Town suffered their first home defeat of the season and dropped off the top of the table as Rotherham United won 2-0 at Portman Road via two Matt Crooks goals. The midfielder struck first on 11, then added the second three minutes after the restart as the Blues fell to their second 2-0 loss in four days and Peterborough took over at the top of League One following their 4-0 victory over Accrington, who beat the Blues on Sunday.

Town boss Paul Lambert made five changes from the team which lost 2-0 against Stanley. James Wilson returned to the centre of Blues’ defence, having been suspended at the weekend, with the Blues starting with a four-man backline. Luke Woolfenden moved to the bench and Toto Nsiala dropped out of the 18.

Kane Vincent-Young was at right-back having missed the Accrington game with his groin injury with Gwion Edwards was on the bench.

In midfield, Emyr Huws replaced Andre Dozzell, who also missed out on a place in the squad, alongside Cole Skuse, while Danny Rowe also came into the team behind the front two with Alan Judge among the subs.

Up front, Will Keane started alongside Kayden Jackson with James Norwood and Flynn Downes both back on the bench after groin surgery and a hip knock respectively.

Former Blues keeper Lewis Price was on the bench for the Millers alongside one-time Town trialist Chiedozie Ogbene.

Rain fell steadily and persistently as the game got under way. Within two minutes a pacy Jackson run down the left won a Blues corner from which they went close to taking an early lead.

Rowe claimed he was tugged as he sought to get on to the loose ball after Rotherham had failed to clear but referee John Busby was unimpressed.

The ball eventually reached Huws at the back of the box from where he struck a shot which Millers keeper Daniel Iversen pushed into the air. Keane was first to the ball but headed straight at the keeper.

The wet conditions were having an impact on both sides in the early stages with Rotherham struggling to clear their lines on a number of occasions but with the Blues unable to profit.

The Millers hadn’t seriously threatened but in the 11th minute they took the lead. Skuse felt he was fouled as he held off a Rotherham player on the edge of his own box but referee Busby felt otherwise and Ben Wiles sent the ball back in from the left and it fell for Crooks, who struck a powerful low effort which skimmed across the wet pitch and through keeper Tomas Holy’s legs.

Rotherham should have made it 2-0 two minutes later when Joe Mattock found Matthew Olosunde breaking into the area at the far post with a cross from the left but the US international shot over when he should have hit the target at the very least.

The visitors continued to look the more threatening side and on 25 Trevor Clarke whipped over a freekick from the right which Crooks only just failed to get his head on.

Three minutes later Clarke was booked for a very late challenge on Vincent-Young, hardly the first Rotherham challenge which had warranted a yellow card.

On 30 Mattock was spoken to by the referee for time-wasting with the Millers taking an age with every restart having gone in front. In the 42nd minute Wiles was booked for kicking the ball away as Town prepared to take their 11th freekick of a very stop-start half.

Just before the whistle, Mattock crossed from the left and Michael Smith headed over at the far post.

It had been a scruffy, disjointed half from the Blues who had struggled to pass the ball with any fluidity - the damp conditions playing a part - and aside from the early double chance had rarely looked like scoring. All too often players got on one another’s way in a congested midfield area.

Rotherham took their chance when it came and might well have doubled their lead soon afterwards. From there, they looked to disrupt the flow of the game and frustrate the Blues but when they had the ball also managed to create one or two further openings.

Despite the lacklustre first period, Town were unchanged as the second half got under way with the rain continuing to fall. In the opening minute Jackson crossed from the right but none of his team-mates had broken into the area.

Three minutes after the restart, the Millers doubled their lead. Midway inside the Town half, Skuse cleared the ball against Wiles, who broke towards goal before playing inside to Crooks and the midfielder slipped his second of the game past Holy.

Town briefly put the visitors under some pressure and in the 52nd minute Rowe, by now playing wide on the right with Huws on the left, sent in a cross beyond his team-mates.

Rotherham almost made it 3-0 in the 55th minute when Mattock whipped over a cross from the left and Smith flicked a header across goal, Holy doing superbly to tip it past the post. In the aftermath of the corner Billy Jones shot well wide.

Two minutes later, Jackson sent in a cross from the left which Iversen struggled to claim but referee Busby blew up for an infringement as Jon Nolan hooked Huws’s knockback towards goal.

Smith shot wide for the Millers, who were continuing to create most of the game’s openings, then just before the hour mark Huws was replaced by Anthony Georgiou.

The Cyprus international’s introduction started to have an impact and on 63 he twisted and turned on the left before hitting a shot which took multiple deflections before going behind.

In the 67th minute, with Town not making too much of an impression on the Millers’ backline, the Blues swapped Rowe and Keane for Edwards and Norwood. A minute later, Rotherham switched Clarke for one-time Blues trialist Ogbene.

Three minutes later Garbutt made a brilliant run from very deep, taking the ball into the area via a couple of fortunate ricochets. However, keeper Iversen’s toe took it away from the left-back as he sought to round him and apply the final touch.

At the other end Ogbene almost added a third for the South Yorkshiremen, who were looking a danger on the counter-attack as Town went looking for a goal which would put them back in the game, the former Limerick man sliding in at the far post to divert Smith’s low cross from the right over.

Mattock was booked for a foul on Edwards wide on the Blues right in the 76th minute. From the freekick, Garbutt’s cross-shot flew over at the far post.

Two minutes later, Rotherham were an inch or two from making it 3-0 when Michael Ihiekwe nodded a Wiles corner against a post.

Moments later, the Millers replaced two-goal Crooks with Dan Barlaser as they prepared to take a freekick, Edwards having been booked for a foul.

As the match moved into its final 10 minutes Rotherham were looking the more likely scorers of the game’s third goal than the Blues.

Georgiou smashed in a low cross from the left in the 83rd minute but it was cleared at the near post. Seconds later Olosunde was replaced by Carlton Morris.

Skuse headed a Georgiou corner from the left wide on 88 but the game had been all but over for some while, even with the referee adding four minutes.

Referee Busby’s whistle was greeted by muted boos after a second disappointing Blues performance and result in a few days and a first home loss since the 1-0 defeat to Swansea in April.

The Blues switched things around at the break, moving into a more orthodox 4-4-2 but conceded Rotherham’s poor second only three minutes after the restart.

From there the Blues huffed and puffed and never seriously threatened the goal which would have brought them back into the game, aside perhaps from Garbutt’s solo run.

The team struggled to adjust to the changed system in the first half, with player literally tripping over one another in midfield at times, while too many put in under par performances. Set pieces were poor and all too often crosses hit the first man.

Peterborough’s 3-0 home victory over Accrington takes them above the Blues and Wycombe on goal difference - all three have 27 points - but with Town having a game in hand on both.

The Blues will be hoping to arrest their sudden slide when they travel to take on second-bottom Southend at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Skuse, Wilson, Vincent-Young, Nolan, Huws (Georgiou 59), Rowe (Edwards 67), Garbutt, Jackson, Keane (Norwood 67). Unused: Norris, Judge, Downes, Woolfenden.

Rotherham: Iversen, Jones, Wood (c), Ihiekwe, Mattock, Olosunde (Morris 84), Wiles, Lindsay, Clarke (Ogbene 69), Crooks (Barlaser 79), Smith. Unused: Price, Lamy, Hastie, Ladapo. Referee: John Busby (Oxfordshire). Att: 20,550 (Rotherham: 229).

Photo: TWTD

Nobbysnuts added 07:17 - Oct 24 Let the slide into the abyss begin.............
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braveblue added 07:22 - Oct 24 Huws on the left. Say no more.
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braveblue added 07:23 - Oct 24 Huws on the left. Say no more.
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bonamassablue added 07:30 - Oct 24 Let's not panic yet but 3 points need consideration 1. Rotherham were very well drilled and played a tight pressing game which we had no answer to 2. As other posts have said, rotation of the squad to such an extent in League 1 - is it really necessary? Pick a settled back 3 or 4 and stick to it, it is the foundation of a settled team 3. The changes of system lead to players looking like strangers to each other. On the occasions we did spread it wide and got behind the opposition we looked much better but the final delivery was always on the head of their big centre back. COYB, back to a tried and tested team and formation on Saturday please.

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budgieplucker added 07:35 - Oct 24 To be honest I was more disturbed by the defeat at Accrington on Sunday than tonight. Having said that all credit to Rotherham and Paul Warne, they have taken a bit of time to adapt back to Division 1, but with limited resources they find a formula that can win games. They recruit very tall physical players who work their socks off. Not one of our crosses troubled then, this is not necessarily because of our crosses being poor but we had little chance with the size of our forwards being able to out jump them. They get men behind the ball and men up rapidly to support the attack. We have good players but our tempo is often too slow allowing the opposition to get back behind the ball - the hoof ball alternative to speed things up is never going work against the sides either. Again last night I didn't think we would score from a corner unless we brought Tomas Holy up for it. It was frustrating but you have to beat what's in front of you. I would challenge that by switching to 4-4-2 last night we were better positioned to get something out of the match, yes Giorgio added a bit of much needed spark and won a few more corners but more crosses from wing positions into Kayden Jackson and Will Keane was not going to pay dividends, neither have the physicality and attributes of an old fashioned centre forward, which is what our squad still sorely misses. Unfortunately this was the sort of game that needed a Teddy Bishop, and Downes was much missed. So yes a big wake up call and reality check and more of a real welcome to Division 1. I am a massive Lambert fan but between the two boxes I am not seeing some of the cohesive play (albeit we were poor in both boxes) that the team were showing at times last year. I am not sure what style of football we are trying to play because we are developing no consistency with the changes we keep making. It is going to be tough now, Peterborough also despite a slow start look more than capable of holding on to a top two position, the key players look very effective at scoring week in and week out. I think Wycombe May slip away, but Sunderland after their big win this week could push on towards the top. Coventry seem very resilient and OXFORD surprisingly steady.

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martin587 added 07:46 - Oct 24 That was a very disappointing performance.Not sure if it's just my imagination but we appear to lack leadership.We can expect to be hit hard by teams raising there game and hitting us hard but with the squad we have we should be able match teams with ease but we are not.I hate to criticise and I won't but too many changes does not help,Yes I understand injuries don't help but for me some changes seem unnecessary and the formation changes from week to week. It's a long hard season with 33games to play plus cup ties so let's not get too despondent.This has been a big wake up call.Back to winning ways at Southend and we will all be happy again. At least I can walk to the game Saturday.😄

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Only_1_MarcusStewart added 07:51 - Oct 24 Well I'm still looking forward to Southend, only problem is, no tickets! Anyone got a spare? Otherwise I'm going to look like a ticket tout asking people at train stations and pubs :-D Help!
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tractorollson added 08:00 - Oct 24 Poor performance, no creativity, scorers have stopped scoring , resorting to hoofball , all sounds a bit like last season. Bumps yes but not looking good, 2nd but only for now.
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chalky added 08:09 - Oct 24 As the great New York Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra once said, 'It's déja vu all over again'. There are disturbing echoes of last season. Two successive defeats against mediocre sides simply is not good enough, especially for a club which can draw crowds of 20,000. For heaven's sake Mr Lambert, stop this silly rotation of players, get a settled formation and stick to it. Get a midfield sorted out that can put sustained pressure on the opposition. Only two or three shots on target when one has had 68 pet cent possession is pathetic, particularly at home.

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ArnieM added 09:15 - Oct 24 But 68%possession in OUR half ( with the opposition lined up on the edge of their box waiting for us to get over the half way line), sadly, is no threat whatsoever. I'm so many ways last nights performance reminded me of everything I hated about McCarthys era! It was that bad.
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Razor added 10:16 - Oct 24 When I were a boy many years ago was told that you always play your strongest team for every game----not rocket science is it? Is Lambo the new McCARTHY----stubborn and arrogant which brings its inevitable results. Two highly winnable games coming up----on paper anyway!!
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atty added 11:50 - Oct 24 Results good, until last two games, but performances not especially. Yes we're second, but we havn't bossed many games so far. Second half Wimbledon @nd Bolton of course. Most teams i have seen this season have been on top for periods of the game and have not been inferior. We've been getting away with it quite frankly. How many of this squad would get into a Championship squad, let alone team? Too much tinkering for my tastes. If we want to play Downes and Skuse in front of a back four then fine, should be solid. Play two wide midfield players in front our two attacking full backs-develops those partnerships. See Judge tomQPR if they're still keen, and Dozzell to whoever. Get in an experienced combative CM and a CF (physical presence).

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dirtydingusmagee added 11:51 - Oct 24 really cant understand why we have rotate players, bloody hell in the good days players played every week now they play once and ''need a rest'' . We should be playing the players who are giving all ,players in form, Those that dont cut it should be waiting to prove them selves ,not playing because its their turn.We were looking good , we should have played the postponed games whilst on song . We are too soft the players need to man up and earn their corn .l

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barrystedmunds added 12:27 - Oct 24 PL predicted it would take a good team to beat us. With the greatest respect to our last two opponents, it's taken two decidedly average teams to beat us, which is the worry.
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ITFCsince73 added 12:33 - Oct 24 Unfortunately we could have sold 5k plus tickets for the Sar..fend game. You can bet your life SUFC will up there game. Not just because it's us, but a new management team that includes ITFC legend Herman. Because of in law family connections, I do keep one eye on what Southend are upto. So far they have shown to have the weakest team and squad. And fed up fans. Don't normally predict, but 0-4 is what I see.

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OldClactonBlue added 12:44 - Oct 24 Why is Woolfenden not staring every game since he is comfortably the best Centre Back we have and can only get better. Last night the two Centre Halves were dreadful, both individually and collectively. If you're going to give away two simple goals every game you're always going to have a problem. Also playing a flat back four but expecting the two full backs to be your most effective attackers is not going to work very often. We do have some good players, but a lot of very ordinary players are currently occupying First Team places.

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shouldistayorcounago added 13:02 - Oct 24 I'm absolutely gutted today because losing 2 on the bounce just brings back the feeling of last year, but ultimately I think it was just a blip. We have to have one at some point of the season, I think we are a good side but maybe the unbeaten run allowed us to think we were better than we are. If we can keep pace and win the game in hand then we're back on top and we can start to build another run from there. Lots of negatives from the last 2 games, but providing we don't get too much bad luck with injuries I think the positives from the rest of the season so far will help us to get back to winning ways. Lambert isn't stupid, he will understand what's gone wrong, but he is right to tinker with things from time to time. COYB

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tractorollson added 13:44 - Oct 24 And just when it was all feeling good!
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FenboyBlue added 14:48 - Oct 24 We got a good head start this season on all the other teams still going through the gears. They're now catching/caught up. Peterboro have a formidable front 3. Need to buck our ideas up & come back in games to score late winners and equalisers. That's what champions do.
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brittaniaman added 14:55 - Oct 24 Strange how we lost 2-0 to Accrington then 4 days later Peterboro smash them 4-0 to take top spot ?
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brittaniaman added 14:58 - Oct 24 Razor! 2 highly winnable games have just passed us bye ?
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norfolkbluey added 14:59 - Oct 24 ArnieM I couldn't agree more. This has been on the cards for a while now. Not scoring enough goals and why not when we have such a talented bunch of players. My fiend at the match was extremely disappointed and he is normally so positive. The team needs to be more settled and playing regular football with the occasion rest not this constant rotation. You cannot score 32 goals one season without a midfield player who knows exactly where its best to place the ball for the forward to score. So Paul please get this sorted quickly or Southend may get us a hatrick of losses. 'Strength and honour' lads.

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:22 - Oct 24 Norfolkbluey, i fear the Shrimpers may well kick us in the proverbial's too, we seem to have a knack of being stuffed by teams that should be beaten. We still cant play for 90 minutes,and play in short spells.Its been good at the top but to be honest i think the position has in the main flattered us. Oh well ,Bluearmy81 will be banging his drum again and trying to recruit more members to his FB cresh.

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Westy added 17:20 - Oct 24 Both goals so avoidable - the first defensive hesitancy and the second losing possession in the last third. More than any other game this season, last night showed our short-comings - lack of height being one (Tomas Holy excluded). As winning became a habit let us hope that losing doesn't. There is no doubt in my mind that postponing games for the International break was a mistake when we only had 2-3 players called up when no one was guaranteed their place anyway. Postponing games put a break on our momentum.

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jas0999 added 17:59 - Oct 24 A thoroughly miserable performance, which will do little to see attendances of 20K in the future. We have been riding our luck in games this season and it would appear we are now being found out - particularly defensively. Luckily the away form has subsidised the relatively poor home record - certainly in comparison to other teams at the top. Just three wins, whilst others have five or six. Still think we need to strengthen the defence.

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