Boss Roy Keane felt the Blues were again made to pay for their failure to take their chances as his side slid to their sixth successive league defeat at Preston. Iain Hume’s second half strike gave the Lilywhites a 1-0 victory at Deepdale.

Keane said: “The first half was fine, no problem, but the game is 90-odd minutes long. We had good possession, we got into threatening positions, particularly in the first half and at the start of the second, but we don’t seem to be capable of scoring many goals, and that puts you under pressure constantly."

The Blues manager felt his side gifted the opposition another poor goal: “Repeating myself once again, we gave a soft goal away. It’s not as if teams are opening us up. After that we huffed and puffed without having that quality in the final third to get us back in the game.

“The second half performance was a bit disjointed. Once they’d got the goal they had something to hold on to, but we always expect more from the players, whether that’s in terms of creating that chance, that bit of quality, when in shooting positions hitting the target.

“But that’s been going on for a few months now, even last year. We don’t score many goals. Whether we play one up front or two up front, we don’t seem to have that little bit of quality in the box. And that’s the hardest part of football.”

Keane says there is no issue with his players’ application: “There’s no problem with the commitment and effort and possession, but you’ve got to score goals, and we don’t score enough of them.

“That’s nine defeats in 11 now and at any level in any league, in any country that is not good enough.”

The Irishman, showing signs of the return of the beard he sported during his latter days at Sunderland, still feels he can turn things around at Town but conceded that whether he will be able to is ultimately not up to him: “That’s out of my hands, don’t ask me questions I’ve got no control over.”

Preston manager Darren Ferguson, whose father Sir Alex was in the crowd, was pleased with the three points despite a poor beginning to the game: “We started really slowly, we couldn’t keep the ball well enough and they penned us in a little bit. It was a slow start and a nervy start.

“But we got a spell at the end of the first half of about 10 minutes where we got a lot of corners on the bounce and in the second half it was far, far better.

“I had to have a bit of a go at them at half-time, but they responded. We played really, really well in the first 20 minutes of the second half and that alone was enough to win us the game.”

As for Keane's current predicament, Ferguson said: “I don’t have to worry about Roy, he’s a very, very strong character. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Photo: Action Images

bluearmy4life added 19:46 - Dec 12 Bluelady...... I also think Houghton would be a good call. But I don't think Marcus Evans would appoint him due to not being as big a name as Roy and this stupid idea of selling Marcus evans name in a business way. This publicity stunt has failed big time let the football do the talking for the right reasons.
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WarkyWonderLand added 20:01 - Dec 12 More than happy to start the "We want keane out" from the South Stand Upper. Just need every part of the ground covered. So Hughton for West Ham?? I think ME may have had a busy weekend on the phone and meetings. We can all but pray.
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WarkyWonderLand added 20:05 - Dec 12 Bluearmy4life has it spot on with those stats. They are real and tell the story. Add into that the 22 players he has signed in 18 months, no team spirit, no team, treatment of fans and players and his brand of football then this is a no brainer.
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choprawontcome added 20:09 - Dec 12 all i beg is to end this miserable chapter in the morning...............PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
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cressi added 20:12 - Dec 12 I believe Mr Keane will be gone by tuesday but be prepared for a surprise who comes in who was expecting Roy Keane ?
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WarkyWonderLand added 20:27 - Dec 12 Do you know something we don't cressi?? I did see someone mention Southgate yesterday!
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Blue041273 added 20:30 - Dec 12 I would like to say that it's too simple to call for RK's head right now. Sure his tenure as manager has been a disaster but the roots run much deeper than his area of responsibility. Despite his obvious shallowness as regards to the feelings of the true blue supporters it is clear that he wants to succeed. That said, this desire to succeed is however not enough. If he can't successfully address the deep rooted problems surrounding the club he should make way for someone who can take on the challenge. Having seen his latest post match interview it would seem that he is a dead man walking and the sooner we can move on the better. Surely RK can see this and recognise that the outcome is inevitable.

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Ipswich24 added 20:41 - Dec 12 I want see odriscolll with a proper Ipswich man helping a terry butcher or matt holland. Enough is enough its the total crap football and no excitement no goals stupid pig headed decisions get out my club
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Keaneish added 20:48 - Dec 12 No way Southgate. If Keane goes and if a manager of Southgate's stature gets appointed it'll be sack the board shouts from me.
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TOWNNNNNN added 21:15 - Dec 12 How about Alan shearer? has coaching badges, must have some BIG links and contacts.... Oh and I think there is a small chance that he could occasionally regulary be seen on skysports news with a certain persons name plastered on the wall behind him .....
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elmswellblue added 21:24 - Dec 12 No doubt Keane has to go, but what worries me is the football knowledge of Evans and Clegg
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camblue added 21:31 - Dec 12 All the posts that want Martin O'Neil for our next manager are living in cloud cuckoo land.He left Villa because he wasn't given enough cash for new players and he certainly won't get it here.
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Bergholtblue added 21:31 - Dec 12 Fallon and Scotland ffs. What did he expect! They are his players. He brought them in. I am sure his dogs are in need of a good walk around Dunwich Heath!! FORK!
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ernie added 21:36 - Dec 12 such, such shortsighted nonsense from people posting on here. Sensationalism and agreeing with what everyone else does/says. After winning one game (WBA) after a few terrible defeats, there was no one making any noise on here and most people were satisfied 'there is no turning back as the manager has lost the support of the fans'- utter garbage. If we won the next 4/5 games on the trot there would be no one complaining on here and all would be forgotten as usual. Ipswich fans are fickle and shortsighted We need to support the team over the long term. Keane is not going anywhere for a start. All the teams who have had stability over the last 7/8 years, in the prem and the championship have been the most successful. We are a club with a reputation for giving managers the chance to prove themselves, so thats exactly what we're going to do. Not to mention the fact that there isn't exactly a rush of suitable replacements banging down the door.

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bluearmy4life added 21:47 - Dec 12 Ernie........ ITFC Has given managers time in the past but this is the present. There is so much money in football these days clubs with money like us but there also comes pressure in doing the business. Roy Keane, Clegg, and the players haven't done it. The buck stops with the manager end of. There is no way I want to supporting are club from the terraces in league 1. Which is why the fans and the club have to act now before it's to late.

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cressi added 22:00 - Dec 12 Wait and see i believe Keane offererd his reg but it was declined pending sats result.Evans wants a fit between high profile and success.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:02 - Dec 12 tonight feels like a kids Christmas eve ! when i wake up in morning will santa have been ? f#ckin hope so .Town rid of Keane yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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mkblue added 22:16 - Dec 12 Just an idea how about a management team of Zola and Wilkins that would put us back on the right track and should see us playing the kind of football that ITFC should be playing
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:21 - Dec 12 cant see that wage bill being paid .
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WarkyWonderLand added 23:17 - Dec 12 Ernie, I think the only people who came on after WBA who were supporting Keane have not posted since!! Nothing to do with winning the next 4/5 games (which will never happen) it's his overall lack of ability which is so plain to see. An experienced manager here would big the players up, build their confidence which is obviously broken and get the team playing a system which will score goals. For all the tea in China I wouldn't give RK another penny or minute at our club for what he has (hasn't done). He is worse than John Duncan. And for him to say last week perhaps people should give younger managers more time and patience. All the fans have been very patient til now. When appointed he came out and said promotion in 2 years, he came out and said any manager could get in the top half of the championship. Keane will not achieve that here. I don't what book of coaching he reads but you would never believe he played under Clough, Ferguson or O'Neill. Do you think they would play with 4 CB's and 4 CM's and drop your most attacking players? I don't think so. If he is still here saturday its time for our voices to be heard. I WANT KEANE OUT SAY I WANT KEANE OUT.

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moomoosereni added 23:25 - Dec 12 Ernie what planet are you on?! It's nothing about these fans not following the team. Of course they are. We are all fed up that Keane keeps making such basic coaching errors. And if anyone asks "could I do any better?" I'm sure I couldn't but do you know what, Keane is making all the wrong decisions all on his own. This is HIS squad thats assembled, the vast majority are HIS squad. He has filled this team with loan players, some of which we don't really even need (Why did we get Colback when we did? Why bother bringing Livermore in and Townsend if you aren't going to give them a fair crack of the whip?). HE has lost the dressing room. HE said promotion in two years. HE bought the majority of this squad. HE is in charge of motivating them. HE is in charge of picking the lineup for each game. HE has the final say on substitutions during games. And ultimately HE is failing us. We are going to need a bloody miracle to make this season respectable at the moment. If Keane had said give me three years, I'd have maybe been more patient, MAYBE. He decided on two, so unfortunately Roy, you aren't going to do it so get out while you can. Keane out.

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KMANS added 23:39 - Dec 12 ernie- what the hell do you class as 'suitable replacements'? as I see it there's loads coaching grass root football at non league clubs that would bring more to the club. My 2nd question to you is have you been to any games this season? Because if we won the next 4/5 games on the trot we as a team would be playing football as it should be played! You call fans fickle- I would call it fans showing passion and a knowledge of football - WE PAY PROFESSIONAL PRICES WE SHOULD BE SEEING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL- fans will get behind the manager when this happen but i'm afraid it wont happen while clowno is still with us!!!!

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VILJOEN67 added 01:19 - Dec 13 9 Defeats in the last 11 including 6 consecutive is unacceptable. We have seriously deteriorated after a very good start which suggests the current squad is capable but lacking confidence and or mis management. Roy has had decent money to spend by championship standards. More worrying the reserves cant beat non league reserve opposition and the academy under 18 s are also not performing. All managers make wrong decisions, but selling young natural goalscorers like jordon Rhodes set the tone of a change of culture at the club which was un-ipswich like. The change of emphasis has favoured hard work over skill.Roy himself beleives that determination is more valuable than class. Creative players such as counago and Garvan have been sacrificed and one of the most respected youth coaches in the country Brian Klug has left. I dont think the players lack passion they just seem frightened to make a mistake, like walking on egg shells. We should hang on to Roy, give a young manager a chance as we did with Robson but Robson had an almost flawless record in the transfer market If there was sign of a plan we should but there isnt. The play is unattractive, there seems little pattern and i think the culture and fabric of our club is changed for the worse. I suspect Roy will resign,a reputation for honesty which i respect can only take you so far. For the future i would like to see an experienced manager take charge with an emphasis on passing and attractive football. I yearn to be entertained once more, even if it means staying in this division. I am quite fed up of losing ugly.

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oldmanblues added 04:04 - Dec 13 Hey, Ernie!!! Have a break!! You dont have to talk thru your butt all your life, you know!!
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BrettenhamBlue added 05:00 - Dec 13 I am starting to seriously worry about the state of our club. I know that I have supported Roy Keane in the past and even created an avatar in his honour but I am now firmly believing that the wrong man is in charge of our once great club. More worryingly, I don't think our team has the gumption or ability to turn this club around. Roy Keane hasn't been successful, it is time for him to move on. We very much look like a team for "the drop" at the moment. We are going nowhere fast and losing games easily rather than putting up a fight (the result against Preston flattered our dreadful performance). Fallon will be lucky to get us 1 goal, let alone the 30 goal hero we need and looks totally out of his depth (he looked out of his depth at Plymouth too). Our defence is incredibly fragile and full of youngsters that are learning the game. Other supporters of other clubs joke about our defending and we have become the laughing stock of the entire league. If Keane had ANY dignity he would go,-but he appears to want his money too much. Please Keane go, go, go. You are ruining our club and we will be playing League 1 football next season if you continue to be in charge.

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