Town chief executive Simon Clegg says owner Marcus Evans will continue to provide manager Roy Keane with funds for new players. Clegg refused to comment on any progress regarding the two signings Keane has been hoping to add to his squad by the end of the week.

Speaking to the press yesterday afternoon, Clegg said that Keane still has the backing of owner Marcus Evans: “The manager continues to enjoy the full support of Marcus and myself and if he identifies the right players in the price range that is acceptable to us then we’ll look to bring new people in.

“Any issues to do with new players are jointly agreed between Marcus, Roy and myself and we work as a team to bring those players in at the right price. The issue to do with identifying new players quite rightly sits with the manager, it’s not my job or the owner’s job to identify players that the manager needs to bring in.

“If we get the right player at the right price and he fills a gap in the team, I have every confidence that the owner will be sympathetic and we’ll bring somebody in.

“Marcus is in it for the long term. He’s very clear in where he wants to take this club and will make investment appropriately.”

But Clegg was unwilling to be drawn on any ongoing deals: “I’m going to continue my policy of not talking about any speculation on players until we’re in a position to formally announce someone.”

Clegg says the subject of a change of manager hasn’t been broached, despite Keane’s comments earlier in the week regarding his probable loss of job if Town’s position doesn’t improve: “There have been absolutely no discussions along those lines. I think probably what he was saying was that he recognises that the responsibility for football results rests on the shoulders of the manager and that the current position is not sustainable forever and a day.

“But he’s not under any time constraints or any time pressures to turn it around. I’m confident that he will do it and believe that he will do it.

”I’ve made it very clear that it’s about putting in place the building blocks which will take us back to the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.”

Clegg says he has forged a good working relationship with Keane: “Roy is a man who is very focused very determined, passionate about winning and has set himself a high hurdle.

“He’s entirely professional, very focused and someone who I am enjoying working with and supporting.

“He is a very honest and open person and he tells it as he sees it and that’s quite refreshing.

“Roy and I have regular conversations, we’re looking forwards at this moment in time, not backwards. He’s looking to fine tune things and we’re seeing the evidence of that on the pitch.”

The chief executive says he feels the majority of supporters are also backing the manager: “I went up on the train to Sheffield and spoke to a number of fans and in the main they were hugely supportive.

“The fans that I spoke to were confident that it’s going to turn and after the performance on Tuesday there’s a lot to be encouraged by. I’m not sure many other clubs are going to take a point at Bramall Lane, let alone score three goals there, this season.”

Clegg says that he still sees the play-offs as a realistic target: “I will always remain optimistic as long as continues to be mathematical hope. We’re not even a quarter of the way into the season yet. We’ve played 10 games out of 46, so let’s not be writing this team off yet.

“Out of those 10 games we’ve played five matches against the top six clubs in the Championship at the moment, so we’ve had some fairly tough games and I think there have been some really encouraging signs, at Sheffield in particular.

“I’m not trying to get away from it, we’re bottom of the league. I travelled back from the Sheffield United game on the team coach with Roy and it was in fairly sombre mood, people were disappointed.

“But they’ve got to pick themselves up and make sure we’re in top condition for the match on Saturday.

“We’re looking at the long term. It’s far from ideal, it’s not where we wanted to be, but Marcus and I look at the big picture here in terms of where we want to take this club in the long term. Sometimes these things take time to settle down and gel in.”

Clegg also revealed that owner Evans, who he says has no intention of changing his policy of remaining very much in the background, met with Sir Bobby Robson’s widow before Saturday’s game against Newcastle: “He had a private meeting with Lady Elsie and the two sons that were here, Mark and Paul.

“He personally handed over the seven volumes of the books of remembrance that the club have put together with over 3,000 names in them, signed an entry himself and also the cover sheet.”

Photo: Action Images

campowasgod added 09:10 - Oct 1 So we are looking for the right player , at the right price , at the right time , from the right club , who is the right age who plays in the right position and comes from the right country with the right attitude .....
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byebyesheepshanks added 09:20 - Oct 1 If we don't beat Barnsley I fear RK will have a prolonged & well paid period in his garden. Everyone knocks you on this site for an opinion & we're all fans & loyal to the club but if we're detatched bottom after Saturday & 20% of the season gone - then you've got to take action. Fingers crossed we do the Tykes.
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dobbie73 added 09:29 - Oct 1 Positive noises from Clegg - its good to hear that if Keano needs additional funds then they will be made available. It is a long-term building project, and Keano needs to be backed to the full to carry the programme through. KEANO! CLEGGO .....!?
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roytheboy added 09:37 - Oct 1 I am most pleased & encouraged by what Mr Clegg has written, I am totally convinced that Roy Keane is the right person for our club & believe that he will find it a lot easier to do his job knowing that he has the support of Mr Evans & the vast majority of us, the Supporters, Roy is a highly talented Football professional & I am certain that he knows what he has to do, obviously our biggest problem is in the way we defend, if we had a good defence we would have take all 3 points at both Peterborough & Sheffield United, a good Striker would also be most welcome of course, I am firmly behind our Manager.

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Franzgumm added 09:49 - Oct 1 It's funny, isn't it. At most clubs it is the chairman/owner who is short-termist, impatient influence on the club, while the fans are there for the long haul. Why is it that at our club, its the fans who are most short-term and lacking in patience?
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byebyesheepshanks added 10:02 - Oct 1 Don't you know what a vote of confidence from the Chief Exec & Chairman means in football? Points in next 3 games or P45 - that will be the extent of the loyalty old friend.
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HarwichBlue added 10:07 - Oct 1 Anyone who thinks a change of manager would be an instant fix is living in cloud cuckoo land! Have some people forgotten what rubbish the team was turning out last year? We were going backwards with no direction and no future. Roy has had to do a complete overhaul of the squad, granted he should not of said he'd aim to get promotion in year one but anyone on here that has actually kicked a football will know that to get a QUALITY squad and team playing at the top of the league takes more than 10 games. Stop moaning, get in the real world and support our team as i'm 100% confident we will start seeing results soon. Rant Over.......!

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byebyesheepshanks added 10:12 - Oct 1 Building a team with £12m spent, 20% of the season gone & plum bottom & detatched with worst goals against in the league. I'd stick to kicking footballs mate.
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tractor_lady added 10:15 - Oct 1 there is no way that he will be gone after saturday irrespective of the scoreline unless he chooses to go. The Board will back him at least till Christmas..... financially couldnt afford not to.
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HarwichBlue added 10:16 - Oct 1 BBS, So do you think City should of sacked Hughes after 10 games? I'm guessing so! Keane won't be going anywhere so I look forward to being proved correct p.s. how's the weather in Cuckoo land?
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byebyesheepshanks added 10:20 - Oct 1 During Jim's time we were inconsistent & that is a hard one to call for management - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. So near & so far. Everytime you think is't sorted you lose & when you were ready for a change, you win 4 - 0 away. This is the clearest case of being shown consistent losses, leaked goals, unhappy players & not many points. It's like any business venture - we're so bad it makes the decision easy. Getting rid now is cheaper & esier than a Gunn or Magic. The results & stats couldn't be more stark. It's obvious.

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50yearsablue added 10:22 - Oct 1 byebyesheepshanks, we need your negative, defeatist drivel like a kick in the head. Unfortunately, a minority of our self opinionated, know all, scathing, moaning 'supporters' are getting exactly what they deserve - bottom place. I am by nature a pessimist and, of course, I am not enjoying where we are now but we will start climbing the league soon
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byebyesheepshanks added 10:27 - Oct 1 Did he have 5 points after 10 games & was he more than 1 win adrift on the bottom of the table? The bands on deck, 6 compartments are filling with water Captain, still hanging around to hear the music Harwich?! If we get points in the next 3 games the crisis is over. If we don't, he will be gone. I don't support that but it will happen because that is football.

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HarwichBlue added 10:46 - Oct 1 BBS, 4 points adrift with 108 to play for! Get real!! As soon as we get the centre back we all agree we need things will be on the up, confidence is low and thats why mistakes happen, Mcauley will improve with another CB as Bruce just isn't tall or strong enough to be a top championship Centre Back, a holding midfield role may be more suited as you can't fault his commitment. 50yearsablue is right, your defeatist drivel isn't what anyone needs right now and your comment about getting rid of Keane now is cheaper and easier than Gunn or Jim just shows you up

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Paulc added 10:46 - Oct 1 It still mystifies me, how so many 'fans' can't see beyond the current position: Is this an appalling start to a season?.....Yes. Pessimism personified, by byebyesheepshanks who would rather whinge on about the glass being 20% empty rather than 80% full! But remember this, we've played 5 of the top 6, (3 away from home also). Roy is working with a completely new set of players. And ask yourself this question to the 'Roy out' brigade: By the rationale you are employing had any one of you been in a position of power in Sir Bobby's fisrt year at the club, what would be our legacy today?

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sirbenofmorlingshire added 10:48 - Oct 1 I was never excited by the appointment of Keane… I just don't like these “young” ex-players with no experience being handed the reins of what is in effect a multi-million pound company. Out of the football world, it would be like giving a university student with a degree in law a top partnership at a well established and respected solicitors firm — it just doesn't happen. However in football, people like Ince, Magilton, Hughes, Coleman, Di Matteo, Keane get given the keys to the sweet shop with out ever really proving their worth or competence at a job which is worlds apart from being a player with the added pressure of having serious cash at stake. Don't get me wrong, everyone needs to start somewhere and be given an opportunity, but the way football clubs seem to hand out top jobs to people with no experience is just bizarre in my opinion — like some sort of exclusive VIP YTS scheme — and I don't think it's the right way to get results. I'm shocked we're at the bottom of the table and I keep looking for positives from the last few seasons and there isn't many (a few, not many)! Major problem now is sacking RK is not going to help the team, however if he doesn't turn it round we get further and further from the pack, team looses motivation, downward spiral — bad times. I guess the point to my post is, I was never inspired or excited by the RK appointment but I thought it could work… right now it's not and I have everything crossed the guy can turn it about without just chucking money at the problem (which if that fails = debt). Lets hope results start coming, if not I'm really in fear for the club right now.

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HarwichBlue added 10:48 - Oct 1 Top Post Paulc!
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byebyesheepshanks added 10:58 - Oct 1 I'm not saying sack Keane. I'm saying if he doesn't get points in the next 3 games he will be sacked. I'm not defeatist or pessimistic - will always support my team. It's just the stark reality of being bottom after 10 games. Firing him now would be cheaper than going down. All this lets pretend 'we aren't where we are' blind allegiance stuff is daft. It's about the 11 blokes he picks on the pitch.

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langeydong added 11:10 - Oct 1 Being bottom of the table doesn't tell the whole story chaps. Were scoring goals, were not losing games. Teams above us have lost more games. The wins will come, I have complete faith in Roy Keane. Were so close to getting it right! Lets get behind the team and not talk about sacking and relegation. Were only in bloody October.
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Martus added 11:15 - Oct 1 Whats the point of sacking Kean, hes signed a two year deal, lets see where he takes us, we have never been close the past few years and will struggle in the prem so lets give him a chanto build HIS squad. Managers arent given a chance, so lets see what he can do.
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Surco72 added 11:16 - Oct 1 Firsly stop comparing now with Bobbys time at the club football is different ,the world is different and Bobby did not spend a lot of money on his team !!! Also everybody is allowed their opinion just because you dont agree with it does not make them whingers as we al support Ipswich .So to those knocking the likes of BBS ,UEFA 81 until we are not bottom of the table and we actually have some points and won some games you cannot keep saying shut up things will get better because if they dont RK will go that is football ,when things do improve which i believe will happen i am sure everyone on her moaning will love to be told they were wrong as Town will be winning,but until then blind faith and hope is a dangerous game

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byebyesheepshanks added 11:21 - Oct 1 Superb posts Langy & Martus. I can go much more with that realism & say we know it's not working at the moment but let's go with it eyes open. Totally reasoable with the '1 word of dissent & youre a traitor' stuff.
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matt_the_blue added 11:31 - Oct 1 byebyesheepshanks - I can see where you're coming from and I respect your realistic approach and agree that if things continue going to the dogs then change at the top could be a good option (I don't want Keano to go as I think he's the man for the job but more importantly I don't want to see us joining the budgies in League One). But on the other hand, if we do sack him I'm concerned by the time a new manager does bed in we'll be fighting a relegation battle that we can't win. We're only at the bottom on GD. If Plymouth and P'boro don't do the business at the weekend and we can get a win at Barnsley that takes to us to 3rd from bottom. If (and this is a BIG if) we also beat Barnsley by at least 3 goals we can hop out of the relegation zone completely - it's still very tight at our end of the table. I'm going to be realistic and say that we'll only get ourselves off the foot of the table but not out of the zone this weekend. Once we get a couple of wins we'll start snaking our way up the table and away from danger - like many have said before me, I think once we get our first win we'll get the confidence back and get a run. I think that win will be on Saturday. COYB!

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NW10_Tractor added 11:47 - Oct 1 Lets ALL be positive. No Team in this league can say that they have played Ipswich off the pitch? Look at Tuesday, Derby County got beat 6-1 and I know for a FACT that no team in this league will EVER hammer us 6-1. Newcastle scored 3 quick goals but they didn't play us off the park either. Seriously, any team we play would think that we'll be a walk over and beat us piece of piss, but their wrong! Apart from Crappy Coventry, no other team have managed to score 3 passed Sheffield United in the league this season? Thats a positive! We know that Coventry got lucky against us. The Potential is there. The Goals are there - We are a wounded lion waiting to strike the at the heart of any defence. I actually feel sorry for the likes of Barnsley, Swansea and Boring, Boring Watford as they WILL get hit by the wrath of Big Roy's Freight Train as it powers up the league starting from SATURDAY. BLUE ARMY!

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Gilesy added 11:59 - Oct 1 Newcastle did play us off the pitch, as did West Brom. And you can't say for a fact that no team will beat us 6-1...that's just silly.
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