Town failed to score for the fifth successive home game for the first time in their history as Hull City comfortably beat the Blues 3-0 at a fractious Portman Road with manager Mick McCarthy holding an impromptu meeting with his players on the pitch afterwards. Town went close to opening the scoring early on when Jordan Spence hit the post on eight but went behind to Markus Henriksen’s 25-yard strike in the 18th minute, Harry Wilson doubled the lead for the previously struggling Tigers on 40 and Jarrod Bowen completed the scoring two minutes after the break.

Luke Hyam, Grant Ward, Jordan Spence, Jonas Knudsen, Tristan Nydam and Freddie Sears all started as Mick McCarthy made six changes to the team which drew 0-0 with Sheffield United on Saturday.

Cole Skuse missed out, presumably due to injury, as did Dominic Iorfa, having suffered a groin problem at the weekend, while Adam Webster, Martyn Waghorn, Callum Connolly and Myles Kenlock all dropped to the bench.

The Blues switched to what looked to be a 4-1-4-1 system with Stephen Gleeson the deeper midfielder with Hyam and Nydam ahead of him in the centre, Bersant Celina on the left and Ward on the right.

Joe Garner, whose wife gave birth earlier today, was due to be on the bench but was a late drop out, although apparently due to injury. Aaron Drinan took his place among the subs.

Hull made three changes, Fraizer Campbell came in for Abel Hernandez, who only recently returned from injury, Michael Hector for Ondrei Mazuch and Allan McGregor returned in goal for David Marshall.

Neither side threatened until the eighth minute when the Blues came within an inch or so of going in front. From Celina’s corner from the left, the ball was nodded on to Spence, whose flicked header across goal struck the post and bounced safely for the visitors.

But Hull quickly began to create chances. First Nydam got back to make a brilliant challenge to dispossess Henriksen, who had been found in space in the area on nine, then three minutes later Bialkowski saved well from Jackson Irvine after he had been found by Bowen.

Wilson struck a shot from distance which Bialkowski claimed at the second attempt on 13, but visiting fans had only another four minutes to wait for their side to take the lead.

Following a corner, Jackson Irvine stabbed the ball back to Henriksen 25 yards out and the Norwegian hit a well-struck low effort which beat Bialkowski across to his right and crept just inside the post.

The Tigers almost went two ahead in the 28th minute when Nydam gave the ball away to Bowen midway inside the Blues half and the former Hereford man unleashed a powerful shot which fortunately for Town struck the outside of Bialkowski’s right post.

The Blues had shown little attacking threat aside from a couple of Ward crosses from the right but on 38 they weren’t too far away from levelling.

Ward fed Sears to his right before breaking into the area and powerfully heading the former West Ham and Colchester man’s cross towards goal, McGregor reacting superbly to tip it over.

But two minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead. Ola Aina crossed deep from the right and the totally unmarked Wilson volleyed low past Bialkowski at the far post.

The second Hull goal was the trigger for chants of ‘Mick McCarthy, your football is s–t’ from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, the again small crowd previously having been silent for the most part.

Celina was booked for a dive shortly before the half-time whistle was greeted by loud boos which increased in volume as manager McCarthy made his way to the tunnel.

Hull fully deserved their lead at the break, having been in control for most of the half. After Spence had hit the post, the Tigers had created two decent openings prior to Henriksen’s strike.

Frustrated Town had looked bereft of ideas with too many aimless long balls punted towards Sears but eventually began to make some impact. Ward, who presented the Blues’ greatest threat throughout was unlucky not to score with his header, but Town were made to pay for poor defending as Wilson added to the visitors’ lead.

It was little surprise that the Blues made two changes at the break, Waghorn and Connolly taking over from Gleeson and Nydam.

But two minutes after the restart the visitors made it 3-0. Bowen eased his way past Connolly on the Tigers left, feinted to cross before shooting low between Bialkowski and his near post.

The Town crowd began to sarcastically cheer every successful pass by a Blues player in no matter how unthreatening an area as the game reached the 50-minute mark, then similarly overreacted to a scuffed Sears shot from the edge of the box which was easy for McGregor.

On 55 Waghorn and Knudsen exchanged passes on the left of the area and the Danish international struck a shot which was cleared from inside the six-yard box.

The Blues began to keep hold of the ball and on 59 Spence teed-up Connolly inside the box but the on-loan Everton man’s shot was blocked.

Hull swapped Campbell for Will Keane on 62. Moments later the announcement of the crowd 13,031 - another new lowest home league crowd for almost 20 years - led to chants of ‘There’s no one here’ from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Following a long spell with neither side threatening played in virtual silence, Sears smashed Knudsen’s cross just wide as he sought to prevent his personal goalless streak from stretching to 34 games.

Hull sub Keane shot straight at Bialkowski on 78, then with 10 minutes left striker Ben Morris was handed his league debut by the Blues in place of Celina, while Kamil Grosicki took over from Irvine for the visitors.

The final minutes were played out in virtual silence until those fans who still remained in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand chanted ‘Mick McCarthy, get out of our club’ and ‘We want our Ipswich back’ during injury time.

The final whistle was again greeted by loud boos and further chants aimed towards McCarthy, while the players’ applause was reciprocated by those same fans.

The team and staff were then called over for a meeting on the pitch by McCarthy during which more chants were aimed towards the Blues boss. Further boos greeted the culmination of the brief meeting, which ended with the players applauded, before McCarthy was again booed down the tunnel.

It had been another thoroughly disappointing evening at Portman Road with the Blues, who have scored just twice in their last nine at home in all competitions, deserving nothing other than a heavy defeat.

Aside from Ward’s header at 1-0, they never really looked like getting back into the game and, between bouts of chanting towards the manager, the second half was played out in largely a pre-season atmosphere, the result having been all but settled by Hull’s third goal just after half-time.

One point from two poor displays has ended the scant hope the Blues had of making the play-offs and may well have seen McCarthy’s five and a half years draw to a close.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Gleeson (Connolly 46), Hyam, Ward, Nydam (Waghorn 46), Celina (Morris 80), Sears. Unused: M Crowe, Webster, Drinan, Kenlock, Morris.

Hull City: McGregor, Irvine (Grosicki 80), Hector, Larsson (Meyler 73), Bowen, Dawson (c), Henriksen, Clark, Campbell (Keane 64), Aina, Wilson. Unused: Marshall, Dicko, Tomori, MacDonald. Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 13,031 (Hull: 290)

Photo: TWTD

bobble added 00:53 - Mar 14 town seemed to be cursed with incompetence at the moment but as they said bad things come in 3s...so things might turn once mick is gone...
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DebsyAngel added 01:07 - Mar 14 Terrible terrible terrible. Was bored stiff on Saturday and expected an improvement tonight. Was appalled when heard the line up. OK, the players may be tired but start with your best team, only ones who should be changed are ones with injuries. Never seen the centre bar in the SAR lower closed before - were they expecting a low crowd? Missed the third goal as was in the loo(!) but people were walking out. Supporters arguing with each other, toxic atmosphere, nothing to look forward to - just watching my team die in front of our eyes. No longer look forward to matches, which makes me feel so sad. There need to be changes in the manager now - we are all grateful for what Mick did when he first came here, but we cannot live on what happened years ago. You are only as good as your last result.

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clint_eastwood added 02:34 - Mar 14 So sick of this! Need a major clear-out!! Manager needs to go first. Then everybody else apart from Bart, Webster & Waghorn!!
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blue75 added 06:18 - Mar 14 After reading the comments on here and the fact none of those that went last night messaged me I'm quite glad I was unable to attend. Sounds like it was worst game for a while and there's been a few shockers. Looking forward to the club defending McCarthy's new contract it's only a matter of time!!!
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woohoo added 06:54 - Mar 14 Mid-table mediocrity continues to be the norm for 'Town. Former ST holder (20 years) and will remain so.
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Steelmonkey added 07:00 - Mar 14 Does no one listen to the team selection before the start GARNER was not on the bench due to his wife giving birth. So just what were MM tactics for this game, even us F&@(;”s on the terraces could see that this team he picked were going to bomb.
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martin587 added 07:15 - Mar 14 I would go as far as to say that at least 50% of true supporters want a change of management at our club. We cannot gauge by just the posters on this site as not everybody has access to the internet.Where I sit everybody wants change from both MM and the owner. The uncertainty at this club now is at an all time low.The Owner MUST come forward and make a statement as to the future of MM and put his proposals for the future otherwise I'm sad to say things will only get worse and I dread to think what season ticket sale will be like next season. Somebody needs to come forward as the toxic atmosphere last night was not nice and left a horrible taste in my mouth for the club I have supported for 55years.

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BrettenhamBlue added 07:31 - Mar 14 Thoroughly bored of supporting (what was once) a great team. Toxic atmosphere at PR. Fans having a go at the Manager, players, each other. Can see why people left early.
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BrettenhamBlue added 07:40 - Mar 14 TimmyH Good idea for an entry song but think "I can't be bothered" by Hugh Coleman might be better music for our entrance.
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loudnproud added 08:17 - Mar 14 Very sad state of affairs happening at this club.......MM just does not get it does he. We are football fans and have chosen our club to support which is this one. ITFC. We inject our own passion and support and because we have been around the place for most of our lives we tend to know what and who is our better formation. We may not be paid two mill plus a year to manage it, But passion is priceless and very insulting when an "outsider" questions our loyalty. To those who still fight MMs corner.......Seriously wake up and smell the coffee.

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bressinghamblue added 08:26 - Mar 14 I'm heartbroken, sad to my stomach, BUT I'm also strangely hopeful. Last season when we snatched a draw against the rock-bottom Rotherham in the dying moments, I knew I'd fallen out of love because of McCarthy. NOT with the club. They are my enduring love, but with that bloody man and his anti-football and disrepect for every decent fan. That is why I cancelled my season ticket last year, like 5000 others in the last three years. Now for the hope bit .... If Mick goes now, as surely he must, then I will renew. I hope there are thousands of others who feel like me. Love Ipswich, hate McCarthy.

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Gcon added 08:26 - Mar 14 What do you mean? - We were all over them, second half. Horrible toxic atmosphere last night & very poor attendance - Clearly not sustainable. Outsiders will quite rightly look on and see this as an odd situation - On a relegation budget and 12th in the league. Two weeks ago we were in with a brief shout of the play-offs. Players and manager united. To make this all about the manager is not the solution. It's just sticking a plaster over a cancerous lump. To make this all about the manager is just adding to the demise of this club. We have a tax dodging owner who is rarely in the country and hardly watches matches. He purchased the club as an investment, not as a passionate fan (he supports Chelsea). He refuses to engage with fans on any level, and refuses to share his vision of the clubs ambitions. He has zero respect for supporters. His clear brief to the manager is to achieve as many points as you can on as little money as possible - ie protect my investment. Attractive football and entertaining fans is is not the primary concern- It's Points per £, Mick. if we were 12th in the league on a relegation budget, but had a passionate owner cheering his team on from the stands every week, communicating with us, explaining in a respectful manner his aims and reasonings and long terms goals and ambitions things would be completely different. As it is, those stands look shoddy, the pitch is crap, people are losing their connection to the club. Fine, protest by all means. But directing it at the manger right now is, essentially, excusing the owner - and that is a complete disaster for this club. If people don't wake up to that and continue to focus on a change of manager, they have to acknowledge their part in the demise.

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pazzy added 08:39 - Mar 14 team picked an insult to the fans if we had known team before we left for our 100 mile round trip we would have stayed at home 3 more season tickets town will be going up in smoke never said it before but mm is taking the wee wee even is as much t blame but hid did not pick the team WE WANT TO STAY ABOVE NORWICH is all we have left this season the club is like the pitch a bloody mess

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Barty added 08:43 - Mar 14 ITFC -R.I.P.
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Cloddyseedbed added 09:03 - Mar 14 Nothing to add really, like most on here I'm appalled at how our club has performed under MM for the last 2 seasons playing HIS way with HIS players. The owner and Milne haven't a clue how to run a football club and the problems addressed long before it got to this stage. I'll take some sorting now, that's for sure. If MM does go I feel sorry for the next manager with no budget, unsettled players and only to be installed at the start of a new season at best, with little time to sort things out and watch players. What a mess, but it's been building up and coming for the last 2 years.

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midastouch added 09:07 - Mar 14 @ Gcon, I didn't even know Marcus Evans is a Chelsea fan. Well if that's the case then my lack of confidence in him slips even further down the drain! I'm convinced he saw us a business opportunity and almost a play toy. When he came on board there wasn't the sort of money floating around like there is now in this league. He therefore thought he could throw a few million at us and we'd go up fairly easily and then we'd be worth a lot more and he could sell us on at a big profit. But because his little experiment went badly wrong due to his poor managerial appointments now he's just burying his head in the sand and doing the bare minimum to keep things afloat. I've thought this for a while. Obviously it's only me speculating but when you have an owner who leaves us in the dark and doesn't even bother to go to an AGM, and has seriously under invested in the team for several seasons, you can't help but scratch your head and try and fill in the blanks! MARCUS MARCUS COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE!!! IF YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH PLEASE JUST HAVE THE DECENCY AND HONESTY TO COME CLEAN SO WE CAN ALL MOVE FORWARDS...

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grumpyoldman added 09:23 - Mar 14 If as some on here think Evans bought this club as an investment, then why did he not cut his losses as soon as it became apparent that we were not going up after we flirted with the playoffs? Why does he keep putting money into the club? If he were just here as an investor then why not let it just wither and die? Surely not putting anymore money in would be a cheaper option, as the losses mount surely it would be a bigger tax loss he could claim? Money or lack of it is a problem but MM and his outdated reliance on proper blokes, poor tactics and arrogance are a bigger one in my opinion. Now I await Gcon's statuatory down vote on any of my posts.

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warktheline added 09:31 - Mar 14 @Gcon, every post you construct diverts blame away from McCarthy! Your man MUST shoulder a percentage of the 'ills' ! I won't list the reasons because you'll not capable of absorbing! Apart from 'McCarthy gate' I fully agree !
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warktheline added 09:33 - Mar 14 Novocaine for the soul.....
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Town7579 added 09:44 - Mar 14 We are fast losing our club to mick and his band of clueless followers.
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Bob7881 added 10:01 - Mar 14 After all thats happened and how toxic its become i really fear that hes going to get a new contract.
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brittaniaman added 10:09 - Mar 14 Was Marcus Evans there last night ?????????????????? I Bet not !!!!!!!!
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nineteenseventyeight added 10:27 - Mar 14 brittaniaman, he was not there, his box looked empty
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black_shuck added 10:39 - Mar 14 Its worse than Eric Olthwaite managing Barnestoneworth United.
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Gcon added 10:41 - Mar 14 nineteenseventyeight or others. Out of interest, how often does he attend home games? As a tax exile I assume he can only spend 90 days a year in the UK and his business commitments must consume most of that time.
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