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

wayway added 21:20 - Mar 10 'Every point is a prisoner' folks. Be careful what you wish for. Now you will all turn up on Tuesday and hope we can score a goal. Hull are a top side with some class players so I think we should start with a back five and three defensive midfield players and please, no booing or toxic chants, remember, if we score a goal at home before Easter we still have an outside chance of the playoffs!!!! If you do get bored you can play 'Spot Marcus Evans' and try to identify the actor who is playing him this week

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blueboy1981 added 21:28 - Mar 10 Swn98 ....... still waiting ... !! - obviously too much to expect.
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blueboy1981 added 21:28 - Mar 10 Swn98 ....... still waiting ... !! - obviously too much to expect.
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Swn98 added 22:00 - Mar 10 As I've told you before I don't comment on the game if I don't see it something you should perhaps do,you really are starting to live up to your name blue bore. Give the few sensible users of the news site a break and stop digging me out there's a good chappie!
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blueboy1981 added 22:12 - Mar 10 Swn98 ........ you don't need to see the game to acknowledge what is happening to the Club that we, and alledgedly you, care so passionately about. You are obviously totally oblivious to what is totally obvious to most other people (happy clappies excluded) of course. Like I said, post a decent constructive post or save your effort, and enjoy the son good chappie (clappie). You and your messiah make a good couple. Goodnight - save your effort, and sleep well.

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blueboy1981 added 22:14 - Mar 10 ....... should read 'Sun' - apologies for the malfunction.
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 22:33 - Mar 10 Another episode of the club being neglected and ridiculed while Abbott and Costello - sorry, Evans and McCarthy - are in position. To any and all who offer defense to these individuals, I respect your views, but you need realize this is simply NOT going to work. Home form is a real shame, once upon a time Portman Road would offer a very good opportunity to take points from any team, whereas now it's sad to see the way we allow to offer all visiting sides an opportunity. Feel there's not much else to add to this issue, thought maybe a late run to the top six was still possible but then you realize who the manager is. In the name of sanity Evans and his partner in shame MUST vacate this club during the summer. Not interested HOW it occurs, just want these pair of asses as far away from the club set-up as distance can permit itself. Frustrated and to a degree angry, but in truth (learning of today's score and performance) , not entirely surprising.

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toxtethblue added 22:59 - Mar 10 West ham showing how to show some fight and passion for your club. Most of you lot have no passion in comparison, only apathy.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:57 - Mar 11 Taricco: "Less than 10,000 for the Hull game, guaranteed." In Sweden that would actually mean "less than ten (point zero, zero, zero)." The way things are going, this figure might actually be nearer the mark than the one you mean. Sad to see Portman Road on matchday looking more like a shopping centre early on Sunday before opening time.
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Northstandveteran added 08:14 - Mar 11 How many more lifelong season ticket holders not renewing? How many lifelong fans no longer attending? Not just from the posts on this forum but Ipswich fans I know. I should have wanted to go yesterday, I should be looking forward to Hull under the lights. Is there ANYONE that could honestly say that they enjoyed their day at Portman road yesterday? I don't have the answers but some drastic changes really need to be made in the summer before crowds really do, drop below 10,000

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sidtheswan added 08:21 - Mar 11 There was never really a play off hope let's be honest .
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massivemole added 08:48 - Mar 11 Mick was celebrating a dull 0-0 at Milsoms last day. Champagne on the table. Well done Mick
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massivemole added 09:26 - Mar 11 LIkei have said before I can't believe the pitch is so bad. There is sh1te put on it every week. It should look the nuts Wednesday.
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dukey44 added 09:28 - Mar 11 Just think the clubs a joke now and then good old billybaxterwasbest appears with minus??? That makes counting on one hand three tossers associated with Ipswich Town F.C. !!! Evans please take Mick with you and hopefully the above named will follow you Mick and watch you ruin someone else's team and players!!!
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blue75 added 09:33 - Mar 11 May as well shut the upper tiers of the SBR and SAR looked so empty yesterday! I'm sure the fans up there would fit in the lower tiers.
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Northstandveteran added 09:44 - Mar 11 Just a conspiracy theory here. Perhaps the bigger plan for Evans is to get the crowd below 10,000, ground share with Colchester United and sell off the ground for prime building land? He is a businessman after all. Losing several million a year or recouping his losses? Does anyone have Mulder and Scully's phone number? I'll get them to check it out
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blue75 added 09:50 - Mar 11 Northstandveteran Evans doesn't own the ground he rents it off the council and they won't sell to him.
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Seasider added 09:56 - Mar 11 After McCarthys pre match talk saying he played the same home and away, I said I feared that he would start with 3 defensive mids,or is it 3 midfielders who he instructs to play defensively;although I hoped he wouldn't. Well Mick didn't disappoint his ardent supporters of which I am NOT one,and once again we had to endure a sterile 90+ minutes of dull football. I had hoped that he would play Bersant;but didn't expect him to be behind Waggy;and although Celina was here there and everywhere he made little impact.This was not unexpected as the Dino was playing with 9 defensive players for most of he time. How the apologists can defend such a toothless display at home beats me.He took off Iorfa,who in my opinion was our best player in the first half,for Spence; who was later subbed.Gleeson was about as much use as a chocolate tea pot,and we had about 3 shots on goal,none of which troubled their keeper. Sheffield on the other hand had a similar number of good chances one of which was guilt edged but fortunately wasted by Billy Sharp.. As JAS says surely Evans wont renew this boring Managers contract,as he wont renew ,like many others before him;although I shall still go if my health is ok. Met EADT columnist Carl Fuller in Kebab shop after the game,and he jokingly said could I write his Monday column for him this week,as he would struggle to find enough to say about such an uneventful match;which as usual was the last to be shown on channel 5. Says it all really!

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grumpyoldman added 10:10 - Mar 11 MM supporters are beginning to run out of excuses for his lamentable managing performance. 1 Squad not big enough 2 lack of funds 3 injuries to key players 4 state of pitch 5 supporters booing The first three could be addressed by a manager with more than a plan “A”. Other clubs have smaller squads, lack funding and miss key players, but by adapting to circumstances can and do provide football that people want to watch.

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massivemole added 10:19 - Mar 11 I 100% agree with totethblue, the West Ham know how to turn there ground into a toxic environment to show there disgust. Albeit I don't agree with the pitch invasion. I believe that ME and MM have successfully bored the pants off the supporters so they can't even be bothered to stay behind after the final whistle, to show there displeasure. if our Manager is happy with a toothless 0-0, when there is no chance of relegation and a 0.1% of making the play-offs at least have a go, instead of trying to sneak a goal. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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blueboy1981 added 10:26 - Mar 11 ........ and the worst part of it all Seasider - is the Owner and Manager obviously couldn't care two hoots. Unbelievable - but true.
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blueboy1981 added 10:26 - Mar 11 ........ and the worst part of it all Seasider - is the Owner and Manager obviously couldn't care two hoots. Unbelievable - but true.
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blueboy1981 added 10:42 - Mar 11 How can any interested owner of the Club let our Portman Road pitch degenerate as it, and has ? - good sound solid advice was submitted on what needed to be done to the pitch long since, what has happened ? - advice not taken - hence what we have now. The caring from the top - just isn't there.
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Northstandveteran added 10:42 - Mar 11 Blue75 I know, just thought I'd lighten the mood 😁
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:44 - Mar 11 week in week out same old same old on the pitch,in the interviews, and on here, but still people are happy to shut up and pay up. Evans is content with it, McCarthy is cosy with it, as for the supporters ,well it would be interesting to know how many of the remaining fans that attend [say 12000 for arguments sake] are really happy with the situation,and how many are unhappy . Its obvious that many don't now attend and I am in that camp, but I'm not convinced that there are 12000 happy clappers.

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