Town boss Roy Keane says there is a big summer ahead for the club with plenty of players moving in and out of Portman Road. The Blues manager says he is targeting four or five signings and will also be looking to offload a number of his current squad members.

Keane said: “This summer is a big, big summer for the football club and for myself and the staff to try and get things right.

“I keep talking about getting good players into the football club, but my focus is very much on characters this summer. I think we have good players, I think everyone can see that, we saw that last week in the first half.

“We have competed against teams in the top six on our day, but we’ve not been consistent enough, we’ve given a lot of late goals away and we’ve dropped crazy points against teams down below us. I’m after four or five ‘men’ in the summer.

“There are two or three players I’m very interested in at the moment and hopefully then one or two more. That will be finalised in the next few weeks when I have a chance to sit down with the owner and the chief executive and discuss those dreaded words — the budget.”

The Blues boss says he may have to wait to make some of his signings but could tie some up sooner rather than later: “We might have to be patient and wait for pre-season to try and get the players we’re after, but there are one or two players whose contracts are up, so if we can put those deals to bed early doors that would be great.

“But I’m sure these players will have options, there’ll be an issue with wages, whether they’ll want to come to a club which has struggled all season. There are lots of hurdles to get over yet. I’m certainly not expecting a relaxing summer, I think it’s going to be fairly busy.

“I’ve not spoken to any players yet, but whether these players are aware of my interest I don’t know. Football’s a small world and sometimes you speak to people who might know them.”

At the other end of the scale, Keane says players will be leaving the club, the Town manager having previously stated that he wants a smaller squad for 2010/11: “There have been a few players at the club for three or four years who are good lads, decent servants, but we have to change the dynamics of the football club.

“We have to or next season we’ll hitting that 60 points mark again, but it’s 70-odd you need to have a chance in the play-offs and we’ve been well short this year and we can’t accept that next year.

“We’ll sit down with the players and their agents over the next few weeks and see where that takes us and make it clear to other clubs which players are available. There are players here under contract who I feel need to move on without a shadow of a doubt.”

Keane feels that there are too many big earners on the fringes at present: “At the moment, in the reserve group, we’ve got too many experienced players on too big wages. I don’t want that at the football club.

“But it’s easier said than done. The players are under contract, they don’t want to move and when it’s clear to them that I don’t see them in my plans some players will just sit tight. It’s about trying to find them the right clubs, but that will be down to their agents.”

Keane reiterated that he feels that it is highly unlikely that Jack Colback will return to Portman Road next season with Steve Bruce viewing the midfielder as part of his first team squad at Sunderland next season.

Photo: Action Images

chapmanp added 09:36 - Apr 17 Whatever happens we have to have a proper pre-season. It felt like we were having our pre-season after the start of this season as the players didn't know each other. And we mustn't make panic buys which with hindsight Priskin must have been. The best signing may have already been made in Wickham!
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Mungo added 09:48 - Apr 17 A lot of work to be done this summer. Agree that wee need to bring in 3/4 players of genuine quality, but thinking it might be asking a bit much to find a few "Leadbitters" on free transfers! Players out: Stead, R Wright, Priskin, Counago, Garvan (probably, not saying I garee with that) Lisbie, Martin, Balkestein, C Healy, Bruce & Trotter. Sadly I can't see that lot bringing much more than £2m tops, but should free up a good chunk of the wage bill. Also, if the right offers came in for Wickham and Walters, then these would have to be considered (Funds will be required for rebuilding and ME might not be so free with the cash this year). All the loanees should also go back. Would be good to get Colback back, but it doesn't sound like it's going to happen! With regards to players in, I think Hreidarsson would solve a lot of problems at the back (he's still got it, and town could probably offer a package that may appeal to him). A wide midfielder would be good, and then 2 forwards. There are some promising players in the lower leagues that may be available on frees/small fees and perhaps take a punt on one of these, and one bigger money signing. RK should focus his resources on these areas, but depending on who leave he may need to adapt a little.

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Lightningboy added 10:02 - Apr 17 A change of manager would mean we wouldn't have to make massive changes to what I believe is a very good squad...i.e.someone who knows their arse from their elbow...Burley,Curbishley,Coppell or Mowbray. Sadly we're going to be stuck with this amateur.
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Brandonbilly added 10:08 - Apr 17 Just hope things are done quickly so we can have a pre-season bonding and not playing like strangers when the season starts.Wickham must stay at all costs.
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Manchesterblue added 10:12 - Apr 17 Not to many changes please as we don't want another season of waiting for players to settle, Keane you are doing a good job and the signs are there for a good season next year....
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el_nino added 10:13 - Apr 17 He talked about getting characters in last year....maybe we should be looking at skill now rather than character, as we have very little at present! Desire in abundance isn't enough!
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TractorBoyOlly added 10:28 - Apr 17 Glad I won't be there to witness another season of 'Gelling' then!
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Mark added 10:58 - Apr 17 I am trying to be positive, but I do find it all rather worrying. We have heard the thing about "characters" before, then ended up with Martin, Priskin, two Healys and notably Edwards who admits to being too laid back. Keane talks about "men" and the one he really labelled a "man" before was Stern John. I agree we need a few more talkers, but I would also like the manager to speak about the need to bring in some pace, skill and flair as well as just character. In 2000 we got promotion because of a focus on passing, attacking football, not just being men. I also notice the empahasis has changed very much from promotion (it was supposed to be a two year period to promotion, as reiterated in the season ticket renewal pack) to now "having a chance of the play-offs". After the big money that Keane has already spent and presumably again intends to spend in the summer, that is rather an indictment.

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Len_Brennan added 11:04 - Apr 17 It's not hugely encouraging is it? I have no problem whatsoever with RK thinking everything above (rightly or wrongly), but saying it OUT LOUD, especially at this point, is just naive at best. i. What does that now do to the confidence of all players in the squad. 2. The rumour mill will be in overload & players who are not even in his thinking for offloading will be appearing in the press & on here as likely/deseving to go. 3. Managers will be encouraged to come sniffing for all our players. 4. Knowing that RK wants rid of quite a few players that he doesn't rate, will encourage some ridiculously low/insulting bids - going on previous experiences I would worry that such bids might be accepted. Talk them up, even if you think they're rubbish/heartless! 5. The club, and ME specifically, will end up taking another huge loss on the true value of his assets. This will only encourage a more frugal approach to bringing players in. 6. It's all talk about getting players that he has in mind and yet it's "we have to be patient and wait for pre-season". All the good one's will be snapped up by then ... again. 7. As for putting down the club's chances with "I'm sure these players will have options, there'll be an issue with wages, whether they'll want to come to a club which has struggled all season" and the utterly bizarre "I've not spoken to any players yet, but whether these players are aware of my interest I don't know. Football's a small world and sometimes you speak to people who might know them" - I have no words. Why does the manager feel he has to put every single passing thought that enters his head into the papers? I've always been against the idea of clubs having a Director of Football "upstairs" from the manager, but maybe we need an Editor-in-Chief upstairs to put a red pen through RK's proposed press conference musings?

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brogansnose added 11:13 - Apr 17 It's not such an issue about who Keane gets in but in making players perform as a team which has only happened on rare occaisions this season and then mostly during one half of a game. It would also help if players put in a full shift as opposed to Edwards admission the other week. Dont want to be negative but cue another season of flouncing along the lines of 'time to gel' , ' 20 goals a year striker' and many more TWTD catch-phrase favourites.

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 11:19 - Apr 17 Agree with most posts here - not too many changes. The signs are good that we are not far off now and since November haven't been that bad if a little inconsistent. In my view we need: - quality left right backs - left right midfielders / wingers - a bit of pace up front The Mac and Delaney look good now, as do the midfield with Leadbitter and Norris. We also have decent strikers; Murph, Walters, Healy (when fit and up to speed) and of course Wickham.So it just leaves shortfall on the flanks.

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Brogansconk added 11:30 - Apr 17 First thing we need is a definitive statement from ME - is he completely committed to RK or not? Re: Len's post - you can read RK's comments either way, and by not saying which players he wants to ship out, he can equally argue that they are ones he wants to keep, and thus keep the price higher. It is good for the fans to have a manager who lets us know broadly what his thinking is, without showing his hand. He can't be wrong saying we need more characters in the team when you look at the late goals we've shipped this year.

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goat_man added 11:43 - Apr 17 Let's get these players in at the start of the transfer market for a change! Bringing in players at the end of September doesn't help. Not so worried about finding one 20 goal a season striker as they are very hard to find, just 2 strikers who can score between 10-20 would be good. Agree that wings definatly need sorting as the quality of crossing at our club from both a stationary ball i.e. corners and from open play is terrible. Defence looks good though! Use pre-season to get a settled squad playing a settled formation, not the mish mash of last years effort. Also pre season tour to somewhere other than Ireland would be nice :)

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Redmond added 11:47 - Apr 17 Mungo i agree with every 1 there apart from counago and garven, garven is still young and will become a good player with the right help but he wont get it with keane in charge there to different and also counago he may not get a lot of goals a season but he does get important goals and he also works hard so i think your stupid for saying that but apart from that i agree, Players brought in: Chopra Jay Simpson on loan from arsenal Murphy A proper winger e.g michael mcindoe or david bell from cov also a decent CB for when DD Or GM not fit

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dirtydingusmagee added 11:50 - Apr 17 Odd statement really, we couldnt get players this season ,what makes him think he will next season ? budget not discussed yet, and while i can see his point about fringe players on big wages, like he says if they dont want to go ,they wont ! its a very ''grey'' statement, ''players dont know im interested'' ''may have to wait'' sounds a bit too much like this past year .The last thing we need is to start rebuilding when season restarts.I think he should have said nothing at this stage,he got peoples hopes up last season with repeated claims of players coming in ,it stuttered along all season .I still am not convinced he will be the manager next season anyway .He could be whistling in the dark !.

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blue_shoes added 11:59 - Apr 17 cant believe some of the comments on here. For once in your life could you be a little bit postive, some of you really must be absolute misery guts. yes, we havnt had a good season but dont let it drag down everything.Its good news we're cleaning out the squad and looking to next season, where's the negative in that?! lightningboy, footballs about patience its not a video game. we cant have a manager every year because we're not where we want to be, you end up going backwards. roll on next season

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Lightningboy added 12:50 - Apr 17 blue_shoes....don't patronise me about patience mate or "video games"?!..i'm in my 30's not my teens...patience is supporting the club for nearly 30 years,mostly in the 2nd tier-if I had no patience i'd be supporting chelsea or man.city...I had PLENTY of patience with George Burley cos I believed in what he was doing was the right thing for ITFC-the same went for Jim Magilton...I have almost zero belief in Keane..he's just a big publicity stunt that's backfired big time and the sooner he's gone the better for everyone...oki doki?!

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jamesy_itfc_keano added 12:54 - Apr 17 agree with blue_shoes! Lets start being positive, its good there will be changes next season. Theres a lot of dead wood here, that will never force us to the premier league. Left back, right wing, and 2 strickers. Then we are ready to be a real force next year! COYB
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alex12345 added 12:54 - Apr 17 "For fringe players on high wages it's time for them to move on" - goodbye Alan Quinn, garvs, Richard Wright, Pablo, balkestein and martin. Get in chopra, 1 or 2 decent wingers, daryl murphy, KEEP WICKHAM and keane is obviously looking at full backs too
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:27 - Apr 17 Not negative, just think its a pointless,mistimed statement, after a dissapointing season [which has not finished] ,that has brought about huge divisions in fans,caused as much as anything by his statements, ''promises'' ect ect . He ought to remember '' Action speaks louder than words ''.
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naaridge1coly7 added 13:38 - Apr 17 Len Brennan -the best post ive seen on here for months,take a bow mate.
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TractorBoyOlly added 14:08 - Apr 17 Why can't people see the cloud of volcanic dust that Keane has coming out of his backside?
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itfc1981 added 14:22 - Apr 17 reckon hes after Beckford on a free, he's very overated.
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denhamblue added 14:40 - Apr 17 boring,its obvious what a busy ipswich town,summer ,means,doris the tea lady is replaced,by mable ,in a swap deal,from kiddeminister harriers. Bowers,pies,will replace pukka,in a cash saving initiative.And ,the club get docked 9 points,for selling ,multi packed ,monster munch crisps individualyin the snack bars!Oh,such drama,i can hardly ,wait for the looming busy summer,at the good ship portman!

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Mungo added 15:13 - Apr 17 Redmond - Don't call me stupid for having a different opinion to you. It's insulting and isn't neccessary. What makes it even more puzzling is that you say you agree with most of what I said! But anyway... I never said I wanted Garvan to go, I just think he will. Apologies for not making that clear. I simply don't think Garvan and Keane are happy working together and they both want the move to happen. If Keane was to go, I suspect Garvan would probably stay and I would be happy enough with that because he offers a different option. I do disagree on Counago though. I agree that he does work hard sometimes, but at other times he can be very lethargic and ineffective. His goal return this season has been poor and I suspect he is on quite a high salary, which cannot really be justified on a luxury fringe player. I believe that there are better value options out there.

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