Skipper David Norris says everyone at Portman Road is under pressure after the recent run of results, not just manager Roy Keane. Saturday’s defeat at Preston was Town’s sixth successive league loss.

Norris said: “When you’re on a run like we are, everyone’s going to be under pressure, particularly the manager. He’s happy to take the flak and deflect the pressure of the results on to himself to take the pressure off us so we can continue to try play our game.

“But we’re feeling it as well, we’re having discussions between ourselves, we know it’s got to change and we’re trying everything we can to try and change it.”

The former Plymouth man, speaking during Tuesday afternoon’s visit to St Elizabeth Hospice, said the Blues boss hadn’t been at that morning’s training session, it not being unusual for Keane to hand over the running of a session to his coaches: “We haven’t seen the manager since the game, we were only in for training this morning, and we’re doing this this afternoon.

“I think the manager was especially disappointed after the weekend. I think it was a good chance for us to turn it around and we haven’t done that. At the moment it’s tough for everybody.”

Norris says the players are still fully behind their boss: “We all get asked to do press and all the lads are saying the same things and backing the manager.

“And if anybody has any doubts about the authenticity of this they only have to look at our recent games.

“No one can accuse us of not playing for our manager. The effort is there, if not the quality at the moment.”

Norris, Gareth McAuley, Jack Colback and Arran Lee-Barrett took part in yesterday’s visits which also continue tomorrow.

In addition to gifts donated by Town, the squad paid more than £2000 of their own money for extra presents for the children they are visiting at Ipswich, Colchester and West Suffolk hospitals, St Elizabeth Hospice and Children’s Hospice (EACH) in Ipswich and St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds.

Each of the wards visited will also receive further gifts including portable DVD and CD players, mini camcorders and toys for children who spending time in hospital throughout the year.

Captain Norris says the present-giving is now a traditional part of the club’s Christmas: “The visits to the local hospitals and hospices at Christmas are an important part of our build-up to the festive season and being able to take gifts in to the children and adults we’re visiting is really rewarding.

“We are very grateful for the assistance of Asda Stoke Park in ordering in all the toys that we need as well as donating CD players, DVDs, CDs and computer games from their own stock for the wards to keep.

“Being in hospital is never fun and especially so at this time of year. These visits give us the chance of helping to put a smile back on the faces of the children in the wards and showing our appreciation for the hard-working nurses and carers.”

Photo: Action Images

TractorRoyNo1 added 10:31 - Dec 15 guys please stop talking about it - just get your heads down and deliver on the pitch
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Solly added 10:32 - Dec 15 Where is he then? Face the music keano. Might as well make the most of his last week at the club.
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BseaBlue added 10:34 - Dec 15 A real nice touch from the Town players within the community.
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PimsOclock added 10:35 - Dec 15 I'm sorry Chuck, but the effort is not there and it's clear for all the fans that there is a lack of effort amongst the entire team at the moment. You win things by fighting for every ball and chasing the game until the final whistle and we dont seem to be showing the desire to do that. Well done on the charitable visit to the childrens hospice, it's nice to see that the community spirit from the club is still there in parts.

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Mark added 10:37 - Dec 15 "we're trying everything we can to try and change it.” “We haven't seen the manager since the game" That could work. :-) Seriously, we've heard it all before. If the lads really are trying 100%, why would Fallon not confirm this the other day? To be fair, the players do seem to be trying on the pitch but they just look disorganised, demoralised and downhearted. They need a manager who believes in them and who believes in playing the right way (passing football please!)

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Legend added 10:42 - Dec 15 As i've said before. THE PLAYERS HAVE LET US DOWN not the manager!! Every single game we create goal scoring chances....do we take them? Do we f**k!!! Our defence makes sunday league mistakes most games. Now is does not matter if you play for Ipswich Town, Colchester, Real Madrid etc etc etc if you play like that at at the back and dont take your goal scoring chances then you WILL BE PUNISHED!!!!! Look at the Swansea game, Priskin should have buried his shot which would have made us 2-0 up! Smith should have kicked that ball into row z instead of trying to dribble it out. The Norwich game, O'dea should have kicked that ball over the roof of the stand! Every single goal in football is the result of a mistake on the pitch somewhere, be it a missed pass on the halfway line or failed clearance. Its the players who are making the basic mistakes and not taking their chances infront of goal and letting the manager, fans, and club down! Could you honestly see Scotland, Wickham or priskin getting the same goals as Grant Holt did if they were given the same goal scoring chances??? They would have missed every shot they had. Yes i know the manager buys these players and sorts out tactics etc etc, but on the pitch all players should feel proud to wear the ITFC shirt and give 100% every single game. They should fight for every single ball, tackle, shot etc. I dont see that out there at all most match days! Where are the Matt Hollands, Tony Mowbrays, David Johnsons & Jim Magiltons out there on that pitch? ITFC is in serious trouble, we have a ego tripped manager and players who feel no pride what so ever to pull on the blue shirt of ITFC. Maybe Norris does (When he is not injured) and maybe G-Mac but the others??? Not a chance!!

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CavendishBlue added 10:47 - Dec 15 Wouldn't read too much into manager not being at the training session as this would often be the case early in the week. What is clear however is that whilst the spirit is good the players clearly aren't being given the direction they should and this is leading to the team having no shape. Why did he changre the sucessful system with Hyam as a sweeper early in th seasn.This lead to chuck and GL getting forward and becoming creative.Ever since then when he sited 'resting a young player' we have fallen apart so often, and the assists and goals from these two have dried up. I give him the next game and Boxing Day to sort it out or its opeation 'Get Butch'.

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JohnScales added 10:49 - Dec 15 Didn't Keane disappear before he left Sunderland. Or am I clutching at straws??
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Karlosfandangal added 10:56 - Dec 15 Wonder if this will affect the contract of the 21 who need a new one. If the club is relegated would mean less money and I expect the player will be looking for better deals. I can see the Norris McAuley will be allowed to leave if thats the case. It is vital we stay in this division as I feel this will set us back 5 years and we will need a major rebuild.
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johnwarksshorts added 10:56 - Dec 15 Great admiration to the players, staff of ITFC for their visits to various Hospices in the community....puts football into perspective. Happy Christmas.
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BYRNE_16 added 10:58 - Dec 15 Well Done for all the Town players & staff Asda Stoke Park for their generosity in assisting and making these very sick children happier at this time of year. Well Done and Thank You. Now lets give generously on the pitch.
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BYRNE_16 added 11:01 - Dec 15 FAO Phil: is there a chance of doing a sperate story for the Players Visit to the hospital instead of mixing it in with a story about our continuing woes???! Possibly with some added pictures. It might lift the spirits!
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Legend added 11:07 - Dec 15 No news about Wickham? Im just waiting to hear the still out injured lies!!
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Raedwald_625 added 11:20 - Dec 15 Keane hasn't showed up this week? What's he getting paid for? Isn't he itching to sort out our problems on the pitch? His presence on the training fields would be invaluable right now, I would have thought. Still, as a fan what do I know? Nice touch again visiting the hospitals.
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PhilTWTD added 11:20 - Dec 15 Byrne No photos, but more on the hospice visit on the Anglia TV site: http://www.itv.com/anglia/ipswich-support-hospice42575/
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blueherts added 11:22 - Dec 15 Legend - Keane is the Manager , responsible to creating a positive environment and appointing capable people around him who can , like him , motivate , lead by example and develop. Well I would say that KEANES COACHING STAFF ARE NOT DOING THAT .. THE BUCK STOPS WITH HIM . yes the players have made mistakes , you see that week in week out in all football - But it is how they have reacted to those mistakes and losses which is worrying . Keane and his staff are responsible for getting the players to be primed and drilled for each and every game - Just look at the communication from the bench during a game and on the pitch - Non existent - where are the leaders ?? This is a classic case of management by fear - keane was a decent player but is NOT A MANAGER and never will be - He picks the team , he sets the style and formation - With the players we have we should and would be higher with the right Coaching set up and who appoints and oversees the Coaches ?? Oh yes Roy Keane - get the clown out now

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MVBlue added 11:23 - Dec 15 Yes but Chuck if a new manager comes in he will get rid of deadwood players. You keep trying mate, but theres only so much you can do with the tactics, style and man management you are given.
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DidcotBlue added 11:24 - Dec 15 Congrats to the Players, first thing they have done worthwhile in ages, My son is going to be in Hospital this Xmas in Bristol so gestures like this are appreciated, well done boys now go on a 20 match unbeaten streak and get us promoted!! ITFC Forever!!!
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SammyT added 11:28 - Dec 15 Legend - You talk alot of sense. Different story if chances were taken and mistakes cut out. Lots of factors. Not won since Sheffield and the loss of G-Mac is a massive factor. Although Keane has proven he is not the man for the job he has done exceptionally well with his spin by deflecting the blame his way. Only need to go through 90% of the comments on here to see how many people have bought it...

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blueherts added 11:54 - Dec 15 SammyT -IIn business If you are a Sales office or Shop and you are all regularly underperforming the Directors will look at the Management , what can we do differently to improve the numbers etc ... No difference in Sport - In a performance/Reward job people need to be motivated , encouraged , rewarded . Keane does none of these things and he has not even built a team of 'coaches' around him that can - Tell me what qualities as a MANAGER he has to turn it around . The players are not responding to him - That is a fault of the Management not the players

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roytheboy added 11:56 - Dec 15 Legend, I relate to what you have said in your posting, it is a positive analysis and so much more refreshing to read than the usual "Keane out" postings, maybe we would do better with another Manager, who knows ! I do however respect Roy Keane for his commitment and honesty, I would very much love him to turn our fortunes around, but feel this is a decision for the owner rather than the Supporters, I of course respect every opinion on this site, I do however despair at the cruelty and unpleasantness directed at our Manager by some posters and wonder how they would feel if in their profession they were criticised so unpleasantly on a routine basis, I want our club to do well just the same as every other Supporter but I do agree with Legend that the main problem is the quality of performance on the pitch, in particular our back row and the fact that none of our Strikers at present appear worthy of the description, yes the Manager did choose them, but only because they fell into the budget constraints that he was allocated, he cannot make them play any better than their qualities and talents allow, when players and Managers are not achieving, they will thrive much better on the fans getting behind them rather than trying to crucify them.

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SammyT added 12:08 - Dec 15 blueherts - Keane does not have the qualites to turn it round. I want him out and I agree. However you cant compare this sitaution to sales, a section of employment with the highest staff turnover...If you dont sell you get sacked and someone who can sell is hired instead, the Managers tend to stay the same. I have been to 90% of games this season home and away, have seen some woeful mistakes and some awful luck. Dont get me wrong, most/nearly all of the blame lies with Keane but can you seriously blame him for some of the mistakes and times like when Scotland shots off a corner against WBA and it hits Priskins heels and the line..? Blame him for Priskin missing countless chances? I certainly dont blame my manager for employing me if I make a mistake at work. I look at my mistake and try to learn from it. I think your totally spot on about the pressure Keane creates which could cause the mistakes but up to a certain point only. Cant soley blame him. Have seen some poles on various forums and most people blame our defense, followed by Keane, followed by stirkers. Would still put Keane top of the blame list. Keane out...

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KenDubZ added 12:14 - Dec 15 stop worrying about what us fans think and GET YOUR HEADS DOWN !!!!!
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blueherts added 12:25 - Dec 15 If keane had come into the club - got on with the job and built some sound structure around him - no problem - but Keane is a 'soundbite' manager - 'Any half decent Manager can take a team to mid table in Championship' - he opens himself up for criticism - Keane picks the team - end of - he needs to get them in the right frame of mind etc . Why do you think a year ago - when we had the chance he did not take a 'Senior Football brain' as number two ??? I think he should answer that question ...Oh and he had budget constraints ?? Lee Martin put pay to any more money coming his way me thinks - Evans aint a fool when it comes to money - Why not blame Keane ??

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blue_em_away added 12:26 - Dec 15 Legend..... If you bought a shop and left a manager in charge to run the shop with his/her own staff and sales were very poor, would you.... Sack the staff and tell the manager to get some more staff? Sack the manager and get another. ie fella.... who is to blame???? Not hard is it? The players are not to blame. If RK picked me and my mates on sat against leicester and we get thrashed, who's fault is it we get thrashed???

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