Boss Roy Keane says he would love to be the man to take Town forward and make the massive changes he believes the club needs, but conceded that he doesn’t know whether he’ll be given the chance.

Keane said: “Of course I want to take this squad forward. The changes at the club have got to come from the owner and the chief executive and obviously I’d like to be in charge in terms of guiding that.

“There are massive challenges ahead. A lot of the players’ contracts are up, a lot of our young players, Gareth McAuley, David Norris and others. We’ve got loan players like Jack Colback, Gianni Zuiverloon and Jake Livermore.

“Last year we were dependent on loan players and we’re going back down that road. We’ve got to get the nucleus of a squad that we think can challenge for the top six. But that’s a big challenge.

“When I took the job we were on about two years, to me it’s definitely a bigger job than we all first thought.”

Last week Keane admitted that owner and chairman Marcus Evans would eventually have to make a decision on his future if the poor run continued and despite Saturday’s win says that still might happen: “I haven’t got a clue whether I’ll keep my job. I think the downside for me is that people keep talking about my job. My job is not important. I’ve been very lucky in football, I’ve got a good life.

“What I want is to be given a chance. I think I have been, but sometimes you ask for more of a chance. We need reinforcements, there have been players coming and going and that’s up to the owner. I can only control what I can do and that’s to win matches. It was a bit better [against Leicester] but let’s not forget, we were on the back of six defeats.

“January’s an important time, but January’s a long way away. We’re desperate for more players. We saw that on Saturday, we’ve one or two injuries. But whether I get that chance is up to the owner.”

Keane says Evans may feel he’s given him enough time: “The owner will probably say that he’s already given me a chance in my 20 months. What I would say is I need a bit more time, but I’m sure Sam Allardyce would have said that, Chris Hughton would have said that.

“Every manager says that, so you’ve got to be careful. There comes a time when you say ‘how much time do you need?’, but I still think a year and a half or two years at a club is not enough. But that’s my opinion.”

The former Ireland skipper says he is still to hold talks about a January budget but already has some targets in mind: “I’ve not had that conversation with the owner yet, but hopefully I will do over the next few weeks. You’re certainly better off going into these conversations on the back of one or two results. You don’t make plans to sit down with the owner when you’ve lost six or seven on the bounce.

“I’ve identified one or two players that I think would help us, but whether we get them or not and whether we can hang on to one or two of our own players remains to be seen.

“We’re talking about improving the squad, but we’ve got stuff to deal with with players whose contracts are up, the speculation about Connor, the usual scenario that goes on at every club. But on top of keeping them, we need to add. So many players left the club in the summer that we’re short and we need more players.”

Meanwhile, one of this morning’s tabloids claims that Town players were sounded regarding Keane’s future by “senior officials” from the club last week with Alan Curbishley yet again said to be the current manager’s potential replacement.

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 11:39 - Dec 20 Legoman - Please run through what RK has done exactly to move us forward with his ; Signings , Selections , Choice of coaches , Win/ loss ratio , Keanes way is 'His way' or the 'Highway'......Not ideal qualities for a Manager - ok if you want a dictator maybe
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stinkiusminkius added 11:40 - Dec 20 I can't believe that Keane or any of his "fans" on here feel that he should warrant more time. Please tell me ONE positive thing that he has brought to the club (and I dont include his constant media attention in that - only Marcus Evans likes that).
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SammyT added 11:48 - Dec 20 Not for or against Keane, am all for ITFC but... Blueherts/Stinky - in Keanes defense he has brough as a 2-legged tie Versus one of the best clubs in the world, who will NOT be playing reserve players. There is your ONE positive thing, conceed not alot else. Very excited about my trip to the Emirates? (and Keepmoat and CStamford Bridge) Cant really say that we have gone forward at all but things can change very quickly, small slice of luck and you find yourself in top 10 easily in this league...

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BlueVelvet added 12:20 - Dec 20 Strangely enough Curbishley already lives within 20 mins drive of the training ground - so I'm told. He's almost a neighbour of RK in Wadbridge
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Mark added 12:26 - Dec 20 "it's definitely a bigger job than we all first thought.” We finished 9th in 2008/9 and most fans felt we only needed 2 or 3 players, so with millions available is shouldn't have been such a big job. "I still think a year and a half or two years at a club is not enough" When did Keane start thinking that? He wouldn't sign a 3 year deal when offered it. I agree it is not enough if the club is moving forward, but we are going backwards under Roy. "We're desperate for more players. We saw that on Saturday, we've one or two injuries. " How does this make the current players feel? Surely only having one or two injuries in December is good? How come we are desperate?! “January's an important time, but January's a long way away." January is next week! Is Roy now disagreeing with the calendar? "You don't make plans to sit down with the owner when you've lost six or seven on the bounce." I thought that surely you do: to plan how to get out of the mess?! Didn't Magilton used to speak to Evans on an almost daily basis?

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onlybluesandhorses added 12:28 - Dec 20 Keane says massive changes are needed but of Saturday's team all are Keane signings except Smith and Norris. The only other player who would normally have played but for injury and was not signed by Keane is McAuley. Keane has had lots of money to spend and most of the squad are his signings. We are no further forward than we were when he arrived and further in debt. Keane's ability to judge and manage a player is clearly lacking. We still do not know our best side. Selection is inconsistent and substitutions illjudged. Criticising players in the media is also unwise. We have many of the failings of Jim and he is now out of a job. Will our invisible owner really put more money into his hands to spend in the transfer window? There can be no justification for this. He must go.

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churchmans added 12:32 - Dec 20 keane you have 42 players on the books including loan players in and out!! there all sh*t you need to buy players that you now are better not you think will make us better. start cutting boy. nugent,chopra,roberts
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churchmans added 12:36 - Dec 20 you have 42 players on the books including loan players in the and out of the club! you need to buy players that are better than what we got and will improve our club! NOT that you think they will nugent,chopra,roberts in!! keane for me has made to many crap and average signings and sp**ked alot of money
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:01 - Dec 20 Keane out ,Curbs out .of those available now i 'd still go for Hughton,or Phil Brown .
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ITFC_Budapest added 13:24 - Dec 20 For once i agree with keane! This club does need a massive change. A new manager would be a good start!
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Lightningboy added 13:33 - Dec 20 I bloody hope not..1 win in a white-out doesn't change my mind...you're still inept at management and if our owner's got any sense (?) you'll be gone asap. It's amazing how many forgotten profile-pictures re-appeared on here on saturday night..no sign of any of you backing your beloved Keano up over the last few weeks though was there..1 win and everyone of you thinks he's God again...and you call the likes of me fickle!

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blueherts added 13:58 - Dec 20 Nugent - No thanks , he dicked us about before - Chopra - Not sure either - I still believe we could do worse than bring in Le Fondre or a Proven scorer at a Div One club - Big name players nowadays just wanna pick up their cash .. Get a player who wants it !! also I think with Priskin , Scotland . Wickham?? , Fallon and Murray - who is exciting -we just need one more -However , Feel that if Keane stays - Priskin is outta here ...and maybe that is why the Norris deal is not done - he wants to see some idea of future We do the Japanese style of Management - Never fire anyone just bring another person in to do the same job - that usually p@sses off the incumbent and they leave - Wonder if Evans has any Japanese management styles !!

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blueherts added 14:01 - Dec 20 Mac was actually wanted by Magilton before he left and was targetted - so although he never signed him He was already on the radar
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urbanblue added 14:17 - Dec 20 Seems to me that whenever Keane talks like this what he is really saying is .... "I've asked for money for players but they won't give me any so thats why we've got lots of loanees !" Mind you, probably when he goes to Evans/Clegg for money they send him away with just two words ..... 'Lee Martin !"
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legoman added 14:21 - Dec 20 Bluehurts. He Ripped the team apart once he could see the lazy hangeronners from the brave. He then added what he hoped would be good additions to the squad. He then added the core of the reserve and youth team into the melting pot to see what we had in depth. So, where we are now is - Richer for Troy, Shane, Smithy, Eastwood, Murray etc plus a core of triers that now (needed at start of season but Clegg refused due to financial decisions) require some experienced campaigners into the mix and up we go. I am pleased that we had the chance to see the youngsters break in even if it has lost us some ground. Keano knows these players well now so he has to be the one to continue the job. Fingers crossed.

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naa added 14:28 - Dec 20 legoman: that just sounds like wishful thinking to me. Are you really suggesting that our squad is much better off for the 22 players Roy has brought in? I certainly don't think so. Who are all these hangerons anyway?
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blueherts added 14:38 - Dec 20 Legomoan - Doesnt really put a case forward for keeping him - If he came in on a two year deal and his plan was to strip out and go backwards for 2 years and then implement bigger changes ?? I am all for the youngsters coming in and it has historically been our successes , but he hasnt brought in anyone around them and I just do not believe it is all Clegg not getting the deal done .. More to do with - Do they want to play for Keane and his great Management and Coaching set up - I will keep going on but Keane is totally responsible for bringing in a strong coaching set up - Just look where our reserves are sitting in a crap Ressie league - Moving forward is about club set up and he has not built anything -

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northdevonblue added 14:46 - Dec 20 I would like to see Keane stay, i do think he can take the club forward given more time. However i am a Curbishley fan and would love to see him at this club sooner or later. My fear is that we lose Roy dont get Curbishley and we have to make a panic appointment and we end up in n even worse position
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legoman added 14:47 - Dec 20 Bluehurts and Naa. The hangerons are gone. Two year promotion was assuming serious spending. Marcus decided to be cautious, hence longer plan. I know the scum are having success with ordinary players but they had the advantage of bonding into a confident squad by being in the first division.
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blueherts added 14:52 - Dec 20 LEE MARTIN was not cheap and how long did it take Keane to work out that was a bad signing
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legoman added 14:57 - Dec 20 Blueherts. After watching him bottle it at this level. Praying he regains confidence by next season. Fingers crossed and why would I wish for anything else? Ime a town fan!
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blueherts added 15:38 - Dec 20 Legoman - Yes the good thing is we all want what is best for the club and the team - I wanted to support RK and I honestly believe he has had all the support from ME and SG .and most fans But .....I think he does not help himself by inane comments . he is , by his own admission a 'people person' so how people ( ME .SG) think he ahs qualities to deal with 30 plus individual footballers is beyond me he had a chance last season to bring in a number 2 - s strong footballing guy and it didnt work out - why?? cause Keane does not operate like that . He is a classic case of I will bring in 'my people' (who are simply substandard )- but they 'know me and my ways' - he never talks to younger players , cant motivate the experienced or 'Unique/overseas' ones and is basically a good player , who played in a team of world class individuals but never was a real 'team' player - All about me

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tractaboy added 16:13 - Dec 20 And i'd ike to seep with Jennifer Love Hewitt Keano but it ain't gonna happen!
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naa added 16:55 - Dec 20 legoman: I asked you who the hangers on were. You say RK did well to get rid, so who were they? And I'm sorry but I don't for one single second think that RK had a grand plan that was ruined by being asked to cut his spending this summer (though obviously he was told to cut spending and had other targets that he could no longer afford, that doesn't mean his grand plan was disrupted, it just meant he couldn't waste nearly £2m on the next Lee Martin). His team last year was rubbish, played rubbish football, had the longest run without a win in God knows how long. And that wasn't all because we had a terrible team that RK had to struggle to deal with, it was because he bought badly and had no idea how to get the best out of his players. Nothing has changed this year. If anything, it's worse. Do you seriously believe that we are on some kind of slow, careful rebuilding plan and not a desperate bid to try to fin the correct mix of players? I only see the latter, hence the masses of incoming players and constantly changing line-ups and tactics. And don't just say Norwich (and Leeds) are doing well because they got to bond in League 1. That's just rubbish. They bought sensibly and have a simple tactical system that allows each player to know what he's doing and not worry about over-extending himself.

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brogansnose added 17:01 - Dec 20 Evans needs to make a decision sooner rather than later because all this speculation, and lets face it there is very good reason for it, is gnawing away at the club. Two years was always a ridiculous time scale to sort this club out but Evans is simply desperate to get us into the Premier to re-coup/ minimize his costs. Marcus, there is no quick fix in making a succesful club, unless youre going to pump a lot more money in than you have done, failing that you need to do it incementally and sustainably, but if you had employed or spoken to experienced football people they would have told you that.

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