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Lambert: We're Talking to Judge and Keane
Thursday, 7th Mar 2019 17:34

Town boss Paul Lambert says the Blues are talking to Alan Judge and Will Keane about remaining at Portman Road beyond this season.

Judge, 30, joined Town from Brentford for a nominal fee in January on a deal which runs to the end of the season, which includes a one-year option the Irish international has described as “more in the club’s favour”.

Keane, 26, signed at the same time but on loan from Hull City, who have an option to keep him for a further season but appear certain to release him in May.

“That’ll be [down to] Judgey and his agent with [Town owner] Marcus [Evans]," Lambert said when asked about Judge's situation. "I think he loves it here. We’ve already had a chat with Judgey and he loves playing here.

“I think Judgey’s form and the way he plays the game, if this club stayed in the Championship or got relegated, I don’t think it would affect anything regarding his Irish national thing because the ability is always there.

“You don’t take the ability from somebody because you go higher or you go lower, your ability is what it is and it stays the same and Judgey’s been excellent for us.

“If it’s something that we can do and he’s happy with everything, then it would be something you would definitely look at it.”

He added: “Him and his agent will talk and they’ll talk with the club. But he knows my feelings on it because I’ve spoken to Judgey so I don’t have a problem with the relationship between myself and Judgey at all, it’s what can be done. But my recommendation with Judgey was definitely for him to be here.”

Regarding Keane, he said: “Will’s the same, I think Marcus has spoken to his agent. I think Will’s another one that loves it here as well.

“Up until he was injured he was playing excellently for us. He’s scored three goals since he’s been here and all of a sudden he got injured. I know Marcus is speaking to his side.”

Keane, who joined Hull from Manchester United when the Tigers were in the Premier League, is likely to be on very significant money at present, while the Blues would have to cut their wage bill in League One with relegation now looking certain.

Lambert admits that Town could find deals beyond them: “That’s all around the world that, anybody going for a Manchester City player. If drive a Skoda and you want to go a drive a BMW, if you can’t afford it you’re not going to buy the BMW, are you? It’s the same, it’s the same with players.

“Sometimes a player’s too dear, if that’s the case then we can’t do anything.

"That's what’s been happening here before and that’s my point. You go and say we can’t have this player, we can’t have this player and we get in a loan, get in a loan. Then loanee gets injured, goes back, you have an academy.

“That’s my point about building the club, it’s impossible. You have to an infrastructure if you want to do it long term. But everybody has to hold their nerve with it and I think that’s absolutely vital.”


Photos: TWTD/Pagepix



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blueboy1981 added 17:42 - Mar 7
SIMPLE - DON'T PROLONG THE TALKING - GET THEM SIGNED.

...... or do we wait again, for someone else to do so ??
6

jas0999 added 17:43 - Mar 7
I'd try and retain Judge but wouldn't pay our significant wages for a player with Will Keanes poor injury record.
5

blueboy1981 added 17:43 - Mar 7
Judge would be a good three year contract signing, he would go for that - so would Keane.
10

hadleighboyblue added 17:44 - Mar 7
If the club sorted out deals early for these 2 to be here next season , that would be a big boost when ST holders consider whether to renew .

Not sure we can meet Keane's wage demands , but Judge would be a terrific signing and a good skipper
11

afcfee added 17:46 - Mar 7
Now this would be good news
6

therein61 added 17:48 - Mar 7
Give Judge a 3 year contract and the arm band build the side around him, DO IT NOW!!!!
10

Cloddyseedbed added 17:55 - Mar 7
Yes to Judge, no to Keane.
-4

MichaelRockyLavelle added 18:14 - Mar 7
Yes to both,

Judge has been a breath of fresh air & is easily the best player at the club at present. Worth giving him a good contract - but that might have to enable him to move on at the end of next year if we're still in L1...

Keane - been fantastic, and what we've been missing - big, strong, tenacious & good in the air / holding up play - allowing our midfielders to run past. He was sorely missed at Reading
BUT he must take a significant wage reduction if he stays (I think he will)

also Chambers & Skuse should be given new contracts - but with a pay-cut
5

CraigEdwards added 18:26 - Mar 7
Apparently his on 25k a week !
1

happybeingblue added 18:36 - Mar 7
sounds like we have wasted a fair old bit on loan wages over the last few years was point he was making in pre wba interview.got us no where, i would only keep players who definetly want to be here if £ is an issue for them then dont bother,wonder if bart will stay as he would be on big £ now and jonas as well after world cup
0

Saxonblue74 added 18:38 - Mar 7
Craigedwards, where does that info come from? I think the more players from our current squad we can keep the better, particularly these two. Despite our results I firmly believe it's going to come together with our current personnel. A real goal poacher, fox in the box kind of player added would be good mind!
1

CraigEdwards added 18:54 - Mar 7
Saxonblue74.
His still on premier League wages and Hull want him off permanently.
Yep 25k a week
1

ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:58 - Mar 7
This is great news. I don't think Keane has too many other options and has already made it clear he would like to stay. He won't be offered 25k a week and i don't think he would expect to command that wage any longer. Sign him 8k pw + goal bonuses.
1

Saxonblue74 added 19:05 - Mar 7
He won't get 25k a week from us but could command close to it elsewhere imo. Hope he's really enjoying life at Portman rd and wants to stay!
2

IPSWICHMOUSE added 19:10 - Mar 7
Both good players in my eyes....Keane needs a reality check though about a wage reduction....Personally don't think he would get a shout anywhere else at present....Take a decent wage ....play first team football....enjoy ur football....take the glory....COYB.
5

blueboy1981 added 19:33 - Mar 7
...... agree with jas0999 - slight doubt over Keane, and his injury record - BUT a happy player, enjoying his football, being played in his BEST, and preferred position can result in the 'treatment room' being less attractive.

Just look at a certain Mr McGoldrick this season - doing just as I predicted he would ..... !!! - surprised ? - not me, in the least - seen it all before.
4

MickMillsTash added 21:23 - Mar 7
Get Judge
3

Dissboyitfc added 21:44 - Mar 7
i would have both
3

Karlosfandangal added 22:35 - Mar 7
I am with a Harry Rednapp on the goal bonus thing.

A player asked for a goal bonus and Harry said I thought that's what we pay you 65k a week for.

So sign Keane but I guess your looking at 15k a week on a 3 year. Got a feeling that the youngster will figure next season as their wages will be much lower and will only improve when we get back in the Championship, it's if we can hold on to them when Championship side like Derby take an interest and pay far more than Ipswich can.
0

midastouch added 07:58 - Mar 8
The cost of their wages needs to be balanced against the increased probability of us going straight back up with players like this in the team. The outlay of wages for the season would be more than justified if we bounced up at the first attempt as then our revenue would increase again by at least £7 million more a season. But of course no guarantees in football, as ever, you have to decide do you show a bit of measured ambition or do you just play it safe. And doing the latter has sent us into freefall.
0

ThaiBlue added 09:36 - Mar 8
Keep them both and Collins on a pay as you play contract let Chambers and skuse leave then a bit more money for the wages.
0

TR11BLU added 09:36 - Mar 8
Jury have spoken, verdict in...
Keep the Judge!
Quality that's been so long absent.
Build a team around him and we will rip up league 1 next season.
Keane, not fussed. At the right price only for me.
2


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