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

oldelsworthyfan added 17:23 - Apr 5 We keep changing the Manager. Sad as I am to say it, but we need to change the on field Captain.
1

alexsmith111 added 17:23 - Apr 5 Player playing because they should'nt have never been signed. Players playing because they should have never been picked or still at he club. Manager selected ( again ) because we have a very unwise owner. Up to this point not a players or managers fault. At least we aren't spending money on players anymore. Thank Christ as I don't trust another purchase sale or loan under evans. Players play football, badly in our case. Managers manage players, badly in our case. Poop rolls down hill, badly in our case as the most inept and protected person, seems to be a pisspoor owner!!

3

ringwoodblue added 17:26 - Apr 5 BCarefulWhatUWish4 said ‘If there was a word which represents boring, atrocious and embarrassing I would use it.' Well there is a word - it's Ipswich!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:30 - Apr 5 Half the squad aren't good enough and all of them don't care. We need more on every level from Mr Cook than this. I just don't get it. In the short term every single player involved today should give a weeks wages to local charity as a penance.
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surgery added 17:32 - Apr 5 Come on PC, come on here and tell us exactly what it is you've achieved since your arrival. We're worse now than we were before your appointment. I hope this is not another case of a Northern Comic dying a death.
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runningout added 17:38 - Apr 5 Not our squad can handle the lightest of criticism
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midastouch added 17:39 - Apr 5 Words fail me! Time and time again we seem to stoop to new lows this season. I'm sick of hearing the players coming out with statements that they never deliver on. I really hope I never have to watch the majority of these players ever play for us again starting from next season. It's gone well beyond a joke now!
14

Bezzer added 17:39 - Apr 5 No good all you lot moaning! Stop paying for iPlayer games and stop attending games when it's allowed!! That's what will make Evans and his cronies think harder, when no body turns out! Of course it will never happen, mainly because 80% of supporters are happy to go, even if it's dross they're served up!
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coldwarkid01 added 17:40 - Apr 5 They all know they won't be getting a new contract, they don't deserve it nor a contract anywhere else so why should they bother, they haven't for the last two years!!!!!! They are just a shower of over hyped sh*t and are not worthy of the badge, our money or even our interest. I for one will not bother even looking at the scores until they have been removed from what was once our club!!!!!!

7

RobsonWark added 17:40 - Apr 5 DaGremloid added 17:15 - Apr 5 "We were on a good run until PC took over!" I agree 100%. As much as I slated Lamberk he did win his last 2 games in charge and was on a roll and then PC comes in and he can't motivate the players to beat the bottom teams in this division! I am worried we have the wrong man...
5

therein61 added 17:41 - Apr 5 Big gob started the comfort zone within this club with his blind faith in under performing favourites and bulling them up as(in one ridiculous statement premiership class!!) world beaters this attitude has hung around the club ever since leading to a fast downhill spiral, this daft bunch still believe it and carry on as if they just have to turn up and play like a Sunday league side and all is fine(ta for the stupid amount of money you pay me ha ha) they are just a bunch of creeps(4&8 in particular) who utter weasel words to the media, and to describe Chambers as a legend is just taking the p1ss.

5

docsavage52 added 17:42 - Apr 5 Would be interesting to see if a Poll was put out, “ Who is going to renew their season ticket”
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docsavage52 added 17:42 - Apr 5 Would be interesting to see if a Poll was put out, “ Who is going to renew their season ticket”
3

Suffolkboy added 17:44 - Apr 5 It's sad , and again the stats reveal much the same old story ! We've had no penetration , little imagination, absolutely no evidence of team or individual drive and precious little evidence we can do the basic simple things satisfactorily ,let alone well ! But this story goes back years ; for ages we've lacked thrust and goal scoring capacity and ability through the ( alleged ) midfield AND recently even so called forwards/ attackers can't ,or aren't enabled to do the job ! There are no great characters in this ITFC unit,and many who couldn't hold a candle to that claim ! PC has a real task on hand to introduce some devilment , pride and creativity ,and weld together a spirited determined group who can do the name of ITFC proud ! It will take time and patience ; wish him the best of luck ! COYB

5

mib added 17:45 - Apr 5 Lamberts last 5 games! DRAW,DRAW,WIN,WIN,WIN, not good enough lets get rid of him. Has it improved under Cook, no and I for one cant see it doing so. Out of his depth like Hurst in my opinion. LAMBERT BACK IN!!!
-2

Blue_Meanie added 17:47 - Apr 5 And Chambers said “But for Ipswich Town, you have to perform week in, week out and if you don't, you won't be at the club any longer.” I'll get your coat.
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barrystedmunds added 17:50 - Apr 5 It amazes me that we are where we are in this league given our abysmal performances over the piece! That we are incapable of beating the bottom side without recording one shot on target is the stuff of horror stories. False dawns have now evaporated and the realisation of just how appalling this squad is has set in. It's laughable that we ever thought this group was capable of getting us out of this league. Gutted!!

8

runningout added 17:50 - Apr 5 meant ‘Not one of our squad'
0

Europablue added 17:50 - Apr 5 For sure Cook's results have been poor so far. I really do think that Cook would have had the bounce at another club like Portsmouth, who have a decent attacking squad. It's very different when you have a new manager come in to tighten up a leaky defence, but it's just not that easy to get the same players suddenly scoring goals. Let's just give cook a summer and I for one will be expecting signs of improvement in August.

6

fizzyblue added 17:51 - Apr 5 What I fail to understand is the shear lack of quality in passing (as well as positional sense but that's another matter) They just absolutely drill it into one another which leaves for a terrible first touch..Why? It really is frustrating to watch
6

DerryfromBury added 17:51 - Apr 5 Can someone please tell me what's has changed since PL departed these shores at the end of February and PC taking the helm a few days later. I appreciate, as is regularly stated on this forum, "they're not his players" but surely its not unreasonable to expect to see some signs of improvement no matter how small after 5 weeks, something which I for one fail see.
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EssexTractor added 17:52 - Apr 5 The biggest immediate problem for the club will be the almost NIL TAKE UP OF SEASON TICKETS FOR 21/22- I bought mine this year ..to watch one league Match ( Portsmouth ) and using iFollow ....( tortuous) Ok we can't turn clock back to 2000 or more so to 1981 ..but we want to be entertained...that used to be the word...now we yell with delight if we cross the halfway line... So despite having watched ITFc since 1960 and have always felt loyalty to players and more so to the club ...that's now fading... some say get rid of all the players...truthfully if that happened I and many others would shed no tears .. Such a terrible sadness to effect a once wonderful Football Club...

15

Marinermagic added 17:52 - Apr 5 So where were we in the league before this forum, the local rag - sorry media and the pathetic so called Blueaction hounded Lambert out of the club ????
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budgieplucker added 17:53 - Apr 5 Yes it was dreadful. I am afraid PC is not going to get a completely free pass from me on this one. We never looked likely at being able to play football against them, Jackson and Parrott hideously ineffective, Judge back to his waste of space form. Young midfielders struggling to get a foothold. Changes should have been made at 45 minutes, and kept the game basic with bringing on Hawkins, Drinan and Dobra Who for a few minutes caused unrest in the Rochdale half, far more than anything created by Parrott, Jackson and Judge. I personally do not want to see Jackson, Parrott starting again and Edwards has had more than enough chances to prove he can do better than the woeful crosses he keeps stewing up. Whilst I think Freddie Sears probably needs to move on at least give him one more chance in a two up front playing his more natural role if we chose to play two up front again. But as per the commentary it's not the system, we struggle to play any of them. I wouldn't worry about the system for the rest of the season but treat each game as cup tie and get Hawkins in (carthorse that he is) and maybe Drinan or Sears alongside of Norwood remains injured. Lankester and Dobra on the wings and Skuse back in whilst Downes not fit. It won't be pretty but it will certainly gives us a feeling that if we are dragged down to that style of football we can compete more effectively until we can have a massive clear out in the summer.

8

happybeingblue added 17:53 - Apr 5 None of them are fit to wear the badge embarrassment to the club
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