Neal Maupay’s 72nd minute penalty saw Brentford to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Griffin Park, Jonas Knudsen having been harshly adjudged to have fouled Bees sub Sergi Canos. The Blues, who lost skipper Luke Chambers to what appears likely to be a season-ending injury in the first half, rarely looked like getting back on terms, although Grant Ward’s powerful shot was stopped by home keeper Daniel Bentley, then Chris Mepham blocked Martyn Waghorn’s effort from the rebound.

Tristan Nydam, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Luke Hyam, Callum Connolly and Freddie Sears all returned to a Town line-up featuring five changes from Monday’s 2-2 draw with Millwall.

The Blues started with the three-man backline of Carter-Vickers, skipper Luke Chambers and Adam Webster, with Jonas Knudsen at left wing-back and Jordan Spence on the right.

With Cole Skuse missing out with a head injury, Hyam, Nydam and Callum Connolly were in midfield with Sears joining Waghorn up front.

Young Australian striker Ben Folami was on the bench, having made his Championship debut as a sub against Millwall, alongside Stephen Gleeson, Mustapha Carayol, Myles Kenlock and Bersant Celina who all started against the Lions.

For Brentford, Maupay replaced the injured Florian Jozefzoon in an otherwise unchanged side, while Alan Judge made his first home start since suffering a broken leg at Portman Road in April 2016.

Hyam, the man whose tackle led to that injury, was booed every time he touched the ball in opening exchanges in which nether side was able to get on top.

Brentford carved out the game’s first chance in the 10th minute and only a very sharp reaction stop from Bartosz Bialkowski prevented them from going in front.

Following a swift break, Yoann Barbet hit a shot which was going well wide to the left of the keeper until Maupay diverted it to his right and the Polish international keeper somehow managed to get his foot across to force it past the post.

Judge blazed over in the corner’s aftermath before the Blues’ first real attack was ended by a linesman’s flag as Waghorn attempted an overhead kick on the edge of the six-yard box.

On 17 Carter-Vickers was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon, rather harshly, for a foul on Judge. Soon after Barbet was fortunate not to join him for hauling back Sears midway inside the Bees half. Waghorn’s freekick eventually came to nothing.

Four minutes later, Blues captain Chambers collided heavily with keeper Bialkowski and after treatment was forced off with an injury which could well see him miss the rest of the season.

The Blues defender had chased a ball over the top and didn’t appear to see Bialkowski as he ran off his line towards him.

The Town skipper immediately called for assistance for what looked to be a collarbone problem and after treatment was gingerly walked to the tunnel by the Town doctor with a brace already on his arm.

Kenlock took over at left wing-back with Knudsen, who took the captain’s armband, moving to the left of the back three and Webster into the centre.

Chances had continued to be rarities in a not overly enthralling match. On 32 Romaine Sawyers latched on to a ball over the top but scraped his shot well wide of Bialkowski’s left post.

Town struck their first effort of the game in the 37th minute, Kenlock shooting behind from the left of the area after good work from Nydam, Waghorn having initially sent Sears away with a fine ball into space down the right.

In the penultimate minute of scheduled time, Bialkowski batted away a Judge shot from the edge of the box and Maupay was crowded out after the rebound landed at his feet.

The Blues had the ball in the net a minute later, Connolly having been found by a Hyam chip over the top into the area. The on-loan Everton man eventually back-heeled the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the net but after referee Robert Jones had blown his whistle for handball, a decision the midfielder contested vehemently.

Connolly headed straight at Brentford keeper Daniel Bentley from a deep Waghorn corner from the right, then at the other end Bialkowski saved low from Ollie Watkins during four minutes of otherwise uneventful added-on time.

As manager Mick McCarthy made his way across the pitch from the dugout to the tunnel, a section of Town fans sang ‘Cheerio’ in his direction among other more abusive chants which the Blues boss sarcastically applauded.

It was a half memorable for very little aside from the rare sight of Chambers being forced off by an injury.

Brentford had played most of the football but had only threatened on a couple of occasions when they found Bialkowski at his best.

As ever, there was no lack of effort from the Blues but aside from Waghorn no one else had shown much quality on the ball and Kenlock’s effort wide was the only shot.

Six minutes after the restart Connolly was booked for a foul on Josh McEachran, who in turn joined him in the book for hauling the Blues midfielder to the ground in the aftermath.

On the hour, with the early part of the half having continued where the first left off, Maupay almost caught Bialkowski in possession as he dallied before clearing.

Brentford swapped Kamohelo Mokotjo and Judge for Nico Yennaris and Sergi Canos in the 66th minute.

The home side were continuing to have most of the game’s few chances. On 69 Watkins hit a shot which deflected over.

However, Town, and particularly Waghorn, were starting to look a threat on the counter-attack and a minute later Bentley did well to claim the former Rangers man’s cross-shot from the right after he had burst away on the break with Sears unmarked in the middle looking for his first goal in 37 games.

But in the 71st minute the Blues had a soft penalty awarded against them for the second Saturday in succession. A long ball was played into left of the box and Canos went to ground under the attention of Knudsen. There looked little in it but inexperienced Championship referee Jones pointed to the spot.

It appeared a very harsh decision, Town having been on the end of a similarly tough call at Birmingham last week, and Knudsen was shown a yellow card in the protests which followed. Maupay took the kick and hit it low to Biakowski’s left to open the scoring.

The Blues switched Nydam for Grant Ward after the goal and Brentford brought on Emiliano Marcondes for McEachran, then a few minutes later Celina replaced Kenlock, who received a hug from manager McCarthy having been a sub himself in the first half as Town moved to a four-man backline.

Chants of ‘Mick McCarthy get out of our club’ followed the goal with Brentford dominating possession as the game moved into its final 10 minutes having grown in confidence after going ahead.

But in the 87th minute the Blues twice went close. After good work from Celina on the left, Ward smashed a powerful shot which was straight at Bentley who knew little about it as he saved. The loose ball ran to Waghorn who cut in from the right and hit another powerful strike which hit Chris Mepham in the face and rebounded out of the danger zone.

In the final scheduled minute, Canos hit a low shot which deflected off a Town player and rolled just wide with Bialkowski scampering across his goal.

Moments later, as the match moved into four additional minutes, the Spaniard was booked for a cynical foul as Connolly broke.

Town kept looking for the equaliser in the remaining minutes but never seriously looked like grabbing a goal which would have grabbed them a point.

As at the end of the first half chants were aimed in the direction of departing manager McCarthy as he left the field, the Blues boss this time not reacting.

As at Birmingham, a game of few chances were turned on a debatable penalty, although it was Brentford who had played most of the game’s football and had created more of the match’s relatively few chances.

Town huffed and puffed and frustrated the opposition as they always do but lacked quality and provided little threat in a display typical of many this season.

The defeat sees the Blues drop to 14th in the table, two points behind Norwich, with five games of the season - and the McCarthy era - left to play, starting with Barnsley at home on Tuesday.

Brentford: Bentley, Maupay, McEachran (Marcondes 74), Watkins, Mokotjo (Yannaris 66), Egan, Judge (Canos 66), Sawyers, Dalsgaard, Barbet, Mepham. Unused: Daniels, Macleod, Bjelland, Clarke.

Town: Bialkowski, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c) (Kenlock 24 (Celina 73)), Webster, Spence, Hyam, Nydam (Ward 73), Connolly, Knudsen, Sears, Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Gleeson, Carayol, Folami. Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside). Att: 10,939 (Town: 1,644)

Photos: Pagepix

runningout added 18:42 - Apr 7 Knudsen has been ok this season, but has the ability to play and act like a girl. A iffy one at that
3

stringtheory added 18:48 - Apr 7 blueboy1981 - I'm a happy clapper and I don't need excuses! Here's a question for all posters who are spouting all the abuse - You hate the manager, you hate the assistant manager. You hate the owner. You hate supporters who post anything reasonable or positive. You hate various players. You hate the football. Some of you have even started hating the pitch. You'll certainly hate me after this. What part of Ipswich Town do you actually support?

-11

carlo88 added 18:53 - Apr 7 I've just worked out we could lose our last five games and still not get relegated. We are safe!! Good job too.
4

Swn98 added 18:59 - Apr 7 Suffolk boy define a true supporter please.
5

BluePatriot added 19:07 - Apr 7 I agree with Suffolkboy earlier on The idiots singing numbskulls and MM get out Of our club at Brentford today, it's boring and pathetic He is already going so shut the feck You butthurt idiots. I'm done with this lunacy
-15

bobk added 19:13 - Apr 7 I watched my 1st game in 1957 Home to Rotherham 0-0 but don't remember it being as boring as recent stuff we had a young manager in his 1st job he went on to be quite successful as I recall later on we had another young manager in only his 2nd job he was boss for 13 years & quite a success too I remember another young manager who was quite good these managers all went on to manage their country ........recently we have had so called experienced managers Journeymen I call them Keane/Jewell/MM ..............I have never known of a manager at any club to go on to success after 5 yeas of mediocrity .........Time to go & TODAY

21

dirtydingusmagee added 19:15 - Apr 7 boring ,just typical McCarthy game, like been saying all season [and before] he only knows one way, He even said he wont change, thats his brand of dross. Ignorant ,arrogant , to the end . He is determined to sit it out his way . He said post match,he was happy with the performance ! that sums him up ,his expections, his level . SOONER GONE THE BETTER,EVEN IF ONE OF THE CLEANERS WERE TO BE CARETAKER MANAGER .

20

blueboy1981 added 19:16 - Apr 7 All credit to the Travelling Fans yet again today - you really are the best in the business . 1644 of you today after such a miserable season, and knowing yet again what you would be watching, deserves nothing short of a medal. Take a bow every single one of you - even the 'happy clappers' amongst you, whom I regularly lock horns with. It must be wearing thin now - even for you guys / gals. You ALL deserve better.

16

grumpyoldman added 19:19 - Apr 7 Jas0999 I have spoken to other disgruntled supporters up the north end of the county and they also say when he has gone they will give it another chance, perhaps not buying season tickets but gradually coming back. So we can start a new season with new hope for the first time in a while. COYB
9

blueboy1981 added 19:30 - Apr 7 stringtheory ........... Answer to your Question:- The Ipswich Town -that we once had, you know the one with the PEDIGREE for playing entertaining Football - or was it before your time ?? Mentioning the Pitch - if you condone the current state of the Portman Road pitch, you should be ashamed of yourself, in pretending to be a SUPPORTER of IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. Anyone who deeply cares about the Club - which I do, as well as many others, would agree that as a Club we are progressively dropping into the gutter. You only need to look around you, and smell the Coffee. Being an Ostrich and sticking the head in the sand, whilst continuing to clap - will correct nothing, and only serve to assist the obvious demise of our once great (and can be again) Club. GET REAL. Cloud cuckoo land is no place to be,

18

blueboy1981 added 19:37 - Apr 7 BluePatriot ........... ever crossed your mind as to where the lunacy actually rests ..... ?? I thought not..... !!
5

Seasider added 19:38 - Apr 7 Well when the teams were announced I said it would be a tight game with only a goal in it,which unfortunately was scored by the opposition. We can say it was a soft penalty,and we hardly ever get one;which is no surprise as compared to most teams Ipswich are rarely in the opposition area. McCarthy in my opinion continues to 'cock a snook' at Ipswich Town and the supporters in particular.After saying on Monday that he would take a 1-0 win any day over the exciting 2-2 draw he had just witnessed,he set up once again for exactly that today;but as so often happens,especially during the last two seasons the opposition score not us,and the defensive set up means Town find it impossible to score ,like today. The Dino cockily thought that he would not be here by now,as the offers this deluded has been thought would come in ,have not materialised. Quite what Mr Evans,on holiday in the Bahamas,thought by leaving this man in post I don't know;but it means the malaise which would have lifted on Micks departure remains,and the season ticket renewals remain in abeyance. Pull your finger out Marcus Evans,and actually put him on gardening leave for the rest of the season;because you have good grounds apart from his previous bad behaviour towards the fans. He has not brought through players from the youth team sufficiently,as set out in your 5 point plan,and played three loan players;when nothing was at stake today. Under his management Ipswich have hardly won a cup game,and not won in the last 6. This is relegation form,which thank good ness cannot now happen this season. McCarthy has said he is not bothered about next season,and why should he;which makes it more important for Marcus Evans TO ACT NOW.Bring in an Ipswich man like George Burley for the last few games.It would lift the fans,and doubtless increase attendances and income. AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE MARCUS actually speak to the fans for once(and the players)to hopefully lift the gloom which currently hangs over Portman Rd. Thank you

29

BlueandTruesince82 added 19:48 - Apr 7 Have to say I dont think Knudson deserved the stick today, we see a lot of this wouldn't have happened in Sir Bobby day or under the Cobbolds........ Well our fans wouldn't have booed their own players back then either. We harp on about what the club used to be but that goes for us too and regardless of what you think of Jonas as a player there is no doubt he gives 100% every game and to get that kind of abuse, not on. End of the day Mick picks him and he tries his best, if he isn't good enough the manager needs to make that decision to take him out all the player can do is play. He needs to move to left CB no doubt but again not his decision. Mick is going, happy days, we have partially at least what we want..... so when the season is over and Mick is going why on earth do we need to do the opposition's fans job for them and go after our own? Needless, classless, childish and arrogant. Sounds like I'm describing scum/Leeds/ Brentford (apparently) fans and that says it all. We're safe and Mick is off so let's see where we are come Sept? Why any players would want to come to club where you get abused for giving everything is beyond me..... just saying we are not as fans being a great advert to attract the players or managers we want to see so given Mick is (on his way) out let's start returning OR terraces to the great place it once was...... at least until we see what happens next

3

Taricco_Fan added 19:51 - Apr 7 With nothing to play for surely it's time to give our young players some game time? Folami impressed against Millwall but didn't feature at all today. Where's Drinan? Carayol is an exciting player. On the bench. This has always been my problem with McCarthy; he's so safe and predictable. He's sucks all the life out of the game. Just matches-up the opponent with the same old favourites and has no plan B to change a game when things go wrong. Sure, he hasn't had financial backing from the owner but that's no excuse for unadventurous, predictable tactics and line-ups.

24

blueboy1981 added 20:04 - Apr 7 I see Swn98 has slipped back into the trough - no surprise there.
2

blueboy1981 added 20:06 - Apr 7 ......... he or she, is just as big a joke as the Manager.
3

Northstandveteran added 20:12 - Apr 7 Knudson got booed today? And very rightly so following his speech earlier in the week!
1

terryf added 20:13 - Apr 7 Not sure who is playing who in the remaining games but if Barnsley win all their games they could finish with 55 points and similarly Bolton 54. If we lost all our matches we'd end up with 53 points. McCarthy's Team selections have done my head in enough times this season so i'll leave it to one of you other guys to confirm that we are actually safe?? Sad to say it...but waiting once again for another season to end!!!!

2

Blue_Meanie added 20:14 - Apr 7 Not his fault as McCarthey has destroyed him, but why oh why start with Freddie??? This is McCarthey's Fook u to the Town fans, because Evans and Milne won't know when he's talking the pi$$.
6

jas0999 added 20:29 - Apr 7 Grumpy old man - we agree!
0

Swn98 added 20:39 - Apr 7 Since MM anounced he was leaving the club I have been nothing but conciliatory to the very vocal Mick outers, yet who has to pop up and have a personal dig blue boy I'm afraid this goes to show how far our fan base has decended in the case of Blueboy I fear he would fail to find happiness if he won the lottery sad.
-4

BlueandTruesince82 added 20:42 - Apr 7 Knudsen answered a question about Mick leaving in which he said; Mick had had a huge impact on his career. Given he signed him and bought him to the UK I'd say fair. Mick leaving will impact his future and career. Given the above true. He (like every other player) has to think about what next. He (like every other player) player wants to play in the Prem. Can't blame him for having ambition, after all we all say we'd like to see some from the club but now a player shows some so he gets abuse from his own fans who have said exactly that. He'd love to play in the Prem with Town. Why is he getting it in the neck now? for wanting to play top flight football here. That going forward things may be out of his hands, the manager might not fancy him. Yeah thats football and a true statement, he might get told he's not needed and have to move on. He's very happy here, loves living in Ipswich as does the Mrs. The club hasn't spoken to him about a new contract so be cant comment on what will happen beyond its end. Sounds like the ball is in the new managers court. He knows and understands fans want more from the team like we had against Milwall. That the player fan relationship is a 2 way street. Seems in line with a lot of comments on here. Finally "I will always do my best for the club 100% in training and of course games". Yeah, deserving of abuse that. What an utter bastard.

4

wayway added 20:59 - Apr 7 So Cheshire Blue you wont be going next season if we are in the top half of the table, playing direct open football on the ground and entertaining the fans. If you enjoy the boring 'every points a prisoner' hoofball, perhaps you should follow your messiah to whatever club is stupid enough to employ him
7

rfretwell added 21:10 - Apr 7 Yes Nydam got alot of game time under his belt, he closed down opponents diligently and passed the ball well generally but with hardly any of the creativity that Andre can provide. As for Hyam - he is looking sharper and quicker but again provides no creativity. His forward passing is generally poor. So disappointed not to see Folami or Carayol get on. We competed well, yes, but that is just not enough.

3

wayway added 21:17 - Apr 7 I am sorry to keep harping on the same old theme but I have to come back to Evans PLC. Nobody ever asks the question as to why he still owns the club? why is he here, what are his intentions? To seeming have no ambition to see the club progress from a lower to mid table position by simply investing the bare minimum seems rather strange. He obviously knows very little about football so he must have a group of advisers round him who in their infinite wisdom, sacked Magilton and Derek Bowden and appointed Clegg and Milne, who have no understanding of modern football and are accountants by nature, Keane, Jewell and McCarthy. That he is not renewing McCarthys contract is down to one thing only, Falling gates and revenue. I am not expecting a young and hungry manager to be appointed, only someone who is cheap and will not knock on the PLCs door for transfer funds. So I return to the question, why does Evans PLC own Ipswich Town? Now McCarthy is going I believe the fans should channel all their efforts and protests into getting Evans OUT of Ipswich Town and it should begin NOW

5

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls