Town boss Roy Keane says young defender Tom Eastman has done “brilliantly” since he came into the first team and says he’s not looking to sign another right-back. Eastman, primarily a central defender, has been the Blues’ regular right full-back in recent weeks.

Keane said: “I don’t think right-back is a major problem for us. Tom Eastman’s done brilliant for us, [the Derby game] was his first defeat in the first team this season. He’s played eight games for us and that was the first loss.”

The Blues boss, who kept his players in their dressing room for just over an hour after Tuesday’s match, says the youngsters need the support of more senior players when they’re having difficult evenings: “He’s three months out of the youth team, he’s been brilliant for us and is going to have a great future ahead of him, but Tom, like other players, is entitled to an off-night.

“But when they have an off-night they need players to help them out, same with Connor Wickham. They’re two players just out of the youth team. If you think those two boys are going to get us out of the league, then you’re kidding yourselves.

“Tom Eastman’s done brilliantly, I’m delighted with Tom. Tom’s the least of my worries. We’ve also got other right-backs such as Jaime Peters and Troy Brown.”

Having ruled defender Gareth McAuley out of Saturday’s game with Barnsley straight after the Derby match Keane now says the Northern Irishman does have some chance of making it, albeit a slim one. He told the club site: "We had to take Gareth off with the injury and he is very doubtful for the weekend.

"He has been struggling for a week or two with an achilles problem and was touch and go for Tuesday night as it was.

"David Norris is unlikely to make it as well. As often happens with ankle injuries, if they don't settle down in a week they can become a problem."

Skipper Norris, who is the subject of a new billboard at Ipswich Station, picked up the ankle problem in the Millwall match. Grant Leadbitter is suspended from Saturday’s game having reached five bookings.

Photo: Action Images

whippet added 21:46 - Nov 11 I don't think I have ever witnessed such "infighting" amongst supporters at the club. To call supporters who find Keane's statements on this morons is nothing short of ridiculous. His statements alone are the issue. We are 7th in the League and in the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup. People are not upset with our league position, they are upset with his inability to see the truth. It is not just rb that is an issue. grant L has been played far too many times and a spell on the sidelines will do him good. i really rate him as a player but he is clearly not performing week after week but still gets in the side.saying that,if you took away his set pieces he has played reasonably well. i like the fact that in the Derby game he was the only one who was still getting stuck in right till the end (his freekicks and corners are truly terrible however). Think Keane needs help- a good,wise assistant who can help him to find a balance in the team. Wilkins would do nicely. Let us hope we win 4-0 against Barnsley and the Derby game will then be long forgotten. i love our team and our youth set up and long may it continue!

0

budgieplucker added 22:25 - Nov 11 Kevin Beattie started his first season at left back before securing his more natural central defensive role. John Wark started in central defence before finding his most successful position of his career in mid-field. In those early days I witnessed inconsistencies and some "raw" performances from both of these "legends", and yes I am sure there was the odd moan or two from the more ignorant supporters at the time. This club earned its reputation at giving young players a chance and supporting them. Young players will be inconsistence and have off days. Connor Wickham as well didn't have a good game the other night but he is only 17 and needs to do a lot of work on his aerial game, but that doesn't make him any less of a great prospect than he was last week. last month or last year. Kevin Beattie and Gareth McAuley have represented their countries at international level playing full back. Mick Mills played left back, right back and in several midfield positions. I saw Mick have some awful games but he was a great player and a great captain and didn't hide even when things were not going right for him. I am therefore pleased that Keano is solid behind young Tom Eastman he is only doing what any good manager should do. The opportunities to give young players experience (even if it means they occasionally may be played out of their natural position) will eventually pay dividends. Forgot promotion this year, if it comes it will be a big bonus. By developing our current crop of young players and giving them opportunities will only make this club a better one and one that I personally will continue to proudly support. I cringe when I read some of the comments on here as this does our reputation no good. I remember not too long ago when many thousands of us went to Milan to see us loose by several goals. We came away with many accolades and enhanched our reputaion to being one the most fantastic bunch of supporters around. I fear this is changing.

0

Garv added 23:31 - Nov 11 Roy keane does our reputation no flaming good!!
0

Keano_TWO added 08:52 - Nov 12 Do you not think that Keano could actually be trying to stop over inflated prices for Rights backs? saying he's looking for one, will make every club take note and wack another £1 mill to a price tag, but if he says he's not looking, he can safely offer prices instead!
0

Simplyblue1984 added 13:40 - Nov 12 Someone on here said that all this publicity is not good for Ipswich..what rubbish as we are all talking about the team and keane so i think keane is doing what he set out to do. When we win nothing is said, when we lose everyone has something to say...we are doing better then in previous years....so what more do you want? Promotion? Well we are 7th! Back the town! Some people need to understand that real life is not like football manager...

0

itfc_no11 added 16:41 - Nov 12 What has happened to Ainsley? I saw him play at RB in a couple of pre-season friendlies. His strong, quick and gets forward. Surely a better option at RB than Eastman?
0

oldegold added 22:08 - Nov 12 Remember at Ipswich we SUPPORT our young players even when they're going thru a rough patch. Let's never forget that..
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls