Boss Roy Keane admits that Town have a long, long way to go but saw encouraging signs in the 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest. The Blues have a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Doncaster, in addition to Gareth McAuley’s suspension.

Keane said: “We’ve been saying all along that we’ve got a long, long way to go, we’ve got new players to the club.

“As the manager of the football club I’ll defend my players and I thought tonight they were outstanding. They gave a good effort, but we were a bit short.

“I think in the second half if we’d have got the second goal we’d have gone on to win the game. Forest are a decent team and they caused us one or two problems, as you’d expect, but the players put in a good effort tonight.

“We picked up two or three injuries and Gareth will now be suspended, so we’re being tested. Nobody said it was going to be easy and that’s the case, but we’ll be OK.”

Keane says the injuries prevented him making a late substitution up front: "We wanted to freshen it up and make changes up front - Jon Walters and Jon Stead worked hard - but we couldn't do that because of injuries.

“Carlos felt his hamstring and then Liam Rosenior was struggling with a badly swollen eye. We were ready to bring Pablo on but had to change it and finished the game with Jaime Peters at right-back and Lee Martin in the middle.

"Forest have got attacking options, Dele Adebola and Earnshaw are experienced players and they freshened them up, but the injuries certainly meant we were limited in what we could do.

"The game probably sums up where we are at the moment. I'm not sure how we contrived to end up with Gareth bringing down Adebola at the end and it was very close to being a penalty. We had good possession but ended up on the edge of our own box.

"There were some encouraging signs at times but we are still short and, looking to Saturday, one or two of our injured players have to be doubtful just when we think we are moving forward."

Overall, Keane says he is enjoying his time at Portman Road, despite the early season results: “ I’m very lucky. I enjoy working with the players, I enjoy working at Ipswich. It’s a tough job but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I thought the fans were again very, very good, they appreciate where we are at the moment. Yes, we’re a bit short, but we’ll keep going and we’ll keep battling away.”

Keane says the Blues will not be adding any loan players before Saturday’s trip to Doncaster. Forest boss Billy Davies felt his side deserved the point: "It was a good draw and we're undefeated in our last seven away matches, including two very difficult ones against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and now Ipswich Town.

"In the first half we were very one-paced, slow and sluggish. We deserved exactly what we got.

"But in the second there was only going to be one winner and we were unfortunate not to take all three points.

"The one thing that pleases me most about this group is their character. It's not easy when you concede a goal inside 45 seconds at a place like Ipswich.

"Roy Keane will get it right here because of the quality he's brought in and that's why I was so delighted with the draw.

"It was a difficult game but great credit to us, because we showed real character."

Photo: Action Images

ipswich61 added 08:52 - Sep 16 bye keane,8 games in and all we here is encouraging and its early days,come xmas and he'll still be saying the same thing,i think doncaster could be his last game
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FormerlyCGS added 08:55 - Sep 16 If we cant beat doncaster then we deserve to be in league one. KEANE OUT
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dobbie73 added 09:00 - Sep 16 The first half overall, Town played as well as I've seen them for a while, and against a decent Forest side, who I think will be genuine contenders for the play-offs. Leadbitter is a revelation in midfield (strong, committed and skillful), and I think this rubbed off on Quinner as he had his best game for a while. Edwards and Rosenior looked like the real deal too, and its a pity they both picked up knocks! Delaney too played much better, although some of his positioning was a bit suspect at times. The substitutions didn't really work for us, although the injury to Rosenior forced Keano into changing his mind for the third sub. If Pablo or Priskin had come on, I think we could have won the game - Trotter was too anonymous when he came on. So on to the predictable shrill 'Keane out' cries ..... my response is this. 1. For those complaining of 'too many changes' - the team are playing 3 games in a week, 2 of those being a long distance away in the north. Some of the players needed a rest, and no doubt you would have been complaining if Keano had NOT swapped things around a bit, blaming last night's result on 'over-used' players ... 2. It is only 4 months since Keano inherited a deeply troubled squad from Jim, and for those that pipe up with 'he's had all summer to gel the team' - it has been broken up, rebuilt, with the most recent additions only TWO WEEKS ago ... for goodness sake, it is effectively a whole new team! Give them time. 3. Talking of time ... Keano has been given 2 years to get us promoted. He is 4 months into that time. Others have mentioned Sir Bobby's start at the club and how slow it was. We coudl also mention Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd in 1986, and how it took a lot of hard work and time to build his side. 4. And talking of Man Utd ... Keano learned his trade under Ferguson. Don't you think that makes him a little more qualified than most of us?? Not to mention starting his career under the late, great Brian Clough. Another mentor and teacher. 5. And while many fans are frustrated, worried and even angry and have reasonable doubts and objections about the way things are going (me included), I think most sane and rational people woudl accept that our team is 'work in progress' at the moment. Sorry to all those self-delusional types that are upset because we haven't got promoted/won the Champions League/World Cup/African Cup of Nations yet* *delete as appropriate 6. UEFA81 and Blue (plus others no doubt) .... what the f***?! This is typical of the negative ranting that just means nothing and offers nothing. Granted you have your opinions, but do you have anything constructive to offer, other than 'boo, Keane out'??? 7. And on a final note ... if (please, no) Keano went, then that would GUARANTEE relegation in my mind. The squad (still not settled) would become even more unsettled, more players would come and go, and nothing would be achieved this season at all. The house is halfway through being built - don't demolish it just because you can't wait for the roof to go on! Have faith everyone, and buckle up safely - this season is gonna be some ride I think! COYB.

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mwhitfc added 09:02 - Sep 16 Sir Bobby had a worse start than this, so why does everyone feel the need to criticise Roy?!?! As more and more players have come in, things have to be changed around to try and work out what is best - but as some of these players have come in after the season has started, things are still taking time to settle down! The 1st half against was very, very good - it looked as if we had found our footing, but then it turned sour in the 2nd half! Keep faith in Keane and the boys, they will come good!

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bedsitfc added 09:07 - Sep 16 well said dobbie but i dont like keane being compaired to sir bobby robson there will never be another sir bobby robson
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brogansnose added 09:18 - Sep 16 Well said dobbie, you are spot on. Nothing i can add to that.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:23 - Sep 16 with respect dobbie73, its really hard to share your optimism, and i for one cant see where the Man U factor has any relevance .Sir Bobby Robson was a one off,so comparisons there are wasted , the game is all about money now, more so than in those rosy times, if RK does not get his a;se in gear soon ,he wont make history,he will BE history. As for building, we have been between mid table and top for many seasons, its RK thats demolishing , when we just needed renovating .I admire optimistic people, but blind faith is a dangerous game , if you go missing from the forum [hope you dont] i will assume you have been playing Russian Roulette.

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SomershamBlue added 09:31 - Sep 16 I don't think that anyone is actually comparing RK to Sir Bobby - to do so would be ridiculous. It's a comparision of the results obtained and the eventual outcome. The point being that just because we have not had a win yet, we should not assume that we're doomed. No matter what anyone says, I believe that there were encouraging signs last night. This does not mean that it's all sorted and we'll be OK from now on. There is a lot of hard work to be done. Stay positive!

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JayITFC added 09:33 - Sep 16 We gave Jim Magilton 3 YEARS! Why does anyone think Keane would have the plug pulled after 7 games? LMAO! Fans need to get realistic. We are an average Championship club and have been for several years. With every new manager comes the pressing of the reset switch. It will take time to turn this around, if it happens at all.
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newburyblue added 09:35 - Sep 16 dobbie makes some good points but i don't agree with all of them. 1. We DO need a settled side, i don't mind the odd change when players are tired etc. but this season is so far just like when Magilton was in charge. We have a bad / average game, Keane picks a couple of scapegoats and then they are dropped (being told they are not good enough and the threat of never playing for the club again, then we play badly in the next game and all of a sudden they are recalled), that is bad management! 2. Lets stop this talk of Robson and Ferguson having bad starts... if you're going to compare starts you need a level playing field, I don't think many of us would be moaning if we were in the top flight and in the position we are in like both of those managers were... in Keane's own words 'we are in an average division and any manager could get us into mid table'... hmmm... 3. The very best we can hope for now is a playoff place, FACT. Even if we go on an amazing run there is no way we are going to gain 13 points on 2 of Boro, West Brom and Newcastle. Plus there is little sign of a win yet, let alone an amazing run, so i can see that gap only getting bigger. Keane has made mistakes and made some odd signings... Healy especially and most of which he's dropped at some point (Delaney, Martin and Priskin). Having said all of this I don't think we should sack him. Leadbitter and Edwards are finally 2 top class signings for this division and if we could get some form of a settled side, he learns from his mistakes and we just get that so far illusive win then I think we will get that confidence and positive vibe we need and i really do believe that he can turn things around, we have the players to do it. Sacking him would mean starting again and unless there is a real chance of relegation (there's not after 7 games) then i think he's the right man to eventually get it right.

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NSL added 09:38 - Sep 16 Yes, Robson had a bad start before going on to build a world beating side, but did he have an open chequebook like Keane?
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Boz581 added 09:42 - Sep 16 I know I will get slated for this statement but, It's probably a good thing in the long run that a draw was all we achieved in some ways. If we would have gained three points it would have masked the fact we cannot retain the ball for more than three or four passes, it would not have have also hilighted that Forest, Palace, Preston are good footballing sides with hardworking personell who can accurately pass the ball over five to ten yards for 90 mins. The draw and the performance shows some signs of recovery/development, the new players looked good and probably brought better performances from others. This is going to be a long road for the shoots of recovery to flourish, we have to become a hard team to beat first and the results will then start to happen. I believe that will happen, I also believe that last nights result was a good result and something to build on. I feel that a positive result at Doncaster is on the cards but Newcastle will very very difficult . Keane needs to be able to field a settled side, at the moment he is still trying to figure that one out...I feel that a couple of performances last night might be able to make his mind up on that one...Stead....Mcauly, lack of effort/ability being the contributing factors there..c,mon you Blues...

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campowasgod added 09:48 - Sep 16 “As the manager of the football club I'll defend my players and I thought tonight they were outstanding" OUTSTANDING !!!!! Okay they were better for periods of the 1st half , but nowhere near outstanding ! Was Stead outstanding ? what about MaCauley ? Wright ? Trotter? Edwards ? Walters? In fact , Leadbitter played well as did Bruce and Quinn and Martin briefly which are good signs. Fans of MaCauley ... now do you see ? Lost ball for 1st goal on Saturday, last night ; hopeless control at all times ,gave ball away on numerous occassions ,no skill, nearly cost us at the end - he is just not good enough, 7 poor games . I'm sorry but MaCauley's suspension is a positive. Did I hear Ipswich fans chanting OFF ,OFF ,OFF ,OFF,.... after he fouled. Also was it me or was the ref's red card the brightest you have ever seen ?

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im_marcacus added 09:54 - Sep 16 Well said Dobbie, I think the best sign is that every opposing manager in post match interviews has said 'bloody hell, I'm pleased to get some points against Town' they know what potential our sides got, and how good our players are once Keano gets them working as a team. Real shame if these knocks are injurys, things are slowly looking up every game though, and every game is tough this season as the leagues so strong. COYB

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Greektractor added 10:11 - Sep 16 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2381257&l=429fcbdc87&id=501574527 here's one for ya all, see if u can spot the obvious but possibly telling mistake
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BoxerBlue added 10:11 - Sep 16 in my opinion isn't all this negativity just heaping more pressure on our team?? Only way is up from here COYB!!!
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:13 - Sep 16 im marcarcus! it depends on your interpretation , he could as easily have been saying bloody hell im pleased to get some points [a point] against Town ,because they are crap and id hate to lose to them. Negative view admittedly ,but dont get too carried away mate .
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whizzkid added 10:22 - Sep 16 Calm debate really isn't a web forum trait is it? Truth is, I'm not sure whether we're making progress and going through an inevitable period of dislocation ahead of the team coming together and performing or whether we're just going expensively backwards. I'd give it until around Christmas and then we'll have a better feel. I think it's fair to say that it's not encouraging to see players arrive for large amounts and then not get near the pitch, or to see talented young players leave the club or seemingly fall far out of favour. And for Keane to talk about players never playing for him again was just daft - he's experienced enough to know that would be unhelpful. One last point, whilst I accept that there may be some parallels to Bobby Robson's early time here, I don't think it's very relevant for 2009 and Keane. Not least because you could have quoted it when any poor manager was struggling - just because Bob came good doesn't mean every manager who makes a bad start will. So, back the team, give Keane the benefit of any doubt and see how we're playing at Christmas.

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hadleighboyblue added 10:50 - Sep 16 well said dobbie , good to read some sensible comments on here rather than the Keane out rubbish . nobody can be happy with our position , but it takes time for so many new players to gel and there were a few signs of that last night. get a commanding centre half and a goalscorer in and then play a settled team , including priskin who must be given a run to justify his fee . the likes of stead & trotter are just not good enough though. i do worry about the crowds attitude these days , so many seem pretty indifferent to what's happening on the pitch , I know it's not good , but support and performance both need improving for us to get results.

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ITFC1985 added 10:50 - Sep 16 I fail to see what Martin provides us, he never beats anyone, gets knocked off the ball far to easy, im sure he can whip a good ball in but it would be nice to see him actually get into a crossing position, Stead was dreadful and i think Keane wouldve taken him off if we hadnt of picked up a couple of injuries, he looked very lazy last night barely won any headers and couldnt control anything and as for McAuley so very nearly cost us AGAIN, thankfully he did the right thing by taking him out just outside the box surely thats the final nail in the coffin!!! the plus points were the first half in which i thought we looked up for the game Leadbitter will boss the midfield and looks a quality signing and i think our right side will be dangerous going forward!! Have faith in Keane and lets look forward to the 3 points on saturday which will kick start our season!! BLARMY!!!

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welshtractorboy added 11:00 - Sep 16 Dobbie excellent read and good points raised. lets see how far we have or have not come,Saturday Doncaster away was one of the worst performances last season,we need a win,it will come hopefully on Saturday in darkest northern england. One win i do honestly think we could go on a run. We do need a CB Shittu will join SUtd!!We do need a poacher in front of goal,both needed ASAP then loan the likes of Healy,Stead,Trotter,Thatcher,who will have little or no first team football. I do think once Norris returns and Chevi we will have the makings of a good team,and who knows a playoff spot(hopefully)

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im_marcacus added 11:00 - Sep 16 Billy Davies - "Roy Keane will get it right here because of the quality he's brought in and that's why I was so delighted with the draw." Nope, I think I got it spot on. Roll on Doncaster, COYB!
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bleedblue added 11:58 - Sep 16 Can I report Negativity as Abuse? Getting fed up with people calling for Keane's head - go and support Norwich you clowns!!
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bigfish added 12:01 - Sep 16 Remember RK still has Jims rubbish buys - i can see the run to the top starting soon.
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Surco72 added 12:02 - Sep 16 Keane must be given time that is not in question , but he also must be judged on how things have progressed so far . We all know that we have needed a centre back ,striker and have had a poor left side (Civelli not included) for a number of years . One of the plus points for the last few seasons was how well Walters and D Wright have played so why have we signed a right back and a right midfielder ? Both good players but not a necessatity . The players he has brought in Delaney apart from last night very poor certainly no better than Harding , Martin offers very little but has been poor in this league when loaned out before to other sides , Healy shocking ,i know only £50 grand but why bother? Priskin has never been a prolific scorer in this league in two seasons and doesnt look like it now , pre season RK said Rhodes is doing the business and keeps scoring a week later he is sold why did we not give him a go ? It was obviously a big blow to lose Norris, which is why the good Leadbitter has been bought , but in all honesty in what area of the pitch do we actually look better ? Our bench Trotter,Healy,Peters,Smith are these players honestly better than Garvan,Shumi,Haynes,Rhodes,Campo i dont think so !!

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