James Norwood and Alan Judge were on target for the Blues but two goals from Diallang Jaiyesimi and a stunner from Scott Twine saw Swindon to a 3-2 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Jaiyesimi gave the visitors the lead on 16 before sub Norwood levelled for the Blues in the 62nd minute, but Twine smashed home a brilliant 30-yard strike on 67 to restore the Robins’ lead and Jaiyesimi made it 3-1 with a cross which found its way into the net seven minutes later. Judge gave the Robins a fright with Town’s second in the 87th minute but the Blues, who stay eighth, were unable to find a third goal against the division’s 22nd-placed side.

Aaron Drinan and Armando Dobra returned to the Blues starting line-up, while Flynn Downes, James Norwood and Zanda Siziba were among the subs.

Drinan was the lone central striker with Oli Hawkins having dropped out of the 18, while Dobra was on the left of the front three for Keanan Bennetts, who suffered a knock in the Blues’ last game against Burton at home 25 days ago.

Kayden Jackson was again wide on the right of the front three with Andre Dozzell, Emyr Huws and Alan Judge the midfield trio.

At the back, skipper Luke Chambers and Stephen Ward were the fullbacks with ex-Swindon loanee Luke Woolfenden and Mark McGuinness the centre-halves. Dai Cornell was in goal.

Downes was back among the subs for the first time since suffering a knee injury at the start of October and Norwood returned after his latest hamstring problem, while midfielder Siziba, 17, was in the squad for a League One game for the first time having made one start and one sub appearance in the Papa John’s Trophy.

For Swindon, ex-Blues striker Brett Pitman and one-time loanee defender Zeki Fryers were in a starting XI which featured seven changes from their 4-1 defeat at home to the MK Dons last time out.

Forward Scott Twine, who played alongside Blues frontman Drinan for League of Ireland side Waterford, and midfielder Matty Palmer started having been recalled from loan spells, while keeper Mark Travers and Dominic Thompson made their debuts.

After both teams had taken a knee in support of Black Lives Matter, Swindon struck the first shot of the game in the third minute but Matt Smith hit his effort from the edge of the box over.

The Blues, with manager Paul Lambert watching from a box rather than the dugout having been among those at Portman Road to have suffered with Covid-19 over Christmas, created their first opportunity in the seventh minute when Dozzell sent Dobra away down the left. The Albanian U21 international crossed and Drinan’s awkward effort at goal was diverted out for a corner.

Three minutes later Paul Caddis crossed for Smith but his header from the edge of the box gave Cornell no trouble. Moments later, veteran Caddis was booked for tripping Dobra, whose direct running was already causing the visitors problems. From the free-kick, McGuinness looped a header to keeper Travers who claimed comfortably.

While Town had seen most of the ball, it was the Robins who would take the lead in the 16th minute.

Thompson was played in in space behind Jackson on the visitors’ left and sent over a cross which former Norwich academy winger Jaiyesimi headed back across Cornell and into the net as he ran into the area unchecked.

Town continued to see most of the ball but didn’t threaten until the 25th minute when Ward crossed from the left and Huws stooped to head well wide from the 18-yard line.

Swindon were looking more dangerous on the break and two minutes later, the ball was cut back from the right by Caddis to Jaiyesimi, whose effort was inadvertently blocked by his team-mate Pitman.

On the half hour, Dozzell’s clever chip played Judge in on goal inside the area to the left, Town’s best chance of the half, but the Irishman’s effort at goal was blocked by Travers.

From the resultant corner, the Robins broke quickly and after good work from Pitman, Jaiyesimi’s shot deflected through to Cornell.

On 37 Pitman found the net but with referee Sebastian Stockbridge having already blown his whistle.

Just before the half-time whistle, Chambers crossed from the right and the ball flicked off Dobra’s head and wide with the winger under pressure.

A disappointing half from the Blues, who as so often had seen plenty of the ball but without looking particularly threatening, aside from the couple of occasions when Dozzell had shown his passing quality.

At the other end, the visitors had looked a danger on the break and had taken their first real chance and might well have taken another.

Downes and Norwood spent half-time warming-up vigorously and took over from Drinan and Huws for the second half.

Swindon went close to making it 2-0 two minutes after the restart, Thompson cutting back from the left to the unmarked Twine, who shot over when he should have done much better.

In the 51st minute Judge wasn’t too far away from levelling for the Blues. After referee Stockbridge had waved play on following a foul on Dozzell, the ball dropped to the Irish international 25 yards out and his low shot scraped the outside of Travers’s left post.

A minute later, Downes was booked for a foul on Jordan Lyden with the substitute adamant he had won the ball, and he appeared to have a good case with the Robins man having made a lot of the challenge.

Norwood hit a low shot from an angle on the right of the box in the 55th minute but Travers was untroubled.

The Blues were again seeing most of the ball but without being able to carve out a significant opportunity.

However, in the 62nd minute Town equalised, slightly fortuitously. Jackson crossed from the right, Norwood completely missed the ball on the edge of the six-yard box when he seemed certain to score, but it struck Caddis and bounced back to the Blues striker who gratefully slammed home his first league goal of the season from a matter of inches.

Having levelled, Town continued to dominate possession and in the 66th minute Downes ran on to a ball played into the box as he broke from midfield but Travers was out quickly to claim.

And a minute later the visitors reclaimed their lead with a goal from the top drawer. Twine, who had been recalled from a loan spell at Newport earlier in the week, picked up the ball and smashed a superb 30-yard strike which flew over Cornell and dipped just under the bar giving the keeper no chance.

Norwood was booked for pulling back Twine in the 71st minute and two minutes later, the Robins increased their lead to two goals.

Jaiyesimi crossed from the left towards Pitman who threw out a foot as the ball passed him as it made its way beyond Cornell and inside the post. The striker appeared to indicate that he hadn’t got a touch and it was his team-mate’s goal.

The Blues had a mountain to climb against one of the division’s lowlier teams, the sort of side they have usually defeated this season. On 78 Jack Lankester took over from Dobra.

Town continued to huff and puff but without showing too many signs of getting back into the game. On 84 Norwood hit a deflected effort through to Travers after Dozzell had seized on some loose Swindon passing.

A minute later, Jaiyesimi slammed a shot wide from the edge of the box as he looked for his hat-trick.

At the other end, Downes headed over from a Judge cross from the left and in the 87th minute the Irishman pulled a goal back for the Blues.

Norwood chased a ball over the top and held off his man before playing inside to Judge, who slammed past Travers from six yards to give the Blues hope of grabbing a point.

But the Robins saw out the remaining scheduled minutes and four more in added-on time and referee Stockbridge’s whistle confirmed Swindon’s first win at Portman Road since September 1991 and the Blues’ fourth home defeat in their last five.

Town may have had 25 days without a game due to Covid-related postponements but it was a performance all too familiar to Blues supporters. Their side saw plenty of the ball but rarely created opportunities.

Norwood’s introduction at the break made a difference and the striker made a Town goal look more likely even before his leveller. However, the Blues’ possession to chances ratio remained low.

At the other end, no keeper would have saved Twine's strike but Jaiyesimi's was another soft goal to concede from the Blues' perspective.

Town started the weekend seventh but dropped to eighth following Accrington’s victory Charlton last night and that’s where they stay ahead of next week’s trip to bottom side Burton, which looks a must win game after today’s defeat.

Ipswich: Cornell, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward, Dozzell, Huws (Downes 46), Jackson, Judge, Dobra (Lankester 78), Drinan (Norwood 46). Unused: Holy, Nsiala, Kenlock, Siziba, Lankester.

Swindon: Travers, Caddis, Fryers, Conroy (c), Jaiyesimi, Pitman, Twine, M Smith (Grant 90), Lyden, Palmer, Thompson. Unused: Matthews, T Smith, J Smith, Payne, Curran, Hope. Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear).

Photo: Matchday Images

istanblue added 23:05 - Jan 9 IT'S TIME TO GOOOOO
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shakytown added 23:12 - Jan 9 This has got to be the most disgraceful performance in the proud history of this club. When the players and our useless captain walk off the pitch laughing after being outclassed by Swindon something really needs to change. Paul Lambert and his hopeless mob should be out the door within the next 24 hours or relegation is an option if not this season certainly next.
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62WasBest added 23:54 - Jan 9 Is there a league we can join where the winners are the club with the greatest and widest range of excuses? We'd win it by a mile! We seem to have a ready made supply that follow every game. One thing we can win at. This group of players must be part of the worst teams that this club have ever put out since joining the Football League - and probably even worse than those of amateur days.

4

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 01:22 - Jan 10 Interesting how Norwich fans used to try to wind us up after a defeat. Even they can't be bothered anymore.
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Lathers added 02:10 - Jan 10 Pathetic, sad, pitiful Ipswich Town. Lambert needs moving on. Half the squad need moving on. Crap team selection, crap formation, crap performance. I don't ever want to see Huws in an ITFC shirt again. Chambers and Ward have been awful now for months. Jackson can't play as the lone striker and he can't play out wide so why does Lambert keep playing him in one of these positions. If losing at Burton means Shambo gets the boot then I'm a Brewer for the evening.

7

Zondervantheman added 03:09 - Jan 10 Well I have to say they didn't play to badly with one up top!!! An overweight aged and clearly struggling Brett Pitman who was deemed not good enough for us at least 5 years ago led their line. Their right back was no spring chicken either. I don't know why we didn't try swapping wingers Jackson's pace on the left may of caused him some issues. The question is if you could swap any of their players for ours in the same position? If the answer is no then we should be looking at the management and coaching team.

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bobble added 04:52 - Jan 10 idiots seem to be running everything in the world at the moment, i blame the murdoch media...
0

Help added 07:52 - Jan 10 I only hope that when the quality players return and are up to speed that we do not continue to play in this way, and find out that we are no better with them then we were without and all our hope lies in tatters
1

grubbyoik added 08:17 - Jan 10 Lambert is a cock womble... always has been, always will be.. how a cock womble gets to manage our club is a mystery unless our owner is one too...
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:12 - Jan 10 half the cardboard cut outs walked out half time the others stayed on to boo, Lambert will duck the flak on this one but he must go .How long will fans swallow this crap, Evans must be laughing his head off that he can fool so many each season .This season the terraces are empty but he will be talking them up again when things return to some normality.
4

MonkeyAlan added 09:28 - Jan 10 Joke result. But then it's a joke club. Evans you muppet.
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senduntd added 09:34 - Jan 10 Same old story, new manager and on tele say, no more
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bernie added 09:39 - Jan 10 Not surprised by this result which is sad , I honestly think it doesn't matter if we had a full squad and no injuries at all that we are good enough to go on a good run . Defence again is shocking and that is what we need to get right before anything else !! And of course mr Lambert MUST GO you are just not good enough !! You have had long enough to at least get some thing's right but we look more of a mess now than we ever had . Goalkeeper position not good enough , defence certainly not good enough , midfield, lamberts just not getting the best out of and also players need to be moved on , strikers just need to be played in their right positions.Lambert is just not good enough and feel it doesn't matter how long you give him he's just not good enough !!

6

BettyBlue added 09:48 - Jan 10 keeping lambert is saying to everyone that the current performance at itfc is acceptable. it isn't. sack him now
6

aljames added 09:56 - Jan 10 First half played at walking pace, passing sideways & backwards.Kayden Jackson looked lost on wing. It is obvious he's not suited there. No chances created, crosses hopeless, shots on goal ,was there one? As a fan it was embarassing to see the players with no passion or pride playing for a club I've supported for over 50 years. Second half improved with Flynn Downes & James Norwood introductions. Beaten by a wonder goal but no defender within 5 yards of the scorer! I thought Alan Judge was the man of the match. If the other on field players matched his running, creative passing & runs into space we would be challenging the league not slipping into mid table mediocrity.For the fans calling for the owners head just remember he's put a lot of his money into the club. As for the manager well maybe after all the hassling of Mick McCarthy you'll appreciate how he kept the ship steady all those years. Give Lambert this season to turn it round. If he doesn't then him & a lot of players need to be moved on. It's in all their hands to start playing & thinking positively for the rest of the season.

1

gpstracker added 10:30 - Jan 10 Jackson cannot take on a defender. Jackson and Dobra far too wide and didn't try switching wings. Dobra marked by two defenders whenever on the ball. Chambers caught out of position too often. Wolfenden and McGuiness very slow to pass the ball out of defence. Norwood and Judge had the desire to go direct.
3

martin587 added 10:40 - Jan 10 Last night's performance was an embarrassment to watch.We lacked passion commitment and any idea of a plan.We are not good enough to play out from the back.We have two 35 year old fullbacks who are caught out time after time and two of Swindons goals once again came from the left.The captain needs to be replaced.The midfield is too powder puff and playing only one striker is a disgrace especially at home.We need more grit and determination a change of tactics and formation and finally a CHANGE OF MANAGER.I fear we will never get promoted until new management is installed.The players look totally unhappy with the current style.I could go on but what's the point.Until the owner see's the light of day nothing will change.I'm totally disillusioned now like many of us and fear we are sinking into obscurity under this regime.

3

Marinersnose added 10:46 - Jan 10 We need two full backs ASAP. Chambers is a spent force failing to stop two crosses which lead to goals. Ward has also dropped miles off the pace leaving MMG exposed too often. I've criticised Judge many times in the past but other than his one on one miss in the first half his movement was decent.Huws is another spent force , no legs and no appetite. Dozzell played some intelligent passes but faded in and out of the game too much. Jackson is a very poor player who thinks he's better than he is. Yes he was playing out wide but his touch was awful and he couldn't get behind his defender. He did prod a decent cross for the goal but he shouldn't be in the team. McGuinness was excellent at times and sometimes exposed. He shows real fight and a will to win and he's an Arsenal player. This is the DNA missing from too many town players no fight or passion. Yes they lack ability but give it some fight. Woolfenden had a mixed game and was clearly hurt by the defeat. Both subs done well but I'm afraid the attitude of the team is as bad as I have seen at PR. PL has to shoulder some of the blame but the players don't appear interested. Very sad times at PR

3

barryblue added 10:54 - Jan 10 all swindons goals were defensible, dobra and dozzell are defensively inept. as for the wonder goal, graet strike but come on, he should have been closed down, dreadful.norwood made a difference when he came on but i would struggle to find anyone else to commend, maybe judge and downes made a bit of difference but still miles away from being as good as skuse. so disappointing against a very bang average swindon

1

Tufty added 11:27 - Jan 10 Totally deflated by that showing. Football is dead
2

norfolkbluey added 11:27 - Jan 10 Its depressing reading all these comments and its depressing watching games like these. I keep thinking, how can we continue with PL as a manager after a succession of failures. PL has a massive squad at his disposal yet now he cannot put together a winning team against a side struggling near the bottom of the league. We do need a tough guy in charge and Tony Pulis in my opinion is just what this team needs a firework up their backsides and some decent man management. Laughing after defeat as you leave the pitch has to be the lowest point possible for a team. They wouldn't be laughing if Pulis was in charge. It is now so embarrassing living in Norfolk and supporting Ipswich (which I will always do) especially after performances like last night. I am begging for PL and his staff to just do the right thing and clear their desks. ME act with some backbone and say PL its just not working, you must leave before you damage the club even more. COVID or no, your tactics just don't work as so many other clubs you have managed recently have shown.

5

aloanagain added 11:31 - Jan 10 Don't matter what manager works here the players are not good enough. That's throughout the team. The reason the players were laughing and chatting after the game was that they wanted to get into the changing room to sing their song,Chorley sing a version of Adele, we sing one of Vera Lynn's old time classics, with some minor word changers. We'll win again don't know where don't know when but i am sure we'll win again some Saturday. One for the older ones.

1

londontractorboy57 added 12:32 - Jan 10 I ask again is this really what you wished for?
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 17:10 - Jan 10 I realized today, I just don't care about this team anymore. Our economy is in the toilet, our president is a domestic terrorist, my friends are unemployed, borderline homeless, sick, and in two tragic cases, dead. The ineptitude of this owner and manager is just one more irritant I don't need or want. I'm tired of the excuses...
0

BeattiesBackPocket added 17:11 - Jan 10 @bert so do you think we should say nothing and not let the owner know? Just because we can't change it doesn't mean he shouldn't know what a sh!ite job he's done. There's literally NO ambition at the club anymore offering a poor manager a 5 year deal and telling the fans who want him out too ‘be careful what you wish for' and that the clubs improving is ridiculous at best and a complete insult to the fans and as I say to much apathy from our fans is probably one of our biggest issues. I see clubs in the premier league berating owners yet we finish 11th in league one with only one way the club is going and that's league two and some fans on here think we should be thankful for that! It's laughable

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