Hasselbaink disappointed after his Burton side narrowly lost 1-0 to Ipswich

Photo: burtonalbionfc.co.uk

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told the media he was pleased with Burton Albion’s performance but says his side should’ve had the edge.

Ipswich centre-half Mark McGuinness scored a 73rd minute headed winner as Paul Lambert’s men took all three points at the Pirelli Stadium to move to seventh in League One.

Hasselbaink said:

“The performance on its own was very good – better than Gillingham overall, only the result was different. We didn’t give them anything at all, only one chance in the whole game. In the second half we should have scored. We were the better team, in the first half as well and there was a very good block by Chambers on a shot from Vernam, or we might have been 1-0 at half-time.”

Albion started the game as the better side, spreading the ball across the park with confidence. The best chance for the Brewers came shortly before the half-time whistle when Ryan Edwards’ effort clipped the bar and fell to Charles Vernam, whose close-range effort was cleared off the line heroically by Town skipper Luke Chambers.

Burton’s top scorer Kane Hemmings failed to make any sort of impact, with his best involvement coming off a weak header that trickled wide early on. With eight goals so far this season, the Scotsman was kept at bay by Ipswich duo McGuinness and Tote Nsiala.

Nsiala was by far the most impressive player during the course of the match, delivering vital tackles as such to prevent Brewers striker Hemmings from running through on goal. Another successful 50/50 followed ten minutes later, taking down Vernam with ease after he skipped past three Town defenders.

Alan Judge caused problems for the Burton backline throughout the game, delivering some dangerous balls into the home side’s penalty area. It was a Judge assist for McGuinness’ first Ipswich Town goal, as he sent the ball into the back post which was met by the defender.

? Congratulations on your first senior goal, Mark!@MarkMcguinness0 | #itfc pic.twitter.com/MsKCkCZLi8

— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) January 16, 2021

With ten minutes to play, one of Burton’s best chances came through a rare Ipswich error. Substitute Josh Parker fizzed a cross into the Ipswich area and was met by the ever-reliable Nsiala who sliced the ball backwards. His blushes were spared by goalkeeper Tomáš Holý who came to the rescue.

Albion continue to sit at rock-bottom of the League One table, whilst Ipswich soared up to seventh ahead of their Play-Off hopes. Lambert’s men are just a point off the Play-Off positions with two games in hand.