Town manager Roy Keane says his side get no ‘12th man effect’ from the Portman Road crowd to help them in their fight for promotion from the Championship. The Blues boss was unhappy with the booing and cheering of opposition passes during last week’s 3-1 home defeat to Barnsley, feeling that his younger players bore the brunt of fans’ frustrations.

Keane said: “I don’t think it’s the type of club where we’ve a 12th man dragging us to promotion. We hear other managers talking about Celtic and the great European nights, Stoke at the moment.

“For us to bring this club forward it will come from within the club, it won’t come from outside or the supporters. It will come from the players and the staff and with a bit of luck.”

During an occasionally fiery Thursday press conference, the Town boss said he was saddened rather than angered by the crowd’s reaction: “I was fine, disappointed, but nothing surprises me in football.

“You always remember these things. I remember when I played for Ireland I got booed against Iceland because one reporter, who was an idiot and was pals with the manager, did a piece saying the fans should boo me. And guess what? They all booed. Sheep. One or two boo and the rest follow.

“As I’ve said before, I remember after the Watford game [at home last season] when I thought the fans were brilliant and they cheered us off the pitch even though we drew the match and were in the difficult run. You don’t forget these things and you don’t forget the fans last weekend either.

“Having said all that, that’s not all of the supporters,” he added. “I’m not trying to tarnish all the supporters.”

Keane says it’s probably for the best that the next couple of games are away from Portman Road: “I think it will be a benefit over the next few weeks that we’re away from home and the players can go out and relax a little bit and enjoy what they’re trying to do, which is learning their trade. And they should be applauded for that, not jeered.

“I think it’s too easy now. We see it with other games, we saw it with international matches on Wednesday night. There’s this mentality of booing teams all the time.”

The Irishman has no objection to being the focus of fan dissent himself, indeed he says he thrives on it, but wants supporters to back the players: “They can boo me all they want. I never went into football to be popular, in fact it drives me on and I bloody enjoy it.

“Get behind the players, get behind the young players that we’ve got. We’re two points off the play-offs and players who are 18 or 19 years of age are getting jeered and booed.

“Young Connor Wickham’s coming on and the fans are booing because I’m taking Tamás Priskin off. We’re 2-0 or 3-0 down at that stage, they should be applauding Connor coming on.

“Two weeks ago they wanted Priskin out of the club,” he continued. “All of a sudden we shouldn’t be taking him off. I’ve nothing against Tamás, I think he’s doing well for us, but you have to make changes.”

Keane concedes that some negativity is inevitable but believes that last week’s reaction was out of all proportion: “When you lose matches, you put up with that little bit of criticism.

“But I think that the way the atmosphere has been over the last few weeks they were going to be criticising everything anyway, whether it was the referee, the pitch, me, the staff, the players, the substitutions we’re making. Way over the top.”

The Blues boss says he has no objection to supporters giving their viewpoint but doesn’t see the sense in booing: “The fans have a right to express their opinion, I have no problem with that. I’ve been at clubs before where fans do that. But there’s a certain line which has to be drawn. And I’m entitled to my opinion.

“It’s an emotional game, I understand that 100%, the ups and downs of being a supporter. What they did last weekend was wrong, that’s my opinion.

“They didn’t support the team. How can you support the team by booing? They can question all they want about taking players off. We’ve got a young 17-year-old, the future of the club, what’s he supposed to think when he’s coming on to the pitch and there’s booing?

“We can’t kid ourselves that if we’re not performing we’re going to get criticised, but there’s got to be a balance to that of what’s right and what’s wrong, and what happened last week was wrong.

“I don’t care what anyone says, "Keane continued. "I don’t care if you’ve been a supporter of this club for 50 years or you work in the media, we all know it’s wrong. You try and teach your kids that — what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong, and our players have to listen to that nonsense.

“That’s why I think it might be a benefit that we’re away from home for the next couple of weeks, and we’ve got some tough games.”

Photo: Action Images

katemoss added 10:01 - Nov 19 It's Ok for the manager to want to play away from home but not for fans to be ironic. No-one was booing the team. It was an expression of disent about the way the club is being run. Can't Roy understand that distinction or is it a reflection on Roy that he's out of touch with 18,000 fans.
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StowTractorBoy added 10:04 - Nov 19 Millionaire or not I feel sorry for the bloke. The stick he gets in our local press is disgusting and whilst he can rise above it many who give him stick would not be able to. The man in trying to turn this club round and our so called fans just knock him constantly. He inherited a dreadful mess and it will take time to get it right. For heavens sake accept he is here and get behind the management and the team. I've said it before and I'll say it again if this criticism continues Evans will seriously consider his position at ITFC and then it will be Division One football. Think on. To finish Mark Murphys jibes obn Radio Suffolk this morning made me sick.

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naa added 10:09 - Nov 19 I'm no fan of Keane, and I think our football under him has been exceptionally dull and unimaginative and rarelyt gives the fans much to cheer other than a goal every now and again. But he is right on this one. The booing of the sub - even though it was directed at Keane was clearly going to affect Wickham to some extent. And the cheering of the passing, even if it was ironic and directed at the fact that we'd love to see us pass it around a bit, was also stupid. None of this helps the players on the pitch so why do it? I come on here and moan quite often, but I will never boo or cheer the opposition. It if isn't worth cheering, don't cheer. But don't boo.

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SammyT added 10:10 - Nov 19 Spot on BerkshireBlue. Spot on. Agreed that if we got all the away fans together in the North the "12th Man" would be there. Waiting for someone to disagree but for me the fans directly in the middle of the North stand behind the goal seem to be the quiet ones killing off any songs meaning the 2 ends sing different songs.. I sit to the right of the goal about 20 rows up and can be good but the jokers in the middle turn and stare when we sing...

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MAVERICK added 10:12 - Nov 19 Our beloved club is a complete joke at the moment ! Management, Players & Supporters we need to get our act together. Lets start now by being POSITIVE with everything, because this is getting very boring. Lets unite and put the F back in football.................COYB
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itfc1981 added 10:20 - Nov 19 Keane 'I don't think it's the type of club where we've a 12th man dragging us to promotion.' Sorry Keane thats notwhat Warnock said of Portman Road! He is a real manager so he should know.
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BlueinBrum added 10:23 - Nov 19 To be honest I largely agree with what he's saying, but for God's sake Roy know when to keep your mouth shut. What good is possibly going to come from him lashing out at fans? Unprofessional.
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Legend added 10:26 - Nov 19 I can see why i dont come on this site much anyore. We are ITFC for gods sake!! It's a pity half of the fans that boo and cheer the opposition dont make the same noise when we are playing well or winning!!
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blrmy added 10:28 - Nov 19 As a supporter of ITFC over many decades I would like to remind fans that ever since the 60's our fans have been "fickle" and particularly quiet. 20 years ago, during the 1980-81 season (our most successful season ever), when Town were chasing a League, Cup and UEFA Cup treble, Robson called the Town fan's "A bunch of Zombies" for failing to get behind the team at home game's. Was he wrong? Unfortunately not. It's interesting that the fans have grown up and been replaced by younger generations of supporters and still we are the same. The only constant throughout these many, many years is the local support. The boo'ing is something new in football - fans of top premier league clubs amazingly boo when their team dares to have an off day. But the apathy, regretfully, at Portman Road is nothing new. Perhaps it's the location of the club, or the state of local socio-ecomomics. I personally don't think it's just at the football ground - when mentioned, the Ipswich council were boo'd at the firework display at Christchurch park!! Will we change? I think history and human nature shows that if we do, it will take time. Instant changes in anything rarely last, but a gradual change in attitude sticks (as anyone who tries to diet or give up smoking - it's a natural human re-action). How can it be improved? The stadium is not designed for hi-octane atmospheres, so I don't think the blame lies squarely at the feet of the supporters. The recent Leeds game had atmosphere and banter between the supporters, but rarely is this experience. People do sing in the North Stand but it can hardly even be heard at the other end of the pitch. The stadium re-design was a missed opportunity. The vast majority of supporters at Portman Road go along because it's part of their weekend routine. 99% don't read TWTD, or particularly care what the papers say. They chat about football during the week, go to the match, and it's pretty much forgotten about until the next game. It's not life or death, the state of the country at the moment brings far more important issues. It's not a case of loving the club, it's a local source of entertainment, nothing more. However, it's symbiotic. Success at local clubs brings local pride, happiness and vice versa. Society at the moment in general does not bring a happy bunch of supporters to football - it's witnessed in a significant number of games across the country every weekend. When Sunderland won the cup in 1973, crime in the short-term was halved, many other stats will back up this reaction. The link between the club and day-to-day life is distant. I applaud the banner at the station, it adds a little pride, and I would welcome the club doing much more to make people think "it's my club, I want them to succeed", this will help bring more support to the day of the games. Any way, rant over. My point is that Keane is not the first, and it's something that's been around for decades. It's much more than a "now" thing, and something the club has to deal with which they could, and should. I've had to deal with the marketing team at ITFC and they are incredibly poor - something that surprised me bearing in mind their owner is in the business of marketing. And of course, we as supporters must bear in mind that on match day we can do more during those 90 minutes, avoid the boo'ing and the negativity, and try a little harder. COYB.

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BrettenhamBlue added 10:28 - Nov 19 Surco72 and Legoman- Correct about Barnssley,maybe i should have just said Palace and the teams at the foot of the table that play 'pretty' football. As for the reasons why the team aren't performing. Simple. Youngsters with stage fright. We should be cheering them on and encouraging rather than writing negative things about them and booing. They make one mistake and we are down on them like a tonne of bricks. Wickham is brilliant- but lets encourage him and not boo. Lets look at some ABSOLUTE facts -1- Keane is here to stay -2- We have some young and exciting prospects -3- The board have control of finances (if Keane had got his way Chopra and Derry would be in the side right now) Even if you don't like Keane- PLEASE get used to the idea that he is here to stay and give him SUPPORT. Show all the other fans out there how positive we can be and get behind the manager. We have a good shot at the play-offs right now. Lets take it! Yes, hes not perfect (nobody is) but hes ours and lets help him through this patch. katemoss- please be more positive,- we aren't bottom of the league! MAVERICK- agree with you 100% "Come on you caged tigers and tear Hull and Norwich apart!!!!"

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Happy2bBlue added 10:29 - Nov 19 The majority of our fans are passionate about the club and desperate for success. This reaction stems from frustration and is directed more towards the manager than the players. It is important for the fans to get behind the team but when the team are outplayed twice in 4 days at home by teams we were expecting to beat, there is nothing much to get excited about. I think Keane should concentate on doing his job and if he does this the fans will get behind him.

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MAVERICK added 10:36 - Nov 19 RKisaGod - Spot on, this is like it. blrmy - True.
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bobble added 10:41 - Nov 19 mr keane is coming to the realisation that he cannot cut the mustard and is lashing out at all of the supporters who are unhappy with their teams performances and have the absolute right to object.after all we have the 2nd highest ticket prices after chelsea according to a previous article in this fine weblet. if i pay a lot of money for something i expect it to be of a very high quality and to give me enjoyment . mr keanes team does not fit this criteria.perhaps the club owner will reduce the ticket prices to fit the current standard of football or perhaps he should remove mr keane and employ a person more suitable of putting out a team who will give us value for money so we can love our club again.

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Bluetone added 10:49 - Nov 19 Everyone's fault except yours is it Keane? You are one Irish joke I don't find funny.
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Hegarty added 10:55 - Nov 19 I wouldn't be surprised if the team are beginning to think that our fans are unreasonable and if that's the case why would they want to hang around at the club and why would any potential new signings want to come to PR rather than another club where the fans get behind the team. If this section of fans continue to dominate at home games it won't be long before its not just Keane that moves on. People expect far too much and think they have a right to play well all the time and beat all that's put in front of them. Its not going to happen. You imagine you make mistake at work and everybody stands up and boos you and tells you you should be sacked or you should resign and the bloody hell do you think you would feel? I'm guessing you would probably feel pretty damn rubbish and would start to look for an employer and workmates who treated you with some respect. What I'd like to see is a section of the PR that counter these boos and drown out the section of the crowd that thinks its fun to crucify teenagers!!

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ElvisMariner added 11:04 - Nov 19 Roy Keane says it how it is....we all know that the Town support isnt a 12th man and that the atmosphere at Portman Road is pathetic and has been for several years.The booing/Ole's at the Barnsley game was Disgusting and to be honest I felt totally embarassed listening to it....we need to get behind the boys and that means all parts of the ground...COYB !!!
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oleoleoleabi added 11:20 - Nov 19 The players get paid a ridiculous amount of money to come out and perform on the pitch, they didn't perform simple as that- booing is an expression for paying to watch 90 minutes of sh*t; in the end a bit of booing will make the players or break them, therefore getting rid of certain players who will never make it at this level (Eastman and Murray). As for wickham no one was booing his arrival on to the pitch they were booing the disgraceful decision to substitute the only player on the pitch who looked like he was interested PRISKIN!! Why sub a player who has finally developed some confidence to replace him with an arrogant 17 year old who Keane seems to adore!! The irony of cheering Barnsley was all it was, IRONY!! For those of you who cheer and applaude after a performance like that are bl**dy stupid, if you are content to watch sh*t like that every week, bigger the fools you! Keane has not got a clue what he is doing, his tactical decisions are inept. how can he justify going 4-5-1 when loosing 2-0? Or playing 4 centre backs?

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SW1_Blue added 11:33 - Nov 19 Agreed Roy. Our fans are some of the quietest, quick to criticise and moaning old goats I have ever encountered.I don't live in Ipswich anymore so try and see most of our fixtures away from home instead. A visit to PR is almost as depressing as a visit town itself, what a dump. COYB
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Clanky added 11:50 - Nov 19 I myself didn't boo, but the frustration I feel at having paid over a grand for season tickets for me and the kids and then kits, scarfs etc on top and having to watch some of the most boring, unexciting and tactically inept football i've seen in years leads me to understand why some did boo. It's not aimed at the younger players its aimed at the god damn awful football we are playing.

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Cotton_eyed_joe added 11:59 - Nov 19 Hegarty - I made the constant mistakes at work that Keane does week in week out I'd have been sacked a long time ago. The boo's aren't aimed at players, if you read the comments on here, they are aimed at Keane. oleoleoleabi - Well said, totally correct
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Blueknight85 added 11:59 - Nov 19 ur home support has been a joke to away fans and an embarressment long before keane was here and just before the north stand was changed aswell people used to leave the north stand with no voice left even when playing crap now all we have is a bunch of football manager wanna be's shouting their own oppiion on their own and not singing together and creating an agtmosphere for the team.... This problem alone is no ones fault but ours

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:02 - Nov 19 if the performances on pitch were worthy of cheering i expect we'd all cheer,but lets face it its dreary at best,tactics ,subs, defy belief at times,passing football is no longer part of our game,we rarely look like a team that will do more than struggle.Come on Roy we pay to watch that crap YOU GIVE US SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT .!
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whoppit added 12:13 - Nov 19 Keane once again making excuses to deflect away from HIS incompetence. It's just a joke isn't it? The fat lady will sing and I already hear her clearing her throat. He will either get sacked if ME finds his stones or he will use pathetic excuses when he walks. He spat the dummy out at Sunderland ranting about not getting along with their owner and Niall Quinn. That owner gave him 80m to spend???? Ask any Sunderland fans if they miss him now !!! Sunderland are much better off without this clueless nutcase in charge and Ipswich will be too !!!

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SouperJim added 12:15 - Nov 19 Keane seems to be getting desperate, he knows full well that the criticism is aimed at him not our younger players, but he seems to think he can play the two groups of fans against each other. He may be in for short sharp shock as these kind of comments will only serve to anger his critics even further. There is a war going on at Portman Road and unless you want to watch dull soulless football for ever more, make sure you are on the correct side. Don't be fooled by this kind of spin. Keane out.

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bobble added 12:20 - Nov 19 souper says it like it is
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