Town manager Roy Keane says this week’s speculation regarding his future comes with the territory and is something he has experienced on many occasions during his time in football. Over the last week, a number of national newspapers have claimed that Keane is set to lose his job at Portman Road.
Keane, who was unaware of Saturday’s newspaper reports prior to the 0-0 draw at Swansea, says the conjecture has had little if any effect on him: "I’ve been away for a few days with my family, so it’s not been a problem for me. It probably doesn’t help from the players’ point of view and maybe the staff and the supporters, but, it’s all part of the game. I’ve experienced it many times before, but it certainly doesn’t help.
"I’ve been down this road before. I had it just before I left Manchester United with a lot of media building up a head of steam about stuff I was supposed to have said, stuff I was supposed to have done. Lies after lies.
"I had it just before I left Sunderland, more lies there and unfortunately a lot of people got sucked into them and believed them.”
The Blues boss, who as promised last week chose not to answer questions on national football issues, says he is concentrating on the task in hand: "I’m very focused on the job.
"I know we’ve had a disappointing season but it’s been more down to us having so many draws rather than defeats. That’s been a problem for us, but I’ve generally been pleased with the players, they keep going out there and keep giving 100% for the football club.
"I’m focused on that, I’ve got two years to try and turn the club around and that’s my intention.”
Keane has been pleased with the way fans have backed both him and his team throughout the season: "The supporters have really got behind the team.
"I think the fans have seen that there’s been plenty of effort from the players, we’ve just lacked that cutting edge and I understand the frustration of the supporters, nobody needs to tell me that.
"But hopefully the majority are behind us and they’ll see that tomorrow because it’s not through lack of effort from the players.”