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Rochdale 0-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Monday, 5th Apr 2021 17:00

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



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stocktractor added 17:54 - Apr 5
Bringmekuqi
I just read what you wrote and think you are all
That's wrong with this football club.
I would imagine you were a big mick supporter as well.
There should be no Cook critics until at least Christmas, we have shambo 2 years and only his last 2-3 games were impressive when the squad knew he was going.
Chambers and the older players got Hurst out because they didn't like him criticising them and looking back now hurst it seeems had it right..chambers walking into the training pitch like he's Cafu..bloke can't play a 5 yard ball to feet.
We are a mid table league one side with over rated players all over the park.
I watched the worst team I thought we ever had a when I fist started supporting Ipswich in the Duncan era and there's not one player in that team now I wouldn't have in the present day side:
David linighan
Steven whitton
Gavin Johnson
To name a few .. god what I wouldn't give to have the Duncan side
Back
Cook is going to be a legend at Itfc
I have no doubt
11

runaround added 18:01 - Apr 5
Just embarrassing but not unexpected. This club is in free fall with a total lack of cohesion or structure or passion throughout it. I hate to think what Paul Cook must be thinking of what he has inherited! Massive changes needed in the summer both on & off the field. All the mismanagement of the last few years of all aspects of the club is now coming home to roost & being laid to bare for all to see. There is nowhere left for the owner, management team or players to hide anymore. It's shape up or walk away. We are being bettered by clubs with just a tiny amount of resources compared to ITFC. It has to end now
14

Edmundo added 18:04 - Apr 5
Many of this team are not good enough. However, to not play for the manager or the badge is a disgrace.
More demonstrations to hound out the weak, please. They need to leave without stealing another week's wages.
6

norfolkbluey added 18:14 - Apr 5
Blue Paradigm dare I say it I think you may be right. It was pretty bad with PL but I see absolutely no progress being made apart from a few jokes which at this moment I find quite irritating. The whole club/team is a joke. Where has my club gone? Down and Down. Playoffs, don't make me laugh again PC. Sad days. Laugh or cry, well I'm weeping week in and week out. Even when we have won it has been by the skin of our toothless gums. These players used to win so why the hell can't they do it again. No backbone or desire left is the answer. If you can't beat the bottom club then what the hell's chance have you got against the likes of Blackpool or any others in the top six. This is the worst this team has been since PL left and that is said with the greatest regret NO JOKING
6

bluesince76 added 18:15 - Apr 5
Cook is doing no better than Lambert serious changes needed in the summer or it won't be long when cooks head will be on the block not one player good enough going forward need a complete new team doubt Evans will finance that .
7

adeblueboy added 18:17 - Apr 5
I hope the next team we play, plays without a goalkeeper!
2

delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:17 - Apr 5
You idiots berating Cook should go do one and support Man U, Liverpool etc...Ipswich fans don't need to read your cr@p on here!
We certainly don't need any more numbskulls...we have one who owns our club!
-5

fistpumpfury added 18:19 - Apr 5
Uppa Towen. Out with this bunch of useless ncuts.....every single on e of them is a disgrace...
1

RobsonWark added 18:20 - Apr 5
Please can we play the games on paper rather than the pitch. We will at least win a few games this way PC!!
0

ChantryParkBlue added 18:20 - Apr 5
We were stupid to get rid of McCarthy.
Had one of the lowest wage bills in the Championship.
Kept on having to sell our best players every other year.
And still managed to make us into a top half of the league table team most years, often challenging for playoffs.
Now look at us. We've got exactly what we deserve.
-5

Dolphinblue added 18:21 - Apr 5
Yeah berating Cook is silly and embarassing......
-2

fistpumpfury added 18:22 - Apr 5
Cook can only work with what he's inherited in the past few weeks. Once Evans is killed off in a horrific car crash we can get someone in who loves the club, with a bit of money (Ed Sheeran is on) then we can rebuild. Cook will do a job with good players.
0

Billericay12 added 18:24 - Apr 5
I just can't wait for the “exciting news” in the summer !
Only a takeover or some serious investment will get me excited. £50 off a season ticket won't cut the mustard I'm afraid and neither will any new data led style recruitment.
7

Dolphinblue added 18:24 - Apr 5
Its true though that Hurst was surprised at our fitness levels and reluctance to train as hard as he wanted, then for some reason, Cook cannot do double sessions....culture change required...
8

dieselmorris added 18:25 - Apr 5
lambert got sacked because evans didn't like what he said to the media, and if left he would have said much more so paid off and shut up. what do you expect evans is keeping the club afloat i doubt i will see my beloved club any where successful in the time i have left on this planet when you look at clubs of similar size to us and what gates can be achieved here, nothing but criminal, asset stripper.
2

PulhamBlue added 18:33 - Apr 5
I have duly paid £10 to watch Ipswich Clowns Football Club "play" their football on iWallow, for almost all matches this season. Value for money? Absolutely not. Will I continue? Absolutely. Somewhere along the way, this nightmare must surely end... I dream that coherent, crisp, accurate passing will creep into our game. Shots will begin to reign in on the opposition's goal. Goals will be scored for fun. Entertainment will be in abundance during every 90 minutes played for long-suffering Town fans. One day... Ooh aah boy, one day...
0

BeattiesBackPocket added 18:40 - Apr 5
I've said it before the club is an utter mess! 20 odd players out of contract in the summer most current first teamers if you think bringing in 15 odd players to slot in the first team will happen in one pre season you need a reality check. If we don't go up this season which in all fairness we don't deserve to anyway we will be in this league for another couple of seasons. Paul cook now has the biggest job EVER in the summer and it will take longer than a season to get back up again and anyone who thinks we can't fall down another league think again we've just been second best to the bottom two clubs last two games BOTTOM TWO!! That's where we'd heading. Too much apathy and a willingness to just survive is why we're where we are now and that's down to evans. I implore suffolkboy or anyone else to please tell me where the 5 point plan or structure is at the club???? I'll wait.....
7

BeattiesBackPocket added 18:50 - Apr 5
Marinermagic the fans don't make the decisions at the club if they did we'd have a creative midfielder decent strikers and be playing in the championship at least. EVANS makes the decisions all of which have been poor HES the one who's screwing us up fans aren't even at games to be responsible for all this!? You wanna blame anyone blame the guy who said and I quote ‘be careful what you wish for' regarding lamberts tenure to all of us then we go on a small run and he gets the boot? You know why because he told us what we already know there's no five point plan or ANY structure at the club! That's the biggest sign that evans is his own man telling us to bog off one min then gets rid when he doesn't like what the manager said because it's true!
4

Orraman added 18:50 - Apr 5
@BringmeaKuqi......excellent posting and I pleased to see you got quite a few 'likes'. I was completely underwhelmed by the appointment of Cook and have said so on here before. Must be the worst new manager bounce ever and football much worse than under Lambert. Took him 71mins to change what obviously was not working although did not make much difference. Only 2 wins under Cook and they were both by virtue of lucky goals. Makes a good Scouse comedian but that is about it.
5

dirtydingusmagee added 18:52 - Apr 5
that was as near to Sunday lge as you can get ,bloody awful, Rochdale should have lambs to the slaughter, yet came out of the match the better team. Its not like we have hit a bad patch,its been the same all season, the season before and the one before that. Each season performances have fallen, .I feel its right PC is given a chance with his own players, but am still dispointed in the total lack of any improvement. I WONT RETURN to Portman Rd while Evans is the owner, nor whilst even a shadow is cast on the pitch by these players, that said i do think Dobra should be retained.
6

inghamspur added 19:02 - Apr 5
Words I've used to describe recent performances of late include awful, appalling, pathetic and rubbish. For today, I think I'll go with dire. Then, WOW, when we went with Hawkins & Drinnan up top. OMG.
1

RobsonWark added 19:04 - Apr 5
Paul Cook would be the PERFECT after dinner speaker - A very funny man! Football manager? Hmmmm...let's wait and see. Hasn't filled me with any confidence yet based on the performances or results since he took charge of the team.
3

JJ1970 added 19:06 - Apr 5
Never, since supporting ITFC after 45yrs, have I seen such a p@)s poor team 😭..
A manager change was inevitable and right imo but, give the man some credit, he's adopted some absolute, tactically inept players, with a can't be bothered attitude..
Personally, I believe the only thing Mr C can do is administer the 3 S's.. Short, sharp, shock!
On the next training session, with players changed and ready to go..
He should get 5 out of contract senior players, individually pull them over to one side, and just ask to empty your lockers, your not in my plans going forward..
Being witness to this, seeing their cars leaving site, would surely give the rest of the squad the 3 S's and seriously make them think about their futures at ITFC..
5

RobsonWark added 19:07 - Apr 5
adeblueboy added 18:17 - Apr 5
"I hope the next team we play, plays without a goalkeeper!"

Would it make any difference? We still wouldn't score!
4

RobsonWark added 19:15 - Apr 5
JJ1970 added 19:06 - Apr 5
"He should get 5 out of contract senior players, individually pull them over to one side, and just ask to empty your lockers, your not in my plans going forward..
Being witness to this, seeing their cars leaving site, would surely give the rest of the squad the 3 S's and seriously make them think about their futures at ITFC..

I agree and the first 5 should be: Chambers, Skuse, Sears, Jackson and Huws.
3


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