Kemar Roofe and Liam Cooper were on target as the Blues were comfortably defeated 2-0 by Leeds at Elland Road as the Whites returned to the top of the table. Roofe put the West Yorkshiremen ahead in the 22nd minute and skipper Cooper added the second on 66 with Town never looking like taking anything from the game once they had gone behind.

Town boss Paul Hurst made seven changes to the team which lost 2-0 at home to QPR at the weekend with Bartosz Bialkowski, Jordan Spence, Jonas Knudsen, Flynn Downes, Tayo Edun, Jon Nolan and Kayden Jackson all starting.

Dean Gerken, Janoi Donacien, Trevoh Chalobah, Gwion Edwards, Grant Ward and Andre Dozzell all dropped to the bench, while Toto Nsiala was left out of the 18.

Ahead of Bialkowski in goal, Spence was at right-back, Knudsen at left-back with Matthew Pennington to the left of skipper Like Chambers at the centre of the defence.

Nolan was on the right of midfield with Edun on the left and Downes in the centre with Cole Skuse. Jackson started up front with Freddie Sears behind him.

Pablo Hernandez blazed an early shot over from distance after a Bialkowski kick had been closed down and deflected into the air by Roofe. On five, Nolan picked up an early yellow card for a foul on Samuel Saiz.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 11th minute when Ezgjan Alioski’s low cross from the left was fumbled by Bialkowski but fortunately away from Hernandez and Chambers was able to clear.

Gaetano Berardi joined Nolan in the referee’s book in the 16th minute for a foul on Sears on the Blues’ left. From the freekick taken by Edun, Pennington headed into keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s arms at the far post.

On 19 Nolan scuffed wide from 20 yards with the Blues starting to make an impression going forward.

However, three minutes later the home side went in front. Hernandez whipped over a cross from the right which flew over Pennington to Roofe, whose header from six yards was too powerful for Bialkowski’s outstretched arm.

Having got in front, Leeds began to put the Blues under pressure but on 27 they were forced into a change when Berardi was replaced by Stuart Dallas.

Two minutes later, Hernandez cut the ball back to Saiz but his shot was blocked, then on 31 Downes was booked for a foul on Klich.

Alioski hit a cross-shot over from the left with the Whites well in control but without having come close to a second.

On 36, Luke Ayling’s shot was deflected over after Spence had cleared poorly from a corner, then from the subsequent flag-kick Downes flicked the ball over Bialkowski as the keeper looked to catch.

As the half moved into its final five minutes Town began to probe in the Leeds half but without threatening an equaliser.

Two minutes of injury time yielded no further chances at either end and the scoreline remained the same at the break.

Leeds deserved their lead having been in charge throughout and having created the game’s few opportunities.

Town hadn’t been as poor as they were against QPR, defensively they had been far less calamitous, but they had rarely threatened with Pennington’s header from Edun’s freekick their only real chance.

Two minutes after the restart Blues skipper Luke Chambers claimed a penalty after he was hauled down as an Edun freekick came in from the left. The central defender looked to have a case but neither referee Craig Pawson nor his assistant were interested.

On 50 Knudsen was booked for a foul on Hernandez, who required treatment before carrying on.

As in the first half chances were rare and keepers being forced into saves even rarer. On 56 Dallas scraped wide from the edge of the box.

A minute later Adam Forshaw replaced Saiz, then on 58 the Whites swapped Jack Harrison for Tom Pearce.

Dallas wasn’t too far away from doubling his side’s lead on 62 when his shot from the right of the box was deflected into the side-netting. Soon after Ward took over from Edun for Town.

The home side were beginning to threaten more regularly and in the 66th minute Hernandez struck a shot from a tight angle on the right which Bialkowski pawed away from goal.

However, from the resultant corner Leeds doubled their lead. The ball was played to Cooper on the edge of the box from where the Whites captain struck a powerful shot into the roof of the net all but sealing his side’s victory and another defeat for the Blues.

Town continued to huff and puff after the second Leeds goal but the Whites looked in little danger and appeared far more likely to add a third than Town were to pull one back.

On 76 Leeds went very close when Alioski smashed a shot from distance on the left which beat Bialkowski but struck the inside of the post and landed safely. Moments later, Town switched Sears for Edwards.

With the Whites completely dominating as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, sub Forshaw unleashed a powerful effort from distance which Bialkowski did well to save down to his right.

Leeds kept up the pressure with chances coming more and more frequently, Bialkowski saving from Alioski on 82, then a minute later Roofe diverted the Macedonian’s cross from the left wide.

Moments later, Town struck their first shot of the half, Nolan hitting a low effort from the right of the area which Peacock-Farrell stopped down to his right with little fanfare. Five minutes from time Chalobah took over from Skuse.

The Blues can have little complaint about the result, they were once again very much second best.

While not as bad as they were against QPR - which is the faintest of praise - Town never looked like they were going to take anything from the game once they had gone behind.

Defensively they were better with Pennington back in the centre but Leeds still had enough chances to have won more comfortably, while the Blues were poor on the ball, two or three passes would inevitably be followed by possession being conceded, and created virtually nothing.

Whether this latest defeat is the tipping point which persuades owner Marcus Evans to end Hurst’s time in charge remains to be seen but something certainly needs to change - and quickly - if the bottom-of-the-table Blues are to avoid dropping into the third tier for the first time in 62 years.

Leeds: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Alioski, Cooper (c), Berardi (Dallas 27), Phillips, Klich, Harrison (Pearce 58), Hernandez, Saiz, Roofe. Unused: Blackman, Forshaw, Roberts, Baker, Clarke.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Pennington, Chambers (c), Skuse (Chalobah 85), Downes, Nolan, Edun (Ward 62), Sears (Edwards 76), Jackson. Unused: Gerken, Donacien, Dozzell, Lankester. Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire). Att: 29,082.

Photo: Action Images

pazzy added 22:42 - Oct 24 hurst must go tonight
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runaround added 22:43 - Oct 24 Tonight we saw an Ipswich Town team in the image of their manager. Honest but Ponderous, listless, lacking energy, lacking confidence, just not good enough with no idea or tools to improve that. From the outside Paul Hurst looked the perfect candidate for the management role but he seems to have got things very wrong. He seems to have alienated senior players & staff alike changing far too much too soon & importantly is getting no support from the owner who is leaving him to it. New managers need time but there needs to be signs of improvement but we're going backwards & relegation looks a certainty unless things improve very quickly. I just cannot see anyway Hurst can turn it around which is very sad. Evans has to act but I fear he will wait & wait until it's too late & instead of really pushing to get straight back up if we do go down he will just align our finances to lower half of league one. Sad times for ITFC

10

Gcon added 22:44 - Oct 24 Please, mummy. Make it stop...
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TractorBoyTommy added 22:44 - Oct 24 Looks like my predictions at the start of the season have come true. Getting rid of experienced players and goal scorers and replacing them with young players from the lower leagues unproven at this level just hasn't worked. I got a lot of stick off people on here for my comments I doubt I'll be getting any apologies from those people!! Unfortunately can't see the point of sacking hurst as whoever we get in now will inherit a team not good enough for this league, and by the time January comes we will be too far adrift. The only shining light is when we do go down this might encourage Evans to sell up.

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churchmans81 added 22:45 - Oct 24 ... “something certainly needs to change - and quickly - if the bottom-of-the-table Blues are to avoid dropping into the third tier for the first time in 62 years”. Yes, I'd say so! I stood at the back of Churchmans with my school friends banging on the back wall in the home leg of the 1981 Final v AZ 67 watching Mills, Wark, Muhren and Mariner in their pomp. I witnessed some of the worst days under Ferguson and Duncan. I saw us resurgent under Lyall and then come so close but yet so far perennially missing out on the play offs with Burley. I partied hard with Beattie at Wembley in 2000 and again home and away v Inter Milan when Naylor squandered the chance to make it 2-0 and Bramble stuck like glue to Fat Ronaldo if only to get his shirt to add to his collection. Since then I've watched the ups and the far more frequent downs of the club I've supported man and boy since my Dad first took me to Portman Road in the early 70's. And I've always .. always been proud to say I'm an Ipswich Town supporter. And I still am this season, this week and tonight ... but yes, “something certainly needs to change - and quickly - if the bottom-of-the-table Blues are to avoid dropping into the third tier for the first time in 62 years” .. and the first thing, sadly for him, good man though I'm sure he is, is the manager. At 09.00 tomorrow morning! Whether it's Pearson, Big Fat Sam, or Burley & Butcher until end of the season bringing Bent in on a pay as you play, something needs to be done ... and quickly! 🚜⚽️💙

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Bert added 22:45 - Oct 24 Whatever the rights and wrongs of the last few years, it is clear that our club is in crisis. There is no leadership at management or executive level. The Board is moribund under an owner who pays the bills but little else. The playing staff has been stripped to the bone of mediocrity and supporters are at each other's throats. There is no quick fix from this mess but Hurst cannot stay for it is likely that there is little respect for him from the players; that was not the case under MM but he had to go to stave off a backlash. The best we can hope for is a short term, season long arrangement with people who know the club working with Klugg. No point looking beyond that now as our hand is so weak.

16

andygizmo added 22:47 - Oct 24 Taxi for Hurst. Put him and his partner on the first train back to Shrewsbury
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big_gaz67 added 22:50 - Oct 24 I am on holiday - has Hurst appeared for his post match interview on Radio Suffolk?
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NITFC added 22:51 - Oct 24 All these comments about who we should get in.....unfortunately the damage (at least in the short term) is done. We have a really poor squad of players right now and I can't really see any manager (however good) turning it round with this squad Yes, there appear to be some good young ones coming through but don't forget that some of them are currently playing for other clubs!!!!

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blueboy1981 added 22:51 - Oct 24 Make no mistake, we lost 2-0 but we were positively beaten. We do not look remotely like winning another game, although an improvement on the QPR debacle. Evans has two choices now - either sack Hurst now, and hope someone can do enough to starve off relegation - or, face next season in League 1. Nailed on at this rate, although it's only October.
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BraveDave added 22:53 - Oct 24 The sad thing is I think we competed throughout the match, yet still could easily have lost 6-0. Despite how poor we seem right across the pitch, if we had a proven goalscorer, that would be an outlet and would always give us hope of nicking a goal. I'm disappointed with, and for Hurst as (like most fans) I thought he would at least bring us some excitement. I just can't see any way out for him now, but starting all over again also doesn't fill me with any hope. Someone give me some optimism!

1

BartonBluee added 22:57 - Oct 24 #newera... give it giggsy til end of season!
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itfc94 added 23:00 - Oct 24 I am lost for words. I've tried to be patient with Hurst, but my patience is wearing extremely thin now. That was utter rubbish. I can't think of any positives, maybe that Pennington (not even our player) was a stand-out. No desire, no hunger, no bite, no resilience. Pathetic. We are constantly giving the other teams too much respect and trying to play to the term ‘coupon buster', it's embarrassing. The first 20 mins we did press well, but just seemed to resort to smacking it long. I don't understand why PH thinks this will work. Gah.... can't even be bothered to type anymore negative comments. So frustrating!

3

Poultman added 23:04 - Oct 24 If we had had a rub of the green results and refereeing wise may be we would be 6-9 points better off, would we be having the same discussions? Only a thought.... personally I thought a few astute signings along with an introduction of talented youth was all that was required along with a vision implemented across the club to achieve in a 3 year period what we had always wanted and secure the future. I don't advocate moving away from our historical way of supporting the manager but we do need to move with the times and quickly evaluate what is best to ready the ship ITFC in a fashion that is respectful to our history, owner or manager..... CLUB 1st

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ronnyblue added 23:04 - Oct 24 Hurst should grow some balls and resign ! He does not deserve to be sacked , he would get a pay off , as he wasted that money , having said he would spend the clubs money as if it were his own , on second class sh1te we can say he has had his payoff ! I feel we need to employ Ipswich orientated management , for example Nash and Hogg with a DOF to mentor them . They are ideally suited as they are in house and know the players , especially the younger ones , with a reasonable record with the U-23 side . Even if they were to get relegated the chances are a decent side would be in progress and the aim of utilising home grown players would be more acceptable .

6

StokeHigh97 added 23:07 - Oct 24 I genuinely thought Paul Hurst was the best appointment we could make this summer: now coming towards end of October & it's sadly been a complete disaster only 1 & even that game no idea how Swansea didn't score 5/6: he has made too many mistakes, not enough players with championship experience asking too much for so many players from league 1/2 to cope with the league: Defensively we are a mess, still can't get the back four right & defending Set pieces has been laughable at times: changing the midfield & putting players out of position has happened to often & who ever he picks up front doesn't look like scoring & gets little support: in life sometimes you have to admit it's not working & leave: Hurst has given it a go & it's not worked: whoever comes inhas a massive job till the transfer window opens some how got to keep us amongst the strugglers & get 2/3 Experience players to help the group: hurst has too go this week if he stills for Milllwalll Preston reading & we lose all 3 it will be a miracle in keeping us up:

0

Essexipswichboy added 23:09 - Oct 24 Enough talking I could see after Rotherham game this wouldn't work This gamble has failed Changes tomorrow He has to go That's all that needs to be said HURST OUT
3

KMANSers added 23:16 - Oct 24 The major problem at this club is the careless crook of an owner throwing money in at the beginning positively thinking bigger prizes when promoted! He totally over estimated his business sense while underestimating how to own and build a progressive football club. Not sure how he measures good performance within his businesses but this one isn't one to promote! Division 1 awaits and we will not return under his ownership!

4

algarvefan added 23:21 - Oct 24 I was talking to a friend last night, telling how I started watching Town with my Grandpa in 1967, it was mostly all 'up' from the off and then there was the Robson years, lean times and then the Burley years, great to be a Town fan, so proud of my town and club. Even after relegation back to the Championship we had the players to take us back, but the crippling debt took it's toll and then in came Marcus Evans and candidly it's been almost all s***te since, apart from an unexpected romp in the play offs. Evans alone isn't to blame, poor purchasing by early managers and now we are where we are. Mick McCarthy must be laving a quiet laugh at the people who called for his head!! We quite simply now have players who are not good enough, too many changes and I suspect a manager who thought he was better than he is. All is not well at the club and for the first time in my long life I think we will go down, I can't see where we will get enough quality from, who will want to come here anyway. I'm preparing for the worst and lets hope the next appointment will put our youngsters in and let them have a go, because the current lot have no passion, cannot play a simple pass and couldn't score in a brothel. I'm off now to cry in my scotch.......and to think I started the season so hopeful...

6

TimmyH added 23:24 - Oct 24 Personally feel I'm not sure Carvahal would want to come here the state the clubs in and with funds available, the best option in my opinion is to give Burley hands on until the end of the season (he would take the job on)...if he does a job or keeps us up extend his contract. To me Burley has nothing to lose given the situation, I'm really not sure other experienced managers will want to come here unless Evans dangles his £1M carrot again. By the way, please please swn98 give it up about what's gone before your needle is well and truly stuck and it's all you want to talk about.

2

Podster added 23:27 - Oct 24 I agree with you ronnyblue. I've said before that I am no Evans fan, but Hurst has sacrificed our decent under 23 squad/young players for poorer lower league acquisitions. Our home grown players cost next to nothing and yet we are either loaning them out or not playing them in the first team. They surely cannot be worse than we are seeing. The lack of quality in our first team, coupled with no confidence and a manager who is just completely at a loss, leaves us in huge trouble in this league. While I agree a new manager will inherit one of the worst teams we've seen at Ipswich, they may be able to get them organised, hard to beat, some creativity, being in the youngsters, instil some confidence and at least have a game plan

1

SohoBlue added 23:29 - Oct 24 Striiiiike 2 Mr Hurst...
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aas1010 added 23:41 - Oct 24 Hurst has lost the plot .
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midastouch added 23:45 - Oct 24 I wanted George Burley as soon as I read his inspiring piece in the EADT in the Summer. I was sold on everything he wrote in that article. That said, whoever comes in now is right up against it. And the philosophy Burley set out deserved a fair crack from the start of the season. Trying to implement what he set out in that piece would be infinitely tougher now as he'd have one hand tied behind his back given where we are in the league. For example, he talked about giving opportunties to some of the younger players, but we can't afford to give away any presents now. I'm all for giving youth an opportunity but we can't afford any passengers whatsoever now and George would be under great pressure and couldn't afford to give players a run in the team to settle in as he'd be wanting instant gratification results and thus he'd always be looking over his shoulder at the league table. It's such a shame he didn't get the nod at the start of the season as I really do believe we'd be far better off now than we are. To throw him now expecting him to sweep up all the mess would be a very big ask. I'd still welcome him with open arms if he did get given the chance but I'd be surprised if anybody could get us out this hole now without serious financial backing. George could come in and try his best but I just think it would been much better to get him in during the summer rather than now as we've got such little room for manoeuvre after the dreadful start under the inexperienced Hurst. Burley would not have the licence to put his stamp on things in the way he would of wanted, instead he'd be trying to put out fires the second he walked in through the door!

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tabber1981 added 23:47 - Oct 24 Churchmans81 - thought I was reading my own words (other than partying with Beattie Unfortunately!). Absolutely spot on
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