Underfire Roy Keane says Town’s current run of form is the worst of his entire career as either a player or a manager. The Blues have lost their last six league games - and 10 in the last 13 - with Keane fearing that owner Marcus Evans could run out of patience if the collapse isn’t halted soon.

Looking back at his time in football, Keane says he has never known a similar spell of poor form: “I’ve never been a run like this in my life since I was eight years of age, going back to Rockmount, Cobh, Forest, United, Celtic, Sunderland or Ireland.

“You don’t like losing football matches. You’ve got your pride. You feel like you’re letting people down. The supporters want better and they demand better and we’ve got to try and do that this weekend.

“Going back to last year,” he continued, “It was the worst start in so many years and I can’t imagine the club has been on worse runs than at the moment.

“You’ve got to look at yourself and say ‘we need to improve’. I pick the team, I’ve brought certain players in, I make the substitutions.”

The 39-year-old says Town’s tradition of giving managers time was one of the reasons for him taking the job at Portman Road but he concedes that if results don’t improve soon the end will eventually come: “I’ve been a very lucky person but that patience does run out.

“I think I’ve been luckier than others in terms of my own career. But we want to win the game on Saturday and what happens Saturday night, who knows?

“Let’s go out and do our best and what will be, will be. If we’re not good enough on Saturday, then the owner might make a decision, but that’s up to the owner. I’ve just got to go out and do my best.”

Even if the Blues beat Leicester Keane accepts that that will only be the first step and won’t necessarily save him: “Managers have won matches and still lost their jobs, so I won’t think if we win on Saturday everything will be rosy in the garden again. We have to then try and win again.”

The Town boss says whether he has spoken with Evans recently is not an issue: “It’s irrelevant what contact I have with the owner, it’s about getting results, about getting one or two players back from injury.”

Keane, who spent time away from the club with non-footballing friends in Manchester earlier in the week, is clear on where his team needs to improve and is determined to see things through: “We need to do better, of course. I’m not kidding myself. I wasn’t lying on a beach somewhere, I was talking things through with one or two people whose opinions I trust. But it always goes back to your gut feeling and that is to keep battling on.

“The players are fine," he added. "Spirit’s not an issue. What we have to stop doing is conceding bad goals, which we did again last weekend, and show a bit more quality.

"First half we had decent possession and decent control of the game, but as I’ve said before that doesn’t win you football matches, you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net and once again we didn’t do that.”

If Saturday’s game does mark the end of his time with the Blues, Keane says no one should feel sorry for him: “Don’t worry about my job. I’ve been very lucky. I have another life outside football. My life won’t crumble on Saturday night if I lose my job. I’ve got a great life, best life ever.”

Photo: Action Images

bluemonday added 10:48 - Dec 17 KEANO !!!!!!!!!!! Keep the faith
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BerkshireBlue added 10:54 - Dec 17 I hope Keane can turn it around and come good just to see the back-tracking of the Keane outers!
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whippet added 10:59 - Dec 17 Sounds like Keane realises that it is make or break on Saturday. If we lose this one, the pressure might just be too much for Keane and the bubble might finally burst. In a lot of ways, I want us to win on Saturday. Don't get me wrong,- I want Keane out, but if I had a choice between Keane or Relegation I would take Keane everyday. Have a horrible suspicion that we will lose this one though. Our form has been abysmal and Leicester are in great form scoring goals for fun. Might prove too much for our defence, especially if we continue to have rb issues (not solved by Guiverloon who doesn't even want to be here). Surely this is do or die for Keane,- I hope it is do,- I would hate to see us go down. I would love to see us climb the table again,-even if its just to midtable at end of season.

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bobble added 11:01 - Dec 17 go keane your time is up about 14 months ago you most useless egotistic waste of space we were tired of your pointless views and sky tv drivel last year things have only got worse go...............just gooooooooo
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whippet added 11:01 - Dec 17 Get an Assistant for xmas Keane,- it would take a little pressure off.
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dobbie73 added 11:08 - Dec 17 BerkshireBlue - I thought that too, then ran out of patience about a month ago at the Barnsley game. Since then it has just got worse and worse ... I'd love to be proved wrong and that it all comes good. However, where in the past I believed that would happen, now I don't think so.
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PurgamentumIneo added 11:10 - Dec 17 I have not written on these forums for a year now, but I do read them and I can see that everyone is well and truly jarred off at the moment. Its clear that mistakes have been made in the transfer market but I think RK has accepted that and has been saying he needs to get better. I think he expected Zuiverloon to not let him down, but he clearly lacks fitness from what I have seen. I don't think by sacking RK its going to change much. I think he needs a good assistant in who is tactically sound and its a shame we got rid of the likes of Klug - god knows what happened there but something did. We need to give RK the rest of the season, 1 or 2 players could be the difference in this division to give us a 20 match unbeaten run. Everyone can beat everyone else in this mediocre division. I have no doubt that RK and Delaney exchanged words. Delaney, O'Dea, Smith and Zuiverloon had shockers against Norwich and that was down to those players, not the manger. RK can be a scape goat, but the players need to show some commitment. All said and done, Football is about results and things do need to improve - that is obvious. How about we get behind the team and the manager, because I know if we start winning, you will all start supporting the manager again. Its just fickle Ipswich fans that put me off going to the evening matches that I can actually make anymore. Complaining and moaning about retaining possession - so boring. I just don't understand what the point is of complaining about the situation. None of you can fix it or have any input over team selection or Marcus Evans management so just get on with it. RK will walk if he feels he has to or Evans will just remove him if he has someone new lined up. We are a great club and have been successful through being patient. It took Burley many years to get promoted and he built at least two sides before we did it.

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kerryblue added 11:18 - Dec 17 Walk the plank Roy the ship is sinking
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naa added 11:30 - Dec 17 PurgamentumIneo: below are my definitions of when a manager deserves to be given more time compared with Roy Keane's situation: - took over a struggling, or aging team - given little money to spend and has to wheel and deal or rely on youth - tries to get team playing attractive football - tries to get the team to score goals - performances in defeat, are often 'unlucky' in that we played well but it just didn't work - quality of performances is always improving and the addition of maybe one or two key players could make the difference Here's Roy Keane's situation: - took over an experienced team performing fairly well, but unspectacularly - given a lot of money to spend - signed 22 players, yet still relies on several youth players and bemoans having to do so constantly - plays football that worries about the opposition, rather than letting them worry about us - plays very, very dull football - sets teams out to nick 1-0 wins, rather than attack - start of last season was worst ever, but gradual improvment in results (if not football style) meant that we were fairly safe - this season has only got worse, with style little better than last year, removal of any style or skill from the team - team currently in midst of worst losing run for many a year possibly ever So, basically Roy Keane's tewam is showing no signs of improvement since his arrival. The style of football is showing no signs of improving, the results are getting worse, not better he still shows no sign that he can get the best out of a team, his solution is always to 'get more players in', just as he is talking about doing again. Can someone please tell me why they think he deserves more time? Surely you have to show some sign of improvement in your time here, or at least show what it is you are trying to acheive. He has done none of this.

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Basil_Smallpiece added 11:39 - Dec 17 FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! Morning Genuine Ipswich Town Supporters -GITS! (copyright B Smallpiece). D'ya know what I think? Answer: the same as the overwhelming majority of GITS (cBS). The rebuilding of ITFC can begin only after the exit of Keano. He is not, never was and never will be an Ipswich manager. Ipswich expects that every man will do his duty. Tomorrow. To paraphrase the mighty Sea Lord. Unfurl the banners! Chuck FORKs. Stay away. Nothing like empty seats to speak to a greedy owner. FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK! POMS! COYB!

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wesleyman added 11:40 - Dec 17 Maybe adding some craft to the midfield would be an idea? I doesnt matter who we have up front if they don't get quality balls into them!
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Marcus added 11:45 - Dec 17 Naa - I totally agreed. It also seems that Keane can see the proem yet hasn't got a clue how to resolve it with his resources.
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Marcus added 11:50 - Dec 17 Totally agree... Problem... Bad typing day
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:15 - Dec 17 then why bother to comment? wcoote added 08:01 - Dec 17 BORING.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:19 - Dec 17 if you want to make a stand, SUPPORT the team for 90 minutes THEN protest after the game, anti during the game is suicide and staying away is cowardice - if there is enought of you, don't worry the media will find you. Legend added 10:18 - Dec 17 Lets see how many thousand fans make stand at the end of the Leicester game. regardless of the result. Those who want to make a stand on Saturday now is your time. Live on TV with the media watching from all corners. It will be a small pocket of around 50 or so fans mostly teenagers with a few hangers on wait and see! If you really want to show the club your anger, Stay away and dont even go in the ground! Stay outside the ground or sit at home in the warm and have your views heard outside. The Sky cameras will soon pick up the empty seats!

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tractorboy2434 added 12:24 - Dec 17 Re legend, agree totally, if you are unhappy with the current state of the club then stay at the end and show your feelings, otherwise protest by staying away which is what I prefer to do, no point in going just to be constantly fed up and complain, the empty seats will be quite clear to all on TV, and the numbers are growing as each match goes by, I prefer to wait until he has gone, if that means the remainder of the season then so be it.

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jas0999 added 12:27 - Dec 17 Some of you lot are very deluded. Fair enough saying you want Roy out - recent results justify it. BUT Roy has a contract. If he resigns then he will get nothing. If he's sacked, he will get seven months money. Hands up who would take the first option? Wouldn't be surprised if ME is waiting for the pay-off to reduce before making a decision. 1 January 2011 may be a good time.

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Lightningboy added 12:37 - Dec 17 I know jas0999..it's just a shame that Keane doesn't show a little self respect and do what Strachan did..ie-he walked away without taking a penny of what was left on his contract. Just baffles me what our owner is thinking by hanging on to this guy..it doesn't take a genius to see that things have been disastrous since Keane arrived. Giving him more money to spend on a couple more players is like sticking a couple of plasters on a severed leg in the hope of stopping it bleeding. Keane's worth £27million..he can't be that greedy for more..surely?

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PurgamentumIneo added 12:47 - Dec 17 To 'naa added 11:30 - Dec 17' "Can someone please tell me why they think he deserves more time? Surely you have to show some sign of improvement in your time here, or at least show what it is you are trying to acheive. He has done none of this." I agree with your comments, you are right and they are fair... but my personal view is that I still believe we can be a good side if individuals start performing. From what I have seen (and I have not seen a lot, some of you will have seen much more as I play Football on Saturdays) I feel that there is not the desire from the players on the pitch. So yes that could be down to the manager not motivating players, if that is the case then yes RK should go, but he obviously feels that he is putting out motivated players otherwise he would have walked already. Then if this is the case, then it must be down to players being not up to the standard. Again I go back to Burley, and Burley brought some players in who were nothing short of average, and some were hopeless. Remember Marco Holster, Gerry Creaney etc. What I am saying is that without being a Premier Club, you have to gamble on people who may/may not pay off. Nobodies like Matt Holland came in from Bournemouth and David Johnson from Bury, added a couple of good Division 1 players like Marcus Stewart and were away. It takes time, just give the bloke some time. It wasn't that long ago that we were winning every week and everyone was loving him. The real town fans support who ever is in charge of the team. Burley, Royle, Magilton, Keane - what does it matter? I just think we will see the true character of the team tomorrow, they are under pressure and they know it. A win does much for confidence.

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newsouthwalesblue added 13:02 - Dec 17 Love him or loathe him - i don't think i ever heard another manager talk so candidly and honestly. Not many managers openly admit their own failings and talk so freely as to where they have gone wrong. Usually you hear from other managers..." the ref this" and "the other team that". I say get off his back and get on the side of the town. He is obviously a driven man and is probably as bemused as to the teams lack of form as the rest of us! It is really easy to blame the manager and yes, the buck does ultimately stop with him, but from what i have read, he surely does seem to want the best and to do the best. We don't really know what goes on behind the dressing room door but perhaps the players need to "look in the mirror" and ask a few questions on commitment?

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whoppit added 13:13 - Dec 17 No $hit Keano. Tell us something we don't know !!!!
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petermorris added 13:34 - Dec 17 n'southwales - you're right, Keane doesn't make excuses like..." the ref this" and "the other team that"; he blames his own players for failure. Experienced players get dropped (even off the bench) when they play well or when they make a mistake, or their sold; D Wright or eg. He bemoans the fact he's got too many youngsters - his fault too. He's also recently ranted on about us, the long suffering fans, who stuck by him though the farce of last season, but still have to watch his ridiculous team selections, tactics, and substitutions, as well as read and listen to his unceasing bluster and drivel. I'd love to sit back and give him more time but we're running out of that. I don't know if some of you on here realise it, but we're in freefall... and it's not just that — it's that nothing of any substance has changed for the better. We're stuffed in other words. ME do something.

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moomoosereni added 14:07 - Dec 17 To the people commenting so many times before about Ipswich not being a sacking club, giving managers time they come good etc. Look, our own manager is admitting that is what this club is about. He has resigned that the run is not good enough, that things must change or he'll be gone. I agree some fans on this website are a bit OTT in their opinion but surely you must be able to see now that had Roy Keane not set himself such a high target and the owners not said promotion is what they want, fans wouldn't be so upset and fed up with how we are currently playing and our league position. I think the reality of Keane quitting or being sacked is not far away when he is saying things like this. If the run continues for that little bit longer he seems to know something will happen, whether him being sacked or walking. Moral of the story Keane: Don't make promises you can't deliver on.

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Jesney_Havoc added 14:15 - Dec 17 Yahda yahda yahda. What a bunch of crap
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devontractorboy added 14:48 - Dec 17 "I've got a great life,best life ever". Well RK bully for you, if I was worth £27m and getting an extra £3.5m a year I'd probably feel very smug too!! Pity us poor working class idiots who travel hundreds of miles to games to watch the dull stuff your team serves up in defeat after defeat!! Do the decent thing and walk away now, not taking another penny as you don't deserve it!

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