Boss Roy Keane says he wants Portman Road to become more intimidating for away teams next season. The Blues won only eight home league games last season, one fewer than their away victories.

Keane told the club site: "People talk about Ipswich being a nice place to come and play for visiting teams, so it would be good if we can make it a bit more intimidating.

"The supporters can play a big part in that, but it comes down to the players as well. We need to win football matches and turn Portman Road into a fortress.

"Teams can still look forward to coming here. We can have that in a nice way but we can still win games here.

"It's all about getting the balance right. I can't and won't forget the traditions of the club and the way the players have been brought up here to play football. I was brought up the same way.

"When we've got the ball, we will play, but a lot of football is down to when you haven't got the ball and that is when you have to dig in. If we get that balance right we will win football matches."

Meanwhile, veteran coach Charlie Woods has decided to retire. Woods worked as an advisor to Jim Magilton during his time in charge at Portman Road, but he says the change of manager had nothing to do with his decision: "It was my choice and would have been made whoever was manager at Ipswich. I talked things over with my wife and it was a joint decision.”

A winger, Woods made 70 starts and 19 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring seven goals, having joined Town from Crystal Palace in 1968. He signed for Watford in 1970, but returned to Portman Road as youth team coach under Sir Bobby Robson in 1973, helping the Blues to their first two FA Youth Cups. Later he scouted for Robson at Newcastle and held a similar post at Spurs.

The 68-year-old will be in Portugal for Robson's annual charity golf day at Vilamoura on July 4th. Woods will be part of a Town team entered by club owner and chairman Marcus Evans.

Currently in Portugal is chief executive Simon Clegg, who is the club's representative at the Football League's annual conference being held there this week.

Elsewhere, Town, Crystal Palace and Preston have been linked with Blackburn striker or right midfielder Paul Gallagher. The 24-year-old Scot, who has been on loan at Stoke, Preston and Plymouth in recent seasons, has another year left on his Rovers contract but is believed to be available for around £1.5 million.

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