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Ipswich Town 1-1 Leeds United - Match Report
Saturday, 18th Feb 2017 17:10

Freddie Sears netted his first goal for four months as the Blues drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Portman Road. The striker turned home Grant Ward’s right-wing cross in the ninth minute but Stuart Dallas equalised against the run of play on 42 with Town having much the better of the chances in the second half, David McGoldrick going closest to winning it when he hit the bar.

Sears, Christophe Berra and Cole Skuse returned to the Town side facing Leeds, while skipper Luke Chambers started despite suffering a cracked rib during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday.

The Blues continued with their 3-5-2 system with Berra in the middle of the back three with Chambers on the right and Jonas Knudsen on the left.

Josh Emmanuel dropped to the bench with Jordan Spence moving to right wing-back.

In midfield, Cole Skuse replaced Toumani Diagouraga, who was unavailable against his parent club, while Sears took over from the suspended Tom Lawrence up front alongside McGoldrick.

Tommy Smith was back on the bench for the first time since undergoing back surgery in September. Leeds made one change with Dallas replacing Kemar Roofe wide on the left.

On a Portman Road pitch showing signs of wear and tear, the visitors started on the front foot but without creating an opportunity and on nine the Blues went ahead with their first attack of the match.

Emyr Huws, sporting a bandage having had stitches to a head wound at Brighton, won the ball midway inside the Leeds half on the left. The Wales international brought it across field before feeding Ward on the right, who sent over a cross which Sears steered home on the volley

It was the returning striker’s third goal of the season and his first since October 29th.

The Blues began to probe for a second, Sears quickly won a corner on the left having been sent away by a clever McGoldrick flick, then on 16 Ward caught a dawdling defender in possession not too far outside the area and hit a shot which flew just over Rob Green’s bar.

Town almost went two in front in the 27th minute when, following a corner, Huws brought the ball in from the right and cut a low ball across the six-yard box towards Knudsen only inches out, but somehow a defender managed to deflect his effort at goal over.

From the resultant corner, Huws whipped in a dangerous ball which Green was forced to paw over from under his bar.


The Blues continued to dominate and just after the half hour Spence sent over a cross from the right which McGoldrick nodded behind from a difficult angle.

Leeds full-back Luke Ayling wasted a rare visitors break in the 32nd minute, cutting the ball back behind all his team-mates having escaped on the right.

The Whites had hardly been in it after the Town goal but in the 42nd minute they got back on terms.

Hadi Sacko sent over a deep cross from the right, which Chris Wood flicked on towards the far post. The otherwise excellent Spence got caught facing the wrong way as the ball came across and Stuart Dallas nipped in behind him and somehow slipped home between Bartosz Bialkowski and the post.

The Blues were unable to carve out an opportunity to restore their lead before the half-time whistle was greeted by warm applause from the home supporters after impressive half from Town.

Having made a sluggish start, the Blues - with Frans Thijssen and Arnold Muhren watching from the directors’ box - scored their very well-worked goal.

From there Town, with Huws again the standout performer, dominated the half with Knudsen’s chance the Blues’ best opportunity to extend their lead. The late Leeds goal came from their first serious attack and came very much against the run of play.

Leeds switched Ronaldo Vieira for Liam Bridcutt for the second half, which the Blues started brightly.

Neither side had created a serious chance, although with Leeds having had most of the ball, before Kevin Bru replaced Skuse, who had missed the previous two games with an achilles injury, on the hour.

On 64 Sears got in behind the Leeds defence on the right from a McGoldrick flick but Pontus Jansson slid in to cut out the striker’s low ball across the box towards his partner up front.

From the corner, the Blues went very close to restoring their lead. Huws’s ball in from the right dropped to McGoldrick who chipped on the turn over Green but off the bar. Berra was first to the rebound but could only nod into Green’s arms.

Town continued to press and on 66 McGoldrick hit a freekick from 25 yards out into the Leeds wall.

The Blues went close again four minutes later when Bru chipped a freekick into the box, the ball was knocked down into the six-yard area and a defender somehow got a touch when McGoldrick seemed certain to tap home from inches out.

Town kept pressing, McGoldrick found Sears with a cross from the right but the West Ham man’s effort from a very tight angle was blocked. Sears quickly won the ball back again a fed Ward, whose effort was blocked.

But the Blues continued to create chances, Ward almost finding McGoldrick with a clever cross from the left which a defender turned behind. From the corner, Green punched poorly but no Town player was able to get onto the ball.

Leeds switched Sacko for Modou Barrow on 77, then a minute later the Blues went near to going back in front again when McGoldrick found Sears on the left with an excellent pass. The former Colchester man then crossed to the Irish international, who hit a low shot which Green did well to save down to his left.

With nine minutes left on the clock Teddy Bishop replaced the tiring Huws in the Town midfield with nine minutes.

On 85 Knudsen was booked for hauling back Barrow and while the Whites prepared to take the freekick they swapped Wood for Souleymane Doukara.

As the match moved into its final scheduled minutes Leeds were having a lot of the ball without doing anything with it with the Blues looking more dangerous when they broke forward. On 89 Bru screwed a shot well wide from distance.

Kieffer Moore replaced the again excellent McGoldrick as the game moved into two minutes of injury time but the winning goal Town would have deserved never came.

The Blues were given a warm ovation by their supporters at the final whistle after another impressive performance against another side from the Championship’s upper reaches.

Town created plenty of chances in the second half, while Leeds had a lot of the ball but with Bialkowski not forced into making a save after the break with Berra keeping Wood in check.

Huws was again impressive in midfield, while McGoldrick's excellent display was missing only a goal, but there were excellent performances throughout a Town side which is growing in confidence.

The two draws in a few days ends the Blues' run of matches without recording the same result in successive matches at 29, a new club record.

The Blues remain 13th - 11 points from relegation and 17 from the play-offs - ahead of next week's East Anglian derby at Norwich, who lost 2-1 at Burton Albion today.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Kenlock, Skuse (Bru 60), Ward, Huws (Bishop 81), McGoldrick (Moore 90), Sears. Unused: Gerken, Emmanuel, Smith, Pitman.

Leeds: Green, Ayling, Bartley (c), Jansson, Beradi, Vieira (Bridcutt 46), O’Kane, Sacko (Barrow 77), Hernandez, Dallas, Wood (Doukara 86). Unused: Silverstri, Cooper, Roofe, Pedraza. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire). Att: 18,745 (Leeds: 2,113).


Photo: TWTD



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prebsa added 17:12 - Feb 18
Really enjoyed today's game. We started really well and played some really good football. McGoldrick at the heart of most things creating passes that no one else in our team can.

The goal was really well worked and it was a delight to see. I am not a Knudsen fan but from what I saw today with him as a left center back I thought he played very well.

The goal we gave away is we very soft and it seems to be that we have been defending poorly like that for weeks now! It's something that needs to change right away. Second half I felt we came out on top but as the game moved on we moved back and that's not good enough. Mick left the striker change way to late! And also took off the wrong man. Other than score Sears just ran around a lot. It was McGoldrick who actually made the team work forward well! McGoldrick and Pitman to start the next game.

A good point but could and should of been more. Still Mick Out!
-2

martin587 added 17:12 - Feb 18
Great result.Well done Lads,should have won but I'll take that.Looking forward to next Sunday.Another happy drive home.😁😁
22

blue75 added 17:18 - Feb 18
Should've won today not too many complaints. I thought Rob Green was a top bloke for applauding the town fans when chanting for Bobby Robson.
19

cornishblu added 17:19 - Feb 18
As previously said not absolutely concerned about result just makes a really pleasant difference to hear positively about our play ....unbeaten now against 2,3and 4th .....icing on the cake would be to beat Na&£h at carrot rd COYB
15

blueboy1981 added 17:21 - Feb 18
Leeds will be quite happy to go back with a point - I guess with two recent key people out today, we have to be reasonably content too.

Just wish we would stop giving away soft goals - need to be better than that next week for sure.
15

TimmyH added 17:22 - Feb 18
Well we've had worse home draws and really deserved all 3, personally still like to see Skuse moved to the bench and Diag brought back in for future games. If we continue to put in consistent performances like we have over the last few games the points will come and hopefully not take the foot off the pedal against 'lesser' teams. A mention for McGoldrick as he seems to be starting to play better again.

Unlucky today but a good performance - lets take it into the game against the scumbags up the A140.
22

Blue_Again added 17:25 - Feb 18
Mick out. Haven't won a game in ages. Shows how low our expectations are when we feel happy with yet another home draw
-41

Mick_Mills_Tache added 17:34 - Feb 18
Another decent performance and result. Long may it continue! Just goes to show who the deadwood is, who we need to buy and that MM needs to stop being so stubborn and listen to us fans a bit more. Should have been 8-10 points from 12 as I'd say we deserved to win against Reading, probably draw against Villa and Brighton and definitely deserve the win today. Good to see Berra back solid and Knudsen seems to fit a LCB more than a LB. Missed the finishing of Lawrence today I feel.

Hope Toumani is back in for Skuse against the Budgies and we give them a real stuffing...it's about time and they're a bit wobbly at the mo. We'll done to all at ITFC, Mick included.
18

jas0999 added 17:36 - Feb 18
Enjoyable game, deserved point. Leeds the happier team, but as the away side that's to be expected. Thought Huws looked classy and I'd love to think we could sign him permanently - but we all know it's costing the player money to be here and can't see him doing that permanently, nor Evans paying more - let alone the transfer fee. McGoldrick looked good today. Shame about the sloppy goal. Probably deserved to win.

The main worry still is that failure to win the match when on top. Eleven games in all competitions in 2017 and we have won just twice. That's still not good enough in my opinion, although no doubt performances in last four have been better and possibly deserving of more points.

With the season over, next week is the cup final. A loss unthinkable. A win would very much bring back that great feel good factor. It could also define MM future. A win at Norwich would almost forgive some of the woeful showings this season. A loss would make him more unpopular that's for sure! A draw a nothing result for both sides! Come on Ipswich set up to win and beat those Canaries!!
12

EssexTractor added 17:36 - Feb 18
Played again with more passion and purpose.
If only MCGoldrick had more pace to go with his clever skill
Sears stated to only run around, per previous comment,very unfair, look back at highlights at maybe change your view?
How many good players does Warnock have at Cardiff for Huws not getting in their team ?
Step forward and explain NW...
Spence excellent first half
Knudsen much more comfortable in new position
Only real criticism, did MM want to win or not lose , as substitutions and timings of them questionable
But in comparison with Derby County at home, a smiling experience.
9

blueboy1981 added 17:39 - Feb 18
Blue Again ....... you make a good point about expectations from some - we need to raise the bar again for sure in my opinion - some will never expect much though, as any visitor / user of this facility will know.

Having said all that, recent results have improved and thus we can hope for a continual improvement.
Personally, I feel McCarthy has a lot of proving himself still to do, after an initial desired impact.
7

StochesStotasBlewe added 17:41 - Feb 18
That kind of performance on a regular basis is what most supporters want to see. A tad unlucky not to get all 3 points on chances created & although Leeds had more possession, Bart didn,t have a shot to save 2nd half. Some good performances, McGoldrick being my man of the match. My Leeds supporting mate was mighty relieved to get the draw. More of the same & hopefully take more of the chances to turn these draws into wins. COYB.
11

joepublic added 17:47 - Feb 18
Great team effort today and really enjoyed the game. David MG starting to return to his best form and we looked very threatening even without Tom Law.

Would have liked to have seen Moore get at least ten minutes but hey ho.

Very little possibility of relegation if we continue like this.

3 points next week pls!!!
5

powinswitch added 17:49 - Feb 18
A reasonable performance. I thought Knudsen was much more effective in the centre 3. Whilst I was disappointed that Emmanuel was not starting, I also felt that young spence had a good game. Huws was decent, but I think he is better with Diagouraga beside him. Dids was great and great to see a Freddie goal. Well done Town, another point earned, that I would not have predicted after the Derby match
6

cornishblu added 17:55 - Feb 18
Seems like blue _again has forgotten about Aston Villa away ....no doubt a NA£&school troll
COYB
0

flashblue added 18:04 - Feb 18
Again, some poor decisions by Mick today. The first sub was great Bru for Skuse. But the next logical sub should have been Pitman for Sears. The other option would have been Pitman for Kenlock moving to 4-3-3.

Not sure what Bishop brought to the game.

Why can't Mick just put the best players on the pitch?
-3

Brownie added 18:07 - Feb 18
We love a troll don't we guys & girls!

I wasn't there and I'm in the MM out club BUT credit due to Mick and the boys for an unbeaten February that most of us wouldn't have predicted. Positive comments from you that were there so I can enjoy the Saturday night bottle of wine & dream of things continuing to get better.

In the end whatever your views we all want the same thing. Entertainment, results & enjoyment & 3 pts next week!

Everyone apart from the budgie trolls that is..

Have a good night everyone & COYB!
16

midastouch added 18:24 - Feb 18
Sounds like we were unlucky not to get 3 points. A good performance considering we were without talisman Lawrence. Let's hope they can do the business next Sunday. I seriously thought Mick had lost the plot and might take us down but credit to him and the team, they seem to have turned the corner. While I've been quick to condemn, I'd like to think I'm a fair fella and I'm just as quick to praise when it's deserved. I don't want to be right about my team going down the toilet, I get zero pleasure seeing us struggle. I'm all for being proven wrong and if we can get one over Norwich next Sunday then Mick will go a long way to winning back some fan popularity as he has rather been on the ropes in that department for some time now. But he appears to be swinging some good right hooks of late and showing some serious fight for the cause. I hope he can throw some further tactical knock out hooks against Norwich next Sunday! That would please me beyond words! If we beat Norwich next Sunday I'll be the first to congratulate him and the team. It's not going to be easy as they are much stronger at home than away, but they aren't unbeatable. So please let's grab this opportunity as I'm sick to death of living in the shadow of 9-2 taunts and such like, we badly need to beat them as it's been way too long! COYB!!!
5

Lightningboy added 18:32 - Feb 18
Good point..fair play for getting the points we've got over this run of games - hopefully we can put in a decent performance next weekend and then over the remainder of the season.

Doesn't change my opinion on McCarthy.
3

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:35 - Feb 18
Leeds look a decent prospect this year, Gary Monk seems like a really promising young manager who has them playing with confidence so to keep them quiet is a good performance.

I'm just glad there seem to be a bit of belief in the squad at last and that the performances are at least for the last 3 games on the up

If we could ad Dia and Hyes in the summer thus far it looks like that would be good business, the former looks getable, latter might cost a fee quid.

3 good performances, if we can kick on and get safe then field the youngsters til the end of the season maybe we can position ourselves for a tilt at the playoffs next year.

Right now I'll be happy if performances continue in this vein
1

Bert added 18:49 - Feb 18
Fatal February now on course to be fabulous February whatever happens next week. Key injuries, a suspension and blooding new players was a mighty challenge which Town have risen to. Enjoyable to watch and support to match. Should we fear Norwich ? Not really with the spirit we now have. Credit to all.
3

therein61 added 18:53 - Feb 18
Sums this site up Sears the west ham man!!??(get it right for gods sake try former!!) our performance today should have resulted in 3 points as we were very positive and looking like we wanted it!! we would have had if Skuse had not started for heavens sake bench him he brings nothing to the side other than inviting the opposition into dangerous territory resulting in putting the defence into hoofing it out and turning a winning situation into a negative
1

carsey added 19:12 - Feb 18
God's game today. Positive, generally forward thinking, closing down the opposition and forcing errors. Just as I was looking forward to a half time lead we allow them to equalise but aside from that I thought we had them under control. The fact Woods was eventually substituted and didn't score says it all for me since he has been scoring goals everywhere this season.
I was inconvenienced by Bru when he replaced Scuse - slow and not putting a decent tackle in - someone I thought had the ability to succeed here but sadly not.
Bishop when he came on never got going but then again he didn't have very long.
Was pleased to see Sears and McGoldrick working well together up front and felt on another day we would have won.
In the end we sat deeper and deeper allowing Leeds possession which made them look better than they really were.
Just hope McCarthy and the team go positive next week vs Norwich and don't try to not lose.
4

dannyrr added 19:13 - Feb 18
Today we got what we've been looking for. We got a game that entertained. I was impressed by today's game and although we should have won it but have been disappointed if we had given away a second goal. Some good performances today from many of the players McG was awesome today and Spence had a great game. His footwork was good and always remained calm under pressure. Felt that Moore should have been introduced earlier for Sears to play alongside McG to pester the Leeds defence. Overall a decent result and 6 points from 12 is decent in regards to the teams we have had to play. I thought for their goal that Spence's arm was being pulled. Let's have a good result at Carrot Road and make my first trip there memorable. COYB ⚽⚽⚽
1

budgieplucker added 19:16 - Feb 18
Some very good performances again today. Several 8 out of 10s for me, providing we can get the majority of players to turn in 7 to 8 out of 10 performances with the occasional 9 from one or two other players (in addition to the 9s that Bart keeps coming up with), then we will gradually rise up the table.

For me not much to choose between Didzy, Emyr and Berra (yes Berra, thought he had Wood shackled, apart from sadly the skimming header that created their goal) for me in terms of top marks todate. Thought many others were not too far behind and thought Spence really looked the part today, shame on Josh loosing his place but Spence could prove to become a very versatile utility player. Special word for Grant Ward as well for a tigerish performance, I think he could make that position his own and the most improved player in recent weeks along with the captain. Grant looks far more effective closing the opposition down high up the pitch.

Don't want to sound negative about Skuse because he didn't have a bad game, but like to think that "Dave " (Leeds fans nickname for Diagouraga) will go straight back into that spot next week as he provides a more positive energy and quicker forward momentum.

Also pleased for Freddie, who is obviously not going to displace Tom Lawrence when he can play again, but great to see Freddie starting to get back to his old form when playing up front.

Well done lads, you all worked your socks off and the fans will stay with you if you maintain that level of effort and attitude.

2


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