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Ipswich Town 0-2 Nottingham Forest - Match Report
Saturday, 19th Nov 2016 19:46

Two Britt Assombalonga goals, the first after 17 seconds, the fastest in the Championship this season, and the second in first-half injury time, saw Nottingham Forest to a 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, their first away win of the season. Town huffed and puffed as they looked for a way back into the game in the second half but never seriously threatened a resolute Forest backline.

Josh Emmanuel’s return for the injured Adam Webster was Town’s only change with the 19-year-old in his usual right-back role with skipper Luke Chambers moving to the centre of the defence.

Forest made two changes with Daniel Pinillos making his return from injury at left-back after 11 months with Hildeberto Pereira banned following his third red card of the season. Chris Cohen was absent with a groin injury and Thomas Lam came into midfield.

The game was only 17 seconds old when the visitors went in front. After Town had kicked off, a long ball hit forward by the Forest defence was nodded inside by Jonas Knudsen towards Christophe Berra but the Dane caught the centre-half off balance.

Ben Osborn picked up the loose ball and fed Assombalonga, who was in the clear to the left of goal and hit a shot across Bartosz Bialkowski and into the net to claim the fastest goal in the Championship so far this season.

Forest continued to have the better of the opening minutes and on seven Pajtim Kasami found himself the space to shoot at the far post on the right but failed to trouble Bialkowski.

In the 17th minute Assombalonga struck a freekick which caught the wall and was claimed by Bialkowski after Teddy Bishop had given the ball away to the former Peterborough striker, then fouled him not far outside the area.

A minute later, Kasami hit a low effort from the left which Bialkowski helped past his post, although the shot appeared to be going wide in any case.

Town’s first effort at goal came in the 19th minute but Tom Lawrence’s 30-yard freekick flew wide.

On 25 Bialkowski did well to stretch to grab Eric Lichaj’s deflected cross from the right ahead of Assombalonga, whose pace on the counter-attack was proving a big threat for the visitors.

Town had struggled to make an impression on the game having been rocked by the early goal but on the half hour they weren’t far from equalising.

Lawrence turned Emmanuel’s clever ball into feet into the path of McGoldrick, who cut in from the right and curled a shot which Forest keeper Vladimir Stojkovic pawed away from goal when the striker seemed destined to score against his old club.

But Forest remained the more dangerous looking side and went close again on 37 when Damien Perquis’s header from a corner on the right was blocked on the line at the post by Knudsen.


A minute before the scheduled break a frustrated McGoldrick was booked for a foul on Kasami on halfway having given the ball away just outside the Forest area.

And in the aftermath of the freekick, the visitors doubled their lead. The Blues were repeatedly unable to clear and Assombalonga stooped to head home after Matt Mills had nodded on a cross from the right which had deflected into the air.

Lawrence scuffed a frustrated shot well wide before the half was brought to an end by the referee’s whistle, which was greeted by a chorus of boos.

Town’s first half had got off to the worst possible start, had ended in the same manner and hadn’t been much better in between with the Blues never really getting going after the shock of conceding so early on.

When Town had got on the ball all too often passes went astray, while Lawrence’s freekick and McGoldrick’s shot, which was well saved by Stojkovic, were the only two chances which had been created.

The Blues, so impressive at Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago, required a huge improvement in the second half and it was little surprise that manager Mick McCarthy made two changes with Kevin Bru and one-time Forest loanee Jonny Williams replacing Bishop and Ward.

Town began the half on the front foot with a number of dangerous balls flying across the box but without falling to Blue shirts.

But it was Bialkowski who made the first serious save of the second half, the Polish keeper getting down to his right to block Henri Lansbury’s shot with Emmanuel hooking the loose ball away.

On 55 Lawrence smashed over a low ball from the right which Stojkovic palmed into the middle of the penalty area by past McGoldrick and rather fortunately to a Forest boot, which cleared.

A minute later double goalscorer Assombalonga was replaced by Apostolos Vellios, who was immediately booked for a foul on McGoldrick. On 63 Forest switched Pinillos for Michael Mancienne.

Forest should have made it 3-0 a minute later when the ball was cut back from the left and Berra stabbed it away from Vellios, but it fell loose to Kasami, who slammed his shot against the outside of the post from the edge of the box when he should have scored.

At the other end, Bru played in Sears on the right of the area but the former West Ham man’s ball into the area was cleared.

On 69 Lansbury was booked for a bodycheck on Sears, then while the Blues prepared to take the freekick Emmanuel was replaced by Luke Varney.

Town were getting balls in the box but all too often they’d be cleared by the first defender or would find the keeper’s arms. Forest were continuing to look much more of a danger on the break with a goal looking possible every time they went forward.

Lansbury curled a shot into Bialkowski’s arms in the 71st minute on such a counter-attack before Lawrence scraped a low shot wide at the other end.

Sub Varney threatened for the first time on 74 but Stojkovic got across to his left to claim.

Two minutes later, Lawrence claimed a penalty when he skipped into the area and appeared to have his legs taken from under him as he cut inside Mancienne. Referee Peter Bankes showed no interest.

Forest had another chance to make it 3-0 in the 83rd minute when skipper Chambers headed the ball into the path of Vellios, but his shot was too close to Bialkowski.

A minute later Lawrence claimed a penalty for a second time when he exchanged a one-two with McGoldrick and ran into the solid wall of Forest defenders which was continuing to successfully repel everything the Blues threw at them.

Town continued to look for an opening in vain as the game moved into four minutes of injury time, a somewhat conservative figure given the extensive time-wasting by Stojkovic and his defenders during the second half.

Knudsen shot wide from distance on the left, then shortly before the end the ball ricocheted over the bar off the Dane’s boot.

The final whistle was greeted by boos, albeit more muted than those at half-time, but after another frustrating half.

Having gained their two-goal lead before the break, Forest were able to sit back in numbers and defend their lead, which they did successfully with Stojkovic never forced to make a serious save.

Town, who have struggled when behind all season, frequently got into positions to get crosses into the area but the Forest backline were largely untroubled and deservedly recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

The visitors might well have won the game more convincingly with the second half’s best chances theirs, Kasami hitting the post with an opportunity he really should have taken.

The result, Town’s second home defeat of the season, sees the Blues drop to 17th in the table with QPR, who beat Norwich City 2-1 earlier today, at Portman Road next Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel (Varney 70), Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bishop (Bru 46), Ward (Williams 46), Lawrence, Sears. McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Kenlock, Douglas, Dozzell.

Nottingham Forest: Stojkovic, Lichaj, Mills, Perquis, Worrall, Pinillos (Mancienne 63), Lansbury (c), Lam (Grant 85), Kasami, Osborn, Assombalonga (Vellios 56). Unused: Henderson, Dumitru-Cardoso, Carayol, Lica. Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool). Att: 15,417 (523).


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prebsa added 19:45 - Nov 19
Total shambles we are a team in disarray. The players have no idea what they are doing and it's all run by the mastermind that is Mick! We didn't deserve anything from the game. Can't defend, can't attack, just can't play football.

Nothing will change until mick is gone! Marcus too would be nice!

Mick out!
64

sproughtonblue added 19:46 - Nov 19
No movement, no passion, no idea,
McCarthy out now.
48

REIDIE4 added 19:48 - Nov 19
Never have I been more embarrassed to be a Town fan. These are dire times for our club unless some change happens fast. No heart, no intent, no passion. No idea where the team from last week went!

McCarthy and Evans out please
57

jcITFC added 19:48 - Nov 19
Was going to go on a big rant but I honestly cannot be bothered- just purely fed up and frustrated.

I think that was the first time i've ever watch a televised game where I could clearly hear all what the players were saying...the atmosphere was that dead, and I don't blame the fans
46

weevil added 19:48 - Nov 19
Absolutely woeful. Dire dire dire performance. Best glimmers were from players we do not even own. Knudsen was an absolute disaster, no communication between anyone, no link up play, no retaining possession. It was just cross it in and hope for the best. Problem with that tactic is THERE IS NO MURPHY TO CROSS IT TO. You have McGoldrick who prays outside the box, Sears who is suffering from some sort of syndrome being forced to play wide for so long he's forgotten how to be a striker.

This team needs a major shake up.
Bialkowski - 8
Emmanuel - 5
Chambers - 4
Berra - 4
Knudsen - 2
Skuse - 5
Bishop - 4
Bru - 6
Ward - 4
Williams - 7
Lawrence - 7
Sears - 5
McGoldrick - 5
Varney - 4
33

paulm3paw added 19:49 - Nov 19
Would love to say it's a one off but it's been like this for a long time now. Mick knows he is a lucky man with a owner who don't mind if we lose or win as long as the books are on a level keel . Sad sad time at ITFC
43

TractorCam added 19:49 - Nov 19
The constant use of useless players who surprisingly don't get any better is killing us. 17 seconds my favourite "dynamic duo" of Knudsen and Berra have already messed us over for a goal. Defence was a shambles, apart from Emmanuel, he had an alright game. Can't wait until next month when we next get to see him play when another defender gets injured/suspended.

If Mick really cared about this club he'd leave now, he clearly isn't going to take us any further. Shame really, as 2nd half we were certainly going for it, think Mick has officially lost the plot as Sears was playing everywhere from left mid to right back!
38

EssexTractor added 19:49 - Nov 19
There are thousands of words in the English Language, but maybe none have been invented to describe what the 15,000 home fans and the TV viewers have seen at Portman Road tonight to convey properly the saddest ever first half performance from Ipswich Town Football Club.

38

grumpyoldman added 19:50 - Nov 19
Lets see, Forest hadn't won all season away, they win; Rotherham hadn't gained a point all season away they draw. Please can the next first be the first manager ITFC have sacked all season! Did not watch the game, didn't even follow on text or radio, MM is slowly helping me lose all interest in the blues.
38

Chondzoresk added 19:52 - Nov 19
For the love of God McCarthysaurus, please go. For the sanity of the fans please go. Our once proud amazing football club is dying. You are now slowly strangling it. No ideas, no plan, a,b,c,d, etc...you are a total and utter disgrace. Go and go right now. Evans has a lot to answer for too.
36

wychyblue added 19:54 - Nov 19
get the right manager in and it helps . Ask Cardiff and Derby fans
25

DurhamTownFan added 19:57 - Nov 19
Can we call for something more from Evans at the QPR game? Anyone fancy making some voices heard about him? 'We want our club back' or something similar?

I am now firmly in the MM out camp, but even if we did get rid of him (which we won't) nothing will change u til Evans changes his attitude: does he want to gamble or is he happy to just sit tight? Either way, can he please tell us?
25

ShropshireBluenago09 added 19:57 - Nov 19
Just awful.
Just like the Jewell/ Keane days.
No passion, no fight, no guile, wayward passing, poor control, poor crossing…the list goes on.
We are too expectant of McGoldrick who played well, but its almost as if all the pressure is on him to find the net. Sears was poor tonight. Why was Best not playing? surely better than Sears and Varney?
Midfield poor, as usual. Skuse non-existent, Bishop to Naive , Lawrence had a good game but Ward should be dropped also.
Need a new midfield or sign Lawrence and Williams, and 2 new quality strikers to even stay up IMO.
12

jas0999 added 20:00 - Nov 19
... And this is why the owner - Marcus Evans - flogs tickets at rip off; sorry extremely competitive prices to witness such flair, entertainment with high quality high priced players on show.

Now back to reality. What an absolute shambles. Let's forget Sheffield Wednesday, even the most useless of teams will get the odd good result. Forest today for example got their first away win and clean sheet of the season - must have been playing utter rubbish? Oh.

Now is a good time to remember that MM stuck two fingers up at the fans and expected us to almost apologise after we beat Sheffield. Snide comments about the fans and his brilliance, well tonight he and indeed Marcus Evans need to apologise. Both are destroying this club.
45

itfchorry added 20:00 - Nov 19
Please do the honourable thing Mick -

Your brand of football is not a fit for us.

In 46 years of following - it has never been
this bad - both on and off the pitch.
36

poggie added 20:00 - Nov 19
Embarrassing all round! Where was the passion ... commitment ... urgency?? ... My boyfriend is a Newcastle fan - it's hard not to be jealous right now!!
13

ozzie added 20:01 - Nov 19
Big Sam, get him in and shake the tree to see if Evans is serious about this club.
-9

chepstowblue added 20:02 - Nov 19
Relieved that we have points in the bag as when I witness performances like that there cant be 3 worse sides in the division. Its a clueless shapeless mess. We go forward in slow motion,put aimless balls into the box when there are no blue shirts in there and defend in the 1st half in a manner that would embarrass under 10s. I thought last weeks win would have at least given us a bit of confidence but far from it. Genuinely concerned as the odd half decent performance surprises the hell out of me. Even the so called expert summarisers/pundits who generally say too much are at a loss to say anything about us as I don't think they can comprehend what they're watching ! Truly awful display again.
18

carsey added 20:03 - Nov 19
Absolutely awful. I hope McCarthy doesn't try to justify that No effort no drive and as for Chambers and McGoldrick it beggers any comment.
I couldn't go because the toilet was blocked so I spent the time with my hand pulling $hit out the bog and it was more entertaining
18

multiplescoregasms added 20:03 - Nov 19
Wish I could say something positive about that performance, but I just can't. 14 goals in 17 league goals is awful, and a 2-0 home defeat against a team that haven't won in 8 or won away this season, is just unacceptable. The funny thing about all this is that a win would have put us 3 points off the play-offs. A poor team in a poor division.
13

Edmundo added 20:04 - Nov 19
Embarrassed to be a Town fan. Apathy in the stands, clueless, feckless idiocy on the pitch, and an owner who couldn't give a flying one. ME please sell up.
25

verulam added 20:04 - Nov 19
...and no post match interview from Mick on Sky. Presumably lost for words.
12

JimmyP45 added 20:05 - Nov 19
90 minutes of absolute crap. No positives to take at all. Mick you have lost the fans, you have to go now!
23

ArnieM added 20:05 - Nov 19
Utter garbage.
15

Sixto6 added 20:05 - Nov 19
Awful uninspiring football, and unfortunately I don't think there's any way McCarthy is going to or be sacked ! Really fear we've got a few more months of dire boring football ! And I daren't imagine the consequences !
17


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