First-half goals from Craig Bryson, Tom Ince and former Blue Darren Bent saw Derby to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Town in front of Portman Road’s lowest league crowd for more than 17 years. Bryson and Ince netted on nine and 12 to set the Rams on their way and Bent added the third just before the break and the Blues never looked like getting back into the game.

Skipper Luke Chambers, who is staying with Town despite interest from his former club Nottingham Forest, started for the Blues with manager Mick McCarthy making three changes from the team which drew 1-1 at Preston on Saturday.

Paul Digby, Jordan Spence and Kevin Bru came into the side for Josh Emmanuel and Grant Ward, who dropped to the bench, and Toumani Diagouraga, who missed out.

The Blues started in a 3-5-2 system with Chambers in the centre of the defence between Christophe Berra and Paul Digby. Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen were the wing-backs.

In central midfield Cole Skuse was partnered by Kevin Bru with Tom Lawrence ahead of them and Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman up front.

Derby were without Blues nemesis David Nugent (knee), midfielder Will Hughes (hamstring) and winger Jonny Russell (knee). Ex-Blues striker Bent started.

After a scruffy start, Derby won a series of corners which eventually led to their opening goal in the ninth minute.

Chambers headed a flag-kick from the right clear, the ball was played back into the right of the box to Ince, who took it down and laid it to Bryson on the edge of the box, from where he struck a low shot past Bartosz Bialkowski to his right.

Within three minutes it was 2-0. Ince brought the ball in from the right unchallenged and smashed a left-footed shot across Bialkowski and into the net, a goal reminiscent of Lawrence’s at Preston on Saturday but from the other flank.

Town switched to a four-man backline as they looked to get back into the game with Digby moving into five-man midfield with Lawrence on the left and Sears the right and Pitman up front on his own.

The Blues threatened for the first time in the 21st minute when Lawrence tricked his way past a couple of defenders on the edge of the box then hit a shot which was too close to Derby keeper Scott Carson.

Town toiled as they sought to get back in the game but Derby created the next opportunity, Abdoul Camara cut the ball back to Ince, whose low shot was too close to Bialkowski.

The Blues were making little headway with Derby happy to sit back and let Town play the ball around unthreateningly at the back. With nine minutes of the half remaining McCarthy switched Digby for David McGoldrick.

On 41 Lawrence made a run towards goal towards the right and hit a shot which was blocked. The loose ball fell to Bru, but his low cross into the area was cut out.

Two minutes later, Bru sent Sears away on the right and the ex-West Ham man won the first of three corners. From the third, Chambers headed into the ground and Carson pawed the ball away from Berra at the far post.

Moments later, Lawrence, Town’s only first-half danger man, turned his ankle as he cut inside a defender and required treatment.

In injury time Ince sent a dangerous ball across the Blues six-yard box, which Chambers turned behind.

And in the aftermath of the resultant corner, the Rams made it 3-0. The ball was cleared to Bryson just outside the area from where he struck a powerful shot which Bialkowski superbly tipped onto the bar.

However, the ball was sent back in from the right and an unmarked Bent nodded into the net from close range with several Town players claiming that the former England striker - who didn’t celebrate against his old club - had fouled Knudsen as the ball came over but to no avail.

Soon after referee Andrew Madley’s whistle ended the half and started a chorus of boos which followed manager McCarthy off the pitch and down the tunnel.

Derby had hardly been made to work for their three goals, the two early strikes having set the half up for them perfectly.

Having got comfortably in front the Rams were happy to sit back and let Town try to find a way through them, which the Blues were wholly incapable of managing with only Lawrence showing any threat at all.

The third goal was just as poor as the other two from a Town perspective and made the already very difficult task of getting back into the game all but impossible.

Lawrence was replaced by Ward at the start of the second half, the Wales international having succumbed to the injury he suffered at the end of the first period.

The Blues were first to threaten after the restart, Sears hitting a 47th minute shot from the left of the box which deflected over. Two minutes later, Ince hit a low effort through to Bialkowski from the edge of the box.

On 50 Knudsen crossed from the left and found McGoldrick at the far post but the Irish international’s strike was hit straight at a defender.

Derby should have gone four in front in the 53rd minute when Bent cut the ball back to Ince who shot against the outside of Bialkowski’s right post from eight yards with the goal gaping following a swift counter-attack.

The Rams continued to look the more likely scorers with Bialkowski saving well from Bent as the game moved towards the hour mark.

After Ward had sent over a dangerous low ball from the right which Carson cleared with his boot, Kieffer Moore replaced Pitman in the Town attack.

The 6ft 6in striker immediately got involved, hurling himself towards a Bru cross from the right but a defender got to the ball ahead of him. Soon after, Ince curled a freekick over at the other end, then ex-Blue Bent was applauded off by his old fans as he was replaced by Matej Vydra.

Derby continued to look the more likely next scorers, Bialkowski saving from Bryson on 69, then making an even more impressive stop from Jacob Butterfield, the Pole somehow clawing the ball away from his line after the former Barnsley man had hit a low shot to his right having been found on the left of the box by Ince’s clever pass.

On 75 Bru won a freekick 25 yards out which McGoldrick got over the wall but too close to Carson.

Town kept at it and as the game moved into its final five minutes Ward claimed a penalty after he looked to have been caught as he took the ball inside a defender on the edge of the area after good work from McGoldrick. Referee Madley was again unmoved.

Moments later, Moore saw a shot deflect wide, then from the corner the big striker headed back across the area but Marcus Olsson cleared.

Boos greeted the final whistle but many of the 14,719, Town’s lowest home league attendance since December 1999 when 14,712 watched the 3-1 defeat of nine-man West Brom, had already made their way home after another thoroughly disappointing Portman Road display by the Blues.

The game was all but over after the two early Derby goals with the third sealing it before half-time.

After the break the Blues toil with little success and but for some poor finishing and another impressive display from Bialkowski in goal the Rams would have increased their margin of victory.

The result sees Town drop to 17th but still 10 points off the relegation zone but with Wigan and Blackburn in 22nd and 23rd having two games in hand over the Blues.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Digby (McGoldrick 36), Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Lawrence (Ward 46), Sears, Pitman (Moore 66). Unused: Gerken, Douglas, Dozzell, Emmanuel.

Derby: Carson, Baird (Christie 80), Keogh (c), Pearce, Olsson, Johnson, Bryson, Butterfield, Ince, Camara (Anya 56), Bent (Vydra 69). Unused: Mitchell, Shackell, de Sart, Blackman. Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 14,719 (Derby: 464).

Photo: Action Images

wychyblue added 23:07 - Jan 31 Living up in the midlands ( and going to 90%of the games) I have quite a few fans of Wolves who find it amusing what is happening to us as it is exactly the same pattern as when stubborn Mick was there. I believe it took a 5-0 beating by their local rivals (WBA) to force him out . It wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility of that happened no to us in a few ŵeeks could it .

7

JAITFC added 23:10 - Jan 31 We need to start posting on the MarcusEvans twitter page and make him listen to the fans. He needs to understand that he is ruining our club. Invest or leave. You are using ITFC as a hobby and disgracing the memory of names such as Robson and Ramsey who built the history of our club. They would be disgusted by the current state. You are ruining the footballing lives of every SUPPORTER and making us an embarrassment in all forms of the game.

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Palestine added 23:14 - Jan 31 The football of MM is abysmal, and it looks like he has lost the team. That said, ultimately Evans is more to blame than Mick - he is killing the club, and has to go. Of course Mick should too. There's just zero reason to go and watch your club being slowly killed.
13

warktheline added 23:15 - Jan 31 Euphoria to desolation!!!! Another mad hatters tea party cancelled! No my oh my tonight! If we're still in the Championship come end of season I'll be surprised! What a BLOODY NIGHTMARE, our club is shot to pieces, a ruddy mess! Good night!
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MickMillsTash added 23:26 - Jan 31 Terrible starting line up- Bru, Spence and Digby should not be anywhere near Terrible starting formation - does anyone including McCarthy believe in 3-5-2 with our players? Terrible first 10 minutes - we ran out of ideas after 2 minutes Terrible 3rd goal - how many times in the build up did we refuse to close down Terrible transfer window - desperate for quality we've signed non-leaguers and non squad players (who will not be fit) and we lost Varney Terrible Squad- not one striker unless Moore turns up trumps Terrible leadership - at owner and board level- can anyone trust them? Terrible management - changing formation like this is a sign of desperation Terrible outlook- no money, senior players leaving or their legs have gone, no money to replace them, budget wages, If the owner does not change his strategy - Whoever the manager is - we are going down in the next 16 months Summary F@ck1ng Sh1te - time to be very worried

8

itfchorry added 23:37 - Jan 31 The Ipswich fans backing McCarthy and Evans, need to hang their heads in total shame. Inept
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RoyalAscotBlue added 23:48 - Jan 31 So, at 2-0 down within the first 12 minutes we went even more defensive. Be positive though... we secured a couple more loans!
4

leahcar88 added 00:03 - Feb 1 What a load of garbage! Ward only one with any sort of credit. Enough is enough
3

GiveusaWave added 02:08 - Feb 1 What is going on in training? Pittman and Sears were accomplished strikers. Douglas was ok before he came here. Berra used to be good. Knudsen was nowhere near the player of Mings or Cresswell but he's got much worse. Spence seems to have got worse in a week. GK trainer deserves maximum credit but outfield play is abysmal and we are becoming a joke.
7

TrueBlue1998 added 02:25 - Feb 1 Not convinced by negative comments Mick is getting. You honestly think he wouldn't spend if he could?! Evans is a joke, taking the mickey out of our once great club
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Matthew_Crush added 02:59 - Feb 1 How people react makes me laugh , What would all of you be like if we were rock bottom facing almost certain relegation losing 3, 4 or 5-0 every week , Cant moan anymore than you do or say any worse than already can you ? If it's so bad then write this season off and look forward to next season , You want Evans to invest ? He isn't going to invest with fans like this , he wants loyal fans who dont kick off when we have a bad spell , everyone has bad spells so deal with it and show respect to the manager and chairman then perhaps they will show us some respect !!!

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Hegansheroes added 05:55 - Feb 1 Even Mick mills on Radio Suffolk implied MM does not have a clue what to do but being diplomatic didn't actually say it. He has started to criticize MM over the past few months.
5

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:46 - Feb 1 Don't worry Matthew Crush, give it 6 weeks & you'll see what it's like!!!!
4

Spanishblueblood added 07:03 - Feb 1 Mathew crush and trueblue 1988 Its prats like you that are adding to the problem. Of course its Micks fault, he selects the starting 11, he selects the formation and tactics (kick n run) Anyone with the slightest bit of nous can see that a back 3 with Berra in it, just doesn't work. Everyone can see that the likes of Douglas and Knudsen are awful. Everyone can see that setting out to not lose, rather than to go for a win, is not going to get you many points! Yet our great manager fails to see any of these points and people like you blame this on ME and think its not Micks fault at all. GET REAL!

8

martin587 added 07:49 - Feb 1 In my whole life of watching Ipswich as a season ticket holder have I seen such an inept uninspired performance from a Town side.They lack confidence,and seem void of any idea as to playing football.They obviously have very little trust in MM whatsoever. I hate to say this but MM should RESIGN now.This club is spirreling out of control at a rapid pace.The owner has totally lost the plot and so have his so called advisors.Even the crowd was poor last night and I'm sure it will be worse on Saturday.Long term season ticket holders wer leaving at half time and that says a lot for the club. THIS JUST CANNOT GO ON FOR MUCH LONGER.!!

11

Swn98 added 08:23 - Feb 1 Having not got home till 11.45 and soaked through I could not be bothered to comment after watching such inept performance however I've come to the conclusion that MM has indeed lost the plot how he could set up the team the way he did to play against such a good marauding team as Derby baffles me. I believe that the toxic atmosphere the complete lack of financial support and clear vision from the board has finely worn him down so my advice to him is to resign to leave with dignity. Approach Terry Butcher and Matty Holland with Mick Mills as director of football and see where things are at the end of the season. Marcus Evans is to blame for most of this sorry state surely if his head office was crumbling from the foundations he would employ builders to fix it or move to another building. This is what he needs to do so do it!!!

19

dirtydingusmagee added 08:33 - Feb 1 where are the ''happy '' clan '' Swn and chums, the t#ssers that think we should go elsewhere [Carrow rd] if we cant support McCarthy. Even after the debacle against Lincoln this as bad as it gets,All the usual crap prior to match from McCarthy ''hoping to build on the Preston match'' Mc CARTHY YOU COULDNT BUILD A F##KING SAND CASTLE . . Evans is obviously happy to sit there and watch the club sink,If he cant or wont spend, he would if he cared at all sack McCarthy. Lowest attendance for 18 years ,[and LIKELY to get lower which hopefully will bring about change] says it all.

9

Cakeman added 08:43 - Feb 1 Very painful. What did I see last night?........lack of effort by a few who clearly do not want to Play for us anymore. Those that do want to play are not good enough (Bart and Lawrence aside) Coupled with the Manager at a loss as to what to do and he is now making bizarr decisions such as changing the team which played reasonably well at Preston. Not sure how much the owner wants to invest anymore either? All in all very grim and we will be lucky to remain in the Championship!

6

Swn98 added 08:48 - Feb 1 Can't you read show some humility Dirty please.
1

Swn98 added 08:51 - Feb 1 Dirty I have never said anyone should go to Carrow Rd so please don't put lies on here you really are the worst specimen of a supposed Ipswich supporter.
-1

IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:13 - Feb 1 It is like finding that a much loved and respected Uncle who used to give support encouragement and sound advice has fallen in with some smack-heads and is now stealing stuff from his family. One may remember them with great fondness but currently they are took messed up to have any dealings with, so unless they change their friends and their way of operating best not upset yourself by watching their self-induced collapse .

3

bugledog123 added 09:24 - Feb 1 Poor match. We had so much possession but did nothing with it. Evans does not want to invest so he needs to sell up to someone who does.....
5

senduntd added 09:27 - Feb 1 Lets get real. Derby county team cost 50/60 million. No way can we compete. Can't believe these juvenile idiots booing their own players, do they think it will encourage the team? Got stuffed in the first half but we held our own after half time. Unlucky on a number of occasions. Moore got flattened in the penalty area which the referee ignored. Really worried by Laurence injury.

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KiwiBlue2 added 09:35 - Feb 1 Very surprised to see a 3-5-2 line up against Derby when 4-4-2 worked well at Preston. I had hoped the Preston line-up would get a run of games. The endless chopping and changing is not helping. Am becoming very concerned about our position and fear that if we dont pick up at least 6 points this month we will finish February very close to the drop zone.
3

KiwiBlue2 added 09:38 - Feb 1 Very considerate of Darren not to put the boot in by celebrating his goal ........ such a shame he is so far out of our reach these days......
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