A goal in either half from Albie Morgan and Omar Bogle saw Charlton to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Town at Portman Road. Morgan put his side ahead with a low shot on 21 in an evenly-balanced first half, while sub Bogle scored with his first touch in the 68th minute to seal the three points for the visitors with the Blues, who are down to sixth, never looking like staging a comeback.

Liam Gibbs and David Cornell were handed their league debuts as manager Paul Lambert made four changes from the team which lost 3-0 at home to Hull City on Tuesday.

Gibbs, 17, came into the midfield three with Andre Dozzell, who was back after his three-match ban and Brett McGavin.

Bury St Edmunds-based academy product Gibbs, who had previously made two starts and one sub appearance in the EFL Trophy, started in a role ahead of the deeper Dozzell with McGavin completing one of the youngest midfields the Blues have ever fielded in a league game.

Emyr Huws is missing from the squad, presumably having joined Jon Nolan, Teddy Bishop, Flynn Downes, Cole Skuse and Tristan Nydam on a long midfield injured list.

Cornell took over in goal from Tomas Holy, who dropped to the bench. The Welshman had previously made five starts in cup games for the Blues since his summer move from Northampton.

At the centre of the defence, Toto Nsiala returned to the right of Luke Woolfenden with Mark McGuinness among the subs. Skipper Luke Chambers and Stephen Ward continued as the full-backs.

Up front, Keanan Bennetts was on the left and Alan Judge the right with James Norwood again the central striker.

For Charlton, manager Lee Bowyer, a former Blues midfielder, brought Chuks Aneke, Albie Morgan and ex-Blues loanee Jonny Williams into his XI for Omar Bogle, Alex Gilbey and Marcus Maddison, who were among the subs.

The Addicks were again forced to field a makeshift centre-half pairing of right-back Chris Gunter and midfielder Darren Pratley.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause in memory of football legend Diego Maradona, who died earlier in the week.

The game started scruffily but in the fifth minute McGavin won the ball midway inside the Charlton half and fed Bennetts, who took it on and hit a shot from the edge of the box which struck and Addicks defender. On the arm, according to Bennetts, but referee Craig Hicks showed no interest.

On 13 Judge found Chambers in space on the right. The Blues captain cut in and hit a shot with the outside of his boot which caught a defender on its way wide. From the resultant corner on the left, Nsiala rose highest but nodded beyond the far post.

A minute later, with Town looking the more dangerous side, Bennetts appeared to try to catch Addicks keeper Ben Amos unawares with a shot from wide on the left when a cross looked the more obvious option.

As the game approached the quarter-hour mark, the Blues came close to going in front when Dozzell played a ball through for Norwood, who held off Gunter but a heavy touch took it away from him and the striker was unable to avoid hooking his effort at goal from eight yards over the bar as well as Amos.

Two minutes later, Charlton felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Aneke’s flick sent Williams in on goal but Nsiala somehow got back to outmuscle the Welsh international and stab away and Cornell saved down to his right. A spot-kick would have been harsh but as Town know to their cost that penalties can be awarded in such situations.

The Addicks were starting to look more threatening and on 20 Aneke shot well over from a tight angle on the right.

And the South Londoners only had to wait another minute to go in front. Aneke won the ball from Woolfenden as he sought to play out on the edge of the area to the left and fed Andrew Shinnie. The Scot took it into the area before his low ball deflected off a Town defender to Morgan and the 20-year-old fired his first league goal for the Addicks past Cornell from 12 yards. Once again, Town’s defending had contributed much to an opposition goal.

In the 28th minute the Blues wasted a free-kick in a promising position not far outside the box. Dozzell played it wide to Judge on the left but the Irishman’s cross looped beyond Nsiala at the far post and out for a goal-kick.

Town lost striker Norwood to what looked to be another hamstring injury in the 35th minute. Aaron Drinan replaced the former Tranmere man a minute later, while Ward was receiving treatment for a knock of his own. Norwood’s exit was the third time in three games the Blues had lost a player to injury in the first half.

Drinan was making his first appearance since the opening day of the league season when he suffered a thigh injury in the 2-0 victory over Wigan.

The visitors had keeper Amos to thank for maintaining their 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, the keeper flying away to his right to palm Judge’s flicked header from Dozzell’s free-kick on the right past his post.

A minute later, Drinan won the ball on the byline from the hesitant Pratley and cut it back to Judge, whose shot was somehow deflected over by Ian Maatsen. As has been the case too often of late, Town’s corner came to nothing.

In the 43rd minute Judge was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Shinnie as Charlton broke.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, Paul Smyth got away behind Nsiala but threw himself to the ground just outside the area as the defender looked to get back in front of him. Referee Hicks was unimpressed with his dive but showed no card.

As half-time approached, most of the game was being played in the visitors’ half of the field but with Blues passes going astray at vital moments.

Again Town were left rueing having not taken chances at one end while being the architects of their own downfall at the other with there having been little between the sides during what had been a scruffy half overall.

Norwood will feel he should have taken his chance, while Judge’s header was kept out by an excellent Amos save, although the Irishman may believe he should have scored his other opportunity after Drinan had done well to win the ball back on the byline.

Keeper Cornell had had a relatively quiet half but the Blues still found themselves behind at the break from another very preventable goal.

Charlton were first the threaten after the restart. Morgan broke down the right and sent over a deep cross which Smyth looked to volley but the ball scuffed off his foot and out of play.

On 51 Aneke broke away from Woolfenden and hit a shot across Cornell which the keeper saved down to his right. Three minutes later, the Addicks swapped Williams for Gilbey.

As the hour mark approached, the Addicks were presenting the greatest threat, counter-attacking after Blues moves forward broke down. But fortunately up to now without seriously testing Cornell.

Town swapped Gibbs, who will have learned a lot from his first senior game and had shown one or two moments of his promise, for Jackson in the 64th minute as Charlton’s Smyth underwent treatment on the pitch having injured himself trying to bring down the Town youngster moments before his substitution.

Smyth was eventually helped to the stretcher cart, taken straight down the tunnel and replaced by Bogle, while Jackson joined Drinan in a front two.

Less than two minutes after being introduced, Bogle doubled his side’s lead with his first touch. Woolfenden failed to clear a long throw from the right, Pratley crossed and the former Wigan and Grimsby man slammed into the net at the far post having escaped Chambers’s attention. Yet another very soft goal from a Town perspective.

In the 71st minute Town were forced into another change with Nsiala suffering a knock and McGuinness taking over. The Blues also switched McGavin for Jack Lankester. Charlton replaced Aneke, a thorn in the Town backline’s side all afternoon, with Ben Purrington.

The Blues had a mountain to climb having gone two goals down, particularly as they had only scored more than once in one of their last six league games.

Their performance became more disjointed as the visitors grew in confidence having established their two-goal lead.

On 81 Judge hit a powerful shot against a defender, then took the rebound into the box before hitting another effort which was easy for Amos, whose only serious save all afternoon had been the Irish international’s header in the first half.

After seven minutes of injury time, referee Hicks’s whistle confirmed another Blues defeat to a side in the upper reaches of the division with Town still to win against anyone in the top eight and having taken only three points from their three back-to-back home games, and those via a very fortunate victory over Shrewsbury.

The Blues never really looked like getting back on terms in the early stages of the second period and once Charlton had gone two in front the destination of the three points never looked in any doubt.

Another defeat will see manager Lambert’s position come under further scrutiny with fans having made their frustrations known after Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to leaders Hull City.

The Blues have now lost three of their last four in the league and seven of their last 10 in all competitions.

Whether owner Marcus Evans heeds fans’ calls for a change of manager remains to be seen but something certainly needs to change to prevent the season going in the same direction as the last campaign in which the Blues started brightly before drifting to a dismal mid-table finish.

Town are now down to sixth, with their game the only fixture involving the teams at the top being played today, ahead of tricky away trips to Oxford on Tuesday and Plymouth next Saturday.

Town: Cornell, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, Nsiala (McGuinness 71), Ward, Dozzell, McGavin (Lankester 71), Gibbs (Jackson 64), Bennetts, Judge, Norwood (Drinan 36). Unused: Holy, Kenlock, Hawkins.

Charlton: Amos, Gunter, Williams (Gilbey 54), Aneke (Purrington 71), Shinnie, Pratley (c), Matthews, Morgan, Maatsen, Watson, Smyth (Bogle 66). Unused: Maynard-Brewer, Pearce, Maddison. Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey).

Photo: Matchday Images

shouldistayorcounago added 07:33 - Nov 29 Said my piece a couple of days ago, checking out from this site because it has become a hotbed of toxic and short-sighted nonsense. Some of you will soon be successful in killing this club once and for all. I find it baffling that there are so many people who think they are making an intelligent point, yet somehow envisage Eddie Howe or Nigel Pearson coming here. Jesus christ. Good luck to you all but this beyond crazy now.

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BettyBlue added 08:05 - Nov 29 Who saw that coming?? Everyone , that's who. And all the betting shops have been shut. B*gger.
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Len_Brennan added 08:44 - Nov 29 ShouldIStayOrCounago Just before you 'Counago' then, can you counter the arguments made against changing the manager before it before to late to rescue our chances of finishing in the top 6 at least? Looking to make that change now is the complete opposite of short-sighted, in that it is an acknowledgement of PL inability to turn things around here, he has had 2 years & we are as far away from knowing what our best team is now as we were when he was appointed. We have given him more than a chance, and started the season hopeful that his new intended passing style, in the new formation would see us be a real force this season. But again, through poor coaching and/or rigid adherence to a predictable system and/or bloodymindedness and/or lack of imagination, we have become a side that holds no fear for any of our supposed promotion rivals; only a side that holds fear for itself. It is the very same as last year; unconvincing early wins over the poorer sides, in League 1, has papered over the cracks and unfortunately Paul Lambert doesn't know what to do to fix it. Luckily, because of those unconvincing wins, we are still in a reasonable position in the league, but just like last year, we will continue to slide downwards from here if we don't make the change now, before it's too late. This is medium to longsighted thinking, for the good of our club. Obviously a terrible appointment would would negate that argument. It is not toxic to state this & stating it does not make a poster toxic. Actual abuse is a different story. If you think back to the just before Covid-19 world, there was every chance that Lambert was going to be sacked, as we slid down the table at an incredible speed; the virus saved him his job then, as our season ended prematurely. The man supposedly in the frame to replace him at that time was the unemployed Neil Warnock, who subsequently joined the relegation threatened Middlesbrough in the league above ours, which had continued despite Covid-19. He kept them up & they are now genuine promotion challengers in the Championship. I wouldn't like to live next door to him, but his record of sorting troubled clubs out & getting them promoted is extraordinary. I have no doubt we would be a much stronger side now had Evans acted as the newspaper speculation suggested he was going to back then. On a 1 or 2 year contract, Warnock would have been a viable solution to getting us back to the Championship, which is extremely urgent given the changing dynamics at League 1 & League 2 levels. As for now, you are right about Eddie Howe being a complete non-runner; although I wouldn't rule out Nigel Pearson taking on the job - another one I wouldn't fancy living next door to! But Paul Cook has an excellent record, knows how to get teams promoted & was doing a decent job in the Championship with Wigan. We are more than capable of attracting him to the club surely.

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BangaloreBlues added 08:49 - Nov 29 I've fully backed PL all the way until now. Now I have jumped the fence. His time is up. There is something seriously wrong with the team and it's nothing to do with injuries. I hope ME reads these comments because it's clear 90% of the fans are done with him, and he needs to listen to us. If there was no lock down, attendance at the stadium would start to dwindle as it did under MM, and he can't ignore that. Unfortunately that's a comfortable cushion for PL at the moment. Lambert has to go, he's not good enough, and his tactics and team selection are just wrong.

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d77sgw added 09:09 - Nov 29 Really missing Edwards and Bishop.
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rabbit added 09:16 - Nov 29 BeattiesBackPocket I really have no idea why you find me so offensive and feel the need to call me out so often, this medium is for people's opinions and you feel quite comfortable offering yours but get offended by myself and others that offer theirs. Not only that but when in the past you have questioned my opinion I have answered your questions in absolute detail, you have chosen to totally ignore my response and still persist in making assumptions of my opinion which factually do not exist. With your recent persistence of quoting the 2019 article from Marcus Evans I have read it from the link that you provided, thank you, within it he explains his position the offers received and his hopes for the future. All plausible in my opinion, but your main point on this is the offers he alludes to that he decided to go no further with. Both these offers in his opinion were not in the interests of ITFC and both parties that made the offers went on to other business' and both have subsequently left with the teams poorer for the experience. On another point that you have recently made is that ITFC were out of administration and under Jim Magilton were gradually improving, well the point here is that if you go back and check your facts, ITFC were on the brink of bankruptcy and had they not been bought receivers would have been appointed. I am afraid there were no other practical or sustainable offers on the table, despite what some people believe. But just to clarify I do not glory in the current position of ITFC unlike Bluearmy_81 who's persistently offensive inaccurate poisonous drivel is cheerily spouted by him as soon as the team are under pressure.

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Bert added 09:29 - Nov 29 I have considerable sympathy for shoukdistayorcournago's view about how this site has been infected by many posters. I am however of the view that Evans has to act but despite the rules of posting, too many folk on here simply post either libellous content, sound off with offensive language or bully others who don't agree with them. I have no problem with posters who offer considered opinion and criticism about Lambert, Evans or the club generally but for those who regularly come on here and spout vile nonsense I do wonder what they get from it. Time for Phil to take action all he will lose many more contributors.

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rabbit added 09:43 - Nov 29 Well said Bert, I also regret shouldistayorconago's decision because in reality this is an excellent informative site. I do feel that many other posters have also been put off contributing to the site because of the insults and abuse they receive, but of course I have no evidence of this. There is no doubt however that this site is being poisoned by quite a large sub section of its readers/contributors who feel it acceptable to deride others who do not share their opinion.

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Bluearmy_81 added 09:44 - Nov 29 No rabbit the 2 offers obviously weren't right for ME! ! Do you really think he's been putting the club first?! Gee gods I didn't think such incredible levels of gullibility were possible...
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Len_Brennan added 10:07 - Nov 29 I think the point Bert makes is a fair one, and certainly outright abusive posters who offer nothing but that abuse are a clearly having a negative impact on the messageboard. One for the moderators to deal with under the content Terms & Conditions agreement. It is the case though, that some discussions/debates get deliberately sidetracked by accusations of abuse etc, when we are only talking about a difference of opinion about the manager, owner, players, squad or other Ipswich Town related topic. Don't get me wrong, there are posters who's content falls into the abuse category, and regularly so in some cases, but because one poster who wants Lambert out is abusive in his/her comment, doesn't nullify considered opinions post by many other who also believe that the manager should go. There are plenty of great posters on here to read, engage with and debate with; we don't have agree with each other, but we can tease out our arguments & we don't have to be abusive either to each other or the manager/owner/players.

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Bert added 10:08 - Nov 29 Sorry Shouldistayorciurnago, I managed to mark you up and down ! Ignore the down vote.
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Bert added 10:54 - Nov 29 I thought Bluearmy 81 that you had turned the corner. Your more recent posts have been reasonably balanced so why not keep it that way rather than insulting those who have a different view ? Len's comments are spot on.
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Bluearmy_81 added 11:00 - Nov 29 Way too mant snowflakes Bert. Offended by their own shadow. Anyone that thinks Evans is acting in Towns best interests and not his own is incredibly gullible in my opinion and I'm entitled to that view. He's been duping the gullible since that ridiculous bit of scripted PR years ago.
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shouldistayorcounago added 11:16 - Nov 29 Len - As I say, I've already made my point against much of what you've said on the post about Blue Action. Feel free to find the points there. As regards to Neil Warwick last season, I'd probably agree with that. Nonetheless, the situation has changed - salary cap, a weakened financial position due to Covid and the fact that much of Evans' portfolio is based in the badly hit hospitality sector, and having to pay off a long contract for Lambert. I could go on, but I already said my piece elsewhere. With regards to Pearson - I cannot fathom how you think a man who was recently doing a pretty good job in the Premier League under erratic ownership, until being unceremoniously dumped with a handful of games remaining would be interested in coming here. If he waits a month or two, he will be getting a much more desirable job somewhere in the Championship, or possibly in the lower reaches of the Prem - most likely Sheffield United at this rate. As I say, I don't take issue with everyone who disagrees with me, what I take issue with is some posters who seem to think that by being more pragmatic, I and others are somehow less passionate. I'm not accusing you of that, by the way. Likewise, as Bert and Rabbit have alluded to, there are some pretty ridiculous claims made by some on here that garner far more respect than they deserve - whilst also making some valid criticisms of the club and the management, they do weaken the credibility of their arguments. I will still be reading the match reports and news stories, but I will forgo commenting and interacting because its just a miserable existence at present. As I said a couple of days ago, I hope to be proved wrong by the rest of you. I only wish that everyone on the other side of the argument has that attitude as well. One final thing, can anyone actually tell me how you delete your profile - I can't seem to figure it out and I now feel somewhat of a spectre at the feast!

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shouldistayorcounago added 11:24 - Nov 29 Oh and on Paul Cook - probably the most likely replacement outside of something more internal. Because of the circumstances we find ourselves in, I don't feel like it represents a meaningful improvement. We'll still be lumbered with the same standard of playing staff, which I feel is the real issue, and we won't be able to recruit because of the financial restraints we find ourselves under. Maybe Paul Cook can get more out of the current crop, but I am very doubtful. I think he will end up having the Paul Hurst affect. Again, if it happens, he will have my support and I will be happy to be proved wrong, I just honestly believe it won't make a blind bit of difference.

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Bert added 11:27 - Nov 29 So, there we have it Bluearmy81, you feel you are entitled to call your fellow supporters snowflakes and gullible. You are entitled to your opinion, some of which I share, but nobody is entitled to belittle others. We are all hurt by what is going whatever our opinions.
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rabbit added 11:53 - Nov 29 Yes here we go again Bluearmy_81 because you have an opinion, even though it is without any evidence, you accuse those that disagree with you as being "gullible" or "snowflakes". Let's start with some facts shall we if you wish to insult others opinions, otherwise all you have is an opinion You are, of course, perfectly entitled to your opinion although if you are unable to back up your opinions and you reject open debate, by default, lose the argument. Furthermore if you demand from people, as you attempt to do, action, then at least offer some action yourself.

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Bluearmy_81 added 12:09 - Nov 29 No evidence?! We all have 13 miserable years of failure to see that Evans chats s hit. 5 years for Lambert, one of the most mystifying contract extensions ever! The academy is a shadow of its former self. All over the place Town talk well but fail left right and centre. As a fan you're allowed to point the finger, say this isn't good enough and demand better... 🤔

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Marinersnose added 12:17 - Nov 29 This was sad to watch although having looked at the team selection with Nsiala back in defence I could only see one outcome. Nsiala is nowhere near the standard required if town are to be serious about promotion, his passing is atrocious and he continually gets wrong side of the attacker which causes his to foul. Don't get me wrong he puts his body on the line and his passion is clear to see. Ndaba is a better footballer. The midfield was lightweight but Gibbs impressed me me with no only his passing but his tenacity when trying to regain possession after giving the ball away. For me the creativity is not evident without Bishop in the side as he is a positive forward thinking player. Drinan was excellent when introduced and he clearly demonstrates that he can hold a ball beat his man and he plays with his head up as demonstrated when he put the ball on a plate for Judge to embarrass himself from 5 yards. Ward looks tired to me and lacks the energy he had when the season started . I would be as bold to question who actually wants to play for this manager. The injuries lack of passion may suggest the pal have had enough. Dobra not making the bench even though we cannot create chances. PL appears to dislike certain players and picks the team around those he loves ie Judge who for me was ineffective last season and continues to be. I'm concerned for the future of our club. ME is keeping us afloat but also sucking the life out of the club by failing to sign quality players. Decisions need to be made promptly.

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BettyBlue added 12:29 - Nov 29 Whatever we do we mustn't sack this guy. He is hilarious. His post match comments are BAFTA comedy gold. Lets see how far he will rubbish his own reputation before walking. My bet would be at the end of 5 years.
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BettyBlue added 12:31 - Nov 29 It make take 5 years, we may end up in the Vanamara, we may have to sell Playford Road and ground share with Colchester but Paul Lambert is the man to turn this club into pure sh*t.
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Linkboy13 added 12:51 - Nov 29 People keep saying it looks like mid table mediocrity but the way we are playing and with a manager with no idea how to set up a team could be another relegation struggle. Most of the squad are just not good enough and we need a big turnover of players.
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rabbit added 12:54 - Nov 29 Ok Bluearmy_81 quite clearly I was referring to your post, written to me, reference the offers ME received and what factual based evidence you have for such an accusation. Now in your latest post you widen the debate and are insinuating that ME made a bad decision with PL, but at the very time the contract was offered you were commentating on this site that PL "is great". You have tried to deny this comment before and when I cut and pasted your comments you accused me of being selective. You are both contradictory and very low on factuality, but anyway Bluearmy_81 get to the point of what you are going to do to get ME to listen, when are you going to do what you promised nearly two years ago? Just about everyone who reads this site knows that you failed to turn up when there actually was an arranged demonstration and so your bravado is toothless.

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Texastom added 13:12 - Nov 29 Why has everyone said, including media pundits, we have the best squad in the League. We don't. We don't have one player you could call very good. Yes, Lambert's decision making is poor. Nothing will change until Evans goes. Like any organisation the directions all start at the top and it filters down and spreads right through - down to the youth team. The only real way to change it is not to go to games. Attendance speaks volumes.

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runningout added 13:14 - Nov 29 Paul Cook would be a positive move although 3 years late
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