Town ended 2023 with a 0-0 home draw with QPR, the first time they had failed to net at in the league Portman Road during the calendar year. The Blues, shorn of several regulars through suspension, injury and illness, were never at their best with QPR coming closest to breaking the deadlock when a Steve Cook header struck the post and ran along the line before being forced away.

Town fielded a team featuring six changes from the side which drew 1-1 with leaders Leicester City on Boxing Day with Leif Davis, who had picked up a calf problem, and Wes Burns, who was ill, joining George Hirst, out with a hamstring injury, and suspended skipper Sam Morsy out of the squad.

Vaclav Hladky continued in goal with Brandon Williams returning at right-back, Cameron Humphreys making his first Championship start at left-back and Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess the centre-halves.

In Morsy’s absence, former QPR man Massimo Luongo captained from central midfield alongside another ex-R, Dom Ball.

Ahead of them, Omari Hutchinson was on the right and Conor Chaplin in the middle with Marcus Harness on the left, the former Portsmouth man having initially been down as a sub before being called into the team just before kick-off after Nathan Broadhead had pulled up in the warm-up. Freddie Ladapo was the central striker.

Of those who started the 1-1 draw with Leicester on Boxing Day, Harry Clarke, who is managing an achilles issue, and Jack Taylor and were on the bench.

Also among the subs were Sone Aluko and George Edmundson, while U21s striker Gerrard Buabo, 18, was on the first-team bench in the league for the first time. Elkan Baggott was a late addition following Harness’s elevation into the starting XI.

QPR made five changes from the team which lost 2-0 at Millwall on Boxing Day with Reggie Cannon, Cook, Chris Willock, Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Sinclair Armstrong coming into the XI.

Former Blues loan keeper Asmir Begovic skippered, while ex-Town midfielder Andre Dozzell also started.

The visitors were the first side to threaten, Armstrong, who had been a threat through the Blues’ 1-0 win at Loftus Road in August, shooting from a tight angle on the right and Hladky bundling behind.

But Town had an even better opportunity in the sixth minute when Ladapo was played through on goal but the striker was a bit hesitant and after turning rather than heading towards goal, lost the ball. Harness subsequently looped the loose ball into Begovic’s arms.

Three minutes later, Harness reacted quickly to cut out an under-hit QPR pass and fed Ladapo in on the right of the box. This time the frontman got in a shot but it struck the advancing Begovic on the legs and looped over.

The Blues went close again from the corner, Humphreys playing a now familiar low corner towards Chaplin on the edge of the box but on this occasion the forward’s shot was scuffed and Begovic was able to save.

On 16, following a long spell of Town possession, Ball found Humphreys in space on the left of the box but the youngster overhit his cross when in a promising position.

However, four minutes later, Williams was caught in possession not far outside the Blues area and Armstrong forced Hladky into another save, this time at his other post, but again from a tight angle.

As the clocked ticked over into the 22nd minute, fans applauded in tribute to 22-year-old supporter Ben Moore, who died on Thursday following a battle with leukaemia.

There was a huge scare for the Blues, who were continuing to put in a rather disjointed display, in the 31st minute when the ball flicked off Cook’s head at the near post from a corner, struck the inside of the post and ran along the line. Hladky palmed it away from the line and it was hastily cleared by Burgess.

The incident seemed to wake up the previously rather sullen Portman Road crowd and in the 34th minute, the Blues weren’t too far away from an opener when Hutchinson cut in and shot from a tight angle on the right, forcing Begovic to tip over.

Town’s corner came to nothing and soon afterwards Chaplin was yellow-carded for a foul, having previously been pulled up for an earlier indiscretion.

Neither side created an opportunity in the remaining minutes of an unusually drab Portman Road first half.

Given all the changes, it was perhaps not a surprise that the Blues were lacking a little of their regular lustre.

They had had spells in control but without looking particularly dangerous for the most part, although Hutchinson wasn’t too far away and Ladapo probably should have done better with his two early chances.

At the other end, QPR had had one or two opportunities with Cook very unfortunate with his header, the ball hitting the post and running along the line in a similar manner to an Armstrong shot in the game at Loftus Road.

The start of the second half was delayed for 20 minutes due to a medical incident in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand, before the ill fan was wheeled away on a stretcher towards the tunnel to applause from the crowd.

The two teams returned to the field and took part in a six-minute warm-up prior to the restart with the visitors making a change, Paul Smyth taking over from Willock.

The second half started in a similar manner to the first with the Blues still scruffy. On 51, Armstrong chased a ball down the QPR right and Hladky was quickly off his line and well out of his goal. The Czech didn’t make a save but Armstrong’s heavy touch took it out of play for a goal-kick.

On 51, Woolfenden was booked for a foul on Armstrong with the Town centre-half adamant he had got a touch on the ball.

Three minutes later, Humphreys burst away down the left and sent over a cross from midway inside the QPR half which Ladapo nodded wide.

In the 56th minute, Williams got caught in possession having repeatedly tried to twist and turn away from Chair, who eventually won it and sent over a cross, which was too long for his teammates.

As the hour mark approached, Armstrong cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected through to Hladky. Play was then stopped for an injury to Sam Field.

Right on the hour, the Blues carved out their best-worked move of the match so far. Chaplin fed Humphreys, who played in Harness on the left of the box from where the forward hit a shot which Begovic appeared to palm behind, although referee David Webb gave a goal-kick.

Soon after, Town, who looked to be getting more into their stride, made a triple change with Kayden Jackson, Taylor and Clarke taking over from Ladapo, Ball and Williams in changes which looked pre-planned. QPR swapped Dixon-Bonner for Lyndon Dykes.

As the clock ticked the 65-minute mark, fans again applauded, for another supporter, Peter Taylor, who also died this week having fought mesothelioma.

During the applause, Hladky palmed a low cross from the QPR left against Smyth, the ball cannoning wide, much to the visitors’ sub’s frustration.

Smyth was frustrated again moments later when he went to ground as he went past Woolfenden on the right of the box, referee Webb making it clear he thought the QPR wideman had made a lot of nothing.

On 70, the West Londoners swapped Cook, who had undergone treatment on the pitch, for Jimmy Dunne.

Five minutes later, with Chair sitting down in the other side of the field, the latest of several QPR players to take to the turn, a long spell of Blues possession ended with a Hutchinson cross-shot deflecting away from goal.

The visitors made two more changes on 78 with Ziyad Larkeche replacing Chair and Ryan Kolli taking over from Armstrong.

Begovic was booked for time-wasting in the 83rd minute, before a corner was cleared to Dozzell and the former Town midfielder struck a shot which deflected wide. On 86 Harness was yellow-carded for a foul on Cannon.

Soon after, the Blues handed a league debut to Buabo, who previously had made two cup sub appearances, for Harness with Aluko taking over from Hutchinson.

In the final scheduled minute, just before the fourth official indicated eight additional minutes, Larkeche was cautioned for a foul on Clarke on the right.

Just before the end, QPR claimed a penalty after a cross from the right appeared to catch Jackson’s arm as a cross came over from the right, then, after Buabo, who had made an impact having come off the bench, was fouled, a free-kick was cleared and Aluko volleyed well off target.

It was perhaps a fitting end to an unusually scrappy affair. A 0-0 draw, Town’s first at home in 2023, was a fair reflection of a frustrating game for the much-changed Blues, who were never really convincing and rarely threatened in the second half.

Town last drew 0-0 at Bristol Rovers in February and at home in the league in March 2022 against Portsmouth, although more recently the FA Cup third-round tie with Burnley at Portman Road also ended goalless.

The disappointing performance illustrated that Town have work to do in the January transfer window to strengthen the squad for the second half of the campaign.

The Blues were perhaps fortunate they were facing QPR rather than tougher opposition with the visitors similarly never really looking like breaking the deadlock in the second period. However, the West Londoners will be happier with the point which moves them a point closer to fourth-bottom Huddersfield.

Town end 2023 second in the Championship, but are now only three points ahead of Southampton, who beat Plymouth 2-1 at home, while Leeds in fourth are now nine points behind Kieran McKenna’s men, having lost 1-0 at West Brom.

The Blues will have skipper Morsy, who was much-missed in the centre of the midfield, back for New Year’s Day’s game at Stoke and they will hope a number of tonight’s other absentees will also join the Egyptian international.

Town: Hladky, Williams (Clarke 63), Woolfenden, Burgess, Humphreys, Luongo (c), Ball (Taylor 64), Hutchinson (Aluko 88), Chaplin, Harness (Buabo 88), Ladapo (Jackson 63). Unused: Walton, Edmundson, Baggott, Tuanzebe.

QPR: Begovic (c), Cook (Dunne 70), Clarke-Salter, Willock (Smyth 46), Field, Chair (Larkeche 78), Dozzell, Dixon-Bonner (Dykes 64), Cannon, Paal, Armstrong (Kolli 78). Unused: Archer, Kakay, Drewe, Adomah. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 29,100 (QPR: 1,698).

Photo: Matchday Images

PhuketPete added 10:53 - Dec 30 Based on yesterday alone 1. Send BW back to Manchester. He was brilliant but what on earth has happened? 2. Give CamH deserves more chances in MF. He’s as talented as Jack and showed it in second half even though out of position. 3. Gerard B showed more at CF in 15 mins than we’ve seen all season from KJ or FL. Assuming Jay S joins he’ll soon be our starting CF in George’a absence but GB showed he is our own Dane Scarlett and deserves same sub cameo’s - at very least 4. Agree we need more in defensive MF when Sam is missing - which he will be again after a 10th booking. Is the answer at Orient? I heard El Miz shows similar (to Sam) leadership and battling qualities? I doubt we’ll see him back but…. 5. What is going on with Axel? Our big EPL hope at CB? Maybe he was sick like Wes but it’s a concern that he can’t yet break in as a starting CB.

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Linkboy13 added 10:54 - Dec 30 I was impressed with Humphreys even though he was out of position he's one of the best passers of the ball at the club. McKenna hasn't used him in midfield yet but his vision and quality of pass would be a great asset to Hirst but perhaps McKenna thinks physically he's not up to championship level yet that's the only reason i can see.
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blueboy1981 added 11:22 - Dec 30 CH is one of, if not the most Technically gifted players at the Club. Should definitely be playing regularly at a higher level, and he would thrive in my opinion.
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blueboy1981 added 11:46 - Dec 30 Some, but not all Youngsters, grasp the opportunity of being ‘blooded’ into the First Team, and never look back from that. They need that chance. I’m always in favour of that when needs must - far better than bringing a tired lag in from elsewhere on loan who can often not be asked to perform. Lets see more of GB - he did well in his ‘limited’ opportunity ! The past Pedigree of our Club, and maybe the Future once again ! Why Not ?

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Nomore4 added 12:45 - Dec 30 I agree with Cat and Walktheline….However 2nd still possible. That’s my pre season prediction. And I’m sticking to it…..Season blip now over….Next
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Nomore4 added 13:09 - Dec 30 After all we would have been top of the league with our points total at this stage last season. So all is good.
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jas0999 added 13:13 - Dec 30 Disappointing result and arguably one of the worst performances. Interesting that Leeds continue to falter after beating us easily. It’s difficult and perhaps unfair to criticise after a great year and afterall, any team would miss Morsey, Hirst, Burns, Davis and Broadhead. Bit unlucky really. But, our lack of quality in depth was exposed. Too many what I’d call average championship players. Fine if we want lower mid table, but not if we wish to continue to push on. At least we didn’t lose. Happy New Year to all.

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SickParrot added 13:29 - Dec 30 Loads of mitigating circumstances for last nights poor performance but because of the big defeat at Leeds and only taking three points from our last three home games it is a disappointing end to the year. A fantastic year never the less - goals galore, promotion and we're second in the Championship, far beyond anyone's expectations. We were without five of our most influential players last night so a draw was a decent result. However, like many others have said, I think it's clear that some or our second choice players are either too old or not good enough for the Championship. I would put Aluko, Ball and Jackson in that category. Unfortunately, KM has said that none of the current squad will be leaving, so we can only sign players aged under 21. I respect KM's wish to avoid rocking the boat and to reward loyalty but if we are to push on in the second half of the season I think we do need to say thank you and cheerio to the above and replace them with Championship quality players.

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oldegold added 13:40 - Dec 30 I have no doubt KM is ruthless in a quiet assassin mode and will do what is necessary to shake the team up. We were hopeless last night...weren't really up to it and it showed that despite having a big squad, too many are bang average players. I thought Adapo was in one of his "i can't be bothered" phases ( and I was a fan and defended him in the past ) and simply unwatchable...Burgess passed too many times to the opposition and had a poor match by his standards and generally we were not at the races last night.Southampton are creeping up and maybe this is the kick up the back side we need as we have been toiling of late. Bring on the new year and a new impetus now...

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