Striker Tamás Priskin received his manager’s backing after netting the second goal in the Blues’ 3-1 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday. Boss Roy Keane says the Hungarian is likely to be given a run in the side with so many other players currently out injured.

Keane said: “We know he’s a talented boy but strikers will always be judged on putting the ball in the back of the net. It was a bit hit and miss for Tamás last year and he went out on loan, but he’s had a good pre-season and the fact that we’re down to the bare bones means he’s going to get a run in the team and please God he’ll come back from the international week OK.

“It was a good finish and he was in the right spot like all decent strikers, like the boy for the first goal from Middlesbrough.”

The Irishman was also happy with debutant Luke Hyam’s display at the Riverside: “He’s a good player. I’ve been speaking for the last few weeks about him and I said that if Luke had to play against Middlesbrough I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep, and I didn’t. I knew he wouldn’t let us down and I knew Reggie wouldn’t and I knew Jack Ainsley wouldn’t.

“Using all these young boys has been a little bit forced on me with the players we’ve lost over the last few weeks, but the boys are doing well. Young players provide an energy that you can’t buy.

“They’ve not been brainwashed yet, they seem to enjoy the game. Saturday was good for the young players.”

Keane was similarly pleased with Tommy Smith, whose deflected second half strike was his first career goal: “I think we deserved that little bit of luck, but I had a feeling Tommy might score today, not from a shot, from a header from a set piece as he’s very aggressive in terms of attacking set pieces.

“Tommy’s done well, he’s come back for pre-season and we’ve lost Damien for two or three months. In an ideal world we wouldn’t have Tommy playing yet because he’s probably a few weeks behind the other lads in terms of fitness because we gave him an extended break after the World Cup.

“Tommy’s a good player, a good lad to have in your dressing room. I like Tommy a lot, he’s a good kid. He’s the type you’d want in the trenches with you.”

Despite the comfortable nature of Town’s victory on Saturday, Keane says Boro will still be amongst the main contenders this season: “If you can finish above Middlesbrough, you have a good chance of being in the top five or six. They’ll only get stronger, quality will come through in the end. ”

Photo: Action Images

under_the_sun666 added 15:31 - Aug 9 im including preseasons aswell u p*rick
0

Martus added 16:50 - Aug 9 He did well in pre season aswell u dick, he didnt score but he played well, his link up play was good and so was his positioning. He needs confidance, and that was the goal and saturday aswell as a good work from Keane. So do you think your comments help or matter?
0

under_the_sun666 added 18:09 - Aug 9 LOL no he didnt he got subbed in two and boo'd by his own fans...
0

jas0999 added 19:04 - Aug 9 The negativity on here is unbelievable. Priskins goal was excellent - but one idiot seems to imply it was a fluke!! These sort of fools should ask themselves whether they support ITFC or not ...
0

Guthrum added 19:14 - Aug 9 Priskin scored - great! I don't care how he did it. He scored. Hopefully this will give him the confidence which was so obviously lacking last season and he will push on to fulfill his potential by scoring more regularly. The 'keen' attitiude he seems to have been displaying of late is also encouraging. Here's to Priskin challenging as ITFC and Championship top scorer this season. As for under_the_sun666, the name and the Mick McCarthy avatar says it all - troll ...

0

Johnny_Boy added 19:19 - Aug 9 Come on Phil, Roy's comments are hardly 'backing' Priskin. More like he's saying Tamas will do in the meantime whilst we have injuries to Connor, Lisbie being on loan to Millwall & before we sign a better striker in the next week.
0

kentblue added 20:21 - Aug 9 Glad to see Keane is backing Priskin ( at last ! ). Keane might learn that encouraging players and supporting them will generate confidence and better performances !
0

bluelady added 20:43 - Aug 9 excuse me for my unlady like behaviour but i think the only P**ck on here is you.
0

RRanger added 20:44 - Aug 9 Super result and performance on Saturday and the support was fantastic.My first visit to The Riverside and what a day to visit!! I have 2 thoughts having read all the posts: Priskin is not your charge round the field,closing down type striker. Nor do I think he is the elusive 20 goals a season man but I think he could bring a lot to the team - especially now that Garvan has gone. He has vision and a lot of skill :little back heels (I remember a great Colback goal last season resulting from him running on to a great back heel from TP). He will I believe score 10 - 15 goals if played.He is potentially the Championship's Berbatov. My other point concerns Peters at RB. I cannot for the life of me see why people keep going on about him being a weak link. On Saturday I thought he had an excellent game - very few worthwhile Boro attacks originated down our right.Their goal came from a cross from our left and their best one on one chances through the centre.He linked up really well with Edwards and one should remember that he is only going to get better as a RB the more he plays there.He has pace and if we are playing well will take men on and provide that attacking dimension that all the beat wing backs have.

0

RRanger added 20:51 - Aug 9 Further to my last post I've just read that Peters has been picked in the Press Associations' Championship Team of the Week. With Ainsley as back up I agree with RK: a RB is not a priority.
0

under_the_sun666 added 21:21 - Aug 9 if priskin is such a savour why the hell does keane want a new striker (possibly 2?). he's only playing until we sign someone to replace him in starting line up, I'm simply not backing him cus he's a lazy sh*t who stands offside all game and shows no effort. ...And boro doesn't justify his woeful football last season. Come on Jason Scotland :D
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls