Boss Roy Keane says it’s no surprise to him that tonight’s opponents QPR and Saturday's visitors Cardiff City are currently topping the Championship. Keane’s Blues, who sit in third, take on the Bluebirds at Portman Road on Saturday.

Keane said: “They’ve got the squads, they’ve got the experience, they’ve got the managers, they’ve got the goal threat.

“Particularly in the Championship it’s the goals that are the key. Cardiff over the last few years have been constantly in the top six because they’ve got goals.

“They had players missing last week but still won the game, They were without Chopra, Bothroyd was injured, Bellamy was injured and they still won.”

The Blues boss says Neil Warnock is similarly blessed with frontmen: “QPR are scoring goals, they brought two strikers in on deadline day, the boy Tommy Smith and Rob Hulse, in addition to the other strikers they’ve got.

“These managers know that to get out of the Championship you need goals. It’s all well and good being strong and all this, but you have to put the ball in the back of the net, which we found a major problem last year, and we’re not exactly free-scoring at the moment, although we’re looking solid.”

For Keane, quality strikers can make all the difference to a club’s campaign: “If you’ve got the attacking players who can nick you a goal it can make or break your season.

“We found that out last season. For all the lovely play, lovely build-up and decent possession, hundreds of corners and great balls into the box, unless you’ve got someone sticking the ball in the back of the net, you’re going to go nowhere.

“You’ve got to have one or two people putting the ball in the back of the net and if you look at the top two at the moment, they’re scoring goals for fun, so they deserve to be where they are."

Photo: Action Images

wazza added 08:29 - Sep 14 Not in relation to the above the emergancy loan period is 93 days isn't it ? therefore to sign a player through to the 1st Jan the loan can not be completed til 30th September?
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comeonthegoodtimes added 08:49 - Sep 14 “You've got to have one or two people putting the ball in the back of the net and if you look at the top two at the moment, they're scoring goals for fun, so they deserve to be where they are." Cue Scotland, Priskin and The man himself Conner Wickham.......in these three strikers i also think we have the strike force the CCC has to be scared of, give it a few more games when they have al been playing together and see the Goals and results start to flood in...... Premier League here we come......

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Keaneish added 08:52 - Sep 14 Big week for you McCauley and Smith. I would be delighted with 4 points from these two games.
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soupytwist added 09:12 - Sep 14 It'll be a tough game tonight if we're playing two teams, as suggested by Phil's report: "tonight's opponents QPR and Cardiff City are currently topping the Championship"
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PhilTWTD added 09:47 - Sep 14 soupytwist Yeah, that was phrased slightly awkwardly! Have amended.
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Back_The_Boss added 09:58 - Sep 14 Big week, two very tough fixtures. COYB!
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sonian_blue added 10:23 - Sep 14 I have 6/1 with my friendly bookie that we win both. I reckon I will be happy AND wealthy by 5 oclock on Saturday. Probably will have lost me voice too, COYB Boys
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Dolly2.0 added 10:59 - Sep 14 Is this a little hint to the owner from Mr Keane?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:01 - Sep 14 Bring 'em on! And make sure Ipswich Player is working for the whole match as well!
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