Sheffield Wednesday keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell gifted the Blues a last-gasp leveller as Town and the Owls drew 1-1 at Portman Road. Dennis Adeniran gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute and the South Yorkshiremen looked set to claim all three points until the final minute when Macauley Bonne hid behind Peacock-Farrell, stole the ball off him and Conor Chaplin netted his first goal for the Blues.

Idris El Mizouni was handed his first league start of the season as skipper Lee Evans missed out, manager Paul Cook having said a mystery member of last week’s team had picked up a knock at his pre-match press conference in addition to left-back Hayden Coulson.

Academy product El Mizouni joined Tom Carroll in the centre of midfield with Rekeem Harper on the bench.

In Evans’s absence, striker Macauley Bonne wore the captain’s armband for his hometown club for the first time.

Former Owl Matt Penney came in for the injured Coulson at left-back with Town otherwise unchanged from last week’s 1-0 win at Lincoln.

Vaclav Hladky continued in goal with Christian Walton, who has an adductor problem, again missing from the 18, along with winger Kyle Edwards.

For Wednesday, Marvin Johnson and Lewis Wing came into the side for Jack Hunt and Chey Dunkley, who dropped to the bench. Ex-Blues loanee Dominic Iorfa started at the centre of the Owls defence.

Ahead of kick-off, Town took a knee, with the exception of Celina, to applause from the Portman Road crowd.

Bonne should have scored his sixth goal of his loan spell in only the third minute when he was played in behind the Wednesday backline by Carroll with the Owls appealing for offside but with no flag forthcoming. The stand-in Blues skipper had only keeper Peacock-Farrell to beat but having taken plenty of time over the opportunity, shot into the on-loan Burnley man’s midriff.

Town were on top in the early stages and in the ninth minute Scott Fraser sent Wes Burns away down the right and the Welshman sent a low cross-shot beyond Peacock-Farrell’s right post.

On 15, with Wednesday having given the ball away cheaply whenever venturing into the Town half, Burns headed a Fraser free-kick from the left into Peacock-Farrell’s arms at the far post.

The Blues thought they’d gone in front in the 19th minute when Burns found the net from close range but with the linesman’s flag raised. Fraser had crossed from the left after El Mizouni had found Bonne with a clever first-time pass out to the left.

Wednesday, who had seen a lot of the ball but without doing anything with it, began to come more into the game as an attacking threat and on 26 struck their first shot, a low Lee Gregory effort from the edge of the area, after Penney had slipped, which Hladky claimed with little fanfare.

The Owls kept the Blues pinned back in their half and a minute later they went in front. After Town had repeatedly failed to clear, Gregory knocked down to Adeniran, who looped a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner beyond Hladky.

The visitors continued to see most of the ball following the goal but in the 35th minute the Blues threatened through Bonne, who received a pass from Carroll and cut inside Sam Hutchinson just outside the area and was felled, however, referee Andy Davies inexplicably allowed play to continue.

Wednesday immediately broke up the other end and goalscorer Adeniran might have scored his second of the afternoon but shot over from just outside the box when he will feel he ought to at least have hit the target.

On 38, with a subsequent free-kick having gone against the Blues in the Wednesday half and with the crowd making no secret of their opinion of the officiating, referee Davies went over to the touchline to have words with Town manager Paul Cook, who had presumably said something untoward to the fourth official.

Two minutes later, Carroll headed wide from outside the area after a corner from the right - won after a Burns cross had been deflected behind - had been half-cleared.

As half-time approached, Town were very much on top again and on 43 El Mizouni curled over from just outside the box to the right after good work from Celina and Burns.

A handful of boos were drowned out by applause at the break with the Blues not deserving to go in behind.

Other than a short spell in the middle of the half in which Wednesday scored, Town had been on top and looking the most likely scorers.

Bonne will have rued his early miss and Town ought to have made their time on top tell before they were again made to pay for less than impressive defending.

Ex-Owl Penney worked an opening on the left with Celina two minutes after the restart but his cross flew over the bar and out.

On 50 Celina played a clever reverse ball for Burns to chase into the left of the area. The former Fleetwood man cut back to Fraser but the Scot was unable to get in a shot.

Three minutes later, Burns tried to burst past Johnson but unlike in most of his previous Town matches was up against a full-back similarly blessed for pace and the Welshman was hustled off the ball. A foul claimed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand but more in hope than expectation.

In the 57th minute Burgess played a loose pass which allowed Gregory a run at goal from just inside the Town half but the Blues defender got back to rectify his error.

The Owls claimed a penalty in the 61st minute when Liam Palmer went to ground as he took the ball past Penney on the right of the area. Neither referee Davies nor his linesman reacted and the Town defender had appeared to pull out of his challenge before the Wednesday man fell.

The South Yorkshiremen lost key midfield man Barry Bannan to a knock in the 66th minute, the Scottish international’s treatment and replacement taking an age as the visitors sought to waste time. Callum Paterson took over.

In the 68th minute, a mix-up in the Wednesday defence presented the ball to Bonne on the left of the area but his well-struck shot failed to test Peacock-Farrell. A minute later, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replaced Olamide Shodipo for the Owls.

Town had been on top for most of the half but without creating much in the way of chances with the tempo having dropped and Portman Road somewhat flatter than earlier in the afternoon.

It was no surprise when manager Cook made a double change in the 75th minute, swapping Celina and Burns for Harper and Conor Chaplin.

The substitutions seemed to give the Blues renewed impetus and on 77 Fraser found Bonne in space on the right of the box but his effort at goal was diverted behind by Hutchinson. Following the resultant corner, Penney crossed from the left and Burgess nodded wide.

El Mizouni was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Johnson in the 79th minute and while the Wednesday man was undergoing treatment was replaced by Joe Pigott to applause from the home support having put in a decent display.

Penney blazed high and wide after a clearance came out to him on the left in the 83rd minute with the Blues not looking particularly like getting back into the game. At the other end, Paterson shot wide before Chey Dunkley took over from Saido Berahino for the Owls.

It was looking like it would be a second home defeat in a row for the Blues until the final scheduled minute when Wednesday gifted Town an equaliser.

Bonne hid behind Peacock-Farrell as he prepared to kick the ball clear, then stole it from the keeper after he had dropped it. The striker showed great composure to keep it away from Peacock-Farrell and find Fraser, who in turn cut across the area to Chaplin, who tapped home his first goal for the club from close range. Town celebrated as Peacock-Farrell hid is face in his hands.

The goal gave Town renewed momentum and they might have scored a second deep in injury time when Harper brought the ball forward but shot weakly to the keeper when he ought to have played a pass to Bonne in space to his right, much to his skipper’s frustration.

Moments later, Fraser was booked for a foul on Palmer before the whistle confirmed that the points were shared.

Having been been unfortunate to be behind at the break, the Blues saw a lot of the ball in the second without laying a glove on the visitors. But for Bonne’s cunning and guile and Peacock-Farrell being unaware of the Town striker, it’s difficult to see where the equaliser might have come from.

But come it did and the draw sees the Blues, who are still to win consecutive games under manager Cook, drop only one place to 21st with bottom club Doncaster at Portman Road on Tuesday.

Town: Hladky, Donacien, Edmundson, Burgess, Penney, Carroll, El Mizouni (Pigott 81), Burns (Chaplin 75), Celina (Harper 75), Fraser, Bonne (c). Unused: Holy, Woolfenden, Vincent-Young, Aluko.

Sheffield Wednesday: Peacock-Farrell, Palmer, Hutchinson, Iorfa, Shodipo (Dele-Bashiru 69), Adeniran, Gregory, Bannan (c) (Paterson 66), Johnson, Berahino (Dunkley 85), Wing. Unused: Wildsmith, Brown, Hunt, Sow. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire). Att: 21,338 (Wednesday: 1,896).

Photo: Matchday Images

jas0999 added 18:07 - Sep 25 Very disappointing result and in the end had to scrape a draw - at home in a league one match. Performance was average. That's ten games in all competitions this season and just one win. Awful. Seven played at home against on paper some so called easier opponents, including an under 21 side and a league two side who played their reserves. No wins. Is the current situation good enough? Not in my opinion. Cooks record remains awful. Must win on Tuesday.

16

UhlenbeekDownTheWing added 18:10 - Sep 25 Appears I attended a different game to Phil… First half I thought Sheff Weds kept the ball very well, found space between Bonne and Celina and the rest of our team with concerning frequency to get in good areas, fortunately without actually creating chances. We on the other hand bypassed our midfield completely (didn't notice Carroll at all in first half, El Mizouni used the ball well when he won it through breaking up play), and created 1 or 2 chances through counter attack football. We looked like the away team. Sheff Weds we're I control. Second half was much better. Carroll demanded the ball from CBs from the off, made a big difference. Particular benefit due to the fact neither Edmundson or Coulson appear to have any range of passing at all. Whilst we started to effect control on the game, our chances were largely from Sheff Weds errors (the goal most obviously, but also Bonnes good chance of the second half). I thought a draw was fair, but we were lucky to get it (why didn't the RB tell the keeper Bonne was there?!). Concerned that we only create chances from counter attacks and errors. Concerned that we are susceptible to soft goals and pace. If we finish higher than 10th I will be delighted and surprised.

5

Billysherlockblue added 18:11 - Sep 25 Will someone please stand up and help cook with TACTICS......... PLEASE BEFORE THIS YEAR IS GONE LIKE THE LAST 14. Sick of it now. Oh but give the lads time they need to gel.... absolutely bull!!
6

slimjim added 18:16 - Sep 25 Just back from the game a draw probably a fair result Wednesday looked bang average but then we are playing in a bang average league…created a few chances and should have scored early doors. Listened to Radio Suffolk on way home and thought I must have been at a different game listening to some of the comments on there sounded like they were watching Madrid v Barca ! We are looking a bit better and I think we can make top 6 with this squad but we have to start turning draws into wins…

3

dirtydingusmagee added 18:19 - Sep 25 ive tried not to be negative before the game, but seriously we are well below what is needed or expected, sure we got a point [which will be enough to please many] but we will never be gifted another like that!.Thats 10 GAMES, BUT i suppose now the cup matches will be added to last season and friendly games and swept under the carpet , so we must hang on for a couple more games before judging . Anything other than a decent performance and 3 points against Donny will certainly be cause for alarm. Whilst ive been disappointed that we have not done better so far, i havn;t until today considered we could be in a scrap to avoid the drop this season. WE ARE STILL IN A BAD PLACE, and those at top are getting away .

8

carsey added 18:24 - Sep 25 If this is Cooks idea of high energy high pressure football he is deluded. With the sole exception of Bonne the whole team is slow and lethargic, he's the only one who works for the full 90 minutes.
7

martin587 added 18:33 - Sep 25 With the strike power we now have we should be playing 4-4-2
3

Linkboy13 added 18:35 - Sep 25 When i saw the line up before the start i couldn't believe it and nearly went home. Carroll, Celinaand El Mizouni in midfield not a ball winner between them. But when the game started it was obvious Wednesday were short on confidence and there for the taking. If Bonne had taken his chance there's no doubt in my mind we would have gone on and won the game. Constant changes to the line up every game dosent help matters.

2

Marinersnose added 18:36 - Sep 25 Pleased with a point but this was a lacklustre performance for such a fantastic following who made plenty of noise. The setup isn't working. Donacien did okay but he's not an attacking fullback but a centre back. As much I like Burns he cannot perform beyond the first half. He again looked knackered second half. The team had nothing down the right second half. I thought our keeper had a positive game and did very well on crosses. Overall this Ipswich team is easy to play against and very predictable. Cook late with substitutions but thankful their keeper had his money on the draw.

3

Gforce added 18:36 - Sep 25 Uhlenbeek....not quite sure what game you was watching, Couldn't wasn't playing today !
1

EssexTractor added 18:37 - Sep 25 Today again the crowd was magnificent. Brilliant Today the manager runs onto the pitch before the match , arms the loft as though he has won the World Cup. Embarrassing The keeper had his best match so far this season Donacien defended okay but is not really an overlapping full back to cross the ball into dangerous positions. Penny went forward more but sadly his end result rather disappointing Edmonson I hope for more, maybe it will come, at the moment when the ball is at his feet he seems to be clueless in what to do with it. The same goes for Burgess who wins a lot in the air but of course he should given his height does make some errors and a couple of times managed to get away with them, but neither of these central defenders are rocksolid at present Yet again Burns shows sparkly form to begin with but fades away which is rather disappointing. Carroll is obviously a very talented player and unlike other midfielders did try and play the ball forwards today rather than sideways and really should be in contention for more selections. El Mouzini only barely touched the ball in the first 20 minutes but then did make a couple of positive runs buts will not be a first team choice, regularly. Celina we all wanted to be dazzling on his first home appearance since rejoining the club but maybe he's not yet caught up with the experience of playing in League one and was today off the pace. Fraser again has good technique but he's not really a left-sided forward player he should be more inside - he has not got the pace to go beyond his good full back. For Captain Bonne today He should have scored with that very first chance in the match, however he did not but his effort is tireless particularly against a defender whose clever fouling went unnoticed by another indifferent referee , But Bonne did come to the rescue with that clever cute moment just as the match was coming to an end. Overall Sheffield Wednesday appeared to have more physicality - sometimes we are too fragile at crucial moments and we do take a long time to get the ball into the opposite end of the area and then with few men there. So October beckons , and although it is more of a watchable feast at PR, it is truly not Fortress Portman Road, And with no home wins, Mr Paul Cook you really got to step up to the plate now.

13

Gforce added 18:42 - Sep 25 Coulson
1

Orraman added 18:57 - Sep 25 @ Tractorboybig - if Cook is not the worst manager we have ever had he certainly cannot be far away from that accolade. If we don't win on Tuesday night we will be into October without seeing a home win in any competition. Yet still he insists on the music build up to get the crowd on their feet expecting the arrival of the teams only to see the self confessed Messiah run on to rapturous acclaim. I find it embarrassing that he feels the need to boost his ego in this manner while he then stands around like a spare pr*** for 3 minutes waiting for the teams to come out. If we were top of the league I could just about accept that he needs to massage his ‘Big I Am' feelgood factor but until then just come out at the end just like every other far better manager in the other 91 league clubs

6

tallguy6767 added 19:09 - Sep 25 I think by the time we have a settled side playing the way we were promised the leading pack will be too far ahead of us to mount automatic promotion, but the way we are playing to date we should be more concerned about the bottom end of the table, Cook has more than enough in his armoury to be challenging at the top but for a variety of reasons it's just not happening, their his players now and all bucks should stop with him. Flattering to deceive won't wash with most fans for much longer except for the happy clappy brigade!

5

UhlenbeekDownTheWing added 19:17 - Sep 25 Burgess / Coulson - same same :P
0

fistpumpfury added 19:17 - Sep 25 Cook just not good enough. Not up to it. Out of his depth. Cliche city. Towen going nowhere with him coaching. He's clearly out of his depth.
7

Northstandveteran added 19:20 - Sep 25 The continuous lowering of town fans expectations, ambitions and acceptance over the last 20 years never ceases to amaze me.
8

Orraman added 19:42 - Sep 25 A lot of comments on Radio Suffolk and on here about Mick Mills unusually negative comments today. I should think he finds it difficult to restrain himself from saying what a man of his considerable experience really wants to say, as to do so would undoubtedly see his immediate removal as co commentator. Over many years covering several managers Mick has come out with some pearls of wisdom and he has forgotten more about tactics than Cook will ever learn. He is a club and country legend who, like the circa 20000 fans who have been attending all home league games this season is being slowly and surely ground down by the continual disappointment of what we are being served up by this fraud of a manager. It really is the hope that kills you.

17

Nobbysnuts added 19:48 - Sep 25 You can put whatever twist on it you like Mr cook but it is total crap...and we are without doubt in a relegation fight not a promotion fight. One win in eight is quite simply appalling. That's another one of your nine lives gone today...the clock is ticking until your gone. Back in the relegation places. It's going to be a long winter.
6

bluesince76 added 19:55 - Sep 25 Not a bad result today only if we win Tuesday lose that one and cook will be cooked.
0

Help added 20:52 - Sep 25 Ref and assistants were awful. Square pegs round holes again from another manager. Still think the problem is the formation as it is the only consistent in these poor performances. Can't see any partnerships forming as they keep changing through injury. First half we ignored the midfield might as well have not been there. Used the two in the second half but both so deep left massive hole between them and front. If it was not for Bonnes cheek we would never had scored. After the goal Bonne was the only one fired up for the restart. Celina disappointed. Burns lost every battle. Fraser ran himself ragged and had nothing left at the end. If we played through the midfield in the first half the players wouldn't be so knackered by the end of the match. Still chasing the opposition when they have the ball to much because we stand off and they pass around us.

1

Phil1969 added 21:03 - Sep 25 I'm sad because I like Cook's enthusiasm for us and the game. But miss out on a win Tues then he should go. That would be 1 in 9 forgetting last season and 2 goals per game conceded. Wednesday are on a worse run of form than us, their big club tag like ours is long gone. Our form is relegation not promotion and please don't give me the gel bit ffs.
6

mikehaynes added 21:35 - Sep 25 I just get fed up with supporters who complain and moan all the time. This is a new team and one that I for one have enjoyed watching this season. Today we saw a great game two sides really playing some good stuff. I have seen the the town in the 60's under Margaret and the previous manager. Joe Broadfoot, Gerry Baker etc. I've watch the town probably over a 1000 games in my life. This team has potential, the manager will get it right. Compared to McCarthy football this is brilliant to watch. COYB,s

-3

runaround added 21:50 - Sep 25 A draw was probably a fair result although I think we created more chances with Bonne missing a few but then showing a real clever piece of thinking to set up the equaliser. Wednesday goal was their only real attack of note but they then restricted us to a very little opportunity and seemed to be strangling the game. Not the best result to draw at home but the nature of it feels like a win. Tuesday is a massive game now

1

Irishblueboy99 added 22:14 - Sep 25 This clown is obviously incapable of inspiration or motivation his players. No flexibility, keeps playing 1 up front to accommodate a large supply of midfielders. We need 2 up front, Absolutely fool, no where good enough to manage a club like us OUT OUT OUT ASAP
7

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls