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Norwich City 3-1 Town (4-2 on Aggregate)
Saturday, 16th May 2015 14:31

Town will play Championship football once again in 2015/16 after they were defeated 3-1 by Norwich City in the second leg of their play-off semi-final second leg, having been reduced to 10 men when Christophe Berra was red-carded just after half-time. With first game having ended 1-1 at Portman Road, the tie was turned in the 48th minute when Berra handled Nathan Redmond’s goalbound shot and was dismissed. Hoolahan scored from the spot, Smith equalised for the Blues soon after but goals from Redmond and Cameron Jerome sealed the place at Wembley for the Canaries.

Paul Anderson replaced the injured Luke Varney in an otherwise unchanged Town side, the on-loan Blackburn man having suffered a ruptured achilles in last week’s match. David McGoldrick is again a sub.

Norwich also made one expected change with Wes Hoolahan replacing Graham Dorrans, who drops to the bench.

While the home crowd did their best to emulate the Portman Road atmosphere from last week, the Blues started brightly and created the game’s first chance in the third minute, 27-goal Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy nodding Kevin Bru’s freekick from the right over when he will feel he might have done better.

Town continued to have most of the early possession and on six Anderson crossed from the left but too close to Canaries keeper John Ruddy.

The home side began to see more of the ball and on 11, after a controversially awarded corner on the right, Steven Whittaker curled a 25-yard strike well wide of Bartosz Bialkowski’s goal.

On 13 Murphy seized on a moment of hesitancy from Canaries centre-half Sebastien Bassong on the right and crossed from the byline but too near to Ruddy, who claimed. A minute later, Bru scraped well wide from 25 yards.

First leg goalscorer Anderson was a Town hero again in the 17th minute when, following a corner on the right, the winger blocked Norwich skipper Russell Martin’s low shot from the edge of the box on the line with Bialkowski beaten.

But the expected early Canary pressure had largely failed to materialise with the Blues continuing to have the better of it.

On 20 Teddy Bishop claimed a penalty when skipping past Nathan Redmond as he brought a half-cleared corner back into the box but referee Roger East wasn’t interested. Video replays suggested the Town midfielder may have had a case.

As the clock turned to 21 the Blues support burst into applause in tribute to fan Chris Reynolds, who died aged 21 last month.

On the half hour, with the Blues still on top, Canaries midfielder Bradley Johnson picked up the game’s first yellow card for clattering Bru from behind.

The now-recovered Bru struck another effort from distance on 37 but this time high and wide, Anderson’s harrying having won the ball back deep in the Norwich half.


As in the first leg Cameron Jerome was proving Norwich’s greatest threat and on 41 the former Cardiff man flicked a header which sent Hoolahan away on the left. The Irishman squared to Jonny Howson breaking on the right, but his shot struck Tyrone Mings. Moments later, Johnson wasted a freekick, shooting well over when trying to catch Bialkowski unawares.

Norwich had a brief spell of pressure as the game moved towards injury time but without creating anything significant and the half ended goalless.

Town boss Mick McCarthy will have been the happier manager at the break, the Blues having started strongly and quietened the home support fairly quickly. Despite having threatened once or twice, Norwich had never really got into their stride.

But, while Murphy might have done better with his early header and Bishop may believe he should have won a penalty, the best chance of the first half was Martin’s strike which Anderson cleared off the line. After 135 minutes of football the tie was still anybody’s.

Norwich threatened within seconds of the restart, Howson cut on from the right and played the ball into Jerome, who had his back to goal and went to ground under pressure from Tommy Smith. The loose ball was played out to Martin Olsson on the left but his shot was blocked and Bru cleared.

Town immediately broke through Sears but the former Colchester United man shot into the side-netting.

Four minutes into the second half, Town were struck by a huge double blow. Mings inadvertently fed Hoolahan down the centre, who found Redmond breaking into the area in space on the left. The former Birmingham man drew Bialkowski before hitting a goalbound effort which Berra, who had taken up a position on the line, stopped with his left arm.

Referee East pointed straight to the spot and showed Berra Town’s first red card of the season. The Scotland international had little complaint as he made his way to the tunnel.

Hoolahan took the spotkick and hit the ball to Bialkowski’s right with the keeper diving in the opposite direction to make it 1-0 on the day and 2-1 on aggregate.

Skipper Chambers moved to centre-half and Anderson to right-back as the 10-man Blues reorganised as they looked to get their Wembley dream back on track.

And on right on the hour, Town levelled. Bishop sent over a freekick from the left, Murphy headed down towards goal and Smith skipped in to take the ball past Ruddy before scuffing into the net right-footed from a matter of inches.

The former academy player was mobbed by his team-mates before running to celebrate with the ecstatic Blues support.

But parity was to last only four minutes. Bialkowski saved Olsson’s shot from the left, the loose ball eventually reaching Howson, who fed Redmond to his right and the England U21 international smashed a low shot under the Blues keeper and into the net to restore the Canaries’ lead.

Given their numerical advantage it was no surprise that the home side were by now dominating possession and on 70 they came close to increasing their lead when Howson crossed from the right and Jerome somehow managed to turn it across the face of goal when it seemed easier to score.

The Blues switched Bishop and Bru for Jay Tabb and David McGoldrick as they sought to get themselves on terms for a second time. Three minutes after coming on McGoldrick cleverly fed Mings on the left but the left-back overran the ball.

But the result was all but sealed in the 77th minute when Jerome was played in on goal by Redmond and touched the ball past the advancing Bialkowski and into the net to make it 3-1 on the day and 4-2 on aggregate. There would be no way back for the 10 men from here.

Redmond should have made it four on 80 when Howson him in on goal but he dallied and Mings got back to stab the ball away from him for a corner.

Anderson was replaced by Noel Hunt for the final seven minutes, while Gary Hooper took over from Jerome for the Canaries.

Town continued to look for a way back into the game, Chambers fed in Sears but Bassong stabbed the ball away from the Blues striker.

In injury time McGoldrick scuffed wide, then Skuse was booked for a foul before the game briefly threatened to boil over following a clash between Smith and Redmond but the referee restored order.

Soon after, referee east blew the final whistle to confirm Norwich’s place in the final against Middlesbrough and Town’s 14th successive Championship season.

The Blues can hold their heads high after a typically resilient performance in very touch circumstances.

Having shaded the first half, the match was turned by the penalty incident with Berra seemingly sticking out an instinctive arm to keep the shot out.

The Blues showed their usual resolve to get back into the match but in the end the additional player made the difference and the Canaries took two of their opportunities.

While the defeat to the Canaries is a hugely disappointing way to end the campaign, overall the season has matched the pre-season target of reaching the play-offs, however, that will come as little consolation so soon after the final whistle consigned the Blues to yet another play-off semi-final defeat.

Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Johnson (E Bennett 87), Hoolahan (Dorrans 74), Jerome (Hooper 84). Unused: Rudd, Josh Murphy, R Bennett, O'Neil.

Ipswich: Bialkowski, Chambers, Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru (Tabb 71), Bishop (McGoldrick 71), Anderson (N Hunt 84), Sears, Murphy. Unused: Gerken, Parr, S Hunt, Clarke. Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire). Att: 26,994.


Photo: Action Images



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blueboy1981 added 18:18 - May 16
....... just watched the game yet again - we have much to be proud of, especially first half - shame we couldn't have maintained that first half level, because I am convinced the Norwich defence is CRAP under reasonable pressure.

Boro' have every chance of exploiting that for sure.
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toxtethblue added 18:24 - May 16
Think boro have doubled narwich this season so maybe we'll all get our wish...
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IvorFeeling added 18:51 - May 16
Having had a few painful hours to reflect the truth is that I am proud of my team and the season as a whole. The positives far outweigh the negatives and PR will be a place many pros will be attracted to.

No is not the time for scapegoats and those that are on Mings back need to hang their heads in shame. Yes he is raw, young and makes mistakes but he is wonderfully athletic and a premiership player in the making.

Here is hoping we keep Mick and the nucleus of the squad and get a few good uns in the summer, especially a bit more pace in midfield.

There is alot to look forward to and again thanks to the team who has made most of us beilieve again.

COYB (Boro for the next match only!)
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warktheline added 19:10 - May 16
Blueboy, well said. Always need a touch of luck in any game, today wasn't our day.
Add finesse to our work rate, and we'll be there next season.
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burnhamboy added 19:12 - May 16
Gutted, but why is our play off record so bad? We have been in the playoffs 8 times, more times than any other club and won just once? If you also take into account League Cup semi finals that is 11 chances to get to Wembley and we have only been there once? On a different note, thought we played really well and I truly believe that if Berra had not been sent off, to lose a goal and a player was a real hammer blow, we would have gone on and won the game, I never bought in to the Norwich are miles better than us and over 2 legs until the sending off we were the better team. Hope Boro stuff them next week
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blueboy1981 added 19:15 - May 16
IvorFeeling ......... agree totally with your comments ref Mings - concentration being his only current failing in my opinion, other than experience, which will come.

He has had a great season, make no mistake - and IF still here, will be awesome next season.
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linhdi added 19:22 - May 16
Next year with Hyam and Didsy fit, we'd have a real chance again. I hope we don't lose any of the current squad - with the kids a year older, we are good enough. I am so proud of our team, management and club. Although I am absolutely gutted tonight, I am already so looking forward to pre-season.
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Geoff added 19:24 - May 16
Agree with Romford blue we should have invested in January window signed Darren Bent a decent keeper a right back and a midfield play maker, ME in my opinion has lost interest and is using us as a tax loss against his other businesses,and is sitting on his 700+ million and is blaming FFP as an excuse which plainly everyone else is ignoring.This is unfair on MM +TC if they were given say 10 million to spend would in my opinion get us promoted as they would spend it wisely unlike the other two previous managers. Never the less well done lads you have over achieved this season lets be honest we would have taken the play offs at the start of the season.
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NoelTheDub added 19:24 - May 16
Cant fault the effort in both games but effort and heart on its own is not good enough.We gave everything and our lads deserve great credit but our style of play is draining to watch let alone play as we have to work so hard to get chances from so many 5050s.Again I think Hoolahan is the difference between the two teams because he supplies so many opportunities for his team.Having said all that even with 10 men we were in it but when you can bring on Dorrens and Hooper that hard to take.I also have to have a stab at Tabb as I though it was like playing with 9 men when he came on and was very poor for their 3rd goal would have loved to see Parr or S HUNT getting a run at 2 1 down.I am very happy with our season as a hole but there is small margins in games and we where on the wrong side of these especially today.Most on here will disagree with me but hope everyone connected to our great club have a super summer and roll on next season. COYB....
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John added 19:49 - May 16
Just got back from the game, first and foremost hats off to our brilliant support today, they easily out sung the scum. Proud to be blue today, well done everyone!!!! I could analyse the game but sure it's already been done, one single pivotal moment. COYB
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gino88 added 20:11 - May 16
Proud, frustrated, what could have been, optimistic! Just some of the thoughts in my head once the final whistle sounded today. Whatever we might think about some of the tactical and managerial decisions MM has made this season, he has finally given us all something to cheer about after 10 years of mediocrity in this most punishing of leagues.

We must all put things into context. Begrudgingly, Norwich have a better team on paper and on the field in general. Just looking through their team today: -

John Ruddy; Steven Whittaker; Russell Martin; Sebastian Bassong (2m); Ryan Bennett (3m); Martin Olsson (2.8m); Nathan Redmond (3.5m); Jonny Howson (£1m); Wes Hoolahan (250,000); Alex Tettey (1m); Bradley Johnson; Cameron Jerome (1.5m); Gary Hooper (5m); Lewis Grabban (3m).

Just based on those player figures, Norwich have spent over £20m forming such a squad. We have spent £110,000!! It is impossible to match up the two figures. It just proves how a couple of seasons in the Premier League can truly set you up for a big future.

I now feel we are very close to where Marcus Evans has wanted this club to go for the past few years. The problem is, we need Marcus Evans to now realise this, dip into his bank balance and back Mick next season. He gave Keane and Jewell funds which they really did waste. If Mick was told by Marcus Evans tomorrow morning that he was willing to give him £3-5 million to acquire a classy goalkeeper, creative midfielder and another defender, I honestly believe next season could be our year. Burnley aren't a team to fear next year, QPR will be in dire straits and Hull aren't great either. Then, you have Derby, Middlesbrough/Scum, Wolves, Forest, Brentford plus a few others. I truly believe with a couple of useful acquisitions to our team, we can do some damage next season. The trio of McGoldrick, Sears and Murphy is crucial, Bishop, Bru and Skuse look strong in midfield but may benefit from an added creative midfielder and a quality winger, then you have the defensive conundrum. I do like Chambers and Smith, but both are vulnerable. We need another Berra style authoritive composed defender to come into the right side of defence. Mings will learn from this season. A great start followed by complacency and a clear £8m price tag that almost seemed to overwhelm him from January onwards. This poor form may work in our favour as I believe he is capable of being a special player. Only time will tell! Mick's biggest dilemma should focus on getting in a classy goalkeeper. Bialkowski and Gerken are 5 out of 10 goalkeepers at best. John Ruddy is quality, there is a reason Chelsea are interested in him. Watford had Gomes, Bournemouth had Boruc etc. There are quality goalkeepers in our league, reserve goalkeepers in the Premier League as well as a few useful ones in Leagues 1 and 2 and it is something MM must act on if we are to push on next season.

Without a doubt, this season has seen its highs and lows, peaks and troughs. Daryl Murphy has been unbelievable, Freddie Sears has shown enough in 4 months to persuade me he will be prolific next season, Berra has been a revelation in defence and the emergence of Mings and Bishop makes me feel far more optimistic than I have ever felt in previous seasons. If McGoldrick's body can hold up past February 2016 we may find ourselves in a brilliant position. I plead with all fans to keep the faith and continue supporting the boys into next season!!!
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boysinblue added 20:54 - May 16
Such a shame, we were much better than them first half and got hit at the beginning of the second with an absolute barrage. Can't blame Berra, completely reasonable reflex action. Was never gonna happen with 10 men. But very proud of a fantastic season, we probably have the most likeable bunch of lads in the whole of the football league, so proud!

To all those saying Evans needs to invest, his hands are tied I'm afraid by FFP, you need a a lot of money coming into the club to spend a lot of money! If we can get 7 minion for Tyrone and a few million from Cresswells 25 million move then Bob's your uncle! Mcgoldricks injury is probably a blessing in disguise for us as noone will want to pay what he's worth after he missed half the season, thought he looked a class above when he came on and if he stays injury free next season we could do very well.

I have a very good feeling about next season, if we can keep the core players and the spirit, add a little quality in some key areas then genuinely think we could get automatic with MM and TC at the helm. Onwards and upwards, COYB!!!
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blueboy1981 added 20:57 - May 16
Well that's it for yet another season I guess - the summer !!! .... beckons - hopefully anyway.

Just like to wish everyone a great summer break, thanks for all the dialogue, some good, some bad, and some indifferent - but all great fun.

Even bohslegend may lower himself / herself to agree with (at least one) of my posts in the future - stranger things have happened - but not often !!

To ALL True Blue's - HAVE A GOOD UN' - August will soon be here again, when hopefully we can hit the ground running - and make it, at last, to the 'lucrative and promised land' once again.

Who Knows ??

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pastystringbean added 21:29 - May 16
I'm so proud of the boys today, £110000 against £25000000, battled all the way and we deserved so much more, next season boys, next season.
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blubastion added 21:36 - May 16
What`s wrong with all you muppets blaming Tyrone Mings.? I thought he had a good game today.The lad is still young with huge potential why can`t you see it.. Why should we be selling him.? Give him another year under MM & TC and he will develop.. Get behind the team we have done well this season and will improve next year if we keep this group together..Keep the faith.!
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gamezone added 21:56 - May 16
If today's game has shown one thing to all the so called fans, just look at Tommy Smiths performance, stepped up to cover for poor Berra, Tommy has constantly covered for Tyrone sense Christmas, he is true team player. Tommy will be off to bigger things next season he is a true professional. Good luck you deserve it Tommy.
1

ChestnutSe added 22:00 - May 16
Great performance today. Thought we shaded the first half. Really felt for Berra today. So typical that he should be the last line of defence. Great goal from Smithy. Superb season from the team, management and supporters. Onwards and upwards. COYB
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blueherts added 22:04 - May 16
blueboy - Top draw - I know we may not always agree but that is not a bad thing - as at the heart we all want what is best for the club and as you have said well on here tonight the pieces are there and the foundations
One point from today non 'Football' related - the scenes on the pitch after the game were an embarrasment - Hundreds of police around us and the scummers free to run all over the pitch and confront players - Noel Hunt had to be dragged away by his brother from a fan who faced up to him - totally unacceptable and I hope Boro stuff em !
Enjoy the break !!
6

PJH added 22:06 - May 16
The word that keeps cropping up is "proud".

Thank you MM,TC and the players for giving us this season and making us proud to be ITFC fans.
We have got a togetherness here that few clubs can match and I doubt if any can better.
Let's be ready to go again in August-hopefully with Naarrwich still on our fixture list.
COYB
5

MattinLondon added 22:39 - May 16
Proud of the team and proud of everyone connected with the team. Especially so considering throughout this season all we've read about is how poor we are and that we are 'anti-football'.
Think its important to move on and for the management to know which players want to stay here next season or who the management want to stay at PR. Personally I think we need more creativity with players who are comfortable on the ball. But today isn't the day to be critical. Roll on next season.
2

BrettenhamBlue added 22:47 - May 16
Good to see so much genuine humbleness in defeat here. We should feel proud of our team and how close they came.

Nice to see the lack of humbleness on their sites too. You can tell a lot about a group or person when they win. All I can see from their side is Ego, Ego, Ego. Pride comes before a fall, and hopefully that fall will come next week. Gods vrs Men etc....well for 120 mins we couldn't see that.

Mings needs to go. We can use the cash to reinvest in the squad.
1

Fat_Boy_Tim added 23:34 - May 16
Great Season, well done Town, MM, TC and the board. We were clearly the better team in the first half but they came at us like a train start of the 2nd which led to the penalty and the rest is history.

I think it's poor of some people on here to try to blame Mings for the sending off, he was fantastic in that first half and missed passes happen all of the time, he was unlucky that one lead to the pen.

We would be stupid to sell Mings if we have any ambition, this was essentially his first season playing anywhere near this standard of football and he will only develop as a player. If we keep him next season he will tear this league up. Bish is going to be immense too, if we can hang onto them and add a attacking right back or a classy right winger and let Chambo be defensive we will be right up at the sharp end next year.
2

brinkleyblue added 00:15 - May 17
We cannot fault Berra despite the handball, he has been by far the best defender in the league this season and in my opinion is our classiest player, even more so than Murph. Overall has been a good season, we have got to build on it next season and hope Marcus invests. Even so, I except Teddy Bishop will mature over the summer and become the standout central midfielder in the league next season, and a firing Freddie Sears will be a force to be reckoned with. Things are looking up boys. Keep the faith and we can get the automatics next season, in Mick we trust. #coyb
1

WestNorfolk_Blue added 00:18 - May 17
As my earlier post has been somhow removed!!!! i would stil like to than Mick and Terry for a fantastic season plus all concerned wirh ITFC. It has been an up and down season but looking forward to next year. Plus i really look forward to tonkin the budgies next term
1

grumpyblue1966 added 07:09 - May 17
I'm sorry but we need to get rid of mcgoldrick and mings and RE invest I live in derby and mcgoldrick been house hunting in Nottingham. Next year will be even tougher to get up e.g Qpr burnley Fulham and Leeds who are going to spend big in the summer evens need to spend 4 million plus to let us have a chance but I will not hold my breath he is a tight c**t. All we get are loan players or players out of contract. Wish evens would leave as we never see him. We are 78 million in the red and going up so I have no faith in a man who is slowly killing this club.


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