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

warktheline added 23:46 - Jan 6 I've more than enough 'upstairs' bravedave to 'chew the fat' with the likes of you, unfortunately you don't debate but do boringly make hopeless excuses!
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BraveDave added 23:56 - Jan 6 Warktheline - your first line may well be right, but after that I suspect you're just dreaming. McCarthy was the best manager in the Championship when he joined (your analysis), now he is the worst, and suddenly a guy who had one fantastic cup run is going to be your new saviour. If youre right this time next year, I'll salute you, but I suspect you'll have your next hate figure and yet another ill thought out idea on who to replace him. Anyway, I'm done - it's been a very long day following the team I love - you should try it once in a while

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cornishblu added 00:03 - Jan 7 20 secs coverage on match of the day...and only 8 of them were actually action...more time spent on us walking out that us touching the ball.....Mick and Marcus you continue to make us a laughing stock....Get out of our club !
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midastouch added 00:06 - Jan 7 What is going on with Freddie Sears? May as well call him Freddie Years as it seems years ago since he last put in a decent shift in a blue shirt! I think that's my last roll of the dice at Portman Road for some time. I was totally bored stiff. I only paid £12 and thank goodness because even then I still felt robbed given the terrible lack of entertainment. If I'd of paid the full entry price for that I'd of felt really cheesed off! I still felt mugged off but it could of been even worse had it of been a league match. And I cannot for one minute understand why we are letting players like Danny Rowe go out on loan while we have several players still here that simply aren't up to the job! The thing that pushed me over the edge today was how we didn't work their keeper at all. We were at home and we didn't make their keeper do jack s**t! They probably don't even need to wash his top after that performance, it was truly woeful! And Mick said he was pleased with the performance. If that doesn't send alarm bells ringing I don't know what will! Marcus Heavens above has cast this club into a dark shadow and Mick is most certainly not the Messiah to save us from perpetual damnation!

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Theipswich added 00:25 - Jan 7 I see the likes of Bert have posted tonight...I thought he was round McCarthy-s house tonight serving up drinks and pandering to his every whim....
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MBG added 00:55 - Jan 7 We once held the record for the longest winning streak in the FA cup third round and no we can't win a single tie in almost a decade! What a disgraceful insipid performance at home against a B selection. What do you expect when MM makes it obvious in the lead up that he's not too fussed about this comp. We are going nowhere in the league so wouldn't a decent cup tun have done wonders for bringing some long overdue buzz around this once respected club? Ultimately Evans is responsible and it's more than just the lack of investment. This club is being culturally ripped up.

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GiveusaWave added 03:54 - Jan 7 Ipswich Town FC...the club that just keeps on giving....
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Geddis78 added 08:08 - Jan 7 Warktheline, brilliant. Moan about the style of hoof ball and suggest bringing in a manager whose main tactic was to hoof the ball up to a 17 stone lump of a centre forward. Sure that would get the fans flooding back. And of course, we would all love to see lower league players here rather than Waghorn/Garner/Celina.
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Dissboyitfc added 08:29 - Jan 7 McCarthy out asa, no reason for him to stay! No attempts on target they could have played without a keeper, says it all! It was a cup game, he could have thrown all caution to the wind! Just get out !!!!!
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lightingblue added 08:45 - Jan 7 There were more away fans than Ipswich today
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lightingblue added 08:46 - Jan 7 Meant yesterday
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sidtheswan added 08:52 - Jan 7 MM I say what I like and I bloody well like what I say. I love the long ball game Every player has a y on the end of their name or shortened with an s i.e. Hyamsy or Garns I love buying wingers and not playing them If your father has the temerity to die you will be dropped for a lesser player I love hoofball I hate tractor boys and girls who have an opinion that's not mine What's Cup tradition ? What's entertainment ? All the inferior teams we play are better than us Etc etc etc

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Swn98 added 09:11 - Jan 7 Any accoutants tax lawyers plausible explanation how ME uses ITFC as a tax loss 09:07 - Jan 7 with 15 views Swn98 Could somebody please explain how ITFC is a tax veichle for ME group. 0 Any accoutants tax lawyers plausible explanation how ME uses ITFC as a tax loss on 09:08 - Jan 7 with 11 views StokieBlue It's not? SB Nothing else needed 0 Any accoutants tax lawyers plausible explanation how ME uses ITFC as a tax loss on 09:08 - Jan 7 with 6 views callis He doesn't. Someone before I believe explained the potential finances and the loss he's making from it outweigh any gains.

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warktheline added 09:53 - Jan 7 @bravedave&geddis, McCarthy done a top job in his first two seasons, regardless of style of play, ' not losing ' will always put bums on seats! Your man preached 'difficult to beat' and we were for a period! When Evans failed to release funds end of play off campaign it wasn't long after that McCarthy began 'head scratching'. Three years he's been void of ideas, and HIS 'manifesto' has long since been discarded. Any 'losing' brand of football is ugly! I've never doubted McCarthy's Championship credentials but a 'combination' of scenarios has resulted in failure. Three years on, and still he twiddles his thumbs in-between insulting the natives! A spend force ! In regards to Cowley, of course we all want to see 'top players' at Portman Rd but under this owner it won't happen, or at least, not on a constant bases! We take one step forward and then two steps back! ( current situation an example ). With this being the case, wouldn't it be beneficial to unload McCarthy's wages and 'others' ( we have a high wage bill ) and start with a 'proven winner' from a league below? Thus lowering outgoings and use this 'winner' to tap into markets currently not always utilised! This man is full of vigour and energy and maybe, just maybe, this will light up Portman Rd, again regardless of how it's achieved! I certainly won't apologise for not attending Portman Rd under this ongoing shambles, and won't return until it changes! Unfortunately when I do it'll be alone, as Evans and co have lost another potential supporter who much prefers 'less ugly' surroundings!

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martin587 added 10:01 - Jan 7 With so much uncertainty and unrest at the club someone above needs to step up to the mark and explain just why this club is in this situation. We have a manager who shows little respect to players,supporters or the club.We have an owner who declines to face the supporters and convince us of his future intentions on what direction this club intends to go. So many rumers flying around it's no wonder the support is dwindling each week.So we are all lead to believe football is now a business,if so This is not the way to run one. For me yesterday was the last straw.We just cannot go on like this otherwise this club will slowly disappear without trace to the lower regions.Sad to say,but true.

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Bert added 10:04 - Jan 7 You know when the regular six on here have lost the argument when their posts say nothing other than abuse. Like others, I hope that MM moves on soon and Evan's gets expert advice on a replacement. This very good fans site has been hijacked by the haters who simply mock others regardless of what they say. Prove me wrong !
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Battyboy added 10:05 - Jan 7 The clubs is in free fall at present. Needs a complete overhaul by new management team or we will be heading for division 1. Those players out of contract, let them go and rebuild with the youth and new signings.
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Butcherboy added 10:25 - Jan 7 Well said martin587.
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bressinghamblue added 10:53 - Jan 7 Sadly, after a false dawn, our beloved club feels just like it did last season. Boring, disrespectful manager, boring tactics, square legs in round holes, fans (quite rightly) losing patience. My ray of hope is that MM is talking about the club needing a change. I pray that means he's settled for moving on in May. If so, we have a great nucleus of players. Waggy and Garner are exciting. Huws will do well for us. Webster is a star in the making. The youngsters won't let us down, and will give us a midfield which can create chances. McGoldrick and Chambers need to go. Sears needs to be used as a sub at best, and only as a striker. We need to rebuild the back four around players like Wolfie, Kenlock and Emmanuel. Adayemi is an exciting player and so is Rowe. What about the lad from Waterford. So, crowds will fall. The MM era will end. Apathy has returned. BUT ...... A whole lot of true blue fans will return to support the team"s rebuilding, under a hopefully young, progressive manager. Can't wait!

7

Spanishblueblood added 11:02 - Jan 7 Guys, i urge you not to take the bait, being dangled in front of you, by the Budgies that have been trolling on here!!! Its so obvious that Swn, Pratmatic, Gcon, Bert and the rest of the 'happy clappy' brigade are on the wind up, i mean come on......only a 6 fingered buffoon would still back MM or find any positives at the moment!
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Swn98 added 11:08 - Jan 7 I love that statement young progressive manager i cant wait
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Swn98 added 11:12 - Jan 7 Any accoutants tax lawyers plausible explanation how ME uses ITFC as a tax loss by PrideOfTheEast on 09:36 - Jan 7 with 162 views Put very simply for about the fiftieth time: 1) the only material “benefit” would be tax group relief which allows you to offset the losses in one group company against profits in another. The profits in another company would otherwise be taxed at just below 20% so for every one pound of loss in ITFC, the ME group gets just less than a 20p benefit. So to be absolutely clear, Evans is spending circa £6m a year and getting at the very most around a £1m benefit for that. He might have losses in other companies which diminish the value of the ITFC loss to the group as a whole. 2) there would be no benefit whatsoever if any loan was to be written off. Such a write off would not be tax deductible in an intra-group situation.

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Swn98 added 11:17 - Jan 7 Northfar im still waiting for your explanation.
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Swn98 added 11:22 - Jan 7 Northfar Warktheline admits to not going Bluebore admits to not going amongst many others their choice of course. Warktheline Parasite=live of something else I Pay to watch the team of my choice strange choice of words i believe.
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Rensham added 11:32 - Jan 7 'Gutless, Spineless, Toothless, Passionless, Pathetic'
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