Managers Roy Keane and Gordon Strachan were agreed that Town deserved their 3-1 opening day victory at Middlesbrough. Tommy Smith, Tamas Priskin and Jon Stead netted the goals for the Blues in the second half after Scott McDonald had put the home side in front before the break. Keane also said he hopes to make two signings this week.

Keane was delighted to get off to a winning start, particularly after last season’s 14-game winless run, and was pleased with the performance: “I thought we played well, I had a good feeling before the game. There was good energy amongst the players, a good spirit and pre-season went OK.

“We’ve lost a lot of players and sometimes that creates its own little bit of spirit. I thought we deserved to win the game, we got stronger as it went on.”

The Blues boss wasn’t particularly concerned when Boro went in front: “We were quite relaxed even at half-time, although disappointed with the goal, but I felt we came back into it.

“We started the second half very, very well and should have had a penalty, David Norris was a yard inside the box, but there was good energy and we looked a threat.

“Having said that, Middlesbrough had a few chances, but what we didn’t do last year was take the chances we had, but today we did, with Tamas and Steady scoring two very good goals.

“That will be the difference as to whether we’re going to be competing near the top half of the table. You get these chances and you have to take them and we did that today, but it’s just one game.”

Keane was happy with the performances of his young players but was concerned about new additions to the injury list with Carlos Edwards limping off with a groin injury and likely to be out for a few weeks, Mark Kennedy suffering a hamstring problem and Gareth McAuley and Grant Leadbitter both complaining of back injuries.

The Blues boss says he will consider withdrawing McAuley from the Northern Ireland squad: "We will have to look at pulling Gareth out of the international game this week. Hopefully Tamás and Márton come back from their game without any problems because we are a week into the season and we are already down to the bare bones.

"I haven't even thought about my team for Tuesday, other than to say that the youngsters will be involved."

Keane said he is hoping to make two signings before the Carling Cup tie at Exeter, but played down links with Wigan striker Jason Scotland, although reports elsewhere claim the Trinidad and Tobago international will join Town on Monday.

Boro boss Strachan similarly felt that the Blues were the better side on the day: “I thought the best team won.

“First half we were all right but then I thought the deflection was a bit unfair, it was going well wide, but after that we really needed to settle down for five minutes and we didn’t do that.”

Strachan thought his team ought to have made more of their second half opportunities: “At 2-1 we had two massive chances one-for-one but we didn’t take them, so we’ll have to blame ourselves for getting beat and say well done to Ipswich for doing well and taking their chances.”

Photo: Action Images

bluelass7 added 20:12 - Aug 7 Oooo that was a proper gravy day. Well done my blue thingys, well proud of each and everyone of you xxx
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BrightBlue added 20:13 - Aug 7 Great result, well done to the whole team. I'm sure we can build on this and well n truly forgot about last season. Although it became a struggle, I did maintain my belief in RK. I feel that we will now be repaid for having that faith by seeing results from a confident, hungry and ultimately successful team. Enjoy the season Town fans and lets make some noise (next week) for the Tractor Boys!!

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suffolkpoker added 20:15 - Aug 7 Wow.. I didn't see this coming! Hyam played beyond his years today, very exciting prospect for us. I'm very concerned with the injuries, as they are all key players. With civeli and wickham to come in as well... The future is bright, the future is keano!!
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billbao added 20:18 - Aug 7 Fantastic result. Boro look really strong this season, so a win at the Riverside is cracking. Pleased to see Keane has faith in the youngsters as well, hopefully this will continue.
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siebdykstra added 20:18 - Aug 7 Great result, would have been very happy with a point. One of the big things is to be 2-1 up and build on it rather than conceding late on. Roy has learnt from last season's poor early performances, and I was delighted with the debut of Hyam and the fact that he brought on a couple of youngsters in the 2nd half. We do still need a new striker, either Scotland or Chops would be great. There's not a lot left out there now, and QPR are still on the prowl for someone, so make sure we beat them to it! If we can win our next few games, confidence will be high and then who knows?!!! COYB!!!

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Blue041273 added 20:20 - Aug 7 Great result. All credit to the players and the management team. Sounds like RK got the tactics right and the team delivered. Its a shame about the injuries because we have such a small squad. Replacements are thin on the ground. I have posted before about the pro/anti RK polarisation amongst posters on here and again, just because we have a result, the pro RK faction are baiting the anti RK supporters. It's so unnecessary. We are all supporters of ITFC and I'm sure we are all enjoying the moment irrespective of anyone's opinion of the manager. More results like today will help obviously but we would do well to remember our next game is against Exeter when, if past history is anything to go by, everything will go pearshaped and the anti RK posters will be back in their droves. On behalf of all the fans on here who don't necessarily consider the RK keep him/sack him debate to be the question that must be constantly aired on this forum please, if this is an issue important to you, limit your posts to those topics specifically titled for that discussion. In the meantime enjoy the evening. We all deserve these days, and it's particularly good to expunge the taste of the Sheff U debacle so early in the season.

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siebdykstra added 20:33 - Aug 7 Blue 041273- absolutely correct. The results are the most important thing here, and we should be delighted with the result. Should any debates be part of Phil's postings, then by all means air views. I for one will stick with the team and the manager, no matter who they are. A great performance by all 14 who played, and in particular great tactics displayed by the man in charge. I'm sure he'll play a weaker squad against Exeter, but for me that would be a good thing, whether we win or lose. These boys need first team experience to push us forward over the coming season.

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Warkystache added 20:47 - Aug 7 Great win. Am drunk already. Keep the faith, I think this is the start of something good for a change.
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StowTractorBoy added 20:55 - Aug 7 Fantastic result fantatic spirit amongst the lads but we badly need a right back and quick. Well done Stead pity Pablo cannot follow your example as you give your all. A result again next Saturday and we could be flying
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brogansnose added 20:56 - Aug 7 Fantastic result. Not many fans would have predicted this score line. Well done everyone.I too am on my way to alcoholic oblivion.
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tractaboy added 20:58 - Aug 7 fantastic stuff, not expecting that at all! Sounds like Hyam had a good game. Just the start the club needed with priskin and Stead on the score sheet. Good to see us getting some luck with Smith's goal after last year. What a weekend, unexpected win, Norwich loss and Lisbie sent off!
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Seasider added 21:24 - Aug 7 Think Priskin must have been lifted by Roys recent praise of him,not being transfer listed and his mate coming here.Thought Tamas looked lively last Saturday and looks a class player at times;am so pleased to see him score along with Steady who I think is also worth retaining.In recent years we have had too many journeymen blocking youngsters progress,RK was honest in saying that he wouldnt have given them the chance if it wasnt for the injuries;but I hope he now realises that mixture of youth and experience does work,a smaller squad helps morale and that we only need a couple of additions to be a force once more in Championship.This will also lift the crowd for next week.Well done and COYB

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sixtouchfootball added 21:38 - Aug 7 Great start to the season! Would have been over the moon with just a point but to get 3 and according to all reports play the team off the park is superb. Role o. Next saturday. Will be a similar test and again a point will be good. Get the crowd singin down at portman road will do the team wonders! Up the town !
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Barhamblue added 21:45 - Aug 7 Great result! Now everybody we must get right behind Keano, the palyers, Simon and Marcus. We are down on injurys but just think if we can scrape through a few results over the next few weeks imagine what we can do with the likes of Damien, Civeli, Conor returning plus additions of possible Butt, Scotland or Chops. The future is bright, the future is blue and white! In Keano we must all trust!......Beer time

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corshamblue added 21:51 - Aug 7 Please don't sell Stead, let him be our 'Wonder Sub' or better still let him demand and deserve a first team place, for 200k you'll not replace him with better! for £500k you'd still struggle. He did show some form last year prior to suspension etc I think we need him as a squad player, more so if Walters goes . . . Sky Sports had him as the best player on the pitch today!!

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Blandford added 22:11 - Aug 7 Well played lads and well done RK. Had to settle for 5 live commentary today - but they painted a picture of a TEAM performance with everyone having solid games. Delighted that our strikers are off the mark already and that are young players are ready and able to compete for first team places. Good luck for the rest of the season guys.
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jas0999 added 22:28 - Aug 7 Blue041273 - fully understand the point you are making, but most people post week in week out. There are a small handfull of people who are 100% negative - and they REFUSE to post when we win. Next time we lose they will be on here slating the team and Roy - now that is so unnecessary! People do not have to be 100% negative all of the time. H32 is a classic example of a realistic poster. He/She speaks his/her mind. Posts when we win, lose or draw - regardless of whether he likes the manager or not. Now is it really too much to ask for the 100% negative boys to post a postive comment after a win?

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GinjaBumBum added 22:34 - Aug 7 Town were awesome today so prowed of my home team and priskin looks like he is getting the goals he needed after the one in the friendly match and today, also Stead is starting to perform aswell. Well done Keano you got it right on the first day.
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ITFCKeano added 22:36 - Aug 7 Keano, Keano give us a wave, say Keano give us a wave! COYB.
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harmitfc added 22:38 - Aug 7 I was at the match today and it was a pleasure to see a TEAM performance. EVERYONE celebrated the goals. EVERYONE wanted to play. EVERYONE gave a committed performance. Great to see Luke, Tommy and Reggie play so well. Even Tamas had a good game (after a shakey first 10 minutes)! A special mention should go to the fans today. It was the first time, in a long time, that we sang for almost 90 minutes and drowned out the 20k-odd Boro supporters. Even at 1-0 down we were superb. If only every match this season could be like this...

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mental1 added 22:44 - Aug 7 I f*&king love you Ipswich, Ipswich till i die! Keane haters sit down and shut up! he has got rid of lazy demotivators and is fielding a young hungry side which looked exciting today! COYB! Bring on the yellow scum, lets av it!
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Youth added 22:52 - Aug 7 cant get over our performance today we were awesome!! played like a team for first time in a long time leadbitter and norris rocks of the team!
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bluearmy4life added 22:58 - Aug 7 I hope my neighbours didn't mind when we banged in the three goals like most people today I made a bit of noise in the living room when we scored! What a massive boost for everyone.Norwich losing and town wining just like the old days! I got a feeling the feel factor is coming back to town with so many good youngsters in and amongst the team and no doubt a quality striker about to come to portman road anytime in the next few days. We have still got key players out injured at the moment when they come back i really think we can be force this season.COYB well done Keane and the blue army.

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Suffolk_n_Good added 23:16 - Aug 7 Truly great result, I just couldn't see us getting anything out of this game, Sounds as if we put in a great performance, Congrats to Priskin, I am not his biggest fan, but credit where credit is due, he took his goal hell of a well! We still need to add a couple of strikers, & possibly a right back, but I'm sure these players will come. Finally, biggest "well done" to Mr Keane, long may good things continue.

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suffolksam added 23:40 - Aug 7 about time we got a good start and got 3 pts away against one of the contenders maybe just maybe it could be a good year .just hope we dont bugger it up next game
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