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

dannym09 added 17:46 - Apr 17 just heard dos santos has been spotte........... nah im messin, wonder how beckford would do though?
0

devontractorboy added 21:52 - Apr 17 Keane learn to keep your thoughts to yourself and your gob shut, sounds like another season of excuses to me.I agree with DDMagee pointless and badly timed statement he should be leader of the Labour Party!!!
0

bennyblue added 03:52 - Apr 18 i think next season we will be starting further behind the 8 ball than this season thanks to keanes brilliant management..... otherwise known as going backwards
0

Barhamblue added 09:58 - Apr 18 Redman /mungo good writes totally agree with you. How about Ambrose?
0

tom_the_blue added 09:59 - Apr 18 denhamblue-have you ever had any form of education?
0

MyBlueHeaven added 10:19 - Apr 18 so what we're saying is... half way through keane's contract with the avowed aim of promotion, we're no better off. we're mid table with a squad of players that the manager wants to change pretty dramatically. so what's the last year been for then roy? as for players coming in... avoid beckford at all costs. yes, even zero costs. awfully overrated. slap half a mil down on swindon's table for charlie austin. goals goals goals - *if* we have a midfield that can create for him.

0

blueherts added 12:20 - Apr 18 Typical Keane comment I just hope they are as good as Martin - if that is benchmark to get us back in the prem or even top six then help us now He will not attract players he is not and will never be a good manager - BUT as said earlier on another post - if and I fear he is here to stay another season insist he has a new coaching team - those muppets he has have done nothing for our style of play . A good coach is a must -

0

LincsBluebelly added 12:42 - Apr 18 I agree with blueherts comment about bringing in an experienced coach to work alongside Keane. However, I can't believe that the majority on here are negative about Keane clearing out the dead wood and reducing the size of the squad...or maybe it's just another opportunity to have a moan!
0

strikalite added 13:26 - Apr 18 Agree with Mark, it's ok having strong charactors and leaders but that isn't enough....in the final third(where it matters)you have to have players who can create things and have good awareness. I want to see some real flair at this football club, all this talk about having time to gel is also rubbish to be honest, if you bring in decent players for positions that they're used to, then it doesn't take time to 'gel' believe me...you may not read the odd one two pass yes but on the whole decent players fit in to a system quite quickly, you put decent players on the training ground and work on movements then it shouldn't take too long to get it right on the pitch....get some flair and pace in the final third and we won't be far off imo...but can he bring these players in?? He hasn't been able to so far and we're in no better position now really..

0

sebitfc added 17:39 - Apr 18 under magilton almost playoffs, under keane almost league one. only one change i would make
0

runaround added 18:36 - Apr 18 One thing for sure, there will be tonnes of speculation and i for one am very interested to know which players he has in mind coming in and going out. In reply to some of the previous points made, just becuase Keane says he wants signings who are "characters" "leaders" and "men", its doesn't necessarily follow as some have suggested that the targets will not also have flair and pace and be all "hard work"

0

TractorCam added 13:02 - Apr 19 Well sign Daryl Murphy, Jack Colback and Liam Rosenior :D one more striker for us to sign maybe Kevin Phillips on loan for a season, he could help us for promotion 2010/11 or Michael Chopra whos young and getting better by the year, if these signings happened then we would be fine and strong opponents to get promoted. Outs- I would let Falkirk sign Colin Healy as he is very unlikely to get a game for us, Connor Wickham, big no no as he should do very well next season so he is a defo keep, Perhaps Brentford could sign Pim Balkenstein or Tommy Smith? not both though, What was the point of signing Devann Yao as he hasn't been mentioned in our team once yet?? Maybe a loan move for him, perhaps to brentford, lol COYB

0

fredbarber added 19:16 - Apr 19 Still think pablo and richard wright can do a job for us
0

blue added 13:51 - Apr 20 No matter who he brings in and offloads from the payroll,im sure he has something up his sleeve to protect his job and his name. When the season gets underway he knows if we dont get the results he will be a gonner!!! So im going to chillax let it take its toll till next season whoever comes and goes im sure he knows what he wants and we want and thats to get into the premiership,enough said relax guys and enjoy the ride. Civelli is fine ,hes at home on facebook chillaxing pmsl!

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls