Matt Doherty’s 15th minute goal saw top-of-the-table Wolves to a 1-0 victory over Town at Portman Road. Doherty nodded home a Barry Douglas cross at the far post with the impressive visitors subsequently looking more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to level with Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski making a number of outstanding saves.

Stephen Gleeson and Jordan Spence came into the side for the injured Cole Skuse and ineligible Dominic Iorfa.

Gleeson, facing the club where he started his career, was making his first full appearance for the Blues having come on as a sub at Bolton last week as well as his home debut, along with central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who started the 1-1 draw at the Macron Stadium.

The Irishman lined-up in the centre of midfield alongside Callum Connolly with Spence, back from his three-game ban, at right-back, Iorfa having been unavailable against his parent club.

Wolves also made two changes with Alfred N’Diaye and Helder Costa replacing Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini.

The visitors won an early freekick on the right but David McGoldrick read their intentions as the ball was played back to Douglas and the Ireland international blocked the Scottish full-back’s shot.

Town threatened for the first time in the fourth minute when Bersant Celina made a blistering run down the left which led to the first of two corners.

From the second, the ball was cleared to Gleeson, whose shot was diverted through to Connolly, but the on-loan Everton man was crowded out as he looked to get in an effort at goal.

On 10 Connolly struck the Blues’ first shot on target from 25 yards but without seriously testing Wolves keeper John Ruddy.

A minute later, Martyn Waghorn tried to catch former Canary Ruddy out with a dipping lob from the edge of the box which the keeper claimed, then moments later the Town top scorer was yellow-carded for a foul on Willy Boly.

In the quarter hour Wolves went in front via their first serious attack of the game. Connolly held up Ivan Cavaleiro on left of the area and the Portuguese wideman back-heeled into the path of the overlapping Douglas, who crossed from the byline to the far post, where Doherty headed down and into the top corner of the net with neither Jonas Knudsen or Celina making a challenge.

The ball's bounce on the compacted and muddy pitch - rain fell heavily before the game and throughout - may have led Bialkowski to judge that it was going wide.

Referee Simon Hooper had irked the Town players on a number of occasions in the early stages, he had pulled back play for a Blues freekick with Waghorn well-placed, while the striker’s yellow card had been somewhat harsh.

This was compounded in 26th minute when Gleeson joined him in the book for a challenge on Ruben Neves not far outside the area when the home debutant had very evidently won the ball.

From the freekick, Douglas curled a shot to Bialkowski’s right but the Town keeper, fresh from agreeing a new contract, did well to get across to save.

Bialkowski saved sharply to his right again from Diogo Jota after Wolves had broken quickly, then at the other end Connolly struck a powerful effort which Ruddy stopped to his right.

Town were playing well and went close to an equaliser in the 33rd minute when, following a corner, Celina brought the ball in from the left before lashing a shot across the face of goal and just wide. Moments later, Neves smashed well wide of the the Blues’ goal from distance.

On 44 Celina broke forward on the left and teed-up McGoldrick 25 yards out, the Blues’ number 10 curling a goal-bound shot which Ruddy tipped over.

That was to prove the final action of a first half from which Town were a little unfortunate to be behind.

The Blues had passed the ball around well for the most part, however, without creating too many chances, while Wolves had defended resolutely and looked the more dangerous side on the break, Bialkowski having been forced into a couple of important saves in addition to the well-worked goal.

Town began the half strongly, keeping Wolves pinned back inside their half for a long spell but again without creating an opportunity.

However, the visitors began to threaten again, Bialkowski saving from Jota, then making an even more impressive stop when the on-loan Atlético Madrid man looked to slip the ball past him to his left when breaking in on goal on the left of the box.

On 59 Wolves missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead. Jota showed a great turn of pace to reach a Cavaleiro ball down the left and broke into the box. The Portuguese U23 international might have shot himself but instead opted to cut inside to the unmarked Costa but he played the ball behind the ex-Benfica man.

Bialkowski made another impressive stop in the 68th minute, the Pole coming off his line quickly to block from Costa after he had been played in on the right of the area.

Town had had a lot of the ball after the break with Wolves happy to sit back and allow them to play in front of them.

Their solid back three had prevented the Blues from seriously threatening until Waghorn hit a snapshot on the turn in the 70th minute which flew into the side-netting. A minute later, Bonatini replaced Cavaleiro.

Soon after coming on, Bonatini crashed a powerfully struck volley from just outside the area against Carter-Vickers. On 75 Connolly was booked for a foul on Jota. Three minutes later, Bright Enobakhare replaced Costa.

Bialkowski made another important save as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, palming Bonatini’s shot from a tight angle on the right away from goal.

The Blues keeper was in action again on 82, diving across to his right to paw Enobakhare’s low shot away from just inside the post.

With seven minutes remaining, Town made a triple substitution, Freddie Sears, Luke Hyam and Grant Ward replacing McGoldrick, Gleeson, who was warmly applauded off by his new fans, and Garner. Moments later, N'Diaye was booked for a foul on Connolly.

Celina curled a shot towards goal on 86 but was only able to find Ruddy’s hands, then in the penultimate scheduled minute Neves struck a freekick a couple of feet over Bialkowski’s bar for the visitors.

As the game moved towards the 90-minute mark a Ward cross from the right was chested back towards Spence by Connolly but the right-back and Sears got in one another’s way and the former MK Dons man eventually scuffed weakly to Ruddy.

In three minutes of injury time a Hyam cross from the left was misjudged by Ruddy but the loose ball wouldn’t fall for a Town player.

The final whistle was greeted by boos from some sections of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, which was harsh on the Blues, who hadn’t played poorly but had merely met a much better team.

The Wolves backline had remained resolute throughout, limiting Town, who have now won once in their last eight, to few chances throughout, while their frontmen were always dangerous and would have scored more goals but for another excellent performance from Bialkowski in the Blues goal.

The defeat sees Town stay 12th, now eight points off the play-offs ahead of next week's trip to third-bottom Sunderland with table-propping Burton next at Portman Road in a fortnight's time.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Gleeson (Hyam 83), Connolly, McGoldrick (Sears 83), Waghorn, Celina, Garner (Ward 83). Unused: M Crowe, Webster, Bru, Kenlock.

Wolves: Ruddy, Bennett, Coady (c), Boly, Doherty, N’Diaye, Neves, Douglas, Costa (Enobakhare 78), Cavaleiro (Bonatini 71), Jota. Unused: Norris, Batth, Gibbs-White, Miranda, Vinagre. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wilshire). Att: 15,971 (Wolves: 1,890).

Photo: TWTD

johnno added 20:34 - Jan 27 Surely Marcus Evans must realise that the present setup is not ever going to work let alone get any better , so why o why will he not pay the most arrogant outdated manager probably of all time his contract out right now , get a new man in plus his backroom staff look at what players he can work with next season and mark the tests card . If he waits till the summer it's going to be another season to sort out the mess .He must also see that less will renew and the ground on a match day will resemble a mortuary. God are we bored !!!

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Spanishblueblood added 20:38 - Jan 27 Rensham, you really are a muppet! I have a really horrible feeling MM is gonna be here for at least another season, GOD HELP US! He should be sacked now before we lose more fans for good!
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blueboy1981 added 20:38 - Jan 27 Nothing from you then Swn98 ? - other than the customary finger on the minus button. Surprise, surprise. A few of you obvious by your absence - I guess the excuses take longer, and longer, and longer. Gcon will have come up with something by the morning - didn't say which one tho'.
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TonyMowbray added 20:56 - Jan 27 Bore off Mick. Bore off.
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wayway added 20:59 - Jan 27 First and foremost McCarthy is a disaster, a boring man who plays boring hoofball and treats the fans like idiots. Even with no money to spend you do not have to play the game like he does. Having said that the problem lies fairly and squarely with Evans PLC, until they take it upon themselves to put the club up for sale then this is all we have. it is time people with influence in this area woke up to the fact that the Ipswich Town we knew and loved is now dead. As an idea, what about the Chinese owners of Felixstowe Port being approached to mount a takeover? I am sure owning a successful I T F C would sit well wit htheir corporate image

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TonyMowbray added 21:23 - Jan 27 I used to be a very proud Ipswich fan (first game was a snowy nil nil against Liverpool in 1986).........but the undying commitment for my team is now like a dead weight around my neck. I want to feel passionate and proud about my team but i know that will never happen under Mick as i believe in good quality attacking passing football. If you can strive for that in a park on a Sunday morning then you should surely be able to strive for it in the chumpionship. Would personally say bye to thick in the summer and get the Lincoln boys in and give them a chance (I'm from Essex so maybe biased). Please go at the end of the season Mick, you are a total disappointment to the beautiful game. It doesn't have to be played this way......a footballing philoshiphy has no link to a budget, they are totally separate.

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midastouch added 22:02 - Jan 27 Magical Vegas have a new game called Barkin' Mad and if Mick is still here next season I'll be exactly that! Barking' Mad as well as Barkin' Bored! Not sure what is worse emblazoned on the shirt, Magical Vegas or The Marcus Evans Dupe! When Marcus took over I thought he was going to be Magical but his reign is sadly turning out to be Tragical! False Hope! https://www.magicalvegas.com/slots/game/barkin-mad/

4

midastouch added 22:03 - Jan 27 10 Years of False Hope!
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ITFCsince67 added 22:12 - Jan 27 I'd take the two guys from Lincoln City. Young, ambitious and enthusiastic.
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Rensham added 22:21 - Jan 27 He's staying. There's only one man in charge of the club and his name is Mick McCarthy,
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blueboy1981 added 22:27 - Jan 27 ........ on another note - Whatever happened to our sacred Portman Road turf/pitch .. ?? We once (for many years, actually) had one of the two best pitches in the Football League - what an awful mess it was today, and currently is. Yet another sign of our sad Club demise, unfortunately.
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GiveusaWave added 22:28 - Jan 27 Wonder where we would be without Bart the last few seasons...think the defence is far too reliant on him... It's almost like they expect him to pull off save after save after save...
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heathen66 added 22:38 - Jan 27 Played OK (nothing better) first half with Gleeson looking half decent in the holding role alongside Connelly (and Celina and McGoldrick). We went 1-0 down and had no answer, no change, the two CMs still sat deep, Celina and McGoldrick still covered the wandering full backs and created very little. Many have spoken on here about how much has or has not been spent, but it did not seem to bother Newport County today or Bristol City last week or Wigan today. We have no direction, apart from hold on and hope. As I said Gleeson had an ok game however will not play when Skuse is fit. Where does that leave Hyam or Downes (i know he is not fully fit) as we now have 5 holding midfielders. We are desperate for some creativity, but force McGoldrick and Celina to defend for the majority of the game, and then we all complain that McGoldrick was not influential. IMO it is all about attitude, and this is instilled from the manager. We sold Moore, but have no attacking options.

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 22:40 - Jan 27 Reading one or two responses from today it appears we got one or two unambiguous Norwich fans in our midst, either that or someone's attempting a poor attempt at humor. To the game itself I wasn't expecting any points from today and was proved correct. Bialkowski gets a vote for match honors, can only hope he remains on the club payroll. For everyone else it appears there were chances but little dispute in the opposition taking victory. Can't see much ahead in the four and a half months of the remaining season. Yes we'll take points here and there, even register at least one outstanding victory, but for the most part there's too many deficiencies in pivotal areas that simply hold us back. People talk about the potential risks should McCarthy vacate his position, hell I'd be willing to take that chance. We're simply nowhere near the required attributes to properly challenge.

13

trncbluearmy added 05:26 - Jan 28 At times in the first half,less said about second the better,ITFC played some decent stuff,but do not have the quality of player to make it count. If this underfunding continues unfortunately there is only can be only be one result, relegation,perhaps not this season but it is coming. ITFC need an owner prepared to seriously invest,a young manager, preferably with Ipswich connections, prepared to play considerd attacking entertaining football with a plan and system and fans that once again can believe in their club.

4

cat added 08:38 - Jan 28 Elto , not bad thanks, considering I've been knifed in the back by my own kind (lol). There's a time and place for slaying and yesterday weren't it, why? a/ we set up as 4.4.2, b/ we went at then from the off and worked their keeper, c/ possession stats at 56%, d/ we made an effort to pass the ball on the deck, e/ 11 shots, 6 on target. Add to that the fact I did not bother attending the game and Wolves are the run away leaders of the division, spending millions in the process, what's there to be negative about? Most of us were thinking relegation at the start of the campaign and here we are mid table, add to that, that crippling injury list, not to bad imo. Reading through some of yesterday's posts is simply laughable, they probably look at the result and think here we go, our time has come, shame it's made then look like a bunch of fecking clueless footballing inept arses. Maybe the lads will explain them minuses??? Funny that (along with a handful of others) I continued to convey my ‘anti' message on a weekly basis throughout this season, even through the better times, when many on here simply went off and hid behind there sofas waiting for a few loses, before coming back on here and spouting their bollox. Speaks volumes that one. Capping it off, I don't like MM's tactics, systems or style and I want change, end of.

2

midastouch added 08:45 - Jan 28 I think the main gripe is that yes Wolves have had a lot of money spent on their team with their new Chinese owners and not to mention the super agent now at their disposal. But lately they have lost form and have been beatable. Even so, we can't complain too much about losing to them. But we can however complain that the gulf is so massive because while I don't pretend for one minute Marcus could have given us a budget anywhere near as big as Wolves, he could at least give us a fighting chance but rather he continues to spend peanuts and leave us fighting an uphill battle of epic proportions. There are chairman in this league with far less money giving their managers the resources to attract much better players so it shows that he's not anywhere as committed to our team as others are to theirs. And as a result we continue to fall further and further down the pecking order under his painful 10-year watch.

1

budgieplucker added 09:54 - Jan 28 For the neutral an entertaining match. No shame loosing to the top of the table by a one goal margin (although it could have been more). Gleeson had a solid debut and young Callum Conolly continues to consistently impress in the middle of the park - I like this lad a lot and we should make every effort to sign him (reported that Everton looking to trim their squad). The 4-2-3-1 system has served us well during the first half of the season, however, recently the "fab 4" has in my opinion been the major cause of the problem. Yesterday Celina always looked a threat and if he could create something but McGoldrick, Waghorn and Garner were all very poor. All credit to them for scoring the tally of goals so far this season, ironically the system works well when we set out to counter attack but often at home seems unbalanced. For me Waghorn, Garner, McGoldrick and Sears are all number 10's. Mark Lawrence commented when we signed Garner that he loves to play off of somebody. Joey does have a great leap and doing well at set pieces but in open play is often dominated by centre halves who have 6 inches height advantage. We could do with 6ft 4" proper target man on our books. But I am not sure we can pick one up for 750,000. I presume Drinan is considered an out and out number 9. If so Mick must take criticism for not having this option on the bench. McGoldrick struggles to play a wide role in the 3, and at times looks a liability in this role. With a bit of good fortune we competed well for 60 - 65 minutes yesterday and then by 70 minutes we needed to freshen it up. We were energised by the changes but to give 3 players less than ten minutes in my view is tactically very poor management. You can't criticise the team for lack of effort but to break down the opposition you have to get good balls into the box and forwards making intelligent runs, we seem to have lost that capability at the moment.

4

BraveDave added 11:41 - Jan 28 Wow blueboy 1981. I know you have an agenda and fair play to you for sticking to that and never engaging in a reasoned adult debate, but to somehow tie in the state of the pitch yesterday with the demise of our club is pushing it beyond silly. I too can remember when our pitch was THE best in the league. But it hasn't been for some time now - remember Bryan Gunn! Long before the Burley glory years.

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Elto added 12:12 - Jan 28 Cat You're not one them, you respect the views of others and accept that those views may be different to yours. Blueboy and chums are not capable of that. You describe them perfectly by the way, good work.
1

Skip73 added 12:21 - Jan 28 Prebbs. Not a bad shout on Gary Monk. He would do a decent job and a realistic target too. Maybe you will get your wish in the summer.
2

Seasider added 13:08 - Jan 28 A glorious defeat !!! My take on match. Ipswich played some nice neat football,a lot of which was in their own half in front of Wolves;but the build up was too slow to worry a top defence,and when we did get in shooting distance invariably the ball was passed out wide,giving the opposition time to settle and wait for the cross which was comfortably headed away by their giant defenders,against our little forwards in comparison. Ruddy only had about 3 or 4 shots to deal with,and never looked troubled.The best efforts came from Santi and Waggy,both close but not on target. That's only one win in eight with 4 goals scored,and Norwich now level on points;so not looking good at all;although this loss to a Premiership quality team was to be expected,McCarthy will not be able to use the same excuse about losing to a team that has spent lots of money etc ,should the next two results be similar

3

Northstandveteran added 15:38 - Jan 28 @blueboy81. Also surprised at the state of the pitch Groundsman probably not fertilizing anymore knowing that every other Saturday it will get a big load of s##t hoofing all over it
3

poldark added 15:56 - Jan 28 Just watching build up for Cardiff v Man City this is what this moron McCarthy takes away from us ITFC fans just get out of this club you IDIOT
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Northstandveteran added 15:59 - Jan 28 I bet Sheffield United fans are looking forward to the 5th round draw. So glad we threw the game to secure mid table obscurity
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