Town manager Roy Keane says that Newcastle carrying off the Championship title was no surprise to him. The Magpies will receive the trophy after Saturday’s game against the Blues at St James’ Park.

Keane, a former Sunderland manager, told the club site: "I thought it was guaranteed and straightforward that they would go up, particularly after I saw them at the start of the season.

"They did well against West Brom early on and they obviously beat us at our place, so it's no surprise to me they have won the league.

"They have the best players, the most experienced players. They are physically very strong and they have fantastic support behind them.

"Chris Hughton has done a great job there. He has kept his group of players together. They have not lost many players from last season and he brought in players at the right time in January."

Photo: Action Images

mistleyblue added 16:26 - Apr 22 Keano - get the squad to watch Newcastle lift the trophy and tell em that's what we want to be doing this time next year ! Drum it into them !
0

thechangingman added 16:40 - Apr 22 Mistleyblue, thank you SO much for your post - it really does represent the very definition of optimism over reality and experience. Classic... I want some of what you're on :)
0

mightytown added 17:19 - Apr 22 what you after changingman? i can hook you up
0

thechangingman added 17:22 - Apr 22 Anything that'll help me to see a rose-tinted view of reality when really all around me is chaos and desparation. Thirty quids worth please... ;)
0

Dalty added 17:25 - Apr 22 thechangingman - nothing wrong with optimism, I bet there were plenty of Ipswich fans who thought we had no chance of promotion after a disappointing first season under Lyall in 90/91 and look what happened there. I know football has changed since then but there's plenty of examples in recent years (Portsmouth, Derby are two that spring to mind) of teams who stormed to promotion after being bottom half the season before. Part of the beauty of pre-season is the "this could be our year" optimism. I'm not deluded enough to assume we will definitely get promoted but there's nothing dumb in hoping!

0

Vic added 18:32 - Apr 22 Yep - like Dalty said.
0

Mungo added 19:05 - Apr 22 "... they obviously beat us at our place, so it's no surprise to me they have won the league..." That did make me laugh. We were rank awful that day and the fact that Newcastle turned us over shouldn't really be presented as evidence that they are a Championship winning team! Any team would have beaten us that day, although fair play to Newcastle, they have played very well all season and deserve their title. Many people, myself included, expected them to really struggle. Hats off, and hopefully we can learn from their example next season.

0

jas0999 added 19:37 - Apr 22 I don't think anyone is surprised that Newcastle have won the Championship. I also wouldn't be surprised if they thrash us - as they have many clubs at their place. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Roy haters come on here and demand he is sacked. What many people also fail to realise is that after that defeat against Newcastle - we have improved considerably. I am optimistic for next season - particularly with Newcastle out of the equation.

0

Bluetone added 19:38 - Apr 22 Changingman there is a big difference between optimism and fantasising. I think, unfortunate as it is, that Mistleyblue is suffering from the latter.
0

tom_the_blue added 20:18 - Apr 22 They shouldn't have come down, they were in principal too good, so of course they should go back up straight away. They have some top players, I myself am convinced Nolan would be a contender for a World Cup place had he stayed in the prem.
0

bennyblue added 22:29 - Apr 22 we would of beaten em at home with a proper manager and tactics in place
0

brockleyblueboy added 03:43 - Apr 23 I know everyone is welcome to their opinion so this is my opinion. Bennyblue you are a tit. Change the fcking record. I amsick to the back teeth of this anti keane bullsh*t. Why do you dislike him so much? Why don't you stop this vendetta against him and start supporting your club. And before you come back with "I am a suporter but not a keane supporter" He is part of the club so if you don't support keane you are not supporting the full club, thus not a true fan. And also before you come back again with "bliond faith" or "Rose tinted glasses" football is all about hope and atiscipation for achieivng and winning trophies. So stop moaning, enjoy your football and start having a little faith in Keane and his Blue Army. COYB

0

peterleeblue added 06:57 - Apr 23 Well said Brockleyblueboy. Keane has one year left to do his work. Our form isnt far off or at least a play off place. I think should we be in the top 6 for most of the season then the quaility of play will improve also rather than the relegation battle we have been in most of the season and then the desperate hope that we could play catch up with the play off contenders.

0

LincsBluebelly added 12:54 - Apr 23 Agree, well said brockleyblueboy. I don't have a problem with people slating Keane as long as there is some rationale or substance behind the criticism...something that dingus often does which is to his credit. And there are plenty of other Keane haters out there, and that's fine, but I'm bored of the likes of bennyblue and lighteningboy who are constantly negative with no structured or reasoned argument. End of sermon.

0

DrJeckyll added 21:10 - Apr 23 whats wrong with fantasising? :-) u must be all growed up.
0

jonf added 11:10 - Apr 24 "Anything that'll help me to see a rose-tinted view of reality when really all around me is chaos and desparation. Thirty quids worth please... ;)" Judging by mistleyblue's avatar, I think thechangingman will regret that in the long run...
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls