Town are down to fourth following a frustrating 0-0 draw away at Bristol Rovers. The Blues dominated the first half but without creating enough opportunities, then after the break were scruffier with both sides having chances but with the home side going closest to breaking the deadlock when Scott Sinclair saw a goalbound effort turned against the post.

Boss Kieran McKenna made four changes from the team which started Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Janoi Donacien, Sone Aluko, Marcus Harness and Freddie Ladapo came into the side for Harry Clarke, Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst, all of whom were on the bench.

There was no place in the squad for George Edmundson and Massimo Luongo, who were injury doubts going into the match.

Rovers handed on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Lamare Bogarde his debut and former Chelsea, Manchester City, Celtic and Swansea winger Scott Sinclair returned to the XI, which featured three changes from Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Lincoln. Former Blues midfielder Grant Ward started.

Town, wearing their black and red away kit, went close to going in front in the second minute.

Leif Davis played the game’s first corner from the left low to Humphreys, who hit a shot towards the far post. Keeper Ellery Balcombe saved, Cameron Burgess’s follow-up was blocked and the ball rebounded off the Blues defender and then hit Harness and bounced away.

Two minutes later, the Blues threatened again. Davis sent over a corner from the right this time, Wes Burns knocked it back across goal to Ladapo and the striker’s header was nodded to Balcombe by Burgess.

After Town’s energetic start, Rovers began to threaten and in the 13th minute went close to going in front.

Burgess did well to hook a ball aimed for Sinclair out for a corner and from Anthony Evans’s flag-kick, Jarell Quansah rose highest and headed over with Blues keeper Christian Walton claiming he’d been prevented from getting to the ball, not without reason.

Town quickly got back on top, however, Luke Woolfenden playing in Davis on the left of the box with an excellent cross-field pass and the former Leeds man’s cross was turned behind by Balcombe.

On 20, Humphreys scuffed a shot from the edge of the box through to Balcombe, who had forced out a cross from the right, not entirely comfortably.

Nine minutes later, Davis sent over another corner from the left and Burgess hooked wide at the near post, the former Australian U23 international having emerged as Town’s main set-piece danger.

In the 33rd minute, with Town dominating play with the Pirates happy to sit back in numbers in their own half, Woolfenden brought the ball forward before clipping a ball towards Humphreys breaking into the left of the area but the ball flicked off Quansah’s head, then Humphreys’ and wide.

Three minutes later, Ladapo held off his man on the right of the area before sending a dangerous ball across the area which no one was able to reach.

Out of nothing in the 39th minute, Gas skipper Aaron Collins was played in on goal on the right of the box by Evans but the 14-goal frontman scraped a weak effort through to Walton when he will feel he ought to have given the keeper a sterner test.

A minute later, Collins had another chance, James Gibbons crossing from the right and League One’s second-top scorer looped over when he again should have done better.

On 42, Ladapo turned and struck a shot on the turn straight at Balcombe with the Blues ending the half totally dominating but without finding a way through the massed ranks of the Bristol Rovers rearguard.

Town had started very strongly and might well have gone in front in the opening minute. From there, they remained in control for the most part but without forcing Balcombe into serious action enough.

The Blues hadn’t had it all their own way with Collins having shown his threat on a couple of occasions towards the end of the half on rare Pirates forays forward.

A minute and a half after the restart, a free-kick was played to Aluko, who struck a shot wide from 25 yards.

On 48, Harness knocked down to Ladapo on the left of the area in space but the striker looped well over when he will feel he should have made more of the situation.

Three minutes later, Davis crossed from the left after Ladapo had laid off to him and Harness flicked a header over the bar.

In the the 57th minute, Collins escaped behind the Blues backline on the right of the area and hit a shot which Walton turned over at his near post.

A minute later, Town made their first two changes, Broadhead and Kyle Edwards taking over from Aluko and Burns.

The Blues started to become scruffy with too many passes going astray and in the 64th minute, Humphreys gave the ball away on halfway and Sinclair burst forward before shooting straight at Walton.

Moments later, Sinclair was in action at the other end, taking the ball off Edwards’s toe after Ladapo had laid it off to the winger following Broadhead’s cross from the left. Moments later, Humphreys looped a header high and wide.

Rovers came as close to scoring as it comes in the 69th minute when a corner was played to Collins, who looped towards the far post. Walton dropped the ball, it fell to Sinclair, whose effort was knocked off the line and onto the post by Woolfenden when it appeared the Pirates were certain to take the lead.

A minute after such a miraculous escape, Ladapo appeared to be fouled as he rolled Quansah on the edge of the box but referee Paul Howard wasn’t interested and eventually the Town striker was pulled up for a foul, much to his evident frustration.

It had been a poor second half from the Blues but sub Broadhead was having some impact down the left, the former Everton man reaching the byline before his cross was blocked.

Moments later, Broadhead worked himself space on the left of the area before hitting a shot which Balcombe batted away.

The momentum was starting to swing back towards the Blues and in the 75th minute Town made a triple change, Harness, Davis and Ladapo making way for Chaplin, Clarke and Hirst. Rovers switched Harry Anderson and Bogarde for Luca Hoole and Josh Coburn.

There was a scare for the Blues as the game entered its final 10 minutes, Woolfenden just taking a cross from the right away from Coburn, then Edwards blocked Collins’s shot after the striker had cut in from the left.

On 83, Morsy played a ball over the top on the right for Chaplin, who cut back to Broadhead, whose shot was deflected out for a corner.

Following flag-kick, Clarke cut in along the byline but his cross-shot was forced behind. From that corner, the ball scuffed off the recent signing from Arsenal’s head and wide. Three minutes later, Clarke was booked for a high challenge on Hoole.

In the 89th minute, Morsy sent Edwards away on the right from where the winger crossed to Hirst, who shot at Balcombe’s near post and the keeper bundled behind. Following the corner, Bristol Rovers broke but Walton was quickly out of his area to clear.

The Blues continued to huff and puff in five minutes of injury time but yet again were held to a draw by a side they should have beaten, Rovers having lost their previous five going into the match.

Having dominated the first half without creating enough serious chances, the Blues started the second half positively before going through a scrappy spell and were fortunate not to go behind when Sinclair hit the post.

At the whistle frustrations began to show with skipper Morsy exchanging views with a fan at the front of the away section before being pulled away.

With Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton all winning, the Blues are down to fourth, two points behind the Trotters in third, eight off the Owls in second and 10 off leaders Argyle.

Town, who were top a week before Christmas, are going to need to go on a long run of wins if they’re to give themselves a chance of automatic promotion with 15 left to play, something which they show few signs of putting together on recent form having won only one of their last eight in the league and four in their last 15.

The Blues are in action next against bottom club Forest Green Rovers at Portman Road on Saturday.

Bristol Rovers: Balcombe, Connolly, Gordon, Quansah, Sinclair, Ward, Collins (c), Anderson (Hoole 76), Evans, Bogardem(Coburn 76), Gibbons. Unused: Jaakkola, McCormick, Marquis, Lawrence, MacDonald.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns (Edwards 58), Morsy (c), Humphreys, Davis (Clarke 75), Aluko (Broadhead 58), Harness (Chaplin 75), Ladapo (Hirst 75). Unused: Hladky, Jackson. Referee: Paul Howard (London). Att: 8,542 (Town: 1,299).

Photo: Pagepix

stiffy501 added 22:04 - Feb 14 Nathan Jones ? experienced, been there and done it, just saying .
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Bluespeed added 22:04 - Feb 14 Too much rotation Simple !
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Bert added 22:05 - Feb 14 i cannot think of one moment in the game that was a pleasure to watch. We weren't even in control for a lot of the game. We have yet to learn how to break teams down but unfortunately all others in the top 6 have done so. KMcK has a lot of thinking to do and has to address his and the team's obvious failings. Sad, sad, sad.
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TractorfactorSteve added 22:05 - Feb 14 There was only one team which looked likely to win that game and it wasn't Ipswich. From quite early on it looked like yet another 'one of those games' and so it turned out. The only thing positive to take from it is that we didn't lose.
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bernie added 22:05 - Feb 14 Alarming, no plan B we're soft and slow and have to many players and also too similar, no win Saturday and serious questions need to be asked.
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VitalSigns added 22:06 - Feb 14 Well this result is absolutely no surprise. We have been in terrible form for months. I wanted McKenna to be a success but it's just not going to happen. Tactically he has no plan B and I don't think the players are motivated with him in charge. We will not make the play offs without a change. To see another season slip away after all that investment and positivity is just gutting ....

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chopra777 added 22:06 - Feb 14 Sorry. same old, same old rubbish. No blood and thunder, feed it out to the wings and hope. How come Bristol Rovers created good chances. We need an older head to help KM out of this league. We play too much tippy tappy football and need to get aggressive and finds ways to be direct. Bolton have hit 10 in two matches with a load of loanees. Probably a lack of tactical methods from KM not thinking what the opposition can do. Play offs at the best.

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blueboy1981 added 22:07 - Feb 14 McKenna's Inexperience and Naivety is certainly showing now…. !!!
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TB42 added 22:07 - Feb 14 On the basis of recent performances this result sadly, was entirely predictable. At this rate we will be lucky to make the playoffs and if we did, I certainly wouldn't put a penny on us to win.
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sospier added 22:07 - Feb 14 Far too many changes from start to finish.We had enough shots to win comfortably but once again failed to hit the net.It's becoming to look bleak for a top two and at this rate we could slide out of the top six.We MUST keep a settled team and get the confidence back quickly.All is not lost so sort it out Boss.Long journey home with nothing to get excited about AGAIN.I just hope we can get our confidence back and thump FG on Saturday otherwise I'm afraid the pressure will be on K Mc.

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dieselmorris added 22:10 - Feb 14 typical third division game, crap
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Positive_Vibes added 22:10 - Feb 14 Unfortunately, the same predictable formation, and substitutions. Stubbornly sticking to this “formula” has cost us an automatic promotion spot. I'm not convinced that the players have belief in our game plan any more either. They are too slow and sloppy with their passing, and I couldn't see any generals on the pitch driving us forward with urgency. If we carry on like this we will be lucky to keep a playoff spot. Come on Kieran, sort it out! Try a new formation, maybe even play 2 up front? Or pack the Midfield or play 4-2-4 even. I don't care what formation you choose as long as we try something different!

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itfckenty added 22:11 - Feb 14 Very worrying. I know it could be hasty to say McKenna out. But.. has he learnt from any previous mistakes? Has this team learnt from previous mistakes? Unfortunately not. It just keeps going and going, and the board are 100% going to be looking at this from that sense. He may have a few games left I would predict. It's sad as I thought he could be something special, but now days the pressure is too high.

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Irishblueboy99 added 22:11 - Feb 14 Absolutely be positive and support and believe in the team and manager, but you have to be realistic also, look at our results since October, look at the table. No lads and ladies no no no no no, Kieran McKenna is NOT the man to get us out of this league. Unbelievable to think 6th place or worse the most likely outcome. McKenna out please, not good enough
9

Westy added 22:12 - Feb 14 I really felt we had to win tonight to stop the gap getting any bigger and so it has proved. All won except Derby who drew. Wycombe have a game in hand, which if they win, will put us only four points clear of seventh. Even a Play-off is by no means guaranteed. I really do feel that changing the team every game is not helping. We need a settled side. Why drop Broadhurst - he must be high on confidence after such a terrific goal on Saturday. We don't have enough craft to create and carve out clear cut chances. I've thought for a while that the pressure and weight of expectation is getting to a KM and is really affecting his decision making.

15

Master_Montage added 22:12 - Feb 14 It's very sad, but McKenna is adding his name to the list of McCarthy, Lambert and Cook, managers who were incapable of recognising and rectifying their own mistakes.
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Bert added 22:13 - Feb 14 Was KVY watching a different game tonight ?
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RobsonWark added 22:13 - Feb 14 Saxonblue74 added 21:59 - Feb 14 We need a smaller squad Robsonwark? Seriously, what are you on?, Simple Saxon. We have too big a squad with too many "good" players that the manager has to keep rotating the team to keep all the players happy. That does not build a team. That's why we are not winning as many matches because too many changes. In 1981 Sir Booby Robson only had 15/16 players which is why we had such a good team as they played with each other week in week out. What are you on?

11

BurleysGloryDays added 22:13 - Feb 14 Woeful. But, McKenna is STILL the right manager. It's looking less likely it'll be this season, but it was always going to be a process.Jan transfers will take time to fit into it all and next summer we'll go again, more and more quality and football education. Big changes at the club everywhere. See the big picture guys, come on. McKenna IS the manager we need to transition this club from the 90s to the 20s. Fans need to support the players and manager through thick and thin, frustrating though this is. Don't lose your minds. Otherwise it's not just the players and manager, it's that we're not the club we think we are. Help McKenna. Don't hinder the poor guy.

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HopefulBlue69 added 22:14 - Feb 14 On high blood pressure tablets and supporting the town is just too much of a risk... Giving my ticket to brother in law and going to the local game for rest of season... Wonder if we'll get 20K in PR next season for big games... Hope the yanks don't loose all there money as clearly not there fault, they've done us proud...☹️☹️☹️
7

blueboy1981 added 22:15 - Feb 14 One thing is certain, however questioning we are now, the Owners will be even more so. They won't be at all impressed with the One Trick every game, that every Team has sussed - with ease. Wait for the ‘Positives' to follow ! 🤣🤣
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HintBlue added 22:16 - Feb 14 Agree with many of the comments on here tonight, we lack any "fire in our bellies", desire to win and any pace when on the ball. The manager is way too predictable, 3 subs on 60 mins, chop and change half the back 4 and front 3 each week, boringly slow build up play (Wolfie, Morsy and Walton really at fault for this) which allows the opposition to reset their defence and then we bleat that the opposition "parked the bus". As others have noted I really wanted McKenna to work but given the run of form since the Charlton debacle I have to say I am now firmly in the McKenna out camp - he's been given plenty of time, money support and a supporter base which is selling out away games (including away at Bristol on a cold foggy Feb midweek night) every week - if you can't succeed now you never will. Ashton should make the squad pay for all the travelling fans tickets and travel tonight - the team were absolutely dire

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Michael101 added 22:16 - Feb 14 Same sh<t different year,how often have we been the best thing since sliced bread at the start only to fall away at the finish, kept happening under joe royal and even Lambert . Must be in our d n a , oh the joy of being a Ipswich supporter.
5

blueboy1981 added 22:18 - Feb 14 We have exactly what you get at this level with Rotation of Squad - no one has a clue what they should be doing from game to game, or who with … !!!
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midastouch added 22:18 - Feb 14 It's hard to take any positives from tonight. Aside from Derby drawing at home to Lincoln, all the other results went against us again. We looked very disjointed and much too pedestrian in our build-up. Hirst has been very disappointing so far. We don't seem to have a real goal threat going forward. We pass out from the back neatly and tidy, but whenever we get towards the opposition goal, there's no cutting edge. I just never felt very confident that we would score tonight. We were fortunate not to lose 1—0 tonight, as Bristol Rovers came dangerously close to scoring in the second half. Our form has been dodgy for a while now. We look like a racehorse that has run out of gas in the final furlong and is getting picked off by the fast finishers. Once we let in the last-minute goal to Plymouth, I started to think the Play-Offs were looking like a real danger, and now it's looking even more precarious. If we don't even make the top six, it would be a disaster given the investment in the squad. I still think it would be silly to get rid of McKenna this early, but I can also understand why some are questioning him as his team selections and tactics have been rather haphazard for a while now.

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