A first defeat in four for David Wagner was a disappointing way to end a good week for Huddersfield Town fans.
Ipswich ended Town's three-game unbeaten run, and at the same time put paid to their own three match losing streak thanks to Ben Pringle's first half strike.
Here's five things we learned from the game...
Same old failings for Town
Let’s get this out of the way first. Fourteen shots on goal, five on target, no goals scored.
There were golden chances for Nahki Wells, Kyle Dempsey and Jason Davidson in particular, while there were lots of other good opportunities for Town to translate their superiority in the statistics onto the scoresheet. And yet they failed to capitalise.
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There were lots of cries of ‘same old story’, especially when Ipswich strode up the other end and netted with their first real foray into Town territory and what turned out to be their only shot on target.
But is that really the case?
Town do create and spurn a lot of chances under David Wagner’s new system, and Nahki Wells as the only senior striker capable of leading the line in a 4-2-3-1 has a heavy burden strapped across his shoulders.
Yet before kick off, the last time Town failed to score was last November against promotion favourites Middlesbrough, which was the longest run in the division.
Based purely on the numbers, it’s defensive mistakes that have held Town back most often since Wagner took over - and Joel Lynch’s error that led to Ben Pringle’s goal was the latest edition of that manuscript.
Chances repeatedly missed cost Town dear in this game, true. Nahki Wells could do with more support, true.
But this wasn’t Groundhog Day - at least, not one that we have been forced to watch on loop every Saturday of 2016.
An unwelcome sense of deja vu
Saturday’s clash with Ipswich was one of only two occasions that Town have failed to find the net under Wagner, with Middlesbrough being the only other occasion to date. That doesn’t feel like a coincidence.
The similarities between the two games go way beyond the blank in Town’s goals column.
David Wagner’s men played their higher-ranked visitors off the park for the majority of both those games, yet came away with no points. Twice, the visitors have scored early and then packed men behind the ball to hold onto a precious lead.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that those teams have both set their sights on the Premier League.
Ipswich were poor for long periods, but defended well and as a unit and Town were unable to find a way past their experienced heads. Town have got better at that themselves in recent weeks, as performances against Nottingham Forest and Wolves have shown.
But the next step is showing they have the creative powers to overcome those more defensive tactics.
Wells doesn’t deserve all the criticism
Nahki Wells comes in for a lot of flak from some sections of the crowd, largely for missed chances that supporters deem a “top” striker should put away with ease.
And yet there he is, sitting fifth in the list of the Championship’s most potent scorers this season with 13 to his name.
Of those above him, Andre Gray and Abel Hernandez both play for teams vying for the automatic promotion spots, while Ross McCormack cost Fulham £11m.
Wells is an excellent striker, and he’s being asked to play every game without rest in a formation that demands a lot of his legs and brain.
He did miss chances against Ipswich, but constantly got into good positions and often had to shoot from range due to a lack of support - and the fact he was repeatedly shackled by more than one defender at a time,
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The striker is unlikely to be satisfied with his performance this week, but nor was he as bad as some would like to make out. A lot is being asked of him, and he has repeatedly delivered in recent weeks. The bigger problem is when he fails to score, there aren’t many others capable of filling the gap.
Town could be short in midfield
David Wagner was clearly upset when delivering the news of his fears that Jonathan Hogg could be missing for six to eight weeks with ligament damage.
The midfielder has been the main cog in the engine room since December, mopping up opposition attacks, protecting his defence, winning the ball and setting his own creative teammates away downfield.
He will be a big miss. It’s extremely unfortunate timing as well, with Philip Billing still to serve two of his three match ban.
Dean Whitehead was alongside Hogg for his first start since injury last December, and his mature, wise head will be needed over the coming weeks.
The former Stoke man has proved an astute signing, despite misgivings last summer about his age. He was excellent against Ipswich and the natural replacement for Hogg. The problem may be finding the complementary piece of the puzzle to go alongside him in the absence of Billing and long term injury absentee Emyr Huws.
That and the fact the committed Whitehead is on seven bookings. Can he go six weeks without three more?
Frustration was clear to see
It was entirely understandable to see a degree of disappointment and irritation creep into Town’s play as the minutes ticked down without the Ipswich net rippling.
While there weren’t any particularly silly yellow cards borne out of growing anger, there was a degree of wastefulness.
Testing the keeper from range is a useful tactic - particularly when starved of support or short of options.
And yet it is also a symptom of poor decision making. Elvis Manu had a very wild attempt while Kyle Dempsey’s low drive lacked any kind of power or direction - but they weren’t the only ones guilty of choosing the wrong option.
So much of Town’s build-up was patient, only to be then wrecked by a wayward effort that was snatched at, rather than finding a better-placed teammate. It lets defences off the hook and leaves fans screaming in despair, knowing there was more to be made of the attack.
That said, a late desperation is to be commended when we get to enjoy the sight of keeper Jed Steer coming forward for free kicks and throw-ins. Not only does it show the positivity of seeking to throw everything at a chance of equalising and run the risk of a second goal, there is an innocent joy in the chaos on the field that two keepers in one penalty area brings.
Just don’t destroy the moment by hitting the first man with the set piece.
