Town drew 0-0 away in Lancashire for the second time in 10 days as they shared the points with bottom side Rochdale. Chances were rare at both ends throughout with neither side managing a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Troy Parrott replaced James Norwood in an otherwise unchanged Town side, the former Tranmere man having suffered a thigh injury during Good Friday’s 2-1 home victory over Bristol Rovers.

The Blues continued in the 3-5-2 system they switched to against the Pirates, while striker Oli Hawkins and left-back Myles Kenlock returned to the bench with Freddie Sears dropping out of the 18.

Rochdale made two changes from the team which lost 2-1 at Portsmouth on Monday with centre-half Haydon Roberts replacing Paul McShane and Jay Lynch in goal for Irish international Gavin Bazanu.

There was a late of change of referee with Robert Lewis taking charge instead of Christopher Sarginson who was scheduled to take control.

After the players and officials had taken a knee in support of Black Lives Matters, again with the exception of Toto Nsiala and also Rochdale’s Roberts, the home side saw most of the ball in the early stages as the teams sought to get used to the strong wind but without seriously threatening.

But Town, wearing their light blue away kit, began to get on top and in the ninth minute Alan Judge hit the first shot of the game well over the bar.

In the 15th minute, following a throw on the right, Gwion Edwards crossed from the right towards the far post but too far in front of Stephen Ward, who had broken forward into the area in response to instructions from manager Paul Cook from the dugout.

On 20 Luke Woolfenden worked himself space for a shot from an Andre Dozzell corner on the right but his effort was blocked.

The Blues were looking to get the ball forward quickly for Kayden Jackson to chase, while at the other end the Town backline had prevented the home side from threatening.

In the 31st minute Jackson charged down a clearance from Dale keeper Lynch and spent a minute or so on the ground winded before carrying on.

Town began to pass the ball around more slickly and in the 34th minute Parrott exchanged passes with Jackson as he broke into the area but the on-loan Tottenham man was crowded out as he looked to get in a shot.

Three minutes later, after a Blues free-kick on the right had been half-cleared, Nsiala laid the ball to Judge 25 yards out and the Irishman struck a shot which few not too far wide of Lynch’s right post.

As half-time approached, Town moved Edwards to the left of as the Blues moved to a 4-2-3-1 system, perhaps more 4-2-2-1-1 with Parrott behind Jackson.

In injury time, home skipper Eoghan O’Connell played an under-hit backpass from distance into the wind which Jackson seized upon, however, Roberts got across to play to Lynch.

Once again chances had been rare at both ends with neither side managing a shot on target in the 45 minutes. Judge’s shot beyond the post the nearest either team had got to a goal in a not hugely entertaining wind-affected half.

Jackson’s pace in behind had threatened to cause Rochdale problems on a number of occasions but without resulting in any actual chances, while Parrott’s clever feet had almost worked the Irish striker a chance.

At the other end, the Blues had been comfortable with Dale never looking like creating an opening with set pieces having presented their main threat.

Five minutes after the restart the Blues were awarded a free-kick not far outside the area to the right for a foul on Judge, although with Bishop breaking into the area and looking to have a shooting opportunity. Dozzell took the free-kick and curled it just wide.

On 55 Jake Beesley, son of former Town kitman Paul, sent a low ball across the Blues area from the left but with none of his team-mates having broken into the box.

Town claimed a penalty in the 62nd minute when Parrott was upended as he and two defenders battled for the ball to the right of goal inside the box. It looked a racing incident rather than a foul.

Rochdale, who had been on top since the break, thought they’d won a penalty three minutes later when Matty Done went to ground as he took the ball past Nsiala, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised, saving referee Robert Lewis from a big decision with the Rochdale man appearing to dive.

Dale swapped Kwado Baah and Conor Grant for Alex Newby and Stephen Dooley in the 65th minute.

Town had made little impact since half-time so it was little surprise when manager Cook made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute with Josh Harrop, Oli Hawkins and Armando Dobra taking over from Judge, Parrott and Edwards.

The introduction of the subs added some urgency to Town’s previously torpid approach and on 76 Dobra made a pacy run forward from inside the Blues’ half before feeding Jackson to his right. The striker crossed for Harrop well placed in the middle but a defender took it off the on-loan Preston man’s foot just as he looked certain to score. Town swapped Jackson for Aaron Drinan with 10 minutes left on the clock.

A minute later, Done worked himself space to shoot from a tight angle on the left but Woolfenden bundled it behind. With six minutes remaining Kenlock replaced Bishop in a left-sided role ahead of Ward.

With a minute and a half remaining, Harrop was booked for a foul on Ollie Rathbone as Dale looked to break.

Another frustrating afternoon for Town fans. A win would have taken the Blues to within a point of the play-offs but Town never seriously threatened against the division’s bottom-placed side, who were the better team for much of the second half. Neither side managing a shot on target summed up an afternoon of toil and little quality.

A second 0-0 away draw in Lancashire in 10 days for the Blues who remain in the running for a play-off place - they’re now eighth, three points off the top six - but while showing little that indicates that they’re capable of making a serious challenge in their remaining eight matches.

Rochdale: Lynch, Osho, O'Connell (c), Beesley, Keohane, Rathbone, Roberts, Done, Grant (Dooley 65), Shaughnessy, Baah (Newby 65). Unused: Bazunu, McNulty, McShane, Morley, Vale.

Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Edwards (Dobra 72), Dozzell, Bishop (Kenlock 84), Judge (Harrop 72), Ward, Parrott (Hawkins 72), Jackson (Drinan 80). Unused: Cornell, McGuinness, Kenlock. Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Photo: Pagepix

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 17:12 - Apr 5 If there was a word which represents boring, atrocious and embarrassing I would use it.
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Boneym added 17:13 - Apr 5 Rochdale bloody Rochdale.. god what a joke side we are
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jonju11 added 17:13 - Apr 5 I would have liked to have seen Dyer & Roberts show our team how to play football. Clueless bunch with no idea basic skills on the ball. Do they ever practice anything in training or is it too tiring for them. They should be ashamed to pick up their wages. Defence OK; Midfield no ideas apart from knowing the route back to the keeper; No need for attacking players as they will never see the ball. Oh dear Paul Cook what have you let yourself in for. Trust the "spectator" today Marcus Evans is proud of the legacy he leaves behind.

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Elizabeth added 17:14 - Apr 5 Absolutely diabolical performance.. these players are not interested!! There needs to be a mass exodus at the end of the season to replace the dead wood !! Not one shot on target against Rochdale is pathetic.. Danny Cowley knew what he was doing going to Portsmouth.. must have picked up on the toxic atmosphere at Portman Road .. if we get into the playoffs which is highly unlikely, will these players have the stomach for it !!

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DaGremloid added 17:15 - Apr 5 We were on a good run until PC took over!
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multiplescoregasms added 17:15 - Apr 5 Let them all go. What a dreadful bunch of footballers.
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chopra777 added 17:15 - Apr 5 Dear O Dear O Dear. No identity on the pitch. Who is going to get their P45 in the summer. I think quite a few. That was a poor team performance. For gods sake try a long range shot at least. It was the same negative approach. No player wanted to try anything special. More like could not be bothered. Play off don't make me laugh. Not with this team.
12

pablo123 added 17:16 - Apr 5 Not a single attempt on target against bottom of the league , pathetic and embarrassing !!!!!!!
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blue86 added 17:16 - Apr 5 That was very poor, massive clear out required. Should be alot of free agents floating around in the summer, as cant see Evan's backing us to add some quality in regards to fees. Dozzell and bishop are not a great cm partnership to lightweight, Stephen ward has had his day, I could go on and on and criticise them all really! We are just so slow in our build up play, and we have a non existent attack. I cant believe rochdale were out playing us for a majority of the game....and they are the whipping boys. I'm fully behind cook but he needs the summer to get new players in who are hungry with a winning mentality. We are not good enough, sad but true! It's there for all to see. Oh well theres always next season..... bored of hearing/saying that now.

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Tufty added 17:16 - Apr 5 It is what we are!!
1

Buryblue78 added 17:17 - Apr 5 Thankfully that's 3 games running I've avoided watching saving £30!!! No shots on target is frankly disgraceful Listening to Brenner and Alex it sounded dire The light at the end of the tunnel must be most players are out of contract soon Here we go again!!!
14

bernie added 17:18 - Apr 5 How sh-t are we , we're not nowhere good enough , massive job , massive let's hope Marcus and cook know how big the job is . Feel so let down by the players
7

ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:19 - Apr 5 Amazingly we are still only just outside the playoffs, but we need a miracle, 1 to get in playoffs and 2 to win them. Totally devoid of creativity, guile, aggression. This is not Paul Cooks fault, we've known our weaknesses for years now. There is no quick fix and it's a case of reliance on the current team to do the business until the next transfer window.

7

jas0999 added 17:19 - Apr 5 This is an utter disgrace. Unable to beat the bottom club who concede goals for fun. If we needed a reminder as to how poor this squad is, then today is a great example. Frankly, none of the out of contract players deserve new deals. Everyone at the club should be ashamed of themselves. A new low for a once great club. Let's hope Evans is also ashamed of what he's delivered. Years of underachieving and without the investment (in the squad) which was so desperately needed, we are a team lacking quality and are at best an average League One side. That's what happens when you sign cheaper, inadequate players. Let's hope this takeover happens sooner rather than later.

20

Westy added 17:19 - Apr 5 Rochdale conceded 33 goals in their previous 18 home games and we couldn't lay a glove on them. I think the size of the task has suddenly dawned on Paul Cook.p
8

Gforce added 17:20 - Apr 5 To all those delusional fans out there who thought we were a shoe in for the playoffs, due to our so called easy run in..... think again!! This lot on current form wouldn't beat half the teams in league Two. I won't be watching any more games until 90% of this abysmal squad are gone.
12

abandon_hope1978 added 17:20 - Apr 5 Not even Sir Bobby would have succeeded with this owner and these players. No chance of promotion play offs, and won't be until change from top to bottom at this club.
6

RobITFC added 17:20 - Apr 5 Total embarrassment , these players clearly don't care, not even to play for a contract or a transfer elsewhere ? Drop the out of contract players and start playing players only that might be here next year.
9

RobsonWark added 17:20 - Apr 5 Wasted another £10 today to watch absolute dross yet again! Rochdale are officially the worst team in the Division after 38 games...what does that say about our team? The women's team lost in the FA Cup today to Billericay and one of the players interviewed said that teams raise their game against us because we are Ipswich Town. It's the same dross that the mangers and the players of the men's team spout week in week out about why we fail to win. Must be a standard statement issued by the club. My question is though is why can't our Ipswich Town FC team of players raise their game against these bottom teams... let alone the top teams in this division!!

8

BlueArrow added 17:22 - Apr 5 Utter utter utter utter utter utter utter utter utter utter utter utter.........
5

blueboy1981 added 17:22 - Apr 5 This lot can't even be asked to raise their game 1% for a new Manager obviously. Either they are totally useless, lazy, or irresponsible for their own good, or future. My opinion is - guilty as charged on all Four accounts.
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Edmundo added 17:23 - Apr 5 Blue Action: please turn up the heat. And not just on the fence this time. Evan's needs another message. He is the common denominator. Our club is dead with him here. I'd rather we folded than put up with this tosh every match.
12

Drifter3012 added 17:23 - Apr 5 I have said before I want to give Cook a chance, but sadly he is not filling me with hope at present. He seems to have done very little with what he has and seems reluctant to drop players who are just not performing on the pitch. Only 1 forced change today and a simply woeful performance from all really against a team destined for relegation. Just hoping he can build his own team in the summer but not sure how he will do that if Evans is still the owner.

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wewerefamous added 17:23 - Apr 5 FFS, what a pile of sh@t we are. I'm just hoping for a miracle in the summer... miracles do happen don't they?? There is absolutely no way we'll get in the playoffs, and to be honest I'm not sure I'd want us to as we'd then have to endure more disappointment! Really sad times to be a town supporter.
9

Murphys_Law added 17:23 - Apr 5 Terrible, just terrible. Nuff said. Might as well forget the playoffs now and isolate any player that's not in next years plans and play the rest.
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