Boss Roy Keane felt local non-league sides Leiston and Bury Town provided his team with more than useful midweek workouts. A largely second string side beat the Ridgeons League team 2-0 at Victory Road on Tuesday with a more senior squad defeating the Ryman League club 1-0 yesterday.

Speaking after last night’s match, Keane said: “We’ve had two games in last two days and credit to the opposition. Last night [at Leiston] was a very good game, a good tempo, and tonight was just as good and I really enjoyed it.

”Again the important thing was that a lot of the players got 90 minutes. There was only Mark Kennedy getting 45, young Conor Hourihane had a taste of it last night and another taste tonight, and he had to as we’re a bit short of players. I nearly got my boots back on myself!

“These games are about fitness and exercise. The final ball was lacking a bit tonight, but that will come.

“It did help that the pitch was good and the pitch was good last night as well, so there are no excuses for players. They should enjoy playing these games and I think they applied themselves well tonight and I think the supporters enjoyed it.”

The Blues manager says some of the non-league sides’ players caught his eye, including Bury keeper Marcus Garnham, who played a handful of games for Town’s reserves and U18s in 2005 and 2006 and stood in for another second string match in 2008: “I’ve been impressed with the opposition we’ve played over the last few days. I thought the goalkeeper tonight was outstanding. There were a couple of good players I watched last night and you never know they might be playing Saturday!”

Injuries and the impending departures of more senior players means that the younger members of the squad look likely play an important part this season, something which Keane feels could potentially work to the club’s advantage: “It might be the best thing to happen to the club to get these young boys in there.

"We all like experience, but give these boys an opportunity. Luke Hyam, Troy Brown, Jack Ainsley, these boys have a chance and sometimes you have to throw them in there.

“I was lucky to play for managers who were quite happy to throw young players in, whether it was Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson. Sometimes your hand is forced that way and it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to the club.”

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 18:00 - Jul 29 Yep, agreed. Nothing wrong with bringing the youngsters through. Credit to Roy for this.
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devontractorboy added 19:46 - Jul 29 jas are you Keane's bitch, is there nothing the man does wrong in your opinion. Although i agree it's good to bring youngsters in, it should be for experience initially not to plug gaps because we've had a clear out. Introducing some youngsters too soon can ruin their confidence and wreck their career. A good manager knows when they're ready, Keane IS NOT a good manager, in his own words he's inexperienced and still learning. I truly fear for us this season, if Keane hasn't got some good signings/loans up his sleeve????

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tractorboyz82 added 19:48 - Jul 29 Still cant see chopra here he didnt agree terms the first time so why would that change.He cant be on more than 25k a week.With the players being sold and the players let go must have about that much freed up.Think the deal is dead tho.The one thing roy has done well is the use of are youngters.And giving them time to show what they can do.
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depressed added 20:18 - Jul 29 devontractorboy....Doom Merchant !!!
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depressed added 20:23 - Jul 29 devontractorboy....Doom Merchant !!!
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Blue041273 added 22:26 - Jul 29 Just floating a thought here. The new rules for squads in the Premiership could mean that there are a large number of Premiership players come the end of the transfer window who are surplus to current requirements at least until the end of the next transfer window. Perhaps RK is pinning his future on being able to attract some such surplus players to FPR on loan to carry us through to the January transfer window when, if we are not competing for promotion, his fate will be effectively sealed anyway. It's a risk considering that we have five league games before the end of this transfer window and even if you're generously optimistic we can only realisticly expect with our current squad a meagre points return. 'Only 9 points' has been mentioned albeit by end of September. At this time I would kill for 9 points. There are other theories going the rounds, but this might turn out to be as good as any.

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ChambersM added 23:12 - Jul 29 He is selling players who play in positions we are short in, I don't understand keane, you don't need a centre back, you keep Bruce and you also have smith and other youngsters. You need a right back, a left mid and a STRIKER. How many players do you need to get rid of to free up the wage bill, you have got rid of a lot already and good ones at that and your only going to go and offer even bigger wages to some keeper we don't need! Aggghhhhhh

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suffolksam added 08:36 - Jul 30 whats happening ?
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