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Ipswich Town 0-2 Middlesbrough - Match Report
Tuesday, 2nd Oct 2018 22:00

Early goals from Mo Besic and Stewart Downing saw Middlesbrough to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Besic netted the opener on 12 and Downing added the second four minutes later following an error from Blues skipper Luke Chambers with Town never looking like taking anything from the match.

Janoi Donacien and Jordan Graham returned to the Blues line-up for Matthew Pennington, who was suspended for one game following Saturday’s red card, and Gwion Edwards, who dropped to the bench.

Donacien came into the team at right-back with Graham on the left of midfield, while Grant Ward moved to the right. There was no place in the Middlesbrough 18 for ex-Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter.

Town saw plenty of the ball early on and passed it around but without getting into dangerous areas.

However, the visitors took their lead via their first serious attack in the 12th minute. Besic brought the ball forward from halfway unchallenged and hit a 25-yard strike which cannoned off Toto Nsiala, knocking the defender over.

The loose ball fell kindly for the Bosnian, giving him a free run at goal and he struck a low shot from the edge of the box past Dean Gerken to his right.

Four minutes later it was 2-0. Skipper Chambers played a loose pass from the edge of the box straight to Downing on the Middlesbrough right and the ex-England international cut into the area and hit a low shot which hit the net off Donacien, leading to brief boos from the Blues support.

Town set about trying to get back into a game which already looked lost but without creating anything until the 25th minute when a Ward cross caused brief hesitation in the Teessiders’ defence before the danger was averted.

Daniel Ayala was fortunate referee Andy Madley failed to spot his late, studs-up challenge on Cole Skuse in the 28th minute otherwise the former Canary might well have seen at least a yellow card.

Town failed to make much impression on a Boro side happy to sit back on their two-goal lead until the 42nd minute when Donacien crossed from the right and Jonas Knudsen looped a header over the bar at the far post.

Three minutes later, Trevoh Chalobah sent a low ball into the box from midway inside the Boro half on the right but no Blues player was able to get a touch before Boro keeper Darren Randolph claimed.


Ayala looped a header over the bar just before the whistle which was met by further boos from an understandably frustrated Portman Road crowd.

The Blues had gifted Boro their two-goal and subsequently looked to have little idea of how to break down a visiting team largely happy to sit back and hold on to their lead, presumably well aware of Town’s lack of attacking threat this season.

After such a lacklustre half, Paul Hurst’s side needed to dramatically up their game in the second half to maintain their unbeaten home record let alone end their long winless run.

It was little surprise that Hurst made changes ahead of the second half with Edwards and Freddie Sears replacing Graham and Jackson.

And Town should have pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart. Donacien whipped in a cross from the right and Ayala just did enough to force Jon Nolan to head across the goal and wide rather than into the net.

Two minutes later, Ward won the ball on halfway and fed Sears to his left. The former Colchester man took it on into the area before hitting a shot which flew not too far over with the Portman Road crowd beginning to get behind their side.

Town continued to have most of the ball but without being able to find a way past the Boro backline. However, on 59 Chalobah sent over a dangerous low ball from the right which bounced across the six-yard box but too far in front of Ward.

But it was the Teesiders who came close to scoring the game’s third goal on the hour mark, Skuse heading Ayala’s goal-bound header off the line before one-time Town target Jordan Hugill’s rebound was blocked.

Boro kept up the momentum with Hugill claiming he had been fouled by Donacien as a cross came in from the right, however, the striker looked to have made a lot of little contact as he wasn’t going to reach the ball.

Moments later, George Friend cut in and struck a shot across the face of goal, then soon after Hugill also shot wide.

The on-loan West Ham man was replaced by Britt Assombalonga seconds later, then on 69 Martin Braithwaite was swapped for Paddy McNair.

Town forced Randolph into his first save of the evening in the 72nd minute, and what a save it was. Edwards found his way blocked on the edge of the area and the ball was stabbed out to Chalobah, who struck a powerful low strike through a crowd of players which Randolph somehow got across to and palmed past the post.

With 14 minutes remaining Andre Dozzell was given his first taste of competitive first-team action under manager Hurst, the Portman Road crowd cheering the local boy’s introduction for Nolan.

Dozzell’s tidy passing was evident from the off and soon after his introduction he played a clever reverse ball into the path of Sears, who won a corner which eventually came to nothing.

Five minutes from the scheduled end, Chambers made a superb double challenge on Downing and then sub Sam McQueen as the pair broke into the Town area after the Blues had been dispossessed midway inside their own half.

On 87 Edwards smashed a powerful shot which looked to be on its way into net following a corner but his strike hit Nsiala and deflected harmlessly wide.

Late on, McNair sent over a dangerous ball for Boro which Assombalonga failed to get a touch on, then moments before the end Skuse nodded over.

The whistle was greeted by muted applause from the Blues support, Town having been better in the second half and having kept going throughout, despite it looking unlikely that they would get anything out of the game.

The Blues huffed and puffed but but lacked confidence and quality, only rarely - Nolan’s early header, Sears’s strike over soon afterwards and Chalobah’s effort saved by Randolph - looking like they might pull a goal back against a well-organised Boro team, who came closer to adding to their lead when Skuse nodded Ayala’s header off the line.

The match was effectively won in the first 16 minutes with the two poor goals which were gifted to the visitors with individual mistakes again playing a large part in the Blues’ downfall. Against a side with the quality and nous of Boro Town were never going to have a chance having given them a two-goal start.

The Blues’ winless run from the start of the season is now up to 11 in the Championship - plus the defeat at Exeter in the Carabao Cup - in addition to the final day of last campaign draw with Boro.

Town’s first home defeat of the season sees them drop back to 23rd in the table ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Swansea ahead of the international break with the pressure increasing on manager Hurst.

Town: Gerken, Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Ward, Nolan (Dozzell 76), Graham (Edwards 46), Jackson (Sears 46). Unused: Bialkowski, Spence, Downes, Edun.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Friend (c), Besic (McQueen 82), Howson, Saville, Downing, Braithwaite (McNair 69), Hugill (Assombalonga 65). Unused: Lonergan, Batth, Fry, Gestede. Ref: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 13,612 (Boro: 438).


Photo: TWTD



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19781981twtd added 22:13 - Oct 2
Sacked in the morning PLEASE , trouble is who will get anything from this group of no hopers what a complete mess we need a bloody miracle just to stay in the championship time to panic is Now and stop beliveing in father christmas.
12

leahcar88 added 22:14 - Oct 2
Look like a league one team at best
10

tomitfc added 22:15 - Oct 2
Chambers, skuse & Knudsen need dropping ASAP, they're clearly not trying half as much now as they did under MM.
I wanted Mick out and wanted Hurst to succeed more than anything but he's not helping himself at all, constant changes every week and ignoring the youth.
Is Donacien better than Emmanuel? Is Knudsen better than Kenlock? Is Nolan better than dozzell? Is skuse better than Downes? Is chambers/nsiala better than woolfenden? And if someone could explain to me what grant ward actually does then that would be great.

Just so fed up.
20

DebsyAngel added 22:15 - Oct 2
Just back from the match - first half an utter embarrassment. That error by Chambers for their second goal - FFS. Second half a lot more promising, and Edwards and Sears really made for an entertaining 45 minutes. Great to see Dozzell get on at last. But one last throw of the dice - try playing more of the youngsters in the team, this is what Ipswich are renowned for, and you never know... At the moment we don't even look like scoring one goal.
11

Ippy0207 added 22:16 - Oct 2
I know we lost and they were silly mistakes leading to the goal. But second half was very positive (at this point it feels that statement is too common) but now instead of just keeping possession we're creating chances that-to be honest- we should be scoring. Baby steps for a team with baby amounts of experience, I'll take that considering 3 games ago I started considering how likely promotion from league 1 would be. The chances we've begun to create with Dozzell and sears on the pitch will start to go in and confidence will hopefully keep the run going. All very hopeful but without them 2 mistakes I think we'd all be chuffed with that performance.
-17

DeanoBlue added 22:16 - Oct 2
Why not play sears and Jackson? Skuse as the only holding midfielder then had Edwards,Nolan, and Chalobah ( defensively poor ) playing the attacking midfielders in that second half, Dozzell should start instead of Nolan in future too he play some lovely balls in behind defence. Think hurst has till the November international break for before I give up on him
3

Karlosfandangal added 22:17 - Oct 2
We knew Mick had to go but he knew how to keep a team in this division.
We are back to the same place before Mick came here.

So for me the last 6 years has been a waste.

Hurst is a good manager in the lower leagues but I think the Championship is a step to far at the minute he needs to be a number 2 to and experience manager and learn the trade.

Hope we are just outside the relegation zone by Christmas and Hurst is given money to by some experienced players in early Jan.

For the Mick haters you have your wish and you all wanted Hurst, hit the minus button for my post but except that Hurst is not the man to take the club forward.
15

chorltonskylineblue added 22:17 - Oct 2
Mistakes for both goals but Boro pulled us out of position nicely and we were sadly just not streetwise enough to realise or do anything about it. Chalobah has only just got into double figures for first team appearances in his whole career. Yes, he's a prospect, but not good enough in our predicament. If Huws was fit I'd drop Chalobah for him straight away.

Nolan looked dangerously lightweight throughout the whole match. Didn't really understand why Jackson was hooked at HT, as he was our only danger and outlet in the 1st half. Surely he needed more support in a home game? I thought Sears was coming on for Nolan. Graham was poor and I would rather have seen Edwards on from the start. It's gonna be a long season for sure. Dozzell a rare bright spark, but I fear him alone won't save us.
10

jas0999 added 22:17 - Oct 2
Dreadful. Boro won't have a simpler win all season. We made it easy for them. First half was truely awful and although the second was better, that's because Boro sat back and soaked up the pressure, barely needing to get out of neutral! It was that easy. Nolan is very poor. Yet, remarkably Graham - a very pointless loan is worse. I'd be doubtful if this current squad is good enough for league one. Chambers and Skuse and possibly Knudsen past it.

Hurst clearly out of his depth. Players not good enough. Yet, it was Evans who appoinriped him, ignoring other options. Evans stood by and let him rip the squad apart. Evans sanctioned the sale of good players. Evans pocketed millions in transfer fees. This isn't all PHs fault. Yet, he must accept a lot of the blame. So should Evans.
22

HALLSJ66 added 22:18 - Oct 2
I really cannot What I have just watched, this has to be the worst Town team since I supported them from the late 70's
An absolute shambles, we wouldn't have scored if Boro had played with 6 players let alone the 11
15

blueboy1981 added 22:19 - Oct 2
......... anyone calling for MM to return is truly out of their mind. Far better options available, as there were when appointing Hurst. The gamble that hasn't, and doesn't look like paying off.

Can't see Evans being keen on paying him off - although things just cannot stay as they are.
Equally so - can't see Hurst accepting experienced help being brought in, but without that he will be back to where he came, sooner than he anticipated. But even that, may not be easy for him.
10

Miles added 22:21 - Oct 2
Let's calm down a little here. We certainly are struggling at the moment but fans need to relax and get off his back. We signed 10+ players, have changed management and are trying to change the way we play football. It'll take half a season to properly gel this team and then we can start to see where we are. We do need to start winning but it's fine margins at the moment. We're not getting battered week in week out. The results will come. We wanted a change, be patient with what we asked for. We go again Saturday. Keep the faith boys and girls!
-17

Monkey_Blue added 22:22 - Oct 2
I hate that oft used cliche “be careful what you wish for” but some of us and every expert was saying this and they were correct... if MM was to go we needed a better manager or far more money. We've had the same budget and an drastically Imferior manager who has signed poor players. You armchair managers who had unrealistic ambitions with the hand Mick was dealt need to hang your heads in shame.
2

TimmyH added 22:22 - Oct 2
@karlosfandangal - agree with most of your post but not the 'you all wanted Hurst' part - really!?! - I didn't want him and I know for sure a number on this site didn't (he wasn't even in my top 3).
2

blue86 added 22:25 - Oct 2
im annoyed to say this but think hurst needs to go, i despise clubs that chop and change and sack managers to quickly, but any other club in this division would act after 11 league games without a win. i actually feel sad tonight as town fans have suffered for to long and we deserve a bit of luck surely! was pleased to see freddie on but he should of kept jackson on and gone 442. what will happen now? i have no idea? but even with a new manager in he will have a poor squad imo to work with at least until jan window, hope im wrong but relegation looks very likely.
15

Sm00411 added 22:25 - Oct 2
How can it be that a Freddie Sears without any match fitness can come out of that game as one of our better players? Why do we have to wait until the second half before we start imposing ourselves on the opposition? Knudsen/Chambers/Gerken our most senior players yet they find it difficult finding a blue shirt. How many times did Gerken kick out for a throw-in? There's no room in our team for passengers and I think Dozzell and Chalobah put Nolan and Skuse to shame. I would love to see a stat showing how many times Chalobah got on the ball compared to Skuse. If Paul Hurst loses his job and he feels he's tried his best he can't have any regrets. But he's got a quality youth team at his disposal and he's not touching them. Do the right thing and give Dozell, Downes, Kenlock and Lankester a chance.
17

Tractorboy1985 added 22:27 - Oct 2
How can anyone say 1-5 more games?? We are 9 points from mid table.. that's 3 wins!! We have not won a game all season!!!!!! Better 2nd half blah blah blah! That's when a team have done the business.. are leading and we are coming onto them! It's bound to be entertaining then! We want a team that is going to take the game to thee opposition from minute 1 and create chances and look to score goals! We didn't even look like scoring! Jackson so isolated (and clearly not good enough) takes him off and puts on sears (who done more in 2 mins than Jackson did for 45) but why not play them BOTH?? Especially when we are chasing the game and 2-0 down! The manager is a shambles.. the owner is a shambles.. the club is a shambles! Breaks my heart to watch Ipswich.. I don't see a way out.. I wanted a complete change but for me some passion needs to be instilled and a know how about the club.. I'm not a lover of managers returning but burley and with Terry as his number 2 or Matty Holland will at least see us go down with a fight! Sad times to be a town fan!
15

blockb_steward added 22:27 - Oct 2
Burley and Butcher please :(
4

blueboy1981 added 22:28 - Oct 2
Karlosfandangal ........... money to buy players would not help PH - he needs experienced help to learn the trade at this level.

It's there for all to see. Would you trust him with your money ? - I certainly wouldn't with what I've seen of him so far.

Money will not buy tactical nouse, and experience for a Manager - and that is what he lacks, and certainly needs.
I wouldn't want to be playing for him at the moment, and I have some sympathy with a few of the players, who will know where the problems are .... !!
4

algarvefan added 22:30 - Oct 2
Miles I'm with you on this, not everything about our performances is dreadful except we have no finish, our goal tally shows that. We have better players at the club than took to the field tonight, the selections are negative and how many mistakes do some players need to make to be dropped.
Next game get Bart back in goal, he is easily the better keeper. Knudsen should not be wearing the shirt, Chambers is as reliable as Theresa May and makes some real schoolboy errors, Skuse adds nothing. We have players like Rowe, Dozzell, Folami Lankaster who are playing out of their skin, get them in the side, be brave Paul faint heart never won f all.
4

blueboy1981 added 22:31 - Oct 2
44 points minimum from 35 games - no chance at this rate. Still early, but time is precious and continues to tick by without a win. Doesn't bare thinking about, at the moment.
1

masetheace added 22:31 - Oct 2
The problem began before the season . Dreadful recruitment in forward areas Nolan , Graham , Roberts , Jackson ( Sears has more ability in his little toe than Jackson ) . Follow this with dubious selections - result no threat no goals no wins
11

TimmyH added 22:32 - Oct 2
Sergio - any contribution tonight?...or are you going to be as pointless as one of Chambers passes out of defense?
2

EssexTractor added 22:32 - Oct 2
So many aspects to a successful football club
Everything now regarding Itfc has fallen into disrepair
That's reality
Of course we want to be loyal to OUR CLUB
Ofcourse many wanted a change from MM
But now almost one quarter into this season we could be facing the beginning of the end of this So loved Club
A man needs a chance, but how long a chance when now supporters are turning on each other, and is there anÅ· true work in progress?
From supporting the Club since 1958 I have not seen such a woeful everything.
Mr Hurst had a vision, we mostly appreciated and supported it but his signings did leave us with mouths open, as they may have had ambition but sadly they might have achieved it before joining us
We have nothing upfront..how is a match won with the the sorriest frontline ...of course service is minimal but there is no upper body strength upfront..no one to hold on to the ball, no one to coax midfield forward
In midfield sideways sideways stop backwards
Nsiala no
Nolan definitely no..never faces the opposition goal when he has the ball
(How was he so highly rated )
Graham , no comment
Chalabohah tried had tonight but not a match winner
Jackson and Harrison lightweight
Donacien two good moments but any better than who we already had..?
Edwards we wanted to love afterfirst few matches but now
.Who has made progress real progress since beginning of season?
A more knowledgeable manager would have ensured that by 11 matches in , we the supporters would now be looking forward to the next match
Now sadly we are fearful of it.
I see nothing from the sideline except the look of a manager who simply knows not what to do to pull it round
(and I hear nothing about Doigs abilities as a coach with wisdom )
And I fear that time is fast running out
No I do not concur with the view that a drop to League one is weirdly positive..for our Club I believe that would be disastrous
Statistically we are on course for a total of around 25 points for the season on our current form
How can that be improved and by whom?


12

dommyboyblue added 22:34 - Oct 2
Burley and butcher in the morning?
3


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