Town appear to need a miracle to stay in the Premier League after losing 4-2 at home to Nottingham Forest, while Wolves extended the gap to safety to nine points after winning 2-1 at Southampton. After an even first half hour, three goals in six minutes gave Forest a 3-0 half-time lead, Nikola Milenkovic opening the scoring before Anthony Elanga netted twice. Jens Cajuste pulled one back on 82 with his first goal for the club, Jota Silva grabbed a fourth for the visitors on 87, prior to George Hirst bagging Town’s second in the dying moments.

Omari Hutchinson returned to an otherwise unchanged Town XI having been a sub at Crystal Palace last week.

The ex-Chelsea man came into the side as the number 10 with Julio Enciso on the left, Jaden Philogene again on the right and Jack Clarke dropping to the bench.

Forest were unchanged from the team which beat Manchester City 1-0 at the City Ground last week with former Blues loanee Chris Wood up front.

The visitors started on the front foot and on three Callum Hudson-Odoi worked his way into the area and would have been in on goal but for Jens Cajuste’s leg dispossessing him.

Town began to get more into it, however, and on four Hutchinson was tripped just outside the box to the right by Neco Williams. The England U21 international took the free-kick himself but hit the wall.

On 11, with the Blues seeing more of the ball than the Premier League’s tird-placed side, Leif Davis sent over a looping corner from the right and Liam Delap rose high at the back post but nodded into the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

A minute later, a Forest cross from the left was half-headed away by Davis at a stretch at the far post and Ola Aina scuffed his volley wide and into the North Stand.

In the 14th minute, Elliot Anderson gifted the ball to Delap not far outside the area after Forest had got into a mess after a throw on their right and the striker took it forward before being dispossessed. The loose ball fell to Julio Enciso and his shot deflected behind for a corner.

The flag-kick was played to Hutchinson on the edge of the box by Davis and the forward took a touch before hitting a curling left-footed effort which flew just over Matz Sels’s crossbar.

Town continued to see most of the ball with Forest halting their progress forward by giving away tactical free-kicks on a couple of occasions.

However, on 21, following a corner, Hudson-Odoi wafted a cross from the left to the far post and Nicolas Dominguez turned the ball into Alex Palmer’s arms from a very tight angle.

A minute later, Forest threatened again after Davis’s clearance from the edge of the area was deflected into the path of Anderson in space, but his shot struck Wood and cannoned wide when Town might otherwise have been in trouble.

There was an even bigger scare for the Blues on 25 when Hudson-Odoi, the visitors’ main threat, burst past Town stand-in skipper Dara O’Shea on the Town left and got to the byline. As O’Shea and Luke Woolfenden both slid in, Hudson-Odoi sent over a low ball which flew past the two Blues defenders, perhaps clipping one of them, behind Palmer and across the face of goal a couple of inches from the line but without anyone being able to add a touch.

Soon after, Kalvin Phillips went to the sidelines due to a bleeding foot while play continued before returning to the game.

Forest were by now well in control and looking more and more dangerous with most of their attacks going through Hudson-Odoi down their left flank.

On 33, Wood got between Woolfenden and O’Shea to nod down a Morgan Gibbs-White cross from the right, but too close to Palmer, who blocked before claiming.

But the travelling Forest support didn’t have to wait too much longer for a goal. In the 34th minute, Palmer came out of his box to clear into the stand, but the ball smashed off Jacob Greaves and behind for a corner on the visitors’ right.

The flag-kick was half-cleared to Hudson-Odoi on the left by Greaves, the England forward clipped a cross to the far post to Dominguez, Delap was only able to get a weak head on the Argentina international’s nod back and the ball fell to Nikola Milenkovic, who gleefully slammed home.

Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Hutchinson lost the ball in the centre circle, Anderson swept a pass wide to Anthony Elanga, who took it on towards the Town box and with Greaves standing off him, the former Manchester United youngster shot across Palmer and just inside the post.

And on 41, Elanga made it 3-0 with his second of the game. Milenkovic played a long ball from the back, Woolfenden and Wood battled without either getting the ball and Elanga nodded between and beyond O’Shea and Greaves before slipping it past Palmer.

Having been in the game, if on the back foot, at the half-hour mark, the shell-shocked Blues were suddenly all but out of it via three goals in six minutes, all of which Town should have defended much, much better.

As the half moved into two additional minutes, Phillips struck a shot which flew over Sels’s bar.

At the whistle, there were muted boos from some sections of Portman Road after another half which had begun promisingly but with the Blues going in at the break behind and on this occasion with the opposition having an unassailable lead.

As in the previous two games against Forest, the opening 20 minutes or so had been an even contest but as the half-hour approached, the visitors began to threaten more and they had had a couple of chances before the opening goal.

That goal seemed to rock the Blues, who collapsed in the manner they did in a similar spell before half-time against Manchester City earlier in the year.

There was further bad news for the Blues elsewhere with 17th-placed Wolves leading 1-0 at Southampton.

Town made a change at the break, Cameron Burgess taking over from Greaves, while the trio behind Delap switched roles, Enciso, who had had his quietest half for the Blues, going to the centre, Philogene to the left and Hutchinson to the right.

It was Hutchinson who struck the second half’s first effort. A corner was cleared to the ex-Chelsea man, who cut inside a defender but hit his shot too close to Sels, who snaffled with comfort.

On 50, Delap should have pulled a goal back for the Blues. Davis forced another corner on the left and sent over a deep ball to the far post where Town’s 10-goal top scorer had been inexplicably left unmarked. Delap rose high but powered his header well wide, much to his clear frustration.

Four minutes later, Phillips was harshly shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Elanga. It had been a foul but there had been worse challenges which had gone unpunished.

In the 55th minute, Wood had his first sight at goal from a cross from the left, but the New Zealand international’s effort was too close to Palmer, who blocked. There was a moment of panic as Davis inadvertently touched before the keeper could pounce on it and the former West Brom man was forced to clear hurriedly.

Soon after, Palmer was off his line quickly to claim a Gibbs-White through ball at Elanga’s feet.

Dominguez joined Phillips in the referee’s book for a foul on Cajuste, the Forest player bizarrely claiming he’d been fouled and protesting at a length which probably wasn’t sensible.

In the aftermath of the free-kick, after Cajuste claimed he’d been fouled by Milenkovic, a number of Town players sought to work themselves space on the edge of the box, unsuccessfully until Davis shot wide. VAR upheld referee Michael Salisbury’s decision not to award a penalty.

As Forest prepared to take the goal-kick, the Midlanders swapped Dominguez, who had repeatedly taken to the turf since his booking while continuing to protest to referee Salisbury. Yates took over, while Elanga made way for Morato, the Sweden international having already done his job for the day very successfully.

Delap had his second opportunity of the half on 69, albeit a much harder one than the first. The strike chased a long ball down the left, Sels sold himself by coming out too far and Delap looped it over him but Milenkovic was able to nod wide before the ball reached the goal.

Four minutes later, Williams shot across the face of goal for Forest, then on 79 Phillips sold Cajuste short with a pass, Yates broke forward and fed Gibbs-White, whose low cross-shot went wide.

Town swapped Delap, Enciso and Philogene for George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead and Clarke, while Forest replaced Williams and Hudson-Odoi with Taiwo Awoniyi and Jota Silva.

Clarke was quickly into the action, playing a part as Cajuste pulled a goal back for the Blues. Hutchinson played it in from the right to Clarke, who moved it on to Cajuste ahead of him and the Swedish international tricked his way past Yates before shooting beyond Sels from just outside the box.

The goal, the on-loan Napoli man’s first for the club, briefly gave the home fans something to cheer about after another long afternoon at Portman Road.

On 40, Palmer was quickly off his line to claim at Gibbs-White’s feet, before Jack Taylor took over from Phillips.

Town went looking for another goal but in the 87th minute were caught with only Burgess back as Gibbs-White and Jota broke forward, the ex-Arsenal man playing inside from the left to the Portuguese international, who stroked past Palmer.

Ahead of the restart, Gibbs-White, left out of the England squad named yesterday, was replaced by Danilo and was given a huge ovation by the travelling fans.

In the third of four minutes of injury time, Hirst netted a second consolation goal for the Blues, rising above Jota to plant a header in the corner of the net to Sels’s right from an excellent O’Shea cross from the right.

Moments before the whistle, Jota smashed a shot over from not far outside the box before referee Salisbury brought another frustrating afternoon to an end.

Once again, for the first 30 minutes or so there was little in the game but the Blues again gave away a poor goal to give Forest the lead, then allowed two similarly badly defended goals to put the game out of their reach.

Delap netting his header might have given the crowd something to hold onto and Town to build on in the second half, but when Cajuste’s goal finally came it was too late to put the visitors under any serious pressure.

That they avoided the game going in the same direction of the Manchester City match was little consolation with Forest largely happy to contain the Blues and break in the second half.

Wolves’ 2-1 win at Southampton was further bad news for the Blues who go into the final international break of the season nine points plus a goal difference of 16 behind the Molineux club with only nine to play.

Even the most optimistic of Town supporters will now admit it will take a miracle for Town to retain their place in the Premier League.

Town: Palmer, O’Shea (c), Woolfenden, Greaves (Burgess 46), Davis, Phillips (Taylor 86), Cajuste, Hutchinson, Enciso (Broadhead 80), Philogene (Clarke 80), Delap (Hirst 80). Unused: Walton, Johnson, Townsend, Morsy.

Forest: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Dominguez (Yates 67), Gibbs-White (c) (Danilo 89), Elanga (Morato 67), Hudson-Odoi (Jota 81), Wood (Awoniyi 80). Unused: Hennessey, Sangare, Moreno, Boly. Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston). VAR: Jarred Gillett. Att: 29,878 (Forest: 3,000).

Photo: Matchday Images

ldnj added 18:00 - Mar 15 I don't undersdtand the big desire to get Philogene but now it seems he has to play him, sadly. As someone else said, how about Hirst & Delap but then who would be the subs to replace them if they came off ? (because that seems likely to happen) How come Forest manage to break and score but ...
2

Gforce added 18:04 - Mar 15 I have to say even when the score was still 0-0 we showed very little passion,fight and conviction. At that stage we were playing like a team who have already given up. Scandalous really considering a 6 point gap is definitely not insurmountable. A nine point gap however is ,hence we are sadly down.
6

Bluewhiteboy added 18:06 - Mar 15 Played superb, we might win all our next games and stay up. If we go down who cares all our midfield will be dessicated we will smash championship as its a really easy league
-4

ImAbeliever added 18:07 - Mar 15 I believe, we won the second half.
-1

billlm added 18:12 - Mar 15 Agree with a lot of posts, he hasn't got a clue lost the plot persevere with the same players who haven't offered nothing leaves the better players on the bench FFS,
5

itfc2024 added 18:14 - Mar 15 ArnieM I totally agree with us mckenna is clueless he also need to stop picking his favourite like Hutchinson and philogene we have better players on bench like broadhead and jack Clarke who deserve to play and are better than those 2 clowns
-2

johnwarksshorts added 18:17 - Mar 15 He hasn't got a clue. You don't half talk a load of horlicks! A young manager who has won back to back promotions. Unbelievable go and support another team.
8

Leejames99 added 18:19 - Mar 15 As per nobody blaming the promotion winning lads and blaming anyone but them, it's ridiculous. Davis was at blame for 3 out 4 goals not Woolfeden. Phillogene is a left winger but they are all being played out of position to accomodate Davis. I'm surprised Palmer not getting abuse he has conceded 14 in 6 games, look at goals conceded at start of season, aside 3 drubbings all our games were 1-1, 2-2, 0-0, 2-0 and so many blamed Muric, Palmer is very good no doubt, the point is some fans put blame on anyone but the people who it should be Burns, Davis, Morsy and mostly Mckenna. He has coached at the highest level with the highest players but all with managers who got sacked, maybe that was down to Mckenna too. He has given us great memories, conducted himself well but like all clubs in Prem at points we need a change and it's now or never. Any manager will get a tune in Championship out of the quality from that league we have. Take the promotion winning hats and glasses off.

-4

gkroon89 added 18:23 - Mar 15 I wouldn’t say McKenna doesn’t have a clue, but there are questions to be had about playing the same losing tactics relentlessly. The subs this season have questionable like today when we have been demolished by half time and no meaningful changes are in sight. The end of last season wasn’t plain sailing don’t forget as things got a little rocky at points. A bit of inventiveness is needed a little going forward- McKenna can be guilty of one way of playing only, with no plan B.

9

Gazelle added 18:23 - Mar 15 Don’t think you can blame Davis this time, the middle of the defence should have done better with their goals. We were as good as them for 80 mins actually.
0

RobsonWark added 18:25 - Mar 15 We only had one player on the pitch today that is Premiership quality - Jens Cajuste. He just keeps getting better and better every game. He could walk into any starting 11 for any Premier League team. He was excellent last week against Crystal Palace and even better today.
14

gkroon89 added 18:27 - Mar 15 Lee James - changing manager now would be pointless. Not even big Sam would be able to pull it back. With the signings we have made - we will be stronger in the Championship and McKenna is supposedly a top coach with younger players. We have a young team now - who were the better players in the championship the season prior. We have to look at next season now.
5

Lukeybluey added 18:28 - Mar 15 Just back from the game... We're just so slow going forward.... It's like we have to wait for the opposition to get back into position before we play the ball, and the amount of times we had opportunities to drive at their defenders and or get a shot off in the first half but didn't, so frustrating. Also, if I have to see Hutchinson or Delap do anymore needless pirouettes in good positions I think I'll lose my mind! Forest countered for one of their goals because of this.

8

itfc2024 added 18:37 - Mar 15 lukeybluey I've been saying it all season with delap and Hutchinson and now philogene all these stupid flicks and step overs don't work cos we ain't good enough as a team to do them and they certainly ain't good enough to do them all we have is show pony's not footballers we ain't got anyone that wanna fight for this club and that's because mckenna and Ashton has ripped the spirit out the club with all these signings

3

chepstowblue added 18:41 - Mar 15 The only plus this season is that KMc's stock has not risen. On the downside Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth's managers will be much sought after, leaving Kmc to potentially fill the void at one of these established and excellent sides. But, on this seasons evidence, that may still be beyond him. I'm not going to knock him. Those of us on planet earth predicted relegation in August, only to be pointed out by halfwits that we're negative and not real supporters!! Yes, he's responsible for the recruitment, and I like some of the signings. But defensively we are appalling, and the step up to the Prem is now nigh on impossible to bridge and survive. The pace and precision of the really top strikers cannot be understated. As always, there were some bright periods during the game, but the clinical nature of the oppositions finishing does for us every week. We're down and I'm relaxed about it. Stop thinking we're still in with a shout-we're not. Only then will you be able to 'enjoy' the last nine games of the season with no pressure.

16

gkroon89 added 18:44 - Mar 15 Chepstowblue - superb post.
4

RobsonWark added 18:55 - Mar 15 Our transfer signings in the Summer and January windows have ben a total disaster. We recruited like we were still in League 1 rather than the Premier League. The only decent quality players we have signed that are Premiership quality is: 1. Cajuste 2. ??? I can't really think of any others. Waste of money signings: 1. Muric - our 4th choice goalkeeper (and that's only because we don't have 5 or more). 2. Chicken Legs Philogene (he wouldn't be good enough to get in our League 1 team). 3. Greaves (give me the ball and I'll pass it back to our keeper). Championship quality players: 1. Hutchinson 2. Delap 3. Townsend 4. Szmodics 5. Johnson 6. J. Clarke 7. Philips Possible Championship quality: 1. O'Shea 2. Ogbene

1

Murphys_Law added 18:55 - Mar 15 All decent sides are built on a solid defence which allows others to be creative and play. We simply didn’t sign any experienced Premiership defenders and we’ve been found out. It’s over for this season, let’s hope we’re smart enough to regroup, reshape the squad in the summer and get stuck in to promotion again.
2

Leejames99 added 19:01 - Mar 15 I think some fans only watch from when ball is going in not from how shot was created in first place, Davis is too far forward and that's leaves very fast wingers who exploit it because it leaves huge gaps. Doku, Son, Elanga, Diallo, Sarah the list is endless it's happened all season. I said Delap won't go anywhere he isn't top Prem striker yet, Luton Adebayo scored 10 and look where they are. @JohnWarkShorts telling people to go support someone else because of an opinion is wrong, its pretty obvious fans are 50/50 on here, one side who just want to stay in the sunshine of the past with Kmk and the players that got promotion and don't want any new players getting in the team, how dare they! They are Ipswich Town but they also think those players could keep us in Prem if all played, that's why we 9 points adrift with despicable goal difference, then there is the fans who want to see Ipswich Town stay in the Premier League and be established there and have a team that competes but understand football evolves managers go as do players, it's been that way forever. Yes Kmck got us promoted twice from lower league's, so what? That's his job! Russell Martin got Southampton up, Rob Jones took Luton up, Sean Dyche took Burnley up and down and kept Everton up last year, Moyes won Europa League, the list is endless. Mck is a young coach yes but he has coached at the highest level with the cream of players and there lies the problem, he knows how we should be playing but as a tip coach he knows the quality needed and it's pretty obvious he knows we didn't have it for Prem so signed the best of the Championship so when we relegated if he stays (which it looks like) he can strengthen further but in terms of manager he needs to make better calls and drop Davis, we ended the game today with 6 players who played against Bolton 2 seasons ago, how can we compete in the Premier League with League 1 players, they were in League one because they deemed no good for Prem. Do you think if Wrexham get to Prem that Mullins and Palmer be playing or James McLean on wing of course they won't! Doesn't mean they be forgotten!

0

surgery added 19:10 - Mar 15 In all honesty, is Philogene any better than Jackson?
7

Lower_North added 19:11 - Mar 15 Poor
0

Leejames99 added 19:21 - Mar 15 Lol didn't sign Premiership defenders, well Johnson was at West Ham, O'Shea at Burnley, Godfrey Everton, Greaves team of year in Championship and fans wonderboy Davis. Woolfeden and Burgess have done really well, but Davis is the problemand Mckenna won't drop him, we drew with Villa with 10 men with Townsend because he defends! And if you take out the 4 v City 2nd game, 4 vs West Ham and 4 vs Newcastle have a little look at results with Muric 0-0, 1-1, 2-1, 1-0 but you went at him until he felt unwelcome by his own fans. Palmer is good but if top quality wingers can just run in to gaps by our left back who prefers left forward then we going to loose every week. Nobody ever says which Prem players that other Prem clubs signed we should of got as favourites for relegation? All loving Cajuste now, spent first half season on bench so Captain could get a taste of the Prem. The players we bought were bought for the Championship it's so obvious and the stadium is Prem ready, new training etc and we will bolster midfield in Summer, Humphries, H Clarke be back and Harness who is bang on form in Championship. And to add we are obliged to buy Cajuste if we stay up and have option to buy if relegated and he is only valued at 15 million so maybe he might stay if he has enjoyed it here and given a decent contract. It's fine to down mark that's point but at least give alternatives, can't blame new signings as if we stay up with the league 1 team, they can't stay at Town forever and nor can Mckenna but if not sacked he owes us a season for not sacking him which is another indicator that they are fully prepared for relegation this year.

4

blue added 19:23 - Mar 15 Phillogene or Clarke ? Clarke Delap or Hirst/broadhead it’s a team game definitely Hirst /broadhead , Delap absolutely of the boil majority of times thinks he can do things all himself. Atleast Burns flys down the flanks running past players to get crosses into the box . Hutchinson shines for 20 minutes odd shot . Maybe a good thing pop down a league come back stronger or better still win remaining matches stay up wishful thinking

0

RobsonWark added 19:35 - Mar 15 I can not understand why it took till the 80th minute today to make substitutions. We were 3-0 down at half-time so why not make the changes at half-time and try and win the game rather than play the same players and the same way for another 35 minutes. The changes at half-time should have been: Hirst for Enciso (Delap and Hirst up front together) Townsend for Phillips (to allow Davis to hang around on the right wing) Broadhead on for Hutchinson Anyone (apart from Muric) on for Philogene And why was our BEST central defender (BURGESS) on the subs bench for that preening peaccock who likes to receive the ball and then just toe punt it 2 inches at a time for what seems like several minutes while his girlfriend takes pictures of him for his socials.

3

Leejames99 added 19:48 - Mar 15 Dear lord even Delap getting it in neck, Hirst isn't a prolific goalscorer 2 goals in a season well done, yes he scored decent header but that was his only touch, Burns my gosh ,Broadhead does okay when he comes on, he should be moulded into the 10 role I think he has a pass on him, but next year if relegated I think we will go 4-4-2 with Szmodicks and Delap up top Then Hutch and Ogbene and rotating right wing and Phillogene and J Clarke rotating on left. With Harness and Broadhead as cover. Hopefully keep Cajuste, get Downes or Ben Sheaf or similar, Humphries be back. We will be fine in Championship for promotion challenge and if we do stay up then Cajuste does stay and we have alot of money to bolster. We need a spark, if Mckenna staying I think him bringing in someone to help with experience for last 9 games might be worth considering. We could go 4-4-2 now which would catch out teams but that does rely on Delap and Hirst not getting injured or suspended.

0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls