Opinion
Player ratings: Ipswich Town’s fringe players had a chance to impress... so who made the most of it?
Callum Connolly and David McGoldrick with their heads in their hands after a high header by Connolly late in the Sheffield United FA Cup game. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Ipswich Town were knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United this afternoon - Andy Warren hands out his player grades.
Bartosz Bialkowski
Had no chance for the goal. Was caught out as he charged from his box to try and beat Billy Sharp to the ball and would have been happy to see the resulting shot fly over the bar. Made a good save to deny the striker’s header a few minutes later. 6
Dominic Iorfa
Provided his usual mix of exciting forward runs and moments of sloppy play. Gave the ball away often, particularly when getting involved in the attacking third, but defended reasonably well. 5
Bartosz Bialkowski reacts to Ipswich Town's FA Cup exit to Sheffield United. Photo: Steve Waller - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Luke Chambers
The skipper was booked early on for dissent early on and went on to have a number of hairy moments at the back. The most notable was his well under-hit back-pass which presented the ball to Sharp. He then got back to clear the resulting shot off the line. 5
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Jonas Knudsen
Myles Kenlock and George Baldock battle for the ball in the second half. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Brought into the middle of the Ipswich defence in the absence of Tommy Smith, who was unavailable due to illness amid interest from the MLS, and once again did well. One huge block in the second half to stop Sharp. 6
Myles Kenlock
Another decent display from a young full-back who is perhaps unlucky not to have played more football over the course of the season. Gets forward and back well and contributes in both areas of the field. 6
Callum Connolly is treated after picking up a nose bleed in the first half of the Ipswich Town v Sheffield United (FA Cup) match Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Callum Connolly
Spent much of the early minutes of the match changing his shirt after suffering a cut but otherwise put in a thoroughly decent midfield showing. Has certainly had better games, though. 6
Luke Hyam
Very impressive, considering this was his first start since May 2016. He was full-blooded in the tackle, as he insisted he would be, and played his part in a number of attacking moves. Did give the ball away on occasions, though, which is only to be expected given how long he was out for. 7
Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is beaten by Nathan Thomas (not pictured) as the visitors take a 1-0 lead. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Kevin Bru
Left Portman Road with stitches in his right eye after taking a boot to the face in the second half. Moved the ball well at times but was out-muscled by the Blades’ midfield. 5
Bersant Celina
Saw more of the ball in this one than he has in recent weeks but, ultimately, couldn’t produce anything. Had a shot deflected wide in the first half after an impressive run and then played a number of decent balls in the second which none of his team-mates were able to get on the end of. 6
Freddie Sears
Another hugely frustrating afternoon for the out-of-form forward who, despite the absence of both Garner and Waghorn, was still deployed in a wide role. The running was there but the end product wasn’t. He will benefit from the 90 minutes. 5
The top-tiers were shut as Ipswich Town's FA Cup game against Sheffield United attracted a crowd of 12,057. Photo: STEVE WALLER - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
David McGoldrick
Some great touches but never really occupied the Sheffield United defence like a central striker should. He dropped deep regularly to get the ball, leaving a large hole up front which left Ipswich with nobody to aim for. 6
Martyn Waghorn (for Hyam 61)
Came on and added a bit of momentum to Ipswich attacks without being able to muster anything in terms of attempts on goal. Interestingly, and slightly bafflingly, he occupied the deep role with McGoldrick continuing to lead the line. 6
