Boss Roy Keane was delighted with Town’s 3-1 victory at Derby, hailing it the type of performance the Blues need to produce more often away from home, but was unhappy with the Rams’ late goal.

Keane said: "We made hard work of it as usual. We gave a shocking goal away but three goals away from home, we'll take that. I enjoyed the game, it was a good battle out there which I knew it would be.

"We are just focused on winning football matches and we've not done enough of that this year, but today was about rolling your sleeves up.

"These are the kind of performances we need. We are trying to change the mindset of what Ipswich is seen to be, particularly away from home where we are probably seen as a soft touch and we have got to change that.

"We need to start turning in performances like that on a regular basis if we are to progress.

"There was lots going on. Decisions to be made but going away from home and scoring three goals is something we have not done very often this season and it's very rewarding.

"Connor showed great maturity for his goal. It's been a good week for him, but I don't want to single out individuals because it was a good team performance."

After the game, referee Jonathan Moss confirmed that both Stephen Pearson and Derby boss Nigel Clough had been sent off for foul and abusive language. Clough admitted that he may have sworn at the official prior to being sent to the stand: "Quite possibly, yes.

"The referee asked me to repeat something. I did and I asked was he sending me off for that, and he wouldn't answer.

"He asked me to go, so I went and sat in the stand. He then asked me to move higher but the stand is the stand. It has to be something I said.

"I think it was for something [Stephen Pearson] said as well as he was walking away, but I don't think it was aimed at the referee.

"But we have missed a good opportunity to get another point or three on the board. Despite all the warnings before the game about not conceding early, we conceded after three minutes from a corner.

"That's the most disappointing thing, all the talking done in the last 48 hours, to stay unbeaten, that's the mentality we are still some way from instilling."

Photo: Action Images

mightytown added 08:28 - Apr 6 i think considering the start we had to the season, to be where we are now shows keane has done a good job to salvage something from this season. YES, at this moment in time I am happy with midtable obscuirty - with a chance of finishing top ten, maybe. you have to put your personal feelings for keane aside. i believe he can take us to the prem, think he'll probably overspend - like he did and sunderland, think he'll probably piss alot of people off - like he did at sunderland, think he'll make some mistakes - like he did at sunderland but if it gets us to the premiership and we stay there - like sunderland, then surely thats mission complete? sunderland are exactly where they want to be, in the prem. im not saying it'll be easy or that were guarenteed to get there but this season can finish on a high for us, keane is fully commited to ipswich and i think as fans we should back him and give him a chance for next season. if things dont work out then we say thankyou but no thankyou, its not a matter of keane being the saviour but what hope has any manager of achieving success if not given the time? i think now we have the core of a good team, a decent spine - something great to build on for next season. also, signing that 20 goal a season striker might be a thing of the past, pre-empting things just a tad, but that wickham lad looks the real deal! COYB! WELL DONE LADS

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barnesey added 08:39 - Apr 6 Nobody seems to have noticed that Keane was 'on holiday' last week and only turned up eventually on Monday morning. See how the team responded to a week without the bully!
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mightytown added 08:44 - Apr 6 oh dear oh dear, when will this keane the bully nonsense stop!
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PhatCookie added 09:10 - Apr 6 keanoblind faith, read my comment on the what walters said abut wickham then shut up please, thanku
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PhatCookie added 09:14 - Apr 6 and dont harp on about my spelling, i have 3 kids playfighting with me while i try to write on here, but according to you i'm probably not doing my job as a parent right, lol, xxx
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brockleyblueboy added 09:17 - Apr 6 So barnsey how many times have you met roy Keane? How many times have you trained with Roy Keane? Exactly. Where all this bully stuff comes from I have no idea. Everyone that has ever interviewed roy keane, everyone that has been apart of roy keanes career can only say positive things. I think Alex Ferguson knows his stuff and the players that have whinged have been crap and didn't have anything in the tank to come back with. Serioulsy give the guy a break.

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Back_The_Boss added 09:36 - Apr 6 Went to the game yesterday, great atmosphere. Stood near Kevin Painter at the game. Good 3 pts and a very classy finish by Wickham. COYB lets end the season with a few back to back wins.
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tractorboybig added 10:06 - Apr 6 jamesy itfc keano. wow we got 6 points out of six?????????????? still lets give keen another 42 games and see if he can get it right.
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DrJeckyll added 10:12 - Apr 6 I personally have really enjoyed this season, glad we are almost safe (would ideally like to finish 9th but thats another story). The players manager and fans will all have benefited from this seasons struggles, to be sitting in 13th now after the worst start to a season in the clubs history is something to be proud of. 16 points from 8 games is automatic promotion form. Thank the lord that no-one listened to the very LOUD voices of the ignorant minority, we would probably be on our 15th manager this season if those idiots held any sway and like P'boro already relegated.

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Thetruth added 10:25 - Apr 6 Great weekend and nice haul of points I will always be behind Keane, we need steel and discipline and he brings that. And for all these people who scold him for selling and ruining young talent, to wake up and smell the coffee. He has brought Whickham into the fold, been realistic with him and has secured him for 2 years. I have a feeling Whickham will be a big player for us next season, a completely different player to Jordan Rhodes, we all know that Connor has everything needed to be a top class striker. If the players would not have bottled so many games where we dropped points in the final minutes then we would have been in the play off mix, i think that with some decent additions (And yes Keane has signed a couple of bad ones) we will be geared up for a go at it next year...... So I for one will be behind the gaffer........ Remember our club has no divine right to be in the top flight....! We have been a long way short of what is required for a few seasons now, so do me a favour and stop blaming a man who has had 11 months in charge....!

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Dolly2.0 added 11:06 - Apr 6 I think the problem with the anti-keane brigade is that they expected promotion at the first attempt. Too many people in football, and life generally, want everything served up on a plate right now.
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tommyblue added 11:08 - Apr 6 BRING ON THE NORWICH!!!!
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corunnaviking1759 added 11:18 - Apr 6 OK then, So when was the last time we had a good Season????????????? Burley Promtion and 1st season in the Prem thats it gang!! We have had some decent seasons under JR, with NO Money! At least he got us to the play offs, when we were in big Financial trouble. JM had three seasons in charge and did naff all!! What do you lot want? Get behind RK and the team!! It looks like he's finally getting there, if he does nothing with the club next season well maybe time for change. COYB & RK UP THE TOWN!

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jamesy_itfc_keano added 11:33 - Apr 6 Totally agree wit 'thetruth' ... Yes we've had a disappointing season, but if we can finish in 10th/12th we have recovered a bad sason. RK is bringing in some steel within the club, something you NEED to get out of this league. We havn't had that years, thats why we are still in the championship. We area much harder team to beat now .. next season them draws will turn into wins. Sometimes we all got to remember it was a 2 year plan. COYB !!!

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Churchmanschild added 12:11 - Apr 6 Unbelievable! we win 3-1 away from home and there are still peole on here knocking Roy and the team! Come on lads we are heading in the right direction. Next season will be more consistant.
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KeanoTheClown added 12:20 - Apr 6 'ello fans..hope you've all enjoyed the 6 points over the last 2 games...clown college seems to be working a treat.
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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:21 - Apr 6 phatcookie - okay, you are obviously happy with this mediocre season and our "big name" manager. Good luck to you. I however am not. I am not going to "celebrate" the fact that we have almost made it into the top half of the table (for the first time this season) and it's APRIL. Of course want ITFC to do well but I disagree that Keane is the man to lead us upward. If my opinion leaves a bad taste in people's mouth then that is too bad. That is my opinion and I am entitled to it just like phatcookie and the rest of you Keane worshippers are entitled to yours. I am also concerned that the gap between the Premiership and the rest is getting larger. Premier league clubs are getting a minimum of 40 million next year - more if you finish higher up the table. We need somebody to get us there before the gap becomes to great. Yes, Keane did it with Sunderland - granted. In a season and a half, he spent about 80 million in his tenure. Keane for all his big name status has not impressed me in the transfer market either. Three of our best players are loanees. Leadbitter is in fact quality though. Keane signed Priskin, Martin, Edwards and Colin Healy while shipping out Jordan Rhodes and that sums it up for me. Gievn our bad start this season and Keane's dodgy signings, I would love for somebody to tell me why they think Keane will be a success here. We need a better season next year and I for one will be delighted if Keane does it for us. I suspect he won't though........

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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:25 - Apr 6 And I may be anti-Keane but I am NOT against the team as some scurrilous Keano fans suggest that we are. 'ello Keano the clown - welcome back by the way. I really hope you are not a Budgie though.
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buryblue77 added 12:30 - Apr 6 If Keane is such a bully, how come half the Sunderland squad has travelled down here either on loan or permanent signings. Keane said the other day that we need to not be so nicey nicey, maybe that's his way of saying complacent. After Shane Supple turned his back on the game he said something about football not being what he thought it would be and how too many players are happy just to take their pay and not really caring about results. Well Keane has a real passion for the game, and the job he's doing here. I only want people at my club who want to play, care about results and commited to the cause, well if there's a man out there to install that mentality into players (and clear out the deadwood) it's Keane! It's all about next season now, we'll be right up there, with a few quality additions and Keano in charge!! COYB!!!

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roytheboy added 12:31 - Apr 6 Not such a bad Manager after all is he !
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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:38 - Apr 6 roy the boy - "Not such a bad Manager after all is he" Oh yeah - still in the bottom half of the table and looking at the mediocre mid table area, wasted cash on useless players, Useless performances against Plymouth, Peterborough etc. Getting spanked at home from Newcastle shows us what we should be aiming for but we bottled it totally. But we beat Reading and Derby so roy the boy must be right !!! Keano is great - WOOHOO - KEANO !!!

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PaulMariner added 12:43 - Apr 6 Nice to win obviously but its papering over the cracks. Keane should still go no question about it.
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SomershamBlue added 12:50 - Apr 6 Sorry PaulMariner, but '..it's papering over the cracks..', is a a bit lame - isn't it?
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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:51 - Apr 6 Okay, coming off the back of Reading and Derby we have Forest, Doncaster, Newcastle and Sheffield United next. This will be a pretty good indication if things have actually improved at our club under Keano.
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nobrain added 12:58 - Apr 6 Well, KeanoBlindFaith, how many points would we need to get from those games for you to think that 'things have actually improved'?
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