ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

IF beleaguered Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane thinks he has six weeks to save his Ipswich Town career – take it from me it could be as little as two matches.

 

On my radar there are distinct rumblings coming from Portman Road, where chief executive Simon Clegg continues to state his faith in the fiery Irishman and Marble Arch, where owner Marcus Evans bites his lip as he wields the power ... and the ability to bring down the axe.

 

Both men are bitterly disappointed at the relegation plight Ipswich are now in - but have believed, week by week, that Keane can turn around a simply dreadful season. Their faith is, just about,  intact as November turns into December.

 

But I detect a change in atmosphere in recent days - the concerns of autumn are now becoming more intense as Christmas approaches.

 

The two-match theory comes from Town's next two games - a brace of tough away fixtures, one in Cardiff, the other in Bristol. Should Town lose the Welsh fixture, the pressure for change will become intense. If both are lost, the Roy Keane game is up, as far as I can see it.

 

The rationale is simple - two more defeats would cement Ipswich's position in the bottom three, well adrift of the struggling pack as the Christmas period is on us.

 

Two more defeats would leave owner Evans - the man who personally chose Keane as an unlikely Ipswich Town boss - trying to find an escape hatch for the Blues, when all hopes had been pinned on promotion to the Premiership.

 

When I last met mystery magnate Marcus, who protects his identity for personal reasons, he foretold of a need for patience from the media and fans alike if the Keane era didn't start well.

 

In fact, the Keane era has started disastrously and even loyal Town fans have now been tested to the limits. 

 

Patience, even for owners desperate for their chosen one to succeed, wears extremely thin when there appears to be little sign of progress.

 

And a December exit would pave the way for a new man to be installed for the 2010 fightback to begin.

 

What price on Alan Curbishley being ushered in to bring a different style and tempo to Portman Road? 

 

 

posted on Thursday, November 26, 2009 10:22 PM by Nigel Pickover

Comments

Friday, November 27, 2009 9:45 AM by Michael Ager

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

Can't you people write positively for a change and give Keane the support he needs? I'm surprised you're allowed at Portman Road after all this rubbish that's written. Why, for instance, suggest Curbishley and a different style and tempo - Keane's having to build a completly new squad after the Magilton failure. For goodness sake SORT YOURSELVES out!!
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:02 AM by Stoo Bloke

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

Dear Santa

We've been very good boys & girls all season - please can we have Alan Curbishley for Xmas?
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:18 AM by JAMES EASTER

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

I can never comprehend why everyone assumes that great players automatically make great managers. Look at the 1966 World Cup team..Look at the Double winning Arsenal.
The problem is that great players expect lesser mortals to be able to reprocate their skills, and frustration builds when this cannot be communicated or achieved.
ITFC has seen this before..Jackie Milburn for example. It has nothing to do with skills, it has everything to do with "Man Management"
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:21 AM by Tony

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

I has a sobering thought, Ipswich may be relegated this season.
It made me feel ill.

I am a big supporter of Keane and think he has potential to be a great manager. But we need something to happen soon to get us out of this mess.

Will getting rid of Keane solve the problem? I don't think so. Will another manager want to re-build and get his own players again? If so, we would be in the same situation.

I hope we don't go down this season, I hope that things come good on the field.

Rather than Alan Curbishley for Christmas, I want Town of out relegation.
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:38 AM by dallascowboyblue

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

I, like most of the town fans, have kept faith with Roy as i believed he would turn things around. I am still behind him but you have to question the most important aspect of his tenure.......his dealings in the transfer market. So far Healey, Martin, Edwards have all been a waste of money and for the last 3 years we have been crying out for a decent CH and Striker and still no sign of either. If we are still in the bottom three by christmas then i think it will be 'lights out' for RK.
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:39 AM by Rory Beer

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

I believed in Keane, and the presence and attitude he will bring to the Town, but those that support Keane still have a narrow vision and to be perfectly honest are living in bygone era's, all i here is how it took Sir Bobby time, and it did. But WE ARE NO LONGER IN THAT TIME. Rightly or Wrongly football is a money game with quick results required, and this is what Keane was brought into deliver. HE HAS NOT. His buys are at best (exception Leadbitter) dodgy and in some cases (Priskin) disastrous. If by the end of December results are still not going our way or the manner of our play then i will join the bandwagon, until then i remain hopeful.
Friday, November 27, 2009 10:48 AM by SoleBayBlue

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

Why are you so obsessed with Curbishley?!
Friday, November 27, 2009 11:32 AM by Peter Smith

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

When we have been succesful in the past the one thing we have all moaned about was the lack of publicity. This will not be the case should Roy Keane bring us success, so I dearly hope he succeeds.
If he doesn't, why the obsession with Alan Curbishley. West Ham fans were not at all impressed with the style of football produced under him and neither were Charlton fans for the last 2 or 3 years of his reign.
Friday, November 27, 2009 11:52 AM by John

# re: ITFC: Just two matches may see Roy Keane exit the Blues

Agree that time's running out and the next 2 matches are critical but the question is would Curbishley or another proven manager want to step into a relegation fight with the season nearly half gone? The squad is strong enough to stay up and with Garvan and Norris coming back into the midfield we should at least start to create more chances.
 
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