Paul Cook’s first game in charge of Town ended in defeat as the Blues were beaten 3-1 at Gillingham. Jack Tucker gave the Gills the lead in the seventh minute but skipper Luke Chambers pulled a goal back for Town on 65, however, Vadaine Oliver netted in the 73rd and 80th minutes to see the home side to a deserved first home league victory over the Blues.

Josh Harrop started in place of Alan Judge in an otherwise unchanged Town line-up for new boss Paul Cook’s first game in charge of the Blues.

Judge was missing from the 18 due to a family bereavement and the team wore black armbands on their light blue away strip as a mark of respect.

The Blues set up in the same system as employed in their last four games with former Gill Tomas Holy in goal.

Chambers was at right-back as he entered the top 10 of Town’s all-time appearance makers, Myles Kenlock at left-back with Toto Nsiala and James Wilson the centre-halves.

In midfield, Andre Dozzell and Teddy Bishop continued as the central two with Harrop a direct replacement for Judge on the left with Keanan Bennetts on the right. Parrott was in the number 10 role behind lone out-and-out striker James Norwood.

Jackson was back in the 18 for the first time since his sending off against Sunderland and exile to the U23s under former manager Paul Lambert. Luke Woolfenden also returned to the matchday squad.

Gillingham were unchanged from their 1-1 home draw with the MK Dons on Tuesday evening with former Blues loanee Jordan Graham and one-time Town academy youngster Stuart O’Keefe in their starting line-up.

The home side took the lead in the seventh minute from the game’s first serious attack. Dozzell fouled Graham not far outside the area to the right and Tom O’Connor lifted a ball into the area which was nodded on to the back post by Robbie Cundy from where Tucker smashed his first ever league goal past Holy.

The home side continued to look the more dangerous team and in the 11th minute keeper Jack Bonham’s long ball forward was flicked towards goal by Cundy but without enough power to trouble Holy.

Three minutes later the Gills felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Kenlock and Graham tangled as the winger tried to bring the ball in from the right.

Home manager Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor, already constantly vocal towards the officials in any case, made that point forcefully towards the referee, his assistant and the fourth official. Town manager Cook had a quieter word with the fourth official, presumably to enquire whether Kenlock had been fouled.

O’Connor’s free-kick was blocked by Dozzell before the ball was blazed over by skipper Kyle Dempsey from the edge of the box.

Gillingham were very close to doubling their lead in the 19th minute when Olly Lee struck an effort on the turn which slammed against the foot of the post and away to safety.

Town were struggling to get into the game with too many battles being won by the more physical Gills.

However, in the 24th minute, Norwood drilled a bouncing ball over from the left and it fell to Harrop, who took a touch before hitting a strike which cannoned off a defender.

The Blues started to settle down and began get their passing going for a spell and in the 29th minute Parrott came very close to a leveller. After a long spell of Blues possession, Bennetts worked himself space on the right and crossed for Parrott, whose brilliant overhead kick struck the outside of the post.

The on-loan Tottenham man rued his bad luck as he continued his wait for his first senior goal.

Town should have been back on terms in the 39th minute when Harrop’s ball over the top beat Tucker and sent Norwood away on goal. The striker took the ball into the area but just as he was pulling the trigger, the Gillingham defender got back to slide in and block. Norwood will feel he shouldn’t have waited so long to shoot.

Two minutes into injury time Harrop curled a free-kick into the wall after Parrott had been fouled and moments later referee Graham Salisbury brought the half to an end.

Aside from the spell in which Parrott hit the post, the Blues had been disappointing having been unable to impose their game on the more frantic, direct approach taken by the Gills. Town needed to show more patience and avoid being drawn into playing in a way more suited to the home side.

However, they ought to have been on terms with Parrott unlucky and Norwood having spurned the best opportunity when through one-on-one.

The Gills struck the first shot of the second period, Oliver hitting an effort wide of Holy’s right post two minutes after the restart.

The home side went close again in the 51st minute when a loose ball fell to Oliver on the right of the area but Wilson dived in to make a vital challenge.

Again Town had struggled to get going, although on 58 Harrop was able to cross into the box but too close to Gills keeper Jack Bonham, who was yet to make a save.

The Kent side ought to have been 2-0 in front in the 63rd minute when a long throw from the right was flicked on and Lee headed weakly within Holy’s reach. A bit more power and direction and the game would have been all but over.

But two minutes later the Blues were on terms. Bishop was felled as he burst through midway inside the Gills half, much to the frustration of home manager Evans, who loudly claimed it was a “scandalous decision”.

Town’s set pieces hadn’t been up to much previously and Harrop appeared to under-hit his ball into the box but Chambers looped a brilliant header from not far inside the area over Bonham and just under the bar for his third goal of the season.

Parity having been restored, manager Cook made a triple substitution, swapping Parrott, Harrop and Bennetts for Gwion Edwards, Freddie Sears and Flynn Downes with Bishop moving into the number 10 role.

The Blues looked to have the momentum with them but in the 73rd minute the Gills went back in front. Sears sloppily gave the ball away midway inside the opposition half and the home side broke quickly down the right before Dempsey sent over a cross for Oliver, who swept into the net from eight yards out.

Town immediately swapped Dozzell for Jackson as they chased a second equaliser of the afternoon using a 4-4-2 system with Bishop having moved back into the centre of midfield.

Sub Jackson came very close to his second goal of the season in the 77th minute when he headed a Dozzell corner from the right off the bar. The ball looped to Norwood who nodded goalwards with his effort appearing to be kept out by O’Connor’s arm. However, referee Salisbury saw it otherwise despite Town protests.

Four minutes later, the game was effectively over as Gillingham scored their third of the afternoon. The Blues struggled to clear their lines after Holy had twice blocked on the edge of the area. A clearance down the right only reached Connor Ogilvie, the left-back’s header back reached Oliver, who deftly curled past Holy and inside his left post.

After seven minutes of additional time, referee Salisbury confirmed the Blues’ first defeat in six and a loss in the opening game of the Cook era.

Town got themselves back on terms via Chambers’s excellent header and needed to push on from there, however, they let Gillingham off the hook by allowing them their second goal and the third sealed the result.

Early days for manager Cook, who only took training for the first time on Thursday, although the new boss will be disappointed that the momentum built up by the results prior to his arrival couldn’t be maintained.

Town, who drop to eighth in the table but still two off the top six, are next in action when currently third Lincoln City are at Portman Road on Tuesday.

Gillingham: Bonham, Jackson, Cundy, Tucker, Ogilvie, O'Keefe, Dempsey (c), Graham (MacDonald 90), Lee (Akinde 80), O'Connor, Oliver. Unused: Bastien, Johnson, McKenzie, Willock, Morton.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock, Dozzell (Jackson 74), Bishop, Bennetts (Edwards 68), Harrop (Sears 68), Parrott (Downes 68), Norwood. Unused: Cornell, Woolfenden, Ward, Downes, Edwards, Sears, Jackson. Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Photo: PagePix

delias_cheesy_flaps added 15:57 - Mar 6 Simply PATHETIC..... These are supposedly professional footballers we have in our team, who allegedly can control, pass and shoot a football as second nature....well I didn't see any of that from our bunch of overpaid muppets....not just today but for the past few seasons! Cook has certainly got his work cut out trying to instil some professional pride and work ethic in this lot!

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1psw1ch added 15:57 - Mar 6 what's going on,,, ffs,,, league one for another season
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slimjim added 16:00 - Mar 6 Lambert out LOL Didn't see the game so can't comment that much but the report didn't read well second best all over the park it seems and beaten by a bang average mid table third division side. This latest Paul has his work cut out. I have no idea if the club is being sold or taken over but if it is and the new owners have deep pockets wouldn't they want a higher profile manager than PC coming in ? No disrespect to the man but I will believe in the takeover if and when it happens...

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Lathers added 16:02 - Mar 6 Bullied all game and clueless throughout. After 3 straight wins we should have been full of confidence, but most of them looked nervous as hell. As the Radio Kent Co-commentator said at the end ‘Ipswich simply weren't good enough. Sums up the past 3 seasons. Good luck PC. Just getting us in the play-offs will be an achievement.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:12 - Mar 6 it cant be done and wont be done but these players need moved on in summer, they are just not good enough and have no fight in them I wouldnt be bothered by any or all of them going .There will be very few teams that fear playing against these players .I know some will say Norwood is good enough, but he is always a fitness risk, always a risk with his temperament too and imo just average player who looks quite good amongst a very poor group of players. Evans has removed all the heart and guts from the club. Im afraid PC is going to have one hell of a job on his hands.The team should have been fired up for todays match ,each and everyone trying to impress the new manager, they showed nothing but their failings .Good luck PC, DONT GO SOFT ON THE PLAYERS, THEY NEED A GOOD SHAKING .

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chepstowblue added 16:13 - Mar 6 This comes as no surprise. The levels of hysteria and over optimism this week have been astonishing.... and in the football world that is always met by a kick in the nuts reality check. For most of the season we've been bl**dy awful, a mile off the level we need to be in an already dreadful division. Last time I'll say it....."you can't polish a turd" !
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Gforce added 16:14 - Mar 6 Normal service resumed. I'm afraid to say most of the players are not as good as they think they are or we think they are. Is it 19 players out of contract in the summer, how many would you keep? I can only think of 3 that may be worth another deal.
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HalesworthBlue7 added 16:17 - Mar 6 Sorry Freddie Sears but hang your head in shame we get it back to 1..1, five minutes after coming on your two misplaced passes and we lose 1..3 so called experienced player .... should be at front of the queue when all the dead wood are released at end of season. Good luck Paul Cook you will need it
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Bazza8564 added 16:20 - Mar 6 Interesting comments above, clearly we have been flattering ourselves a bit, but this game was lost by two dreadful giveaways from Sears and it's very difficult to play football against a side who but every ball 25' up in the air. That having been said, PC will have learned a huge lesson from this game. Lets see what he sets up Tuesday. I expect Dozzell, Bishop, Harrop to be in jeopardy, Sears peaked in the Carabo cup before the season started and I think Jackson would get the nod over Parrott who is beginning to look a little tired.. Bottom line here, if PC looks at that and doesn't make big changes id be surprised, two home wins in 5 days next week and the takeover completed and we will all be talking completely differently again. Once again, I think Kenlock improves week on week and Nsiala and Wilson worked very hard against tough physical opposition. The fat lady isnt singing yet but tuesday is a big gane

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Blue_Meanie added 16:22 - Mar 6 They're lucky there's not a crowd
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Essexipswichboy added 16:23 - Mar 6 Wow How about that for a reality check I'm now starting to believe in previous managers These players are just not as good as we think We are in trouble because we need a complete clear out All them years of of believing we got all these youngsters coming through .....they simply not going to cut it Ipswich needs this take over now Very sad times
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TractorBeezer added 16:23 - Mar 6 Better team won today. We were just kicking the ball ahead at times (hoof ball) and Gillingham more robust than us. Lets do better on Tuesday!
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Vancouver_Blue added 16:26 - Mar 6 Lambert is probably having a chuckle
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sproughtonblue added 16:28 - Mar 6 When you look at the starting eleven , then forward to next season Parrot, Harrop ,Bennetts, Chambers will be gone, subs Sears and Ward will be gone. Can see one of Dozzell, Downes being sold Players at the end of thier contracts are Nsiala, judge(poss ext 1 year) along with Jackson and Bishop. Edwards,Skuse, Wilson, Drinan and Huws all with expired contracts! Other loanes going back are Matheson and Thomas. Thats some Major club rebuilding .If the takeover happens then happy days but if not....Scary to say the least.

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brendenward35 added 16:32 - Mar 6 Most of those players need a rocket up their backside. 1st goal why are 2 attackers acting as defenders as not one defender marking the scorer. We were all over the place today passing was poor and they looked tired training must have been hard on Thursday. Paul Cook needs time and will mix it up a bit till he gets players who want to put in a shift for the club. Be plenty of players moving on in the summer. We need a midfielder who can breakup play and pass a ball Dozzell and Downes don't do that too weak. Be interesting week once Cook chews a few backsides

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:33 - Mar 6 Disappointing to say the least. I hope PC is resilient. He will need to be to sort this out. A win on Tuesday would put another complexion on things. Anyone willing to bet?
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blueboy1981 added 16:34 - Mar 6 This result proves a point to us all - most players would have given and extra 10% minimum today, with a new Manager to impress - this lot just couldn't be asked to do so. Hook the shirkers out once and for all, enough is enough. This game should have been a no brainer three points. Hang your head in shame players - each to a man. You're not fit to wear the proud shirt of IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 16:38 - Mar 6 For those who say we'd be lost without evans as well here's a stat for you. When evans bought the club and we were challenging at the top end of the championship Wimbledon were starting again in the isthmian league now look same division and you think having him here's been a blessing!? Please tell me how????
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Wooly74 added 16:42 - Mar 6 I really can't believe the comment that I have read on here that Dozzell did ok!!! He was at fault for the first goal with an awful tackle in the edge of the box, his passing was all over the place and he didn't even look slightly interested in fighting back once he lost the ball all over the park. He simply is not good enough even for this level which is worrying. If Downes is worth £5 million, then let me know who is offering that and ill drive him here free of charge to sign. Sadly Paul Cook has a massive task ahead of him, players whos time is up for me are as follows: Dozzell Downes (cash in on both if them and give the money to Cook to buy his own) Sears (sorry Freddie, you have had all confidence totally sucked out of you) Nolan (anyone who kicks off at his manager for travelling and not playing deserves to go) Toto (should be TOTA...L Liability ) Harrop (wasting our time with this lad, send him back to Preston, the only thing he has tackled since being here is Covid). Bennett (if he turns anymore with the ball he will disappear up his own ar*ehole) Skuse (sorry son, you are taking wages that we could use elsewhere) Huws (should be Hugh, wages on someone who was brilliant when he first arrived, but shocking and injured most of the last 3 seasons) And that's just for starters

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wezley53 added 16:43 - Mar 6 no one remotely capable of getting the ball under control, two very bad teams hitting and hoping pathetic, for so called professional footballers its a joke. Our demise today started when Dozzell gave away yet another needless foul, the lad just doesnt know how to tackle correctly and fairly in my view he's a liability playing so deep and not being able to tackle, he's a good player but should be playing just behind the strikers where he can use his creativity. P***** off.

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ringwoodblue added 16:44 - Mar 6 I'm disappointed but this league does throw up crazy results every week - as I write Burton are 2-0 against Posh and N'ton are beating Pompey 4-1 so the Gills beating us should not be a big shock. Even with this defeat, I'm more optimistic under Cook than I ever have been under the last 2 managers so let's lick our wounds and regroup for Tue. If we don't get promotion this season, we will next.

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Cloddyseedbed added 16:47 - Mar 6 After just one good week of the whole season, Lambert out, Paul Cook in, confidence sky high and BANG! Same bl**dy let down by the club we support. When Hurst was appointed all we needed was a better player or 2/3 to improve us. What did the muppet do with Evans backing? Get rid of all the better players and replace with weaker ones from lower leagues. That speeded up our already painfall drop in performances and league position. Now we have a huge squad who aren't good enough or can't be arsed, not quite sure which one it is but Cook sure has his work cut out for the start of next season. I just hope the job isn't too big for him after everybody else's clangers in burdening us with the type of players and mentality that we find ourselves saddled with. Don't trust anything that Evans does or says, season on season it has just been empty promises, with the promise of more promises. We aren't going to build a competitive team completely in just one season. If Cook does he will have my utmost respect, especially with the lack of help he will get from the owner, if Evans is still here.

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Texastom added 16:51 - Mar 6 Crap players simple. Radio Suffolk: Ainsley needs to stop making excuses - players are tired, Sears not at fault with the goals conceded - it was his fault!, can't blame Chambers he has no Leaders around him? Eh, he's the Captain!!! Get off air, you are not objective and you are friends with the players!
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Texastom added 16:55 - Mar 6 Can't believe Paul Cook came to Ipswich. He must be mad. He must be thinking that now. Players all smiling and laughing at the Final whistle!! Why? Sack the lot of them ITFC players are crap, don't care and have bad attitudes.
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Nobbysnuts added 16:56 - Mar 6 Usual sh#t....cook out!
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