May cool all the interest from other clubs, he's a young lad and will fix quickly. For all you moaning sorts it may have the added bonus that Keano and Cleggy will be forced to bring in a new striker as cover - so expect the loan of some old shagged out Sunderland has been who didn't quite make it into the Ireland Team!

Did you know Michael Chopra's real first name is, in fact, 'Rocky'? In his career he averages 1 goal in every 2.7 league games. Would be significantly better than Stead and any of the other 1 in four strikers we've had recently.

That's very sad CavendishBlue - very sorry to hear that. It DOES put things into perspective ...

Ever since Keane has come in the team has just got weaker and weaker, in terms of numbers & ability so that when things like the injuries to Delaney & Wickham happen they take on a much bigger significance. Other clubs have spent the summer strengthening their squads while we are still looking for any number of key players to sign.
I can't remember the last time Town signed a player on a permanent basis that made me sit up eager with anticipation.
Get off to a bad start and I think that by the time Wickham plays again he will be doing so for a new Town manager.

OH dear... does this mean we might actually have to play, Stead, Counago, Priskin, Lisbie - all of whom have shown they can score goals given a sane manager?

Actually what it does mean is Stern John or some other jobbing lump coming in on loan... the reality of life under Keane, Major Soundbite & the invisible man

well said cavendish blue.

unreal!! so we've lost arguably our best defender, and now definitely our best striker....would quite like something to go our way soon!!

this is the worst ever thing to happen. pablo get your hatrick boots on we need ya buddy

A difficult situation has just become even harder. Emphasis on another attacking player is clear to see. Stead, Priskin & Counago all have ability but none of them have been made to feel very welcome by RK and although it could be an opportunity for them (if they haven't all been sold) it is hard to see them being able to raise their games but who knows? Counago on his day is a class act and some of his touches and passes are superb but the lack of goals he personally scores is a concern. A tough start to the season with key players missing, rabbit from hat required if we are not to end up with another poor start, which could be the last chance for RK?
I don't think I have looked forward to a season less then this one coming mainly in fear of what might happen after last year.
Hope you're fit again soon Connor and best wishes CavendishBlue for your kin - hope it works out ok.

come on pablo....strut your stuff

Pablo and priskin. I wanted to see this combo happen but not at the expense of wickham though

Go get chopra and Rowen Vine please.

Get well soon connor. He is a young lad so 6 weeks will probably be 4-5.

Don't panic folks :-)

Isn't Danny Welbeck available on loan?

Pablo:

Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1998—2001 Celta Vigo 9 (0)
1998 → Numancia (loan) 13 (1)
1999—2000 → Recreativo (loan) 26 (4)
2001—2005 Ipswich Town 99 (31)
2005—2007 Málaga 48 (10)
2007— Ipswich Town 114 (23)

He is not our saviour!!

Agreed mullet, although you'd have to conceed he's been better for us than anyone else. Pablo should be playing attacking mid for me, in the hole behind the front two. He does create chances and pick up assissts.

CavendishBlue; As you say, your news does put it all into perspective. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Our saving grace here MAY be the loan system, especially considering that Premiership clubs can only have a maximum of 25 players registered for the coming premier league campaign. (OK they can use more players than that, but these would be youngsters under 21) Some teams can't even have a premiership squad of 25, as 8 of those MUST be home grown (trained in England for minimum of 3 years between ages of 16 and 21) and all these foriegn inports won't fit that bill... so I suspect their will be a whole load of Premiership quality players available for loan pretty soon. Maybe we can take advantage of that.

Hah,just when you thought things couldn't get any worse.......

I'm available to play up front if you want Roy?..couldn't do any worse than Priskin,i'd be far cheaper on the wage bill & i'd give 100% every game!!!

...oh,btw,you'd better get in quick cos George Burley wants me at Palace.

Looks like wen need that 'new Billy Clarke' to come straight in!

cavendish blue

Its a game and people come on hear to view an opinion.

Your news is gut renching. If I was you this would be the last place I would be....

KICK IN THE NUTS!!!

It's a shame we've got a manager who can't get the best out of what he's got...Stead,Priskin & Counago are all more than capable of knocking in 15 goals+ in this division but none are made to feel wanted by Keane.

Q...when football management is all about communication with players,coaches,other managers & your owner..why are we stuck with a miserable headcase of a "manager" who has admitted himself that he doesn't communicate well with people in general?

You seriously couldn't make it up.

back to the 10 man defence game then eh roy..looks like some exciting football coming up the start of the season.might have to get back into the horse racing to fill my saturday

Lighteningboy wrote: "Stead,Priskin & Counago are all more than capable of knocking in 15 goals+ in this division "

Are you crazy or just blatantly anti-RK? Check your facts first…

Stead: 10 seasons in English Football, scored 15+ goals only once! For Huddersfield for gods sake back in 03/04.

Priskin: 5 seasons in English Football, never scored 15+ goals in a season, not once! His best was 14 in 08/09.

Counago: 10 seasons in English/Spanish football, scored 15+ goals only once! For us back in 02/03 and he got 17…

So LighteningBoy, do you want to rethink your statement that we have the players to score 15+ goals in this division?

Well said SiBo.

Plus, in what way is RK making Priskin feel unwanted? We paid a lot of money to bring him to Portman Road, he has been given a lot of opportunities to prove himself, and Keane obviously still has faith in him as he hasn't put him on the 'list of 8' (unlike Martin, who also cost us a lot of money) and has stuck with him in the pre-season matches?

Brilliant turn and through-ball from Counago. Bounces off the back of Priskin's head and flies past the diving keeper and into the net. His duck broken, Priskin goes on to score 30 more goals this season ...

Ah, one can but hope!