Town boss Roy Keane says everyone at Portman Road is disappointed after the Blues’ home game against Watford was called off due to a frozen pitch. Groundsman Alan Ferguson had utilised the tent which covers the pitch and accompanying hot-air blowers in the days up to the game but freezing areas of the surface in front of the Cobbold Stand led to the late postponement.

Keane said: "As a club we are obviously disappointed. The players have done their preparation work but when I got to the ground and saw the officials on the pitch, I had an idea we might not make it.

"It's disappointing for everyone. The fans who have travelled, Fergie will have his pride at getting games on. I think that's the first one off here since 1999.

"I think the referee [Grant Hegley] might have been a bit conscious of last week's game and thought 'Listen, I'm not going to start the game in case someone scores early'. It was a case of if in doubt perhaps.

"There were parts of the pitch frozen. It's down to the referee whether he thinks the pitch is playable or not. I don't think managers should get involved in any of those decisions. They are down to the officials.

"He didn't put himself under pressure timewise. He gave it as long as he could. He made the decision and we move on.

"It's been a strange few days for us, with Murph and Shane getting injured and then game being called off."

The Blues lost keeper Brian Murphy to a broken ankle which will keep him out for three months in training on Thursday and then midfielder or full-back Shane O’Connor suffered a dislocated shoulder which will sideline him for six weeks on Christmas Eve.

Photo: Action Images

Martus added 17:14 - Dec 26 WHY WAS NOTHING SAID AT THE GROUND!!! I turned up, no one said it was off and there was no sign or banner saying the game was off! Then there was one quite announcement in a dull and dreary tone saying it was off . . . . BUT NO ONE COULD HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Karlosfandangal added 17:26 - Dec 26 Its very unfair to all the fans that have traviled to the game and I feel that a decision should have been made a lot earlier than it was. That is the first game called off for 11 years and some fans are saying that the club should have under grand heating and that we are a laughing stock because of it. get a grip
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grumpyoldman added 18:36 - Dec 26 Karlosfandangal, I travelled from Lowestoft, I wish the decision had been made earlier, but I do not blame the club or the ref who gave a good explanation of the events leading up to the call-off. Its just one of the those things that we can't control You must have realised that a lot of the contributors on this site have delusions of grandeur and believe that the world revolves around ITFC. We have never been and never will be a big club, some success some failures, the only people apart from True Blues who care what happens at this club are Norwich & Col U supporters

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jas0999 added 21:40 - Dec 26 Karlosfandangal - the issue I have is not with the decision, nor the fact that ITFC should have under soil heating (not nevessary). The issue is re the timing. Spent a long time driving and spent money on parking/petrol. It's pretty obvious that this DECISION could have been made earlier. Point is the club are able to ask for an inspection (as Doncaster have on Monday) and because they didn't, lots of fans wasted a lot of time, money and effort travelling to the ground. I also agree with Martus - there was also a lack of communication from the club. Badly co-ordinated in my opinion. Agree we are not a laughing stock and agree one game off in 11 years is a good record, but feel we have been let down today. Someone at that club knew we were struggling to get the game on - damn, accoring to BBC Radio Suffolk they knew it was in doubt yesterday, so WHY LEAVE IT SO LATE???? Disappointing.

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Karlosfandangal added 01:07 - Dec 27 Jas0999 and Grumpyoldman I fully agree with all you both have said. It was just some other post's on here some asking for Evans to get a grip and one even said Keane should be sacked. Feel sorry for all that made the trip, the Watford fans too. surly the ref should have been there earlier to have a look at the pitch or even our wonderful groundsman must have had doubts. I agree with the part about us not being a big club,even with all Mr Evans money we will never be able to compete with the Man U, Chelsea etc as Mr Evans does not have the same money as those who invest in them

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Back_The_Boss added 07:24 - Dec 27 Disappointed but it was always likely. Oh well Doncaster on tuesday, thats if it goes ahead!
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bobble added 10:06 - Dec 28 keanes fault again the bloke is hopeless sack him
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