Town continue to wait for an FA Cup victory as Sheffield United progressed to round four via a 1-0 victory at Portman Road, Nathan Thomas smashing the winner in the 25th minute. The Blues, who last won a match in the competition in January 2010, never looked like getting back into the game, failing to register a shot on target, and the Blades might have added to their lead in the second half.

Defender Tommy Smith, who is set to join the Colorado Rapids as revealed by TWTD earlier this afternoon, wasn’t included in a Town side featuring six changes from the one which lost 4-1 at Fulham in midweek.

Jonas Knudsen came in at centre-half alongside skipper Luke Chambers with Myles Kenlock at left-back and Dominic Iorfa at right-back as Town started in a 4-3-3 system.

Luke Hyam made his first start for 19 months in midfield alongside Callum Connolly and Kevin Bru

Up front, Freddie Sears was on the right and Bersant Celina on the left of central striker David McGoldrick.

New signing Aaron Drinan was on the bench alongside young defender Pat Webber and midfielder or striker Shane McLoughlin, whose only senior appearances for the Blues came at Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

The Blades made eight changes with former Town academy striker Caolan Lavery up front with skipper Billy Sharp, a regular Blues target over the years.

Town claimed an early penalty when Chambers headed the ball towards goal from a Celina corner from the right and it appeared to strike Daniel Lafferty on the arm. The Blues captain was adamant that the Blues should have been awarded a spot-kick but referee Mike Jones waved away the protests.

The home side had started the brighter of the two teams and in the seventh minute Celina brought the ball in a long way from the left before hitting a shot which deflected behind.

Town continued to look the better side with Iorfa proving a danger down the right, but on 15 Nathan Thomas hit the Blades’ first effort of the game wide from the edge of the box.

On 24 a corner on the right was played to Hyam on the edge of the area by Celina and the returning midfielder shot over. As the Blades prepared to take their goalkick, Chambers was booked for dissent claiming it had taken a deflection and ought to have been a corner.

A minute later, the visitors took the lead. Thomas, making only his second start for the South Yorkshiremen, was played the ball by Lavery 25 yards out and lashed a superb strike into the top corner of the net, Bartosz Bialkowski only managing to help it on with his right hand.

Town hadn’t threatened to get back on terms before the Blades went close to a second, Chris Basham cutting in from the left and shooting just wide in the 38th minute.

The Blues continued to having the lion’s share possession as half-time approached but without being able to carve out a chance. In the final scheduled minute Kenlock was played in on the left of the box but his low ball was cut out.

Just before the break Basham was booked for catching Bru in the head with a high boot, the Mauritius international subsequently requiring lengthy treatment.

Town had had plenty of the ball in a not overly enthralling first half but without creating anything of note, while the visitors had similarly carved out little at the other end. Thomas’s excellent goal had been rather out of place in the half as a whole.

The Blades swapped their goalscorer for Regan Slater ahead of the second half and the visitors had the first opportunity in the 48th minute when Bialkowski came out of his area to the right but was beaten to the ball by Sharp, who fed Slater as the Blues keeper ran back towards his goal but the sub shot over.

Two minutes later the Blades had an even better chance after Chambers played a weak pass back to Bialkowski. Sharp was quickly on to it and fed Lavery on the right of the box but the Town skipper got back to divert it off the line and wide.

The visitors continued to look the most likely scorers of the game’s second goal and on 54 Sharp flicked a header towards goal which Bialkowski reacted quickly to save, although the linesman’s flag had already been raised.

Town hadn’t appeared likely to get back on terms and it was little surprise that in the 61st minute 10-goal top scorer Martyn Waghorn was introduced for Hyam, who had put in his usual combative display on his return to the team.

Connolly wasn’t too far away from netting his fourth goal of his loan spell from Everton in the 68th minute but was unable to keep his header from Celina’s cross from the right down.

Two minutes later, the Blades went somewhat nearer to doubling their lead, Samir Carruthers exchanging passes with Sharp before shooting from a tight angle on the left and Bialkowski saving well to his left. Moments later, Sam Baldock forced Bialkowski to save down to his right.

Lavery, who had put in a lively display against his old club, was replaced by Clayton Donaldson in the 73rd minute.

As the game moved into its final 10 minutes Jake Wright was booked for timewasting as the visitors prepared to take a freekick.

Town had had long spells on the ball but had failed to create a single chance to level.

On 83 Slater shot over for the Blades, then with two minutes remaining - and a frustrated Sir Bobby Robson Stand singing ‘We want a shot’ - Sharp was switched for John Fleck, who immediately shot over from distance.

The Blades looked the more likely scorers in injury time with sections of the Town support berating manager Mick McCarthy and singing ‘What a load of rubbish’.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was booked for a foul on McGoldrick just before the end and Chambers headed Celina’s freekick wide, before Knudsen blocked a Donaldson strike. Moments later, loud boos greeted the final whistle.

While the second half was more entertaining than the first, the Blades - who fielded a much less senior team than the Blues - had been the better side and ought to have won more comfortably.

The result and the dismal performance on top of the disappointing Christmas spell saw fans loudly express their frustration with manager McCarthy for the first time in a few months.

Town, now without a win in their last five, four of them defeats, rarely created anything throughout and the 40th anniversary of their 1978 FA Cup win will pass without a run in the competition.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Kenlock, Connolly, Hyam (Waghorn 61), Bru, Celina, Sears, McGoldrick. Unused: M Crowe, Skuse, Garner, Drinan, Webber, McLoughlin.

Sheffield United: Blackman, Baldock, Basham, Thomas (Slater 46), Sharp (c) (Fleck 88), Wright, Carter-Vickers, Stearman, Lavery (Donaldson 73), Lafferty, Carruthers. Unused: Moore, Stevens, O’Connell, Norrington-Davies. Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire). Att:12,057 (Blades: 1,110).

Photo: TWTD

budgieplucker added 20:05 - Jan 6 At times we did play quite fluently, Connelly was outstanding, Hyam looked very sharp and pleasing to see a really good 60 minutes from him before he expectantly tired. I thought even Kevin Bru put in a good shift. The real problem was our front three of McGoldrick, Sears and Celina. I am a Celina fan but really expected much more of him, I didn't expect much from Freddie Sears so I wasn't surprised. Freddie has to play off the shoulder of a target man to be effective, McGoldrick was dominated by the two big centre half's and then kept dropping deep to pick up play. We therefore missed a centre forward. Our final ball consistently let us down and no real presence in the box apart from the occasional late run from Connelly. I think we were poor in the last third, our possession was high but too often we have been groomed to concede possession and play counter attacking football. I thought both full backs were very poor and iorfa must be the poorest right back that I have seen at the club. So many wasted balls from the fullbacks but then we didn't really have any ready to attack balls in the box. MM does deserve all the criticism though for not using all his subs and going for it in the last 15 minutes. I very much get the impression he didn't want a draw and a replay which suggests this is why he held back. It does make me angry in the 40th anniversary of winning the cup we couldn't give a better account of ourselves. I have no delusions we are a mid table club and top six is beyond the current squad. I would be trying to sign Callum Connelly, this lad has been outstanding and keeps turning in consistent performances. A word of praise for Jonas and I am not his biggest fan, he looked comfortable in the left centre half role.

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Surco72 added 20:13 - Jan 6 Stoke listening to their fans shame Evans has no clue
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blueboy1981 added 20:20 - Jan 6 The last ten years of ITFC has certainly gone down in history - for all the wrong reasons. even more so, the last five years. We need an Owner with 'Ambition' who really has an interest in FOOTBALL first and foremost - and a Manager who has 'blue blood' running thro' the veins. We have had them, GeorgeB, JimM, to name a couple - oh to have such people back again, working for an Owner who has genuine reasons for owning OUR Football Club. The only thing that remains of OUR Club of old - is it's name. We need true, caring Ipswich Town pedigree people back - otherwise the Club will die on it's feet, and currently it's heading in that direction all too fast.

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Pilgrimblue added 20:22 - Jan 6 First game we've missed cause we were sick! Sick of MM Sick of ME Sick of Milne Can't believe that MM is hanging on to May. Thick skinned or what! Can't believe that Evans has missed so many opportunities to sack MM. Portsmouth Lincoln and now SU reserves! Can't believe that Milne is so stupid. No passion or understanding. This is a big week so don't disappoint us Evans and do the right thing but not holding my breath.

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NorthFar added 20:37 - Jan 6 Swn98 I never said it was a tax scam and neither did I say I was certain. You seem to be assuming the certainty in my statement. I said the club was used to offset tax. Marcus Evans Group have many companies, I would presume some are profitable and others make a loss. From recent accounts published it shows that ITFC make a loss. It's feasible, if you assume that ITFC is under the umbrella of ME Group that these losses are offset against the profits of the other companies in that group. One would imagine it is in their interest that ITFC should be profitable but after all these years of mediocrity, selling our best assets (and not replacing them adequately) plus the considerable costs associated with running a football club - it would seem that currently the club is not the highest priority within the group to be profitable. If I may ask (in reference to your post on McCarthy's post-match comments) you seem certain that many people posting on this forum do not attend the matches. Could who explain exactly who?

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wayway added 20:46 - Jan 6 Swn, if it is not a tax scam perhaps you can explain exactly WHY Evans owns the club. Surely you don't thing it is out of the goodness of his heart. If it were possible to access the accounts of Evans PLC then we would know but I wager he has some very clever and crafty accountants on his payroll
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NorthFar added 20:55 - Jan 6 Way way. Why does he own this club? That is the million dollar question.
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Dog added 20:55 - Jan 6 Have i missed something here. What makes everyone think mick is off in the summer. Ok, his contract is up but that doesn't mean he won't be offered one in the next six months. The few who go, the many that don't and the number of norwich fans with various new id's need to get your head round this. Evans, who in my opinion, is the man you need to direct your anger at for the following: 1. No transfer funds to progress the club 2. High seat prices 3. Continue to employ a manager who is one dimensional 4. The previous 2 managers 5. Clegg, milne etc - no need to say more 6. Disenfranchising with the fans And lastly, for those who keep posting about the glory days of the 70's and 80's - get over it. Those days have gone. If you look at the teams who were top 5 in those years you will see Liverpool have not won the league for 27 years. Derby - same division Man city - we can all dream of untold riches but until recently were struggling. Qpr - same division Leeds - same division Aston Villa - same division Notts firest - same division Every dog has his day. The liklihood of those days returning are negligible. You do deserve a better run club so attend the next match and i challenge you all to out sing the leeds fans with your demonstrations against evans and mm. I guess that will not happen and the north stand will be as silent as usual.!!!

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Bluespeed added 21:15 - Jan 6 Can I ask one question please? If & I understand it's a big if we are getting tired of the sound bites & action coming from Portman Road why isn't there a massive protest ? I hear a rumble from the north stand , I see a few town fans leaving before the end however I have not seen one single banner demanding the sacking of hopeless Mick & Terry yet up the M6 at stoke 3 banners on MOTD & guess what Hughes gone !! It's up to you but appathy never changed a thing !

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BaaBaaBlue added 21:25 - Jan 6 Our club is going nowhere.. I'm beginning to wonder if Marcus Evans really is a Town fan.. is he just a friend of that witch from down the road, sent here to slowly destroy our once proud club.. I mean, he may well have pumped cash in to keep us afloat, but it's such a mediocre time for a Town fan.. the whole club is totally stuck in other times.. In my humble opinion, we need totally re-branding, we live in an area where land is freely available to build on - and Portman Rd is so out dated, there needs to be a new stadium/sports complex (somewhere near the A14 to take into account Suffolks other big ish town Bury) ..if something doesn't happen soon at our club, I promise you now, other teams will take the initiative - obviously, nothing like this will happen in my lifetime.. but something does need to change pretty soon.. I live Sudbury way, and Ipswich are a bit of a laughing stock here really.. I'm fed up of us losing local supporters, our branding is terrible.. we are the biggest sporting club in our county by some margin and should be working hard on promoting this as much as possible.. Heading to Portman Rd is so mediocre, I'm not sure people at the club realise this - dodgy Burgers outside the ground, not much parking near by, expensive tickets for a couple of hours of an average experience, the worst cup of tea I've ever had was at PR.. there isn't much endearing tbh.. I genuinely believe we need change - and before Norwich get some real impetus, investment and become by far the big club of East Anglia

4

DurhamTownFan added 21:26 - Jan 6 Bluespeed: totally agree. Would do one if I could get to more games but I currently live in Swansea! All good saying you're a ‘real fan' for sticking with the team and going every week but what kind of blind idiot just sits there and does nothing while the club rots under this owner? We're slowly drifting into League 1 while he continuously strips our best assets every window. Time for st least some action!!

6

LWNR2013 added 21:35 - Jan 6 ..............they are his assets to strip, not ours. Heritage is ours not MEs. Bad times
1

liam88 added 21:44 - Jan 6 Blue heaven where have you gone
0

BrettenhamBlue added 21:56 - Jan 6 Poor game. We were lucky to get away with 0-1
2

Cakeman added 21:56 - Jan 6 I agree with you Bluespeed but I think people including many season ticket holders in their own way are silently protesting by not turning up to games. Mr and Mrs Cakeman have been season ticket holders for a long time but this season we have started missing a few games because we can no longer be bothered to do a round trip of 80 miles to watch the square root of zero entertainment and lack of ambition. All very sad and I would have thought an owner of a club who experienced a dramatic decline in supporters numbers would want to do something about it. Unfortunately our owner still sits by season after season silently doing nothing.

7

Geddis78 added 22:12 - Jan 6 Must have been bad today. The harbinger of doom Mickszzztactics has returned. Praise the lord. Guys, you may not like Evans which is fair enough, but the simple fact is, he stops the club from going bust. If anyone out there knows a billionaire willing to spend loads of money on a football club, send him our way. Likewise a manager who can make our team play like Man City on a tiny budget. Don't get me wrong, I long for the good days to return but I can't see anyone buying the club nor any manager with a decent calibre being attracted here. Mark me down by all means but MM manages to attract the likes of Fraser, Lawrence & Bersant plus has signed some absolute bargains like Mings, Waghorn, McGoldrick, Webster, Garner etc. Sometimes it is dreadful (mainly last season) to watch, like today, but he keeps us in the Championship. Bigger teams than us have dropped into Div 1.

3

Lightningboy added 22:13 - Jan 6 The rumours of McCarthy signing a contract extension send shivers down my spine. A year on from the Lincoln disaster and things are still just as bad - barring the goals of Garner,Celina & Waghorn we are still a club in a right mess. Yes McCarthy can run the club on a shoestring but if that's what we've become and all we aspire to then what's the point? Send him on his way this summer (he doesn't like any of us anyhow) and get someone at the club who actually wants to be here.

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airliner added 22:15 - Jan 6 Supported this club for35 years , today really finished me. Mick did not do anything properly and should go if he has any credibility. Please do the right thing and leave this once brilliant club . You are a disgrace
15

Umros added 22:35 - Jan 6 My 9 year old pestered me into going, me deep down knowing the outcome but going with hope. We sat for a change behind the dug out. Eye opener, as it was blatantly obvious MCarthy was not interested the more the game went on, no passion shown, no real interest in the game or using the subs. A sad sad decline and hard for a loyal supporter to take, it is really hard to see a positive way forward with the current regime, the club is now run as a tax loss corporate entity. Disgusting.

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Bert added 22:54 - Jan 6 Some good posts from those who actually went to the game. Fair and balanced unlike the regular six who must spend all their day on this site thinking up even more negative bile without actually going to a game.
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pazzy added 22:56 - Jan 6 think of the fans for once well there are still some left
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BraveDave added 23:31 - Jan 6 Thanks for that warktheline. I would say there are plenty of reasonable arguments from both sides on this site this evening. Unfortunately you are not a contributor. And show me the lousy and embarrassing excuses I have made for MM or ME. Sad times at the moment, but it is interesting to hear some differing views from true fans who love this club. Unfortunately your views are neither interesting or knowledgeable. Now, why not put forward your well thought out strategy for the next 12 months. Can't wait....

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TonyHumesIpswich added 23:35 - Jan 6 Reasonable performance from a couple of players; Knudsen and Connolly. Poor performances from many others and appallingly bad performances by some. It's the same damn players every week who put in abysmal performances, yet unbelievably they get picked over and over again. Embarrassing performances lads. You know who you are.
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TonyHumesIpswich added 23:38 - Jan 6 Oh and who was meant to be marking Lavery? Whoever that was did a FINE job, not.
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warktheline added 23:39 - Jan 6 McCarthy out tomorrow morning ! Cowley installed same day! Cowley to use his knowledge of lower leagues to compensate Evans tightfistedness! Come back this time next year Bravedave !
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