Middlesbrough surrendered their lead at the top of the
Championship on an afternoon which will be remembered for missed chances and an
opportunity squandered.
Aitor Karanka’s team were held to a goalless draw by an Ipswich
Two side who - in contrast - had nothing to play in terms of league positioning,
and have now gone seven games without a win.
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| Emilio Nsue rues a missed chance in the first half (Picture from BBC Sport) |
In all honesty Mick McCarthy’s side were there for the
taking, yet Boro’s lack of killer instinct in the final third resulted in two
costly points dropped.
The consequences are that the top three in the Championship
including Burnley, Boro and Brighton are now all on 87 points, and can only be
separated by goal difference with just two games to go.
With promotion on the line Boro can no longer afford any more
slip ups, especially when they host Chris Hughton’s Brighton on the final day
of the season.
Boro made just a single chance from the side which drew 1-1
with Burnley in mid-week. It came in defence as the injured George Friend was
replaced by Ritchie De Laet at left back.
In contrast McCarthy made four alterations from Ipswich’s 1-1
draw at home to Fulham, as David McGoldrick, Kevin Bru, Luke Hyam and Paul
Digby all started.
Boro may have gotten out of jail on a couple of occasions in
recent weeks though a bundle late goals and tight victories, however on this occasion
their lack of bite in the final third was made to show.
The hosts had 17 shots compared to Ipswich’s four, yet only
five were on target. At times Ipswich were well organised and tough to break
down, as you’d expect from a Mick McCarthy side, however a more clinical outfit
could have easily bagged three or four against a side playing for pride alone.
Jordan Rhodes started his career at Ipswich and should have
punished his former side when he was released through on goal by Gaston
Ramirez.
Since the Scotland international left the tractor boys back
in 2009, he has earned a reputation by scoring chances like this one. However
on this occasion Town keeper Bartosz Białkowski spread himself well and saved
the strikers effort low to his left.
That wasn’t Boro’s only chance of the first half, and
Białkowski also came to Town’s rescue minutes earlier. Rhodes’ cushioned header
dropped into the path of Downing who rifled a shot towards goal, only for the Ipswich
keeper to beat the ball clear.
Ipswich’s only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes came
after three minutes when McGoldrick fired straight at Dimi Konstantopulos.
The visitors had energy upfront though Freddie Sears and
Liam Feeney and they created a decent defensive unit when Boro were in
possession, even so the hosts should have taken the lead minutes before the
interval.
After a scrappy period of play on the edge of the Ipswich
box the ball eventually broke to Emilio Nsue, who had a clear sight at goal but
hesitated and allowed Digby charge back in front of him. The backtracking
defender slid to ground and was able to block the shot when Nsue finally pulled
the trigger. Another chance missed for the hosts.
After the break Adomah brought a save from Białkowski before
Adam Clayton’s cross was hooked back across goal by Downing but the Ipswich
keeper saved comfortably.
Białkowski was beaten moments later when a great piece of
skill from Gaston Ramirez saw him skip past three Ipswich players and set up
Rhodes inside the area. With him back to goal, the forward turned and rolled an
effort towards the target, however it rebounded off the inside of the post.
Ipswich did occasionally pose a threat on the counter attack
but failed to produce any clear cut chances. Their best opening fell to Feeney
15 minutes from time however he blazed his effort wide.
The hosts had further opportunities to follow their recent
trend and grab a late winner but substitute Cristian Stuani headed wide from
Adomah’s cross.
Ramirez had looked like Boro’s most creative and influential
player, however with ten minutes remaining Karanka withdrew the Uruguayan
international to bring on David Nugent.
It was a move which almost paid off deep into added time,
when the striker connected with Adam Clayton’s cross but headed straight into
the gloves of Białkowski.
Boro travel to Birmingham next Friday before their crunch
match with Brighton on the final day of the season, which takes place in a
fortnights time.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
6- Had little to do for most of the game
Emilio Nsue 6-
Missed a golden chance minutes before half time
Daniel Ayala 6- Defensively
sound but his distribution forward was poor
Ben Gibson 6.5- Spent
most of his time near the half way line when Boro were in possession
Richie De Laet 6.5-
Brought a good balance to the team but lacked the urgency which Friend usually
provides
Adam Clayton 7- Kept
getting stuck in and tried to move the ball forward
Grant Leadbitter 6- Comfortable
in possession but didn’t create much going forward
Albert Adomah 6.5-
Put in some decent crosses but none were converted
Stewart Downing 6- Started
brightly but faded as the match went on
Gaston Ramirez 7-
Was Boro’s most creative player, looked like he’d make something happen
Jordan Rhodes 6-
Linked up well with Ramirez but missed the best chance of the game in the first
half
Subs
Cristhian Stuani 5- Ineffective
after coming on with 20 minutes to go
David Nugent - Came
on for the last 8 minutes, unfair to give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Gaston Ramirez
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