Wayne Routledge’s 57th-minute goal saw Swansea City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, ending a run of seven successive defeats on the road. Routledge followed-up after Town keeper Dean Gerken had pushed a Daniel James strike on to the post.

Boss Paul Lambert made seven changes from the team which lost 4-0 at Preston on Good Friday with Gerken, Will Keane, Trevoh Chalobah, Gwion Edwards, Andre Dozzell, Callum Elder and James Bree all in the XI.

Gerken returned in goal for Bartosz Bialkowski, who dropped to the bench, with Bree, one of four loan players, at right-back and Elder at left-back with Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock both left out of the squad.

Chalobah and Dozzell joined Flynn Downes in central midfield with Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop among the subs.

Up front, Keane made his first start following his hamstring injury down the centre with Alan Judge on the left and former Swans youngster Edwards on the right, although the two would swap flanks frequently once the game got under way.

For Swansea, George Byers came into the side for Barrie McKay, who dropped to the bench.

Ex-Blues loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers started for the Swans but another former Town loan player, Bersant Celina, missed out having been injured and ill over the last week.

At a warm and sunny Portman Road, with the pitch looking in tip-top condition, Swansea should have taken the lead in the fifth minute via the first chance of the game.

Toto Nsiala failed to deal with Swans keeper Kris Norfeldt’s long kick, allowing James a free run in on goal. However, as Gerken advanced, the Wales international put the ball wide of the Blues’ keeper’s left post when he really should have scored.

On six, Edwards shot well over from distance but with the Blues so far unable to create a more obvious opening.

Swansea were looking a threat when breaking via the pace of James in particular. On 17 they claimed a penalty when Byers went to ground after taking the ball past Gerken at an angle to the right of the keeper’s goal but the Swans midfielder looked to have fallen under his own steam having lost control and was yellow-carded by referee Darren England for diving.

Three minutes later, Jay Fulton joined his team-mate in the book for a foul on Downes just inside the Swansea half. In the 25th minute the midfielder hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved with ease down to his right.

The Swans were dominating possession but without being able to carve out a clear-cut opportunity, while the Blues had been unable to put together a passage of play since the early stages. On 29 Nsiala was booked for shoving over James as he broke on the right.

Swansea went close on the half-hour when Fulton curled an effort from the 18-yard line towards the corner of the net only for Routledge to divert it over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Town began to see more of the ball, although all too often giving it away cheaply on halfway, but in the 39th minute Downes made a strong run down the right but saw his cross diverted behind by a defender.

From the resulting corner the Blues went close to going in front. The ball on from the right eventually fell to Keane at the far post from where the on-loan Hull City man hit a shot which struck the post. The ball bounced out and Chalobah hit another effort from the edge of the box which flew wide.

Swansea were next to threaten in the 42nd minute, Routledge finding Connor Roberts breaking forward in space on their right but Gerken got down to his right to save the Wales international’s low shot.

A minute later, Downes cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected over, then from Judge’s subsequent corner Nsiala rose highest but nodded back over the bar.

In injury time Byers turned a Routledge cross from the right wide at the near post before referee England ended the half.

The Blues could count themselves fortunate not to have been behind in the early stages when James went through one-on-one and the Swans continued to have most of the half’s opportunities.

While the Swans dominated possession for long spells, the Blues had put together decent interchanges at times and had got themselves more in the game as the break approached with chances starting to come, Keane having been unlucky not to mark an impressive return to the XI with a goal.

Six minutes after the restart Keane curled a shot goalwards which Nordveldt tipped over but with the linesman’s flag having been raised.

Swansea went close in the 52nd minute, Gerken doing well to get across to his left to palm James’s low shot across the area wide and just beyond the sliding Roberts.

The visitors had started the second half strongly and were dominating, and in the 57th minute they went in front.

After Chalobah had given the ball away to Fulton midway inside the Town half, Gerken tipped James’s low shot on to his right post but Routledge ran in to follow-up and slam into the roof of the net, the former England U21 international’s fourth goal of the season.

Bree was booked for a foul on James, an almost constant threat down the Swans left, just after the hour mark as Swansea went looking for their second of the afternoon.

In the 66th minute the Blues swapped Dozzell and Keane, who was tiring in the heat after his spell on the sidelines, for Collin Quaner and Kayden Jackson, who played on the right of the front three with Judge moving into the centre.

Matt Grimes shot over from distance for the visitors before goalscorer Routledge was replaced by Nathan Dyer.

The Swans were looking comfortable as the game entered its final 20 minutes and were looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal. On 73 top scorer Oli McBurnie flicked a header over at the near post from another James ball in from the left.

However, the Blues weren’t far away from an equaliser in the 77th minute when Downes sent Quaner away down the left. The on-loan Huddersfield striker brought the ball in and hit a low effort which Nordfeldt palmed across the face and wide. Quaner suffered a knock as he struck his effort but after treatment was able to continue. Moments later, Bishop took over from Chalobah.

Fulton hooked an acrobatic effort wide in the 84th minute before the Swans switched the midfielder for Leroy Fer.

In the 88th minute Quaner was again denied by Nordfeldt when through but this time having strayed offside.

Swansea replaced danger man James with Joe Rodon with the game already in six minutes of injury time.

Late on Judge shot wide from distant but a Town comeback in added-on time never really looked likely. Moments before the whistle keeper Gerken went up for a corner which came to nothing.

Once they’d got the lead they probably should have secured in the first half, Swansea professionally saw the game out for the most part with the Blues’ big opportunity Quaner’s effort which was well saved by Nordveldt.

Other than that, the Swans keeper was largely untested with Gerken the busier of the two keepers, although not forced into action as much as Swans boss Graham Potter would have wanted.

Following the final whistle the players and staff took part in the annual lap of appreciation, while those fans that remained in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand made plenty of noise despite another disappointing afternoon. The squad, some of whom were joined by their children, stopped to pay tribute as they made their way around the pitch.

The Blues are next in action at Sheffield United next Saturday in a live Sky game which kicks off at 5.15pm, with their only remaining home game is the final day match at home to Leeds on Sunday 5th May (KO 12.30pm).

Town: Gerken, Bree, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Elder, Chalobah (Bishop 79), Downes, Dozzell (Quaner 66), Edwards, Judge, Keane (Jackson 66). Unused: Bialkowski, Skuse, Nydam, Ndaba.

Swansea: Nordfeldt, Roberts, Van der Hoorn (c), Carter-Vickers, Naughton, Fulton (Fer 84), Grimes, Routledge (Dyer 70), Byers, James (Rodon 90), McBurnie. Unused: Benda, McKay, John, Baker-Richardson. Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire). Att: 17,247 (Swansea: 557)

Photo: TWTD

TBT added 20:42 - Apr 22 I am so bored of saying this but Marcus Evans doesn't care! The only business play over the last few years has been to limit the losses by selling our valuable players and get in cheap ones. Nobody has any evidence to the contrary, he hardly ever goes to Portman Road and when he does he doesn't go to the boardroom but take a box and have a good laugh with his Chelsea mates before returning to London. If he cared he would have cut his losses and talked to the several potential investors (there have been many, look how many EFL clubs have been bought and sold). He is stuck in a financial quandary not willing to accept what he considers to be inadequate offers so he simply reducing his debts every year by flogging assets. This is the Marcus Evans downgrade - the only reason he and Lambert are bugging up the kids is because they are not going to invest sufficiently by signing decent outsiders. We were played off the park today by a very average side and we haven't much hope of avoiding relegation again next season, this is the Marcus Evans downgrade..... I am so sad about this. If Marcus Evans gave a sh*t about ITFC he would say so at supporters' forums, in the boardroom, at the legends' dinner or even the end of season dinner but he never goes! Instead he comes out with two pithy insincere “corporate speak” statements every year (that I could write in 5 minutes) and some people take that as a sign that he cares, he doesn't.

8

blue86 added 20:45 - Apr 22 surely evans needs to back lambert with some funds? otherwise how the hell can we expect to move foward? you dont have to spend fortunes, 2 or 3 million would make a huge difference if spent wisely, look at garner and waghorn for example we got them for a good price. hopefully lambert has targets up his sleeve, i bloody hope so anyway.
4

RobsonWark added 20:47 - Apr 22 Quote from blueboy1981 "Chambers, he is not the most gifted of players for sure, but in mitigation, playing as CB in a team that NEVER scores goals, and don't even look like doing so - he is ALWAYS under pressure to not make a mistake. Many players would not even be able to take such pressure as he has continuously done., believe me. Why so many Managers rate him so highly on the pitch, I find hard to understand though - but I salute him for his other creditable traits, which he does have." I'm sure he has lots of creditable traits - maybe he is a good painter and decorator? But he is not someone who should be paid money to play a high level of football. He should be playing Sunday league football.

-2

Dissboyitfc added 21:04 - Apr 22 i can see Dozzell being sold with some of it going towards strengthening, otherwise tho Evans wont be shelling out! so i think we need to lose that type of thinking! he wont be spending! and thats a true but very sad fact!
2

Marinersnose added 21:19 - Apr 22 It's too easy to blame PL for his failings but I defy any manager to achieve results with such an appalling squad of players and not a goal scorer in the club. MM made us a hard to beat side who were devoid of any football hence top players such as McG AMN and many others were stifled by his poor tactics. PL is trying to adapt the team to play it on the deck and to a large degree it is far more easy on the eye but no end product. Given McG, Pitman,Garner or Waghorn we would score goals. That is not unfortunately our only issue. We have a very poor defence lead by probably one of our worst players albeit he's passionate and an excellent leader. Our full backs are very average and our best defender was an Everton player. Midfield needs additions as again Chalobah is our best player . Give Lambert a chance with a better squad and he may surprise you all. The atmosphere is fantastic so he's sorted the fans and got them on board.

4

warktheline added 21:21 - Apr 22 We were nailed on relegated when Lambert arrived, I said as much going back to Swansea away! Lambert's positive rhetoric without deliverance isn't going to sell season tickets, what's needed now is a radical overall of players going out and coming in, a show of intent! Unfortunately it isn't going to happen, the old free wheeling players will remain, as will the young guns, following their example, Evans will penny pinch, and Lambert will leave, one way or another! I sincerely hope not but, by November, Chambers will probably be player-manager with Skuse as his No 2! Death by a thousand cuts!

4

Dissboyitfc added 21:29 - Apr 22 Warktheline..thats clever, not many knew he was going to be manager after the swansea game, hurst was still in charge!
0

Kirbmeister added 21:32 - Apr 22 Dissboy - sell Dozzell? who to? What's he done? Nothing. Town will do well to stay in league 1 next season.
6

Wooly74 added 21:59 - Apr 22 You heard it here first, Marcus Evans is totally fed up of the game and the club and has been for the past three to four seasons. He is desperate to sell and whilst he would like £120 million, would actually be content with settling for £40 million. However, taking the romance out of all of our blinkered blue eyes, who would want us? A small town in Suffolk who once flirted with Europe's top teams, but now have a huge debt, no real structure or quality within and are £80 million in debt. We are miles behind other teams even in League 1 for stability and structure let alone regular real fan base that will change things around. Even the kids in Ipswich itself aren't interested, you don't see scores of them walking the streets anymore in their Town tops, or heading to PR on a Saturday. I'm your average Town fan now, mid 40's and reducing all the time as people become fed up of the crap being served up!!!! We are a team like the dead parrot sketch!!! I'd love to hear fellow town fans views on the above, but trust me... the story is true and comes from very reliable sources in the game!!!

7

Barhamblue added 22:19 - Apr 22 What is so evident is that, although the young ones, Dozzell, Bishop and Downs are ok, they are not championship level, maybe ok in Div 1 but that remains to be seen. We so evidently need two strikers, two midfielders, at least one central defender and a right back and we all know these players are not going to be funded, so anyone talking promotion next season needs their head tested.

3

warktheline added 22:32 - Apr 22 @diss, I think you've misunderstood my post! I knew we were going down as far back as the Swansea game, Lambert's arrival wasn't going to make any difference, for a multitude of reasons! Speaking of not so clever, I remember getting pelters from you and more, after such remarks at Swansea ! Turning the corner blah blah blah!
-3

warktheline added 22:35 - Apr 22 @diss, even Evans knew ( unlike you ) Hurst's days were numbered after Swansea! .....sums it up sadly!
0

RicAllen added 22:44 - Apr 22 A bit better but not good enough at all.
1

Northstandveteran added 23:02 - Apr 22 I'm just a little concerned that according to the poll on here, 36.4% think we will avoid the drop 😁
2

Northstandveteran added 23:06 - Apr 22 Although that may well be for next season, in which case, could be fairly accurate.
3

shakytown added 23:39 - Apr 22 Sorry but the club as a whole will not progress until the high paid and under performing players are removed from the books and replaced with people with real talent and desire. If you read our financial statement we actually pay more in wages alone than our income.
3

Minneapolis_ITFC added 00:41 - Apr 23 I often think I've entered a state of purgatory. Suffering for past sins and misdemeanors before entering some form of purity. Being a fan of this club in the last twelve years is one such example. I don't really believe in the supernatural but there could well be some demonic forces at work somewhere. IF there IS a hell, I'd expect to be witness to devilish imps with the faces of McCarthy, Jewell, Keane, Lambert and Hurst, stabbing my ass with branded pitchforks while 'On The Ball City' is heard full volume in my ears and infinite replays of defeats to the likes of Stevenage, Accrington Stanley, and Lincoln City are played out in front of my pinned back eyelids a la Clockwork Orange. Sometimes you can almost imagine it's some surreal dream or a trick of the sub-conscience mind, but you always end up realizing all this is very much happening. I don't know what else to add to today other than another feeling of disappointment, frustration, apathy even, et cetera.

2

eddiespearitt03 added 01:06 - Apr 23 Chop & changing the team and still the same result......DEFEAT !!! Once again we watched captain calamity with his head in his hands !!! We need better footballers Mr Evans .
3

Dissboyitfc added 06:23 - Apr 23 Dozzell would be a decent player in a better team playing football with confidence with better players around him. In a team lacking in ability, confidence and struggling without physicality throughout the side, he sadly looks a square peg in a round hole! This Ipswich side is not the team for him to flourish nor is the division we are heading to. I think he will struggle in league 1. There are coaches out there that will be aware of him and will know that he could be a real quality player! in the right team he will flourish. We really are a sad excuse of a football team, that is heartbreaking to see.

4

warktheline added 06:31 - Apr 23 @nsv, I wouldn't take those polls seriously ! It's extremely difficult to valuate especially when 'everything is awesome' at ITFC group vote more than once! 🤣Come to think of it where are they, dolphinblue, geddis etc etc etc !
3

Dissboyitfc added 06:38 - Apr 23 Warktheline... a few games before the swansea Match we played Norwich at portman rd, a game in which few will disagree, we were marginally the better side! Did you see them finishing as Champions and us finishing rock bottom? I know no Norwich fans that saw coming and had they got beat that day, the natives would have turned against the Farker! No i didnt think we would be nailed on certainty's for relegation back then, i have watched football for too long to know things can change so quickly, a single game a single result can alter the fortunes of a teams season!

3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:58 - Apr 23 Well, yes. That was "a lot better than at Preston." That it was still a pretty dismal performance just goes to show how bad the visit to Lancashire was. I had expected that by now we would have seen a partially resurrected ITFC, but we seem to be going backwards if anything. Much work still to be done (I'm still behind PL as the man to do it, however). I just hope the much vaunted "full pre-season" will deliver something new. PL must also realise new faces are needed, although whether there will be any cash to bring them in seems doubtful. Now that Leeds have managed to get Naarwich promoted, it would be nice to end the season with a victory. That would set the scene for a revival in the autumn. But I fear it's wishful thinking. COYB!

2

warktheline added 07:51 - Apr 23 @diss, Our fortunes were never going to improve, hapless Hurst ideas were half baked, he also unbelievably managed to side with McCarthy's ‘proper blokes'! Whilst Chambers and Skuse remain nowt will improve, their presence throughout club and younger players is detrimental! As for Norwich, as I stated previously, would Evans have put Pukki in a blue shirt? To conclude, Chambers up against Pukki, it really is obvious both clubs were going in opposite directions!

0

Barty added 08:16 - Apr 23 Worst season ever. But was is done is done . We need to be positive for next season but we still need some serious investment - particularly up front to compete , even in League 1.
1

Northstandveteran added 09:08 - Apr 23 In many ways you have to feel for Evans. Clearly he has the Midas touch to have made so much money but then he got involved in football. Having pumped millions into the club ( not going to get involved in the tax write off argument ) only to see nothing but failure on the pitch. He must regret the day he got involved. Yes, serious investment is needed but what would five, ten million achieve in today's footballing climate? Two or three bang average players? I'd be surprised if his most valued employees that keep his businesses running and make huge profits for him are paid anywhere near that of the footballers he employs. How would anyone not get the ars3 watching that rabble steal a wage every week knowing the money is coming out of YOUR pocket? He may be worth millions but when does the point come when you think " I'm not going to throw another huge chunk of my earnings at these over paid, incompetent footballers." He tried his best to make Ipswich a success but probably feels he is throwing good money after bad. Perhaps he does want to wash his hands of it and consider it a life lesson. And who would blame him?

1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls