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Ipswich Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic - Match Report
Saturday, 15th Dec 2018 17:22

Freddie Sears’s 67th minute goal saw Town to a vital 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Portman Road to cut the gap to safety to five points. In atrocious second-half conditions, Sears’s shot deflected past Latics keeper Christian Walton to secure the Blues their first home win since April and only their second victory of the season.

Town boss Paul Lambert named the same team which lost 2-0 at Stoke last weekend. Dean Gerken continued in goal behind centre-halves Matthew Pennington and skipper Luke Chambers with Jonas Knudsen and Jordan Spence the full-backs.

Trevoh Chalobah was the deeper midfielder with Flynn Downes and Jon Nolan ahead of him.

Up front, Jordan Roberts was in the middle with Jack Lankester on the right and Freddie Sears on the left.

For Wigan, ex-Blues loanee Callum Connolly and Will Grigg came into the team for the suspended Kal Naismith and James Vaughan, who dropped to the bench.

Former Blues winger Gary Roberts started with ex-Town striker Joe Garner on the bench and one-time defender Alex Bruce not in the 18.

In freezing and breezy conditions, Town started positively, taking the game to the Latics. An early corner came to nothing but the Blues kept the visitors pinned back in their half in the opening minutes.

On nine, Nolan crossed from the right and the ball reached Knudsen beyond the far post. The Danish international tried a shot but the ball deflected behind off a defender and keeper Walton.

Wigan caused the Blues their first moment of danger on 14 when ex-Blue Roberts chipped a ball behind the Town backline for Will Grigg but too far in front of the Northern Irishman and Gerken claimed.

Roberts, who played for Town during Jim Magilton’s time as boss, sent over a dangerous cross from the left two minutes later but with no one in the box to add the final touch.

But the Blues, with owner Marcus Evans watching, continued to control the game and on 19 Lankester hit a freekick from the right towards goal which was headed away.

A minute later, Josh Windass, subject of a Town enquiry prior to joining the Latics from Rangers in the summer, was sent away into the right of the Town area but sent a low ball beyond Grigg.

There was a big scare for the Blues right on the half-hour mark when Windass and Grigg both somehow failed to get a touch on a cross from the right when they seemed certain to score.

The Latics subsequently had a short spell on top but without seriously threatening again before the Blues regained the ascendency, Lankester just failing to find Sears with a return pass after a swift Town counter-attack in the 36th minute.


A minute later, Sears was sent away on goal towards the right of the box by Roberts’s flick but the ex-West Ham man shot just over Walton’s bar when he might have taken it on a few strides further.

On 42, Town struggled to clear a Wigan corner from the left but the Latics were unable to get a clean sight at goal, Connolly hitting a shot which screwed well wide before Windass took it out of play on the right.

Neither side threatened again before referee Scott Duncan brought a not overly-enthralling half to an end.

The Blues had been on top for most of the period but only rarely creating chances, Sears’s shot over and Knudsen’s effort which was bundled behind the only opportunities of note.

Wigan had looked the more likely scorers when they had the ball in and around the Town are despite having seen less of the ball.

With rain now falling heavily and the wind having grown in strength, Chalobah and Connolly were booked within a minute of each other soon after the restart for catching Cedric Kipre with an arm and pulling back the breaking Lankester respectively.

The start of the second half had been very scruffy with both teams struggling in the conditions but on 59 Wigan went very close to going in front. Reece James picked up a loose ball on the right and smashed a shot which beat Gerken but which struck the bar.

Wigan, who were getting on top, swapped Grigg for Vaughan on 61, then in the aftermath of a corner, Connolly shot over from an angle on the right of the box.

Town made their first change of the afternoon a minute later, Gwion Edwards taking over from Lankester.

The Blues had been second best since the break and the home fans were beginning to become frustrated but in the 67th minute they went ahead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.

Wigan made heavy weather of clearing a Chalobah cross from the right and the ball was eventually stabbed out to Sears on the edge of the box. The ex-Colchester man’s scuffed shot looked too close to Walton but Lee Evans in front of him diverted it to his right and into the net.

Sears and the rest of his team-mates ran away to celebrate his fifth goal of the season in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The Latics switched Windass for ex-Blue Garner on 71, then Andre Dozzell took over from Downes for the Blues.

Wigan felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute when Roberts was fouled by Chambers, who was booked, but referee Duncan gave a freekick just outside the box. James’s freekick hit the wall and looped over.

Wigan were handed another set piece in a dangerous position on 77 after Knudsen inadvertently felled Garner but Roberts smashed his freekick deep into the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand. Three minutes later, Callum McManaman replaced Nathan Byrne for the Latics.

On 84 Jordan Roberts was very harshly booked after clearly winning the ball as he slid in on James, much to the anger of the Town support who booed loudly.

Conditions if anything had deteriorated further as the half had progressed making life particularly tough for both defences.

In the 86th minute the Blues struggled to clear their lines and were fortunate that Connolly headed McManaman’s cross from the right over the bar.

A minute later, Wigan were awarded another freekick not far outside the area - hardly the first which was debatable - when Chalobah was adjudged to have fouled Vaughan. James took the freekick and Gerken saved well down to his left.

There was further danger from the corner, Gerken saving Connolly’s initial header, then following a scramble grabbing on to McManaman’s low shot through a crowd of players.

Kayden Jackson took over from Roberts prior to the fourth official holding up a board announcing seven additional minutes, much to the surprise of everyone in the ground.

Dan Burn was booked for fouling Dozzell as the Blues broke, then seconds before the whistle Vaughan clattered into Gerken Nat Lofthouse-style as the keeper claimed a high ball causing the former Colchester man to collide with the post. The Wigan sub surprisingly avoided a card.

Moments later, the incident was all but forgotten as referee Duncan ended the match and confirmed the first win of the Paul Lambert era, the Blues’ first home victory of the season, their second overall of the campaign and only their third at Portman Road in 2018. It was their first win to nil in 23 matches.

Skipper Chambers’s post-match fist pump has rarely been cheered so loudly and with such relief.

It was as hard fought a win as they come in atrocious conditions in the second half when it was impossible to play football.

Having got their goal at a time when Wigan were on top, the Blues dug in and battled for the remaining half hour - including the overlong injury time - to claim a crucial three points.

The win and results elsewhere - most notably Rotherham’s 1-1 draw at home to Reading claimed in the final minute - sees the Blues cut the gap to safety to only five points plus goal difference with fourth-placed Sheffield United at Portman Road next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Spence, Chambers (c), Pennington, Knudsen, Chalobah, Downes (Dozzell 72), Nolan, Lankester (Edwards 62), Sears, Roberts. Unused: Bialkowski, Jackson, Bishop, Nsiala, Dozzell, Kenlock. Att: 14,640 (Wigan: 310).

Wigan: Walton, James, Kipre, Burn, Connolly, Morsy (c), Evans, Byrne (McManaman 80), Windass (Garner 71), Roberts, Grigg (Vaughan 60). Unused: Jones, Gibson, Massey, Dunkley. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland).


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Elizabeth added 18:40 - Dec 15
So pleased with the result .. onwards and upwards ! Well done PL and the team !
5

Steelmonkey added 18:40 - Dec 15
We so needed that win, however what a scrappy game, but it doesn't help having to play against the match official as well each week.
What is it with the match officials we have seen down at PR this season.
They must all have put a bet on us for relegation.
Just hope that P.L. has got some talent lined up to come in.
Nolan again failed to impress today imo.
But playing badly and getting the points is as good a place as any to start the season over.
3

blueboy1981 added 18:50 - Dec 15
A real struggle those three points - but who cares ? - they're in the bag.

Well Done All - let's move forward.
5

Marinersnose added 18:50 - Dec 15
What I witnessed today was two poor team struggling for confidence. Ipswich look so nervous at the back. Gerken is hurried in possession and his kicks were poor. The full backs both need replacing quickly as does our captain. The midfield is very young and inexperienced but all dug in and Chalobah in particular had a strong second half. Sears was again very strong both on and off the ball and lead by example.
The fans were superb on a cold miserable day. It's a fantastic win which is so important. Now to build on this result. Lambert is having a positive effect on the club as a whole and with a few additions we will survive
8

ITFCsince73 added 19:01 - Dec 15
Marnersnose. Perfectly put. True reflection of the day.
2

itfchorry added 19:02 - Dec 15
Happy Days -

Especially with Freddie at 9/2 for the first goal !
3

Dissboyitfc added 19:03 - Dec 15
Wigan are truly awful and will be relegated no doubts about that, first half we were totally dominant. Second half we failed to get going in the awful conditions. But happy to at last get the 3 points at home!

Just a special mention for Knudsen and Spence, they get so much stick and rightly so imo, they are both accidents waiting to happen, replace the pair of them and get in some fire power!

Coyb's
7

Cakeman added 19:09 - Dec 15
Our goal was the first piece of luck we have had all season and we certainly deserved it. Very pleased and well done Paul Lambert and Co for instilling the belief that we could just escape the drop.
It's not a day to moan or complain but please replace our full backs, they are not up to the standard required.
6

ThaiBlue added 19:13 - Dec 15
Lovely to see so much positivity on this forum.lets hope it continues which I think it may do come January window.how refreshing a win makes people feel.come on town let's stick together and get out of this position.COYB!
8

whosroundisitanyway added 19:22 - Dec 15
It's always surprising how in times of adversity the tiniest morsel can bring so much joy.
I celebrated Freddy's goal today, as scrappy as it was, like I have no other for a very long time and I fuc#!n loved it!!!
And also for once in a very long time, nobody's gonna p!ss me off this week!!!!
COYB's


4

cat added 19:36 - Dec 15
It's not the manner in how we done it, it's the fact we done it. Far cry from last season, when calling for entertainment was the norm, we are now in the situ that it simply don't matter how we win. Wins bring hope, looking at the bottom half of the table there's very little quality in there and it's all to play for. We're on the up, Simply bloody lovleh!!!!
5

KiwiTractor added 20:13 - Dec 15
I just had a feeling we might do it this week - really feel pleased for Lambert, he's brought so much positivity to the club with him. Well done lads and keep this form going Freddie - get in!
5

runningout added 20:33 - Dec 15
Embarrassing poor show.. Onwards
-5

patthegimp added 20:34 - Dec 15
I'm a believer. We will escape the drop and next year we will make the premiership and kick ass.PJ ,I believe!!!
1

itfchorry added 21:02 - Dec 15
Beers are going down very nicely this evening -

So happy might even buy SW98 one !
2

Help added 21:25 - Dec 15
How good does it feel to get that first win at home. 3 points, no goals conceded, who cares how it happens so long as the result is right
4

Lightningboy added 21:34 - Dec 15
God bless Freddie Sears.

Let's hope this is the start of better times ahead.
6

Swn98 added 22:07 - Dec 15
Been home about 2 hours and just thawed out.
In our current position who cares how we get the points as long as we get them.
Full respect to PL for getting the best he can out of on the whole a bunch of hardworking but average players.
10

blueboy1981 added 22:17 - Dec 15
Hypothetical I know, but makes you wonder what PL could have achieved with the squad that MM had at his disposal this time last season.

No comparison in squad quality. Whilst comparing, just look at two players who are now excelling being played to their strengths i.e a certain Freddie Sears, and a certain David McGoldrick.
My guess is that PL would have loved to have had McGoldrick in his squad right now.
11

TimmyH added 23:25 - Dec 15
Totally agree blueboy - McGoldrick though not the quickest of players showed what we now miss - a player comfortable and fairly composed with ball at feet and brought others easily into play as well as as scoring goals and now strangely not getting injured!...that combined with arrivals of Garner and Waghorn was certainly a main reason why we started last season so well.
6

loudnproud added 08:42 - Dec 16
A win is a win and should give the young ones a much needed lift. Getting points on the board with our current poor team is all a bonus.....I applaud you all
3

blueboy1981 added 10:14 - Dec 16
....... TimmyH - for the benefit of the people who disagreed with me at the time, check back to see what I predicted McGoldrick would do when he moved on, and playing his proper game for someone who appreciated him - he had a torrid time here, constantly be played (like many others) out of position, and never being played to his strengths. There for anyone who understands the game to be seen, in both situations.

Totally different player now, as I knew he would be - a class Championship player.

Irrelevant now of course, but what an asset he would have been to PL , and us right now ?
3

blueboy1981 added 10:15 - Dec 16
..... should read:- 'being'.
0

never_lose_the_faith added 11:00 - Dec 16
I had forgotten what it feels like to be happy on the weekend.
And it's f*****g amazing. Let's keep it going on Saturday and everybody get down there and make some noise.
The town are staying up !!
1

heathen66 added 11:22 - Dec 16
Wow what an emotional roller coaster.
Could be the most important win in the last 18 years.
A couple more of these and we will be a more attractive proposition come the January Transfer window.
Worried about our defence as we were again awful and that should be the first area to address (although I doubt it).
Impressed with Lankaster, and thought despite a few mistakes Chalobah gave us many more options in the deeper midfield role...tried so hard !!!
We need more up top and that is more about numbers. as 4-5-1 at home to Wigan is not great. 2 up front is a real must. Roberts worked his socks off, but lacked support.
Great win and a boost for all the fans. We all have smiles on our faces last night and today (and for the next few too)
Onwards and upwards, could be the spark we need!!!
1


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