Town chief executive Simon Clegg says owner Marcus Evans will continue to provide manager Roy Keane with funds for new players. Clegg refused to comment on any progress regarding the two signings Keane has been hoping to add to his squad by the end of the week.

Speaking to the press yesterday afternoon, Clegg said that Keane still has the backing of owner Marcus Evans: “The manager continues to enjoy the full support of Marcus and myself and if he identifies the right players in the price range that is acceptable to us then we’ll look to bring new people in.

“Any issues to do with new players are jointly agreed between Marcus, Roy and myself and we work as a team to bring those players in at the right price. The issue to do with identifying new players quite rightly sits with the manager, it’s not my job or the owner’s job to identify players that the manager needs to bring in.

“If we get the right player at the right price and he fills a gap in the team, I have every confidence that the owner will be sympathetic and we’ll bring somebody in.

“Marcus is in it for the long term. He’s very clear in where he wants to take this club and will make investment appropriately.”

But Clegg was unwilling to be drawn on any ongoing deals: “I’m going to continue my policy of not talking about any speculation on players until we’re in a position to formally announce someone.”

Clegg says the subject of a change of manager hasn’t been broached, despite Keane’s comments earlier in the week regarding his probable loss of job if Town’s position doesn’t improve: “There have been absolutely no discussions along those lines. I think probably what he was saying was that he recognises that the responsibility for football results rests on the shoulders of the manager and that the current position is not sustainable forever and a day.

“But he’s not under any time constraints or any time pressures to turn it around. I’m confident that he will do it and believe that he will do it.

”I’ve made it very clear that it’s about putting in place the building blocks which will take us back to the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.”

Clegg says he has forged a good working relationship with Keane: “Roy is a man who is very focused very determined, passionate about winning and has set himself a high hurdle.

“He’s entirely professional, very focused and someone who I am enjoying working with and supporting.

“He is a very honest and open person and he tells it as he sees it and that’s quite refreshing.

“Roy and I have regular conversations, we’re looking forwards at this moment in time, not backwards. He’s looking to fine tune things and we’re seeing the evidence of that on the pitch.”

The chief executive says he feels the majority of supporters are also backing the manager: “I went up on the train to Sheffield and spoke to a number of fans and in the main they were hugely supportive.

“The fans that I spoke to were confident that it’s going to turn and after the performance on Tuesday there’s a lot to be encouraged by. I’m not sure many other clubs are going to take a point at Bramall Lane, let alone score three goals there, this season.”

Clegg says that he still sees the play-offs as a realistic target: “I will always remain optimistic as long as continues to be mathematical hope. We’re not even a quarter of the way into the season yet. We’ve played 10 games out of 46, so let’s not be writing this team off yet.

“Out of those 10 games we’ve played five matches against the top six clubs in the Championship at the moment, so we’ve had some fairly tough games and I think there have been some really encouraging signs, at Sheffield in particular.

“I’m not trying to get away from it, we’re bottom of the league. I travelled back from the Sheffield United game on the team coach with Roy and it was in fairly sombre mood, people were disappointed.

“But they’ve got to pick themselves up and make sure we’re in top condition for the match on Saturday.

“We’re looking at the long term. It’s far from ideal, it’s not where we wanted to be, but Marcus and I look at the big picture here in terms of where we want to take this club in the long term. Sometimes these things take time to settle down and gel in.”

Clegg also revealed that owner Evans, who he says has no intention of changing his policy of remaining very much in the background, met with Sir Bobby Robson’s widow before Saturday’s game against Newcastle: “He had a private meeting with Lady Elsie and the two sons that were here, Mark and Paul.

“He personally handed over the seven volumes of the books of remembrance that the club have put together with over 3,000 names in them, signed an entry himself and also the cover sheet.”

Photo: Action Images

FormerlyCGS added 19:09 - Oct 1 Yeah I support Norwich Cmon the yellows KEANE OUT
0

FormerlyCGS added 19:31 - Oct 1 injured animal - my response to your question 'what is the problem' is 1) Grvan not being played 2)Playing plyers like Healey, Trotter and Quinn instead 3) Sigining 'colin past it healy' 4)D.Wright not being played 5) Ruining he confidence of several of our better players from last year 6)Signing 'colin past it healy' 7) Selling Jordan Rhodes 8) WHERE WE ARE IN THE LEAGUE 9)Promising promotion, or at least a challenge in his first ear 10) He's constant team changing 11) His constant early 'double subs' that do no good for the team or the playersbeing taken off 12)SIGNING DAMIEN DELANEY 13) PLAYING DAMIEN DELANEY 14) Changing the captain 5 games into a season (although i prefer bruce as our captain) Macauley confidence went down hill - FAST 15)thrashing by Newcastle on a famour day (players as wel lfor that one) 16)The fact that he is payed alot more than me to do a supposed job, when he quite clearly be managing thugs and criminals not professional footballer. Injured animal - I could go on about why i want KEANE sacked, but i think you get the picture as to why me and others want him out. Get in a new mnager as early as possible to give ihim as much time as possible instead of having Keane at the helm for a relegation battle. KEANOITFC09 - you think im a prick for wanting a man who has done all of the above to YOUR club, I thinhk your a mug who settles for less mate!

0

northernblue added 19:33 - Oct 1 There is a difference between being optimistic and being blind. People have been saying from the first game of the season that there are positive signs but we've had so many 'positive signs' that surely we should have a win by now. I do believe that this is a deeply disappointing start and i am upset that without a win in the next 2 or 3 games, the play-offs are likely to be too far away. Unfortunately its not as if we can sack Keane anytime soon because, in my view, he bought in too many players and got rid of too many. The team chemistry is low because there are so few players in the starting line up who were regulars last season. This was proved last year when he won his first two games with magiltons squad. If this is the case then it cant be too much longer before we get the win but if this isnt the case then unfortunately it proves Keane cannot win with a squad which is actually one of the strongest in the league.

0

pickles110564 added 19:39 - Oct 1 Jim was just a cheap option at the time Sheepshanks employed him, also he knew that because Jim was such a crowd favourite we would not get on his back. Jim failed like most of the previous managers because he did not sort out the centre of defense and could not find a Marcus stewart anywhere. Injuredanimal hit the nail on the head when he said that most of you hate him because he played for Man U. The team that Jim built was rotten to the core and filled with his mates which is not the right way to create a winning team as Jim proved over the last few years. Roy is a winner and will turn around our great club and will give us all a team to be proud of. Most of our defeats can not be blamed on Roy but previous players brought in by Jim. Richard Wright has not changed since he first appeared centre stage, one of the country's best shot stoppers but always in a flap at corners or crosses. Why do you think he never had a long first team run at a big club? If Roy is honest even he probably would reveal that he did not realise how rotten to the core our club had become. After the Newcastle game how many of us thought that we would have gone to Brammel Lane and have a two goal lead? Not many if we are truthful, most of us thought the best chance for points would be against Barnsley. After the game on Saturday Roy will have two weeks with most of the players and will hopefully have the two loan signings that he is pushing hard to get. The only chance we have of getting relegated is if ME listens to the opinions of the wingers on here and I am still convinced that most of them are actualy Budgies in disguise trying to spread negativity throughout our ranks. Anyway COYB.

0

tractorboybig added 19:44 - Oct 1 pickles110564. Are you blind stupid or marcus evans in disguise
0

danknott added 19:48 - Oct 1 bye bye keano......goodluck
0

pickles110564 added 19:54 - Oct 1 tractorboybig, please be so kind and comment on the facts that I posted or are you to not interested in analysing facts and just throwaway one liners for big effect?
0

buryblue77 added 20:08 - Oct 1 Read between the lines people! What Clegg is saying means that Keane has to get results soon or he'll be out. That's football and whenever a chairman/cheif exec says this if his manager doesn't get results over the next 3-5 games it usually means he's out. Also people saying that we've not been close in the last couple of years, well at the present time we've never been further away. We can't just sit by and watch the club fall apart, so IF the results do not improve Keane has to go. I'm not saying we have a given right to be in the Premier League, but with most of the players we do have, mid table would be a slight under-achievment. Bottom is not acceptable. And no, I'm not A Keane boo boy, I'm a realist who would love nothing more than to see Roy get results and take the club in the right direction, all I'm saying is that if things don't improve soon then we have to look at the manager.

0

ldnj added 20:08 - Oct 1 This is an opinion I was always concerned that Keane would not be a good man manager. Unfortunately it so far seems to be the case from what we can see. I think it's an important part of management thar Sir Bobby was famed for. I'm not sure he'll be able to adequately get the best out of all players. It's very good saying he was a winner but I think it's a little harder as a manager for the team to benefit from his winning attributes. I hope I'm wrong. Let's hope mid table obscurity beckons !

0

pabloc added 20:27 - Oct 1 KEANO KEANO KEANO
0

dirtydingusmagee added 21:11 - Oct 1 I reckon thats about right buryblue, in most cases its a wake up call at very least when ''the vote of confidence'' is announced, and in many cases it has it has been a precurser to unemployment.I am not convinced that RK is the man for the job,and personally doubt he will achieve anything with Town ,I HOPE WE CAN turn it around , i dont consider im a whinger just because i dont leap up and down singing the praises of a team that has thrown points away ,and are now lower in league than weve been in an age.Those on here that give it out to those who criticise the team or the manager when they fail should think about the money these people are paid to do a job, and compare it to the income of many if not all of those paying to watch.Everyone is intitled to an opinion ,no need for some of the abuse dished out by some people here. Some games have had spells which give grounds for optimism ,but results and league position doesnt, i think RK will be gone this season , how long before he go's i dont know, how near to the brink will those who pay him dare to go ?

0

DazzaITFC added 21:24 - Oct 1 I am new to this so go easy folks. At the end of the day, we all see things differently, we all have an opinion which will no doubt differ from a lot of others. Some of us think ME pulled off a coup with the signing of Keane and some only consider one tackle he made in a single match - or whatever else they want focus on! But the bottom line for me is that we ALL want the same thing and that is for ITFC success - what we comsider success will differ once again of course! All I wil add is no one will get success from in fighting and booing the team - Let's get behind ME and his investment, let's remember where we were only a few short years ago, looking down the barrel of a very dangerous gun! Let's be grateful that we can even think about the EPL as a possibility or a dream! and most of all folks - let's be grateful we do not have to wear yellow and green at the same time! he he! COYB - ITFC till I die and beyond!

0

UEFA81 added 21:27 - Oct 1 inuredanimal - you asked why fans against Keane want him to go. Ok, fair and honest question, so here are my personal, fair and honest answers: He tore apart a settled squad that had already 'gelled' together, were established and finished ninth last season and brought in a bunch of under-achievers who have turned out to be a complete waste of money and made Town a laughing stock. He makes ludicrous statements to the press only to retract them days later or appears to conveniently 'forget' he even said these things. He has sent us to the bottom of the Championship and played a major part in us having the worst start to a season ever and made our proud club a laughing stock. He hasn't yet even layed any foundations, let alone started to 'build' anything. He makes pathetic excuses and states the obvious why we haven't performed well, even though he has made some abysmal decisions as regards formations, substitions and team selections. He chops and changes the team every game giving team members no chance whatsoever to form partnerships or to get used to each other's style of play and strenghts/weaknesses. He was offered a 3 year contract and only signed for 2 (very ominous that) - this demonstrates impatience, arrogance and an over-inflated belief in his own abilities as a manager as he thinks he can get us promoted in 2 years. He is a young and inexperienced manager, still learning his trade and seems to be using ITFC as guinea pigs in his reckless experimentation into succesful management. It is obvious from our results and league position that he hasn't got a clue what he is doing. His history and attitude as a player is dubious to say the least. He deliberatley and systematicly went out to injure players (by his own admission) and ended a player's career (and livelihood) through his hot-headedness, arrogance and violence. He left his country in the lurch by walking out of the World Cup and verbally abused Mick McCarthy in the process just because training facilities were not up to 'his' standard. His temper, ego and arrogance is well documented, especially evident in his treatment of Peter Schmichel and the infamous incident at Sunderland (which has been clearly verified) when he karate-kicked the tactics board and smashed it. He sat there po-faced, chewing gum and blowing bubbles like a child, looking like thunder at the Newcastle game for 90 minutes, giving the team no encouragement whatsoever, showing no respect for the auspiciousness of the occassion or any due respect for Sir Bobby and the Town fans. I could go on, but these are the main reasons why I feel he is not the right man for ITFC. He just doesn't fit in with the prestige, etiquette and 'manners' of the club and I for one do not want a man like that managing a football team I have devoted myself to and love very dearly. He is the proverbial 'cuckoo in the nest' and the sooner he goes then the sooner we can start to get our club out of the dire, embarrassing and totally 'un-ITFC' position we currently find ourselves in. On a plus point, he does love dogs and his favourite charity is for animal welfare. That should make you feel happy because, after all, you are '"inuredanimal". Just one last thing I would like to bring up - it wouldn't surprise me if some people on here who are pro-Keane and blindly following his despicable management at PR like lambs to the slaughter (or lemmings) don't come up with the notion that those of us who are anti-Keane are actually wanting ITFC to lose games so Keane will either be sacked or will walk. That idea would be totally proposterous - I for one would love Ipswich to win every match and thrash every team we encounter regardless of who is at the helm. But I would do - Ipswich are 'my' team, always have been, always will, no matter how bad we are or how far down the leagues we fall. But with Keane at the helm I have to remain realistic and err on the side of caution because he is simply not the man for our club.

0

AJblue added 21:28 - Oct 1 oh yes very eloquent callumgarryskeemer! i trust the views of someone who hasnt the intelligence to notice he repeats himself,no.s 1 and 3! who thinks RK promised promotion in his first "ear"! and contradicts himself over mcauley and the captaincy. also his team changing,isnt that what managers do? when things arent going right,try something different? As for being paid more than you, i am afraid that doesnt surprise me! You also point out to keanoitfc09 what RK has done to his club,interestingly not your club. If you do love ITFC, I suspect you do, your ranting makes no difference whether RK stays or goes, all your ranting does is upset other Town supporters, when in a time or situation like what we find ourselves in now, we should all be pulling together as one, and trying to lift the team. If on the other hand Town are a passing fancy,and you really cant stand whats happening at PR, move along....its a free choice really.

0

AJblue added 21:38 - Oct 1 uefa81...thanks for your honest and forthright reply, i even liked the sarcastic dog and charity jibe! i honestly believe everyone has a right to their opinion. i just dont understand why some people seem to feel the need to come on here and be provocative, and try to upset the majority. i have read your comments carefully,and i will be honest, i found myself agreeing on some of your points,honestly! I am trying to be honest, i dont know what the answer is, and probably neither does anyone at the club,hence they are prepared to let thing run for the time being. what i am trying to say is, it is ok to criticise, but surely criticism should be constructive. it is not enough to just shout KEANE OUT. what is the alternative,not forgetting any replacement has no room to manoeuvre in the transfer market until JAN. Please dont take this comment as me having a go. i am not , you took the time to answer me honestly, i have done the same for you.

0

BoxerBlue added 21:58 - Oct 1 Good post Dazza,injuredanimal together we stand divided we fall BLUE ARRRMY!!!
0

ITFC_DOM added 22:02 - Oct 1 well aren't us Ipswich fans a cheerful lot.... HAA!
0

fizzyblue added 22:31 - Oct 1 bloody hell UEFA81 thats longer than my uni dissertation.... its obvious you are a passionate ITFC supporter as we all are on here, and you do make some valid comments. Not that i agree with all of them mind. Dosnet matter what you think of Keano i still believe getting rid of him would further unsettle the side and would give a new manager an even bigger mountain to climb. just out of interest if we win on sat and the tide starts to turn over the next few weeks, would you still be calling for his head?

0

sabbott added 23:05 - Oct 1 anyone heard any rumours of these 2 signings keane is suppose 2 be trying to get?? hopefully a striker and a defender,why not go for LEROY LETA??? a proven goal scorer at his reading days and is quick and would be a handfull just like KIWOMYA was!!!!!!!!.
0

peterleeblue added 23:07 - Oct 1 ....errrr did anyone on here actually go to Sheffield.I did and as stated on the Naked Football show was one of the best ITFC matches in recent years. Some really great passionate comment on here. Some of which I agree some not. I guess this does not matter. What matters is we are all United behind the Club and Keano. How about the home support getting behind the mgr as did the away support at Sheffield on Tuesday night. My prediction 1-1 Saturday and two weeks of waiting for the first win. I hope I am wrong. COYB

0

sabbott added 23:16 - Oct 1 hi PETERLEEBLUE,im going 4 2-1 win on sat with priskin and quinn on the scoresheet,im backing KEANO,what do u think bout these 2 signings keano is chasing 4 the wkend?? why not go 4 LEROY LETA,a proven goalscorer in his reading days and quick like KIWOMYA,and would trouble defence!!!!!!!
0

UEFA81 added 23:23 - Oct 1 fizzyblue, to answer your question. If the tide starts to turn - Yep, I would still be calling for his head. I would have thought that was obvious from what I wrote. If he is sacked or does walk, I am not sure who we can get in to replace him just like so many others have stated. However, Zippy, George, Bungle, Geofferey, Jane or Freddy would be better prospects than our current manager. LOL.

0

FormerlyCGS added 00:44 - Oct 2 i have not the intelligence to realise i have repeated myself?NA MATE its you who aint clever enough to realise i was sayin it twice on purpose, a little humour is a hard thing on this sight! A couple of typo's get over it! Contradicts myself over the captaincy NO - you should never change a captain afte rso few games, but even so my preference is still bruce, im saying he should never have changed it! especialy not so soon. Yeah manager chop and change there teams but not to the extent we seem to, have we even used the same 11 two games running? Giving me this crap about moving on if i aint a true fan, get over yourself mate do you honestly think that anyone who has the time to comment on a fan site is not a true fan,I think not. It may be less than eloquent but it gets my point across, hence the chant KEANE OUT KEANE OUT KEANE OUT

0

FormerlyCGS added 00:51 - Oct 2 I DO SUPPORT TOWN....................HONEST
0

devontractorboy added 09:13 - Oct 2 Having read all the posts on here ( I know nothing better to do!) I don't think I've ever known an issue divide Town fans so much. We currently find ourselves 'rock bottom' in the championship, quite frankly a position were just not used to holding. You can feel the 'panic' on this site, the sudden realisation that it possible we could get relegated just like the scum did last season, perhaps I wish I hadn't laughed quite so much now!! The question is where do we go from here? The players are sadly lacking in confidence and certainly don't need the crowd to be booing them at the moment. I think ( & I can't believe I'm saying this) that we should give keane up to the Plymouth game to turn things around, if he hasn't by then I think Mr Clegg and co will act, who is appointed after that is a VERY important step if it happens. I make no apology for saying (because I said it on the day he was appointed) that Roy Keane is a mistake and that's because of who and what he is. I couldn't have put the reasons any better that UEFA81 above so won't try here. Look Guys & Girls we all love ITFC otherwise we wouldn't be posting on this site, lets at least all get behind the players and give them our support, win or lose, I always think Pompey ( and we think our position is bad!!) have truely great fans. I've watched Town play there many times over the years and seen those fans lift that team beyond their talent. At the end of the day that's all we fans can do to help.............. never mind who's managing the team right now WE can't change that so.................GET BEHIND THE LADS!!!

0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls