Boss Roy Keane felt local non-league sides Leiston and Bury Town provided his team with more than useful midweek workouts. A largely second string side beat the Ridgeons League team 2-0 at Victory Road on Tuesday with a more senior squad defeating the Ryman League club 1-0 yesterday.

Speaking after last night’s match, Keane said: “We’ve had two games in last two days and credit to the opposition. Last night [at Leiston] was a very good game, a good tempo, and tonight was just as good and I really enjoyed it.

”Again the important thing was that a lot of the players got 90 minutes. There was only Mark Kennedy getting 45, young Conor Hourihane had a taste of it last night and another taste tonight, and he had to as we’re a bit short of players. I nearly got my boots back on myself!

“These games are about fitness and exercise. The final ball was lacking a bit tonight, but that will come.

“It did help that the pitch was good and the pitch was good last night as well, so there are no excuses for players. They should enjoy playing these games and I think they applied themselves well tonight and I think the supporters enjoyed it.”

The Blues manager says some of the non-league sides’ players caught his eye, including Bury keeper Marcus Garnham, who played a handful of games for Town’s reserves and U18s in 2005 and 2006 and stood in for another second string match in 2008: “I’ve been impressed with the opposition we’ve played over the last few days. I thought the goalkeeper tonight was outstanding. There were a couple of good players I watched last night and you never know they might be playing Saturday!”

Injuries and the impending departures of more senior players means that the younger members of the squad look likely play an important part this season, something which Keane feels could potentially work to the club’s advantage: “It might be the best thing to happen to the club to get these young boys in there.

"We all like experience, but give these boys an opportunity. Luke Hyam, Troy Brown, Jack Ainsley, these boys have a chance and sometimes you have to throw them in there.

“I was lucky to play for managers who were quite happy to throw young players in, whether it was Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson. Sometimes your hand is forced that way and it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to the club.”

Photo: Action Images

rubberblood added 10:01 - Jul 29 not going to be negative BUT ... no never mind..... Will do what the sheep want. KEANO KEANO KEANO!
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Raedwald_625 added 10:05 - Jul 29 If the youngsters are good enough play them. At least they'll give 100%. If Bury players or players form Leiston, Sudbury, Lowestoft, etc catch the eye, give them a trial RK, you could do worse
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corshamblue added 10:05 - Jul 29 Luke Hyam sounds the pick of those coming through and indeed Hourihane seems to be a good find/steal? Keano, don't even joke about bringing in Garnham. Non-League isn't were we should be looking. There's a lot of fans giving Keano the faith, time to repay.
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corshamblue added 10:07 - Jul 29 . . . on a plus signing up Non League players - It'll get the wages down!
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Gary added 10:08 - Jul 29 pleased he's willing to give the kids a chance but we still need a bloody striker!
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darkroonsitfc added 10:08 - Jul 29 these lower league teams have got some very good players, but nonetheless should we not be scoring more than one or two past them, i'm all for the youth getting a good chance to show what they can do, hope we unearth another darren bent or darren ambrose, someone of that calibre, but we have got to get the the blend of youth and experience right, but i'm sure we can do that, after all keane played under possibly to of the best managers to learn from in Clough and Ferguson. Believe it or not, I am very much looking forward to what this season brings C.O.Y.B

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MyBlueHeaven added 10:18 - Jul 29 "... might be the best thing that's ever happened to the club.” really, Roy? hmm. you need to learn a bit more about the club's history methinks.
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ITFCAlex added 10:32 - Jul 29 "He had to as we're a bit short of players. I nearly got my boots back on myself!" Sums us up at the minute. Come on Keano, give us some signings!
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SiBo added 10:34 - Jul 29 As i said in another post... I like the idea of good hungry youngsters coming in to the side... what they lack in experiance, they make up for in enthusiasm... Also I would not be at all surprised if we announce in the next couple of days that we have signed 2/3 senior players. It appears the club are keen to keep all transfer dealings quiet until concluded and it's only the "other" teams that are talking... (Sunderland with Furlop) so it would be no surprise at all to see new blood in before the weekend.

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DrJeckyll added 10:45 - Jul 29 I like the idea of having to play a lot of our youngsters this season, would love to see them form the majority of the squad rather than mercenary players for whom half a million a year wages isn't deemed good enough. No player is worth breaking our wage structure over
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Marcus added 11:12 - Jul 29 @SiBo is that 2 or 3 or 2/3rds of a senior player? :D
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ChambersM added 11:49 - Jul 29 Bit short of players, yes that's because your selling all of them you spanner
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Martus added 12:20 - Jul 29 Chambers you fool, he has to sell players to bring the wage budget down! He was told to sell players before buyiing them, we have too a bigger squad which showed last year, its injuries that means there is a lack of players. POW!
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Karlosfandangal added 12:24 - Jul 29 The players that are leaving did not featue in the towns last 15 matches, so I see not problem in them leaving. If town play the same as last season, we will be mid table again as none of the other teams are that much better than us. We have Wickham, Kennedy, Cievlli and Housaine who are better than we had, Smith and O'Connor, will be better players than last year. So all we really need is a better start to the season say 6 win in the first 15 games and we will be in the play off's come the end of the season. Easy :0) Nothing to this managing a football team.

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dobbie73 added 12:28 - Jul 29 ChambersM - don't you ever get tired of the sound of your complaining??? Jesus man - the club has already said that players need to be shipped out to get more in!
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arc added 12:34 - Jul 29 A good squad has a mixture of grey beards, players in their prime and youngsters eager to break through. A good thing.
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brogansnose added 12:55 - Jul 29 Arguably the best thing about last season was the youngsters coming through, not being overawed and seeming to actually give a monkeys. However as arc points out you do need some wise heads with them to focus their endeavours.
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SiBo added 13:02 - Jul 29 Marcussg: liked it... actually two thirds of senior player would be nice at the moment! Arc: I agree a nice mix of young and older heads. Karlosfandangal: Your right! these players didn't feture towards the end of last season and so shouldn't be missed. (Injuries apart of course) Also lasts years start was awful and anything half decent would have seen us fighting for a playoff place last year. We just need a decent start... my only worry is the loss of Whickham as it does leave us light up front, but I suspect we are close to a signing in that department.

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northernblues added 13:48 - Jul 29 having looked the first 9 games up till september end, and they way the squad is, i predict we will only take 9 points! your thoughts?
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Karlosfandangal added 14:11 - Jul 29 SiBo I agree, We are light up front without Wickham. It does not matter if people like or dislike Keane. he is a man who want to win and he did get Sunderland up so must have some idea of what he needs. If he is prepared to let Lisbie and Stead go and of course the injury to Wickham, there must be a striker in the pipeline. I have seen a report today (Walesonline Football nation) saying that Kennedy agrees with ex team mate Chopra. So there is un rest at Cardiff. So maybe Chopra could still end up here, but if not him there will be a new striker at Portman road before the close of the transfer window.

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8ashblue added 15:40 - Jul 29 All of our best temas in the past have included players from our youth so Smith Hyam etc will be more than welcome. Better than Quinn, Bruce, Garvan who arent up to it and maybe the younger players will at least try for 90 mins! I recommended Holmes who was at Chelmsford last season as he's quick scores loads of goals but i doubt the scouts bothered. However we need to be patient if the youth are given a chance and remember the enept preformances of the players they are replacing.

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meekreech added 16:13 - Jul 29 The problem we are going to face is bedding new players in ! It looks like a season of toil and disappointment once again as I can see a struggle for points at the start as last year with new players ( ? ) settling in ! It is time surely that players must be brought in to build the team to give us a chance of getting the promotion ME says he would like to see ! The players needed will soon not be available ( if they are anyway ) and we will be stuffed again ( why did I renew my season ticket ???? ) to suffer a mid table or worse season !!!

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brian_a_mul added 16:25 - Jul 29 Maybe Kennedy is the first part of a double deal involving Chops! Keano is is a smart character, getting Kennedy on board will just entice Chopra even further to join town as they know each other well.
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RetroBlue added 17:14 - Jul 29 I am convinced that Chopra will become aTown player very soon. Our Club is keeping it's cards very close to its chest this time round - a marked difference from when Magilton was in charge !!
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BlueArmy01 added 17:57 - Jul 29 Let face it Keane hasn't got a clue, we need experience, we need characters, the youngsters could be the best thing, most of us know what we really need........ someone who knows what they are doing in charge.
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