Agree with Surco and Naa. Garvan seems better suited with one of Norris or Leadbitter then they do together. They both seem to play more of a free role and do seem to cancel each other out at times. As for playing Garvan on left or right, think not as speed is not one of his abilities!
IMO Keane did the right thing dropping him early on as he was poor (along with most of the squad) but left him out far too long. Walters for example, to me has not had a good season but is ever present because he puts in 100% effort in each game but is lacking the touches and finish that he had a couple or so years back.

Hardly suprising comments considering how home sick he was a few years ago under Jim. Glad he's back in the team playing well.

if it wasn't for Keanes management off him he would still be a useless one trick lazy waste flesh.
id like to keep him and see him competing next season but id take £1m for him if theres an offer in the summer

Garvan was awesome on Tuesday night and anyone that thinks a midfiled pairing of Norris and Leadbitter is a better partnership must like the prospect of seeing Ipswich fail to score. He has to start against Scunthorpe if we are to win. Everyone talks about Garvans lack of pace but is he any slower than John Walters? For me Garvan and Colback will be the midfielders that get us out of trouble.

Bluescap

Can you honestly say that you would prefer a midfield of Garvan & Colback over Norris and Leadbitter ???

For me the 'dream ticket' central midfield pairing would be Garvan and Leadbitter with Colback wide left and Walters wide right. I fail to see what Norris brings to the team, there's never a game where he doesn't make a cynical tackle and where Garv makes a pass look easy he makes it look difficult. Yes he gives 100% every game and never stops running, but you could say that about my mate Pete in the Bury Sunday league but that never made him worth £2.2m.

I was surprised that we didn't miss Leadbitter at all against Cardiff ( who admittedly were missing their best midfield players). Leadbitter has looked our best player this season but I do wonder whether the game slows up when the ball is played through him. I reckon Garvan is a must start player in the centre of midfield and I would pair him with any one of Leadbitter, Norris or Colback. It would be a tragedy if he moved on.

I agree with every word of what 'Berts_chin' said, except that I don't know this
Pete fella and think that Keano should check him out.

SOme posters talk about speed or lack of it. Has anyone any idea how fast individual ITFC players can run. In this day and age each player has to undergo all sorts of fitness measurements and I suspect that the club knows exactly who has pace and who doesn't. I think some might be surprised at Garvan's pace. Watch him closely and you might notice that he takes rather large strides and could be deceptively pacy.

He had a big influence on Tuesday's game. OK he made one or two sloppy passes in the latter part of the second half, but the game was won by then.

After reading the comments, it is is apparent If you are a Keane supporter, he has treated Garvan properly, by dropping him when he was playing badly and making him fight for his place back, helping him mature into a better player. If you don't like Keane, Garvan has been treated poorly because he is a class passer, who is so influential that his passes change the course of games in an instant and is the most creative player in recent history of this club.
Which one of these scenarios is nearer the truth, if its the second what is he still doing at Ipswich?, surely there would be queue of Premiership managers beating down the doors offering massive transfer fees, the press would be awash with rumours linking him to a few clubs at least, as when Keane was manager of Sunderland and he was signing Irish players, I think I remember Garvan being linked then!

He didn't consider moving on when Magilton or Royle were in charge.
I guess he's had enough of Keane's mismanagement.

Garvan certainly has talent, can pick a pass, spray the ball and pack a decent shot. He has also been a more agressive tackler since he was dropped and frozen out post WBA. I am not sure he is top level material as we all know he lacks a bit of pace but we are not yet a top flight outfit. The word "team" is key here. The midfield (as with any department of the side) requires complimentary skills. Both Leadbitter and Norris are fine central midfield players but I have been questioning them as a partnership for some weeks now. I still think they could work together but the tactics would have to be changed and one of them would need to be released somewhat from their current defensive duties and encouraged to make runs beyond the strikers. In fact, they could even take that in turns, when one goes, the other sits. The current tactics has them both sitting, rarely getting in the box and this stifles the forward creativity of the team. Unless this is adopted, I feel that Garvan must play in the centre as he is more creative (doesn't necessarily get beyond the strikers I know), adding an extra dimension to our line up. Norris would most likely be the one to be sacrificed if that is the case.

Good post Cbower . I think Garvan should play most weeks and although we didnt miss leadbitter on tues I still think he is our best player . Leadbitter and norris are too similar , its a bit lampard/gerrardish , well sort of , without the class.

I would drop walters to accomodate tuesdays line up to include leadbitter.

I think he's done really well after a well documented shaky start and apparently playing his last game for Town at WBA. In my view he's been very unlucky to be out of the side on occasion. Let's hope he has a great end to the season and decides to hang on in there with us.

NOOOO owen you played so well the otherday stay

Really want Garvin to stay. He is a good passer of the ball and it was no surprise to me that he had such a good game on Tuesday. Please dont go Owen!

if he is going to stay please teach him when he takes a corner the idea is to beat the first defender

I'm firmly in the camp of hard working, desire driven footballers. I want 110% in training, 120% in games, respect for your luck in life and utter commitment to club. I want players who give it their all, and managers who absolutely demand it.

Sulkers honestly, can eff off. Bad attitudes need a physical kick in the arse, or boot in the face; whatever it takes. Eff all this gentle man management stuff. Those days are gone. These players are paid shed loads and need to earn it in a different environment of the game. Work hard and you'll be happy. Look at Rooney. Countless other examples.

Garv's has turned it around, i was sick of his lackadaisical approach and poor goal scoring records. I'd be sorry to see him go no. Keane handled him perfectly.

*no=now

Owen is an asset, and whatever has happened for him this season it has done him no harm. Was so pleased to see him step in for Leadbitter and the result was a goal, and a bloody good one poached from his familiar fierce shot. His teamates recognise he's got a good thing going with Norris, left foot/right foot.

It was a solid outfit that played Tuesday, and it will be interesting to see what else can be done in Grant's absence at the w/e. Can't wait..

The potential is still very much there..not sure whether he's under the right guidance..just imagine what Burley could do with this squad.....

@ Crock

Garvan considered retiring under Magiltons management you jam tart

Garvan is still only 22. In other words, he still has his best years before him and can be expected to get better (with the right opportunities). Next year might be his breakthrough year. I belong to the camp that thinks we need his creativity in midfield, and agree that we don't seem to get this with Norris / Leadbitter, however good they are individually. Hope very much Garvan stays and gets a new contract.

i wish keane would retire

we need Garvs, offers genuine passing ability for the middle, ok lacks pace but can see a great pass and deliver.