Town boss Paul Cook’s return to his former club Wigan Athletic ended in a 0-0 draw. James Norwood came closest to a goal in the first half, while Funso Ojo and Callum Lang had the best opportunities for the Latics in the second with a draw a fair result.

Kane Vincent-Young made his first start in 17 months as manager Paul Cook made two changes to his Town side with Freddie Sears also returning to the team.

Vincent-Young, a late sub at Portsmouth last week, was at right-back with skipper Luke Chambers moving into the middle for James Wilson, who missed out with a knee injury.

Sears came into the XI for Keanan Bennetts, who dropped out of the 18 and played a left-sided attacking role with few defensive responsibilities. Alan Judge was on the left but tucked in with Gwion Edwards on the right and Alan Judge on the left.

Oli Hawkins was on the bench for the first time having recovered after undergoing knee surgery in January. Jon Nolan, who is out with a knee injury, sat with the subs in the stand.

Among the travelling staff for the first time and on the bench was U23s coach Kieron Dyer.

Wigan made three changes with former Blue Will Keane, Viv Solomon-Otabor and Thelo Aasgaard coming into the line-up, while Scott Wootton and Jamie Proctor missed out due to knocks, while whilst Dan Gardner dropped to the bench.

As at Portsmouth a week ago, Town wore last year’s burgundy and blue away shirt but with blue shorts with a yellow and burgundy trim but on this occasion with burgundy socks.

Prior to kick-off the two benches greeted one another warmly, Wigan boss Leam Richardson having been Cook’s assistant boss at Wigan, Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Accrington.

Neither side threatened in a frantic opening 10 minutes but on 13, having made an important clearing header from Solomon-Otabor’s cross from the left, Chambers blocked Lee Evans’s shot from the edge of the box before Sears was sent away down the left with the Blues urged to get forward quickly by manager Cook from the sidelines.

The former West Ham man played low into the box for Norwood, who tried to flick on to Edwards but the ball was bundled away from the Welshman with the difficult pitch playing a part.

Moments later, Aasgaard was booked for a foul on Judge after the Irishman had taken the ball away from the Wigan midfielder as he looked to shoot from the edge of the box.

In the 24th minute when Norwood chased a looping ball over the top and beat Wigan keeper Jamie Jones to it five yards outside the box.

The Town striker hooked it towards goal but sent it wide before Jones, the home side’s skipper, clattered into him. Referee Ross Joyce immediately indicated a corner, however, Jones hadn’t appeared to get even close to the ball and was lucky not to have seen a card.

Wigan were next to threaten in the 29th minute when Callum Lang played in Keane on the right and the former Town man struck a shot from a tight angle on the right, however, Nsiala slid in to block.

Three minutes later, Lang blazed over from distance for the Latics before the Blues began to put the Lancastrians under a spell of pressure, winning a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas which were sent into the box and defended by the home side.

After a spell where Wigan were on top but without working a chance, in the final minute of the half, Edwards played in Vincent-Young on the right of the box from where the ex-Colchester man cut back to Sears, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Chambers flicked the flag-kick on at the near post and the ball flew dangerously across goal but without a Town player being able to get a touch.

Wigan immediately broke and the Blues looked to be outnumbered, however, a potentially dangerous ball from the right was cut out by Vincent-Young and seconds later the half was brought to a close.

Despite not having had too many out-and-out chances, the Blues, looking to get the ball forward quickly to their front pair, had had the better of what had been a scrappy half with Norwood having come closest to a goal with keeper Jones very fortunate to have avoided some sort of sanction for his challenge.

In addition, the Blues won a number of corners and free-kicks in dangerous positions, which they ought to have made more of, while Sears’s late opportunity had been well worked down the right.

Wigan’s best chance had been Keane’s shot which was blocked with Tomas Holy not forced into a save.

Town swapped Vincent-Young, who had suffered a hamstring problem, for Luke Woolfenden at the break, the academy product making his first appearance since Cook took charge in his secondary role of right-back.

Vincent-Young had shown some glimpses of what made such an impression on fans when he came in last season, although while inevitably a little ring rusty.

The Latics started the second half on the front foot, an early header from a corner looping into Holy’s arms

Wigan should have taken the lead in the 53rd minute when Funso Ojo was played in on the right of the box by Keane but screwed his shot wide of the far post.

Within a minute, Norwood burst away from his man on the right of the area at the other end but sent his cross too far in front of Sears.

Having made little real headway since the break, the Blues swapped Sears and Judge for Kayden Jackson and Josh Harrop as the game reached the hour mark.

Three minutes later, following a half-cleared long throw, Ojo nodded George Johnston’s cross from the left through to Holy with the keeper grabbing it just ahead of Keane as the striker looked to add a final touch.

In the 64th minute Tendayi Darikwa was booked for a late lunge on Harrop as the sub exchanged passes with Bishop as the Blues worked their way forward.

The game started to become more open and on 68 Edwards broke away past a number of defenders on the right but his cross was eventually cleared. As Wigan counter-attacked Woolfenden hauled down Aasgaard and was booked.

Moments later, Wigan swapped Aasgaard for Dan Gardner, then on 70 Lang was yellow-carded for a foul on Ward.

Wigan broke from Town’s free-kick with Edwards failing to deal with a high ball forward and Holy had to come out of his goal to clear his lines.

Soon afterwards, Armando Dobra replaced Edwards. The Albanian U21 international almost immediately fell awkwardly on his shoulder on the edge of the Town box, as he sought to clear a Chambers block from a Lang shot, but after treatment was able to carry on.

In the 78th minute Dozzell and Dobra exchanged passes on the right after the former England U20 international’s free-kick had been blocked. Norwood reached the looping return ball before Dozzell and managed a shot from a very tight angle which was bundled away from goal.

Wigan weren’t far away from breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute when Lang for once got away from Chambers but his stabbed effort at goal was stopped by Holy’s feet.

Two minutes later, Zach Clough took over from Solomon-Otabor for the home side, then on 87 Chambers was booked for a foul on Lang. In the penultimate scheduled minute, Keane was replaced by Joe Dodoo.

As the game moved into six minutes of injury time, Lang chased after a long ball over the top but Chambers got across to head it away, colliding with the striker as he did so. Wigan claimed a penalty, however, the Town captain looked to have won the ball cleanly.

Neither side was able to find a goal in the remaining minutes and both sides had to settle for a point.

A draw was probably a fair result from a keenly-contested but not particularly high quality affair.

As so often with Town games, chances were rare at both ends with the Blues unable to find a way through the Wigan backline and Town centre-halves Chambers and Nsiala resolute at the other end.

While Town shaded the first half, Wigan had the better of the second and came closest to finding a goal with Ojo’s shot across the face the only really significant opportunity for either side.

The draw ends a run of three successive away defeats but sees the Blues remain 11th - their position going into the match - although only two points off the play-offs ahead of Good Friday’s home game against Bristol Rovers.

Wigan: Jones (c), Darikwa, Johnston, Tilt, Robinson, Ojo, Evans, Aasgaard (Gardner 68), Lang, Solomon-Otabor (Clough 84), Keane (Dodoo 89). Unused: Evans, Whelan, Perry, Long.

Town: Holy, Vincent-Young (Woolfenden 46), Nsiala, Chambers (c), Ward, Dozzell, Bishop, Edwards (Dobra 71), Judge (Harrop 60), Sears (Jackson 60), Norwood. Unused: Cornell, Skuse, Hawkins. Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).

Photo: PagePix

Nobbysnuts added 17:35 - Mar 27 Absolute garbage.... all hope is now officially over..complete and utter dross...what an embarrassing excuse of a football team we are. I'm ashamed to admit I support ipswich town. Never thought I would feel like that.
15

slimjim added 17:35 - Mar 27 Didn't see the game so not fair to comment but seems like we were average again. 5 points out of 18 under PC still too early to judge but there has been no new manager bounce here...seem to have gone from a team who couldn't beat anyone in the top 6 to a team that can't beat anyone...let's have less banter from the manager had enough of that and start putting together some performances and results..

3

bluedispare added 17:35 - Mar 27 After watching the training video ,this result doesn't surprise me. As they came out to train there seemed to be no enthusiasm,heads down,hands in pockets. They all need a rocket up their backsides.
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shakytown added 17:39 - Mar 27 It gets worse every week and Cook does not seem to know what to do with this shower of S..t.
6

runningout added 17:40 - Mar 27 It's going to be tricky in League 2 in a couple of years. I think PC needs a magic wand. He has my full backing just the same
4

heathen66 added 17:41 - Mar 27 Well Mr Cook, perhaps now we may need that change in team ethos. The current ethos is not working !!! Joleon Lescott on Sky said it looked as though we were going through the motions. Are we not meant to be promotion pushing ???
8

Europablue added 17:41 - Mar 27 THis is the match that has broken my enthusiasm. I've written off this season now. There is a reason why the team have not been performing and that is the players. PC has a big job on his hands, but let's get behind him and give him at least a preseason and transfer window before we expect too much from the team. We lack leaders and players who demand high standards and feel sick after losing.

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blueboy1981 added 17:41 - Mar 27 To much praise for mediocre players for to long has resulted in limp wrists thinking they are Superstars and much better than what they are. Most of this team need to grow a pair - while they still have a chance ... !! The only answer is a mass clear out - no Manager could get the required effort out of this lot, most are simply not fit to wear an Ipswich Town Shirt. Hang your heads in shame you obviously dozy lot.

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midastouch added 17:42 - Mar 27 I know Cook hasn't been here long and I've definitely been encouraged by what he's said off the pitch. One minor criticism is he seems to be playing some players out of position. Sears should never have started today for example. He's talked a lot of sense since he's got here. However, some of these players are beyond help and coaching unfortunately. If the takeover doesn't materialise (it's all gone rather quiet on that front lately!) then I do worry about how much backing Evans is going to give Cook to make the wholesale changes needed. Although if we have a good clear out then it would free up a lot of wages to enable Cook to hopefully put his stamp on it ahead of next season. When you make significant changes though it can take a while for things to gel so the fans will need to be patient. Cook will be cut some slack for the time being (certainly by any fair-minded supporters) given it's not his fault he's inherited a grossly oversized squad thin on quality. But when he goes out and gets his own players then the fans will expect to see some big improvements. Whatever happens, going up next season is by no means an automatic right. It will be just as tough (if not tougher!) as there will be 3 teams coming down from the Championship all keen to bounce back at the first time of asking. Cook certainly needs time and for the fans to be patient, however, patience is a rare commodity in modern football as all managers (no matter how good or bad) know only too well.

10

Thebot added 17:44 - Mar 27 I promised not to pay another £10 this season. Chuffed I didn't watch after reading the report and comment's. So sad I feel like this.
4

Europablue added 17:45 - Mar 27 brittaniaman Cowley has the fortune of playing us to get three of his six points. Portsmouth were not in as bad a state as we were. I imagine if the managers were swapped, there wouldn't be any difference in our results.
4

ringwoodblue added 17:47 - Mar 27 I've never seen such a useless, gutless bunch in all my years. To call them professional footballers is an insult to real professional footballers. They are in for a shock when they are released as they might need to do something to earn a living elsewhere. Cook must've seen enough by now to realise there are so many no-hopers in our squad and only a few worth keeping. This season can't end soon enough as it's torture being an Ipswich fan atm.

7

Letchworth_Blue added 17:47 - Mar 27 Change the manager all you like, these lot are garbage. Can't pass 5 yards, cant take a set piece, cant score. Completely void of ideas. Really excruciating to watch...
9

Vanisleblue2 added 17:54 - Mar 27 I listen to the EADT podcast this week and Stu, Andy and Mark only unanimously agreed to 3 players to release...3! (of the out of contract) There is way more deadwood than that. About time some of these players played in tin pot stadiums in front of 2,000 (after Covid) then wore the blue and white of Town at Portman Road
9

blues1 added 17:59 - Mar 27 Shropshirebluenago09. Mcgavin cant play for the 1st team this season. Is still classed as,being out on loan.
1

therein61 added 18:02 - Mar 27 I feel that if we made the top 6 we would be an embarrassment P.C is putting the odd one or two in having a look with contracts looming to see who he wants and doesn't it has to be in a game! judging by training performance is not the way he is on a hiding to nothing until he gets the players out that he feels are not up to it and then build from there we will probably have to get money for a few youngsters to enable him to get a few in that he can rely on, this club has so many go through the motions and take the money so called pros it's disgusting chuck em out.

3

Suffolkboy added 18:03 - Mar 27 AGAIN ,and for whatever reasons, we FAIL to score, FAIL to deliver accurately or properly to colleagues nearing goal : what is it ? Do we not understand how ,and when to release the ball , do we have no mutual understanding and positional senses ,or are we simply demotivated and not fit enough to be in position ? It's no good bemoaning ANY defensive mistake(s) , we need to put the ball in the opposition net with regularity ! Alone , in the reports, it seems we have to rely upon J Norwood who evidently tries hard ,but ,and it might be because he's used up energy elsewhere, isn't the bees knees technically and thus his efforts do not bring the reward we so much need ! PC will be aware of how to strengthen and where we need strength ,both physically and intellectually in football terms. More character both in defence and in midfield would undoubtedly work wonders ,allow existing players to play to their own strengths AND develop ,with greater synergy and effectiveness producing much better reward . Sadly I cannot see AJ ,at his age , developing as an influential ace in the pack ,and do not see J Nolan having the appetite and physicality to make such a contribution . Much to wish for : much potential perhaps yet to be explored ,but it seems pretty certain P C will be clear in his own mind about how to re- invent ITFC on the pitch . COYB

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itfchorry added 18:03 - Mar 27 Some very good Northern Soul played on the PA at half-time
2

surgery added 18:06 - Mar 27 I'm so looking forward to seeing all these replacement PC superstars arriving in the Summer. Their purchase will of course be funded by, emmm?
3

thundercat added 18:07 - Mar 27 So you Lambert haters, he must be sitting at home with a big smile on his face. If he is thinking 'they have got what they wished for" he is absolutely correct. It's not the management that's at fault but this usless bunch of players and the owner
4

Help added 18:07 - Mar 27 Just heard PC post match report on BBC Suffolk. I am liking this bloke more and more. No punches pulled, plays with a straight bat. Sadly I feel that if ME does not back him he will walk away from this club. I think this proves that a lot of players know they are on their way out at the end of the season. I cannot see how any Town fan wants to buy a season ticket next year, without seeing what PC has for a team next year. To many of what we got and I think we stay in League 1. A lot of players are not showing that they are capable or have the desire to even try and play. Surely the players cannot dislike both managers, the players really are that bad. A lot of them need to go they are out of contract so we wont get anything for them so just let them walk away.

13

ChrisR added 18:10 - Mar 27 Another 10£ down the drain. We will never progress with this squad , 3rd bottom in a poor league for goals scored, never looked like constructing deliberate move resulting in a shot . Useless corners and free kicks. If Plymouth had not gifted that goal it would be 3 points out of 18 for PC , making him worse that PH. We are in a hole and getting deeper!
6

Michael101 added 18:12 - Mar 27 Just heard Mr cook on radio suffolk,talked a lot of sense,instead of the after match drivel we got from McCarthy Lambert ,Jewell,etc.
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Linkboy13 added 18:12 - Mar 27 Mcgavin play for the Town he failed to make the grade at Ayr United. Some fans on here are in a dream world. Why cant people accept this is a very poor squad. To get noticed at any level you have to impress on the pitch.
5

IpswichT62OldBoy added 18:14 - Mar 27 Its the lack of effort that is infuriating, and insulting. I could accept a poor team that tried, and looked like it was trying and seemed to care about the result, this shambles of a group have shown they can play when they can be arsed, but don't. No energy, no effort no guts.
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