Boss Roy Keane says he still hopes to see out his Town contract despite Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Swansea taking the Blues’ league losing streak to five matches. The former Manchester United skipper is due to remain at Portman Road until June next year.

Keane said: “I’m under contract until the summer and I’d love to finish that. We’ve had a difficult few months in terms of decisions like we saw [on Saturday], injuries and setbacks like our captain David Norris being sick at the weekend.

“Having said that, we can’t keep making too many excuses and as the manager I take full responsibility and if I’m not given that time I’ll have no one to blame but myself.

“I’m always frustrated when we lose matches but the challenge is there and I want to try and see the job out at least until the summer. If you’re losing matches, the pressure builds and ultimately the person that pays the price is the manager.”

The Irishman accused his defenders of making basic mistakes during Saturday’s defeat but was also less than impressed with his strikers, who he felt ought to have taken their chances: “They were schoolboy errors and it was the same last weekend with the first two goals we gave away there.

“We can focus on the defenders, but we’ve got to try and score more goals as well. We’re constantly under pressure because we don’t score goals. I’d be as critical of my strikers as I would my defenders for not clearing their lines.”

Keane was at a loss to explain what his players were up to at times on Saturday but reiterated that the overall responsibility is his: “I could be here until midnight and I wouldn’t be able to explain some of the decision-making which went on.

“That’s not blaming the players, I pick the team, I pick the players, I bring players in on loan, I brought players in in the summer. It’s not me passing the buck. If anything I need to receive criticism because ultimately it’s me picking the team. It has to stop with the manager.

“[Saturday] was really disappointing, I have to say. I think the effort was fine, I actually thought we played OK. In the first half we were under pressure in terms of possession, but possession doesn’t win you football matches.

“We created chances and players missed opportunities. I still can’t understand how a player can miss the target and get a round of applause. You’ve got to be clinical and ruthless. It was the same the other night, but we got away with it against West Brom.”

Keane felt his friend Brendan Rodgers and his team will have returned to Wales having been given a helping hand by Town: “I don’t think Swansea had to work too hard for their goals. That’s the hard part for me to take — we gifted them two goals. OK, the third was a decent finish, I’ve no problem with that, but the last thing we need is to be gifting goals to teams like Swansea who are flying high anyway.”

The Blues boss felt there were at least some positives to be taken from the match: “I thought there were one or two very good performances. I thought Grant and Jack did well up against their three in the middle. I thought defensively we were doing OK in the first half in terms of our team shape when I think Murph had one save to make.

“At half-time we thought that if we could keep a clean sheet we were pretty confident we could nick a goal. We did that and the game plan was going OK for us, then we gave away a poor freekick and we didn’t defend a set piece once again.”

Meanwhile, Keane has put his Cheshire home up for sale. Chantry Dane, which sits in 1.2 acres of land near Hale, is available for £9.5 million, having undergone extensive renovations since Keane and his wife Theresa bought it for £3.2 million in 2005. The Town manager and his family now live in Woodbridge.

Elsewhere, former Premier League referee Graham Poll says his one-time colleague Andy D'Urso ought to have awarded the Blues that penalty on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

Surco72 added 09:16 - Dec 6 Unfortunately for Roy and the biggest problem still facing him after 18 months is that he still does not know his best side and best 11 players .Every week is an experiment of trying to play or stop the opposition rather than trying to enforce our game plan which should run throughout all the players at all levels of the club so whoever comes in for an injury or suspension knows the system we play and is comfortable to do so way .And when our best players are fit pick them ,you cannot moan about having an inexperienced young back four when Delaney was avaliable and didnt start . Townsend, Priskin and Peters have been our most dangerous players in attack (which isnt saying much ) but two have not figured much recently and the other gets taken off every game he plays when looking most likely to score ?

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:38 - Dec 6 he will have us all in tears soon.People hoping for Martin O'Neil, think you have more chance of getting Martin Clunes , worries me to think Keane and Avram Grant may be looking for job at same time .I cant see Keane seeing his time out with Town,but equally cant see a suitable ,available,or realistic replacement unfortunately, i am not in the ''get Curbs '' camp.

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brittaniaman added 09:50 - Dec 6 He came here in April on a 2yr contract yet it does not run out until June ???? Murphey is too short for a goalkeeper,his height was the blame for 2 of the goals, I sat in line for the 3rd goal and thought to myself he should reach this but no he didn"t. Is it possible Keano could move upstairs for the rest of his contract and let somebody else run the team (I do not know who) I like the look of your Chester house Keano for 9.2 mil it must be a bargain !!!!

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brian_a_mul added 09:57 - Dec 6 Mr Evans will likly allow RK to see out his contract until April unless RK agrees to terminate his contract before this time. It looks as if RK is here for the next few months. Considering this the squad needs to get some experienced bodies in January, an experienced CB and RB are musts if we are to remain competitive in the Championship. Maybe RK will invest some of his £9mil in new players and wages!

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Karlosfandangal added 10:25 - Dec 6 Cant see Keane going yet If you look at the Magilton situation, Evans seems to set targets and if they are not met its bye bye. When Keane was appointed it was a 3 year contract but Keane said he could do it in 2 1st Year was to build a squard 2nd year was a min of play off's and the 3rd was promotion The target is play off's this year and we are only 8 points off the plays off's which is still achiveable. I think that Keane will stay until we are not able to make the play off's, which is only fair as if you are set targets. Its like being told by your boss you have to make 30 phone calls in 2 days and being sacked after a day for only making 10. I cant see Keane getting us up this year or next,However I feel that the players have let him down over the last few months. Keane cant be blamed for the mistakes made by the player, however he did build the team and the one who picks the players. A new manager would have to build a new team and that would IMO mean we are 3 years away from Prem football

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KangarooBlue added 10:38 - Dec 6 Whippet, I always like your optimistic approach to everything
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bobble added 10:38 - Dec 6 good ridden s .clueless no hoper who has set our club back 2-3 years. more concerned with chatting on sky and making dumb comments about everything under the sun except how he is going to get our team up ...anyone else please
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sonian_blue added 10:41 - Dec 6 I share your reasoned view Karlosfandangal. I believe we should unite behind the team and managemnet and push on . We WONT be relegated there are several teams much poorer than us, it is just a case of if we can stay in touch with the top 6. We are due a slice of luck and hopefully it will come Saturday and set us on a run. Mind you Preston is not a happy hunting ground! Onwards and Upwards. COYB Boys

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naa added 10:50 - Dec 6 Thew thing that people on here all seem to be oblivious of is the fact that we could very easily get relegated. How many teams have gone down with their fans saying "we're too good to do down, don't worry". As we can see on Saturday, once you get on a slide it can be hard to right it. Especially if your manager doesn't know his best 11, his chosen tactical approach and is talking about getting in yet more players in the transfer window. I am seriously worried about relegation. We actually played OK for long periods on Saturday, and Keane finally set the team up to be more attacking, but the team simply isn't used to playing in a consistent way. RK seems to think that we can keep playing different formations and tactics each week depending on the opposition, or how we performed the previous week. That just isn't going to work with players of the standard we have in this division. I think that if we let RK see out his contract then there's a serious possibility of relegation. Can I also ask people what they think the point of letting him see out his contract is? Either extend his contract because you think he's the right man or get rid because he isn't. Don't let him tootle along seeing out his contract.

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Lightningboy added 10:54 - Dec 6 I'm sure you will see your contract out Roy. You don't have the guts to walk out. Our owner doesn't have the guts to sack you. Unfortunately we're the piggies in the middle of this disaster.
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corshamblue added 11:12 - Dec 6 Div 1 ? bo**ocks ! Not Happening. COYB.
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naa added 11:15 - Dec 6 corsham: and you're basin that statement on what exactly? The same one Norwich fans used 2 years ago? Or Leicester the year before that (a team with a brilliant defensive record I should add). Or umpteen teams over the years. Until we start playing well we are not too good to go down. We have the players, yes, but we are not showing the performances at all.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:22 - Dec 6 I know a couple of Leeds supporters who used to think same ! If Keane stays until June perhaps he will try get contract renewed for two years to get us back into Championship.
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WeWereZombies added 11:27 - Dec 6 Maybe it is time for Mauricio to step out from Poyet's shadow and make a, very big, step up to full management. The window in which to take such a risk is very narrow indeed (for both parties) but we do need someone with passion and determination who everyone at the club can look up to.
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devontractorboy added 11:28 - Dec 6 What makes some of you think Martin O'Neil would come here to quite frankly a poor Championship side! Keane has completed the job of ruining ITFC with poor management decisions, his unbelievable arrogance initially & his obvious falling out with players who shouldn't have been allowed to leave, tactical inexperience, playing too many players, poor substitutions & some abysmal signings. We have been left with a squad full of travellers & journeymen who don't give a fig about ITFC & a group of youngsters who have been thrown in at the deep end & people are surprised when they can't swim properly yet!! If you add to this the fact that ME is obviously reluctant to give RK the money he was probably promised (what other reason could there have been for his clearout?) that has not been forthcoming to buy Chopra & a few others, this equals a disaster for the club. I think Keane's comments show he knows the game is up for him and for Town. I personally don't think we'll get relegated but neither do I think we'll be that far from it!! What now?, well strong leadership and management are required from Mr Clegg & Mr Evans, Keane should be asked to fall on his sword & lets bring in someone who can at least build up a good team spirit, apart from two awful gaffs against Swansea I didn't think we looked too bad during the game, but our players look like they are playing with fear in their eyes, Keane is not giving them confidence & a 2 year plan was never long enough for the job to be done, we need a Burleyesque 5 year plan, an experienced manager who has had & is still hungry for success, lets all pray for a new Bobby Robson & management in the true sense of the word. Lets also give our youngsters some encouragement on the pitch, I think Smith, Eastman, Hyam, Murray, Wickham, Peters etc are the future of this club.

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alfromcol added 11:35 - Dec 6 Anyone KNOW why Delaney was not in the squad on Saturday?? Please don't speculate
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Lightningboy added 11:37 - Dec 6 Well said devontractorboy. I'd still love to see Burley back here.
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Blueulster added 11:44 - Dec 6 It is not all Roys fault. Some of the players and communication between players is not good enough for ITFC. How many times can he tell a defender to adopt a safety first approach and then they mess about on the ball. Although if he was sacked in the morning I would be more than happy. Does anyone think Peters could play in a central midfield role?
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thechangingman added 11:56 - Dec 6 So, it's six more months of woe then!!! Hey, at least he's honest about being crap though eh? That seems to make it all okay for some folk doesn't it? As long as he tells it like it is it doesn't matter that 'like it is' is appalling, boring, less-than-mediocre, uninspiring, non-attacking football and, ahem, 'management' that is leading us to football hell in a handcart... It's really hard to understand or accept this - two years and where has he got us??? I know this won't go down well with folk but personally I'd LOVE to see Burley back here - I still love that bloke - Town through and through and with a whole lot more experience under his belt since he was last around...

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ChurchmanBlue added 12:09 - Dec 6 Still not sure which side of the fence to fall on with regard to RK. If he has turned the corner, and decided that we will consistently try and play like we did on Saturday, and hopefully the players can remove the stupid errors, then I think we can go forward. However, RK does seem to lurch from one set of tactics to another. What everyone seems to forget with regard to his coaching staff is that he brought Gary Ablett on board at the start of the season, only for him to be taken seriously ill (is RK an unlucky manager?). Also, RK is still an in-experienced manager and I think that the problem is more Clegg's lack of football administration experience than RK's. I think the proof of what is happening with RK will be seen when the transfer window opens in January. At the moment I would expect Wickham to go to fund 4+ players to come in. With regard to Evans - you don't make as much money as he has done without being hard-nosed, and target driven.

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poggie added 12:15 - Dec 6 Oh great, so it looks like he's staying! For now at least! Oh well ... it's warmer indoors anyway!! And before you write me off as a fickle fan, I've supported this club for over 25 years ... some of that time I was living up north, so couldn't get to matches, (missed the Duncan years) but since 1997, I have been a loyal season ticket holder and although I don't live in Suffolk, I travelled to nearly all our home and away matches, (before I had my daughter) and all I have ever wanted from my team is 2 things ... passion and commitment. We always had those qualities ... until now ... Keane has driven both those things out of town, and in so doing has totally disallusioned me, as well as many other loyal supporters I'm sure. This current fiasco is NOT the supporters' fault, and the blame lies with one (extremely arrogant) man ... and guess what ... he's still cheerfully taking his massive salary while some of us (certainly me as a newly single parent) struggle to make ends meet! Honest? Keane? Yes, when it suits ... he's fighting to keep his job ... after all ... if he loses this one, what are his chances of getting that "better" one that he so covets? He couldn't care less about us or our club!

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bluelady added 12:23 - Dec 6 poggie dont agree, I really do want Keane to go now having supported him for last season and some of this, but this is not about money for him, he is a winner and to admit defeat would be the right thing to do but a very very bitter pill for him to swallow. If he had the capability he would take us far with his drive to win, sadly it appears he just doesnt have the skill set to be a top manager. Talking of arrogance, i feel that our current owner shows that charateristic, why when so many fans are feeling down in the dumps is he not coming forward and visably showing commitment to the club????

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Mark added 12:50 - Dec 6 We're 17th in the table, 4 points off the relegation zone, we've lost the last 5 league games, attendances are falling...if the manager takes "full responsibility" for this should he not resign? I keep reading excuses followed by comments about how we should not make excuses. I am disappointed that another Monday morning has passed without a press conference being called. We have a long list of players whose contracts must be agreed by January or they can sign for other clubs, plus the January transfer window is fast approaching when big buying and selling decisions need to be made. Are we really saying we would leave this to Roy Keane when he will be leaving the club in June?! (Keeping him on after that is unthinkable). Also, season ticket renewal forms usually go out around February. If Keane is in charge then I dread to think what will happen to our support. COME ON MR EVANS, ACT NOW!! Let's get a new boss, made a fresh start and look to move ITFC forwards.

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Surco72 added 12:52 - Dec 6 |Why doesnt Roy ask Mr Wilkins if he would give him a hand on a short term deal ,there is a number 2 who could aid Roy and take us forward
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SammyT added 12:53 - Dec 6 Anyone else thinking the luck has deserted us? Major decisions NEVER go our way, deflected shots go in against us not for us. Skum had another defelcted shot go in on Saturday! Not blaming luck, blame lies firmly with Keane but a small slice of luck and easily could have more points?
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