Tom Ince’s 40th minute goal saw Derby County to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town took the game to the Rams in the second half but rarely looked like getting on terms with the visitors, who have climbed to second.

Boss Mick McCarthy named unchanged XI for the fifth successive game, while Luke Varney, who signed a contract to the end of the season yesterday, was on the bench replacing Jonny Parr, who missed out having picked up a knock. Former Blue Darren Bent was on the bench for the Rams.

Freddie Sears, fresh from his 16th second goal at Fulham on Tuesday, struck the game’s first shot in the fifth minute, cutting in from the left and hitting a low effort which Derby keeper Lee Grant, in for the injured Scott Carson, saved down to his right.

The Blues were starting the game positively and on eight Brett Pitman profited from Stephen Warnock’s slip on the Town right and sent over a cross which was just too long for strike partner Daryl Murphy.

Derby gradually began to see more of the ball but without creating a chance until the 12th minute when former Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson shot wide from just outside the area having been teed up by Johnny Russell.

The Rams continued to see the majority of the possession but didn’t create another opportunity until the 21st minute when Tom Ince escaped in space on the right and laid the ball across to Chris Martin, whose shot was superbly blocked by Tommy Smith.

Town threatened on 25 when Murphy nodded the ball down to Sears who was breaking down the left. The former Colchester man might have cut across to an unmarked Pitman earlier and his eventual cross was blocked.

Following the resultant corner, Christophe Berra picked up the game’s first yellow card for catching Warnock with a high boot as he tried to get a touch on a bouncing ball.

On 29 Pitman found Sears on the edge of the area with a pass from wide on the right but the ex-West Ham man’s first touch let him down and George Thorne was able to close him down and block. At the other end, Gerken saved Jacob Butterfield’s effort without fanfare.

A minute later, after Cole Skuse had collided with referee Keith Hill, the ball broke to Sears, who screwed a left-footed strike well wide.

Referee Hill gave Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Johnson a talking to on 34 after the on-loan Arsenal man had taken umbrage to the former Canary had diving in at him after he had already been tripped by one of his team-mates, leading to a short spell of pushing and shoving involving a handful of players.

Berra cut out a Warnock cross from the left on 38 after a swift Derby break, referee Hill having failed to spot a blatant handball during the build-up.

The half had been evenly balanced with few chances at either end but on 40 the visitors went in front.

Russell ran onto Martin’s knockdown midway inside the Town half and Berra’s challenge deflected straight to Ince, who took the ball into the area before hitting a shot which caught Jonas Knudsen’s studs and beat Gerken. It was Ince's seventh goal of the season and his fourth this week after his hat-trick in Tuesday's 4-0 home victory over Bristol City.

The Blues were unable to find a response before referee Hill, whose somewhat erratic decision-making was increasingly infuriating the Town support, blew his whistle to signal half-time.

There had been little in a not overly entertaining game up to the Derby goal, which as so often this season was one that Town really ought to have been able to defend, even if there had been an element of good fortune for the Rams.

When Town had been in good positions all too often they had been let down by a poor final ball or a bad first touch and Derby keeper Grant had never seriously been tested.

Gerken similarly hadn’t been forced into a significant save prior to the visitors taking the lead.

The Blues made a strong start to the second half, Skuse seeing an early strike blocked just inside the area.

On 50 Knudsen found Sears with a short throw on the left and crossed to Murphy, who flicked a difficult header over the bar.

Four minutes later, after Pitman’s header had been nodded behind by Cyrus Christie, the Danish international shot over after a corner on the left had been played to him on the edge of the box.

A minute before the hour mark Pitman was replaced by Ryan Fraser with the Scotland U21 international making his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in October. The on-loan AFC Bournemouth man took up his usual role on the left of midfield with Sears joining Murphy up front. Kevin Bru replaced Maitland-Niles on 63.

Jonathan Douglas had his named added to referee Hill’s book in the 68th minute for a foul on Russell, the Scotland international appearing to make an awful lot out of very little contact.

The Blues continued to take the game to the Rams but Grant was still to be seriously tested. On 75 the keeper failed to deal with a corner from the left but the ball wouldn’t fall to a Town player.

Derby were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Butterfield hauled down Skuse, then pushed the Blues’ midfielder in the face with the flat of his hand.

Referee Hill showed only a yellow card which the Rams midfielder still protested at length, at one point grabbing the referee’s arm. Three minutes later, Andreas Weimann replaced Russell.

Town continued to press for an equaliser and on 81 Douglas wasn’t far away when his header from a Fraser cross was cleared off the line by Butterfield at the post. The Scottish winger reached the loose ball on the edge of the area on the right but was caught by Ince’s very high boot and the former Blackpool man picked up a yellow card.

Moments later, after his corner on the right had been cleared, Fraser brought the ball back in and fed Sears with a clever pass, the striker hitting a powerful shot across the face of goal.

Butterfield made way for Derby to boos from the home support, Jeff Hendrick taking over, before Varney was handed his second Blues debut against one of his former clubs replacing Douglas.

Town were unable to get on terms during injury time and Johnson’s 20-yard strike which Gerken pushed past his right post was the game’s final significant action.

The Blues had taken the game to the visitors in the second half and had had most of the ball but had been prevented from creating too many notable chances by a resolute Derby defence, Douglas’s header which was cleared off the line - one of only two Blues shots on target all game - perhaps the nearest Town came to an equaliser.

The result sees the Blues, who have now recorded only one home win in nine, remain sixth in the table but again having fallen short when up against one of the division’s top sides. Town next face QPR at Portman Road on Boxing Day.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas (Varney 84), Maitland-Niles (Bru 63), Sears, Pitman (Fraser 59), Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Coke, Oar.

Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Martin (c), Russell (Weimann 80), Shackell, Johnson, Butterfield (Hendrick 83), Ince (Baird 90), Thorne, Warnock. Unused: Mitchell, Hendrick, Bent, Pearce, Shotton. Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire). Att: 20,161 (Derby: 1,313).

Photo: Action Images

billlm added 21:25 - Dec 19 Also if mm opened the team up and become more forward thinking as in 433 before we go a goal down we may go a goal up and win
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MarcoHolster98 added 21:29 - Dec 19 It was an ok performance. If Berra tackled with his right foot in the lead up to the goal we wouldn't have lost. Apart from that he and Smith looked pretty solid again.
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ITFCRealist added 21:30 - Dec 19 First game I have been to in the last few months due to illness. Life isn't easy for us oldies. All I can say is if this is the team I have supported for 50 years, I am a very very sad man. Where has it all gone wrong? Well have to start with the owner? Money grabbing opportunist is perhaps the nicest thing I could say. The proud ownership of the Cobbolds is long gone. Invest now, or sell. Preferably the latter as we cant stand the smell of you anymore. Secondly the manager. I have never been a fan, but enough is enough. Go now please. There are so many young hungry managers who would have had us back in the top flight last season let alone this one. The stubbornness, favouritism and dire tactics are an embarressment. Clearly he is not good enough, and its time for him to go back to whatever Northern bywater he came from. This is Ipswich Town for heavens sake. Sir Alf and Sir Bobby must be turning in their graves . Finally the team. Poorer then last season without a doubt. A left back who should have stayed in whatever poxy country he came from. A Right back who isn't a right back. Two aging journeymen in midfield, an overrated diva on the right and a Bournemouth reject up front. Plus a past his best striker and a slow left sided defender on the right. Add to that the worst goalie since... actually we haven't had a good goalkeeper in years apart from the occasional loan players. Still that's the managers fault, for signing such a load of dross. Get Rid Now! Our season is over, Lucky to finish in the top half. Oh how I wish for better. But it wont happen with Evans and McCarthy.

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Cakeman added 21:30 - Dec 19 Derby were arguably the first team who have matched our physicality and as they edged it on the skill level they were always going to be hard to break down. Our lads gave it their best but realistically that best can only mean a sixth place finish at best. We are punching above our weight with what we have. I was pleased to see Fraser and Varney back. Skill and heart that may just give us a chance of that sixth place. PS the ref was awful.

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carsey added 21:52 - Dec 19 Typical McCarthy style and tactics and that will never change. Regarding Knudsen I think he is getting unfairly criticism and there are plenty of other problem areas to sort out such as the inability to keep the ball and make opposing players work to get it back. Every time we get a goal kick every single player without exception turns their back on the ball and gathers on the half way line for Gerkin to lump it up the pitch. Same with free kicks lumped up to Chambers wide of the box. It's all so predictable. I hate watching it but who else am I going to support. I'm hanging in for the day we start playing football again.

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Cloddyseedbed added 22:15 - Dec 19 ITFCRealist. You didn't enjoy it much then!
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patthegimp added 22:20 - Dec 19 This team will always compete for the play-offs. May not get in but if they do will almost certainly lose out on promotion. We are not good enough, certainly not premier standard. Is ME happy to have a team in the championship- probably he is. Still gets good publicity, is able to write some profits off against tax and doesn't have to commit to the massive expenditure and risk of the Pship. Are we happy to have a team that have an outside chance of promotion-yes I am- without the risk of bankruptcy again- yes.

0

bohslegend added 22:32 - Dec 19 The comments by some are so predictable. We win, hardly anyone comments. We lose, the vitriol is poured out here in bucket loads. In the playoffs still, but that's not good enough for some.
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Lightningboy added 22:36 - Dec 19 Yet another massive game where we fail to hit the back of the net or muster much on target. We're not good enough and we have to accept that.
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Geoff added 22:37 - Dec 19 If you only have one shot on target in 96 minutes are you surprised our home form is so bad. Cannot fault the effort put in but nowhere good enough to compete with the top sides. i agree with ITFCRealist the demise of this once great respected club is now only a shadow of what i used to watch under sir Bobby and of late George Burley. The club needs investment and direction something you are not going to see under the current regime. Yes let the scrooge sell up take his debt that he owns and leave the club on an even keel. All i want is to enjoy my football again not the hoofball dross that is served up at the moment.

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GiveusaWave added 22:42 - Dec 19 Good to see you back ITFCRealist. Giving you a thumbs up (not for your view) but your welcome return. Unlike many on here you hold a consistent opinion and I hope you are feeling better.
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WashbrookBlue added 23:12 - Dec 19 ITFC realist. You've called it right , you are one very very sad man. Suggest you don't hurry back.
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Keaneish added 23:51 - Dec 19 All eyes turn to Evans in January now. We've clearly reached a level where Mick is getting the most he can out of the squad. Whether that's right or wrong we seem to have hit our ceiling. McGoldrick won't play much this season and nor will Bishop by the looks of it so we've pretty much got a full squad to choose from and it needs investment if we're yo challenge the top five. Either this or we have a reshuffle and roll the dice a bit starting with the centre of midfield.

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thebeat added 00:36 - Dec 20 Same old same old im afraid. We are flat track bullies who will outwork and outmuscle the poor teams but dont have a clue how to break down the better teams with a football brainand an organised defence. Chambers is still not a rightback. Knudsen is the worst left back since Graham Harbey. Douglas goes missing against the better teams. We have zero creativity in the side and just hope Sears and Fraser will use their pace to make something happen. We will flirt with 6th but probably wont get there, we are just too one dimensional and simply not good enough.

9

Bert added 02:46 - Dec 20 Undone by one counter attack but otherwise not much between the teams except individual quality when it mattered. We didn't deserve to lose or win. Can't fault the effort . Derby a better team than Middlesborough so no reason to be too downhearted. Play offs are within our capability. Dreadful inept refereeing did not help today or the lack of noise from the North Stand. Reaction of Derby supporters said it all; they knew they had been in a tough game. Pity some on here cannot see the positives or progress.

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essex57 added 07:21 - Dec 20 Agree bosh legend they live in a fantasy world they want a new manager but never put up a realistic contender want to buy those elusive players to take us to another level but never name REALISTIC contenders.
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sidtheswan added 07:49 - Dec 20 Just checked match stats on sky 2 shots on target ! Seriously need to improve at home to get in play offs at end of season .
1

warktheline added 08:06 - Dec 20 @washbrookblue, uncalled for post! Not too clever, or nice. @bohslegend and essex57, read lightningboy, digest and accept the man is spot on!
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Jimmy86 added 08:56 - Dec 20 Bert I'm afraid if you thought the North stand didn't make enough noise, you must either be deaf or have head phones in. 1 of the better atmospheres at home this season. What with the wannabe referees and of course ex budgies Johnson and Martin. The diving Russell and Ince and the petulant Butterfield. I do agree the ref was so poor and was weak to not stand up to Derby's gamesmanship and cheating. Butterfield and Ince should have been sent off and Derby were just bang average, having spent 16 million. They played us at our own game and resorted to a lot of direct balls up to fatty. Was fine margins and not a lot between us at all.

1

Jimmy86 added 08:58 - Dec 20 Plus on yesterday's showing Derby are miles behind Boro, who were the better side when we played them, once they scored. Derby weren't that much better than us
3

essex57 added 09:27 - Dec 20 Warktheline I prefer to pick the bones out of Jimmy 86 post although I didn't think borough were that good we are just one player from being competitive and I think that player could be Fraser keep the faith.
0

Geoff added 10:23 - Dec 20 Bert Where on earth is the progress from last season we were challenging for a top two place this time last year. If you sell a player for 8 million then replace with inferior you do not improve at best you stand still.We do not need to spend big i think three players of a good calibre would make us into a play off team again. Parr must be played at left back Bru in midfield and Sears in a more forward role perhaps a couple of good loan players in as a back up for Bishop and Mc goldrick and play the ball on the ground.

3

itfcbam added 10:43 - Dec 20 Deluded. That somes up many on here! We have a mid table at best budget, attendence, also no benefit of parachute payments yet many of you write as if your expecting us to be 10 points clear! Do remember the disarray of the post Royle era. We now have a united squad on the pitch which prior to MM was badly missing. Many expect ME to invest, well we run at a loss of 6m per season, so doesn't he do that, do we want to be another Bolton, Portsmouth? Yes it isn't perfect at mo but we are continuing to progress and aren't far off. Be positive for once. Yes there are teams gambling heavily with money, but what then if it fails??

2

Razor added 12:57 - Dec 20 Lets keep it simple. We are a team of average players who work extremely hard.That is normally good enough against teams lower than us but we do not have the extra class and quality to beat those above. Fraser for AMN next week please and Sears running at defences through the middle. This has been my team for over 40 years and always will be and see you all at Burnley. Finally to get that extra quality and class I mentioned we need to invest in January in at least one QUALITY player or we are going nowhere---simples. Have a great Christmas everybody.

3

mancblue78 added 15:25 - Dec 20 An interesting range of views and perspectives here. Not so sure that some of those commenting actually went to the match., you should, the team needs support. That said I have to agree that there wasn't a great deal between the two sides other than that bit extra that Derby had in the likes of Ince but that has come at a considerable price. I do also agree with the many that Knudsen is out of his depth currently. His positional play is poor, his tackling weak,he is slow and his final ball diabolical. I won't even mention his flop throws and foul throws. On a number of times this season he has actually backed out of challenges. He may come good in time but that time is not now and I think that Parr has to be given a run in the team, he offers more both defensively and going forwards. We shouldn't be too despondent though with 6th at this point in the season and Fraser's return could offer some real hope for the new year.

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