Town manager Roy Keane says some of those criticising his tactics in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Coventry know nothing about football. The Blues boss was disappointed with the lack of support given to his players, particularly the younger members of his side, during the weekend defeat.

Keane feels a lot of the criticism of his tactical approach of employing only one central striker has come from those who know little about the game: “I’ve no problem with people’s opinions, but a lot of people do not have a clue what they’re talking about in terms of football.

“I think a lot of people, particularly in this area and our supporters, are probably set in their ways. Instead of worrying about tactics and systems and moaning and groaning, I’d say get behind the players, particularly the younger boys.

“Not many of teams in the Championship are playing with two or three players from last year’s youth team. Get behind them and don’t get bogged down by tactics and systems, that’s up to me to sort out.”

Keane believes that there are fans throughout the country who don’t know what they’re on about: “A lot of supporters out there, not just at this club, don’t know too much about the game. They come and pay their money, they come in and they watch, but they get brainwashed by the ‘experts’ out there.

“They’ll all have their favourite players that they think should be playing or they think we should be playing with two strikers, whatever it might be, which is no problem. But the players we’ve been putting out every week have been doing a good job.”

Keane sees no problem with the formation he used against the Sky Blues with Jason Scotland as the lone striker: “The system’s OK, but you’ve heard the saying ‘tactics and systems don’t win you games, players do’. For some reason this weekend it’s come to the forefront about systems and midfielders or whatever.

“I think it’s worked OK for us, but having said that it doesn’t mean we’re set in our ways and we’re not prepared to change or that me and my staff don’t discuss what might be the best way to approach a game, and also that if we get it wrong we don’t discuss why we’re getting it wrong.”

The Town manager is unconcerned if fans take their frustrations out on him, as long as they back the players: “I don’t mind them having a go at me, that doesn’t matter.

“Get behind the bloody team. Moan and groan at the manager all you want. Don’t worry about tactics or systems, that’s my job. If I don’t get it right, I’ve got six months left of my contract and I’ll be gone anyway.”

The Irishman, who admits that like any manager he’s made mistakes, says fans have been quick to laud the achievements of other teams this season but have been harsh on their own side, despite the promising start: “We’re praising every other club in the top six, but with ourselves everyone seems to be saying it’s doom and gloom, even though we’ve managed to get through three rounds of the cup as well.

“There’s no doom and gloom coming from the players and the staff. Sometimes it comes from outside the club. Our supporters and the media will not really play a part in us getting promoted, that will come down to the players, the staff and myself.

“What we have to worry about is what we’re in control of. Football’s all about opinions, and as you know I’m quite happy to give mine.

“We can all see when the team is playing badly,” Keane continued, “but sometimes you’ve got to read the situation [and get behind the players] when it’s not quite happening. Maybe they were doing that earlier in the season and maybe it’s just me having my little tantrum today. Let’s get it out there and move on.”

Keane will be hoping that fans - clued up or otherwise - will be getting behind his team at Watford this evening as they look to get back to winning ways against the Hornets.

Photo: Action Images

naa added 12:37 - Oct 19 Pessimisstic: maybe you should get down to the ground and try and watch the boring, defensive, hoofing tosh RK has got us playing. Then you might stop cheering too.
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BlueVelvet added 12:42 - Oct 19 RK knows he got it wrong on Saturday and to boot we lost. So please don't be a boo boy RK, fans contribute to your wages, get behind the fans RK!
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BlueVelvet added 12:51 - Oct 19 PS Get behind ya players as well RK. Was it that Boothroyd's dugout seat was uncomfortable and RK's too comfortable which lead to the different touchline styles at the weekend. Maybe RK has become one of the Britannia mid tier prawn sandwich bregade?
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whymark4lazio0 added 12:53 - Oct 19 -Whymarksmyhero (good name btw) what you say about not supporting the lone striker is correct- and I know that RK will be painfully aware. I still believe that we should stick with this formation and coach and encourage the players until they master it. They seem to have it sorted for away matches it probably needs just a little tinkering to make it work at home. At home you probably need more self-belief to stick with it. I remember many games that Spain played in the world cup where they made little or no progess until well into the second half as the opposition tired. So perhaps the main lesson is that at home the team and the supporters need to be patient.

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Bluetone added 12:54 - Oct 19 Wel said Blue Velvet.
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WickedBlue added 12:56 - Oct 19 Well said Keano first bit of sense I've read on this site all weekend. My father supported this club for as long as I have but he always said, even in Sir Bobby Robson's day we have the worst supporters in the country and I have never been able to disagree with that statement....
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sotd78 added 12:57 - Oct 19 I have been an incredibly patient fan. Staying loyal to Burley, Royle, Magilton and now RK when our most impatient and less understanding fans have moaned. I hate the whingers - sitting in a near silent Britannia stand is soul-destroying but.... on Saturday Mr Keane got it wrong. That he follows in the footsteps of all these other managers in getting it wrong has taught me loads about team tactics. I have also coached youth football - so perhaps I do know a bit. Saturday there was no support for Scotland, no pressure on their back line (which was not the greatest) and no creativity from the back four which is fundamental if we are to play a step out of defence and pass it game. One full back is old and knackered and cannot get forward. The other played well. We bossed the second half until the penalty; got back in the game and then lost the plot with the substitutes. going from two wingers to none is not exactly clever is it? As for RK - he seems to represent admirably our new morality - players are lumps of meat, everyone should look after themselves. Isn't that the same operating stance that Marcus Evans seems to pursue in his companies? The Town fans are mostly pretty loyal. With it comes quietness mostly. But have we not now all had anough of this man - he isn't an Ipswich manager we can like - so unless he gets successful and real soon I would say good riddance. Six months - it might not come quick enough!

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NathItfc added 13:45 - Oct 19 Keano Out! How dare he say our support is bad, we have the best home support in the world!!!
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Martus added 13:58 - Oct 19 As a Ipswich supporter i have seen previous managers play the right football, passing it on the floor, the way it should be played, if they played the style of Arsenal, Blackpool and West Brom then i think the fans wouldnt boo, welll i woundlnt anyway. Burley played it this style and made his players do the same, look at Crystal Palace they play great football, maybe not getting the results, but i would want to watch them. Not only are Keanes tattics off, but so is his style of football, my Dad watched the game with some ex ipswich players and they were shocked, they sat lower northstand and some left to watch the ryder cup becasue they couldnt see the ball because of the long ball style we play. They, including my Dad were disgusted and said "this isnt Ipswich". I dont like sacking managers but i wouldnt be dissapointed if he left, sure the results are good, but were not playing well and getting the results. So i feel fans arent getting behind you Keane and your philosiphy not the players.

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naa added 14:24 - Oct 19 Martus: agree completely. I felt it when I saw the highlights of us beating palace. They had plenty of chances, all of them coming from flowing football, we hit some long passes and scored a couple. Fair enough, we won and Palace are struggling, but with the players we have, and th emoney RK has had, it should have been possible to acheive decent football and get results. I refuse to accept it isn't. All those on here saying "let's get promoted first and then worry about playing nice stuff" are sticking their heads in the sand. How on earth is it going to be easier to play good football in the Prem compared to the Championship?

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whymarksmyhero added 14:43 - Oct 19 whymark4lazio0- And he is my hero by the way-always has been always will be ( i cried when they took him off at his testimonial game-I was only ten !) The game in which Thijssen made his debut BTW I just don't see us playing one up front, not with Scotland as the lone man. Maybe Whickam might do a little better in the role,- bigger, stronger, and has a better first touch. But even he will struggle if he has to wait for ever before any support arrives. We've finally got some decent wingers to use, so let's use them, get 'em wide, give 'em the ball, and let's get some crosses in for two strikers to get on the end of in the box. Teams coming here know how we're gonna play, and centre half's must love it, one man to mark between them, and we can't produce a decent set-piece to save our lives ! Easy afternoon for them. I just want Keane to do something else, as this one man up front just doesn't work at home.

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Martus added 14:44 - Oct 19 Blackpool played the right way, and look where they are, they can create all the chances they want, in the championship they would destroy us. Play that style, and make use of the midfield, and you can create chances, which Scotland isnt getting. Priskin and Scotland need the ball at their feet to do well, so lets play to our strengths.
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Pessimistic added 15:01 - Oct 19 I lie in Holland so sadly I cannot afford to get to as many games as I would like and have to listen to Radio Suffolk via the internet. That said, I cannot help but hear what I cannot hear and that is some noise. It seems so deathly silent at times it is frightening and yet when Town are on song and scoring, it as if you are in another ground. The players will repsond if people give them encouragement and that is why places like Anfield and Old trafford were worth extra points to the team - not to mention penalties! Is it any wonder the team has such a good away record when those die-hard supporters, who travel up and down the country to watch them, give them the vocal support their endeavours deserve. Their away form speaks volumes I think.

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bluearmy4life added 15:13 - Oct 19 Only a very few number of town fans are regular moaners not all of us. The atmosphere at portman road needs improving but if we come end of the season are in the play-offs im sure it will be. As for Keanes comments regarding 'if i don't get it right i have 6 months on my contract and i will be gone anyway'. He has over stepped the mark for me stupid comment to say. Keane has'nt done himself any faviours for saying that i just hope he can make up for it by getting results.

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RetroBlue added 17:04 - Oct 19 A) Season Ticket Holder = "customer" B) ITFC team = "product" C) Cost of ST = percieved benefit by A of B against C = NOT HAPPY (for EIGHT BLOODY YEARS)
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jas0999 added 17:16 - Oct 19 Very interesting this one. One the one hand, I think people are entitled to their opinion. You don't necessarily have to be an expert to comment that your not keen on one up front. However, also agree with getting behind the team. I don't believe booing a team is the way forward - it just damages morale and serves no purpose what so ever.
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RetroBlue added 17:29 - Oct 19 ways of registering disapproval D. boooooo (which I never do) E. dont attend the games (many appear to have done this !) Over to you, Mr Evans / Clegg / Keane !!
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h32 added 17:50 - Oct 19 In other words mugs - ' keep paying your money and shut up because that's all we want from you' - nice club, nice manager hey !
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h32 added 18:02 - Oct 19 Please don't bring the late great Sir Bobby Robson into this debate - he deserves much better than to be linked with this current state of affairs.
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kentblue added 18:26 - Oct 19 Only 6 months to go before the deluded ,self- opionated negative man leaves ! He is not the only one who has a viewpoint on tactics . It is obvious to all that playing one up front in NOT what supporters expect/want . Keane shows total disrepect for everyone .
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cossy81 added 18:28 - Oct 19 you can't have an negative opinion without being called a moron by a bunch of dickheads on this forum
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shoopdelang added 18:30 - Oct 19 Whether you agree or not. You have to admit, Keanos honesty is admirable. Particularly in modern football where honesty doesnt always roam freely.
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Wickets added 18:30 - Oct 19 The fans are at fault! the players are at fault! nothing to do with my tactics? mmmmm How much longer on his contract!!!! OH yes how about not changing ends when we win the toss so as to get support from north stand second half!!!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:42 - Oct 19 well best you get to Selhurst quickly as he will be out of a job in January. Martus added 13:58 - Oct 19 Burley played it this style and made his players do the same, look at Crystal Palace they play great football, maybe not getting the results, but i would want to watch them.
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PSGBlue added 18:51 - Oct 19 I'm now getting quite sick of this awful man, he respects no-one, not even those who pay some of his wages. On Saturday Ipswich easily had the better players, but thanks to his inept tatics Keane got it totally wrong and the team lost. For while during August and September I thought Keane was finally sorting it out, but the lunacy of having only three strikers (one's a boy) and umpteen midfield players is unbelievable. Roy Keane points out that Scotland may get 20 goals, no good if no-one else reaches double figures. We need a balanced team using 4-4-2 formation to help Scotland up front, by playing Scotland on his own up front we will never win. I for one cannot wait until this clown is gone from PR as he is not interested in Ipswich or its fans, just his own self importance! Keane Out!

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