Keane Refuses to Rule Out Move for Campbell
Friday, 25th Sep 2009 10:40

Town boss Roy Keane isn’t ruling out making an attempt to lure ex-England central defender Sol Campbell to Portman Road. The former Arsenal and Spurs star sensationally quit Notts County earlier this week only a matter of days into a five-year contract with the League Two club.

Keane says that the Blues have made no progress on making loan signings this week but are continuing to look for additions to the squad and admitted that he could be interested in 35-year-old Campbell: “Maybe so. I’m sure Sol, if he can play, I don’t know the situation with his contract, will have plenty of options as he’s a good player, but we’ll see.”

The Town boss says Campbell was probably right to leave Notts County if he wasn't enjoying life in the lower leagues: “He’s had a bit of criticism over the last one or two days but I admire people who are brave enough to make a decision if it’s not working out. Trust me, there are a lot of players in different clubs up and down the country sitting on their contracts picking their wages.

“At least Sol was brave enough to say ‘listen, it's not happening’, and that’s got to be admired. Obviously you don’t want players breaking their contracts every week, but if it’s not working out and he’s not happy, like Notts County said themselves, you don’t want a player who’s unhappy.

Keane says he is as yet unaware whether Campbell is still officially a Notts County player and therefore able to go on loan to a Football League club or if his contract as been formally ended: “We don’t know the ins and outs of it because I had the same situation with my contract when I left United, I couldn’t sign for anyone until January, even though I was told different, but that’s another story.

“If his contract has been terminated then I don’t think he can play for anybody, but we’re interested in any player that’s out there and available and we think could come in and strengthen our squad. It’s a big if, it would be a long shot, no doubt.”

Keane says he hasn’t heard from any managers regarding his players since Tuesday’s reserve game, with Lincoln City caretaker-boss Simon Clark revealing his interest in two unnamed Town players yesterday.

The Blues boss says he would consider loan spells for youngsters such as Bermudian international winger Reggie Lambe, who scored a hat-trick in Tuesday’s game against Stevenage Borough: “Possibly so for people like Reggie. He’s a good young player. Reggie’s done well. Going out and getting some games in the real world is sometimes good experience for these players.

“We know there are always people watching these reserve matches and if someone makes the call, I’m very open-minded for our young players to go out and get some games.”

Photo: Action Images

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steve01777 added 12:52 - Sep 25

didnt it say in yesterdays paper that he left because he could not keep up with the younger players in that division!!!! so surely our division is the same if not even quicker
please let not go there apparently he was on 40k a wk do we really need to throw that money at some over paid over the hill 34 something player!!! i would rather stick with macauley and thats saying something

Plums added 12:57 - Sep 25 Touch of reality here chaps - how many quality championship defenders could you get for £40k a week?
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GeorgiDoundarov added 13:03 - Sep 25 If Campbell is OK with an year contract and much lower wages we can have him just because he is a leader and He can inspire the others with his huge experience. But he is very old and I think we need somebody for the long haul... BTW I Campbell was one of my favourites when he was playing with Arsenal and the National team.
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IpswichKev added 13:08 - Sep 25 Would be a good signing if he doesn't walk away after 1 game!
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devontractorboy added 13:25 - Sep 25

What about Keanes comments though admiring people who walk away when things don't work out, is that a statement of intent if we stay near/at the bottom of the table???
As regards Sol if his contract has been cancelled I think we'd need special dispensation from the FA to sign him before Jan Window and can't see Town paying 40k a week?
Having said all that if his head's right he'd be a brilliant signing in my opinion, a real leader at the back.

devontractorboy added 13:39 - Sep 25 Ohh and also Sol has only turned 35 this month, which is not too old as some of you think, in particular for a man of his experience
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onlybluesandhorses added 13:57 - Sep 25 It would be news if RK ruled out signing anyone. It would certainly be an idea to buy a defender. We needed one anyway and RK seems to have destroyed McAuley's confidence. Can we afford Campbell's wages? If we can why did we have to sell Jordan Rhodes?
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squiz added 14:05 - Sep 25 not worried by Keane saying "I admire people who are brave enough to make a decision if it's not working out". In fact i agree with him. Why carry on with something if you are really unhappy with the situation and cant see it changing?
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bigfish added 14:22 - Sep 25 Ok - pinch of salt time
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bluewein added 14:26 - Sep 25 Squiz, I agree. Maybe he's talking with Supple still in mind!
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BlueMoon added 14:27 - Sep 25

Why do we keep wasting our time looking at players that are
a) past it
b) on huge wages
c) never shown any interest in actually wanting to join us in the 1st place

I'd rather see us look as signing some young players possibly on the way up (say holland etc) signed from teams where we do actually represent a decent step forward for the player.

A hungry up-and-coming players is better in my book than one whose best days are surely behind him - is there nobody like that about?

Doctor_Albran added 14:44 - Sep 25

Bluemoon, signing youngsters is all well and good when you're building a team for the future - or buying players to grow into the side (Tarrico was here a couple of seasons before he broke into the first team), but in our current predicament we need an old head who can come straight in, take control of the defence around him and do a job now.

Any youngsters coming in at the moment risks being turned on for 1 mistake by some of the supporters on here - good, bad or in different - their confidence wouldn't last very long. Some fans seem to think that its good that they can sit and boo the players all day and then blame RK for destroying the players confidence. Simples!

sirbenofmorlingshire added 14:52 - Sep 25 LOL - Sol Cambell
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dobbie73 added 15:30 - Sep 25 I woudl be very surprised if we did get Sol at some point. I think that Keano was merely saying 'maybe' just not to burn his bridges - I don't really believe we are about to get him!
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dobbie73 added 15:37 - Sep 25 "Covering all his bases" is what I meant to say ....
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ITFCspud added 16:00 - Sep 25 Sign on sign on with a pen in your hand and youll never work again youll never work again (8) Sign him up anyones better than Mcauley. Need a strikerr.
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danknott added 17:18 - Sep 25 nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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dubblue added 18:00 - Sep 25 40k a week. no. changed his mind after one match? no. 35 years old. no.
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Back_The_Boss added 18:01 - Sep 25 God help us if he's on some ridiculous wage bill, good in his time, but well past it now!
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jonnysuave added 20:05 - Sep 25

So Keane is going to bottle it and walk out on the glorious tip top tractor boys. His comments smack of someone lining up an exit.

The difficulty with employing a manager who has earned a life changing sum of money at such a young age is that his life doesn't depend on it.

Keane could quite easily quit in a couple of games time and suggest that he needs time to travel and understand management in different regions and cultures.

That way he gets some sympathy from the national press, Ipswich are supposed to reflect that he is doing us a favour as he feels that he is too limited.... However we are left in the crud with only Geraint Williams to save us.

Lets hope not eh.