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

poggie added 18:54 - Oct 19 So now the fans have turned on each other. How exactly does that help anything? Personally, I am not a fan of Mr Keane, and really wish he'd never set foot in Ipswich. We've certainly not had much to get excited about since he came. I don't expect Ipswich to win every match, but I do expect to get some value for money from watching them ... and with RK at the helm, it just isn't happening. Far too negative & boring - I can't cheer that, and it appears, neither can anyone else. When the style of football improves, so does the noise from the supporters ... hardly rocket science is it?

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grumpyoldman added 19:06 - Oct 19 Kentblue, If all the negative, self opinionated people left the club in 6 months, we would lose 50% of the contributors to this site.
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grumpyoldman added 19:12 - Oct 19 Poggie how long have you followed this club, when we are at home whether we are at the top of the league or the bottom the only time ITFC, if we are winning we sing if we are losing we don't, we can be playing brilliant football but if we are losing all you can hear is complaints about the players, "they should have done this they could have done that". Old saying "Those who can; DO, those who can't, criticise"

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bluechick added 19:20 - Oct 19 Roy lost the plot on saturday, it could have been a lot worse if Coventry had the goal allowed that hit the bar, the penalty given and the ball crept in instead of hitting the post. As for blrmy stating that Robson called us zombies when he first arrived is rubbish, he was about 10 years in when he said it.
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h32 added 19:42 - Oct 19 grumpyoldman - obviously another one satisfied with whatever is served up. Words fail me.
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thorpedo added 19:49 - Oct 19 If the formation wasn't the problem then why did Keane change it at half-time?
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kentblue added 19:57 - Oct 19 grumpyoldman - after reading your comments I'm not sure where you are coming from ! Supporters' viewpoints are nothing to do with a manager of a club . As supporters, we are entitled to express our views. This is totally different to a man who is in charge of a club and seems to ignore / rubbish the fans' views- hence my comments self-opinionated and deluded .As for your saying ,it seems clear that he can't " Do !" . Being able to listen and take on board others' opinions/criticisms shows strength of character -just dismissing everyone else's opinions just portrays complete ignorance !

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weeally added 20:10 - Oct 19 And the objective of this devisive attack was what exactly Mr Keane? Shut your mouth and get on with your job. Can't help but think the high, and unrealstic, expectations some fans have were created by your boasting of your ability to get us promoted.
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bluelass7 added 20:16 - Oct 19 RK's right. However it's common everywhere you go. BUT that doesn't mean we have to follow everyone else! I just cannot understand why we can't make a continual noise for 90 (100 minutes). If our players giving it their all, why can't we sing and support them all the way through the game whether we are winning or not. At the end of the day any negativity is only going to affect the players performance so get behind them all or shut up.

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h32 added 20:32 - Oct 19 How pathetic when fellow fans blame each other for not making enough noise - as if that is the only thing that wins matches, and compensates for lack of committment, tactics etc; etc; - get real please and live in the real world. The fans are not making enough noise at Watford - we're losing 2-0 - obviously their fault !!!!!!!!!
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MyBlueHeaven added 20:34 - Oct 19 keane's right to say most football supporters know very litte about football (me included). but he misses a somewhat critical point - as paying supporters we're not only entitled to our opinions, but we're entitled to complain, sing, boo, cheer, rejoice, cry... whatever we feel the team's performances merit. on saturday the football was dull. no imagination, no entertainment and, until formation changed, no goals. as someone posted above, why did keane change things at half time? because *his* tactics and system wasn't working. so perhaps we had a point after all, roy? as for saying supporters don't get you promoted. ffs. what a stupid thing to say. perhaps we should all stay away from games and see how well the promotion push goes. what a stupid thing to say to your own fans. untilimately though, keane's made it pretty clear he's not going to be here next season if we dont' go up. so 2 years of spending big money and he walks away with a shrug of the shoulders and 'did as much as i could. see you later.'

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grumpyoldman added 20:34 - Oct 19 kent blue, I am not deluded it just amazes me that at every opportunity people criticize the manager on here & the players at the game. Yes we are all entitled to our opinions, healthy debate is great, but if you were doing your job and every little mistake you made you had some fool shouting at you about it what would the effect be, especially youngsters But why do a lot of the attacks on Keane seem to be based on his reputation, he maybe an arrogant self opinionated man, but if he was that bad a man manager why would Colback come back. Surely you would rather have a manager who has an opinion of his & makes his own decisions, than somebody who listened to everybody and dithered about and blaming everybody else, Super Jim for instance.

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choprawontcome added 22:20 - Oct 19 leave keane and these forums will be a much happier place,nuff said
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kentblue added 07:12 - Oct 20 Grumpyoldman - I said Keane is self-opinionated and deluded not you ! I was making the point that Keane should listen to others' viewpoints and not be so ignorant and dismissive . A manager has to make final decisions but SHOULD be able to wise enough to be recepetive to alternative opinions. This does not mean "dithering " but shows respect and awareness of other viewpoints.

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corshamblue added 11:19 - Oct 20 He's not too far off the mark. Not quite the Prawn Sandwich quote but I get the point. For those that don't agree, I'd suggest removing the rose tinted glasses and have a look around the ground at home games (Leeds the exception) and think on! The away fans, and arguably those most dedicated, are the example to follow. COYB.
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tom_the_blue added 18:01 - Oct 20 Too right Keano
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Martus added 19:05 - Oct 20 If i go too see a comedian i want laugh unless he says something funny, when i go to football i cheer when i get entertained, when i see players create chances, which i dont see at ipswich, and when i see good football. Look at real madrid if theyre entertained and dont see good "spainish football" regarless if they win, then theyll boo and wave their white hankies.
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alanmason added 21:14 - Oct 20 Oh to live near Blackpool FC. A Club that puts a smile on the faces of the fans, plays open attractive football, and a well respected manager, of the kind we used to employ here!
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Martus added 21:55 - Oct 20 alanmanson YOUR DA MAN!!!! exactly wat i was thinkin, and said
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Acen added 22:39 - Oct 20 Mistake there Roy.
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h32 added 19:26 - Oct 21 Four 'centre' midfielders across the middle. Four 'centre' backs across the back. Blatantly playing players out of position in so doing - and he says WE know nothing about football. If a Manager did this in LOCAL football even - it's highly likely he would get his butt kicked.
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julesbda added 18:30 - Oct 26 i got to my first game this year and was shocked to see RK's tactics...starting with 1 immobile centre forward at home was a shocker...coventry were all over us and he didn't change things around until the second half . we went 2-0 down but looked way better once we played 2 up front ...then just as we look like we may get something out of the game he takes off our 2 best players !! peters and townsend and that basically finished the game off ..i just don't get his team selection and the way he constantly chops and changes the team around . It isn't good for the fans and it isn't good for the players .... one other note....i've never heard portman road so quiet ...the coventry fans were making more noise ....sad but true ..

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