Town’s Boxing Day home game with QPR ended in a drab 0-0 draw. Neither side created many chances throughout the 90 minutes, while the Blues had a good case for a penalty in the final minute when Joe Garner’s header was handled by Jack Robinson, shortly after the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Josh Scowen was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Teddy Bishop was handed his first start of the season as Mick McCarthy made five changes from the team which lost 1-0 at Wolves on Saturday.

Jonas Knudsen, who missed out at Molineux as he was ill, David McGoldrick, Dominic Iorfa and Freddie Sears also returned to the XI with Bersant Celina, Grant Ward, Jordan Spence and Myles Kenlock dropping to the bench and Kevin Bru, who was at a funeral, out of the 18.

With Cole Skuse still sidelined with his ankle injury, Bishop, whose only other start in 2017 was at Rotherham in April, joined Callum Connolly in one of the deeper lying midfield roles with Sears and McGoldrick either side of Martyn Waghorn behind lone out and out striker Joe Garner.

For the visitors, who had gone 18 games and 50 years since last winning away on Boxing Day, Jordan Cousins came into the midfield for Bright Osayi-Samuel, who was among the subs.

Former Blues loanee Massimo Luongo also started, while Jamie Mackie missed out due to a glute injury despite having returned from a suspension.

Town dominated the early exchanges with Garner shooting over from a Waghorn knockdown in the third minute.

A minute later, McGoldrick was fed on the right of the area by Waghorn and struck a goal-bound effort which QPR keeper Alex Smithies saved down to his left.

From Waghorn’s corner, skipper Luke Chambers bundled a bouncing ball wide of the near post from six yards.

QPR began to see more of the ball but without creating a chance as the game moved past the 10-minute mark.

On 14 Luke Freeman played in Cousins inside the box after the former Arsenal youngster had found himself in space midway inside the Town half, but Chambers slid in to block as the former Charlton man shot.

Four minutes later, Bishop took himself past two defenders on halfway with a brilliant turn before being upended by Luongo. Scowen was shown his first yellow card of the afternoon for kicking the ball away.

Knudsen joined him in the book in the 24th minute for hauling back a breaking Cousins. From the freekick, Freeman floated the ball to the far post from where Jake Bidwell volleyed from a tight angle and Bartosz Bialkowski palmed over. From the resultant corner., Alex Baptiste headed into the Town keeper’s arms.

QPR were by now in control having most of the ball with the Blues struggling to break into the Hoops’ half.

But as the game moved past the half hour mark Town began to regain the ascendency and on 33 McGoldrick curled a shot not too far beyond Smithies’s right post from just outside the box.

Idrissa Sylla volleyed over for QPR on 40 before Bishop, who had looked lively and had made headway running at the opposition, was replaced by Ward having picked up another injury. The 21-year-old made his way to the tunnel, clearly frustrated at having been forced off by another fitness problem.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, a Waghorn corner from the right ran loose inside the six-yard box at the near post but no Town player was able to get in a decisive touch.

In two minutes of injury time, with Town ending the half strongly, Garner cleverly backheeled towards Sears on the right of the box but the ball was intercepted, then Connolly hit a powerful shot from 25 yards which Smithies saved down to his left. The loose ball ran to the Blues right and Iorfa who teed-up Garner, who shot over.

Referee Andy Davies’s whistle ended a half of few chances at both ends. The Blues had started brightly, McGoldrick forcing Smithies into the game’s first save, but they subsequently allowed the visitors to get on top and Bidwell’s chance which Bialkowski turned over was the best opportunity of the period.

Town took charge again towards the break and were putting the Hoops under pressure in the minutes before the whistle.

The half’s big negative was Bishop being forced off, the midfielder, who underwent groin surgery in August, having spent so much of the last two and a half years on the sidelines.

QPR had the better of the opening minutes of the second half, Cousins sending over a dangerous ball from the right, which flew just beyond Sylla nine minutes after the restart.

Moments later, Waghorn looked to have been fouled by Luongo five yards outside the area on the right but referee Davies waved play on and the Australian brought the ball into the area before hitting a shot which was blocked by one of a number of Town players who dived across its path.

In the 63rd minute Pawel Wszolek caught Knudsen in possession on halfway but Webster did well to get back to take the ball from him on the right of the box. At the other end, Garner played McGoldrick in on goal but the Irish international was flagged offside.

Chances if anything were rarer in a dull second half than they had been in the first but on 74 Knudsen crossed from the left and Sears flicked a header well wide. Garner tried to get the ball back in from the right but the danger was cleared.

QPR replaced Sylla with Matt Smith on 80 with Town fans starting to call for introduction of Celina, who had been warming up on the touchline for some time already changed into his shirt.

On 81 Chambers superbly blocked a Wszolek cross from the right, then seconds later the Polish international chipped over.

Celina was finally introduced for Sears in the 84th minute, then two minutes later the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Ward threaded a clever pass in for Waghorn, who took the ball on before returning to the sub, who was felled as he broke towards the area by Scowen, who was showed his second yellow and then a red card, referee Davies’s first since Boxing Day last year. Celina took the freekick and curled it just over the bar.

Rain was falling heavily as the game moved into its final few minutes. There was controversy in the 88th minute when Celina crossed from the right, Garner powered a header goalwards and Robinson blocked.

The Town striker claimed the Rangers defender had used a hand and photographic evidence suggested he had a very strong case but referee Davies waved the appeals away.

In injury time Rangers also had a penalty appeal of their own when Iorfa chested the ball away on the edge of the box under pressure, but it was difficult to argue that the on-loan Wolves man had handled deliberately even if the ball had struck his hand, which wasn't clear.

The visitors who had the better chances in the closing moments, sub Smith shooting straight at Bialkowski, then in the final seconds another sub, Bright Osayi-Samuel, hit an effort over.

Boos greeted the final whistle after a disappointing display from the Blues, their poorest at Portman Road for some weeks.

Despite having spells on top they never really put the visitors under sustained spells of pressure and Smithies was forced into only a couple of saves all match.

Celina made an impact having come on and it was a surprise that the Kosovan international wasn’t brought on earlier with the Blues having made little headway for much of the second half.

QPR will feel they had opportunities to turn their point into three, even after being reduced to 10 men, although like Smithies Bialkowski was hardly overworked.

Drawing at home against a side in 18th place with a poor away record must be considered two points dropped by the Blues, who remain 10th but now five points off the top six ahead of Saturday’s home game against Derby.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Connolly, Bishop (Ward 42), McGoldrick, Waghorn, Sears (Celina 84), Garner. Unused: M Crowe, T Smith, Spence, Kenlock, McDonnell.

QPR: Smithies, Baptiste, Onuoha (c), Robinson, Wszolek, Cousins (Osayi-Samuel 82), Luongo, Scowen, Bidwell, Freeman, Sylla (M Smith 80). Unused: Lumley, Furlong, Hall, Washington, Chair, Osayi-Samuel. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire). Att: 18,696 (QPR: 703).

Photo: TWTD

Spanishblueblood added 17:26 - Dec 26 Sears, WHY? Great opportunity to get 3 pts today but Micks team selection cost us! Roll on next season! Mick out!
25

loyal_Blue added 17:26 - Dec 26 Mick got that completely wrong and then decided to stick it to the fans with bringing Celina on with 5 minutes left. We are going nowhere with him in charge and the attendances have shown everyone is realising it. 4-2-4 against a team with 5 in midfield and then just hoof it up to our relatively small strikers! He seemed quite happy with something that didn't work the entire game. If people are positive after that, then we don't deserve to be going anywhere!

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lightingblue added 17:26 - Dec 26 Oh well. Never mind, it's only a game. Never liked football. Don't want to get promoted anyway.
1

StringerBell added 17:26 - Dec 26 Why on earth didn't Celina play from the start? Idiot McCarthy.
18

iaintaylorx added 17:26 - Dec 26 Sears offers absolutely nothing! Why is he starting ahead of Celina? Hope Bish's injury isn't bad as he looked lively! But, what a boring game!
16

NorthFar added 17:29 - Dec 26 Mick's cunning plan to irritate us all by not bringing Celina on failed miserably as the 13 minutes he spent warming up were far more interesting to watch that what was going on on the pitch. Belligerence in the extreme.
26

lightingblue added 17:29 - Dec 26 Just think Bart will be of in jan. Happy days Tom be a town fan
0

DazBent added 17:33 - Dec 26 Mick should have played Celina earlier. Sears hasn't got much to offer. Who was the referee? That's about all that happened if you weren't there.
6

dirtydingusmagee added 17:35 - Dec 26 very poor result, and nothing about today to instill any optimism about chances of playoffs. No doubt i'll be down marked by Micks ''groupies''. but today was a perfect example of why many fans want him gone .
37

runaround added 17:40 - Dec 26 Poor result, poor game, poor performance. I think we got the team selection and tactics totally wrong today and had it not been for some decent last ditch defending would have lost. None of the front 4 did well & there was no link between them & rest of team whilst, especially in first half, Knudsen was left exposed. It felt like MM decided he had to rest players rather than get a good performance. If we perform like this against Derby & Fulham we WILL lose both matches

11

shortmarine1969 added 17:43 - Dec 26 Any manager that keeps a player that can change a game and potentially gain 3 points on the sidelines out of pure belligerence and stubbornness does not deserve to hold the managers job , MM has to go at seasons end when we will undoubtedly finish mid table once again . MM out / and if possible Evans out.
21

MarkK14 added 17:44 - Dec 26 MM probably wanted to keep Celina for for the Derby match... Just saying?
-1

Currie10 added 17:44 - Dec 26 I must confess I'm very much and always will be Mick in - he's had his hands tied royally due to the three idiot predecessors..... however clear as day I will analyse his shortcomings. Sears should NOT be starting the game - fair play on Bish ( Shame ) however Freddy needs to leave, and leave in Jan. If Celina didn't start - look I get that he gave the ball away in some stupid areas at Wolves and was pretty bang average - then fine. Bring him on, in the 84th min at home to 18th placed QPR!?!? Jesus Mick. 65, fine. If people wish to have a pop at you then, I / others can defend you. 85 is insulting. I don't like the way Mick plays the game - I never have and never will - however I do like him as a manager. Think he attracts very good players here that many others wouldn't have a prayer of attracting for us - very respected in the game. Clearly, the issue is when we don't win under Mick the ' football ' is awful. Have to confess I had the EXACT same gut reaction as I did in 15/16 today Maitland Niles decided to give away a laughable penalty - season over..... Boro / Leeds / Sheff Utd all won. Pulis is no mug, he'll have Boro flying and will given a warchest in Jan should he wish for one. Leeds + Derby will spend. How the hell are we supposed to compete, then you add Bish to the MC injury pile and that's now NINE. Yes NINE Cms injured. So damn annoyed with that as without injuries I think we'd have had a good crack at top 5 this term.

9

Webby1 added 17:44 - Dec 26 Sorry to say this was a dire game today, very little commitment from Mick's men today, it seemed like he wanted to give his mate Ollie a point today to ease his worries. i am not normaly negative and always have and always will be a Town fan, but come on Mick the fans deserve better than this
10

Razor added 17:45 - Dec 26 Now MM, DO TELL US ALL WHAT A GOOD MANAGER YOU ARE AGAIN !! We played the second half with 9 men and yet still got a draw so guess you are delighted in your own little world. Cellina came on and created the one clearcut chance in the whole game, did you see that or do you care? This is so frustrating and disappointing-----please please leave when you can,early would bea bonus.

12

StochesStotasBlewe added 17:47 - Dec 26 Poor match, poor officials, very little quality on show. Actually thought QPR, if they had a decent centre foward, should/could have won it. Chambers & Webster my man of the match.
12

tractorlegend added 17:48 - Dec 26 McCarthy out thought by Holloway they pressed our defence and we panicked. The starting team was a joke and I can't see why Celina wasn't brought on earlier as he is probably better than McGoldrick defensively and we were crying out for someone direct. Garner failed with his usual tactic of playing for for free kicks and seemed to have no plan B. We really missed Skuse dictating the tempo, very disappointing performance in front of a decent crowd!

7

northblue added 18:05 - Dec 26 Most disruptive person on pitch the ref. Made a lot of poor decisions. Stop starts which were down to bad refereeing. Maybe someone should make programs on referees every week if they have got the guts to do it. Probably won't happoen because scared of FA
2

Geddis78 added 18:06 - Dec 26 Real opportunity missed today to get 3 points from a very average QPR side. Even more frustrating that I suspect very few of the additional fans that turned up today will be sitting at home thinking they should invest in a half season ticket. Can't argue with any of the posts. Celina should have come on earlier. Chambers, Webster and Connolly did ok. Otherwise, we were poor. Need a good couple of results or our already outside chance of a play off place will disappear.

8

jas0999 added 18:09 - Dec 26 Disappointing result. Very poor performance not helped by MM tactics. Yet again we attract a larger cloud ( although didn't look 18.5k there) and end up turning in that dire showing. Really needed to win this one as next four out of five league games look very tough. Neither team really tested the opposition keeper and a very poor QPR made us look distinctly average. We have another chance on Saturday to put it right but Derby likely to be a completely different proposition. Thought Webster played well, but other than that not much else to praise. Still think we need urgent reinforcements in the January transfer window. Not convinced the odd loan will push us forward. Over to Mr Evans.

8

dirtydingusmagee added 18:12 - Dec 26 Markk14, if so dosnt make it any better, weve sacrificed 2 points [potentially],and may not beat Derby, he should be playing to win the points on the day not holding players back in a hope of winning one in the future.Its same old story ,we get a glimpse of play offs [at best] then he crows about being ''there abouts'' ect then we slip down again . yo yo'ing around mid table.

5

Cloddyseedbed added 18:24 - Dec 26 Well what a load of crap that was and I paid to take a guest! McCarthy held the white flag up as far as I'm concerned with that team selection. Draw at best was all that could be hoped for. Spence dropped, why? He'd been getting better. Celina dropped for no hoper Sears. Sears has been cr*p for 2 seasons now, but still McCarthy thinks he fantastic cos he works hard and runs around a lot. Bishop given a full 90 minutes, well he may of been if he wasn't injured again. That'll be a few more months out. Garner spent most of the afternoon moaning and crawling about on the floor. No midfield ( I know the're all injured) so hoof ball returned with vengence, mostly up to Sears or Garner on his knees on the turf. It seems the more Celina looks up the touchline for MM to bring him on the more MM prolongs his agony and suffering, it's as if he's punishing him to dare to want to get on and push him. As for the crowd wanting him on, how dare we! MM back to his cantankerous best. If I sound fed up I am. This game is one we should have won but selection and tactics made it hard and players to my mind, knew it. As for all the part time supporters who gave it a go today as they had heard things were on the up, well they are back down again with a bang, so typical of what we are. Top six.......we don't want it bad enough.

17

blue75 added 18:26 - Dec 26 Where to begin prematch mccarthy stated again he couldn't do anything to get the fans to return!! Well there were around 5000 more than the Reading game today, think it's fair to say he did his bit to make sure they won't be returning Saturday. Again we set up to stop the mighty QPR playing. They had control of the midfield all match!! McCarthy did say procession doesn't win matches he just loves being right as we had 53% today, 11 shots there were supposedly 2 on target in the first half I can't remember them. I've said all season our strikers can't keep scoring as they are from limited shots and today unfortunately I was proved correct. In the first half in open play we had all 11 players within 15yds of our goal how are you going to break from that? McCarthy's tactic of lumping in on the diagonal from Webster to Ifora or Chambers to Knudsen occasionally works but normally is easier than the sun to read. How is Ifora in the team we have a fb called josh Emmanuel on loan at Rotherham he needs calling back and replacing Ifora one good run a game isn't good enough certainly not better than our own player. I was really pleased to finally here all McCarthy's fans had moved to the so called section 6 today and tried to get the chant of McCarthy's barmy army going like the chances of winning today it died out very quickly!! Onto Freddie Sears I think he's being harshly treated tonight thought he tried his hardest today and with a bit of luck could've scored he's not a midfielder/winger his a striker play him down the middle with a partner and he will score like he did when he arrived!!! I hope Bishops injury isn't too bad I'm having trouble understanding why McCarthy brought on Ward the attacking midfielder to play in a holding role when tommy smith coming on and Webster moving into midfield would have made more sense has Smith done something wrong? All in all we played as expected looking forward to not being sober Saturday really makes it had to watch without a drink. Just in case you think we'll play different Saturday the tactics will be the same but hopefully the right players will start.

7

Northstandveteran added 18:35 - Dec 26 Another exciting performance to entice us 'floating' supporters back having read the match report and posts. £30 to freeze your nuts off watching that bile? No. It's times like these I'm glad I have more sense than money.
11

OldClactonBlue added 18:37 - Dec 26 My 4th visit this season. 4th point won. To you all who go every week is that what you get? It is what I've seen. Plan a, lump to edge of the box and hope for a knock on, plan b, n/a. Control the ball in midfield, no sir that's not for us. I'd love to come back every week but I just can't endure that.
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