Town fell to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Belgian second division side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in their final pre-season friendly at Portman Road. The Blues had dominated but only went in front in the 61st minute through Daryl Murphy, but the Belgians hit back with two goals in three minutes on 72 and 75 via Mathias Fixelles and Nicolas Rajsel.

Trialist Roland Lamah made his second start for the Blues, having previously impressed in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Charlton Athletic.

Also starting was summer addition Adam Webster at centre-half alongside Christophe Berra, while Daryl Murphy was partnered by Freddie Sears up front.

David McGoldrick was on the bench, while Brett Pitman (toe) and Luke Hyam (knee) missed out but are expected to be fit for next week. Dean Gerken was again not included, due to his hamstring injury.

Town dominated the early stages against the Belgian second tier side - who had brought an 122-strong but noisy following - and Sears forced visiting keeper Anthony Sadin into a save in the fifth minute, the Royale Union captain blocking from the striker at a tight angle on the left following a corner, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Two minutes later a subsequent corner, also on the left, led to another chance. Trialist Lamah cleverly played in Berra on the left of the box but Murphy couldn’t reach the Scotland international’s cross.

As the game moved past the 10-minute mark Lamah unleashed a powerful strike from distance which flew just over Sadin’s bar.

The visitors’ first chance came in the 14th minute when a cross from the right reached Rajsel deep on the left but skipper Luke Chambers got across to block.

Kevin Bru curled a 19th-minute freekick just past Sadin’s left post with the Blues continuing to have most of the game but so far without providing a test for Royale Union keeper Sadin.

The Blues twice went close to going in front in the 23rd minute when Murphy flicked a near-post header from Sears’s left-wing cross against the bar. The loose bouncing ball fell to Bishop on the edge of the six-yard box but Royale Union keeper Sadin somehow kept out his header at point-blank.

The Belgians’ rare forays forward had largely been snuffed out by the Town defence with Bartosz Bialkowski untroubled. On the half hour Charles Morren struck a low shot from 20 yards but well wide of Bialkowski’s post.

Three minutes later, Murphy saw a shot blocked, then Bru looped a dipping effort from distance which went over.

On 36 Jonas Knudsen crossed from the left and Murphy headed straight at the Belgian keeper.

Two minutes later, the Blues went closer, Chambers flicking on a Berra header from a Bru corner but Tracy Mpati Bibuangu cleared off the line.

Lamah shot wide from 25 years in the 42nd minute with the Blues continuing to have chances but so far without taking any of them.

And that was the way the game remained at the break. A largely one-sided game in which the Blues had created a number of opportunities but without converting any of them.

Tommy Smith replaced Berra - who had required treatment during the first half - ahead of the start of the second period.

Four minutes after the restart Lamah made a powerful run from deep and looked to feed Sears but the striker had strayed offside. The break prompted shouts of ‘Sign him up!’ from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The second half substitutions began in the 53rd minute when David McGoldrick replaced Bishop.

On 57 Jordan Massengo was yellow-carded for pulling back McGoldrick and while the Blues prepared to take the freekick Andre Dozzell took over from Lamah, who was warmly applauded off again having made an impression.

Freddy Mombongo Dues looped an overhead kick to Bialkowski, before the Blues finally went in front in the 61st minute. Bru sent over a corner from the left and Murphy rose highest to head home his first goal of pre-season.

Two minutes later, Bru stabbed wide after a loose ball fell to him just inside the penalty area.

As Town looked to add to their lead McGoldrick headed against a defender from a Knudsen cross from the left.

But on 72 the visitors equalised. From a Blues corner, Rajsel brought the ball forward at pace with Cole Skuse the only Town man back. He fed Fixelles breaking to his left, who beat the advancing Bialkowski.

And three minutes later, the Belgians were in front. Skipper Chambers was caught in possession by Rajsel, who took the ball inside before smashing a shot past Bialkowski.

As the game moved into its final 10 minutes McGoldrick hit a freekick into the Royale Union wall, then Dozzell volleyed through to the keeper. Moments later, McGoldrick skipped into the area on the left but stabbed wide.

In the closing stages, their goals having given them confidence, the visitors began to pass the ball around more confidently with the Blues rarely threatening to get back on terms.

In the one minute of injury time McGoldrick saw a shot blocked and then from the resultant corner a number of players, including Chambers and Webster, had efforts cleared off the line by the keeper or his defenders. That was the last action with the visitors celebrating their victory at the final whistle.

It was a win which should never have been theirs with Town having had the chances to have had the game sealed before their quick-fire second-half goals, prior to which they had presented little if any threat.

Having been angered by the defending which had led to Cambridge’s equaliser last week, manager Mick McCarthy is likely to have been even less impressed with the way his side conceded the two Royale Union goals and fell to a defeat to such comparatively lowly opposition.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra (T Smith 46), Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Bishop (McGoldrick 53), Lamah (Dozzell 58), Sears, Murphy. Unused: Crowe, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Douglas, Digby, Malarczyk, McDonnell, Stewart, McLoughlin.

RUSG: Sadin (c), Morren, Mpati Bibuangu, Cabeke, Vandiepenbeeck, Wallaert (Fixelles 67), Aguemon (Zitte 83), Martens, Mombongo Dues, Rajsel, Massengo. Unused: Salah, Kaminiaris, Neels, Palmeri, Saussez. Referee: Nicholas Kingsley. Att: 3,713 (RUSG: 122).

Photo: Action Images

pablo123 added 22:40 - Jul 30 Truly pathetc! !! Another wasted season ahead with an owner with no ambition left and a manager to suit !!!!!! What has happened to my beloved Ipswich ?? I despair
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runningout added 22:49 - Jul 30 don't care that it was a preseason game.. We weren't playing St Ettiene! we are in need of a huge kick up the backside.
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:54 - Jul 30 Diaz I think you might mean Knudsen got knackered not Knudsen got naked. That really would have caused chaos down the left! :-)
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budgieplucker added 00:41 - Jul 31 Kevin Bru was my man of the match but the style of opposition suited his game and we moved the ball around neatly. However at times to me it looked like Freddie and Murf were not synced in to the style of play I actually thought that Didz looked very frustrated in much that he did. Bish, Skuse and Kevin Bru are a very decent combination but look very light in terms of scoring goals. Andre Dozzel at times showed some nice touches and perhaps more of a goal threat in him but for me he only has a bit part to play this season. In other ways he looks a bit lightweight but I do expect him to develop into a top player. The demands of the Championship will be a much different kettle of fish and we will have to grind out results because teams may surrender possession if we move the ball around and we will have difficulty breaking them down on the edge of their penalty area. I guess the Belgians weren't told we play in blue and as they had blue I suppose they didn't have a second kit with then, hence why we turned out in all white. I liked the kit when it was released and the fact that it was kept simple appeals to me. However it never seemed right in Ipswich playing in all white. Still prefer the orange away kit of 2 seasons ago.

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Daz added 00:57 - Jul 31 PJ yes that may have cause more entertainment lol. Seriously i hadn't noticed that typing error so thanks. What I think and what my brain makes me type are 2 different things. Predictive text can only help so far.
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paris_mitchell_in_oz added 00:58 - Jul 31 I don't think I've ever been less excited about the start of a new season. Yaaaaawwn....zzzzz.
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BrettenhamBlue added 01:42 - Jul 31 See the rumours linking us to Ross McCormack have intensified. A very skilful player and an awesome striker that I'd love to witness playing for us. Will make a monumental difference to our attacking play and at this level is fantastic. But just can't see it happening. We have also been linked with Djemba-Djemba which is more realistic but the link isn't sky sports it's Twitter which is wholly unreliable.

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yorksblue added 07:27 - Jul 31 Can see us playing nice, passing football, missing a hat full of chances and getting beaten by a fired up Barnsley team. Sorry for negativity, but not seen anything to make me alter opinion.
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sidtheswan added 08:03 - Jul 31 Ha Ha I didn't waste my money or my time by falling for MM's bull&£&".By buying a centre half and having a journeyman trialist does not improve a very weak squad. However my loyalty to the club meant I renewed my season ticket but just expecting the same old dross unless we get a couple of signings and the most boring manager in the history of the world gets sacked .

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Elto added 08:06 - Jul 31 Thanks for the recognition blueboy. Means the world to me.
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GiveusaWave added 10:15 - Jul 31 Except for a few people (ArnieM, Elto etc) this site is nothing short of depressing. Will be interesting to see how views change when we beat Barnsley 1-0.
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irishtim added 12:17 - Jul 31 Think we have too much knee jerk reactions. Get behind the team. Judge after a few games. Some on here don't seem to want to back the club.
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blues1 added 14:12 - Jul 31 Budgieplucker. What game were you at? Bru was awful. Did absolutely nothing. Not that anyone else was much better tbh. Just a poor performance, full stop.
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blues1 added 14:17 - Jul 31 Mickszzzztactics. Yes, I totally agree that if playing football on the ground doesn't work, he'll resort to type and go back to goofball. Absolutely he will. Once a dinosaur, always a dinosaur..
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essex57 added 15:42 - Jul 31 Don't bother to refer to me blue bore1981 then I will not have to read them for some one who purports to be highly intelligent why don't you argue your case without having to resort to insults and sarcasm I'm entitled to my views the same as you are to yours so please don't h be rude or question mine and other people's intelligence.
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essex57 added 15:56 - Jul 31 Couldn't agree more quentchev and Irishtim there are a hardcore of so called supporters on here who want to see Ipswich fail to get rid of MM I find this attitude abhorrent.
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martin587 added 16:31 - Jul 31 Everybody is entitled to their opinions on this site whether it be constructive or not,and it doe's not constitute abuse from other posters.At the end of the day we all want what is best for the club in one way or another,don't we.! Some posters on this site do not accept criticism which is a shame in our modern society.Lets just wait until the season gets underway and then we will have a better idea of which direction we are heading.

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grumpyoldman added 17:00 - Jul 31 Essex57 as usual you only see it one way, no true supporter wants us to fail, I personally would love the club to be successful but under Dino I can't see it happening, if he proves me wrong so be it. If people didn't care they would disassociate themselves totally and not even bother to post. Instead of your sanctimonious protestations you should keep an open mind just because people disagree with you it does not make them any less of a true blue than you are any like minded person.

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essex57 added 17:10 - Jul 31 Grumpy old man that's my opinion which is not sanctimonious some posters I feel want the club to lose to get MM sacked and justify there opinions there's no one with a more open mind than me when we win I'm happy when we lose I accept it with good faith.
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grumpyoldman added 17:20 - Jul 31 Sanctimonious is making out you are morally superior to others, and by saying that if somebody posts something you disagree with are less of a supporter than you proves my point. Insulting other supporters is ridiculous and by over reacting to their jibes means you are no better than them.
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pup12 added 17:52 - Jul 31 So zero wins in pre season!?well according to my dad poor pre season good season proper! So we are in for one hell of a season,hold on tight! seriously tho I think we are in trouble! The fools from up the road are gonna hammer us!! I hope not and really hope I'm wrong.We just don't have that bit of class or bite ,def not in midfield .Worryingly is goals have dried up.Us it ME not giving money or MM not willing to spend??? Coyb

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blueboy1981 added 18:26 - Jul 31 martin587 and seasideblues have obviously joined the 'Double Figure Club' - membership of which will struggle the way things are looking right now. In the meantime guys - keep making the excuses - and be happy chappies. Just a reminder that REAL Club Supporters are not the ones who accept anything, but will always want success, and the earned reputation of their Club to be upheld. We earned a huge reputation over many years for all the right reasons, Club and Supporters - were held in high esteem throughout the world, and game. It grieves me to see it eroded - therefore I am not at all happy with what we are, and where we are - today.

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essex57 added 19:12 - Jul 31 Grumpy old man I think you will find I am not sanctimonious my posts are consistently behind the team and management. There are certain posters on here who are sarcastic and rude to any one who doesn't agree with their ante club rhetoric that's why I reply to them. I find it strange that very few of the anti posters on here ever post on the forum where you get a more balanced debate.

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corfu72 added 19:14 - Jul 31 blueboy1981,your glib remarks baffle me.I have been a season ticket holder for nearly 50 years,and yes I have seen both good and bad.By the sounds of it and your rather pathetic remarks to fellow Town supporters you have obviously only seen a few bad years and not too many good times like some of us had. Just because some people think in a different way to you and DONT slag the club off before the season starts does not mean we are happy with the way the club is run or how the team plays.May I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself as your making yourself look like a right Pratt.!!

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blueboy1981 added 19:27 - Jul 31 ......... seasideblues - look in the mirror, and you may just see what you have just called me. I have, and never would be that insulting by actual name calling anyone. I therefore hold my head higher than you ever could. I suppose you think you are the only one who has been following ITFC for 50+ years - well, for your information,I have too. I therefore know what success and reputation is at / for the Club. You amaze me in so much that alledgedly 'having seen so much' - you are prepared to accept, and obviously condone what is currently happening at the Club. Anyway - you may like to know that you have spelt 'prat' as in the Surname - obviously intended .... !!! Keep accepting second best - and be happy for nearly another 50 years, your choice. If you insist - meet me personally at Portman Road, and call me whatever you like, but be prepared for a response ... !!!

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