Town’s first ever visit to the New York Stadium ended in defeat as a goal in either half from Matt Derbyshire and ex-Blues loanee Conor Sammon saw Rotherham to a 2-0 victory. Derbyshire nodded home the opener in the 38th minute and Sammon added the second on 64, while Daryl Murphy, who failed to take two early opportunities for Town, saw a header cleared off the line and Luke Chambers had an effort well saved.

Murphy, back after missing the Wigan game with a calf strain, took over from Noel Hunt up front in an otherwise unchanged Town side.

Rotherham included three former Blues loanees, Sammon, Frazer Richardson and Paul Green.

Murphy had a golden chance to net his 19th goal of the season after only 18 seconds when he latched onto skipper Chambers’s ball down the right and outmuscled Millers’ captain Craig Morgan. The Irishman brought the ball into the area but scuffed his shot to keeper Adam Collin when he really should have scored.

On seven, Chambers scraped a weak effort wide with neither side having been able to create another clear-cut chance. The home side’s greatest threat so far had been a long throw from Kari Arnason on the left towards Sammon which the Blues defence repelled.

Murphy had another opportunity to add to his season’s haul in the ninth minute when Jay Tabb’s corner from the left landed at his feet having been missed by Christophe Berra, but the Town number 10 blazed over. The Blues striker, who complained that he had been dragged back as he unleashed his shot, again probably should have scored.

Cole Skuse picked up the game’s first booking for a foul on the breaking Paul Green in the 17th minute. From Ben Pringle’s freekick, Arnason’s downward header deflected through to Bartosz Bialkowski.

McGoldrick sent a weak shot through to Collin on 27, then a minute later Chambers exchanged passes with Bru but the Town captain’s shot was blocked.

Moments later, with the Blues briefly putting the Millers under pressure, Bru and Tabb interchanged on the left but the Mauritian international failed to find a team-mate with his low cross. The ball eventually ran out to Skuse, whose strike failed to trouble Collin.

Just after the half hour, after Town had cleared a corner, Richie Smallwood floated a ball into the area towards Derbyshire but just beyond the former England U21 international.

On 33 Tabb smashed a powerful volley wide after the ball had fallen perfectly for him on the left just outside the area.

Rotherham had been at their most threatening from set pieces throughout and in the 38th minute a freekick on the left saw them take the lead. Pringle sent the ball in, Conor Newton flicked it on, Morgan nodded it back across the area from the right and Derbyshire headed past Bialkowski from close range.

Town were unable create an opening from which they could get back on terms prior to the break.

On the balance of the half overall, the Blues probably didn’t deserve to be behind with the Millers’ goal having come from their first serious shot on goal of the afternoon.

Up to then Town, without ever really playing particularly well, had had the better of another not overly enthralling game’s opportunities with Murphy having had two very good chances to add to his 18 goals.

Newton lashed well wide six minutes after the break prior to a double Town change. Teddy Bishop and Freddie Sears took over from Anderson and Tabb with the Blues moving to 4-3-3.

Town went close to getting on terms in the 54th minute after Zeki Fryers had been booked for a foul on Bru on the right. Skuse sent the ball into the area, Chambers headed goalwards but Collin rose superbly to tip over. From the resultant short corner, Chambers nodded Mings’s cross well over.

On 58 Derbyshire was unable to divert Pringle’s cross from the left past Bialkowski but in the main it was Town on the front foot with the substitutions having made a difference.

A minute later, Mings’s long distance shot landed at Sears’s feet five yards outside the area and the former Colchester man hit shot on the turn which Collin uncomfortably bundled behind down to his left. Sears took the flagkick himself and found Murphy, whose powerful goal-bound header was nodded off the line by Fryers.

The Blues continued to push, Chambers doing well on the right of the box but twice his crosses were cut out, the second falling to Bishop, whose shot was also blocked.

But despite Town having been on top since the break, the Millers increased their lead in the 64th minute, again from a set piece. Pringle whipped over a corner from the left and, as Berra and Arnason tangled, the ball was knocked down to Sammon, who gleefully slammed home his second Millers goal against his former loan club.

The Blues had a chance to pull goal back in the 69th minute when Arnason missed Chambers’s low cross from the right and the ball fell to Murphy. The Irishman turned a shot goalwards but it struck Morgan at point-blank and the ball ran harmlessly to Collin.

Another former Town loanee Green volleyed Pringle’s deep left-wing cross against Skuse on 74 before the Blues replaced McGoldrick with Noel Hunt and the Millers Sammon with Danny Ward.

Sears saw a shot blocked after exchanging passes with Hunt on 84, then at the other end Ward scuffed wide. Moments later, Derbyshire was replaced by Jordan Bowery.

Town never looked like getting back into it in the closing minutes and the Millers might have increased their lead in injury time when Bowery was sent away one-on-one with Bialkowski but the Polish keeper blocked and the ball bounced over the bar.

The Blues were left rueing failing to take their chances, while Rotherham made the most of their opportunities. Derbyshire’s goal was the Millers’ first significant shot on goal, while Sammon’s second came just as Town were starting to put the South Yorskshiremen under pressure.

Overall, there wasn’t a lot in a typical Championship battle, while manager Mick McCarthy is likely to be less than pleased to see his side concede twice from set pieces.

The Blues drop to fifth in the table, now six points off the top, having taken just four points from their last 15 since the turn of the year.

Rotherham: Collin, Richardson, Arnason, Morgan (c), Fryers, Newton, Green, Smallwood, Pringle, Sammon (Ward 75), Derbyshire (Bowery 85). Unused: Thompson, Broadfoot, Milsom, Ward, Hammill, Frecklington.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru, Anderson (Sears 52), Tabb (Bishop 52), Murphy, McGoldrick (N Hunt 75). Unused: Kenny, Parr, Clarke, S Hunt. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey). Att: 10,336 (Town: 1,879).

Photo: Action Images

Cloddyseedbed added 18:19 - Feb 7 Getting a bit animated on here again after yet another below performance from Town. Many problems seem to have crept back after a very successful 1st half of the season. I have always said you can only get so far with hard work and to push on you need that extra bit of skill and our players are now getting shown up, either in the position they are getting picked to play in or they basically are just not good enough. I have never ever been convinced by Tabb, Anderson and Skuse and never will be. Chambers is a good central defender but is not a full back. Ipswich decided to not strengthen the squad in the area's needed, ie, good wingers who can play now not in 2-3 years time. Attacking midfielder who has attacking intent who can play now, not in 2-3 years time. Last season I was in a minority when I said we should sell McGoldrick, pity we didn't as what's he worth now. He seems to have issue's with his game this season, whether it is with the club or himself or his fitness. We only seem to get 1 good season out of a player, the next season they never seem as good. If Murphy is here next season you watch!! The players that have come into the club this year as far as I can see are certainly no better than we already had or they are nowhere near the 1st team and out on loan. Better players must be out there somewhere without breaking the bank. Just as well we have enough points to not get relegated is the only thing that comforts me at this time. not particularly excited at getting mauled by Sheffield on Tuesday night either as they are another very good team and it will be difficult getting anything, won't it Mick?

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RobbieBobson added 18:20 - Feb 7 Gutted. That is all.
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NSL added 18:24 - Feb 7 The midfield are an absolute shower. They are supposed to help the attach by weighing in with assists and goals and cover the defence by tackling in midfield and proving cover. This lot do neither.
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Lightningboy added 18:25 - Feb 7 Some fans are on about bringing players in on loan..tell me,what was the point in signing the likes of Stewart and Henshall last summer?..Henshall made one mistake and hasn't been seen since,Stewart's been fit for a few weeks but nowhere near getting a chance to see what he's capable of..i'm not suggesting they're the answer but how will we ever find out if they're not given a go? Anderson for me plays almost every week but just does not justify his selection..he's a forward,he should be knocking in a dozen assists or more and 6 or 7 goals a season but Mick still picks him..nowhere near good enough for this division let alone the Prem. Sheff Wed line up should be: Bart Parr,Chambers,Berra,Mings Bru,Skuse,Tabb McGoldrick Sears,Murphy

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NSL added 18:29 - Feb 7 And McCarthy won't change his system, it's the reason why he ultimately gets sacked wherever he has been. Takes teams so far but then they become too predictable and he doesn't have the tactical nouse to counter it, a bit like warnock.
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Elizabeth added 18:32 - Feb 7 We know this league is a total lottery and success or failure can go right to the wire. I feel that we do need a player like Jonny Williams at least to have a realistic chance of promotion. Not sure why Mick changed the formation ,only he knows that ! Bring on Tuesday and let's hope for a win to boost confidence in the team.😊😊
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jas0999 added 18:33 - Feb 7 Lightning boy - was agreeing with you up until Tabb appeared in your line up!! Really?! He has been woeful recently. Bombing up and down offering absolutely nothing!
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potter added 18:37 - Feb 7 Well today has all but ended automatic spots. As for the playoffs well it's questionable if that is a possibility with micks defensive tactics. Last 3 games should have been points available in all of them (Brighton, Wigan and Rotherham) and 1 point out of 9 is not good enough as simple as. I don't understand why mick has this negativity of playing defensive sh*t hoofball football when we have a talented teddy bishop who hardly sees it when it's played over the top to the front too. Also why haven't we thrown the kitchen sink at these 3 teams with 3 strikers?? My team would be Bart Parr chambers Berra Mings Skuse Bishop S.Hunt Mcgoldrick Sears Murphy Wing backs who like to push forward with 5 decent attacking options there

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potter added 18:39 - Feb 7 I'd also like to see Stewart and henshall given a chance in that line up aswell. How can they be judged in a competitive match when they don't play as they seem to get praised by fellow fans who have seen them in the reserves
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bellazzurri79 added 18:40 - Feb 7 Mcgoldrick is pi**** off cos we stopped him from going to leicester (he's been dog ever since) Murphys pi***** off cos we stopped him from going to hull Mings is getting too big for his boots cos he's now rated £10 mills and has to play in a team that has no forward thinking and we stopped him going to palace Bishop is p***** off cos he has to sit on the bench and watch Anderson play instead of him Chambers is p***** off cos he has to play right back when he is not s right back but as he is captain has to accept it Smith is s******* himself cos he knows he will be dropped eventually as chambers can't play right back Berra is p****** off cos he has to play for this team when he is better than that The players couldn't handle Southampton and started s******* themselves thinking how on earth will I keep my place if we did go up? The writing was on the wall since the Southampton away game Even a couple of new players will not change the way things are going I'm afraid...

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SickParrot added 18:47 - Feb 7 In truth we have been over achieving this season. Our long unbeaten run was mainly due to our excellent team spirit and because we always ran further and worked harder than the opposition, rather than out-playing them. When we got on a winning streak the players gained in confidence and, at times, played some good football but in reality Derby, Bournemouth and Middlesbrough have consistently played much better football than us. I know we beet Boro easily, but that was probably our best display of the season and a bad day for them. I think I am right in saying that we have only scored more than two in a game on two occasions this season. Not what you would expect from a side near the top. This shows that the success we have enjoyed is based upon stopping the opposition from playing, rather than out-playing them. Mick has been commendably loyal to the players that have worked so hard for him but many of them are either now either out of form or just too tired to maintain previous performance levels. We must now rest the players who are struggling (McGoldrick and Tabb?) and play the fresher young guns (Bishop and Sears) and put square pegs in square holes (ie Jonny Parr at right back). We must also add some more quality to the team urgently before it is too late. At the very least, we need Jonny Williams back and cover for Daryl Murphy, I would go for Chris Wood (Leicester). Automatic promotion was never really on but unless Mick acts soon we can forget about the dreaded play-offs as well. Mind you that would be better than losing to the improving canaries in the play-offs!

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muccletonjoe added 18:55 - Feb 7 Don't honestly think we have the squad to stay the pace, we had a good first half to the season and probably our chance of promotion has passed us by through lack of investment at the crucial time
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ITFCFan added 18:56 - Feb 7 We signed that Blistering winger who looks a good player all be it in the Irish league but were is he? We really need to freshen things up badly!! I think Sears needs to start and add something different than are same old same long ball. If we dont add 2 or 3 quality players on loan in struggling to see us in the playoffs which will be a disaster sfter are brilliant first half the season!! Surely Mike must see we need more quality!! The Top 3 all strengthened and it showed today!! Im gutted at the moment. Come on Town lets out this behind us and go again!!

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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:59 - Feb 7 Crap result but by all accounts we should not have lost today, we dominated the game. TC needs to put on double practice because we have lost our scoring boots. We didnt take our chances and that cost us.
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marco007 added 19:07 - Feb 7 Question.....does the club genuinely want to get promoted as our complete lack of ambition in the transfer market is now reflecting on the pitch. Our agricultural approach has now been worked out and it appears that no plan B is in the bag. Billy Sharp would walk into our side at the moment as unfortunately Dids has been on a slide for many games now. At times I am continually baffled with the selections of Anderson, Tabb, Chambers etc when better options are watching on the bench. It is so easy for opposition managers to plan as they know what to expect from us I am so bored wasting my time and money watching this dross 😤😤😴😴😴😴😴😴😤😤😤

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Cloddyseedbed added 19:07 - Feb 7 potter. I've seen Henshall and Stewart play in U21's and i can see why they are not in 1st team squad.
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warktheline added 19:10 - Feb 7 Been here before, after the Norwich game...and again the same over the top knee jerk reactions. We have 3 of our next 4 games at home, let's see where we are then. We have points on the board, so all is not lost. we are not playing catch on top six, unlike last season. Yes, I'm too, extremely disappointed, but the lads will need all behind them Tuesday night. Mick shake it up....nobody gets it right all the time, it's realising this and moving on that makes the difference, give some on the bench a go, it's high time!!!!!

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potter added 19:15 - Feb 7 cloddyseedbed Question is though I know most fans would like to see them over Anderson and Tabb at the minute on the wings who of recent performances shouldn't be in the u21 squad either
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Ipswich58 added 19:17 - Feb 7 Cloddyseedbed Then why did MM but them? He's at fault either way
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dalianwasexciting added 19:18 - Feb 7 I think the difference with this and the Norwich game was the fact that we have been abject for a few games now and the fact that the same team was announced (barring Murphy) that were so pitiful against Wigan. Someone mentioned commendable loyalty to the players and whilst this is a worthy view, there comes a point when the collective performance is that bad that changes are needed. I am sceptical whether McGoldrick is fit, whether he is annoyed he is still here or whether he is just fed up of hoofball. We bring in Ambrose, and then sign him for the season only to see him get nowhere near the bench in a team that is lacking ambition and bite, we get in two pacy wingers who are not even given a chance to perform. My biggest gripe however, is the continued persistance to play Chambers at right back when we actually have one the best right backs in the country kicking his heels on the bench. Tough on Smith? maybe but the reality is that this has to be about making the team work again, and not about upsetting one player.

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warktheline added 19:20 - Feb 7 Big games Tuesday night, four in top six play each other, and Norwich have tough away trip. Beat Sheffield wed and things again look favourable.COYB.
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Cloddyseedbed added 19:21 - Feb 7 potter and Ipswich58, I agree with you on both points. We want players who can improve the team and play now, to put competition in the team where players are not good enough or complacent.
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TimmyH added 19:23 - Feb 7 Still seething about this result...agree with many posters about how we need changes re: Parr as a RB and Chambers/Berra in the center but the big problem is that midfield and yes you can use the term 'over achievers' when it comes to that department as I swear not 1 of our players would be in the starting line up of Bournemouth, Derby and possibly even Middlesboro. McG is a pale shadow of last season and if Murphy's not scoring then does that mean we have to rely on Berra or Smith to score? MM will truly have to show his managerial skills now to get some confidence back in the players and possibly even to greater effect on some QUALITY loans (at least 2) out wide and a play maker midfielder within the next week or so, because like many on this site your starting to think can we even make the play-offs - Watford and those lot up the road aren't too far behind us now and the way we're playing currently you wouldn't bet we'll make them! Last season I mentioned it'll be interesting how the lads will cope in pressure situations as a fair few of them have never been involved in play-off contention but I certainly didn't think we'd be folding at this point. Well and truly cheesed off!

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airliner added 19:32 - Feb 7 What's bonkers is that we were in the best position to go up automatically and Marcus Evans think we have strength in depth and didn't see the need to strengthen a threadbare squad. I can only think Evans sees us a tax loss against his other businesses , it just doesn't add up. All the other teams strengthen yet we think it's better to wait for emergency loans. All the good loans have been done. Who or what dross will we get next week or the week after. I believe in mm and tc but the owner is something else. He obviously doesn't see that other teams are breaking the bank and give two hoots toFFP and just want to get promoted not do a 15th season in the championship next year. That's where we are heading 15th place .

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bushbaby7 added 19:41 - Feb 7 So disappointed! Was really impressed with the start of the season thought we had turned a corner, but now things seem to be slipping back a year or so. Yes we are in the top six but for how long? We should be still competing with the top 2 not worrying about mid table again! We play better when we go at teams as others have posted but we have Mick who at the moment is stubborn with team selection and tactics, what we need right now is for him to revert back to just after the Norwich game and get the fearless approach back!

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