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

Notts_tractor added 23:13 - Oct 2 Braham Blue - I take full "responsibility' for wanting that arrogant, pig-headed, abusive, anti-football merchant out of our club. Funny that he's still not in a job, just pontificating in the media. But our malaise isn't about the managers, it's about the half -arsed, barely interested approach to football club ownership of the person at the helm. Until Evans goes, we're only headed in one direction. Down.

6

SpiritOfJohn added 23:14 - Oct 2 I don't care if Dozzell is the slowest and/or the laziest in training, he should be starting matches. If he runs out of steam then he can be taken off in the second half. Bart should also be starting - he saved Mick's hoofers from relegation and should get the chance to repeat his usual heroics this season.
11

TimmyH added 23:16 - Oct 2 Barham - no 'responsibility' on me, I wanted Maurice Steijn in if not him then Burley with Holland/Butcher in the summer...
3

Suffolkboy added 23:18 - Oct 2 There's a ring of sadness and frustration , even anger, throughout the commentary to date , and it looks like the actual support on the night is evidencing a real fall off ! ME has been patient but even he must a now perhaps be beginning to ask questions of himself, his judgment and of PH's ability at this level . Many aim cruel darts at some of our more experienced characters,but the unnecessary increase in pressure from the start of each game is undoubtedly taking a toll: for that the entire blame lies with PH & CD for inadequate management before, during ,after and throughout the intervals between matches : they have produced a shambles , seem totally baffled and bewildered ,and incompetent in many aspects .AND very sadly it doesn't seem they've any ideas to rectify the painfully obvious decline . I wish for better, much better ,but can someone tell me if it is possible ,or whether it will come ? Come on you Blues ,make something happen !!

7

Warkys_Tash added 23:21 - Oct 2 We are in trouble. Hurst has to go, he is clueless, out of his depth and will get us relegated. Trouble is, who will want to come in a manage after we have sold our best strikers and replaced them with lower league players. As some posters said, Freddie came on and did well but we all know he needs a Murphy up front with him, not battling on his own - All of us except Mr Clueless. EVANS ACT NOW!

10

ashp19 added 23:24 - Oct 2 has anyone got a cabbage?!
-2

Bert added 23:28 - Oct 2 A dreadful 6 minute spell and some dreadful individual performances but we did give it a go after the break. Totally inept to play a lone striker in this game. Sacking Hurst will change nothing. It is his team and for him to sort with a bit of help from Evans.
2

Barhamblue added 23:29 - Oct 2 Notts Tractor. That's pleasing to hear, not many people have the b*lls to admit their errors. Come Xmas I bet MM will have a savour job in the championship, only time will tell. We have what we have in an owner that only wishes to spend his own 6 million a year, to keep us a float, I'm sure you would do the same? .. The simple fact is, we're getting relegated with players and a manager that are simply not good enough, but again you wanted this because you wanted easy football on the eye, correct? I'm not saying it was not time for Mick to go but love him or loath him, we would never be relegated with him and the budget he had or lack of.

2

herobobby added 23:30 - Oct 2 Can this bloke be any funnier 2-0 dangerous score line Classic !!!!!!
4

hugster added 23:33 - Oct 2 We are sinking fast. I would make the decision now and bring in Burley and Butcher. They would have their hands tied as we have disposed of all of our best strikers and bought poorly. George would give our youth players a chance though. Best Town players for me were Chalabah and Dozzell, build the team around these two.
2

osseyseleven added 23:36 - Oct 2 The ground should now be full of Evans out signs and banners with EVANS OUT being chanted throughout all games until he does the decent thing and moves on.His ten years at the club has been a complete shambles from day one.He got lucky appointing McCarthy who oversaw the best period but again due to poor leadership from Evans allowed McCarthy to much influence at the club because Evans himself is clueless he was more than happy for McCarthy to run everything but he ended up running things into the ground but that was probably about as good as it could be with such an inept owner.I agree McCarthys time was up and he had to move on but Hurst should not have even been close to managing our club in the Championship , he is a non league manager not even a league one manager.The whole club is now geared up for League One and that is where it will be at the end of the season regardless of who the manager is as long as Evans is the owner.The sooner everyone wakes up and accepts that Evans and his clueless associates need driving out the better.Whoever manages this club with him as owner will fail.My biggest fear is that we go down and stay down , everyone must unite to get him out.He has no idea about how the game of football works on and off the pitch as his recent interview showed , so nieve about ever situation that he finds himself in.The very first decision he made 10 years ago was wrong and things have got steadily worse from then.To let Joe Royle go and give Jim Magilton ( who is a total legend at this club as a player in my opinion ) a untried and with no experience Manager 15 million to spend when all he needed to do was keep Royle and probably give him 5 million which would of got us promoted at the time.Every appointment since then has been disastrous , Keane = maniac never worked as club manager after ITFC , Jewell = suffered with depression couldn't handle pressure never worked as manager after ITFC , McCarthy = still no job after ITFC. All poor appointments by EVANS , he is the problem.People will argue he puts 7 million a year in for club to break even and I get that but he is clueless beyond belief and in the modern games that is not an excessive amount to put into a championship club.....Evans clearly does not really care what happens or hasn't got the money to invest at a level to make us competitive.Please everyone based on the last 10 years look ahead and be honest with yourself with where our once great club will be a year from now.

1

aas1010 added 23:52 - Oct 2 Just go and take your staff with you and Evans . Go go go didn't like you from day 1 🤮
3

Swn98 added 23:57 - Oct 2 Just in from the debacle of so called football match this is all your own doing MR Hurst you broke up a fairly decent squad and replaced it with 9 Lower league players to watch them you would think they had never seen each other until 7.45 tonight. If your going to continue in your position might i suggest first thing tomorrow is call in Nash and Klug to get you out of the mess you've created. Can't really comment on the game as it was so poor Chambo shocking error that said if we had a half decent midfield the defence wouldn't be under constant pressure.As many others have already said game livened up in second half with the introduction of reserves one feels that if we had of scored Boro would of taken the break off and consolidated their superiority. Whilst MM games could be dire they were better than the last two home games ive witnessed.

6

pazzy added 00:02 - Oct 3 GET THE CLOWN OUT NOW GIVE THE JOB TO BURLEY BUT HE HAS TO COPE WITH THESE 2ND DIV PLAYERS THE BETTER PLAYERS ARE LONG GONE DONT WAIT ANY LONGER IT MAY BE TO LATE ALREADY
2

Ipstones added 00:06 - Oct 3 Absolute shambles... 5/6 could not pass to nearest player and even worse under slightest pressure. One up front pointless... all players too lightweight and get eased off the ball far too easily...First half so poor i forced myself too watch it all... could have carried on playing for hours...no threat = no goals seemples... i watch lower league games quite regualrly and this outfit would struggle in the vanarama league... league 1 will be no easy task... i am an Ipswich fan despite my curtailed rant but i cant watch this inept negative set up it clearly doesn't work yet the boss persists...playing loanees whom are no better than our far superior kids is just snubbing and shortchanging the fans and sending the totally wrong message. Sears , Dozzell and in part Edwards showed more than the rest put together when they came on. Next year we will be league one don't kid yourself but where in 2 years ??? Changes need to happen but i fear too many poor decisions have already put the writing on the wall! Anyway here's hoping a miracle occurs and 3 teams become so poor we end up above them. My heart is heavy and i am embarrassed of what the club has become.

7

JJRBlue added 00:11 - Oct 3 I know I shouldn't have expected a result against Boro, but I am starting to become concerned. 11 Championship games winless now and can't see where that first win will come from. The longest winless run in the last two seasons has been 17 and 16 by Rotherham and Sunderland respectively and we both know what happened to them...
2

Dog added 00:18 - Oct 3 Oh dear. Oyston out!!!
0

wayway added 00:18 - Oct 3 What the hell are Burley and Butcher going to do? Both have failed too many times and just because they are ex players does not make them good managers. The fans anger should be directed at Evans, the club has been on a downward spiral ever since he came in with the poor selection of managers and lack of investment. you only have to look at Boro tonight, they had a £16 million sub on their bench, our whole first eleven is not worth that much. It all comes down to INVESTMENT, Steve Gibson puts real money into Boro, Evens puts peanuts into ITFC EVANS OUT

8

Bildestoned added 00:26 - Oct 3 Am I the naïve one or us it some people on here? 'Evans Out'??? What about the small matter of a) a HUGE club debt owed to him and b) the incidental fact that someone needs to actually want to buy the club!
3

armchaircritic59 added 00:39 - Oct 3 Yes Wayway, it's interesting if you look at this years "Sunday Times Rich List". Marcus Evans worth £800m. Steve Gibson worth £195m. Hmm, food for thought!
7

Henrietta_R_Hippo added 00:54 - Oct 3 No need to contribute with my personal review (and I have in fact said , in dreaded length! sorry! :-) ,what's currently on my mind with those *employed* with ITFC' elsewhere on TWTD) & also I simply agree with what the vast majority have already posted... So just this one thing I'm real eager to call some attention to: The atmosphere a.k.a. "The 12th Man" at PR ... or lack of it rather!!! So ehhh how come that I with my live stream on medium volume couldn't really hear ALL them allegedly many many patient with Hurst, patient with the process known as "gel" :-), patient with everything ITFC almost, "Get behind Hurst" , "Get behind (those inferred Deities?!) in The Shirt" regardless etc etc, at PR tonight... cause apart from during our handful of attempts + when Dozzell was introduced & showed a brief flash of his skills ... nearly all the rest of the night PR sounded more like the freakin' inside of a Mausoleum (except for a few probably well-founded buhs here and there)???

4

shakytown added 01:04 - Oct 3 Sadly I don't think anyone could save us with the third rate players this fool has signed on. We just simply do not have players capable of footing it in this league. Perhaps Burley might just do it or at least use OUR youth to rebuild for the future.
1

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:12 - Oct 3 Don't know why I'm replying, got better things to do than draw analysis from another sub-standard score and performance / Hurst fails again and another game without victory. Some thought he was some kind of savior when he came in a few months back (I guess after the garbage of McCarthy anything would have been a step in the right direction) but
1

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:18 - Oct 3 How do you edit a post ? That got submitted by hitting a wrong button there or something. No, I was saying after McCarthy's departure big things were expected by many but I was skeptical from the time of appointment and seems like pretty good instincts. Keeping it short, best solution here : Hurst resigns (accepts the error of his ways), we bring in a ex-player or manager as some have mentioned, and go out to salvage the season. Bottom line, if it stays as it is (with no change or amendment) then you can accept the season is over. Simple math, something needs to be done in the immediate time ahead.

1

lightingblue added 03:34 - Oct 3 This has been going on so long now I've lost every ounce off interest. Always maintained that it would've been nice to give some Jim more time. Since then it's nose dived. I'm going to get shot down now, but least mick saved is once. I've now gained more intreast in next non league football.
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls