Keane: I Couldn't Guarantee Andros the Minutes
Friday, 24th Dec 2010 09:07

Roy Keane says he allowed winger Andros Townsend to return to his parent club Tottenham last week because he felt the youngster wouldn’t play enough games for the Blues. Townsend, 19, was due to remain on loan at Portman Road until the end of the season before his spell was curtailed last week.

Keane said: “With the way we’re set up and the fact that we’ve been losing games, I couldn’t guarantee him the minutes.

“With January coming up, I knew he could get the opportunity to go back out to another club, which would be fair to him with him not getting the minutes here. I’ve said the same to one or two of the other loan players who have come in, but we can cross that bridge in January.

“But with Andros having a deal to the end of the season, I thought it was only fair that he had the option to go back if he fancied it and we wouldn’t stand in his way. You have to agree between both clubs and the player and we’ve all agreed that it’s probably best for the player.”

The Blues boss felt that although Townsend offered a lot going forward, his side could do with someone more defensively-minded and more experienced: “He’s clearly a talented boy, but at the moment I think I probably need one or two more experienced players and one or two more defensive players. Because he’s so good going forward, he’s suffered from the fact we’ve lost matches.”

Photo: Action Images

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bejaysus added 09:19 - Dec 24 Great, defensive cack for the rest of the season to look forward to with some old cloggers on loan. Well done Roy. 10k max at PR by the end of the season. Keane - Removing the soul from ITFC since 2009.
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MaySixth added 09:27 - Dec 24 Townsend was our only game changing player - especially from the bench.
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muhrensleftfoot added 09:30 - Dec 24

Got to agree with bejaysus. We really do need entertainment. We haven't had much since Marcus Evans took over. Nothing wrong with cutting out the defensive mistakes, but surely it's goals we need. The Joe Royle policy of outscoring the opposition seems a lifetime away. Keep the hard working talentless donkeys in the side RK, and see how many season tickets you sell in the summer

bobble added 09:56 - Dec 24 cant have those attack minded players in the team and the gods forbid someone who could score a few goals might sneak on to the first 11..... thank the heavens roy is there to protect us from such revolutionary ideas .nope 3 goalkeepers and 8 defenders lets keep it tight we might sneak a penalty with 1 minute to go
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naa added 10:23 - Dec 24

Yet again Roy thinks that you solve losing matches by defending more. Yet at the same time he moans about us not scoring goals.

Will someone please sack this guy? Why anyone on here wants him as our manager I do not know. He's said himself that we need to play defensive football.

Brilliant.

Mind you, he seems to be inferring that we have been playing attacking football and that's why we've been losing matches. Well, not sure what his idea of attacking football is, but I certainly haven't seen it this year.

Great Christmas present to the Town faithful Roy. Nice one.

Karlosfandangal added 10:34 - Dec 24 Bet Christmas is fun in your house moan moan moan
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naa added 10:36 - Dec 24 Karlosfandangal: yes it's fine thanks as I enjoy Christmas, and life in general. Glad you can read stories which suggest we paid £480 for our season tickets to be bored rigid all season and find something to smile about. Bully for you.
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Karlosfandangal added 10:41 - Dec 24 Naa Season ticket holder too, you will have to let me know who selling season ticket for £480 as i must get in touch for next season Hope you have a great Christmas
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naa added 10:43 - Dec 24 Season ticket holders for many years get a discounted rate if they sign-up early.
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bluelady added 10:47 - Dec 24

To be fair someone like o Connor adds more good going forward and able to track back to defend too, andros was great going forward but did leave us open defensively. If he plays o Connor or brings in an experienced left winger who can push forward but also attack, an Edwards on top form kind of player I'd for one be happy. If however he means full backs and wingers not pushing on I Wont be happy, bit before I ruin my Christmas and have a half empty glass I will live in hope!!!

bluelady added 10:49 - Dec 24 But also defend I mean too many wines already!!
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bobble added 10:50 - Dec 24 never sign up for anything especially early you only have to look back in history to see what happens to the people who sign up...hare krishmas
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stinkiusminkius added 10:50 - Dec 24 "with the way we're set up" - hmm, I think this casually mentioned line speaks volumes. Dont expect excitement whilst mr keane is here.
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Karlosfandangal added 10:56 - Dec 24 The viose of reason bluelady
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OldClactonBlue added 11:07 - Dec 24

Another interview that proves his worth. Sounds as if we can expect still more of the dire rubbish that has been on show for the last few months.
Townsend is still learning, but as others have said already, he offers far more going forward than most in our ranks. Our lack of goals come more from lack of ambition than anything else.
What a state! Come on Evans, make it a good new year.

jaydee added 11:46 - Dec 24 So is this why Jamie Peters has not featured too much recently..........Keane doesnt want a full back to cross the half way line.
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Garv added 12:08 - Dec 24 Oo experienced defensive players, has my Christmas come early?
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Wickets added 12:19 - Dec 24 On this i reckon Roy is spot on the more responsible O'conner is better bet for us now and he is our player!! Quality playmaker for Xmas please!! well i can dream.
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TheBarmyBlue added 12:49 - Dec 24

I believe this decision was spot on by keane. I don't think tottenham were very happy with the amount of game time he was getting, fair enough as he is quite a talented kid. However in Ipswich's current predicament you don't want to be limiting your side to certain players only, and as-well as that he was probably holding back the likes of o'connor and peters from getting in the side. After all you can't build a squad on loan players, every season would have dismal start with them trying to gel.

RushmereBlue added 13:15 - Dec 24 Shame. I liked what I saw in him but agree with Keane he did not get back and stuck in enough for me. Its only fair to the lad to let him go back
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blue_floyd added 13:16 - Dec 24 So, the answer to solving our lack of goals is to send back one of the few players with any attacking threat. Keane, you continue a to be clueless moron. FORK!
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urbanblue added 15:02 - Dec 24 My God, you are all heart eh Roy ! ... " ... would be fair to him ..." mentioned twice. More like you are just moving the deckchairs again. I'm not a fan of loanees but Andros was the one who i thought could do a job for us ... I dread to think who we will get in January as Keane keeps shuffling the pack.
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BrettenhamBlue added 15:40 - Dec 24

This was a good decision by Keane.
Keane was clearcut in his explanation- Townsend was too good going forward. We need players who can tackle hard and lump the ball forward. God forbid we have any talented players in the side.
Love the (Boring, Boring, Football) label we have now. We may be boring but at least we are doing nothing to change the situation.
FORK
Why hasn't he gone yet? To give back our most talented player is suicide. Keane almost seems to WANT to get sacked- he is doing everything he can to achieve it. Can someone in authority please oblige?

SonOfSpock added 16:02 - Dec 24 oh well, looks like Keanes favourite (Colback) has secured his place in the team by default, despite the fact that he isnt a natural left mid. And Keane releases our most potent attacking force Andros because he didnt play him enough. Complete joke.
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