Boss Roy Keane said he was delighted for his players, his staff and Town’s beleaguered supporters after the Blues defeated West Brom 1-0 at Portman Road to set up a Carling Cup semi-final with Arsenal. Grant Leadbitter’s 69th minute penalty was enough to see Town through to the last four of the competition for the first time in 10 years.

Keane said: “I’m delighted for the players, delighted for the staff, pleased for the supporters. It was important that we put on a performance tonight. You can put on a performance but that doesn’t guarantee a result, especially with the chances we were missing.

“I was pleased with the workrate, the character, the composure, the way some of the younger boys played and the lads who came back into the team. To get out of the hole we’re in at the moment is about characters and digging deep

“I’m pleased for everyone, particularly the supporters. I’ve said before, it’s been a frustrating time for them but it’s something to smile about. Now we need to focus for our league game on Saturday.”

The Blues boss was pleased with his side’s tempo from the off: “We started the game well, we didn’t want to get sucked into a game where we dropped back too much, we know the qualities West Brom have got, we saw them on Saturday [when they beat Everton 4-1]. We wanted to be high tempo, our widemen putting pressure on their full-backs.

“Tamás and Jason started well, Reggie did well, Andros. I thought all the players did well. Troy, Jaime Peters.

“There was a clean sheet, we kept 11 players on the pitch and we didn’t really make any basic errors tonight. Darren, Jaime, Troy and Tommy, when they had to clear it, they cleared it. We did the basics well and that gives you a chance.”

In his programme notes Keane echoed this week’s earlier comments regarding managers reaching a position where it is best for their club if they move on, but he says he’s not yet there with the Blues: “My point in the programme, don’t overanalyse it, is that sometimes it does come to a point where as a manager you say ‘it’s not quite happening’, but we’re not there yet.”

Keane learnt of Town’s next opponents during his post-match press conference, a note having been passed to him: “Good news, it’s Arsenal! There’s always a downside, isn’t there? We’ve got Chelsea around that time as well.”

Referring back to his comments about managers coming to the end of their time at clubs, he added: ”Hopefully, I’ll be here in January. I might be gone at the end of January though!

“You have to look forward to it but in terms of the draw it’s the hardest game we could have got. But it will be great for the players, great for the young players.”

Albion assistant head coach Eddie Newton pulled no punches with his post-match comments: “It was a poor performance without a shadow of a doubt. You don’t have to be an expert in football to know that it was a poor performance.

“Individually and collectively we were poor, we didn’t turn up, didn’t show enough desire and therefore paid the big price.”

The ex-Chelsea man said he and boss Roberto Di Matteo had no regrets at making nine changes from Saturday’s game: “We’ve been doing that from the beginning of the competition and we stuck by it and we showed faith in our players. They’d been doing very well until tonight.”

Newton felt the penalty which won the game might have come as a result of Town’s earlier strong claims: “Graham Dorrans hasn’t touched him, I think Edwards was on his way down outside the box, so the action started outside the box. For me it was a soft penalty.

“But the fact remains that we didn’t deserve anything out of the game anyway. Simple as that.”

Photo: Action Images

truckertractorboy added 23:19 - Dec 1 It was a real good win for the team and the supporters who was there jamie peters mom troy good game andros was really worrying them the front to pity they didnt score but looked good and the fans I give us but 10 out of 10
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TractorBeezer added 23:21 - Dec 1 “There was a clean sheet, we kept 11 players on the pitch and we didn't really make any basic errors tonight. Darren, Jaime, Troy and Tommy, when they had to clear it, they cleared it. We did the basics well and that gives you a chance.” Getting the basics right....Amen to that! If we keep getting the basics right we'll climb the table.
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PimsOclock added 23:24 - Dec 1 Well done Ipswich cracking result and more important than that good fighting performance extinguishing the late pressure to hold on. All is not forgiven yet Roy but a few more fighting, yelled performances and we will sing your name once more!
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PimsOclock added 23:25 - Dec 1 Gelled*
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moomoosereni added 23:27 - Dec 1 For me, best performance we've given at home this season. Only change I'd look to make for Saturday, would be peters pushing up in place of Lambe and Zuiverloon getting a home debut. Thought the crowd were terrific. We need more of that for sure in upcoming games. Keane hasnt changed my opinion of him completely but if he can get them playing like that again Saturday and onwards then my opinion will again sway back. Glad to see fans getting behind THE TEAM tonight, COYB!!!

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KenDubZ added 23:30 - Dec 1 Yeah we done a very bad job today in the way of supporting and had bearly any fans but all loyal supports were there and thats what count :)
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Barhamblue added 23:32 - Dec 1 Great atmosphere tonight from what I call proper loyal supporters! I now know we have 7000 moaners, probably the ones who did not turn up tonight and you know who you are. Well done to the lads and Roy. COYB's
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ElginCityBlue added 23:33 - Dec 1 Glad we haven't drawn Birmingham, after the last time we played them in the semis nine years ago. Good win tonight boys, but as others have said, 'one swallow doesn't make a summer' to coin a phrase, but to coin another, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'
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Thetruth added 23:35 - Dec 1 Absolutely freezing tonite, but in truth the lads were quality, we really took the game to West Brom and got a deserved win. All the haters out there who obviously didnt turn up seeing as there was only a crowd of 11K will be pleased to know you were not missed. There was positivity in the crowd and the atmosphere was like a full house, it was quality. Watch the thousands and thousands queue in long lines round Portman road to get their tickets for the Emirates, now thats real support Spare me all the excuses, that you couldnt make it because of the ticket price, because the car wouldnt start, or you had to work, tonight was a crowd of real fans, people who take the high's and low's, and I for one want to thank the team and Roy for a great bit of entertainment tonight. ITFC through and through

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nobrain added 23:39 - Dec 1 Coo - we won! Wish I could have been there, but am working away and couldn't make it. Well done lads.
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Barhamblue added 23:42 - Dec 1 All positive posts tonight. Agree with Thetruth. ITFC through and through. I too believe Roy will come great if we show some patients. How can we ever think about sacking a young manager at 39 with his passion and dedication to win. Unbelievable.
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AB_ITFC added 23:45 - Dec 1 Felt like crap all day, full of cold, roads round our way worse than the ice rink at Portman road. But So glad I was there. Wouldn't miss a game unless I really cant help it. You support the badge not the manager. 10K singing tonight proved that (1000 odd baggies pushed the crowed up!). Screw what people think of Keane. Whoever is in charge we are still Ipswich Town and the true fans will sing up whatever.

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truckertractorboy added 23:47 - Dec 1 All the moaners must have gone to bed early not getting carried away about rk 2nite was for the players and the supporters
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Dolly2.0 added 23:51 - Dec 1 TheTruth - working is a legitimate excuse, not to mention ticket prices/travel costs, so get off your high horse.
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Yeasayer added 23:52 - Dec 1 TheTruth, thats a little harsh as I'm a student in kent, and with trains into london being around a 2-3 hour delay due to the weather I would arrive late to the game, so didn't bother (Even though I had a ticket). Although as a season ticket holder I've been to every other home league and cup game this season so I will be supporting town at Portman Road, Stamford Bridge and The Emirates. What annoys me is that there is a separation between town fans, everyone is entitled to their opinion, I for one am on the fence neither for or against Keane's reign and the violence that occurred at Norwich and the comments emanating from you "loyal supporters" makes me think, well surely we would be better off if we all stood shoulder to shoulder as Ipswich Town Football Club not Keane, Clegg or Evans supporters.

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truckertractorboy added 23:53 - Dec 1 Sorry u had to work no brain not rubbing it in m8 but u missed a cracking game lol
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whippet added 23:56 - Dec 1 Give credit where credit is due. Admirable performance, need the same against Swansea.
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Keaneish added 00:42 - Dec 2 Yeah great result and great support tonight, not been since maybe the Watford game at home last season. 11,000 on the gate the lowest i've ever been to PR with, good noise though. The Baggies were abysmal mind. Positives or negatives first? Positives: > Some of the best football we've played this season > Priskin's movement was outstanding > Leadbitter and Norris dominated second half > Tommy Was a rock at the back > Great to see O'Connor come on, Peters start and Townsend again. Negatives: > Scotland's touch and decision making are poor - jury is out on him for me > What kind of agreement have Harry and Keane got over Townsend!? Weird set-up taking him off and leaving him on the bench - clearly a quality player as it showed tonight > Murphy had a poor match and he had naff all to do, i've lost confidence in him. > It was frickin' freezing! Oh and i wanted the Hammers in the next round! Right, so what have we learnt from tonight Keane? On Saturday we start with Townsend and Peters, we play a left and a right footer at centre half, O'Connor is decent enough to at least make the bench every week and we play 4-4-2 and we also start letting the full backs and wide midfielder's get forward a bit more from the first whistle rather than holding them back and keeping it tight! On to Saturday and a must win game.

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RRanger added 01:06 - Dec 2 Keanish I agree with most of your comments tonight although I thought Murphy had a reasonable game (he did flap at a few in the first half I agree)- he made a fabulous reflex save near the end.I hope RK keeps his nerve and starts with Troy and Smith at Centre Back - Delaney on the bench.We looked much more balanced with Right footers on the right and left footers on the left. Listening to post match phone in on BBC Suffolk on way back to W London there was a lovely comment from a Tractor Girl: she said it was more like an away match with the fans support tonight all 10257 of them (+1006 West Brom supporters). She said it was great because none of the usual moaners and whingers were there - she called them the DEtractor Boys. I can see that there aren't too many of them on this site tonight either!! COYB

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bluelady added 02:42 - Dec 2 Got to admit was dreading it on way down to match on a very cold night, gotta say felt much warmer on way home!!! Not going to welcome back Roy with open arms yet, will say keano if you can put out a team like that week in week out, round pegs in round holes, a team who clearly are proud to wear the shirt and keep the ball down and actually play attacking football you will regain my respect and support!!!!! The crowd were amazing, more of the same on and off the pitch sat, no silly substitutions and our season starts here club!!!! BTW jp was fantastic showes the true spirit of our team oh and Spanish agree with most but think Murphy when he settled down had a good game cracking stop our end to keep it one nil

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bluelady added 02:45 - Dec 2 Got to admit was dreading it on way down to match on a very cold night, gotta say felt much warmer on way home!!! Not going to welcome back Roy with open arms yet, will say keano if you can put out a team like that week in week out, round pegs in round holes, a team who clearly are proud to wear the shirt and keep the ball down and actually play attacking football you will regain my respect and support!!!!! The crowd were amazing, more of the same on and off the pitch sat, no silly substitutions and our season starts here club!!!! BTW jp was fantastic showes the true spirit of our team oh and Spanish agree with most but think Murphy when he settled down had a good game cracking stop our end to keep it one nil

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michaeldownunder added 04:23 - Dec 2 Well done to the team. well done to the fans who went in the cold snow/ice. Will he keep the same centre half pair for Saturday? by the coments that Roy Keane made after the game "when they had to clear it they cleared it" I think he should. Ever since Jack Colback has returned we have lost most of the games is he playing badly or just unbalancing the midfield? PS The local radio cuts off just before the start of the game (I live in Australia) it used to some back on at the final whistle now it waits till the next programe starts why?

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Upbeat~ added 05:33 - Dec 2 Great result! Let's try and make this a turning point for our season: COYB a similar performance against Swansea please.
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bobble added 06:12 - Dec 2 sack keane
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farquinell added 06:31 - Dec 2 I think we have performed better away from home this season than at home! why because it is better to have a couple of thousand true fans singing and supporting you than 20,000 getting on your back and cheering the opposition (disgusting ) last night they had Ten thousand behind them and won, think in future if you dont have anything positive to send out there stay away, we dont need part time , sing when we winning fans! the biggest humiliation for Ipswich was not the 4-1 defeat to the scum its the fact that they packed their stadium all last year in league 1 and continue to do so this year! lets have a hard core support base that supports ipswich town come ran or shine COYB and FOAM ( F%$K OFF ALL MOANERS , FOAM FOAM FOAM no FORKS on the Pitch Throw FOAM

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