Ipswich Town 0-0 Sheffield United - Match Report
Saturday, 10th Mar 2018 17:08

Town’s hopes of reviving their play-off challenge were dealt a significant blow as they drew 0-0 at home with Sheffield United. The Blades came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half when sub James Wilson struck a post and skipper Billy Sharp failed to turn in the rebound, while Town have now gone four home games without scoring a goal.

Myles Kenlock, Bersant Celina, Stephen Gleeson and Dominic Iorfa all returned to the Blues’ starting XI, while Jonas Knudsen missed out due to a tight hamstring and Mustapha Carayol with the groin problem he suffered at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Jordan Spence and Luke Hyam dropped to the bench.

Kenlock replaced Knudsen at left wing-back, Iorfa was in for Spence on the right, while Gleeson started in the midfield trio with Cole Skuse and Callum Connolly. Celina played off main striker Martyn Waghorn.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, who spent the first half of the season with the Blades, was again part of a back three with skipper Luke Chambers and Adam Webster.

For the visitors, Ched Evans and John Lundstram came into the team replacing Clayton Donaldson, who was on the bench, and Mark Duffy, absent due to a tight calf. Ex-Blues loanee Richard Stearman started in the Blades defence.

George Baldock struck the game’s first shot for the South Yorkshiremen in the second minute but Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, fresh from receiving his first Poland call-up yesterday, got down to his right to save comfortably.

Bialkowski was in action again two minutes later when Lee Evans curled a not overly testing 25-yard freekick into his arms.

The Blues threatened for the first time in the sixth minute, Kenlock breaking and then sending Waghorn away down the left with a perfectly weighted pass. Town’s top scorer crossed and Jack O’Connell turned the ball behind.

A minute later, Waghorn, scorer of both the Blues’ goals at Hillsborough, hit his first shot of the afternoon, cleverly turning away from his man before shooting across the face and wide.

Ex-Blues loanee Stearman got his name in the book in the ninth minute after he had been caught in possession midway inside the Blades’ half by Waghorn, who he hauled back as he broke towards goal. Another defender was covering so the yellow card looked the right decision.

Waghorn took the freekick himself and floated the ball towards the far post from where Iorfa stooped to head goalwards from a tight angle, Jamal Blackman in the Blades goal diverting it behind.

Bialkowski snaffled John Fleck’s well-struck shot for the visitors on 12, then four minutes later Celina scraped an effort wide at the other end.

After an entertaining first quarter of an hour of plenty of chances, opportunities dried up at both ends.

The Blades began to get on top and there was a major scare for the Blues on 33 when Fleck played his Sharp in behind the Town defence.

The former Doncaster man hooked the bouncing ball over the advancing Bialkowski but was unable to get in an effort at goal before he was outmuscled by Chambers. The Blades striker’s hopeful penalty appeal was ignored by referee John Brooks.

Soon after, Gleeson shot high and wide for Town, then on 40 Skuse was booked for catching Lee Evans late.

Town threatened as the break approached, Celina cutting in and shooting wide following a corner shortly before the half was brought to a close with the scores still level.

After an end to end first quarter of an hour or so in which both sides had chances, the Blades had the better of it but with Sharp’s chance where he got in behind the Town defence their only significant opportunity.

The Blues began to look more dangerous towards the end of the half but Blackman hadn’t been forced to make a serious save.

Ahead of the second half Spence replaced Iorfa at right wing-back for the Blues. The visitors hit the first shot of the second period, Bialkowski getting down to his right to save at his post.

Sheffield United should have taken the lead in the 49th minute when Lundstram got a fortunate bounce as he was challenged breaking into the Town box and found himself in the clear.

The former Everton youngster had a clear sight of goal but instead cut back to Ched Evans, who claimed a penalty as he was crowded out by Chambers while trying to get in a shot on the turn. Town sought to clear and the ball cannoned off Fleck and wide.

Celina forced Blackman to saved down to his right at his post on 52 with a low shot from distance, then three minutes later Skuse failed to find the in-space Waghorn with a ball in from the left having won possession on the left.

But the Blades were looking the more threatening side with Town defending desperately in their box at times.

On 59 Connolly blocked from Sharp from a Baldock cross from the right, not the first to have caused problems in the Town area.

A minute later, Hyam took over from Connolly for the Blues, the on 69 Ched Evans made way for the visitors, Wilson taking over.

Town were starting to see most of the ball but without threatening but in the 78th minute the visitors came within a whisker of taking the lead.

Sub Wilson struck a 25-yard effort which beat Bialkowski but hit the inside of the post. The loose ball fell to Sharp, who hit his rebound into the ground and over when he should have scored. While Bialkowski prepared to take the goalkick, the Blades swapped Sharp for David Brooks.

Blues boss McCarthy switched his system in the 79th minute swapping half-time sub Spence for Joe Garner as the Blues moved to 4-4-2. Four minutes later, Gleeson was booked for a foul.

From the freekick, the ball reached O’Connell beyond the far post but the defender was only able to direct it across the face and wide. With three minutes of scheduled time remaining Clayton Donaldson replaced Lundstram for the visitors.

Neither side created a serious chance in three minutes of injury time and the game petered out to a 0-0 draw.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of what was, after a promising first 15 minutes, a dull and scruffy game played on what’s an increasingly difficult Portman Road pitch.

The Blades, still ninth, five points off the play-offs with a game in hand, had the better of the chances in the second half with the Blues never really looking like claiming the three points.

Failing to win another home game - they have won only once in their last eight matches in all competitions at Portman Road - is a big blow to Town’s hopes of getting back into the play-off hunt.

They remain 12th but now nine points off the top six although with a game in hand, Tuesday’s home match against Hull City, a fixture they must win if the season isn't going to come to an early end from a competitive perspective.

Town: Bialkowski, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Webster, Iorfa (Spence 46 (Garner 79)), Skuse, Connolly (Hyam 60), Gleeson, Kenlock, Celina, Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Garner, Ward, Sears, Nydam.

Sheffield United: Blackman, Basham, Stearman, O’Connell, Stevens, Fleck, L Evans, Lundstram (Donaldson 87), Baldock, Sharp (c) (Brooks 78), C Evans (Wilson 69). Unused: Moore, Leonard, Lafferty, Holmes. Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire). Att: 15,152 (Blades: 1,034).

Photo: TWTD

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ronnyd added 18:01 - Mar 10 dangerous30, you are easily pleased then.
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H1960 added 18:06 - Mar 10 Ianmarshall10 ......Mick out for me and I stupidly pushed the up button
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dirtydingusmagee added 18:08 - Mar 10 another typical McCarthy tactical masterclass. Wonderful ,with nothing to lose [and nothing to gain] a grinder for a point. Waiting for the Happy clapper reports. And Swn98 our La Liga pundit ,s informative views of another remarkable game .
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Swn98 added 18:11 - Mar 10 How can I have a view on a match I didn't see perhaps you and your cohorts should take the same stance dirty
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therein61 added 18:13 - Mar 10

Season ended today as has the soul of diehards who pay their hard earned to watch this negative rubbish!!! this so called manager has wrecked our club and has driven supporters away in droves 15,ooo for a reasonably attractive fixture(given that Sheff Utd play the game properly!!!) is a disgrace apart from the blind happy clappers everyone else can see this man has totally destroyed our club and the support!!!!>

grumpyoldman added 18:13 - Mar 10 BBC summarizer said it was a dull affair, people only roused from their slumber in 78th minute when the ball hit the post, but soon went back to sleep, and some people on here ask why attendance at matches has dropped?
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Taricco_Fan added 18:17 - Mar 10 Less than 10,000 for the Hull game, guaranteed.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:18 - Mar 10 Everything about ITFC is dull, boring & predictable, the football, the philosophy, the investment, even the two music events announced for the Summer scream.... dull & boring!! Heaven knows when this nightmare will end ðŸ™„
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therein61 added 18:22 - Mar 10

The main picture shows our premiership class no/8 bodily wise looking to make a forward pass but his eyes are looking sideways for the negative put you into trouble pass that he is famous for and put colleagues in bother resulting in more often than not a goal conceded!! premiership!? he wouldn't make the bench in the Vanarama prem!!!!! but then his manager loves him.

Ipswichbusiness added 18:23 - Mar 10 5 at the back plus 3 defensive midfielders; at home!!!
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BigscarfAl added 18:25 - Mar 10 Negative team selection, predictable performance, only plus was that we did not loose. I hear that Mick is happy to take a point, nothing new there then!. Can we have some entertaining football please!
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EssexTractor added 18:28 - Mar 10

For those of us who have attended Portman Road for many years, decades, today we saw how those those in charge of the Club, Owner, manager, coach, are now devoid of the needs of the paying customers.
Truly we do realise we are not a particularly good team, we know that, some tolerate Mick, some seem to be believe he continues to be the man, some have no more time for him.
Ok football has historically had mixed views.
Today looking at the League table before the match, it seemed almost sure we will not be relegated,and that it would take a calamitous fall of those above us, to creep into the playoffs .
But we had just won two away matches.
We were at least temporarily uplifted by that.
And so to Portman Road we went.
Today surely we would see what fans, loyal fans, paying customers would get in return for that payment....entertainment....
Well for those who thought today was positive and entertaining ring PR and ask fur a video of the match, re watch and then advise the reasons for that .
My viewpoint and those around me...turgid, patternless, embarrassing as a home team.
Surprised, sadly not..just a " ditto" of what has been seen so often.
The overall awfulness underlined when with 30 minutes to go the mercurial McCarthy offered to us all hoping, praying for a proper attack , a shot , a second of dynamic play...Luke Hyam.....
But we didn't ( very fortunately) concede, so Bravo Mick...extended contract soon be with you!!!

Kropotkin123 added 18:41 - Mar 10 lol, "hopes of reviving their play-off challenge"
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Bluetone added 18:46 - Mar 10 I too am also old enough to remember when we had a good footballing team, weren't afraid to play youngsters and had a playing surface to be proud of. What depths this regime has dragged us to.
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shaunmahony added 18:52 - Mar 10

Met Colin Bell at Man City a few weeks ago - when I said I was an Ipswich supporter the first thing he said was " liked going to play there - the pitch was fantastic" - that was in the seventies when I remember going to an England France hockey match played at PR the pitch was so outstanding. Now we haven't even got a good pitch. Seems symptomatic of the overall state of affairs. Someone has to stop the rot but no idea who will.

brittaniaman added 18:53 - Mar 10 On the pitch The goalmouths look quite good, compared to the whole side in front of the co-op stand, so all the action must be down that side and not in the goalmouths ????
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BillyBaxterwasbest added 18:54 - Mar 10 What a lot of moaners!
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heathen66 added 19:02 - Mar 10

So Plan A wasn't working, so lets make changes and continue with Plan A.
I thought Kenlock had a good game, but that will not matter as soon as Knudsen is remotely fit. The three CMs have no idea of how to pass a ball forward other than aimlessly hook it forward. Chambers and CCV were just as bad hoofing it aimlessly to no one.
MOTM for me was Webster, who was brave and hit some superb long passes (there is a difference between hoofing and long passing), especially of his weaker foot.
No goals in the last 4 home games is disgraceful, but not surprising as we again set up with 8 defensive minded outfield players.
This is a result of having to play CCV (part of the agreement with Spurs), as he also has to play Chambers (apparently) and Webster is the best footballing defender at the club.
We then play 2 FBs at Wing back and then three holding CMs.
And then when the opportunity is there to change it we go like for like.
The club needs a new direction...NOW !!!

alfromcol added 19:05 - Mar 10 I think McCarthy should take a view on Josh Emmanuel's future and bring him back NOW. We currently don't have RB in the place.
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BillyBaxterwasbest added 19:06 - Mar 10 The poor pitch is to do with the new stands. We now have less sun and less ventilation, nothing to do with the grounds men who do a good job. But some people just want to moan!
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blueboy1981 added 19:07 - Mar 10

........ 360+ minutes of play at HOME without a goal - tells it's own story.

As Mick Mills quite rightly said on Radio Suffolk, we just had to go for the win today, and again against Hull on Tuesday. McCarthy today has proved that whatever garbage he spouts, he is not interested in the play-offs, and probably never has been this season. Antagonistic approach to the game yet again today.

How anyone (with an iota of how the game should be played) can still condone and support this Dinosaur is beyond me. They obviously will enjoy their 'day out and Burger / Pie' whatever he serves up at Portman Road - that has to be their only requirement.

We have some good youngsters on the books, who should, and could, be our successful future - BUT NOT WITH THIS DINOSAUR STILL AROUND.
The sooner he goes the better. Todays tactics / substitutions were nothing short of a joke - and not for the only time this season either.

WANTED:-

A YOUNG, AMBITIOUS MANAGER WHO WILL MAKE THE MOST OF THE POTENTIAL THAT OUR CURRENT CROP OF YOUNGSTERS HAVE - AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Bert added 19:07 - Mar 10

A dull affair with two evenly matched sides. Two solid defences so a goalless bore draw was always on the cards. Skuse had a good game as did our Spurs loanee. Celina was again poor and will never play for Man City. Wouldn't even want him back. So, the season as expected is petering out and all that's left is to laugh at Norwich and hope that Evans realises that a change is necessary. MM is not our worst manager by a long way but he is past his sell by date. ROy Keane was overwhelmingly our worst manager and cared not one notch for our club.

LWNR2013 added 19:10 - Mar 10 I was there as usual. There was no apparent plan or desire to win, only not to lose. The pitch is like the team lacklustre, under invested in. I was bored, uninterested and felt ... nothing! As SBR said .. What is a club? It's the noise, the passion, the sense of belonging. Not for me, not today. An absolute disgrace- top to bottom.
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