So finally we have that long awaited win, yet there a still hundreds of fans out there still calling for Keane's head! Why?

OK so we're still bottom, we all knew that one win might not have done enough to move us up, however we were very unlucky to have both Reading and Plymouth winning on the same day. Anyway, what was so great about the win was the way we won ugly - look at the Watford game, we played beautifully then to have it snatched away.

For me this win will do something magical to the team, I feel the pressure will be much less, meaning more creative runs from defence, more urgency from the midfield and even the strikers may feel that they can make a risk with certain runs.

So, for all those people still calling for the manager to be sacked, take a reality check on our current situation, yes, bottom, but a win on Saturday and more than likely we will be out of the bottom three, then a win against Sheffield Wednesday will take us up another couple of places.

We are four games unbeaten, I think it's only two losses in 10 games as well. This is actually very very good, yes, wins would have been nice but still it's a good stat.

Our defence looks really solid, and although everyone keeps commenting on the one-man strike force from Derby, go back five or six games and I'm sure even then the defence would have struggled.

The midfield looks good, a bit of tweaking maybe and although I keep praising Trotter I can now accept that maybe he shouldn't start - that doesn't mean I'd bring Garvan back, who by the way looks terrible at the moment - certainly not banging on the first team door.

I'd play Quinner in that role or maybe even try Leadbitter there and push Edwards into the attacking midfield role, creating the opportunity for Walters to move out wide which we all know is his best position.

The biggest problem is the front two, I felt so angry with Stead, scoring two goals in reserves, scoring against Plymouth but then did nothing when he started. Could he be better coming off the bench I wonder? Maybe starting with Priskin and Couñago is the way to go, we will see.

Now the reason I'm mentioning all of the above is to ask, why do we still see fit to moan about Keane? He's doing well, creating a team worthy of climbing up the table.

Now Delaney's looking good at centre-back for me Martin and Healy are the only signings which make you moan, but apart from them all others have been great, so for me you can't slate Keane for that. I see a great future and a brilliant manager in Keane. What he did with David Wright was fantastic, for those that say Keane realised he made a mistake, I think you'll find he hadn't, he's brought Wright back in and he is fantastic, twice the player he was last year - granted he was always good but now he's excellent - for me that was Keane's work.

So to summarise, two losses 10 games, four games unbeaten, stronger side, confidence up, for me the future is looking better and for me this is all because of one man - Keane.

ITFC1985 added 12:57 - Nov 3 reuser you do make a good point about a selection and sigings, i suppose Keanes only defence is that he's got to find a settled side, but i do agree we some of the team selections and he has made some poor sigings, but i still feel that once hes got the same starting eleven he can pick every week (as it seems injuries and internationals have hampered this) we will start picking up the points

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Surco72 added 12:58 - Nov 3 Superflude have you considered that we may be picking up a few points here and there at the moment because we are playing the worst form sides in the division apart from ourselves ? As for Delaney one ok game and that is all it was, against a very poor injury hit Derby side, and a number of very bad games does not make him a good signing . Stead got nothing in the first half because we were poor and didnt create anything , i know who i wish had for the one on one with Bywater . You keep repeating yourself about when we win against teams and go on this run ,what if and it is an if we lose to Reading we will then be 5 points away from safety ? Quinn was poor in the first half and lucky that Trotter was worse or he could have gone off , Keane again picked Trotter and played Quinn left and Walters up front it has not worked all season . I do commend you on your optimism but Watford game aside we have been average against average sides ,it is nothing to do with luck about other results we are bottom because we have been the worst side in the league for a third of the season

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rex added 12:59 - Nov 3 I Id like to see priskin and pablo play up front together (ive seen this combo 3 time for 3 half games and each time it looks good first halves against peterborough , Forrest and for 30 mins on Saturday ) pablo will not score loads of goals but the space he creates for other players will create chances Walters needs to play in a wide role and the best central mid field pair i have seen by far this season is Leadbetter and Quinn . The new keeper is quality and has given the back 4 in front of him more confidence - the results will come

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WirralBlue added 13:03 - Nov 3 To state the blindingly obvious, its fantastic to get the first win under the belt, but one swallow doesn't make a summer. The division is unbelievably tight, but Town are well capable of putting a decent run together. If we sign a couple of decent players in key positions , loan or permanent, the play offs still look well within reach. The key question is in my opinion is whether Town have a greater chance of reaching the Promised Land under Keane or Magilton and then staying there. For what its worth, my vote goes to Keane and he should be given time to achieve this.

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GeorgiDoundarov added 13:08 - Nov 3 Spot on comment TractorRoyNo1! And the blog missed that - we are only 13 pts from the top 6!To some it may sound funny saying that from the last plase prospective but 13 pts are nothhing. If we start winning then the winning attitude will come and we only need a decent spel of 15 games and we may see ITFC in the top 6 . So nothing's been lost. We just need to stand behind the manager - he knows that nothing is impossible! Good luck from now on guys!

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virginblue added 13:10 - Nov 3 Before I start, let me just say that I'm 100% behind Keane. However, some of your statements are ludicrous. Let's focus on this one "Now Delaney's looking good at centre-back for me Martin and Healy are the only signings which make you moan, but apart from them all others have been great, so for me you can't slate Keane for that." Exactly which of Keane's signings has been great. Delaney has played one game at centre half, which hardly makes him a good signing. Yes he had a decent game on Saturday, but currently he's still a poor signing in most people's book. And let's face it - he was signed as a left back, a position in which he is truly horrible. Leadbitter looks an excellent midfielder, but has yet to truly dominate a game. Has the proential to be a great signing, but needs to do more. Edwards has played maybe 3 good halves of football in two months. I really like Rosenior, so won't knock him. Tamas Priskin has been great has he? What's he done?

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superblueflude added 13:13 - Nov 3 Surco - fair comments, but in this league there are no poor teams!, just look at the table to see that - are reading poor? the;ve picked up some wins againts teams you wouldnt think of, plymouth beat middlesbrough - who by the way are up the top and with a new manager!. so although im not happy with lack of wins, im happy enough to earn points rather then none, it will be interesting to see the table at the end of the season to see who actually are in the bottom 5-6 teams, ipswich won't be there, but i also dont see reading, derby etc being down there so i for one would be grateful for the points we've had off them.

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lilian3415 added 13:13 - Nov 3 Poor signings, poor team selection,ongoing self contradictions & one fortunate win against a team which was poor even before it was injury ravaged,& leaving out Garvan who is the one class player in our squad. Oh and bottom of the league despite being one of the biggest spenders. I suggest the Keanites return to the real world.
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superblueflude added 13:16 - Nov 3 Lillian - How is Garvan the one class player - obviosuly you havent seen him play in the reserves lately then - shocking absolutely shocking and i for one would certainly not be picking him to start in a team. I know people who watch the reserves will back me up on that. poor Signings Lillian - explain please Self Contradictions? would like to know what you mean please.

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PunchNoHopers added 13:21 - Nov 3 One win doesn't change anything, we will be in a relegation battle all season. We still need a natural goal-scorer, a midfield that provide service to the front men, although Civelli and Norris might provide this when they return, and a decent Centre Back, then and only then will we start climbing up the table.
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noitan added 13:29 - Nov 3 Punch. I also think we will be in relegation battle for awhile. The team is not good enough to go on a run that will take us beyond being in danger of dropping into bottom 3 positions. Fear it's going to be difficult to get out of this mess unless new signings come in and a striker is a must.
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50yearsablue added 13:31 - Nov 3 Superfludeblue, you make a number of very valid points but, as much as I would like to, I cannot quite go along with some of your optimism. I am by nature a half empty person but throughout our long winless run I have been confident that we would get out of trouble. I must confess that confidence ebbed during the dire first half on Saturday when we were awful against a very poor team and looked every inch a bottom of the table side. True, with 5 in midfield, Derby did not allow us to attack the flanks as we did against Watford and so service to the front 2 was non existent. I thought we were a much more potent force when we made the double substitution and I agree with rex in suggesting we should persevere with that midfield and striker formation. Priskin will come good, Pablo (although frustratingly disinterested at times) links up play better than anyone and Walters is patently better running at players from midfield and can do it from the left. Despite improvement, I am still not convinced by our defence as a unit and we gave a poor team too many chances for my liking but, in fairness, Bruce and Delaney have not played together before and individually they were good. One thing I would definitely agree with most contributors is that now is not the time to dispense with Roy Keane. I am not sure that his management can explain why proven performers such as R Wright, Garvan and Martin, among others, should underperform so dismally and, sometimes, players must take responsibility for their performances. It should not be necessary for a manager to motivate them.

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bluelad7 added 13:36 - Nov 3 dobbie73 & Moscow_Blue - Totally agree with your comments guys. Great post superblueflude. Things are certainly looking better and we will reach safety if not the play offs. COYB's
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Surco72 added 13:39 - Nov 3 Superflude against Peterboro res Garvan was the best player on the pitch creating two goals ,yet Healy was put in the first team squad ahead of him again ,the last two games he has not shone but also has not been shocking by a long way . A lot better than Trotter has played for the first team ,and you play better with better players around you. On Sat we were crying out for link up or a good pass which Quinn and Trotter have not got ,until Pablo came on their was no one who could do it ,that is all we are trying to say . Agree with the Edwards shout also what has he created ? in my opinion good player but not that much better that Walters who is more of a goal threat .

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superblueflude added 13:41 - Nov 3 So could Edwards play on the left? Walters on the right, couago priskin up top, leadbitter in middle and try Garvan behind?
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Lincsblue added 13:43 - Nov 3 More of a concern is the financial situation announced today. More losses and the longer we stay at the bottom of the table the fewer players will want to join us. Big if, whether we win the next few games. We're not consistent enough to predict a rapid climb up the table.
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blueherts added 13:51 - Nov 3 Keane wil not be sacked - do you know how much that will cost the club as well as Evans and Clegg etc looking stupid - I do not want him sacked but the guy is not a Manager - A good manager of people needs to motivate and support . He has one way - that is the RK way - You only have to talk to anyone connected in or around the club to understand the type of guys he is ..FACT A young player playing in his first senior match - you would think a Good Manager would have a word at least with him ? Not our Roy ..Anyway let us move on- he is here to stay-we all follow the team , amd will continue to do so - but I still think RK is not good for the club

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PutYaBootsOnKeano added 13:58 - Nov 3 Great blog Dude. I agree. Dobbie on the nose too. Keanes looks for a reaction from Players. He saw half of our team and knew it wasn't good enough. he has 'controversially' dropped players that could never take us to the next level. Gavan, definitely is the key example, Counago he was happy to sell, Rhodes again, not good enough. Wright i suspect may have fallen into this category. But Keane will be keeping his eyes peeled and looking for a reaction from these men. Wrighty gave him one and is back in on merit. I was always suspicious of Wright, and was glad Keane dropped him. Now i'm happy he's back. So many people on here think that making a decision is a linear process. Clearly, it's not that simple. there are an amalgam of elements that comprise a decision. Keane know's what he's doing and he has conviction, and is magnanimous. He is also only half way through the rout. we need him to keep getting rid of nearly goods and getting in genuinely goods. He's probably about 1/4 of the way through this process. On the lesser good signings.. i dont even believe we've seen the end of them. Martin will come good. he cant carry a team, but he'll probably compliment a god one better. not ideal i concede, but dont give up on him yet. and Priskin? Definitely will come good. But he needs to score a few goals for confidence.. the same as pretty much every striker, anywhere.

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Tractorog added 14:09 - Nov 3 Can I have a gram of whatever stuff superblueflude is on please? I agree with Cromwellblue a bit too much navel gazing goes on round here.
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naa added 14:10 - Nov 3 Hmm, I haven't read all the comments on here and will just comment on the blog. David Wright - no he is not better than last year. Keane was not right to drop him and right-back is still his best position. Delaney - sorry but one game at centre-back against a team who didn't attack much does not suddenly make him a great centre-back. I too think he'll be better there than at full-back (not hard) but I'm willing to wait before I jump to conclusions. Signings - Edwards and Rosenior are both decent, but both play in positions that did not require strengthening. This is a major point that everyone seems to ignore. Despite them being decent players I would not claim them to be decent signings by Keane at all, for the above reason. We have won one game - we were always going to win a game at some point. Yes we won ugly. A good sign for a team doing well, but not great for a team doing badly. But hey, a win is a win and I cheered as much as everyone else when we finally did it. Yes we played well against Watford, but people need to calm down about that. We've been pretty awful a lot this season - yes we've had some unlucky results, but very few decent displays. Beating a Derby team who nearly called the game off as they couldn't even fill their subs bench with a pretty poor display does not suddenly make everyone doubtful of Keane change their mind overnight. I'm open to changing my mind, but Keane will have to earn my appreciation which many of you seem happy to dish out regardless of performances, results, signings - pretty much any gauge you have for a successful manager in fact. I mean, Christ, he's still changing the team wholesale from game to game. It's crazy. Priskin misses a classic chance, but almost no-one mentions the fact that he could be rusty from not being given any time on the pitch in weeks - poor management in my mind, seeing as we've been struggling to score. Some of you point to every decision he makes with a ridiculous positive bias. Some of them I agree with to an extent, but come on, have some semblance of reality. We are bottom folks. Don't forget that. Just to add that I don't advocate sacking Roy just now and yes, the defence is looking better and here's hoping that getting the win out of the way will free up the players a bit. But what happens if we fail to win against Reading? 1 win in 16 would be one of the worst starts to a season by any team ever I'd have thought. There. A pretty negative post, but mainly just to balance a blog entry by someone who must be mainlining prozac.

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Surco72 added 14:11 - Nov 3 To me that is a much better balanced attacking team until Norris is back , we cannot go any lower so why is Keane so against trying it we have a different midfield every game as it is ? On your there are no poor teams in this league Plymouth.Derby ,Peterboro,Scunthorpe,Barnsley and Reading will all be at or near the bottom come the end of the season in my opinion and we have played 4 of them this year and only one once

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RobbieScarlatti added 14:12 - Nov 3 "for me the future is looking better and for me this is all because of one man - Keane" Yep, the league position says it all, as do our finances. Future is looking waaaaaay better. Well done that man.
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brazil1982 added 14:14 - Nov 3 We are in a relegation fight for the remainder of the season - make no mistake about that. Several signings have been awfully misjudged. Performances have been amongst the worst I have witnessed in 24 years. Worst start ever. If we win at Reading I may start breathing more easily but I fear it will be another draw or loss. I find there is little to get me excited for Keane, I am afraid to say. it's a shame - of course I want him to succed but this season has been really quite dreadful.

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UEFA81 added 14:16 - Nov 3 As a person he is a violent thug with a vile temper and foul mouth. As a manager he is clueless. Why is he still hanging around our club?
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goat_man added 14:19 - Nov 3 What a complete waste this article is! Im pretty sure we all want Keane to achieve here, but if you look at it we have still only won 1 match in 15 and spent millions for it! So to say on the basis of a win that we should all hail Keane now is preposterous. Lets all for a change not get carried away and take each match as it comes.
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