Town manager Roy Keane was understandably disappointed with his side's 3-1 home defeat to Barnsley. In addition to the loss, Mark Kennedy and Luke Hyam damaged their hamstrings and are out of next week’s trip to Hull.

Keane said the game typified how things are at the present time: “Poor result, poor performance, not a great day and a couple more injuries. That’s the way it’s going for us. No sympathy, we’ll look to bounce back next weekend.”

The Portman Road crowd booed their team off and were vocally critical of the substitution of Tamás Priskin, something the Blues boss feels is inevitable when a team is doing poorly: “When you don’t win matches every decision is going to be analysed and criticised, that’s the nature of football.

“They were pretty supportive last year when we went 14 games without a victory - the Watford game I’ll never forget - they were very, very good to us. But at this moment in time, you’re still hoping that fans would understand where we’re at.

“Don’t underestimate the loss of Gareth McAuley, David Norris and Grant Leadbitter. I don’t want to use that as an excuse but they are important players for us. We just have to get on with it.”

Keane explained the thinking behind his substitutions: “We thought we’d get a bit more from Jack and Jake getting a bit more forward. They’re two young players and it’s a big responsibility doing a job in the middle of the park, so with the extra support from Luke we thought we might get back into it.

“But, of course, the next goal changed things and we tried to mix it up again. We tried a few different things and it just didn’t work.”

Keane's controversial decision to withdraw Priskin was amongst those alternative options: “When we took Tamás off we changed it with Connor going up with Ronan and actually I thought they did OK in the last 20 minutes. OK, they’re young players and you could say the game was over.

“Obviously there were a few people disappointed and they probably thought we were going to stick with the one up front, but of course we changed that with Jack coming over to the left and I thought Ronan did quite well and was perhaps unlucky not to score. It was a straight swap in that sense."

Tykes manager Mark Robins was delighted with his players’ display: “It was without doubt the best performance since I became Barnsley manager and it was a continuation of what we saw on Tuesday night against Preston.

“The players took the confidence they gleaned from that game into today. We passed it well, the movement was fantastic and what we added today was our finishing. It's a step in the right direction and pleasing.”

Photo: Action Images

theresonlyonekeano added 18:50 - Nov 13 Keane completely bottled the subs today, Townsend and especialy Priskin were having good games, bu he brings them off, also Eastman is not a right back, and isn't going to provide enough support for the right mid, need Peters there. On the positive side, Murray looked good when he came on, disappointed with performance, Keane hasn't got long to turn it around COYB

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neilanddon added 18:50 - Nov 13 EXCUSE after EXCUSE after EXCUSE. GIVE IT UP MAN
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tractorgirls added 18:51 - Nov 13 Keane should resign - the time has come.
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joe9087 added 18:54 - Nov 13 Disappointed with the result and our worrying lack of consistency. Our home form has also been terrible again this season...I miss the times when people calling Portman Road a "fortress" actually meant something. I'm starting to feel myself now that Keane's time is coming to an end, I think he'll probably get to see out his contract though. However if we'd won today everyone would be saying we're back on the up again. But unfortunately we're so unpredictable and inconsistent that it's going to be like that all season.

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Keaneish added 18:58 - Nov 13 I've been pro-keane since his appointment but that result has broken the back of it, that's enough for me i'm afraid. Give me Curbs or Martin O Neill. End this tenure now please Mr. Evans and Keane bow out without having your contract paid off ala Strachan and save some self respect before it goes completely sour. Either that or you get someone like a Ray Wilkins in tomorrow to support. 3-1 at home to Barnsley is an embarrassment to our football club and one i'm not prepared to tolerate any more. 3 key players out? We should still be wiping the floor with no-hopers like Barnsley. Attendances are dwindling...time for experience and a proven manager or assistant or this is another non-season for us.

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SonOfSpock added 18:59 - Nov 13 Another hamstring injury for Kennedy. Deja vu..
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Bobby_Petta added 19:04 - Nov 13 Two years of decline under Keane's leadership, the heart and soul of Ipswich Town football club as be ripped apart, boring negative football to many holding midfielders, no balance in the back four or midfield, could have done Garvan today. Don't agree with the booing or cheering Barnsley and would never chant for Keane to go, sorry Roy your not up to it.
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martleshamitfc added 19:05 - Nov 13 A few key players missing and a young side, but no excuse to put such a lack lustre performance. Barnsley were at us right from the start, hassled and chased everything yet when we got the ball in midfield, no other player wanted the ball, no movement or desire. Probably the worst performance I have witnessed in watching ITFC in over 40 years! Did not agree with the crowd booing, chanting "Keano out" or cheering when Barnsley were passing the ball around our static players, but can fully understand their frustration. Keane will stay till the end of the season. I just worry whether we can get enough points to stay clear of a relagtion battle at the end of the season and am not looking forward to the Norwich game at the moment!

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PSGBlue added 19:11 - Nov 13 Magilton's final game, 3-1 against a poor Norwich side who were relagated soon after, how we laughed! Norwich had no money, relagated, with Bryan Gunn as manager. We had money, King Keano and were one of the favourites to go up the following season. Now whats the difference between the two clubs, Norwich are now the better team - why? thats easy they acted fast, got rid of Gunn and found themselves a decent manager, something we are lacking! In two weeks time we will have gone full circle - a stuffing at Norwich with their fans having the last laugh. It should never have come to this - Keane Out!

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hogster1970 added 19:12 - Nov 13 well they started the game with the last stand from the bugalar, well wars and big battles are not won on pure fire power is hitler found out in the battle of britain its all down to tactics, well keano my old duck you didnt do a churchill or montgomary or a welligton, no dear boy you defo done a musalini, romel and a napolean all in one game game, in other words your tactics toaly f@@ked us up. eastman is not a right back, i would have started hyam instead of livermore, other than that yep with what we had to play with then yes not a bad line up. thought we looked pretty good going forward, andros looked good, priskin unlucky with his 3 shots at goal, we did have a few missed places passes, livermore wasnt to great, scotland looked a bit lost at times and eastman exposed, so half time came, i thought well if there was one change then either liver off hyham on or peters on for eastman but leave as it is for atleast 15 mins atleast. but no old romel decided to take off andros who was one of our better players and take of scotland. bring on a 18 year old murry on the left ( hang on am i stupid) and then to top it off when we even worse lets take of the other striker who is playing well and has scored 5 goals of late for whickam who has yet to find the net. i am not a boo boy but today my god i lost my voice. what is this bloke doing to my beloved club i have always said you have to give him time but my god i have ran out of patients, yep you have untill the end of nov boy if not go back and dig peat in ireland and lets get curbs or someone who knows what they are doing please. so mistake number one

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moomoosereni added 19:12 - Nov 13 I'm not the first and I won't be the last to say this I think...........I've had enough too. I cannot live with seeing Town lose like this time after time. He is making indefendable errors now. Taking off Priskin and then just making the excuse that its because he's missing 3 players is nothing short of laughable! Too many loan players, mixed with signings that haven't come good at all or quick enough has done it for me now! I'm a patient guy most of the time but another defeat under this guys tenure will turn me into a Whoppit!

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Jesney_Havoc added 19:16 - Nov 13 You're dancing on thin Ice Mr Keane. Miracles needed against WBA and Nodge - elsewise it's time....
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ramseyn added 19:16 - Nov 13 What I find so gutting is that even after this, we're still just three points off 4th place. This year is there for the taking and we're missing a massive, massive opportunity. We shouldve been in a position to grasp the nettle and it looks like the best chance in years is passing by.
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ramseyn added 19:21 - Nov 13 Oh, and no coincidence that when tinkeman returned to sprinkle his magic dust on the teamsheet the same old inconsistencies come back. I'm no expert but .....
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ramseyn added 19:22 - Nov 13 That meant to say tinkerman.
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Bluetone added 19:23 - Nov 13 Keane just when we think things under your managing of our beloved team can't get worse it does. Please go NOW and let someone else have a go, who knows they might even have some idea of how to manage a football club.
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Fuzzydoodle added 19:24 - Nov 13 If I understand it right, Roy's contract is up next April, Mr Evans needs to be making plans for a replacement. I can't believe anyone can say that the club is any further forward since the arrival of Roy. What makes the situation even more frustrating is seeing other clubs bring in managers with little or no money to spend yet compete for play-off places. Some personalities and clubs don't mix and I'm sure Roy will be successful in the future but not at PR. Just over 35% win rate at Ipswich is never going to get us promoted. Goal wins matches, it's not rocket science.

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Keaneish added 19:25 - Nov 13 Evans was at the game today and from the sound of Keane's post match he knows it's time. I agree with PSGBlue. Lets do it now ahead of Norwich and West Brom. We can all see there are glaring tactical errors with what is a very talented squad. Keane's done some good: Blooded good youngsters, trimmed the squad, brought in some quality but there's some big naive failings in his approach to recent games which i can't understand. Martin O'Neill would love this challenge and squad wouldn't he?

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Calmingwind added 19:26 - Nov 13 2 home losses in a week, 2 poor performances and 5 defeats in 7 matches in the league... ive been on the fence all season, but todays result pushed me off it, especially with the substitutions today.
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John added 19:33 - Nov 13 In the interests of reasoned debate is their anyone on the site who can still plead RK's case to remain as manager. Damn sure I can't !!!!
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bluearmy4life added 19:34 - Nov 13 I have had enough too. The football is so poor to watch its not nothing like the good ITFC we all know and love. Keane has been with the club 19 months and was very ambitious and rightly so with the premiership foundations we have with are staduim and supporters and the money we have from marcus evans. But I have no more patience for poor managerial tactics, negative football and excuses after excuses. I think its time to find a manager with lots of experience who can bring the good times back. If Keane is in charge for the next two away games they will be the biggest he has had at the club.

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radiohead added 19:35 - Nov 13 For God sake go, and go now Roy.
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bluearmy4life added 19:43 - Nov 13 From previous comments Martin O'neil or Curbs would be perfect for us. Would need a bit of money to spend and i think they would use it wisely. How can Roy redeem him self? Next two wins??
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MyBlueHeaven added 19:44 - Nov 13 All well and good calling for Keane to go, but Evans needs a face to put in front of the ME boards at press conferences, post match interviews etc. The Marcus Evans empire won't want to lose all that 'free' publicity that comes their way everytime Keane opens his mouth. If this was a football club run by football people it wouldn't be an issue. But it's not any more, is it?

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Mark added 19:46 - Nov 13 I was thinking walking to the ground how I missed the Burley era of passing football, where we attacked with flair and even if we went 1-0 down we knew our style of play and kept passing. Today we were out-passed easily by our Wembley 2000 rivals and it was embarrassing. “Don't underestimate the loss of Gareth McAuley, David Norris and Grant Leadbitter." Keane said. True enough for the first two (Magilton's signings incidentally), but Leadbitter has been poor this season. Reverting to 1-up-front when we were 2-0 down at half-time, what were the mangement thinking?! And as for taking Priskin off when we nearly scored three goals in the match, that was crazy. I will add my voice to the "Keane out" brigage, although I did not chant it in the stadium today. Keane's contract is up soon and is unlikely to be renewed, so keeping him here is only adding to the uncertainly. A new manager hopefully with a new transfer budget (please, Marcus Evans) would be a fresh stand and could salvage our season.

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