Town continue to wait for their first win under Paul Hurst after goals at either end of the match saw Hull City to a 2-0 victory at the KCOM Stadium. Jarrod Bowen struck after three minutes, then sub Jackson Irvine sealed the three points a minute from time with the Blues dropping to bottom of the table.

Flynn Downes returned to the Blues starting line-up in midfield alongside Cole Skuse with Jon Nolan taking the more advanced central role behind Jon Walters, who was the lone striker.

Kayden Jackson dropped to the bench where Danny Rowe was included for the first time in the Championship this season. Janoi Donacien was again the loanee to miss out on a place in the 18.

In front of a very sparse KCOM Stadium crowd Hull took the lead from the first attack of the game in the third minute.

Downes dawdled and was caught in possession by Fraizer Campbell midway inside the Town half and the former Crystal Palace man played in Jarrod Bowen on the right of the box from where he dinked the ball over Dean Gerken with Matthew Pennington unable to clear off the line. It was Bowen’s third goal in three games against Town and his first of this season.

After the shock of conceding the early goal it took the Blues a little while to threaten. However, they briefly began to make some headway and on 13 Gwion Edwards worked space to cross from the right and Jordan Graham was just prevented from getting in a shot from the edge of the box.

Town came close to claiming an equaliser in the 16th minute from a well-worked corner. Graham’s deep flag-kick from the right was nodded back across the area by Skuse and Nolan headed wide at the near post when he will feel he ought to have done better.

However, almost immediately the Tigers came close to doubling their lead. Campbell again sent Bowen away, this time down the middle, and only a well-timed challenge from skipper Luke Chambers prevented the former Hereford forward from getting in a shot at goal.

The Blues were unable to get the ball away from their area and on 19 a cross from the left reached Campbell who failed to make contact with an acrobatic attempt at a volley.

Hull continued to put Town under pressure winning a number of corners, one of which Evandro flicked not too far over at the near post.

The Tigers continued to control the game but without creating further chances until the 33rd minute when Campbell headed over from a Todd Kane corner.

Town had made no impact at the other end since Nolan’s header but in the 34th minute Walters won a freekick midway inside the Hull half but Graham’s set piece towards the striker was too long.

The Blues were starting to make more of an impression, however, and a minute later Nolan played the ball into the box from the right to Walters, who turned it on to Graham on the left, from where the on-loan Wolves man curled a shot not too far wide.

Then, on 40, Graham’s cross from the left was poorly cleared by Stephen Kingsley to the edge of the box and Nolan struck a difficult half-volley over the bar. Soon after, Hull were forced to swap the injured Daniel Batty for Kevin Stewart.

Town continued to threaten and on 44 Knudsen’s very deep cross from the left reached Edwards rushing in at the back of the box and the Welshman volleyed powerfully against Kingsley.

Although the Blues had ended the half on top, they had been very much second best for most of the period and were fortunate to be only a goal behind.

The early goal inevitably gave the home side - without a win at home in their previous four games this season - a boost, while the Blues struggled to make an impact aside from the brief spell in which Nolan went close.

However, they might well have created an opening from when they could have grabbed a leveller during their spell just before the break.

Town started the second half on the front foot having most of the ball but without being able to carve out an early opportunity.

The Blues continued to take the game to the Tigers and in the 56th minute a cross from the right reached Graham at the far post but fell the wrong side of the winger and he was unable to get in a shot.

A minute later, a loose ball ran to Downes on the edge of the area but the midfielder scuffed his shot wide.

But Hull gradually began to get back on top and on 58 Gerken was forced into his first save of the second half from Campbell’s strike. The keeper was unable to hold on to the shot but Knudsen was first to the loose ball and showed composure to take his time and clear.

On 65 Campbell was booked following a foul on Downes, however the caution was more for a serious of transgressions rather than just that challenge.

A minute later, Town struck their first shot on target of the afternoon, however, Graham’s effort was too close to David Marshall, who saved comfortably. Hull switched Kingsley for Jackson Irvine in the 69th minute.

The Tigers went close to adding to their lead soon afterwards, Pennington nodding Evandro’s shot away from in front of the line after Bowen’s shot from a tight angle had fallen to the Brazilian.

Town made their first substitution of the afternoon in the 72nd minute, Jackson taking over from Downes. Seconds later, a Graham corner from the left flashed across the Hull six-yard box having been inadvertently flicked goalwards by a Hull head.

But the Tigers, and specifically Bowen, were still looking the most likely scorers of the game’s second goal. On 74 the Hull forward cut in from the right and hit a shot which Gerken did well to save with his foot. Soon after, Stewart was booked for a foul on Jackson.

Rowe took over from Edwards in the 79th minute with the former Macclesfield man on the left and Graham - who had made more of an impression than he had against Norwich - moving to the right.

Bowen threatened to score his second goal of the game once again in the 81st minute having been sent away behind the Blues’ backline but Gerken was out quickly to thwart him with Chambers also playing a part with his physicality.

On 86, with Hull still looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal, Ellis Harrison replaced Graham, then two minutes later Hull swapped Campbell for Beccles-born former Canary Chris Martin, who was making his debut for his new loan club.

And in the penultimate minute of scheduled time that second Tigers goal arrived. Evandro chipped a ball behind the Town defence for sub Irvine to run on to. Spence tried to hold off the Australian international but was brushed aside and the former Burton man beat Gerken confidently.

The whistle confirmed the Blues’ fourth away defeat in their first four games and Hull had claimed their first win at home at the fourth attempt.

It was a victory the home side deserved and they might well have had the game sewn up prior to Irvine’s late goal with Bowen in particular regularly threatening. The Tigers caused the Blues more defensive problems in open play than anyone else they have faced so far this season.

Town put in their poorest display of the season but had periods where they were on top however they never convinced that they were going to get anything from the game with Marshall in the Hull goal rarely seriously tested. The best chance was Nolan’s first-half header wide.

The Blues, now bottom of the table by two clear points with three sides ahead of them on five, now have back-to-back home games against Brentford and Bolton - second and 10th respectively - as they look to finally end their increasingly concerning wait for a win.

Hull City: Marshall, De Wijs, Burke, Evandro, Kane, Batty (Stewart 41), Bowen, Henriksen (c), Kingsley (Irvine 69), Campbell (Martin 88), Elphick. Unused: Long, Dicko, Grosicki, McKenzie.

Town: Gerken, Spence, Chambers (c), Pennington, Knudsen, Skuse, Downes (Jackson 72), Edwards (Rowe 79), Nolan, Graham (Harrison 86), Walters. Unused: Bialkowski, Chalobah, Ward, Edun. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). Att: 11,650.

Photo: Pagepix

Swn98 added 22:43 - Sep 15 Dirty you were one of the biggest outers on this site well you got what you wished for and the fans that actually attend because they make more effort than the train time from lowestoft to Ipswich doesn't suit them do one there's a good fella.
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ThaiBlue added 22:44 - Sep 15 Next 2 games important for Hurst,if 2 losses at home time for Hurst to go b4 it's to late no more time for hope and patience because we are poor but get in a guy who knows this league and get these player's motivated because it will be to late.
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stringtheory added 22:57 - Sep 15 Oh dear oh dear. Where's MicksZZZZTactics when you need him?!
3

GiveusaWave added 22:59 - Sep 15 Had a chance to look through all the posts (here and in the 2 bad goals report). To summarise: Many think Burley could help in some capacity. I see the reasoning behind this but surely this would demonstrate a lack of belief in Hurst? I do think Burley would have made a great appointment alongside Hurst....but now? Beginning of the end IMO. A few people are angry about MM not being at the club. If we go back to what happened....attendances were slipping...relationship between manager and fans was poor. It wasn't feasible to keep MM....and the odds on him returning are extremely high. He's gone...end of... Strikers do seem a constant topic. In hindsight...might have been worth signing proven goal Scorers? QPR good example of this right now. Reminds me many years ago when we were in the Premier League. We were battling relegation with Bolton and they took a gamble and spent a lot of money signing Djorkaeff and Campo. We did nothing and were promptly relegated. I'm sure...if we could go back in time...we'd probably spend some money to see what happened... Right-back. Seems much of a muchness. Spence/Donacien; not much difference in quality. Maybe fewer players signed....a few others retained and money put into a really good championship right back.

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GiveusaWave added 23:11 - Sep 15 Yes...miss the light sparring with MicksZzztactics...but have a feeling he's here in another form. Alternatively...if these results continue he'll brazenly come back as Hurstszzzztactics (especially if we continue to play the 1 up front system)
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 23:28 - Sep 15 So I get minus points for speaking the truth? Won't be long before fans are talking about the glory days in the championship under MM. Mark my words and mark them well. The only person who can get us out of this is MM and if he did return I would be there at the stadium cheering his return even in the rain. He should never have left in the first place, absolute miracle worker on his budget.

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BooM76 added 23:29 - Sep 15 I just hope the club learns from this is all! We took long strides forward under MM, solid team, play offs, but it was time to move forward and we moved backwards. Again, ugh. Its been a long few decades of this. This must be planned properly and executed. Enough is enough.
0

shakytown added 00:20 - Sep 16 B careful. While Mick had a lot of good qualities his relationship with the fans became so toxic he had to go and could not possibly and would not want to come back. End of story.
3

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:05 - Sep 16 I got today's score and performance. Two ways you can essentially go about this : #1 Stick your head in your ass and tell yourself it's only a minor concern etc. Everything will be all right and the new kids and manager will prove an undoubted success. I.E. We can expect some radical change in the time ahead and maybe even challenge for a promotion place at the end of it all. #2 Admit there's evident issues here and hiring Hurst was a mistake. That's not to say he's a bad manager necessarily, but arguably NOT of the right caliber to take on the job of a team from the Championship league. Realize promotion even at this premature stage seems unlikely and realistically looking at another mid-league finish and not much with it. Will leave it to others to make their own decisions. Be realistic with yourselves, realize the situation the team finds itself in.

1

aas1010 added 01:09 - Sep 16 Was I right ?
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aas1010 added 01:17 - Sep 16 Mick McCarthy must be looking at these results and laughing ... bobby robson must be looking down thinking what has Evans and hurst done to my club ???
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 01:24 - Sep 16 MM won't be laughing, he will feel very sad. He loves this club and knows the glory we would have achieved if he had been allowed to stay. Point 2 Minneapolis. Point 2. Right now hard to see how we won't be rock-bottom though, not mid-table.
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dubblue added 02:26 - Sep 16 Why are so many here mixing up MMs time as manger and the current situation. Mick did the club some good but his time to move on came and now we have a new manager. We have three problems - defence a few soft goals being conceded many from set pieces. Up front we do not look like we are going to score - yes Waggy wanted to leave but he was under contract and should have been made stay like Didz was before (or Mahrez at Leicester) maybe offer a new deal with an opt out at the end of the season, but no ME gave PH no money and PH had no incentive to try and keep Waghorn as he wanted a transfer budget. Having let Waghorn go why did he let Garner go so close to the start of the season. Final problem too many changes we were all excited with the new players coming in with the transfer budget PH got from the sale of Webster/Waghorn/Garner but does PH know his best 11 at this stage even Bart has been dropped FFS!

1

NoelTheDub added 03:33 - Sep 16 Our club is rotten to the core .The last few managers have been disappointing and the squad is very poor.We are going one way and thats down big time end of.League 1 here we come.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:25 - Sep 16 We are where we are. 1) Let's stop talking about MM. He's gone, end of, and he won't be back. 2) Evans isn't going to pay off PH, so he's here for the foreseeable future. 3) If PH can pull this round, he will be the genius I hoped he would be when we appointed him. I don't suppose he is a happy bunny just now, so the best thing we can do is to try to support him as much as we can. I fully understand, though, that displays like yesterday's make this very difficult for some.

6

BonchosBicycle added 06:04 - Sep 16 If Bobby Robson was looking down he might remember we finished 18th and 19th the first two seasons he managed us. Good job we didn't sack him after two months.
2

derbyblue51 added 06:30 - Sep 16 We need to let the board hear our concerns at the next home game .we need to sack hurst before it's too late while we have a chance to get out of the dire straights we are in and bring in burley /butcher who I wanted all along
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Butcherboy added 06:51 - Sep 16 BonchosBicycle Bobby Robson took over in 1969!!! Things have moved in considerably since then and Hurst is no Bobby Robson that's for sure!
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Skip73 added 07:24 - Sep 16 Be careful what you wish for! Numbskulls!
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Northstandveteran added 07:36 - Sep 16 Good morning fellow Ipswich supporters. How wonderful to read such positive posts. Up and coming young new manager, tick Hungry new players with something to prove, tick Let's hope the new manager gets time and our support, hmmmm. With a little less bad luck in previous games we'd be mid table (ish) After so many years in this division we should have learnt that league positions mean nothing until January. The one thing that I have realised about the championship is that any team can beat the other regardless of form or position. Hurst hasn't become a bad manager over the last couple of months, we knew this would be a period of transition. I am sure he will turn things around and in this crazy league, we could be in this position in November and still make the play offs. A couple of wins in the next two home games and all will be happy in the world of TWTD posters. Oh, and Mick out!

10

afcfee added 07:43 - Sep 16 Burley to steady the ship by Christmas?
0

beornioblue added 07:50 - Sep 16 There are some strange posts on here to read with a tea this morning!! Why are people still talking about MM he's gone good riddance move on!! There have been some truly odd transfer ins and outs which must come from ME on high that have left us in a truly bad position but it's only September let's show a bit of faith, and yes before some smarta$$ pops up with the question yes I have been to every home game so far. in what I've seen there are parts which are better but the striker issue is key.. please PH just put two up front and get back to basics with it stop focusing on them wearing technology sports bras and give them some through ball and shooting practice.

5

buryblue77 added 08:31 - Sep 16 I don't get the calling for Burley, I suppose typical of Town fans in a way, always looking to the past and never the future! The bloke hasn't held a management job since 2012, hardly covered himself in glory elsewhere and was also a part of our financial downfall by spending too much on dross Finidi George for £3m anyone?
3

chalky added 08:37 - Sep 16 Enough is enough. I can't bear the thought of the club built by Ramsey and Robson going down to the third tier. Hurst talks a lot of football clichés but clearly isn't up to the job. Get rid of him now before it's too late. He has persisted with this absurd system of a lone striker when it obviously isn't working. Get Burley back - our best manager in the last twenty years by a long way - and get Matty Holland as his assistant. Then I might rest easy ! Cheltblue

2

chalky added 08:40 - Sep 16 My solution is simple. Appoint Burley as manager NOW with Matt Holland as his number two. Then we might begin to live up to the legacy of Bobby Robson. Chalky
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