Blues boss Roy Keane admitted that his side are a long way from the play-offs after Sunday’s dismal 4-1 derby defeat at Norwich. The Town manager is concerned that with some tricky fixtures coming up, his side could drop even further down the table from their current position of 16th.

Keane said: “At the moment I don’t think we’re capable of going on a run like we’ve seen from other teams, Burnley and Derby for example. I’ve been saying for a month now that we’re only a few points off the play-offs, but if anything that gap’s going to get wider because we’ve got a tough run of games.

“We’ve got injuries andwe don’t look like we’re going to score many goals, so we’re a long way off the play-offs yet.”

The Blues boss says last season’s poor run was his hardest time in management and that he constantly looks at his own performance: “It was pretty tough last year when we didn’t win for 14 games, but the expectation this year was that it would be better. I analyse my position every day, whether we’ve won three or four or lost one or two, whatever it might be. That doesn’t change.

“We’ve got to try and turn things around and it’s not going to get any easier. We’ve got West Brom on Wednesday.”

Keane believes the line-up he fielded at Norwich was decent enough: “I think our starting XI was pretty strong, I’ve been saying for the last few months that we’ve got too many young players. I think it was an experienced team, no Tom Eastman as he’s injured, as are Luke and Connor.

“But going down to 10 men made it very hard for us. Having said that, you still have to get punished for it and Norwich are a good team and are in good form and they punished us.

“When it was 2-1 we dropped back a little bit and tried to soak up the pressure. Having lost a centre-half, we had to reshuffle and we missed Jack Colback in midfield, so it had a massive knock-on effect.

“They put us under a bit of pressure, put a lot of balls in the box and they’re pretty good at that anyway, even if we’d had 11 players. A tough afternoon all round for everyone.”

Chief executive Simon Clegg gave Keane his backing just over a week ago, but the Irishman says he’s aware that patience eventually runs out: “I think we’ve heard that from clubs before about managers and the next day they’re gone. I take any comments that might come with a pinch of salt.”

Moving on to Wednesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final against West Brom, Keane says he’s not sure who will be in his squad: “God knows what players we’ll have for Wednesday. We’ve a lot of injuries, suspensions, two or three players who started today won’t be available because they’re cup-tied. It’s going to be tough. West Brom could come down and flex their muscles.

“They had a pretty good weekend, winning 4-1, and they have a chance of getting to a semi-finals. It’s another big game for us on Wednesday, but we’ve had a decent cup run, although this is the first time we’ve played a team from a higher league.

“We’ll find out a lot about our players on Wednesday in terms of their characters and personalities because we question them all the time, asking, ‘what have you got?’. We’ll know a bit more about the group on Wednesday.”

Photo: Action Images

brian_a_mul added 10:02 - Nov 29 It looks as if Keane is expectaing a good hiding on Wednesday, as least he is a realist! Hopefully the Baggies will take one off the cup game but its unlikely, they are a highly motivated team under De Mateo and play good football with a physical presence. 4-5-1 could be the order of the day depending on players. Fulop Peters Smith O Dea O Connor Edwards Leadbitter Norris Healy Civelli Priskin I hope he gives Murray a chance at some stage, maybe on the right or up front. Civelli may get his first start.

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nthstd added 10:06 - Nov 29 Go nbow whilst we have a chance to rebuild and salvage the team spirit. None no matter what job they do can take the amount of self belief abuse that our own team must be feeling right now. We need an experienced hand on the tiller now.
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bluearmy4life added 10:08 - Nov 29 Would have to agree with The truth are atomesphere at home is not great. But yesterday the support was fantastic for town best all season. It sounds like Roy Keane is about to admit defeat. He had a two year plan and so far is failing big time. We are much worst under Keane then Jim. If Roy walks away he will get a lot more respect from town fans for doing the right thing. Come on Roy do the right thing resign and spend sometime with your dogs.

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brian_a_mul added 10:11 - Nov 29 We have been sucked in to the bottom half and will be fighting relegation in a few more weeks at this current rate. With G-Mc out we are in serious trouble. At our current state of our defense we may have to go on the offensive and try out score our opponents to get points. We do have good some attacking options (Scotland, Priskin, Fallon, Peters, Edwards, Townsend, Civilli, Murray, Livermore, Wickham) but we must use them effectively. These guys seem to be wasted

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ordinarybloke added 10:12 - Nov 29 Good to see Wickham & Eastman strolling through Ipswich Town centre an hour before kick off on sunday ... ok they're injured .. but you would've thought they would have wanted to be there & support their team mates. Also same with Grant Leadbitter when he was suspended for the Barnsley game - he was in Costa with his family. Why doesnt Keane want his players around him ... injured/suspended or not ???

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:13 - Nov 29 Brian-a-mul, im surprised you or anyone else that may follow can be bothered about who should play or where.I for one couldnt give a toss anymore he could play a team of Nuns, i wont be there to watch, i wont be going to another game till he has gone .
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truckertractorboy added 10:15 - Nov 29 I think he knows his time is up I hate seeing any manage get the boot but again on sunday we made norwich look good. How many times have we done that Ive given up counting
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brittaniaman added 10:17 - Nov 29 We are now nearer relegation than playoffs, 9 teams above us have got to lose so we can get our 2 wins and a draw to reach playoffs. Next sat. another dreaded tv showing again, to embarass us all again !!!
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BrightBlue added 10:17 - Nov 29 I am seriously worried for the future of ITFC - our beloved club with a wonderful history is being turned into a laughing stock! POSITIVE ACTION NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW - Roy Keane please shut the door behind you! This is the lowest I have ever felt as a Town fan! :(
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NB72 added 10:19 - Nov 29 Roy Keane, Roy Keane, What a stupidity machine Hes gonna take us down, that f****ng clown Roaiey, ayie Keane!
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Seasonticketsteve added 10:19 - Nov 29 For me, yesterdays result was inevitable and I could see it happening. I would only be echoing what every other fan on here has already said about school boy defending, inept tactics and substitutions so I shall save my breath. I think as Keane has got us through to the quater finals of the league cup the board will give him that, after that I very much expect a statement Thursday so I reckon we will just have to hold on till then-could be wrong! I just cant see out who will come into replace Keane at present. I know a few people are saying Curbs which isnt a bad shout, i think what we can all hopefully agree on is that we need a calm head in charge and most importantly EXPERIENCE!

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Rambert added 10:21 - Nov 29 KEANE! Leave, no one likes you!!!! you dont know what your doing! TW@T! you have let the whole county of suffolk down you fool
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BlooooCD added 10:21 - Nov 29 I don't think Keane came here to deliberately ruin this club, but that is just what he is doing! This slippery run downward shows no signs of stopping.. I would take paul Jewel any day - Infact I would take a Sunday pub team manager just now! Management is not just about sitting with your arms and legs crossed with a face like a slapped ass... Its about getting the best from your players/team and here's an idea, using tactics to undo your opponents! Oh what a lovely idea... This is just not likely with this guy at the helm of our beloved club! Was Keano a great player? YES! Is Keano a great manager? NO! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK!

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tearle1974 added 10:25 - Nov 29 Yorksblue i like it, You forgotten one person though and thats the pope. lol However maybe Terry Butcher should be given a chance and i am sure he would bring in the right players for the club and bring the club back to how it was in the 80's. Look what he has done with Inverness and he is the right age to come in. I think Keane is not interested reading from Ordinary bloke that Wickam & Eastman in Ipswich town centre then thats your answer. You make your players attend the games if they are injured or not. You also need to bring pride to your club. The players yesterday just did not think how important the game is for the fans. They had no passion like other Ipswich teams and Keane should be coaching that. Clegg please bring us christmas cheer and get rid of Keane and bring in a manager with passion and pride in the club and not someone with a big name and no proven abiliyi.

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jonny_wark added 10:26 - Nov 29 I've always backed Keane. I thought give him enough time and he'll sort it out and for a brief moment at the beginning of the season I thought he had got it right and we could put up a fight for a top two place. But we're the same if not worse than last year he's had time and money and he isn't taking us up the league. He needs to go now, but he won't be sacked because of his expensive contract, but he should do the decent thing and leave. I can't believe he'll be given any more money in January to spend, perhaps than he'll take the hint and walk away.

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bobble added 10:32 - Nov 29 gee isn't his honesty so cool what a man to have the courage to state such. and his eyes are such a lovely colour and his accent is soooooo dreamy F-CK OF YOU USELESS BAST-RD
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Blueulster added 10:33 - Nov 29 Don't think ITFC have the balls to sack Keane. He won't walk cos if he does he will never get another job again. Shouldn't take too long to select a team for West Brom, whoever is fit and not suspended will surely start. I have supported the club for 25 years and have never felt this depressed about football.
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Blue_Fred added 10:38 - Nov 29 I thinks it's fair to say that Keane's contract will not be renewed in the summer - assuming he lasts that long - but I think the bigger problem is Clegg. Mr Evans (I'm assuming you pay someone to read this board for you!!) you clearly see OUR beloved club as a marketing exercise and for your own reasons want to remain anon - fair enough I say but PPPLLLLEEEAASSEE employ as Chief Exec someone who understands modern day football. and also realise that owning any football club is not the way to make money directly and there is such a thing as 'bad publicity'. on a very public level you are being judged on your ability to make tough decisions and deliver on promises......... and how about we get realistic as fans? Honestly, I doubt we will EVER play premiership football againand you know what I DON'T CARE!!!! if we are lucky this season we will get to remain in the Championship, and consolidate our position as a high mid table team with designs on Play-offs year in year out. anyone who is deluded enough to think we are entitled because of the past should take a look a Southampton............

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Garv added 10:41 - Nov 29 We don't score (been the story all season) and now we discover we can't defend without one man. Recipe for disaster
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C_Thomsen added 10:45 - Nov 29 No S**t Sherlock! Keane out - Thomsen in!
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osborne1nil added 10:46 - Nov 29 Unfortunately Roy whilst you remain in charge I feel that we will continue to be ' a long way off the play offs' and probably not so far off the relegation zone like last year! Several players contracts are coming round for renewal. I see two issues with that: If Keane remains some may decide that they do not wish to continue under him or equally he will offer those that are crap (like Kennedy) a 2 year contract. With somebody new in charge, at least he could have a look at what we have and make a decision on who he wants and doesn't rather than being left with RK decisions. I feel the ball boys or tea lady could make a better choice than him. In respect of showing our opinions of Keane, shouting 'Keane Out' rather than booing or cheering the opposition (as if they need help)will do the job, as even he will not be able to turn that onto the players (probably the fans). COYB & FORK (nice one blooooCD)

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moomoosereni added 10:48 - Nov 29 FORK! FORK!
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hamster153 added 10:54 - Nov 29 Why dont we just try and get one of the other managers from this leuge that are blaitantly effective and will take us up. We could get Paul Lambert and we could get Neil Warnock because Ipswich is a bigger club. Also the Doncaster manager would be good. Alan Curbishly wouldnt be a bad shout either!!!!!
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steve1978 added 10:58 - Nov 29 firstly, I was a massive keane fan as a player (and i adored jim as a player too) and I was so pleased when he took over, i really thought he would be here for the long haul, but how much longer can we go on playing the same drab football. the team has no shape, we never seem to play with any type of system, and we seem to be playing worse as the season goes on. If keane left today, eiher by walking or being releived of his duties, who is going to replace him? seriously. Would o'neil? would curbs? would o'driscoll leave doncaster who are top 10 and improving each season football wise and theres gates are probably too, i know we all have our thoughts on who we'd like, but we have to look at the bigger picture, we started the seaon ok, getting 22,000 ish, now were down to about 17/18,000 ish, not looking bright is it. secondly, I was asked about a rumour somebody heard and thought i'd ask your opiions about it. rumour is, that wickham has been sold, and hes not really injured but as part of the deal, he isnt allowed to play. any thoughts?????

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hucks216 added 10:59 - Nov 29 It is all very well to say that Keane won't be sacked as it will be too expensive to do so but you have to weigh up the money we would have to pay sack him with the massive financial hit we would take if we get relegated with him in charge - something he can achieve and walk away from fully paid up anyway. And considering Evans wants Premiership football us being in League 1 could be the catalyst for him saying "It's not going to happen, I'm off" with our debt being sold onto someone who wants that money back no matter what it costs the club. Sack him and pay him up - it will cost less in the long run.

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