Debutant right-back Ryan Fredericks's freak goal shortly before the break saw Millwall to a deserved 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Den. Town, who had midfielder Luke Hyam stretchered off early on, were second best for the most part and would have lost by a greater margin had former winger Lee Martin not spurned a 70th minute chance.

Skipper Carlos Edwards started on the right-side of a four-man midfield, making his first league start since the 3-1 home victory over Blackburn on December 3rd, as the Blues — wearing last season’s white and black away kit - switched back to 4-4-2 with Daryl Murphy back up front after recovering from his thigh injury.

Millwall, whose new manager Ian Holloway was in charge at the Den for the first time, included ex-Blues Liam Trotter and Martin from the start, while former loan keeper Stephen Bywater was on the bench.

Neither team had created anything before Hyam underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch for an injury to his right leg after an eighth-minute challenge with fellow former Northgate High School pupil Trotter.

The Town players quickly called on physio Matt Byard having kicked the ball out of play and the 22-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher with Jay Tabb replacing him and going to the left with Tunnicliffe switching to the centre.

Trotter curled a shot wide from 20 yards in the 16th minute with the home side having settled better after the delay for Hyam’s injury.

On 26, with Town still to really get going, an error by Cole Skuse in the centre circle allowed Martin a run in on goal but, having turned inside Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra, the midfielder’s low shot failed to test Gerken.

A minute later, McGoldrick scuffed the Blues’ first effort of the game through to Millwall keeper David Forde.

The Town top scorer created a better chance for his strike partner Murphy soon afterwards with a clever flick but the Irishman’s well-struck shot from the left of the area was too close to Forde.

Aaron Cresswell volleyed Edwards’s 34th minute cross into the ground with the Blues, by now having switched back to 4-3-3, finally starting to settle and get on top.

But, five minutes before the break, the home side went in front. Debutant full-back Ryan Fredericks, who signed on loan from Tottenham yesterday, sent in a deep cross from the right which somehow flew over keeper Gerken’s head, under the bar and into the net.

Town looked to hit back via McGoldrick but his effort was blocked by Lions skipper Danny Shittu. Before play could restart — and shortly before the fourth official signalled six additional minutes - Millwall keeper Forde was replaced by ex-Town loanee Stephen Bywater.

Edwards and Millwall’s Scott Malone got their names in the book for a clash after the Blues skipper had been fouled not far outside the area on the right, the Lions defender believing the Trinidadian had dived. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The Blues were unable to get back on terms before referee Eddie Ilderton — who had frustrated the Town players on a number of occasions during the half — blew his whistle.

After the early injury to Hyam, Town took a long time to get going but had just started to get on top before Fredericks’s freak goal which Gerken will have been very disappointed to concede. Overall though, manager Mick McCarthy will have been disappointed with the display.

Martin nodded Smith’s goalbound header from Tunnicliffe’s corner off the line four minutes after the restart, then on 54 Shittu blocked from Murphy after good work from Skuse and Cresswell. From the corner, Tunnicliffe sent the ball well over.

On 57 Edwards crossed into Bywater’s arms with the Blues starting the half looking more of a threat than they had during most of the first, but with Millwall also still having their moments.

Paul Taylor replaced Edwards shortly after the hour mark, joining McGoldrick and Murphy in the front three. Then, with the home side again starting to dominate, Malone hit a powerful strike across the face of goal after a previous effort had deflected to him on the left.

Ex-Town winger Martin should have doubled his side’s lead in the 69th minute when Scott McDonald deftly flicked the ball in to his path inside the area. The one-time Manchester United man tricked his way past Chambers and into space 10 yards out and seemed destined to score but blazed wildly over.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues, who were by now pegged back in their half by the Lions, who were very much on top. On 73 sub Tabb made way for Frank Nouble.

Taylor curled a freekick just wide in the 76th minute, but Bywater wasn’t often being tested and Millwall were looking the more likely next scorers.

However, on 86 the Blues went close when Murphy sent Taylor away on the left after Fredericks had slipped. Bywater blocked the Town sub’s shot and Nouble just couldn’t get on to the rebound before it was cleared. Fredericks, Malone and the outstanding Shittu all received treatment for cramp in the aftermath.

Shortly before the end of scheduled time, Taylor was booked after shooting well wide in frustration having been penalised for a foul inside the area.

Soon after the fourth official’s board had gone up signalling four minutes of injury time, the Blues threatened from a corner. Bywater was nowhere as the ball came over from the right but it just wouldn’t fall kindly and Chambers amongst others was unable grab a late equaliser.

That was the final chance and referee Ilderton — who had continued to frustrate the Town players and fans throughout the second half — confirmed the Blues’ third defeat in a week.

Despite the fortunate nature of the goal, the home side deserved their victory and the second goal that Martin should have scored wouldn’t have flattered them.

Having taken a long time to get going following Hyam’s early injury, the Blues had a brief spell on top prior to the goal and threatened in the period just after the break, but were rarely in control and all too often hit long balls forward which were easy for Shittu to deal with.

The result sees the Blues drop to 10th place in the Championship, five points behind next week’s opponents Reading — who beat Bolton 7-1 today — in sixth.

Millwall: Forde (Bywater 44), Fredericks, Shittu (c), Lowry, Malone, Trotter (Abdou 69), Bailey (Wright 61), Martin, Keogh, Morison, McDonald. Unused: Beevers, Woolford, Feeney, Marquis.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Cresswell, Edwards (c) (Taylor 62), Hyam (Tabb 13 (Nouble 73)), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Loach, Mings, Hunt, Anderson. Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear). Att: 12,125 (Town: 1,398).

Photo: Action Images

blueboy1981 added 21:04 - Jan 18 Langdon Blue - maybe it's because i'm more disappointed than some of you - ever thought of that ?? You prove by the tone of your post that you will always agree with the 'brigade' - so I don't expect anymore from you, than perhaps you do the club. Yet another who tells people to go elsewhere OR 'you don't have to support our Club' - BRAVO - as if our Club can afford to lose support ?? - but that's your kinds answer to everything isn't it - it's the easy 'kop out'.

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petermorris added 21:13 - Jan 18 When MM took over (we were in freefall to L1, remember?), the plan was: Last year - stay up and stabalise Club, stop giving away players and unload the dross (all this costing millions). This year - "Consolidate" and don't spend/waste money. Next year - invest & push for promotion. So we were 6th, now we're 10th and not playing quite so well - some of you are deluded and need to calm down.

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warktheline added 21:20 - Jan 18 Well said petermorris..... But that won't be good enough for the 'negative brigade'......they know who they are.....need I say more.Over to you 'man with many names' haha
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blueboy1981 added 21:25 - Jan 18 ..... keep stewing in your sour juice, you poor thing.
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Langdon_Blue added 21:25 - Jan 18 Petermorris...that post is far too level headed and considered, you'll be called one of the brigade next. We lost today therefore we should be calling for Micks head, sack the board, Evans out etc. Stop being too logical with your posts until a game is won and then it's okay to support your team.
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blueboy1981 added 21:25 - Jan 18 .... that goes for you as well.
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blueboy1981 added 21:28 - Jan 18 .... you 4 or 5 (you know who you are) should form a Club - you'd enjoy each others company - and never expect anything = PERFECT HARMONY.
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warktheline added 21:37 - Jan 18 We know who we are.I can't stop laughing hehehe
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cossy81 added 21:40 - Jan 18 Everyone has the right to an opinion whether its good or bad so here goes MM is a good manager but is too cautious/negative and ME is a total t***
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blueboy1981 added 21:43 - Jan 18 ...... and so do we - unfortunately.
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petermorris added 21:46 - Jan 18 CAPITALS heh Blueboy? Just because we recently reached the heady heights of 6th place, some of us didn't p1ss our pants and expect another guaranteed trip to Wembley. Some actually understand the complete mess our club got into and the sad fact that it might still take years to sort out. For what its worth - re "and never expect anything" - a few months ago I was 'expecting' League 1 football, and now I'm not = THAT'LL DO FOR NOW.

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warktheline added 21:57 - Jan 18 We know who we are petermorris,shall we meet up for a drink and have a giggle about they now who they are.hehehe
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TimmyH added 22:00 - Jan 18 Stage 1:'Stabilize' Stage 2: 'Consolidate' Stage 3: 'Invest and push for promotion' - I think somebody has been reading too many fairy tales. I can understand the first part from last season in which Mick did a very good job (with a majority of PJ's team + a few loanee's) but the other 2 parts I've never seen mentioned as a plan or is this your take on things? as for part 3 could be very wishful thinking. Look how many years Leicester has been knocking on the door.

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warktheline added 22:10 - Jan 18 What's your point tummy?
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NoelTheDub added 22:25 - Jan 18 Consolidate and hold on to our money until next season your having a laugh lads.We had a chance of 6th spot and a small amount of money on a loan striker and pacey winger was worth the gamble but i think MM prefers workmanlike types.I agree our last 2 managers spent lots and may have caused the purse to be closed on mick,but i think mick should have been banging on the door 2 or 3 games ago .I also dont think MM is getting his team selection right what i mean is been more positive thats the biggest gripe i have, hes negativity it bugs me it gives teams like bournemouth, yeovil,barnsley,charlton and the likes put it up to us when they see the team sheet.

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Cloddyseedbed added 22:40 - Jan 18 Look Mr Evans a lot of us supporters have been coming an awfully long time to Portman Road to watch football and we have been suffering some really bad football for many years now. It does not seem to have got any better since you have owned the club. Please if you want to continue to not support your manager, supporters and players then just tell us and we can make alternative arrangements on matchdays. Halftime entertainment at Portman Road now is also embarrassing and also stinks of cost cutting. Every year we are encouraged to renew our season tickets with false hopes and bulls**t. Each year the crowds are going down. Personally I really do not care if I or my family miss a game because for most of the matches I have watched this season the standard of football is dire, Sunday league standard with the emphasis put on negativity on the pitch. So what's it to be Mr Evans continuing to run the standard of players down at the club. Tell us, so we can plan for a future without football. We want and deserve better quality players than we have at present, with the exception of 2 or 3! Rant over.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:44 - Jan 18 petermorris - very sensible post - thank god , the page needed one
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Thijssenstricks added 22:48 - Jan 18 I've been to 3 games this season. That's not of a lack of support, it's to do with my own personal rant on football pricing on supporters! The games I've been to ITFC and their opponents have all been poor. We are a Championship club, not a great one but also not poor enough to go down. MM is a good manager and with the right players he could do a good job in trying to get us promoted. At the moment I don't want to go up as I feel we would get absolutely smashed next season. I work with far to many Premiership supporters to get stick all season. My point is we have maybe two or three premiership classed players and until we get some more we all might aswell get used to more years in the championship.

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Ipswich24 added 22:58 - Jan 18 We have been very ordinary for long while. Lots of deluded fans thinking we are good enough for top 6 not a chance. We have one plan route 1 and if we do score we just try to hold on which rarely works. Feel for Taylor give the guy a proper chance that means run if games. He was our best player against QPR. We are crying out for width and creativity from midfield. What an earth we doing today lumping ball to shittu just meat and drink to him. Get some new ideas Mick

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adeblueboy added 23:39 - Jan 18 Watched the game today and I am finding it hard work at the mo.hoof hoof hoof. Why doesn't anyone want to play football on the floor. Cress well and chambers just hoof it all the time. Why can they pass it out of defense mick. I have sympathy for chambers as he should be our right cb. We were not conceding when he was there. He is not a rb mick. Where is our midfield? Are they on the pitch. Took no control of the game today. As bad as we were millwall are not good they just gave it their all. Our midfield didnt.Why play edwards then he brings on oh no tabb ( why not hunt or taylor) both these players have had their day. Tunners was awful and in warm up cant score but no midfielder can! We need midfielders who want to pass the ball around a bit. Dids and Murphy get it hoofed up to them for what....to win a throw because there is no support from our midfield is there. Where are they oh on the edge of our penalty box. Please mick can we start to pass the ball out preferably with midfielders moving they wernt today. Rant over. Totally p....... Off watching the ball being played in the air.

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blueboy1981 added 23:46 - Jan 18 petemorris - .... it'll certainly take years 'to sort the Club out ' with supporters like your 'little group' because there will be no need to do otherwise. Just keep condoning the state of play - it suits you all within that group.
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del45 added 23:47 - Jan 18 Why have a donkey in the squad when we have young Jack on our books a lad who will score you goals not one who cannot hit a barn door.
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runningout added 00:01 - Jan 19 sorry, but we are looking like soft touches. about as ruthless as a donut, with the invisible man running midfield, a leader on the pitch that doesnt lead.. And above all, a team that cant take criticism very well
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vodkaboy added 00:22 - Jan 19 Saw Millwall at Southend 2 weeks ago with 70% of starting line up and they were shocking - would struggle in Div 2. So how the hell can the Blues lose to such a poor team? In my view confirms that play offs is fantasy land...
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Akaroablue added 00:51 - Jan 19 Stats can provide information that can be interpreted in various ways but I think these figures tell the whole story of the continuing problem of scoring goals. Defence 10, Midfield 4, yes 4!! Tabb 8/1 Tunnicliffe 21/0 Hyam 23/1 Skuse 26/0 Anderson 13/2. There is your problem Mick, as we all know goals scorers have an instinctive knack of knowing where the back of the net is! these guys never will. Two suggestions, get some new midfield players and a new keeper, loyalty can kill a manager!!

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