from 25 yards in the 54th minute, then two minutes later Tommy Smith got his name in referee Adcock’s book for a foul on the breaking McManaman.

From the resultant freekick, the Latics ought to have increased their lead. Watson sent the ball to the far post beyond Smith but Thomas Rogne headed wide.

Paul Taylor replaced Paul Anderson, who earlier looked to have been limping, on the hour. The striker was quickly into the action, hitting a shot over from the right having been fed by McGoldrick.

At the other end, McManaman screwed a shot wide, the impressive England U21 international suffering an injury in the process and making way for Roger Espinoza. On 74 Frank Nouble replaced Murphy in what was by now a Town front three.

Wigan went close to extending their lead in the 80th minute when Watson’s freekick found Powell, but his header flew wide. Moments later, an error by Berra allowed McArthur a shot at goal but he hit it well wide when he ought to have done better.

Taylor saw a shot deflect wide on 81, then after the corner a McGoldrick effort from a tight angle was blocked.

Town were starting to put the pressure on and in the 83rd minute Nouble sent in a low cross from the left which McGoldrick and then Tunnicliffe tried to force home but with the home defence remaining resolute.

Carson saved superbly to his right in the 86th minute from Berra’s 25-yard goalbound strike, then after the corner had been cleared, Tunnicliffe went rather less close from a similar distance.

Sub Wordsworth headed Cresswell’s deflected freekick from the right straight at Carson in the 89th minute as the Blues continued to look for the equaliser.

However, with Berra by now employed as an additional attacker, the Blues were caught by a sucker punch. Keeper Gerken tried to shield a bouncing ball into the area before grabbing it, Powell put the Town keeper under pressure and beat him to it before casually strolling in on goal and tapping home with the Blues’ players calling for a freekick.

Gerken was incensed, feeling he was fouled, claiming Powell had shoved his way past him, although the ex-Colchester keeper had had the chance to take the more cautious option of heading the ball out and the challenge probably wouldn’t have resulted in a freekick elsewhere on the pitch.

Cresswell shot well wide, then Wigan sub Chris McCann shot straight at Gerken before Tunnicliffe hit the game’s last effort into the sidenetting.

The scoreline was harsh on the Blues who had more than enough opportunities to get back on terms before Powell’s late goal on the counter-attack, having come close to going ahead through Chambers's early header.

Manager Mick McCarthy will again be bemoaning another good overall performance which has yielded a third defeat to one of last season’s relegated Premier League teams.

Wigan: Carson, Shotton, Perch (Boyce 75), Rogne, Barnett, Watson (c), McArthur, McClean, Beausejour (McCann 85), Powell, McManaman (Espinoza 65). Subs: Nicholls, Crainey, Gomez, Dicko.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Taylor 60), Hyam (Wordsworth 85), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy (Nouble 74), McGoldrick. Subs: Loach, Hewitt, Tabb, Wordsworth, Edwards. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: 13,747.

Photo: Action Images

prebbs007 added 18:09 - Sep 22 Why is it so obvious to most fans but the powers that be do nothing about it. Look through the comments on here after most (especially away) games. We clearly create enough, even though I feel we need more from our midfield, as 20 efforts on goal away to relegated team shows, but until we get a goalscorer we will continue to flatter to deceive. Mcgoldrick is clearly a talented player but we rely far too much on him to score goals. We need, and have for a long time, a 20 goal a season striker. While I know they are very difficult to find it seems other teams in our division do more than us to bring players on board. Many fans have mentioned Billy Sharp, saints however want any loan team to pay all his wages, so that won't be us. Nakhi Wells may be worth a chance. Let's be honest, Murphy & Nouble are not the answer. While it remains this squad we have no chance of being top 6. Happy to be wrong but I just don't see it.

0

WirralBlue added 18:10 - Sep 22 I went and I thought Town played pretty well. I thought Anderson was excellent, but in the end the goalkeeping was the difference. Carson pulled off a string of good saves, the one from Berra's shot was brilliant. By contrast, Gerken had one save to make, which he didn't and he gifted Wigan their second goal. Taylor did ok when he came on. A goalscorer and a goalkeeper are needed.

0

bluefeast added 18:11 - Sep 22 Blues1 ,im on about Nouble , why is he in the squad and yes im entitled to my opinion , and here is another ,your a muppet for not working out who I was talking about.
0

TimmyH added 18:11 - Sep 22 I feel it's the same old story, played reasonably well but AGAIN come away with nothing against the recently relegated PL teams, 0 points from 3 away encounters against Reading, QPR and Wigan basically shows where we are at the moment and that is a team some distance off even thinking about getting to the play-offs. We had the opportunity to possibly test Wigan today and get 'something' from probably a slightly tired team from their European excursions and going by our first half performance we did that but again a lack of goals on our away travels are costing us, never mind this season but the previous. I read more into these sort of games than the Boro, Yeovil and Birmingham ones as it more of a yard mark of where we are under Mick at the moment and it has to be said somewhat improved but no where near where we need to be. Oh yes a proven goalscorer would help.

0

bluelodgeblue added 18:24 - Sep 22 Blues1 your comments remind me of the shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic? ME has spent less on our team than many of the clubs in the championships? How come they continue to spend millions on their team but our owner hides behind FFP. May be they have a different set of rules of FFP??? Still think he's looking for a buyer. One of the hallmarks of a sale is due diligence which means very little money is spent whilst the books are looked over. Could be???

0

hepperblue added 18:29 - Sep 22 4 away games. 2 goals scored. 1 point. A long hard season.
0

BillBlue added 18:34 - Sep 22 Blues1. I think to everyone on this board, apart from you apparently, knew bluefeast was talking about Nouble. Surely even you must recognise that he is Mick's pet! I then tried, very hard, to read your next monologue but without punctuation, etc. I gave up, sorry. BlueLodgeBlue - IMO we are an assett to Evans as a loss making unit.
0

blues1 added 18:34 - Sep 22 there you go bluefeast, throwing insults around again. actually I thought it may be nouble you on about. and I have to say, I don't disagree with you that hes nowhere near good enough and I wouldn't have him newhere near the team neither. but I also wouldn't throw the insult at him that you did in ur previous post. that was the point I making to you.just keep ur opinions factual, no need to be derogatory to the guy.

0

Jimmy86 added 18:41 - Sep 22 Gutted we lost today and having listened to radio suffolk it sounds like yet again we played well against a recently relegated prem team, but have come away with nothing. Its all very well playing well and creating loads of chances, but if ya dont take ya chances ul never win the game. However its encouraging we are playing well, but its clear as day we need a top notch striker who is gonna take some of these many chances we seem to create. Good taylor got half an hour and wordsworth got on too. Mick certainly gave it a real go, so hats off. Just a shame we have nothing to show for it. Roll on saturday COYB!!!

0

brittaniaman added 18:48 - Sep 22 Until we get another goalkeeper and a goal scorer we are going no where but mid table !!! which will bring us another season in the championship ??? We just cannot cope with these big team parachute payments ??????? by the way I hear Reading have got Billy Sharpe and are paying his full wage payments on loan !!!!!
0

bluefeast added 18:49 - Sep 22 tick tock tick tock spend some money on flair not rock. Hop hop hip hop average is what we have got. Nick knack nick knack can we please have Rhodes back. Hoof hoo hoof hoo in fact anyone but Nouble will do.
0

bluefeast added 18:50 - Sep 22 Role on Brighton 3 points to town ...
0

thebeat added 18:51 - Sep 22 blues1 i think you'll find bluefeast was factually correct with his comments about Nouble. That clears that argument up i think.
0

ChrisMakin2012 added 18:55 - Sep 22 Nouble is %*#*
0

BillBlue added 19:03 - Sep 22 Earth shattering!! "Boss: We'VE Got To Take Our Chances Ipswich Town - Official Site 18:20"
0

Elizabeth added 19:08 - Sep 22 Lots of possession today, but no one clinical in the box.I didn't really expect Town to get anything from this game but listening to the commentary we actually could have done ! I fear that unless we can make up ground on the early pace setters, we will have yet another mediocre season. I know it's only early days but we still seem to be lacking. I watched the Manchester derby and envied the football that Man City produced. However has the gulf become so great.

0

bluelodgeblue added 19:17 - Sep 22 BillBlue, I agree with you but as it stands at the moment that may well be true but if the deficit increases he will be under serious pressure from the Banks .Still think we are up for sale??
0

theobald1985 added 19:20 - Sep 22 so we win 2 then lose away to a team who only just went down and won the fa cup and all of a sudden its all doom and gloom-come on people. some of the comments on here have been ridiculous. we have mcgoldrick up top and taylor is nearly fit he is a 1.5 million signing with murphy there as well and marriot and alan lee if needed we dont need to panic just yet do we? we have just got 6 points and scored 5 in 2 lets just get behind mick and the team. on the keeper front i feel sorry for gerkin but loach should have never been dropped a just dont get the alleged 12 mistakes that jas0999 was saying about. to my mind loach is the better keeper and should be back in the side. I have seen alot of gerkin and know a lot of col u fans who say this indecision on crosses etc is a constant problem and never goes away. obviously mick looked at them over the summer and decided to start with loach as he thought he was better--he has then dropped loach but I think he has been punished enough hope he starts at brighton

0

Michael11 added 19:22 - Sep 22 @bluefeast Did you even go today? Nouble created more in 5 minutes than Murphy did all game.
0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:18 - Sep 22 bluelodgeblue - "Blues1 your comments remind me of the shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic" ........... what on earth are you on about ?? It really doesnt take long does it for all the same old 'experts' to come out and start slagging off our ex international player and manager who has guided two teams into the PL. Yes its disappointing today but it sounds like we played ok again, and as others have said if we keep doing that we will be ok. We all agree we could do with another striker and i personally think we need a keeper but before today we were the sixth top scorers, so we arent that bad are we !! All those moaning about our away stats , whether or not you agree we have played the three relegated clubs. wait til we have played about ten away games and look at our stats then. If you cant see that we have improved as team and in particular at the back then i despair.

0

ipswichjon added 20:22 - Sep 22 I went to the game today, town played well and controlled the game but conceded due to 2 individual errors, Chambers lost Shotton for the first and Gerken, who had already almost slid out of the area with the ball twice before, gifted Powell the second. Despite the possession and attempts on goal we didn't really create any clear cut chances, out strikers didn't miss anything and I think the criticism of them is unfair, the issue is service and creativity from midfield. Skuse looks assured but lacks energy, Hyam's energy and work rate were excellent but his end product was poor, Anderson and Tunnicliffe worked hard and showed neat touches however none of these players looked to play a killer pass or took on their man. Taylor did do this when he came on and Wordsworth maybe an option in midfield but until this is addressed there's no point in considering a striker as he'll be in the same boat as Murphy, DMG etc in trying to fashion his own chances.

0

Cakeman added 20:23 - Sep 22 I appreciate it is easy to be critical after a defeat but I have to agree with the many comments before mine about having a goal scorer. Mc Goldrick looks very good but will probably chip in with a goal every four games. Where are the rest coming from? Thus far predominantly from defenders. Like it or not we must have a Billy Sharp or Kevin Philips type to support him and what on earth would we have if he got injured? I would also like to know why Wordsworth has not been given more game time? He ended last season well and looked to be a creative player. PS no problem with Gerken continuing but I actually believe the last consistent keeper we had goes back as far as Kelvin Davis.

0

addidasdays added 20:34 - Sep 22 Based on today's performance I agree Michael11. Nouble actually had a run at the Wigan right side of defence and roughed them up a bit winning the odd ball in the air too. When he lost the ball once he ran back thirty yards and won it back! Well said ipswichjon. Taylor has to come in and build a partnership with DMG if he's fit. He showed great passing and movement at pace in his half an hour and with DMG's touch around the box they could combine and create more clear cut chances for the team.

0

ericclacton added 21:06 - Sep 22 I repeat we need a goalscorer.
0

NoelTheDub added 21:09 - Sep 22 Same story most weekends, get a poacher in . 20 attempts v wigan tells me theres not much wrong.I thing taylor is near ready to start a game up front and turncliffe in mid with skuse or hynm and tabb out wide .Ithink we have a small squad but not a bad one just trying to find the best ballance is a problem.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls