Callum Robinson and Lukas Nmecha each scored twice as Preston North End beat Town 4-0 at Deepdale, the already-relegated Blues’ heaviest defeat of the season. Robinson netted on six and 22 to give the Lilywhites a comfortable half-time lead and Nmecha sealed the Lancastrians’ comprehensive win with his brace in the second half. The jaded-looking Blues, who never looked like getting anything from the game following a slow start in which Robinson netted the opening goal, went closest to scoring when Kayden Jackson hit the bar in the second half.

Idris El Mizouni was handed his full debut and Corrie Ndaba was named on the senior side’s bench for the first time as manager Paul Lambert made four changes.

The Tunisia U23 international, 18, came into the side on the right of the front three with Jackson starting in place of Collin Quaner, who was left out of the 18. Will Keane was on the bench for the first time since suffering his hamstring injury at Wigan in February.

In midfield, Flynn Downes returned in place of Andre Dozzell, who was a substitute, while at the centre of the defence Toto Nsiala replaced James Collins, who was missing from the squad.

Jon Nolan was back on the bench having overcome his achilles injury, while there were no loanees in the XI but Keane was joined by Trevoh Chalobah and James Bree among the subs.

For Preston, who went into the match having lost their last four, Joe Rafferty was handed his debut with Callum Robinson and Sean Maguire returning to the starting line-up. Ex-Blues keeper Michael Crowe was on the bench.

The home side started the game the brighter, skipper Paul Gallagher hitting an early freekick into a Town wall, then in the third minute Maguire struck a low effort which Bartosz Bialkowski claimed with ease.

However, the Lilywhites only had to wait until the sixth minute before they went in front. Robinson was fed on the edge of the area where he turned Nsiala and smashed a shot to the static Bialkowski’s left as skipper Luke Chambers dived in to block.

Having gone behind the Blues briefly took the game to the home side but without creating an opportunity.

However, in the 13th minute Preston threatened again when Lukas Nmecha was played through on goal, however, Nsiala did well to get back to slide in and divert his shot wide.

North End went close again from the resultant corner, Gallagher’s ball in from the right reaching Ben Davies, whose header beat Bialkowski but struck the post before being hooked away.

Town subsequently began to pass the ball around with more confidence in a game being played between two sides whose seasons are over in virtually a pre-season atmosphere at a warm and sunny Deepdale.

Downes shot over from distance on 18 after a promising El Mizouni ball in from the left had been cut out. Then on 21 Nsiala headed a Judge corner from the left to Declan Rudd in the Preston goal.

But in the 22nd minute the Lilywhites doubled their lead. Rafferty's cross from the right was headed away but only to Robinson on the left of the box from where he took a touch before shooting back across Bialkowski into the top corner of the net for his second goal of the game and his 13th of the season.

On 30 the teams went over to the touchline for a drinks break, adding to the game’s pre-season feel.

Five minutes later, a Chambers a looping header following a Judge corner on the left was cleared away from the line but with the Blues still not looking overly convincing.

A minute later Preston claimed a penalty when Nmecha went down as Chambers challenged but referee Stephen Martin waved away the protests which in the main came from the stands.

Preston had looked a big threat on the break all game with Nmecha getting behind the Blues’ backline on a number of occasions. This the on-loan Manchester City man did again on 37 before hitting his shot from the right of the box straight at Bialkowski, much the busier of the two keepers in the first half.

A minute later, Teddy Bishop hit a deflected shot through to Rudd, then on 43 the academy product turned his man on the edge of the area to the right before curling a shot just wide.

But the home side continued to present the more potent threat and in the final scheduled minute of the half went close again. Bialkowski did superbly to save Robinson’s shot but the ball looped into the air and reached Nmecha but the keeper had got back and was able to block his header as well.

In injury time a Downes shot was deflected over, then from the corner on the left taken by Judge seconds before the whistle Chambers headed goalwards but Rudd did well to palm the ball behind.

Town could hardly complain about the half-time scoreline with Preston having had chances to increase their lead with Nmecha not having made the most of his opportunities and Bialkowski having made his excellent late double save.

The Blues had found themselves behind before they had got going and even though they had had spells in control, had never really looked like getting back into the game.

Double-goalscorer Robinson may well have gone off at the break recalling last season’s corresponding fixture when he was one of two Preston players subbed in the 38th minute after Town, who went on to win the game 1-0, had dominated.

The Blues swapped Emmanuel for James Bree at half-time while Keane also appeared close to being introduced having warmed up with his match shirt underneath his bib.

Maguire flicked a header wide in the opening minute following the restart with the second half continuing in the understated manner of the first.

Preston increased their lead in the 56th minute. Maguire brought the ball forward from deep unchallenged and laid it to Robinson to his left from where he hit a low shot which Bialkowski saved but couldn’t hold and Nmecha rebounded home from close range.

El Mizouni, who will have benefited from further experience of first-team football, was swapped for Keane in the 59th minute.

Two minutes later, the Blues came close to pulling a goal back. Jackson seized on a mix-up between keeper Rudd and a defender as the ball was played through the middle. The striker did well to find himself space but his shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out, rather summing up the summer signing from Accrington’s season.

Keane’s shot was blocked with Town seeing more of the ball in the Preston half but with a comeback looking unlikely. On 71 Preston switched Gallagher for Louis Moult, prior to the second drinks break of the afternoon, then in the 74th minute Josh Ginelly took over from Maguire.

The game, which had hardly been an enthralling fixture from the outset appeared to be petering out, but in the 75th minute the home side netted their fourth of the afternoon.

A low ball from Robinson on the left found Nmecha coming in at the far post from where the on-loan Manchester City striker slammed the ball past Bialkowski.

Town, behind by four goals for the first time since the Aston Villa defeat a year ago on Monday, withdrew Bishop, who like the rest of the team had had a frustrating afternoon, for Chalobah.

After Kenlock had been booked for an off the ball clash with Ryan Ledson, Preston sub Jayden Stockley forced Bialkowski into another impressive save late on with the home side looking more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to reduce it in the closing stages.

Referee Martin brought the game to a close after two minutes of injury time with virtually all 428 travelling Blues supporters having stayed in their seats despite another very disappointing afternoon, even if they were unsurprisingly subdued by recent standards.

It was a Town side lacking in intensity from the off, looking like it had had much of its fight knocked out of it by last week’s confirmation of relegation.

After Preston had scored their opening goal in the sixth minute there was never any real doubt which side would go on to win with the Lilywhites showing the sort of clinical finishing that the Blues could have done with this season with the scoreline hardly flattering them.

Town will hope to be a lot better when they host Swansea City at Portman Road on Easter Monday.

Preston: Rudd, Fisher, Davies, Storey, Rafferty, Ledson, Gallagher (c) (Moult 71), Robinson (Stockley 76), Johnson, Maguire (Ginelly 74), Nmecha. Unused: Crowe, Earl, Huntington, O’Reilly.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel (Bree 46), Chambers (c), Nsiala, Kenlock, Skuse, Bishop (Chalobah 76), Downes, El Mizouni (Keane 59), Judge, Jackson. Unused: Gerken, Nolan, Dozzell, Ndaba. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 12,546 (Town: 428).

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 17:26 - Apr 19 It's really not at all surprising to read of a totally despondent display by& from a group of players who are undoubtedly ‘ Blue ‘ to the core ,but have had the fight and stuffing knocked out of them ! It will take time for them to heal ; we shouldn't rush to dismayed conclusions because WE want so much to see Evidence of more resolution and drive . I'm sure PL and his team will work them hard in the months ahead ,but like an illness it will take time to recover ,and for the body to be ‘totally up for it ‘ again . Let's have faith ! COYB

1

ITFCsince67 added 17:28 - Apr 19 There is a good level of PR coming from the club however cracks are already showing. On good authority that PL and LC are not seeing eye to eye. New club captain next season maybe?
6

thechangingman added 17:31 - Apr 19 An awful season just continues to get worse. We're so far out of our depth, we can't see the shore, and it's hard to be optimistic, let alone certain, that League One will be any better. Years of under-investment, mis-management, and non-engagement from our 'owner' (sic), are now coming home to roost, and the only question now is: how low will we plummet before we start to ascend again? I for one, strongly believe we'll NEVER make any progress with Evans at the helm, and I call upon the last decade as evidence. These are dark, dismal, and all-but-hopeless days, for Town fans, and whether we 'deserve' better or not, I fear the worst is yet to come... My only consolation, is that the season, and all we've had to endure, will shortly be over. I remain I.T.I.D. and yet, at this rate, the club might actually die before I do...

12

Razor added 17:33 - Apr 19 IS LAMBERT THE MAN----DISCUSS
3

dirtydingusmagee added 17:35 - Apr 19 got a right earbashing in the pub last night from canaries, all saying Lambert is the best manager have ever had and still is , What a sh#t time it is to be a Town fan , [after 56 years]
8

Bluearmy_81 added 17:39 - Apr 19 New Facebook group 'Evans out of ITFC'. Likeminded people, sharing ideas and ultimately taking action. Please, for the love of the club, join.
0

Chondzoresk added 17:39 - Apr 19 Since the game has finished 2 people I know and have spoken to are already having a rethink on STs next season. I think questions need to be asked of the players and to a certain extent PL. Shocking stuff. Dark depressing days ahead. Mr Evans you are accountable too.
5

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:41 - Apr 19 Not what we needed to rally the troops for the new dawn. Let's get this season over with and start afresh... ITFC 2.0 may take longer than we thought.
0

slimjim added 17:47 - Apr 19 Favourites for league 1 ? Who's kidding who on this form ? PL says he doesn't need to motivate players maybe so but what he needs to do is find some players who can actually play, can pass to each other and create chances. I hope I am wrong but the omens are not great I fail to see how this group of ‘players' will rip up League 1. PL talks a great story but it's all about results and they are a rarity for this squad. Stating the obvious but we need to get up and running very early on next season...

5

therein61 added 17:53 - Apr 19 Senior pros who should be helping younger players are letting us down big time how long can we put up with the ineffective displays from 4 and 8 who are now laboured embarrassments if we are to rebuild(and god we need to) don't let these two anywhere near the starting line up, if Lambert persists in selecting them then he will become a bigger problem, we can only improve without these liabilities!!!.

7

mickeyjb added 17:53 - Apr 19 And this is the way forward. Our youth are not good enough yet. U23 is less than step 9 in quality, to expect them to step up is stupid. I used to love driving to matches from afar to see someone with talent playing for Ipswich. Even a hasbeen talent got me to take the long trek to town. Nothing got me there this season and alas can't see me bothering next season either. We are shadow of the club we once were. I wonder how many die hard Ipswich fans are now watching local non league football now? We will be low to mid table in League one next year fearing the mighty Lincoln City with 8k attendances.

6

Trac70 added 17:56 - Apr 19 ITFCsince67. I met Luke Chambers a few weeks ago while he was travelling on my train. We had a good chat about a lot of things regarding the club and the already situation. I was left with a very clear impression that he wasn't a fan of Paul Lambert. He's the captain and player power (unfortunately) rules. Came acrossed as a nice bloke BUT may need to be stripped of captaincy and/or dropped. He's best mates with Skuse and has some of the the younger players living in an annex on his house!! He has a BIG influence on the players.

1

RobsonWark added 17:57 - Apr 19 martin587 added 17:04 - Apr 19 "Very uninspiring from Town.They showed very little interest in a game PL said he was going all out to win.Defending once again well below par". Do you think that could have something to do with our amazingly great captain in centre defence...the supporters so called PLAYER OF THE SEASON...what an absolute rock he has been all season. 99% of all the goals we have conceded are nothing to do with him of course as you can tell by the way he turns around and shouts at all the other players. I for one will NOT be buying a season ticket for next season unless Lambert comes out and says that Chambers will not play in any games next season!!

1

RobsonWark added 18:00 - Apr 19 BeattiesBackPocket The answer is CHAMBERS. Look how many managers have bit the dust because they keep picking him for his fist pumps and loyalty rather than football ability!
3

RobsonWark added 18:03 - Apr 19 jas0999 Chambers won't lose any sleep tonight. He'll be laughing at the fact that he just signed a two year contract. Well done Chambers for getting that from the gullible Evans.
1

RobsonWark added 18:05 - Apr 19 dirtydingusmagee It would be a lot easier to get promoted if Chambers was dropped.
-1

RobsonWark added 18:07 - Apr 19 ITFCsince67 Let's hope there is a new club captain next season. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
0

blues1 added 18:08 - Apr 19 I really despair of some of ourcso called fans. Of course its a poor performance and result but for heavens sake get some perspective. These players are human beings. They got relegated last week. Yes, they must have known it was on the cards for a while now but when it finally hit it will have hurt them. So going a goal down early in game would have knocked their confidence, what little they havecleft, and a big defeat was then always on the cards. Having said that, the stats suggest we not quite as bad as the result. Results in these last few games will have little or no bearing on what happens next season . So why people have to be so negative about next season already. As for people supposedly reconsidering buying season tickets now because of this game? Ridiculous. As is this mentality some have that if we play well and/or win its well done to the manager and players. But when we lose its evans fault. Yes, everyone at the club has to take their share of the blame, and im as angry and gutted at the way things have gone but sonetimes you need to get a real perspective. This decline started before evans or anyone else came to the club.

-7

RobsonWark added 18:08 - Apr 19 thechangingman We will continue to plummet as long as Chambers plays week in week out.
1

inghamspur added 18:09 - Apr 19 Just echoing what everyone else has said. This is a very worrying performance against a barely average championship side. The young players clearly aren't good enough and although Hirst was a disaster, perhaps he realised that after watching a few training sessions, hence the influx of sub standard players that he thought would plug the gaps. Also brings into question Lambert's position as his record since he's been here ain't good. He'll be in charge for the League One crusade and will have no more excuses as it will be his team.

4

BlueInBerks added 18:10 - Apr 19 Admittedly not good., but Marshall 10 worse
0

RobsonWark added 18:11 - Apr 19 therein61 Thank you! I've been saying that all season but others on here love them. Either they are Norwich supporters or need to go to Spec Savers.
-1

RobsonWark added 18:14 - Apr 19 Trac70 added 17:56 - Apr 19 "ITFCsince67. I met Luke Chambers a few weeks ago while he was travelling on my train. We had a good chat about a lot of things regarding the club and the already situation. I was left with a very clear impression that he wasn't a fan of Paul Lambert. He's the captain and player power (unfortunately) rules. Came acrossed as a nice bloke BUT may need to be stripped of captaincy and/or dropped. He's best mates with Skuse and has some of the the younger players living in an annex on his house!! He has a BIG influence on the players". How can you have player power when the player in question is USELESS!

0

richardpaul added 18:14 - Apr 19 I am coming to the realisation that Paul Lambert is like a dodgy used car salesman You see the car take it for a drive and the oil warning light comes on" Put a piece of black tape over it " is his solution .Theres a knocking noise from the front end "Turn up the radio so you can't hear it" Another cover up He talks the talk and tells us that every thing is "brilliant" the players the supporters the boss He seems to exist in a parallel universe with an inability to see what has happened to ITFC I have doubts that the town will bounce straight back to the championship with him in the managers seat His past record with our club supports this Even if we are relegated todays performance does not bode well for next season and beyond Maybe its time for someone from our earlier successes to have a chance A Burley/Holland ticket might be the answer

3

TimmyH added 18:15 - Apr 19 Seriously RobsonWark - I'm not a great advocate of Chambers (certainly not this season) BUT 5 consecutive posts to separate posters on just him!...more than 1 player in a team although he's our captain you know? which might have an influence on younger lads.
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls