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

MAVERICK added 12:02 - Oct 1 BLUE ARMY not BOO ARMY
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corshamblue added 12:02 - Oct 1 There's 46 matches in the season, let's see what happens . . . . Hopeful to make it to the playoffs? With a lot of good teams in the League they'll be plenty of points dropped by plenty of teams. I think we're getting ours out of the way early... COYB. Cleggy, C'mon and get those Loanees in!
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62WasBest added 12:07 - Oct 1 I was against the appointment of Keane because I don't think he is the sort of manager that Ipswich require. But it's not my club - it's Evans's and Keane's the man he appointed . My belief is that any change of manager now would be insane. Stability is the keyword. The league position whilst looking dire, is not so important. You don't get relegated in October just as you don't get promoted then either. What is important is that the team should play good quality football and that should be the aim. That with a dose of luck would see us at the right end of the table and so long as a squad is being put togeter that can produce good football we should be patient. From Roy Keane's point of view, I'd like to see that he learns quickly from his mistakes, talks less, and does not dimiss players too quickly. None of our players are without some talent. His job is to harness it for the good of the club.

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Surco72 added 12:08 - Oct 1 Gilesy ... i agree Newcastle and West Brom should easily have had six also Middlesboro missed alot of chances and we have conceded three against Shrewsbury,Palace and Doncaster and were second best to Leicester and the 10 men of Preston unless defenders are brought in i cannot see were a clean shet will come from ?
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sonian_blue added 12:16 - Oct 1 Harwichblue you are spot on and my sentiments entirely (see post following Tues nights game). BBS qoutes stats and figures obviously a boffin of sorts. Get real, get behind the team and realise success in this game is not gauranteed. There are 23 other teams in this league trying to succeed and it will only be achieved with the SUPPORT of the supporters. I will be at Barnsley saturday roaring on the team AND the manager. BBS with his abacus in hand in front of the TV maybe... Come on You BlueBoys

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tractor_lady added 12:27 - Oct 1 we badly need that player or two by the weekend, Clegg not saying anything does that mean there is nothing on the cards? any rumours anyone?!!! With the defence plugged i truely believe our season will start, scoring 6 in the last two away games cant be bad, three against a top of the table team - letting in 6 not so good. it aint rocket science, stop the rot at the back, and we are in with a fighting chance whoever we play. Newcastle eventually outplayed us big style, but until we let that first goal in we were matching them in the middle...... maybe we need a striker too but actually i think Walters is proving he can play up front (not a position i liked him in before)....... so give him and Prisken time to grow a partnership.

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brogansnose added 12:28 - Oct 1
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FormerlyCGS added 12:36 - Oct 1 Some of you are way to optimistic. Yes i am very negative when i write on here but the stats are there for everyone to see, Keanos mistakes are there for everyone to see (garvan & D wright not playing, selling rhodes) the list goes on. WE WILL NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS THIS EYAR to whoever wrote that. we are in a relegation dog fight already and it aint even bloody xmas yet. Getting a new manager in now woud ejuvinate the wghole squad and bring victories. none of em want to play for kean and his hard ways.

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byebyesheepshanks added 12:37 - Oct 1 They only let me out of my ward at weekends & then only if I've had my medication. I've asked for a blue & white jacket intead of the white one & my ipswich town wallpaper won't stick to the padding on the walls of my room. As for an abacus, they won't let me have anything sharp.
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byebyesheepshanks added 12:37 - Oct 1 They only let me out of my ward at weekends & then only if I've had my medication. I've asked for a blue & white jacket intead of the white one & my ipswich town wallpaper won't stick to the padding on the walls of my room. As for an abacus, they won't let me have anything sharp.
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Mark added 12:38 - Oct 1 I am generally against sacking managers and think continuity is best. However, my concern is that Keane is not giving us continuity as the team changes so much from match to match. The squad is grossly underperforming and if it continues (if we fail to beat Barnsley, Swansea or Watford) then he will have to go as he clearly isn't getting the best out of the players. Keane's signings seem poor and he has bought players for some positions we didn't need in my opinion (Edwards in right-midfield when we have Walters, Rosenior at right-back when we have D.Wright) leaving positions such as centre-back and striker missing. I also worry if Liam Trotter continues in central midfield, as I don't think he is good enough (better than Garvan is or Shumulikowski was?) I REALLY hope we beat Barnsley, start climbing the table and Keane goes not to be a great manager. Give him more time, but we have to be realistic too and cannot afford to be cut adrift in the relegation zone or we may end up like Leicester who went down despite spending well. Let's focus on Saturday for now and get behind the team!

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brogansnose added 12:42 - Oct 1 Byebye sheepy- i certainly wouldnt call you or anyone else a traitor,i reserve that for the likes of Alan Lee. No one is happy with where we are at the moment and its more or less agreed that if things are not better by xmas then the axe may come out of the boardroom. That will always be Evans decision as he in particular stands to lose so much.The only thing to do whatever your view of Keane , is as always, to get behind the team.None of this booing and vilifiying individual players.In a very wierd sort of way i feel better this season and have more hope than last season when for much of the time i felt the will to live oozing away with the rubbish on the pitch.Mind you at times it has felt like the football equivalent of self harming with that defence.

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marchy added 12:43 - Oct 1 RK NOT out, it would solve nothing at this stage, let's all stop getting hysterical. However, can I just confirm that we were all watching the same team last season? Because the one I saw wasn't 'rubbish,' nor was it 'nowhere close to promotion.' Yes we were inconsistent but we finished 9th for christ's sake, so please can we also cut out the equally emotional RK-worshipping and realise that being rock bottom at this stage does not yet resemble an improvement on previous years. I await a roasting from both factions...

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byebyesheepshanks added 12:48 - Oct 1 Just because I say Keane might get sacked or that being adrift at the very bottom of the league is a big worry, doesn't mean I ever boo the team or don't give them my 100% support. Having concerns for your club does not mean you boo. Not enjoying what you see on a Saturday (getting outplayed or having no shots, letting in more goals than anyone, watching established players sitting in the stands) doesn't mean you boo. The 2 things are not linked & that is why you use a site like this to have your say. Group hug time.

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lilian3415 added 12:58 - Oct 1 I'm not sure why constructive criticism is construed as whinging. The most passionate fans are the ones who are most concerned.RK seems to have no cohesive plan at the moment, and game to game changes seem to stem from knee-jerk reactions.I never boo the team but at the moment I can understand the frustrations of those who do. How long do the die-hard RK fans consider is long enough to give him the benefit of the doubt? League 1 ? League 2?

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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:11 - Oct 1 Well said Cleggy, this is not the time to panic, it's time for owner, ceo, manager, coaches, players AND the fans to unite. Get off Keano's back and support the CLUB if you are a real fan.
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tractor_lady added 13:17 - Oct 1 Lilian i totally and utterly disagree, I am one of the most passionate fans there is, have been for many years yet i am not one of the 'most concerned' so that is a short sighted sweeping statement. I am all for freedom of speech, everyone has an oppinion, what a sad place it would be if we all had the same oppinion. However your comments however are both negative and non constructive - sack him then what? How long do we give the next manager and the next? Agree with one or two others on here, closer to Christmas and yes panic can set in, but eleven games in and having scored 6 away from home in last two it is far from that. I will say it again and again plug the defence and we have a team.

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FormerlyCGS added 13:19 - Oct 1 MAybe after only a few games people had a right to moan about the people on here being pessimistic however now after this many games without a win, people are moaning and people are haveing a go for moaning. YEsterday I was called a moaning prick for saying I wasnt Keane out - WHY? IF Keane was top and then i said keane out i can undferstand. Are you happy being bottom (ITFC09) your happy for a man who has ruined our team, squad and whole club to remain at the helm. Quite rightly said above - the mroe passionate fans are the ones who are moaning if iot dont bother you lot that we are bottom then dont bother goin to PR anymore!

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marchy added 13:20 - Oct 1 Plugging the defence was all we needed to do last season. For all the improvements players like Leadbitter give us this season, and all the multitude of goals we score away from home, it does diddly unless we start winning some games.
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tractor_lady added 13:21 - Oct 1 and before you say it i am not a rose coloured glasses Roy Fan, was concerned when he was appointed but he is here now and we have to make the most of it. Sacking him at this early stage is the kind of ridiculous knee jerk reaction Norwich would have and look where they are now :-) Give him more time, and if i am proved wrong i will gladly hold my hands up and admit it.

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Lightningboy added 13:23 - Oct 1 Anyone know what's happening with the "couple of players" I thought we were bringing in on loan before this weekends game? Plus Martus - you say we have never been close the past few years - didn't we finish 1 point out of the play-offs under Jim just 18 months ago?
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La_Paz added 13:29 - Oct 1 I'm with brogansnose on this one marchy, last season was terrible, with half the crowd abusing JM and the other half abusing those who were abusing JM, people actually COMING TO BLOWS over it; utterly grim and depressing with an atmosphere to match. I don't have the experience of some on here but over the last thirty years I can honestly say I've never enjoyed a season less. At least this year I can hope for improvement, even if this season has been dreadful so far. Yes we finished ninth, but in reality we were unbalanced and demotivated on the pitch, and he did have 12 million quid to spend, whilst getting nowhere near to solving the age-old centre-half and striking issues. Being bottom of this league is a new and unpleasant experience for all of us, but with 11 points between 5th and 24th at the mo there is still every chance of a decent finish.

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towntalk added 13:32 - Oct 1 I agree with Martus. I was at the Newcastle game as I expect many of you were. I had never seen us play so badly. I think partly it is due to the scale of changes Keane has made. There was no understanding between players - largely because they're barely on first name terms yet! I also think town has always been a 'nice' club - and a nurturing one at that. Like it or no, Keane has changed both of these things, possibly for good. Lots of our players look short on confidence and I'm not sure TractorRoy is the best manager to be playing for in that frame of mind. But... he has laid the axe to the root and there is no going back (to old players, or management styles). We have to let him see it through and let him produce results his way. P.S. How many great managers have had a lousy first year and nearly been sacked?

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lilian3415 added 13:42 - Oct 1 Tractor Girl - I don't think my comments were negative.I merely posed the question of how long RK fans consider the present shambles should continue. You seem to be saying that it should be until just before Christmas.Others say until the end of the season.Having been a loyal supporter for over 35 years I find that season (so far) the manager has shown little to suggest that he knows what he's doing or where he's going.

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PutYaBootsOnKeano added 13:59 - Oct 1 byebyesheepshanks. Your impatience is frightening. Please go and support Man Citys legions of new fans. You're the last thing this club needs at the moment.
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