Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Swansea City - Match Report
Monday, 22nd Apr 2019 17:08

Wayne Routledge’s 57th-minute goal saw Swansea City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, ending a run of seven successive defeats on the road. Routledge followed-up after Town keeper Dean Gerken had pushed a Daniel James strike on to the post.

Boss Paul Lambert made seven changes from the team which lost 4-0 at Preston on Good Friday with Gerken, Will Keane, Trevoh Chalobah, Gwion Edwards, Andre Dozzell, Callum Elder and James Bree all in the XI.

Gerken returned in goal for Bartosz Bialkowski, who dropped to the bench, with Bree, one of four loan players, at right-back and Elder at left-back with Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock both left out of the squad.

Chalobah and Dozzell joined Flynn Downes in central midfield with Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop among the subs.

Up front, Keane made his first start following his hamstring injury down the centre with Alan Judge on the left and former Swans youngster Edwards on the right, although the two would swap flanks frequently once the game got under way.

For Swansea, George Byers came into the side for Barrie McKay, who dropped to the bench.

Ex-Blues loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers started for the Swans but another former Town loan player, Bersant Celina, missed out having been injured and ill over the last week.

At a warm and sunny Portman Road, with the pitch looking in tip-top condition, Swansea should have taken the lead in the fifth minute via the first chance of the game.

Toto Nsiala failed to deal with Swans keeper Kris Norfeldt’s long kick, allowing James a free run in on goal. However, as Gerken advanced, the Wales international put the ball wide of the Blues’ keeper’s left post when he really should have scored.

On six, Edwards shot well over from distance but with the Blues so far unable to create a more obvious opening.

Swansea were looking a threat when breaking via the pace of James in particular. On 17 they claimed a penalty when Byers went to ground after taking the ball past Gerken at an angle to the right of the keeper’s goal but the Swans midfielder looked to have fallen under his own steam having lost control and was yellow-carded by referee Darren England for diving.

Three minutes later, Jay Fulton joined his team-mate in the book for a foul on Downes just inside the Swansea half. In the 25th minute the midfielder hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved with ease down to his right.

The Swans were dominating possession but without being able to carve out a clear-cut opportunity, while the Blues had been unable to put together a passage of play since the early stages. On 29 Nsiala was booked for shoving over James as he broke on the right.


Swansea went close on the half-hour when Fulton curled an effort from the 18-yard line towards the corner of the net only for Routledge to divert it over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Town began to see more of the ball, although all too often giving it away cheaply on halfway, but in the 39th minute Downes made a strong run down the right but saw his cross diverted behind by a defender.

From the resulting corner the Blues went close to going in front. The ball on from the right eventually fell to Keane at the far post from where the on-loan Hull City man hit a shot which struck the post. The ball bounced out and Chalobah hit another effort from the edge of the box which flew wide.

Swansea were next to threaten in the 42nd minute, Routledge finding Connor Roberts breaking forward in space on their right but Gerken got down to his right to save the Wales international’s low shot.

A minute later, Downes cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected over, then from Judge’s subsequent corner Nsiala rose highest but nodded back over the bar.

In injury time Byers turned a Routledge cross from the right wide at the near post before referee England ended the half.

The Blues could count themselves fortunate not to have been behind in the early stages when James went through one-on-one and the Swans continued to have most of the half’s opportunities.

While the Swans dominated possession for long spells, the Blues had put together decent interchanges at times and had got themselves more in the game as the break approached with chances starting to come, Keane having been unlucky not to mark an impressive return to the XI with a goal.

Six minutes after the restart Keane curled a shot goalwards which Nordveldt tipped over but with the linesman’s flag having been raised.

Swansea went close in the 52nd minute, Gerken doing well to get across to his left to palm James’s low shot across the area wide and just beyond the sliding Roberts.

The visitors had started the second half strongly and were dominating, and in the 57th minute they went in front.

After Chalobah had given the ball away to Fulton midway inside the Town half, Gerken tipped James’s low shot on to his right post but Routledge ran in to follow-up and slam into the roof of the net, the former England U21 international’s fourth goal of the season.

Bree was booked for a foul on James, an almost constant threat down the Swans left, just after the hour mark as Swansea went looking for their second of the afternoon.

In the 66th minute the Blues swapped Dozzell and Keane, who was tiring in the heat after his spell on the sidelines, for Collin Quaner and Kayden Jackson, who played on the right of the front three with Judge moving into the centre.

Matt Grimes shot over from distance for the visitors before goalscorer Routledge was replaced by Nathan Dyer.

The Swans were looking comfortable as the game entered its final 20 minutes and were looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal. On 73 top scorer Oli McBurnie flicked a header over at the near post from another James ball in from the left.

However, the Blues weren’t far away from an equaliser in the 77th minute when Downes sent Quaner away down the left. The on-loan Huddersfield striker brought the ball in and hit a low effort which Nordfeldt palmed across the face and wide. Quaner suffered a knock as he struck his effort but after treatment was able to continue. Moments later, Bishop took over from Chalobah.

Fulton hooked an acrobatic effort wide in the 84th minute before the Swans switched the midfielder for Leroy Fer.

In the 88th minute Quaner was again denied by Nordfeldt when through but this time having strayed offside.

Swansea replaced danger man James with Joe Rodon with the game already in six minutes of injury time.

Late on Judge shot wide from distant but a Town comeback in added-on time never really looked likely. Moments before the whistle keeper Gerken went up for a corner which came to nothing.

Once they’d got the lead they probably should have secured in the first half, Swansea professionally saw the game out for the most part with the Blues’ big opportunity Quaner’s effort which was well saved by Nordveldt.

Other than that, the Swans keeper was largely untested with Gerken the busier of the two keepers, although not forced into action as much as Swans boss Graham Potter would have wanted.

Following the final whistle the players and staff took part in the annual lap of appreciation, while those fans that remained in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand made plenty of noise despite another disappointing afternoon. The squad, some of whom were joined by their children, stopped to pay tribute as they made their way around the pitch.

The Blues are next in action at Sheffield United next Saturday in a live Sky game which kicks off at 5.15pm, with their only remaining home game is the final day match at home to Leeds on Sunday 5th May (KO 12.30pm).

Town: Gerken, Bree, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Elder, Chalobah (Bishop 79), Downes, Dozzell (Quaner 66), Edwards, Judge, Keane (Jackson 66). Unused: Bialkowski, Skuse, Nydam, Ndaba.

Swansea: Nordfeldt, Roberts, Van der Hoorn (c), Carter-Vickers, Naughton, Fulton (Fer 84), Grimes, Routledge (Dyer 70), Byers, James (Rodon 90), McBurnie. Unused: Benda, McKay, John, Baker-Richardson. Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire). Att: 17,247 (Swansea: 557)


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



TractorBoy654 added 17:09 - Apr 22
For the first time I saw green shoots of progress. Probably needed the experience of Skuse in midfield, but we dominated parts of the game. Keep the faith in Lambo
-16

raycrawfordswig added 17:14 - Apr 22
Gutless performance from a team of no hopers.
17

unknown100 added 17:15 - Apr 22
Game aside- the jobsworth Stewart who wouldn't let the lads back to their paid seats after they did the half time game, ridiculous! Great to hear the fans chanting at him
10

martin587 added 17:16 - Apr 22
Still lacking fire power for me but it was a vast improvement from last Friday.Some promising signs from a few of the lads but didn't expect much else really.
I just hope we put up a couple of good performances from the last two games.🤔
-3

AYACCA added 17:17 - Apr 22
At least everyone seems happy with Lamberts style.
-2

delias_cheesy_flaps added 17:18 - Apr 22
I fear our last two games could be a cricket score against us!
Mick Mills talks a lot of sense but I doubt if anyone will take note at our club.
I can't tolerate anymore of 1 up-front!
18

TimmyH added 17:22 - Apr 22
Lap of appreciation?...I think our supporters should have traded places whilst we had a kick about on the hallowed turf the players, staff and management clapped us from the stands...

80 minutes to get a shot on target!!...then again we're use to that.
12

bluerico added 17:25 - Apr 22
This is the worst Ipswich team I have seen in over 50 years, and I really fear for next season. What has happened to our "promising" young players?
22

carlo88 added 17:27 - Apr 22
Tedious
8

Wrightie added 17:37 - Apr 22
Skuse...
1

runningout added 17:37 - Apr 22
Lambert has said doesn't matter how successful second team or youth teams are. As said before we are lacking strong mentality and not sure who is responsible for motivation. If they need some words from a low life fan like myself. I'm off to Sheffield United next week, and I will be available and willing to give them an encouraging pre-game speak in dressing room. Plus I won't need to swear to get point across
1

shortmarine1969 added 17:38 - Apr 22
Sad to say but i think will be in League One for some time ,with the plan to rely on the younger players ,the loans going we have very little left , certainly in the terms of fire power we have literally nothing worth playing at present (who are our players). I feel a top 6 has to be the realistic target for what we "may" be able to achieve.

I have zero faith in ME in taking the club forward , a decade of his poor ownership says nothing else.

And as for the lead steward today what a job,s worth..!!
13

barrystedmunds added 17:44 - Apr 22
It's a sad reflection as to where we are, that our only highlight for this season, given our last two matches, could be to scupper the scums season! How ironic would that be.....
1

PulhamBlue added 17:44 - Apr 22
Sorry, but the consistent playing of 1 up top, without decent support from the wide positions, means I will have to think long and hard about a season ticket for next season. My 37 year old son has already pulled out, saying its only going to be more of the same. Where is the effective game play that results in goals? PL has not managed to pull it together in umpteen months, so what will he manage to create during the 3 month break, without much funding... I do worry.
15

blueboy1981 added 17:45 - Apr 22
Patience wears thin eventually, with even the most patient of us all.

PL's results record is abysmal, and game after game I am bemused by some of his team formations / selections - my confidence of hitting the ground running next season is waining I'm sad to have to admit.

Before anyone comes up with 'you have what you wished for' - I would ask them if they can remember a Mr McGoldrick, and a Mr Pittman ? - both who were not rated by our Manager's - but both are consistently banging the goals in - yes, again today........ !!! Neither played to there strengths with us - but have been since.
I agree with Mick Mills (knowledgable,and a pleasure to listen to) that PL has to still be unsure who is nailed into the team for next season, such is our lack of quality. This is worrying because there is no current evidence to suggest otherwise.
Maybe two places already subscribed - but that has to be the state of current flux - who is going to be capable of stepping up to the plate who currently has the opportunity..... ?? I see few .... staking a claim.

At this moment the evidence is there that instead of hitting the ground running next season, we will be carrying on where we leave off, with the same old explanations - such as they are.

I sincerely hope otherwise, and live in HOPE, more than EXPECTATION.

19

heathen66 added 17:46 - Apr 22
Lack lustre, with only Chalobah showing any real desire...and he is not our player.
Lambert has done wonder off the pitch but needs to now produce it on the pitch.
ST renewals out and 17k plus wathching, but on the pitch and we just did not go for it at any point. Reactively chucked 2 strikers on when we went behind rather than proactively when it was 0-0 (or even start with the two). This was a trait of MM and I am really sad to say, PL seems to be the same i am afraid.
Really unsure as to why Bree and Elder played when our own (especially Kenlock who has been very good of late) are just as capable.
Bishop is also a must to start whenever possible.
As an advert for ST renewals, may be looking at 1400 rather than 14000 !!!
10

bluelodgeblue added 17:47 - Apr 22
I compare the current itfc team with the same philosophy that I had 50 years ago when I went into computers! If you started with 💩 and kept feeding 💩you only ended up with 💩!
5

BeattiesBackPocket added 17:47 - Apr 22
We can discuss new players we can discuss formations all we want, we've needed wide players for a few seasons and decent full backs and a creative midfielder for how many years? Every manager we've had has had to make do scrounging lower leagues or signing people who are notoriously injured in the hope they stay fit just because we won't spend the money on players OR a competitive wage budget. Sheff Utd have made 5 million in player profit this season but have the wage structure we don't that's why we are where we are. Evans will be the richest owner in league one next season but we will still have an average wage budget and every manager makes the same excuse for him. Why's he here? Not a fan? he's losing money? the only way he will ever get even a fraction of his money is if we get to the premiership. Time to put the blame where it should be. Down mark me all the Evans lovers but answer me why is a hugely successful businessman is here okay losing money and being one of the richest owners in the championship let alone league one?
10

runningout added 17:51 - Apr 22
if it's supposed to be a results business. Sorry but Lambert must take another look at himself. I'm a confident type and believe it or not we are a lot better than our squad seem to think. We can nick 6 points from the Sheff Utd and Leeds games if give our heads a shake!!
1

therein61 added 17:52 - Apr 22
Re your comment TractorBoy654 we do not need Skuse in any shape or form the man is a liability
12

bluemike1969 added 17:53 - Apr 22
TimmyH.... Couldn't agree more mate with your views. We're so bad it's actually laughable now!
Hopefully Lambert gets the Scotland job as he has no clue who to put in apart from Captain Calamity. I wonder if he has a dart board for every other team member and then who ever the dart lands on then he's in.
Lap of appreciation! Give me strength, they should all have come back out in big baggy trousers, red noses and horns to honk cos all they are is a bunch of clueless clowns running around all over the place. That way when Chambers clatters into one of his own and looks confused it can be classed as funny!!!
Roll up roll up, laugh at ringmaster Lambert's cirque de solame
14

ArnieM added 17:54 - Apr 22
Why oh why just one up front ?
10

EssexTractor added 17:55 - Apr 22
Truthfully it was foolish to believe that there would be a resurrection today.
Indeed we were shot shy, put no pressure on Swansea players, Carter-Vickers could have played in his lounge suit... Under no threat whatsoever.
I do not rate Keane but poor man helpless up front , no decent passes, floundering around...at least when Lambert found his first sense of the day and put two up front, Quanner, despite limitations bustled , got involved and had a shot!!!
Gerken did OK, Bree comfortable in first half looked mesmerised by Swanseas flying winger after the break, Elder, ran forward with pace in first ten minutes then did no more than other full backs
Chambers played sideways and lumped a few nondescript balls forwards
Nsiala sometimes look as though he is in a horrible dark lane with headlights in his eyes.
Oh dear Dozzell who I truly want to do well as he does have talent, was simply awful
Chalobah is/ was England Under 20 captain ....how?????
Edwards is not a winger, he does not beat men going forward he does not cross the ball and I believe he is not strong enough to contend with challenges.
Downes, anonymous in first half actually improved and probably , if there was such a thing, would get Man of The Match, as he went forward as the match progressed
Judge..now does he try to do too much and actually achieves nothing?
He looks busy as he normally does, but he doesn't make goalscoring chances, he hasn't scored. But .did have a shot though..
What is his best position?
Are we being hoodwinked that he is not the player that once he used to be?
And on the question of hoodwinked..I wrote recently that I do want Lambert to succeed, but is he a FAB PR man..and not the one to pull us out of the football gutter, where sadly we have fallen into?
These words arefrom someone who actually watched his first Portman Road game in Easter 1960..
And I can honestly say that if all players left the club I wouldn't be sad, upset, angry...that is the first time I have ever thought that
Yes I will renew because I support Ipswich Town, the club, but I am not sure that supporters , the loyalty of which has seldom been so sorely tested can survive through another season such as this one, with remaining good heart and optimism.

11

1psw1ch added 17:56 - Apr 22
cant wait till season is finally over,,,absolutley horrendus season from start to finish,,,so frustrated with the same aul crap every week ,,,were are we gonna end up even in league 1
8

marco007 added 17:57 - Apr 22
Seven successive defeats on the road before they met us! Say no more!
How embarrassingly, pathetic and gutless are we??? 🤔😣😥
13


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024