TWTD.co.uk | Keane: We Need Killer Instinct

Keane: We Need Killer Instinct
Sat 21st Nov 2009 21:47

Boss Roy Keane again bemoaned his side’s toothlessness in front of goal as Sheffield Wednesday left Portman Road with a point after a 0-0 draw.

Keane said: "It wasn't a great game but I think we had the better of the chances. I was pleased with the clean sheet. We're looking a bit more solid at the back, but we're obviously not scoring enough.

"Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition goalkeeper, but I still feel we had one or two other chances.

"There was one on the line and you just need someone to have that killer instinct and put the ball in the back of the net. We're lacking that at the moment. The plus was that we kept a clean sheet, but I don't think we played particularly well.

"I always knew it was going to be pretty hard, with them playing three in the middle. I know our fans want us to play attractive, attacking football but it was hard to open them up.

"When you talk about the team scoring goals, you end up talking about the strikers, but it's not against the rules for defenders or midfielders to score either.

"And if you're going to achieve anything as a team, you need one or two of your strikers to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis."

Keane was pleased with Owen Garvan’s performance on his return to the team after three months out: "He's got a goal in his locker and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. He did well."

The Blues boss says he will look at adding a loan frontman to his squad before Thursday’s deadline as he seeks to resolve his striking problems: "We'll keep trying different combinations and see if there's a striker outside our club that might be available."

Meanwhile, midfielder Liam Trotter, who was on the bench for today’s game, has been linked with a loan move to Scunthorpe, where he spent time last season. The Iron were one of a number of clubs mentioned in connection with Owen Garvan last week.

Wednesday boss Brian Laws was happy to have got the draw: "I was pleased with the clean sheet and our second half performance. It was a solid performance from our defence.

"I was a bit nervous when three of our back four had been booked in the first 20 minutes.

"We had to be really disciplined after that, especially on a wet surface, and if one of them had made one mistimed challenge they would have been off."

Laws singled keeper Lee Grant out for praise: "Goalkeepers get you points. When your back four has been penetrated you have to rely on your goalkeeper.

"He made two or three important saves and it would have been very harsh had they scored.

"It was a very solid, workmanlike performance from us and now we've got to build on this."

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Mark added 22:05 - Nov 21

We knew in the summer that we didn't have killer instinct, so why have we still not brought in a decent striker?! Today we started with Lee Martin up front, and then moved Jon Walters (who we all know is not a good striker) up front when that didn't work. Jon Stead must feel harshly treated after scoring the goal at Reading. Keane said he may look to bring in a striker on loan next week, but a couple of weeks ago he ruled out new signings until January I thought?!

We edged the game today, but Sheff Wed had chances and looked more likely to win the game in the last 10 minutes. Overall, very disappointing.

Good to see Garvan back after his undeserved absence of 3 months. He played well and, like David Wright, showed he should not have been left out before.

So...into December in the bottom 3. Surely the time must come to chance the manager, especially with the likes of George Burley available. The current squad if motivated and organised (not changed every match!) should be able to push up the table.

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