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Ipswich Town 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday - Match Report
Saturday, 2nd Feb 2019 17:18

Lucas Joao’s 90th minute goal saw Sheffield Wednesday to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Wednesday spurned a number of chances but Town were on top and starting to create opportunities when Owls sub Joao turned home Adam Reach’s cross from the right.

Blues skipper Luke Chambers and fellow centre-half James Collins both missed out due to injury, neither of which are understood to significant knocks.

In their absence Matthew Pennington and Toto Nsiala started at the heart of the defence with new loanee James Bree making his Blues debut at right-back and Myles Kenlock at left-back.

In midfield, stand-in captain Cole Skuse was behind Flynn Downes and Teddy Bishop, who scored a hat-trick for the U23s on Monday.

Collin Quaner started as the central striker with Alan Judge on the left and Freddie Sears on the right.

Trevoh Chalobah and Will Keane were on the bench alongside Josh Emmanuel, who was involved in the Town team for the first time since the final day of the 2016/17 season having returned from his loan spell at Shrewsbury.

Callum Elder was the loanee who missed out on a place in the matchday squad with only five of the six permitted in the 18.

For the Owls, who had new manager Steve Bruce in charge for the first time, striker Fernando Forestieri made his first start since November, while central defender Michael Hector was back in the team having been ineligible for last week’s FA Cup defeat to his parent club Chelsea.

The game started scruffily but with the Blues on top, taking the game to the visitors and trying to get their passing football going.

On 10, following a corner, Judge sent the ball back in to the far post and Pennington headed wide.

A minute later at the other end, Forestieri smashed a snapshot well over from distance after the ball had broken to him.

One or two feisty Wednesday challenges flew in, particularly on Bishop and Judge, and Town won several early freekicks, while the Irishman slid in to make a number of tackles himself showing no signs of concern regarding the injury which kept him out for so long.

The Owls had shown little in the early stages but in the 18th minute they went close to going in front.

Steven Fletcher was found at the far post on the left in space by Michael Hector but Bartosz Bialkowski saved his shot with his leg. Kenlock cleared but only reached Barry Bannan, but the Scotland international’s low strike was blocked by Nsiala.

Moments later, Bishop skipped past his man at the other end but misread Quaner’s run and the danger was cleared.

The academy product was beginning to get more involved with his running with the ball causing Wednesday problems.

Town appeared to be growing in confidence and just after the half hour, following another Bishop run, Sears struck a low shot from distance on the right wide.


Despite the Blues having been on top, the Owls should have gone ahead in the 38th minute.

After a shot had deflected out to Morgan Fox, the former Town schoolboy’s low ball across the six-yard box was somehow diverted over the bar from a matter of feet by Adam Reach. The ex-Boro man will wonder quite how he failed to score.

Moments later, Forestieri nodded over from Liam Palmer’s cross from the right, then at the other end Bishop got his head to Judge’s under-hit freekick from the right but scuffed his attempt well wide.

On 42 Forestieri was found in space on the right of the box and Bialkowski batted away his strike. The Blues repeatedly made heavy weather of clearing but eventually the danger subsided.

Just before the end of the scheduled 45 minutes, Town won yet another freekick in the Wednesday half, Forestieri having fouled Quaner. The Owls failed to deal with Judge’s ball into the box from the left, an improvement on his earlier efforts, but eventually referee Oliver Langford gave the visitors a freekick.

That was the last action of a not overly-enthralling half in which Town had played most of the football but Wednesday had had much the better of the few chances.

New Owls boss Bruce will have gone off wondering how Reach had failed to give his team the lead, while Bialkowski had been the busier of the two keepers.

Town’s best moments going forward came from Bishop bringing the ball forward but so far without creating a clear-cut opportunity. The Blues had also failed to make enough of the numerous freekicks the Owls had conceded in potentially dangerous positions.

Five minutes after the restart Forestieri’s chip from the right of the box looped harmlessly to Bialkowski’s right with Wednesday having had marginally the better of the early exchanges.

Sam Hutchinson was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 54th minute for shoving Quaner into a hoarding as the striker burst past him round the outside as the Blues broke.

The German frontman, on loan for the rest of the season from Huddersfield, was swapped for Keane a minute later with the game increasingly being played in the Wednesday half.

Just after hour mark Bannan was yellow-carded for a foul on Bishop, before the Owls missed another golden chance to go in front.

Nsiala left a ball through to Bialkowski not realising Forestieri was behind him and onside according to the officials. The Argentinian looked certain to score but blazed wildly over. It was another fortunate escape for the Blues.

After Downes had been somewhat surprisingly booked for what referee Langford deemed a foul, Wednesday switched one-time Blues target George Boyd for on-loan Spurs man Josh Onomah.

Nsiala did well to force Forestieri wide after a Skuse slip on 68, then three minutes later Wednesday had another opportunity to go in front.

Forestieri was sent away on the left behind the Town offside trap by Hector but scraped wide when he either should have scored himself or cut across the area to Fletcher, who was immediately replaced by Joao.

Chalobah replaced Bishop, who had tired after an excellent first half, in the 74th minute as Judge prepared to take a freekick on the right. The Irishman sent in a dangerous ball which eventually fell to Downes, who shot not too far wide.

The Blues threatened again two minutes later when, after a patient move, Skuse cleverly flicked to Keane, who fed Judge on the edge of the box but the former Brentford man shot over.

Wednesday subsequently put the Blues under pressure with Nsiala making an important blocking challenge inside the box, then Bialkowski claimed a high ball into the area at the second attempt.

On 79 Judge played a superb pass from the left into the path of Bree breaking on the right. The new signing sent over a low cross towards Keane, who had made a significant impression having come off the bench, but a defender just got across to turn behind. Following the corner, the ball broke to Bree but the on-loan Villa man shot well over.

Town forced Keiren Westwood into his first save of the afternoon in the 84th minute, Chalobah heading Judge’s corner into the ground and goalwards but without enough power to cause a problem for the Irish international, who lost his grip on the ball initially but reclaimed as Pennington went after the rebound and caught him in the head.

Rolando Aarons, who joined the Owls on loan from Newcastle on Thursday, took over from Forestieri four minutes from the scheduled end.

On 88 Keane headed a Judge cross from the right goalwards but without the power to beat Westwood, then in the final scheduled minute the South Yorkshiremen took the lead.

Town felt Hector’s challenge on Keane on halfway had been a foul, and the on-loan Chelsea man had appeared to go in with both feet, but referee Langford waved play on.

Hector played the ball wide to Reach, who burst round the outside of Kenlock and cut back to unmarked sub Joao, who turned home. It was the Portuguese striker's third goal against the Blues this season having netted both goals in the Owls' 2-1 victory over Town at Hillsborough in August.

Blues keeper-coach Jimmy Walker was yellow-carded for dissent in injury time after a foul on Hector had been awarded against Keane, although probably more through frustration.

Ellis Harrison took over from Downes for the final few seconds in which the Blues got one or two crosses into the box without being able to cause the Wednesday defence any problems. But there was to be no equaliser before referee Langford blew his whistle to boos, aimed towards the official rather than the Blues.

The Wednesday winner came at a time when Town had looked to be in the ascendency and for the first time were starting to create chances, although a 0-0 draw appeared to be the most likely outcome at that stage.

However, over the 90 minutes they couldn’t really complain about the result with the Owls having failed to take a succession of chances with Forestieri missing gilt-edged opportunities in addition to Reach’s first half howler.

Town continued to pass the ball far more than was previously the case but all too often without getting into dangerous areas with their only serious chances coming in the later stages and mainly from Judge’s set pieces, which improved as the game wore on with Wednesday giving away plenty of freekicks in dangerous positions throughout.

But overall, they don’t present enough of a threat going forwards and give far too many opportunities - particularly today with their makeshift and at times very shaky backline - to their opposition.

With Millwall and Rotherham drawing 0-0, the gap to safety stretches to eight points plus goal difference with 16 left to play and League One football next season looks an ever more certain outcome.

The Blues are next in action next Sunday in the East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Town: Bialkowski, Bree, Pennington, Nsiala, Kenlock, Skuse, Downes (Harrison 90), Bishop (Chalobah 74), Sears, Judge, Quaner (Keane 55). Unused: Gerken, Nolan, Dozzell, Emmanuel.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Hector, Fox, Hutchinson, Bannan, Reach, Boyd (Onomah 65), Forestieri (Aarons 86), Fletcher. Unused: Dawson, Pelupessy, Thornley, Nuhiu. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). Att: 16,888 (Wednesday: 1,713).


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19781981twtd added 18:21 - Feb 2
We are dire hopeless lost souls just heard the scrum go 2 up at leeds God help us next week I wish I could get to leeds to kick that radio norwich commentator right his arrogant nuts.
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blueboy1981 added 18:24 - Feb 2
........ blueconcsience ....... What more can he say than what he has, other than to let you all spend his money for him ......... ??

Evans wasn't on the pitch today, but like I've already stated, the Manager was in the dugout, the eleven players on the pitch, 16,000 in the stands, all expecting a WIN, just like Evans.
The task was with what was out there.

16,000 wouldn't have turned up, if they were expecting a result.

3 points today, and people would have been happy - the ownership of collecting them wasn't there, or good enough.
And that wasn't Evans fault.
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blueboy1981 added 18:25 - Feb 2
........ should read : - 'anything other than a result'.
-1

Help added 18:25 - Feb 2
okay, we did not, have not and do not create any chances to score. Two different teams this season and no real difference between the managers or the players chosen by each.

Now lets play 2 up front please. However our problems are bigger than 1 or 2 up front.

ME this is what you get for your inability to know what you are doing. We talk about square pegs in round holes in the pitch. You have run this club since you took over likewise. Square pegs in round holes and now we are in this mess. Do I see us recovering from League 1 next year. Not a chance. I see years in League 1 with you in charge of this club. It is not the money spent or lack of it is the poor management from you and your cronies. No idea from the top breads apathy from below.

The fans have had enough of your tenure. Interviews are to little to late. Hands on approach to little to late. It is now you should be hands off. ME please go away from this club.
3

Northstandveteran added 18:26 - Feb 2
Norwich 2 up at Leeds.
I'm sure we'll do our best Sunday to ensure they go up as champions and we finish in the gutter.
Wouldn't that just be the final kick in the b######s?
7

DifferentGravy added 18:26 - Feb 2
Yep, agree with a few on here. We are simply not good enough and league one a certainty now. But why arent we throwing the sink at them with 10 mins left. Why dont we play with 2 up front. Losing 3- 0 is the same as losing 1-0 Lambert! Brought in to try and turn things around and it just feels as though we have been soothed and readied for league one. Cant speak about Evans, it kills me, the whole things is just a farce. Now the derby game approached......4 or 5 nil at least.

Someone please bring Barry Fry in to wee in all the corners of the pitch because this hoodoo hanging over us just wont let up.

Thats me done for the season. Im not gonna ruin any more of my w/e's hoping for something/a miracle/ common sense to prevail. A huge pat on the back to all you die hard fans and the away fans, heart of the club. May the horse be with you....always.
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blueboy1981 added 18:26 - Feb 2
Gcon ....... for your info' NO - there were few, if any, capable of that. Digest that.
-1

blueboy1981 added 18:30 - Feb 2
Gcon ......... out of interest, you may well have been one of the latter .... !!
-3

Kirbmeister added 18:32 - Feb 2
Now then girls! On another note watching Leeds v Norwich. My god we are a million miles away from their standard.
6

blueboy1981 added 18:37 - Feb 2
........ and NORWICH haven't cost £millions - just a good Managerial blend of European unheard of's, and youngsters, in the main.

The work of a good Coach / Manager - with the will to win, and who believes in ATTACK in order to win Football matches.
2

portmanteau added 18:50 - Feb 2
Oh for the days of 2/3/5, roaring them on from Churchmans. Phillips Garneys Crawford the Parkers banging them in. Whole team giving their all. When men were men. Seriously PL has to stick with the same team for a few games at least. First test of goalkeeper in 84th minute, what on earth is going on? And don't forget to add Celina to the list of those who got away, a class act now doing well with Swans. Did we even try to buy him? There is something weird about no matter how many new faces we get in they all play the same non-effective way. Trick Cyclists discuss please.
2

heathen66 added 18:58 - Feb 2
Lambert must take some of the blame...never a plan B...always just a change of personnel for Plan A.
To win games you need to score goals and will not score with no one up top.
Please please please play 2 striker. This was what was required on 60 mins after a very poor first half but again were reactive rather than proactive waiting until it was too late.
Why are we wasting money on other peoples full backs when the last three (Iorfa, Spence and now Bree) are no better than Emmanuel.
We should not point the finger at Kenlock as it was his first mistake in a blue shirt...far far better than Knudsen and Elder...and our own !!!
I think Chalobah can count himself very very unfortunate to be dropped and again came on and showed passion drive and determination including a lot of skill.
Skuse is far too one paced (slow) and was caught numerous times today.
Nsiala had a very good game again especially bearing in mind it is his first start for 19 games !!! however will be dropped for the under performing Chambers asap
11

Northstandveteran added 19:04 - Feb 2
Reading the posts on here makes me realise that it's a complete repetition of the McCarthy days.

1 up front, no plan B, favourites not being dropped.

This lot remind me of the Jewell days.

Just can't hold on to a lead ( on the rare occasion that does happen ) and totally self destruct in the final minutes.

You hold us so didn't you Swn?

Did we listen?

😂😂😂😂
8

BlueParadigm added 19:10 - Feb 2
So next week looks like being a top v bottom of league derby. At the moment I am thinking damage limitation in terms of the scale of defeat but as derby day draws closer that old imposter “hope” will no doubt have me predicting a 0-1 victory to Town.
0

ITFCsince73 added 19:14 - Feb 2
L2 here we come. As I've said previous it will need a massive overhaul, and massive investment just to compete in L1.
By my reckoning we need to offload at least 10 players, and bring in at least 10 new players of much better quality. That's just to compete in L1. This doesn't include any loan or short term players we currently have. By the way would we really want to keep any of them past this season anyway.
This window just gone has been a complete waste of time. Bringing in players just for now was madness. And is and will prove that to be the case.
We thought that there was a too big a player change last summer. This summer it will need an even bigger one. Plus investment unseen so far from Evans.
4

blueboy1981 added 19:16 - Feb 2
Norwich giving a lesson on how to ATTACK and SCORE - we can't even do that at home, least of all away.

And they are NOT a rich Club - take note some of you, who only want Evans to throw his Cheque Book in your direction.
0

Nobbysnuts added 19:19 - Feb 2
Just watched Leeds v norwich. We are so far behind norwich it is frightening. I am dreading next week's game and can only see an absolute mauling by the scum. It will be embarrassing. 4 or 5 nil easy. These are the darkest times I have ever experienced at this once great club. Truly truly sad. The whole club is in complete freefall.
7

warktheline added 19:30 - Feb 2
Blue boy, you're parrelling Swn! Protectors of Evans and McCarthy!

Let's face facts, we've been on a permanent downhill slope under Evans ownership, he is the owner and ‘overseer' full stop! But he's the man with the ‘lack of money' so SHUT UP unless you can afford to dislodge him! I mean it wasn't his fault he allowed McCarthy to ‘free wheel' for 3 long long seasons!
3

TimmyH added 19:32 - Feb 2
First match I've been to since my father passed away and it's almost goodnight Vienna - not quite, today we were lucky to be on level terms going into the last 20 minutes or so. Not that much difference between the 2 sides other than they looked more dangerous when they got to our final third.
Not sure why Lambert plays Skuse and Downes together they offer very little going forward other than being combative in midfield - some of our midfielders need to stand up and be counted and start to make things happen when in space not just look for a sideways pass, how about running with the ball as Bishop showed first half which breaks up the opponents zonal marking. + today Bishop/Judge and Keane - didn't notice hardly that Bree was on the pitch on his debut (looked average).

Improvement and desire needs to be shown for the rest of the season otherwise we're down...
7

ITFCsince73 added 19:35 - Feb 2
SWN98 Lol. Your some man. The be careful what you wish for brigade are rolling around in the isles.
1

Langdon_Blue added 19:40 - Feb 2
Minus £16 million for investment in players is unacceptable. Clearly we are a club happy to sell our best players and with that has resulted in weakening the squad and inevitable relegation. League 1 will only result in less funds and presumably more key players being sold. The downward spiral that Evans has orchestrated is heartbreaking. Very sad times.
2

ITFCsince73 added 19:40 - Feb 2
TimmyH. Otherwise we're down? I think even the most optimistic must now be realising what's coming.
1

blueboy1981 added 19:40 - Feb 2
........ warktheline ......... obviously animated towards Evans !

Maybe YOU are the one with the long asked for ALTERNATIVE ownership ... ??????
Fire away with your solution, but first look at Norwich without a huge Cheque Book.

Maybe that's too much to ask ? - plenty of criticism - BUT NO ALTERNATIVES hey ?

Over to you with all the answers.
Even if I could afford it, I wouldn't own the Club if Evans gave it to me - BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU , who believe that MONEY is the answer to all the problems.

Quite simply it isn't the be all, and end all, of everything.

Just look down the other end of the A140 - for all the proof you, and others, should need. End of.
0

ITFCsince73 added 19:48 - Feb 2
It's more concerning to think how we compete in L1. Because current squad not good enough to do that. We would struggle to be competitive in L2 with current rabble.
A total wasted window just gone, with total disregard to any planning for next season.
Looking for a quick fix,bringing in forwards not used to scoring, players not match fit and way past there best.
We will go down with record low points total.
3

warktheline added 19:49 - Feb 2
@blueboy, an interested owner would be a ruddy start !!!!!!
8


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