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

blueboy1981 added 19:07 - Jan 7 ........ there is evidence on here that Evans / McCarthy / Milne combined, have totally destroyed what we had as OUR Football Club. Worst part of it all - is than NONE of them care one iota. I am not sure at all, that there is a way back from this - although one would certainly hope there is.
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midastouch added 19:13 - Jan 7 Let's continue to look at the facts with real numbers because the numbers don't lie. So out of all the managers in the Premier League to have been in charge of at least 100 games, who has the lowest win percentage from this select group? You guessed it, Mick McCarthy! http://www.barriesview.com/all-time-premier-league-manager-statistic Can we spot a distinct pattern beginning to emerge? I would certainly hope so because it's 100% clear his record at the top level is rubbish, fact! The numbers are there for all to see and his numbers are p*ss poor! And another thing is certain, if he gets a team up (which he hasn't done for a very long time now!) he will bring them back down again with an almighty crash! I don't look particularly forward to playing several of the teams in this division for fear of the result so can you imagine how bad it would be going away in the Premier League to places like Man City and Liverpool with Mick McCarthy in charge? That would be one heck of a long 90 minutes that would put you into an early grave! He thinks he's so much better than he actually is yet when you dig into the facts and look at the real numbers his record is rubbish.

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Geddis78 added 19:15 - Jan 7 Warktheline, you are funny. You would go to Portman Road to fight someone you have never met before and know nothing about, but would not stay to watch the match. And yet you spend your lifetime on a site dedicated to Ipswich Town FC, a team you have barely watched in years. Seriously, you are either an oddball or a troll.
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Taricco_Fan added 19:16 - Jan 7 @blueboy We're on the slow march to League 1. It may take a couple of seasons but the prevailing direction of the club is heading that way. Huge debt, lack of investment, losing our best players every year, faceless owner, falling crowds. Seen this before at so many clubs that have fallen through the leagues. The club is in a state of rot and apathy that I've never experienced here.

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Rensham added 19:20 - Jan 7 If we put a run together of back to back wins that's better than a game in hand. and we can still make the play-offs. but when will the dream be officially over for Mick. when we have to win the last ten games of the season to make top six or will he actually admit to himself and the fans he's failed and there's no point in being the ITFC manager anymore.
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midastouch added 19:21 - Jan 7 Mick McCarthy collected just 10 points from 37 games in charge of Sunderland in the Premier League. So that season he averaged 0.27 points a game as a manager! And if what I saw yesterday was anything to go by I bet his Sunderland team were probably managing about that many shots on target each match too!
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Taricco_Fan added 19:26 - Jan 7 Anyone who listened to the Blue Monday Podcast prior to the recent Wolves game will have heard the Wolves fan's appraisal of McCarthy. Doesn't rate him at all. Very much a marmite figure with their fans. He said the club should have sacked McCarthy when they got promoted to the Premier League as he's just not cut out for that level of management.
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warktheline added 19:26 - Jan 7 @geddis, apologises didn't intend for you or anyone else to misconstrue my post! ‘Fighting' I'm a 50 yr old man with a wife and young kids! I'd be more than happy to meet up and shoot the breeze over a drink or two, but polite-fully decline tag-wrestling !
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BraveDave added 19:35 - Jan 7 Taricco Fan - good post. There are loads of people who don't get to see Town much, for many different reasons, but are still passionate. And there is definitely a feeling about the club now which I also don't think I've seen before. I don't think anyone is 'happy' with how things are - unfortunately it is so much deeper than whether MM remains manager or not. And that's why I get frustrated by those who pretend it's that simple. Whether it's next week, or May, I think MM will be gone soon, then we will know for sure whether it really is all down to him. Keep the faith

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bugledog123 added 19:37 - Jan 7 COYB! Hopefully we'll get a shot against Leeds....
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warktheline added 19:38 - Jan 7 I've over the years driven up and down the country following this club, and yes, I don't need to lie, I haven't been often over the last six years! Circumstances in life change, as mine have now, but I won't attend under current regime ! Shocking is the fact that geddis and Dave ‘attend' and continue to fail to see the woods through the trees! Disturbing !
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BraveDave added 19:48 - Jan 7 Warktheline - thanks for clarifying at last. So the reason you don't go is nothing to do with a protest. That's completely fine. And for the record, at no point have I said I attend all the time. Also for my own personal reasons, I miss some games, but would certainly not try to suggest I stopped going because of McCarthy.
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Geddis78 added 19:59 - Jan 7 Let's all finish on a nice note. Some good banter and remember, everyone on here is on the same side and we all want the same at the end of the day! COYB! Cheers all.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:11 - Jan 7 Vanmunt DONT MENTION THE GAME IN HAND . lol.
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jocasaja added 20:33 - Jan 7 I missed my first match in many years by choosing to not attend the FA cup match. I have never ever in close to 30yrs as a season ticket holder felt so utterly bored and apathetic. I will attend the Leeds game and will be interested as to what the atmosphere will be like. If we lose badly then I think there will be a very toxic one ! ...a big game for ITFC and MM
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midastouch added 20:42 - Jan 7 I reckon if we had 10 games in hand we still wouldn't make the Play Offs!
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:43 - Jan 7 Geddis thanks for your last contribution, WE ARE all ITFC supporters, regardless what Swn and Gcon keep spouting off. Many ,a growing number, are extremely concerned with how the club is being run and the direction in which it is heading, many myself included have taken the decision to stay away until it changes, I personally live near Lowestoft and don't drive, it is an expensive day out , whilst things remain as dire as they are I don't feel like shelling out to help the Evans cause, he is faceless ,and seemingly clueless .I CANNOT justify shelling out to my family [who incidentally TAKE NOTE Swn98 and Gcon, used to attend many of the home games too. For people like Swn to keep claiming people are not supporters and don't go to games is not on ,and if s##t flies their way it is fully deserved. I for one am not one to back down, be it on keyboard or back alley.

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Geddis78 added 20:55 - Jan 7 Fair play. No way would I drive down from Lowestoft either. Jocasaja, agree entirely. Hoping for the best but fearing the worst!
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vanmunt added 20:56 - Jan 7 We all care deeply about our stupid little club in Suffolk, blatantly obvious by these posts on this site. It hurts all the more that the ones in charge are the most apathetic, i mean no ill will to any town supporter who takes the time to post. Yesterday was a yet another glorious low for a once proud club. As monty python said 'always look on the bright side of life'
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warktheline added 21:06 - Jan 7 Bravedave, thanks for finally clarifying ! I don't need to justify my standing towards my club! Regardless of circumstances I wouldn't step foot inside Portman Rd these last 3 seasons! Our differences still stand steadfastly and will continue to do so, unless club changes policies and direction quickly!
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wayway added 21:13 - Jan 7 Reading through the posts on here there seems to now be a consensus that Marcus Evans is to blame for the state that the club is in now. Forget McCarthy because with any other owners or board of directors he would have been gone long ago. Yes it is Evans PLC who are at the root of the problem. What their purpose is in owning the club is open to question but it is not for football reasons that is for sure. So that is the problem, what is the answer? A few fans holding up banners will be no good, staying away from Portman Road might help if the gates drop low enough but what really is needed is a concerted campaign by the local media. This page could be a start but I think Mr Ham is far too close to the club for that, likewise the EADT and Evening Star. Perhaps they don't want to lose their access to the managers press conferences etc but a strong campaign to get Evans PLC to sell the cub is needed and needed NOW. I wonder what the local businessmen, landowners and box holders are thinking right now. In the past there were people like the Barkers and the Pauls who spoke out against the then board of directors, is there no so much apathy that no one of any influence is bothered anymore. There was talk at one time of interest from racehorse owners from Newmarket. Is there someone out there to come in and save this great club from sinking any lower.

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mattwin added 05:41 - Jan 8 What has happened to this once great club?? I'm a avid fan and have been for 30 years but I have today officially given up on the club I love......It's not enjoyable anymore! I used to be buzzing to go and watch a game all hyped up as much as the players to pick up those 3 vital points. I hate to say it but it's gone. McCarthy, Milne and Evans have zapped all that was good out of this club. I rushed home from a family holiday to watch the Derby Country game with my 5 year old son and should not of bothered. It's embarrassing the place is like a library there no atmosphere what so ever! The football is Dull, you look around you and knowone is happy. Could someone explain why you would field a weakened team for a home FA cup game against Sheffield Utd? Yes we have injuries but that game was a final lifeline to inject something in to our rapidly fading season, a chance to go on a cup run or possibly get a next round away game at Spurs or West Ham, something that may give us fans some deserved pleasure, but oh no lets approach the game with no desire let's not even have a shot at goal and desevatbly lose!! Well done Mick thanks for another wasted season another season over just after Christmas....... It's boring it's souel destroying and I hate to say it but I'm walking away from this mess until at least McCarthys gone and possibly Evans has gone and hopefully someone has bought the club with some desire to take it forward rather than backwards as Evans has done over the last 10 years, well done thanks for destroying us

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:46 - Jan 8 For those who still feel for the club but don't want to line the pockets of the current regime (a position I can understand, even though I still visit PR when I can), why not re-direct the money saved on season tickets and over-priced entry and refreshments, and go to a few away matches instead? Sort out some car-sharing, or even hire a coach to pick up in your local area. Our aim could be to become the best-supported away club in the division. It's a different feeling being the away team, and the gap between home support and away support might just make clear the point to the powers that be that ITFC is not just about commerce and balance sheets. At least we could go down to League 1 with our pride intact!

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BlueArrow added 07:36 - Jan 8 Steve_ITFC_Sweden. That's exactly what myself and family have done from the start of this season. But even then it's starting to wear a bit thin.
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Swn98 added 08:05 - Jan 8 Your last post show how pathetic you are Dirty my first post on here Saturday was all about my thoughts on the game and certain players as usual Warktheline Bluebore and others jump on the waggon and drag it into a playground spat.well i will tell you something why should i lower myself to your level as far as im concerned your not worth any further communication wallow in your own misery along with your cohorts so called Supporters. Perhaps true supporters should boycott TWTD Phil would soon do something about it when the hits to his site go down and his advertising revenue declines.

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