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Blackpool 2-3 Town
Saturday, 9th Nov 2013 17:25

Daryl Murphy headed home an injury time winner as Town came from behind to pick up their first away win of the season at Blackpool. The home side were very much on top before the break and were ahead via Stephen Dobbie. But in the second half, a much-changed Town got on terms and went ahead through subs Frank Nouble and Paul Taylor before late drama when the Seasiders equalised through Steve Davies prior to Murphy’s winner.

Boss Mick McCarthy was forced into three changes with Tommy Smith unavailable due to international commitments, Aaron Cresswell suspended and Paul Anderson out with a groin injury.

Tyrone Mings started at left-back, Luke Chambers moved into the centre alongside Christophe Berra for the first time, with midfielder Cole Skuse switching to the right-back role he previously occupied while at Bristol City.

Ryan Tunnicliffe moved into the centre of midfield with Jay Tabb coming in on the left, while skipper Carlos Edwards returned on the right.

New signing Stephen Hunt was amongst the subs, along with Anthony Wordsworth for the first time in a few weeks.

Blackpool included ex-Town loanees Bradley Orr, at left-back, and Ricardo Fuller from the start, while Michael Chopra was on the bench.

Fuller turned an early Dobbie cross into Dean Gerken’s arms, then Daryl Murphy chased a Skuse ball down the right but could only find Seasiders’ keeper Matt Gilks’s arms with his ball into the box.

Almost immediately, Gerken was out quickly to clear ahead of Fuller in a lively first five minutes.

The game became a cagier affair and neither keeper was troubled until the 14th minute when Gerken was required to come out of his area to nod a ball down the middle clear ahead of Tom Ince.

Town eventually cleared a Blackpool freekick into the box, Mings lashing clear moments before David McGoldrick escaped on the right but shot across the face of goal.

The Blues were close to going in front in the 20th minute when, after good work from Skuse, Edwards and Hyam, Murphy crossed low from the right. The ball ricocheted around home side’s area before falling to Tunnicliffe, who seemed certain to net his first senior goal from eight yards until a defender deflected his shot wide.

But it was Blackpool who would score the game’s first goal in the 23rd minute. Bobby Grant crossed from deep on the left and Dobbie broke into the area untracked behind the Blues backline and nodded across Gerken and into the net.


The Seasiders almost went two in front on the half hour when Grant got past Skuse on the Blackpool left — although was fortunate not to be penalised for pulling back the defender — and hit a well-struck shot which Gerken did superbly to divert over the bar. Soon after, Dan Gosling shot well wide from distance.

McGoldrick curled a 25-yard freekick well wide in the 43rd minute but Town weren’t looking particularly threatening, seeming lacking in ideas when penetrating deeper into Blackpool territory.

Murphy screwed a McGoldrick knockdown out for a throw shortly before the end of scheduled time, summing up the Blues’ lack of threat during the first period.

The whistle went with the home side deservedly in front. The Blues had had a fair amount of the ball but without significantly threatening.

Mick McCarthy would have been less than impressed with his defence allowing goalscorer Dobbie a free header in the manner that they did.

The Blues boss was evidently thoroughly unimpressed overall and made two half-time changes. Off went Hyam and Tabb and on came Nouble and Taylor.

Nouble and Taylor joined Murphy up front with with McGoldrick at the tip of a narrow three-man midfield with Skuse and Tunnicliffe. Skipper Edwards went to right-back for the first time since McCarthy’s opening game at Birmingham Just over a year ago.

The changes seemed to make an early impact with Nouble winning a corner from which Chambers went close with a header.

Town were looking more threatening than they had before the break but given the positive nature of the changes it was inevitable that the home side would get opportunities and in the 59th minute the Blues were fortunate that Ince took his time over a shot and Tunnicliffe blocked.

Two minutes later Berra made an important challenge on Dobbie, then brought the ball forward. Murphy sent the ball flashing across the area but with no one able to add the final touch, then the Irishman volleyed wide from Edwards’s ball in from the right.

On 64 McCarthy’s changes paid dividends. McGoldrick held-off Gosling inside the centre circle and brought the ball forward, riding a number of tackles, before laying the ball wide to Nouble on the right. The half-time sub brought the ball inside before stabbing a low shot into the net off Gilks. It was the 22-year-old’s first goal of the season.

Soon after, Blackpool swapped the dangerous and physical — overly so according to Town’s centre-halves — Fuller for Steve Davies, a Blues target during Paul Jewell’s time in charge.

The McGoldrick-Nouble partnership almost paid off again in the 71st minute, the Blues top scorer threading in the youngster but Gary MacKenzie got across to make a vital challenge.

Town were forced into their final substitution of the afternoon soon after, Berra, who had earlier been treated for a head injury, making way for debutant Hunt. The Irishman came in at left-back with Mings moving to the centre of the defence with Chambers.

Gosling shot narrowly past Gerken’s left post in the 77th minute with both sides having opportunities. Five minutes later, Nouble played in Taylor on the Blues right but a defender’s toe put the ball behind for a corner.

Town were pressing and looked the more likely scorers, and in the 84th minute the goal came. Blackpool could only clear as far as Skuse, who fed Taylor. The striker, just back from his spell on loan at his former club Peterborough took the ball to the edge of the area before passing it left-footed into the corner of Gilks’s net for his first goal for the Blues, nearly 15 months after joining them from Posh

Hunt picked up his first Town yellow card for a foul on Nathan Tyson, then former Town striker Michael Chopra came on for the final five minutes. Soon after, Tyson saw a shot deflect wide following a corner.

Nouble twice chose to shoot when Tunnicliffe was screaming for the ball in space in the centre as the game moved into injury time with Town looking as if they might add to their lead.

But soon after the fourth official had raised his board, the home side got back on terms against the run of play. Makeshift left-back Hunt hooked half-clear and Dobbie headed back towards the edge of the box where a number of Blackpool players were unmarked. Sub Davies seized on the chance and beat Gerken.

There was no time for Town to lick their wounds and they went straight back on the attack. McGoldrick crossed from the right, Murphy’s header was deflected out to Hunt and his shot flicked off MacKenzie’s head and just over when goalbound.

And from the corner, Town finally won it. Taylor sent the ball in from the right and Murphy headed his second goal in two games, the ball creeping under Gilks.

Blackpool went looking for another equaliser but Town weren’t to be denied their first away win of the season and only their second of 2013.

After the wholesale changes to the team following the very lacklustre first half, the Blues deserved the victory on the strength of the second.

The game probably ought to have been sealed prior to Blackpool’s equaliser, but the spirit in McCarthy’s squad was again evident as the Blues grabbed the late, late winner.

Town: Gerken, Skuse, Chambers, Berra (Hunt 72), Mings, Edwards, Hyam (Taylor 46), Tunnicliffe, Tabb (Nouble 46), Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Loach, Hewitt, Veseli, Wordsworth.

Blackpool: Gilks, Bishop, Broadfoot, MacKenzie, Orr, Gosling, Angel (Chopra 85), Dobbie, Grant (Tyson 74), Ince, Fuller (Davies 68). Unused: Warner, Blackett, Zeegelaar, Delfouneso. Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire). Att: 13,525 (Town: 567).


Photo: Action Images



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TractorCam added 17:27 - Nov 9
Get in there! I went through all the emotions in those final 10 minutes. Have to credit Mick for those half time changes, made a big difference. Nice to see some rare scorers in Nouble and Taylor get on the scoresheet also. Looking forward to the FLS tonight, COYB!
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muccletonjoe added 17:28 - Nov 9
Play like that every week mick and we will all be happy
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 17:29 - Nov 9
LOVE IT! Never a dull moment supporting Town! ... Now what's the best way to repair a sofa I jumped on to celebrating?
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Liastro added 17:29 - Nov 9
Brilliant win! It just feels great when Town win full stop, but to score the winner in added time is a bonus.

So many positives...Nouble scoring, Taylor scoring, Murphy scoring - that's 3 Ipswich strikers scoring in 1 game...brilliant stuff. McGoldrick impressive yet again, dropping into midfield which I think is a great role for him (almost like Rooney's position).

Now the ROI speculation has dropped, everyone can concentrate on getting up the league. Credit to Mick with his early attacking subs.

Brilliant stuff. Great win! COYB!
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LankHenners added 17:29 - Nov 9
Great tactical management by Mick at Half-Time, we took the game to them and reaped our reward. Brilliant integrity and character to get the third goal right after they'd got one back!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 17:30 - Nov 9
So..... MM has no plan B - two changes that changed the game today
Nouble is rubbish and cant score - well he has today
Why on earth is MM playing Scuse at right back - apparently stood out today in that position
Why send Taylor out on loan - has come back fighting fight and a goal
Maybe now some of the whingers will SHUT UP
Cracking win today, well done all.
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WeirdFishes added 17:30 - Nov 9
IPSWICH ARE BETTER THAN EVERYBODY
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Michael11 added 17:31 - Nov 9
Absolutely buzzing with that. First time this season we played proper attacking football and look what happened. McGoldrick wasn't half as isolated as normal. Big praise for Mick and Terry as i've slated them for not changing things around, but their changes were spot on today!

COYB!!
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warktheline added 17:32 - Nov 9
Steady on Mick,4pts of play-offs.....O ye of little faith....stick that in your pipe and smoke it.....fools.Keep grinding MM.
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MickMcCarthy69 added 17:32 - Nov 9
Omg I've never been so happy before just because ipswich won an away game! So happy right now and great character by the players to get the win instead of going defensive to get the draw. COYB!!
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tractorfact added 17:32 - Nov 9
great stuff, looked such a threat with the changes
Nouble scores and taylor scores and makes one couldnt do much more

Mick has things to consider now after that crazy 45mins

Beer and footie league review 2nite, made my day :-)
Well done lads
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ArnieM added 17:33 - Nov 9
Bloody awesome result. COYB'S
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TimmyH added 17:34 - Nov 9
Hurrah!! The banana skin (i.e. us as per the article yesterday) slipped up Blackpool and hence we have our first away win of the season although again we tried vigilantly to throw it away before Murphs scored at the end.
No surprise though it has to be said that subbing Hyam and Tabb and bringing on Nouble and Taylor (who both scored yes Nouble scored!!) changed the shape of the game.
This is the first win in 6 and though we should enjoy the moment shouldn't get carried away as Leicester is up next, and congrats to Sindre (at last!). Well done.
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blueboy1981 added 17:36 - Nov 9
..... attack - the best form of defence by far - IF you've got confidence at the back, which we should have,
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blueboy1981 added 17:37 - Nov 9
Undoubtedly a 'good win' - and most welcome.
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scottrock added 17:37 - Nov 9
What the hell was today about?!! Coming from behind twice? Scoring the winner in stoppage time? How many of us thought Nouble would score? Love the fact that Taylor scored a beauty. Let's hope he will start and kick on and prove all you doubters on here wrong.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 17:38 - Nov 9
At last the elusive away victory. Well done MM for ringing the changes at half time & being positive. Hopefully, Nouble can gain some much needed confidence after his 1st goal, Taylor will be given a run of games & the more attack minded approach will continue. I,m a very happy blue tonight.
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Langdon_Blue added 17:38 - Nov 9
Great result today! Blackpool top 4 and unbeaten at home, us without an away win...it's a funny old game. Top 10 now and just 4 points off of the play offs in November, in Micks words 'I'd have taken that at the start of the season'...we are in striking distance with plenty of matches to go. Loving the 4-3-3 formation at half time when we were 1-0 and second best. COYB!!
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Keaneish added 17:39 - Nov 9
Outstanding! Great result and great tactical change at half time. Good to see McCarthy out fox Ince.
Now who the hell starts against Leicester!!?

:: Has Tommy lost his place? He's been excellent all year...
:: Right back...? Edwards to start? Chambers to move back there? Skuse?
:: Mcgoldrick in midfield??
:: Taylor up front with Murphy?
:: Taylor up front with Murphy and Nouble?
:: Tunnicliffe in the centre or on the left??
:: Hyam to start or miss out??
:: Hunt to start??

Some big decisions to make in a couple of weeks. Great win ahead of the break and plenty of options going into the heavy winter schedule. Great stuff.
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tractorfact added 17:39 - Nov 9
again why are they playing Hyam, finally the penny has dropped Mick
I just dont rate him, never have
McGoldrick's new role eh !!!
Nouble/ Murphy / Taylor with McGoldrick supporting from midfield
well it has goals in it , doesnt it Mr Chopra, get in !!!


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blueboy1981 added 17:39 - Nov 9
Sindre - wherever you are , have a couple for me while you're at it.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:40 - Nov 9
Taylor in
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rhybeaniho added 17:41 - Nov 9
Great to see 3 goals from 3 individual players... Mick's got a lot of thinking to do on what team to field for the next game
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village_blue added 17:42 - Nov 9
Is it any coincidence that splitting the Hyam/Skuse partnership up that we score 3 goals away from home that's more like it.When we had to change formation we were the better team so many decisions to be made before the Liecester match.
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Langdon_Blue added 17:43 - Nov 9
Dozzell' Bobblehat - totally agreed with your post, I think I may have accidently 'disliked' it when I meant a BIG LIKE! Sorry buddy...a result of big thumbs and small phone!
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