Second-half goals from Cole Skuse - his first in 29 months - and David McGoldrick saw Town to a 2-0 home victory over bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers. After a first period in which chances were rare at either end, Skuse’s deflected strike - only his second goal in his four years at the club - put the Blues in front three minutes after the break, then McGoldrick added the second in the 89th minute.

The Blues returned to the 3-5-2 system in which they started the season with skipper Luke Chambers returning after his ankle injury and midfielder Tom Adeyemi making his first start for the Blues. However, Jonas Knudsen missed out having picked up an injury in training earlier in the week.

Skipper Chambers was joined in a back three by Jordan Spence and Dominic Iorfa with home debutant Callum Connolly at right wing-back and Myles Kenlock on the left. Bartosz Bialkowski was in goal.

Adeyemi was in central midfield alongside Cole Skuse with Grant Ward ahead of them, while David McGoldrick joined Joe Garner up front.

Martyn Waghorn and Flynn Downes dropped to the bench having started at QPR last week alongside Freddie Sears, Bersant Celina, who didn't train for several days this week due to a dead leg, and Tristan Nydam, who is back after suffering a knock while away with the England U19s.

After a scruffy start, the Blues hit the game’s first shot in the 11th minute. McGoldrick found Kenlock to his left on the edge of the area and the wing-back hit a right-footed shot which deflected behind. From the resultant corner, Garner and Bolton keeper Ben Alnwick both required treatment after a clash of heads.

Bolton, who had started in a 3-4-3 formation, threatened for the first time a minute later, Filipe Morais whipping over a dangerous freekick from the left which David Wheater was close to reaching before Garner eventually cleared.

On the quarter hour Iorfa won the ball just inside the Town half and brought it forward at pace but overhit his pass to McGoldrick to his right. The striker turned back to the on-loan Wolves man who fouled a Bolton defender as he looked to find space to shoot. At the other end, Noone hit a shot from the edge of the box over the bar.

The former Cardiff man struck an effort straight at Bialkowski when given space just outside the box on 21, then Kenlock worked himself an opportunity at the other end but his strike, again with his less-favoured right foot, was blocked.

Noone continued to be Bolton’s main threat, hitting a shot which deflected wide on 25 with Chambers doing well to get his head to the corner. McGoldrick eventually cleared by leaving a Wanderers player in his wake with a clever bit of skill on the edge of the box before almost finding Garner with a 40-yard cross-field pass but a defender cut it out.

Skuse made an important interception for the Blues on 27 after Chambers had misjudged a bouncing ball in the centre circle and surrendered possession to Wheater. The former England U21 international defender fed Madine, who looked to play skipper Jem Karacan in on goal but Skuse had tracked back and slid in to cut out his pass.

Bialkowski was forced into his first serious save of the game in the 33rd minute, the Pole pawing Madine’s snap shot from 25 yards out on the left behind at his near post.

The Blues weren’t too far away from opening the scoring in the 41st minute when Iorfa rose highest to meet a Ward corner from the left. The England U21 international nodded the ball into the ground but wide.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, the season-long loanee from Wolves won the ball in the air again, this time from a Ward freekick on the right - awarded after Antonee Robinson had clattered into Connolly’s ankle from behind - but his header was straight at Alnwick.

Following a Bolton corner, from which Connolly picked up another knock as he looked to clear, referee Andy Madley ended what had been an evenly balanced half.

It had been largely a battling midfield-dominated period of few chances with neither keeper particularly tested.

Town had looked at their most dangerous when McGoldrick got on the ball in the Bolton half, while Kenlock had been a threat on the left.

Connolly, who had suffered those knocks late in the half, was replaced by Celina ahead of the second half as the Blues moved to 4-4-2 with Iorfa moving to right-back and Ward to right midfield.

Two minutes after the restart the Blues took the lead via an unexpected source. After good work from Celina, McGoldrick cut the ball back and Skuse hit a 25-yard shot which deflected off Josh Cullen and beat Alnwick.

The former Bristol City man, whose only other Town goal in his 175 starts and one sub appearance came in the 3-1 home victory over Cardiff in April 2015, reeled away in celebration in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, while Madine picked up a yellow card for dissent.

Bolton almost hit back immediately, Bialkowski saving low to his left from Karacan, before Celina and then Iorfa both put the Blues under pressure by needlessly surrendering possession in their own half.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 59th minute when a cross from the right was dummied by Morais, which wrong-footed Iorfa leaving Madine and Wheater in space inside the area. As Town defenders got back to cover, Wheater hit a shot goalwards but Spence dived in to make a superb block.

Bolton threatened again a minute later, a ball over the top down the right channel somehow found Madine, who looped his shot over when he ought to have done better.

At the other end, McGoldrick broke towards goal rising a Wheater tackle when it appeared his touch had given the ball to the ex-Middlesbrough man and hit a low shot which Alnwick palmed behind.

On 67, after Iorfa had made an important interception from a Noone cross from the right, Celina made a pacy run at the Bolton defence and was cynically felled by Wheater, who was booked.

After on-loan Newcastle striker Adam Armstrong had replaced Mark Little, Robinson sent over a deep cross from the left which Madine headed well over at the far post.

A minute later, Adeyemi broke into the area on the right and cut the ball across the six-yard area but no one was on hand to add the final touch and it was turned behind at the far post.

As the half moved into its final scheduled quarter of an hour, McGoldrick found Celina on the left and the on-loan Manchester City man hit a shot which deflected behind.

The Kosovo international took the resultant corner, the ball was cleared back to him and he cut in and hit a shot which Alnwick punched away.

On 78 Bolton made a double change, Aaron Wilbraham and Adam Le Fondre taking over from Madine and Morais.

Town might have doubled their lead a minute later when Garner knocked down Celina’s freekick from the left. With the goal gaping, McGoldrick couldn’t quite get on to the loose ball but it deflected out to Ward behind him, however, his shot was blocked.

In the 82 McGoldrick tricked his way into the box on the left with a trademark piece of sublime skill but blazed over. Burke was subsequently booked for a foul on Celina in the build-up.

Having got into the position he had, the Ireland international will feel he should have scored, but in the 89th minute the Blues number 10 sealed the three points.

Garner flicked on a ball down the middle, McGoldrick cleverly worked himself space before deftly beating Alnwick to notch his fourth goal of the season.

Downes replaced Ward, then McGoldrick made way to a standing ovation, Nydam taking over.

There was just time for Garner to pick up a booking before referee Madley confirmed the Blues’ third home Championship victory over the season.

On the strength of the second half Town deserved the three points having had chances to add to their lead before McGoldrick’s late second.

Skuse’s goal, which owed much to the deflection, came at the right time for the Blues, forcing Bolton to take the game to them and giving Town - and particularly Celina - the opportunity to counter-attack.

The Kosovan will be pleased with the impact he made having come on, the goal soon after half-time having added to his effectiveness, although he rather drifted in and out of the game and gave the ball away in dangerous areas on a couple of occasions.

Bolton, bottom without a win in their first eight Championship matches, will feel they should have got something out of the game, making little of the opportunities they had.

The match was watched by only 14,164, the lowest Portman Road crowd for a home game in the league since 13,212 attended Town's 1-0 victory over Swindon in October 1998.

The result sees the Blues move up to fifth, two points off the top with a game in hand on leaders Leeds, who lost 1-0 at Millwall today, who Town face at Elland Road next Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Iorfa, Connolly (Celina 46), Skuse, Adeyemi, Ward (Downes 90), Kenlock, McGoldrick (Nydam 90), Garner. Unused: Gerken, Waghorn, Sears, Woolfenden.

Bolton: Alnwick, Wheater, Burke, Beevers, Little (Armstrong 70), Karacan (c), Cullen, Robinson, Noone, Madine (Wilbraham 78), Morais (Le Fondre 78). Unused: Howard, Taylor, Dervite, Pratley. Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 14,164 (Bolton: 337).

Photo: TWTD

algarvefan added 20:21 - Sep 16 Reality check. As a supporter of over 50 years standing Town have ALWAYS struggled against the stragglers and exceeded expectations against the big boys .... well maybe not always but mostly. Football supporters demand exciting football now because it costs so much to get in. We have great limitations at Ipswich, we currently sit in 5th place, game in hand and 2 points off the top slot. So please stop moaning, it's only the points that matter when you are up the financial creek like we are, the crowds will return when it looks likes we might go up my fickle friends!! Keep the faith and if you want to be excited every week ask the wife/husband or partner to fulfill your needs!! Have a good weekend folks..........

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dirtydingusmagee added 20:24 - Sep 16 ok 3 valuable points, and less was not an option in most opinions. However, against Bolton in their current state it was not a performance that gives rise to real optimism when faced with stronger opposition. As has already been said the low attendance is a legacy of the #### that was served up last season..The worrying thing is even now Mick is showing signs of returning to his old dyed in the wool negative boring and stubborn ways. Leeds I fear will expose our frailties and Bart will be working extremely hard for his wages.Other results today were kind to us , so we are looking good in the league, but it is unlikely to remain so flattering going by todays performance . Swn98 I tried to down mark this post to save you the effort lol, but that pleasure remains yours .

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rugbytomc added 20:28 - Sep 16 Great result obviously and it's already proving to be a crazy and unpredictable championship. I just don't feel already though that Mick knows what his best team is and I don't agree with his best ideas of what it is either. Rowe not in the squad-hope due to injury as he's been flying in the reserves. Not sure what Celina has to do to get a start. Adeyemi is a good free purchase but we need Huws so badly! And ward is a winger or a 10, not a central midfielder

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SheptonMalletBlue added 22:29 - Sep 16 Let's see how the tactical genius McCarthy shapes up against dirty Leeds!!!
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heathen66 added 22:46 - Sep 16 Firstly take the three point. Good performances from Kenlock, McGoldrick and Celina (so why did he not start...again ???). Oh and also nice to see Skuse make a contribution, and it is not very often that happens. One thing does concern me is that we loan out a promising RB as apparently he wont get a game, but bring a loanee in...and plays him (and the other 2). Very poor first half until Celina was introduced as we were at QPR. I am sure another knock or slight hamstring will prevent this. Glad we have 15 pts, as many more difficult games to come

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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:21 - Sep 16 We won. We are 4th. This is good. Job done today and that's It, next.
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 00:18 - Sep 17 This seems just the type of game and score where you can picture Mick McCarthy rolling around like swine in sh-t, putting achievement today on a plateau with climbing Mount Everest or salvaging artefacts from the wreck of the Titanic. Only going by what is presented. Two teams that have endured better times, largely devoid of ideas or creativity, amid a a backdrop of non-entertainment and limited expectation. Three or four team members apart we possess an ordinary squad and if not for an element of good fortune thus far, would be far behind the play-off zone we at this time occupy. Bialkowski for one would appear deserving of a place in a team with more ambition than ourselves, if not for him we'd have obtained nothing like the points we have at this stage of the new season. Easily one of the clubs star assets, it's imperative we keep hold of the player while building other areas of the team.

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barrystedmunds added 00:26 - Sep 17 Its the strangest thing! We're fourth but we are probably all thinking, we're not a fourth position team. I still stay Monotonous Mick isn't the man for us, he's done his bit but I think he should have moved on at the end of last season. The hoofball is laboured, unimaginative and stagnant and we are not going anywhere with it. Mid table at best, probably struggling to remain in this league come May. Like all of us, I love the Town, but Mick is never gonna deliver!

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SpiritOfJohn added 07:38 - Sep 17 Well done to Cole Skuse for breaking the deadlock yesterday. Congratulations to anyone who witnessed the collector's item. I took a rain check after the Fulham game snuffed out my early season optimism so I am gutted not to qualify for the 'I was there when Skuse scored' T shirt. If Skusey continues at his current strike rate we can expect his next goal to arrive in the 2019/20 season, but football's not like that, so watch out Leeds Cole Skuse is on fire!

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Swn98 added 07:48 - Sep 17 Minneappolis Mick said we are not the best team in the league so yet again we are punching above our weight. Barrystedmunds do you actually attend games ? Hoof ball is not the predominant part of our game anymore. Some fans can't be happy and accept us for what we are get behind the team and enjoy the ride.
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Theipswich added 08:26 - Sep 17 Dire performance when under a more forward thinking manager we would take the game by the scruff of the neck. MM reverting to type as I knew he would...things won't change till he leaves and I understood that ages ago. Should be pummelling teams like Bolton with pressing and attacking play. Agree with heathen66 that Emmanuel should be there and not on loan but fits in with the manger's abhorrence of youth being given a chance...why loanees when we have our own ? We are not going anywhere and McCarthy should have walked but he's running down his contract and our club lacks vision.

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blue75 added 08:34 - Sep 17 Swn98 if you class passing across the back 5 then maybe forward to Skuse, then usually back to Bart or one of the 5 defenders, to pump it up to the beanpole that is garner as not hoofing it, then yes we are playing a more passing game!!! The tactics are the same as McCarthy has always done nothing's changed!!! We have some good players all of whom can pass better than they are allowed, they seem scared to pass and move, fullbacks/wingbacks hardly ever overlap. Our mindset is to keep a clean sheet at all cost. Such a shame some fans are happy with that.

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Cloddyseedbed added 09:25 - Sep 17 Blue75, you obviously were at the game and saw the same as me! Still hasn't sunk in, Murphy's not up there anymore. No passing and moving, you have to go and watch the U18's and U23's for that.
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whosroundisitanyway added 10:40 - Sep 17 Ilove I love Bart to bits & he's the best keeper in the championship but please don't keep giving him MOTM every game!!!! There are other players performing out there. Yesterday in particular Didzy had a great game & yeah even Skuse was a candidate! Nobody sees the goal saving tackle and just have the knives out for him all the time, even his goal wasn't good enough because it took a deflection. Don't remember Bart having to do anything particularly spectacular though what he done was with his usual consummate efficiency. Lets just have a look at the bigger picture and give the outfield players some plaudits because some of them must be doing something right some of the time.

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Swn98 added 12:43 - Sep 17 Blue75 of course everyone is entitled to their opinion some users just see what they want to see and dont comment on the whole game.
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northblue added 17:04 - Sep 17 Just a reminder 39 more league games to go + FA Cup. I with injuries the clubs got I say well done lads.
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Gcon added 17:38 - Sep 17 Two points off the top with a game in hand. And still they whine and focus on the negatives. There's this club in Spain called Real Madrid - I think a few of you should consider changing your allegiances. They win quite a lot of games and play some very attractive football. They do have a much larger budget and it is a little more challenging getting to the games but I do hope this is a helpful suggestion.

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blueboy1981 added 17:56 - Sep 17 ....... more of your condoning words intimating that everyone (with a different opinion to yourself) should either put up with, and accept, EVERYTHING that MM says, or ITFC does - OR go elsewhere. Get real man / woman - see how many empty BLUE seats there were yesterday, and realise that your suggestions are anything but sensible. Now - good entertaining successful Football would make sense - and duly have the desired effect, of filling those empty Blue seats. Not everyone is content with dross entertainment for good money - thankfully.

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BlueArrow added 18:44 - Sep 17 Anyone like to comment on empty seats and doing away with the concessions for the 60+. I for one not going this season.
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warktheline added 20:59 - Sep 17 The childness of some is, to be frank, embarrassing ! The fact is, yes our league position looks rather rosy! The reality behind that fact isn't so rosy ! A manager back in his 'comfy' zone, disgruntled supporters watching lousy football awaiting our impending slide down table, and a half empty stadium with an uninspiring atmosphere! But as some would put it.....'enjoy the ride'. Let's hope there's going to be some steep climbs alongside, fast drops!!!!!!

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Gcon added 21:55 - Sep 17 No, the fact AND the reality is that we are two points off the top with a game in hand. And yet you sill choose to focus on "Our impending slide down the table". I don't think a man with your mindset has any right to moan about a lack of atmosphere! You are so unlikely to ever contribute to a more inspiring or positive atmosphere with that attitude.
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GiveusaWave added 22:48 - Sep 17 For the life of me I can't understand why some fans are saying we are still a hoofball team. We do play the occasional bit of hoofball...yes...but it's rare. Spence never punts it from the back, and Iorfa had only done it once in my limited memory. In fact, players like Spence and Knudsen tend to run it forward in order to feed the midfield. We are a bit boring....but we don't just hoof it anymore.

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GiveusaWave added 23:08 - Sep 17 Had a chance now to catch up on all the posts. Strange post whosroundisitanyway. Are we meant to not vote for Bart when we think he was MOTM? For me he was the stand-out player. Seems many others also feel that way too.
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:37 - Sep 18 Gcon & Swn ,do you really believe the football played up to now is good enough to maintain a top 6 place? . I and many others don't. Apart from Fulham and QPR [WE LOST BOTH] we have played nobody ,The points will soon dry up when we meet tougher opposition.The fixture list has given us the good start not the play. When we have slipped down to our realistic position [unless things change] , what will you do ,swap the rose tinted glasses for Blinkers.

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Swn98 added 07:59 - Sep 18 Dirty the championship is a competition that 24 clubs are all chasing the same result if you can't enjoy the victories your going to be very glum when the defeats come along,unless you are one of the few on here who I firmly believe are willing us to lose to full fill their anti McCarthey agenda sad.
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