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Rotherham United 1-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 11th Aug 2018 17:18

Michael Smith netted a 90th minute winner as Paul Hurst’s Blues were beaten 1-0 by his old club Rotherham United at the New York Stadium. Town had been on top for most of game and were denied two very strong penalty claims before the Millers’ striker hooked home following a corner.

Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan were handed their Blues debuts from the start with this week’s other new signing Kayden Jackson on the bench.

Nsiala, who joined from Shrewsbury in a joint-£2 million deal along with Nolan on Wednesday, was at centre-half with skipper Luke Chambers, while Janoi Donacien and Jonas Knudsen were the full-backs.

In midfield, Cole Skuse and Trevoh Chalobah filled the deeper roles with former Millers loanee Grant Ward back from suspension and on the left of the trio ahead of them instead of Freddie Sears, who dropped to the bench.

Gwion Edwards was on the right with Nolan in the centre and Ellis Harrison continuing as the lone striker. Rotherham included ex-Town keeper Lewis Price on their bench.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Barry Chuckle, a Rotherham life president, and former club chairman Syd Wood, who both died this week.

Town threatened first in the second minute from a quickly taken Donacien throw on the right. The St Lucian found Edwards, who crossed low but Zak Vyner nipped in ahead of Harrison and the ball was subsequently turned behind for a corner. From the flag-kick, Nsiala volleyed well wide.

The Blues quickly went on the offensive again, Harrison escaping down the right and crossing for Nolan, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a second corner.

Town continued to dominate the early stages and in the 10th minute Chalobah found Edwards with a superb crossfield pass. The Welshman took the ball into the area but lost his footing as he sought to turn his man, preventing what might have been a terrific goal.

The Blues should have gone in front in the 20th minute when an Nsiala freekick from inside his own half found Harrison, who held off his man and tried to take the ball round Millers’ keeper Marek Rodak, who thwarted the Welshman with an outstretched hand.

Town had dominated possession and controlled the game with all the chances at the Rotherham end. The only occasional moments of concern for the Blues were largely self-inflicted but with Bartosz Bialkowski still untested.

In the 23rd minute Nolan felt he should have been awarded a penalty when he cut in from the left and appeared to be brought down by one-time Town trialist Semi Ajayi. But referee David Webb, who had failed to give one or two earlier clear freekicks much the annoyance of both sets of fans, wasn’t interested. The Blues new number 11 looked to have a very decent case.

A minute later, from a deep corner from the right, Edwards smashed an overhead kick against a defender.

Town kept pressing and as the half hour approached Donacien hit a powerful strike from the edge of the box which Ajayi diverted over the bar.

Rotherham began to see more of the ball as the half moved into its final 10 minutes but still without creating an opportunity.

On 38 Knudsen sold Chambers short with a pass allowing Kyle Vassell to send away Jon Taylor down the right but Nsiala got across to dispossess the Millers’ midfielder and cleared.


Three minutes later, Edwards dispossessed the hesitant Joe Mattock on the right but played his pass to Harrison too far in front of the striker. A minute later, Matt Palmer was fouled for tripping Ward as he burst into the home side’s half.

In the 44th minute, after good work from Nolan, Chalobah cleverly threaded in Knudsen on the left of the box but keeper Rodak did well to save the Danish international’s save down to his left.

Rotherham managed their first shot on target in the final scheduled minute of the half but Taylor’s deflected strike following Vyner’s long thrown bounced harmlessly through to Bialkowski.

There was just time for one more Town corner, which Rodak claimed, before an entertaining half was brought to an end.

The Blues had had much the better of it, dominating possession, and really ought to have gone in ahead having created virtually all the chances.

Harrison’s one-on-one was the best opportunity, while it also took an impressive save from Rodak to stop Knudsen’s late effort. Nolan’s penalty claim also looked very credible.

At the other end, occasional moments of Town indecision had largely led to the few occasions on which the Millers had threatened, but Bialkowski hadn’t been forced into a serious save.

Manager Hurst, who spent virtually all his entire playing career with the Millers, will have been happy with the display aside from the lack of a goal.

Early in the half, Skuse made a rare foray into the penalty area - although the Bristolian is afforded far more freedom to get forward under Hurst - and looped a header wide after Harrison had nodded across the box to him.

At the other end, Vassell found himself space on the left of the box and hit a low shot which Bialkowski did well to claim down to his left.

Soon after, Chambers misjudged a ball over the top - with the breeze perhaps a factor - and Smith was able to hit a shot which fortunately flew into the side-netting.

Town chances had become rarer but on 57 Nolan found some space on the edge of the box but scuffed his shot well wide.

Skuse saw a strike blocked, then in the 62nd minute Nolan hit a powerful effort from distance which flew not too far wide right in front of the travelling Town support.

The Blues began to put the Millers under pressure, winning a succession of corners but without being able to create a significant chance.

On 67 Jackson was handed his debut for Harrison, who had battled gamely with the very impressive Ajayi all game. Rotherham, who had already swapped Joe Newell for Ryan Williams, switched Taylor for Anthony Forde.

There was a worrying moment for the Blues on 71 when Bialkowski was unable to get to Will Vaulks’s freekick as he looked to punch and it was deflected wide to Vassell, who hit a goalbound shot into ground which Nsiala headed off the line.

At the other end, a Nolan strike was blocked, then Jackson played the loose ball wide but was fouled by Vaulks, who was booked.

Edwards took the freekick and curled the ball perfectly towards the top corner only for Rodak to get across to paw it away.

Soon after, as the clock moved past 73, there was a further tribute to Barry Chuckle with opposition fans exchanging the famous 'To me, to you' catchphrase before a further round of applause.

On 75 Nolan sent Jackson away on the right - although with a hint of offside - but Millers’ skipper Richard Wood got across to slide the ball behind. Two minutes later, Tayo Edun took over from Ward.

In the 80th minute Jackson hit a snap-shot on the turn which was too close to Rodak, then Jordan Roberts was handed his Blues debut for Edwards, who had out in another lively display.

With five minutes of scheduled time remaining the Blues were denied their second penalty claim of the afternoon, this one even stronger than the first.

Chalobah played a great ball into the path of Roberts as he broke into the area and the sub was felled by Mattock. It looked as clear a spot-kick as you’ll see but both referee Webb and his linesman - to whom Roberts made his frustration clear - remained unmoved.

A minute later, Smith shot not too far wide for the home side, then Forde hit a effort which forced Bialkowski to save down to his left and gather at the second attempt.

And in the final scheduled minute the Millers went in front. Mattock sent over a freekick from the left, the Blues were unable to clear and the ball fell to Smith, who hooked into the top corner of the net.

Town pressed for an equaliser in four minutes of injury time - Chambers headed a corner straight at Rodak - but manager Hurst’s return to his old club ended in his first defeat as Blues boss.

The result was harsh on Town who had been the better side for most of the match and had had opportunities to take the lead, particularly in the first half, although given their dominance they will feel they ought to have created more.

Their best opportunity after the break was Edwards’s freekick which was well-saved by Rodak.

They also appeared to be denied two very good penalty claims, the second when Roberts was fouled late on looked as nailed-on as they come.

Rotherham looked more dangerous in the second half than they had in the first but still without ever really looking like they were going to claim all three points until Smith’s late goal.

Town are next in action on Tuesday when they face Exeter City in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park.

Town: Bialkowski, Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Edwards (Roberts 82), Nolan, Ward (Edun 77), Harrison (Jackson 67). Unused: Gerken, Spence, Sears, Kenlock.

Rotherham: Rodak, Vyner, Mattock, Vaulks, Ajayi, Wood (c), Palmer, Taylor (Forde 67), Vassell (Jones 90), Newell (Williams 62), Smith. Unused: Price, Ball, Wiles, Raggett. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 9,460 (Town: 1,345).


Photo: Photo: Pagepix



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geminimustang added 06:58 - Aug 12
Dog added 02:17 - Aug 12
"The only positive so far this season is that MM is not around".

The one man who would've guaranteed ITFC didn't get relegated.Others will say"But were playing attractive football on the floor"-no we're not!!
-2

dirtydingusmagee added 07:06 - Aug 12
Marcus Evans exposed yet again .
2

Swn98 added 07:35 - Aug 12
Guentchev the supporters should of got behind the team last season we had the makings of a good squad ravished by injuries.
This experiment will only end in disappointed.
There were many that said they would prefer to get relegated than have another season of MM.
well 15/8 to get what they wished for.





-8

pazzy added 08:23 - Aug 12
the foudations have been ousted now what have we got
-2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:31 - Aug 12
and you are loving it Swn98, never post anything about football or the games just sad snipes at people on here , you are up early today, nothing else to look at, i suppose the pages in your photo album of MM are stuck together. Get a life. [there you go mark that down and get your soul mate Gcon to do the same,
2

19781981twtd added 08:39 - Aug 12
Poor very poor I fail to see from yesterday's shammbles where there league 1 and 2 players are any better than our youngsters we look toothless up front Morris at least puts in a shift Nolan looked ok any better than dozzel I question that all in all I think Mr Hurst has a big ego to sell off 30 goals last season and bring in his own strike force that actually look more like parcel force ! It is going to be a long painful season and I fear many more long trips home time to gel maybe !!!!!
3

neil1968 added 09:06 - Aug 12
I like PH and am trying to stay positive but I have a horrible feeling in my stomach that he is out of his depth . Started to worry when waghorn and garner left . Have a bad feeling that this season will play right into the hands of the Mccarthy fans
5

toxtethblue added 09:17 - Aug 12
"As for ME. This bloke is killing our club"

Never a truer words said dog. That more fans simply can't see this I find utterly mystifying.
2

toxtethblue added 09:20 - Aug 12
And MM going was the right choice. PH was the right choice. Years of penny pinching though, selling your best players to buy players, (net profit again) is not the way out of the championship in the right direction.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 09:21 - Aug 12
i agree neil1968, i said allalong it may be a bridge too far for him . I know managers like to make their own team, but i think stepping up as PH has done,he would have been better to have brought fewer Lge 1 players in at once and tied to improve the play with with the original team, Think he may have dived in the deep end of the pool before he can swim . I hope he and the team prove otherwise,i like Paul Hurst,even though he would not have been my choice.With some strong teams to play i fear some real tonkings lie ahead .And the bookmakers dont look too far off the mark as much as i hate to say so. However ,not going to give up on the manager or the team.COYB
5

warktheline added 09:36 - Aug 12
Two games in and the likes of swn and co are 'enjoying' themselves ! What a peculiar bunch they are! Totally satisfied watching dire football under McCarthy, preaching to all 'we won't get relegated' year after year, but now 'knife' Hurst after 180 mins!

All rather embarrassing! Always disappointed to lose, but please put it into context! 'Numbskulls' springs to mind!
5

delias_cheesy_flaps added 09:47 - Aug 12
In perspective, it's 180 minutes not half-way through the season, whatever happened to giving people a fair-crack of the whip you plonkers?

Instead of sniping the new manager go and give MM a nosh-off, you know you want too!
5

ThaiBlue added 10:23 - Aug 12
One day we love Ipswich the next day we don't.A lot of you supporters want it all one way and are to impatient with everything the club does,just can't please everybody.just give Paul Hurst a bit of time and respect and the players to season has only just started for god's sake.
3

Essexipswichboy added 10:45 - Aug 12
Don't want to be negative but this is not good
We have signed 9 new players but people saying we need to get a couple more WTF
There is too many changes to soon
We had players let go before manager appointed

Last year everyone on here saying we unlucky with so
Many players injured..... Dozzel Nydam when they fit
We will be alright
So now that team has been totally dismantled
Talk of our home grown talent going on loan

5 point plan ME
We be lucky to get 5 points
This is a massive gamble
If it goes wrong and I hope it dont
There will no get out of jail card to play this time

4

Gcon added 10:51 - Aug 12
Evans has no ambition. He can't help himself by knicking the profits wherever he sees a chance. Even if it's blatantly to the detriment of the club. If you sell your two main goal scorers the week the window closes and don't replace them, what do you expect? It's hardly rocket science.

He did it with Murphy and that screwed our season and here he is, doing it all over again.

MM made him a profit of £20m in his time here in player sales, and he still wont invest it in the club. Penny pinching over Windass was a joke.

I have been on here saying the same thing for years to a chorus of deaf ears and down marks. Until people wise up and stand up to him this club is going nowhere.
3

blueboy1981 added 10:58 - Aug 12
There will always be a difference of opinions amongst people who follow Football, some after years of following their team, haven't a clue how the game should be played, never see the fuller picture, and never see more than 10 outfield players following a ball. others, have been involved in playing, managing, coaching etc; etc; within the game, and therefore understand what they are seeing and what to expect / predict.

Therefore, we will all have varying views on what we see - I for one.

Whatever, we had to have change is my opinion, MM would have eventually bored us to oblivion, but again some wouldn't have known any different, such is the way they see things.
Paul Hurst was not my first choice, for reasons previously posted, I stand by my opinion and predictions, however I genuinely hope he proves me wrong, I was extremely pleased at the performance against West Ham in the friendly, let's hope we can see more of that from the team.

Yes, certain things are worrying me already, certain events last week included in that - but only time will tell and as each game comes and goes, points on the board will become ever more important.

Paul Hurst deserves support from all, whilst some of us will continue to have some reservations until the points start stacking up - don't lets under estimate either of these important facts.

There is an awful lot of inexperience at Championship level within the Club at the moment, lets hope they all adjust and learn quickly.
Paul Hurst & Co - PLEASE prove my first choice of Burley & Butcher being the right choice for the Club on a two year contract (at that specific time) - as being totally the WRONG one.

Onwards and Upwards - we have our Club back, so get behind it, and hope, and maybe even pray, it all works out.

COME ON YOU BLUES - 'once a Blue always a Blue' - whatever.
4

Lightningboy added 11:35 - Aug 12
Agree dirtydingusmagee.

Said last week that sometimes you can sign too many players - 9 seems excessive and we're still thinking of bringing in another 2 or 3..think PH should've stuck with the majority of last season's players with the addition of 3 or 4 good lower league players & our own kids..don't think anyone was complaing last season about the quality of our squad just the complete lack of style.

At best going down this route things are going to take a long long time to knit..time we may not have.
4

toxtethblue added 12:12 - Aug 12
Well said Gcon. ME apologists are frustratingly clueless as to how damaging he is for our club
4

WindsorBlueArmy added 12:41 - Aug 12
2 games in and the vultures are circling!!!!For what it's worth I have enjoyed watching some of the football Paul Hurst is getting town to play.With a different ref etc yesterday things could have been so different.The time to judge is nearer Xmas(is halfway through the season).Remember where Fulham were at similar stage last season.
Closer to home the fans of similar age to me will remember Sir Bobbys first couple of seasons.The Cobbolds/ fans got behind him and the team.The rest is history.
4

Swn98 added 13:21 - Aug 12
dirtydingusmagee wrong as usual please read my comments on the Blackburn game West Ham game.
I didn't travel to Rotherham cant see how anyone should have an opinion if you didn't watch i have however got plenty of opinions on the end result.
-3

Northstandveteran added 14:26 - Aug 12
Oh how I love this site.

We have just played two established, promoted teams.
The Blackburn game showed signs of promise and according to reports we deserved something from the game yesterday.

The same posters that were predicting the dawning of a new era, some even suggesting a top six finish and pleading for supporters to give the new management time, are now predicting Armageddon!

I noted this morning that the Fulham manager (having spent £100million) announced his team would need time to settle.

We have a group of players that haven't played together before. What do people expect? Rome wasn't built in a day!


3

Northstandveteran added 14:34 - Aug 12
And as for harping on about McCarthy, Waghorn and Garner........

They've gone. We move forward.
2

Essexipswichboy added 15:38 - Aug 12
I agree lightning boy.... As I said only thing most complaining about last year was style of play but more importantly injuries
So why oh why a complete ovethall
9players and still need more.... And a brilliant youth system...... PH sti ki g arrogance
1

warktheline added 15:41 - Aug 12
Yeah keep banging on about ME, what's your solution ? Start boycotting Hurst and team? The 'majority' wanted change at managerial level, in hope a young enterprising manager would work tirelessly to turn fortunes around regardless of club ownership. That's what the 'majority' achieved by non attendance! It's certainly not the time for further 'unrest'!

In regards to 'some' hiding behind Evans for McCarthy's miserable reign! McCarthy matched Evans with his lack of interest and empathy towards our club, and was more than happy to pick up a good salary in return for mediocracy on the field. Any football man worth his 'salt' would've walked after the play off failure! McCarthy participated, detrimentally, in the dilapidation (internally) and 'public image of Ipswich Town FC, alongside Evans. 'Saving' Championship status is not 'success' year upon year!

The aftermath from the loss at Rotherham yesterday is not warranted! There's plenty of positive aspects to point to going forward, and although Hurst wasn't 'my man', I'm more than certain he's going to prove many wrong in time!.....I mean to 'some' surviving in the Championship was 'over achieving, right!!!!!!!

2

midastouch added 15:55 - Aug 12
@ Lightningboy, I think you and others have hit the nail on the head. Most of us wanted to see change (no argument there) but this is a totally extreme and radical overhaul in the playing staff. I was dead chuffed with what I saw against West Ham but I'm upset to see so few of our youth players subsequently getting a chance. Edwards looks class, can't fault that acquisition one bit, Hurst deserves all the plaudits for that one. But some of the other signings don't look any better (arguably worse) than we have already. Yes they need time to settle. But is Edun any better than Dozzell? I'm not convinced. Although Edun could be very good, but only seen him play the once against Blackburn and wasn't that impressed. But obviously I can't judge him one match. But I honestly thought Dozzell and Downes were ready to step up this season. Downes more tham proved his worth at Luton, Dozzell worked his socks off to get back to fitness after such a bad injury. They have youth international pedigree. Dozzell is like a pedigree horse, look at his dad! How can he be worse option than a lower league player. If we just leave Dozzell to rot on the bench I can see him getting fed up and going on to make a name for himself elsewhere and we'll then all be kicking ourselves again to see yet again one of our promising players fulfilling their full potential elsewhere.
Things did need freshening up but this does feel a bit extreme, perhaps too much too soon. Some of McCarthy's signings were very good. It wasn't the players that I necessarily had a problem with, it was more the playing style. I really do think some of those players could adjust to a more attack-minded style, as they always say in football, there's no point in signing a player unless they at least as good if not better than what you've already got.
I've read just about every book and watched every documentary on football you can imagine, whenever a new manager comes in they want to put their stamp on things, but it's a tough balancing act, if you get it badly wrong at the start it can really bite you on the bum, you sort of need a measured approach but at the same time if you want to shake things up the time to do it is near the start while you still have credit in the bank, the only problem the more radical the overhaul, the more pressure and scrutiny you subject yourself to, and thus the credit can soon run dry and before you know it your eating into your overdraft and the bank manager and creditors are not nearly so forgiving and patient as they might of been.
Football is a results business and like it or not if we find ourselves in the bottom 3 the credit account will soon tip into the red, creditors soon become restless fearing they might not ever see a return on their investment. The best way to build investor confidence is to give them returns, it's as simple as that. I want to see Paul succeed. The best way for him to get a lot of credit in the bank is to beat Norwich, but if don't pick up points soon and then lose to Norwich and find ourselves in the bottom 3, then I fear the honeymoon will be well and truly over. Most new governments have about 100 day honeymoon period before the press and opposition really start holding them to account, I think the same will happen for Paul, he needs at least 100 days to get his feet under the desk, but if after 100 days we look in danger of sinking without a trace, then like it or not the natives will become restless!
So Paul needs to get at least some credit in the bank during his first 100 days and the only sure fire way to build up credit is by getting results on the board. Harsh but true.
4


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