Blues boss Roy Keane dismissed suggestions that Damien Delaney’s own goal in the 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest was unlucky. The loss was the Blues seventh in nine league games and leaves Keane’s side only three points from the relegation places.

The Town manager was less than impressed with the build-up to the own goal: “A lot went on before the ball goes in. It was a minute before half-time and we had possession before that. We talk about being streetwise.

“I think we would have been disappointed at coming in 0-0 at half-time, never mind 1-0 down. But there’ll be no pity parties tonight.”

Keane felt his side again lacked quality in and around the box: “The one or two half-chances we had, the final ball let us down. David Norris got in a good position, Jason did, and Connor, but that’s been a problem for us.

“We need to be cleverer in and around the box, whether that’s playing a one-two, knowing when to cross it, knowing when to take someone on. I think we make the wrong decision too many times.”

The former Manchester United man wasn’t too unhappy with the overall performance: “I thought we played not bad. In any game when you’re up a good team there’s not going to be too much in it. They were cancelling us out, they hit us on the break once or twice in the first half and their keeper made a good save from Troy. We looked a bit dangerous from set pieces.

“In the second half we were chasing the game and Forest were always going to be decent on the break and I think it would have been the same the other way around.

“The first goal is massively important in the Championship and if we’d scored the first goal today we certainly wouldn’t have gone on to lose the game. That maybe sums up the game, we’re nearly a good team, but nearly never made it.”

Keane says he missed the tackle which led to Grant Leadbitter’s red card: “I didn’t really see it and I really should have had the best view. Because the referee initially gave the foul [to Town], I was looking forward already and thinking about getting Márton Fülöp forward for the freekick.

“I think he was trying to play some sort of advantage, but what he was playing an advantage for I don’t know because Grant’s got a lad hanging off him and there was no advantage there.

“Anyone who knows Grant knows he’s not that type of player and the boy was OK. I need to see it on video again. We certainly didn’t need Grant getting a three-game ban as Grant’s an important player for us. That rubs salt into the wounds today.”

Keane, who says no moves in or out are immediately on the cards, revealed that Gareth McAuley came off at half-time due to a hamstring injury.

Asked if he was determined to carry on as Town boss, he said: "I've not had a stupid question for a while, but well done."

Forest boss Billy Davies believed his side deserved the three points: “The goal was fortunate but I think we had some great chances.

“I was very concerned before the game that they’d had one game less than us over the Christmas period, but seven points from a possible nine we’ve got to be delighted with.

“It was scrappy, they made it difficult for us, they brought in a lot of physical presence and played a certain way. We had to defend well and at times we got the ball down and played, but it was a difficult surface, very slippy, and it was a difficult afternoon with the type of game that it was.”

Davies said he and Keane got on fine on the touchline, despite a potentially explosive incident in the first half: “I apologised to Roy when McGoldrick nearly scored from the drop and I genuinely think that it was accidental.

“I apologised straight away, it certainly wasn't what we wanted and we’d have been gutted if the ball had gone in the net. I apologised before he punched me!”

The Scot said he would have looked to have made amends had the ball gone in rather than striking the woodwork: “I would probably have asked the referee to take the drop again or done all we could to make sure the goal didn’t stand, if that were possible. Without a doubt we’d have done something about it, I don’t want him to kick my head in!”

Photo: Action Images

tractorboy2434 added 22:44 - Jan 3 Yes a boycott is the only way to show our feelings, advertise which matches, buy no match day tickets, ST holders stay away, its the only way to hit the club where it hurts, all this crap of no atmosphere, what the hell do they expect, its like watching paint dry, the football is non existent, so let's get together and stay away on the same matches, Doncaster on 22nd would be a start.

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shackleton added 22:59 - Jan 3 staying away from a match wont help,after all we play in a half empty stadium as it is , now if we do want rid of that maniac we have to turn on him vocally...yes i know its hard as we are normally not like that.....try it though its been done before
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robomcbobo added 23:16 - Jan 3 sack him now... terrible manager, nasty piece of work, may he never work in football again...
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whippet added 23:20 - Jan 3 The only entertaining thing about this match was the constant theatrics from Keane (especially his gestures near the end of the game towards us). What was it with that big guy who he had a major argument with him right at the end? It was entertaining seeing Leadbitter sent off too (Head down and couldn't wait to get off the pitch). 3 match ban for him will be interesting (as we have SO much talent waiting in the wings). As a spectator it was a terrible game of football. Forest were pretty awful at times, but we were pitifully bad. No creation, no runs, no nothing. Nobody stepped up today. When they did attack we looked so fragile at times that you could almost feel the panic of the defenders. They lack belief and self confidence. Another goal conceded to add to the list of howlers we have conceded this season (this time part-Fulop-part-Delaney). Other clubs must be dying to see the highlights every week to see how we conceded the goals. ENOUGH IS SIMPLY ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED KEANE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There was no support for Keane on the terraces (not ONE PERSON!!!) Everyone wants him out. FANS ARE ARGUING ABOUT WHETHER THEY JUST WANT KEANE OUT OR WHETHER IT SHOULD BE KEANE AND CLEGG!!!!!!!! (that seems to be the main clash..) Lets go through the chants today. Hmmmm. "Keano, Keano, whats the score", "Going down, going down, going down", "We are so ---- its unbelievable", "Keane out, Keane out, Keane out" (that one was VERY LOUD). "Boring, Boring, Football". The occasional plastic fork kept getting thrown by a few supporters but didn't feel enough was done. ITS TIME TO START A FULL FAN PROTEST ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BANNERS- MASSIVE "Keane Out". If the cameras start picking this up regularly,it might embarrass the owners enough to get rid of him. I think we have been TOO TOLERANT as supporters. Remember, this is the guy who promised us promotion in 2 seasons. We are now just above relegation, and are easily in the worst form of any club in this division (MAYBE IN ALL ENGLISH LEAGUES???!!!) We have a bunch of players who lack motivation, concentration and seem to care nothing about this club (why such a rash tackle Leadbitter,it was OBVIOUS that would be a red card and 3 games on the sidelines). We created nothing today. Forest played poorly (their passing game was well-off today) but won EASILY. There was no real pressure from us all game. KEANE OUT!!!!!!!!! OUT!!!!!!! OUT!!!!!!!

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TractorBeezer added 23:28 - Jan 3 I thought that we played reasonably well at times but there was too much reliance on hopeful long balls and we often gave away the ball carelessly. There was very little incisiveness in their penalty area and we do not know how to maximise set plays. In my opinion, Although Forest looked more composed during their build-up play they were lucky to win. But a hard ball pulled back from the byline is a difficult situation to defend against...as we saw the ball can go anywhere. I wish that we did that more often...Wickham's first half cross to Fallon is the only similar sitaution that I can recall but it was not a hard ball in. While Brown and Kennedy did quite well defensively we had no real wing play in the first half. There was some action on the right in the second half with a combination of Edwards and Peters getting forward, but again, no real penetration. Overall we are just not that difficult to defend against. Must say that I question Keano' s strategies and tactics (or lack thereo) It is also disturbing that we cannot find a way to utilise and bring out the best of the Priskins, Garvans and Townsends. What is the status of Civelli's fitness and readiness? As others have pointed out we certainly need more creativity and a better balance. Felt sorry for Leadbitter who played the ball but his studs were up and his boot rolled over the ball. I suspect that Anderson made the most of the situation which resulted in a harsh red card. Something has to change. Either three new players (right back, creative midfielder and winger) and a change of strategy and tactics or a new manager who will also need some money to spend. Hopfully a new manager can get more out of the players we have most of which are individually quite capable.

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GiveusaWave added 23:28 - Jan 3 The goal came down our right hand side again. I continually post to say what every other Town fan is thinking- we need proper and adequate cover in this position. No-one listens. League 1 here we come.
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GiveusaWave added 23:33 - Jan 3 Anyone else concerned that none of our present players seems to want to resign? Just asking, - as we might find it difficult to field a team in league one!
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GiveusaWave added 23:40 - Jan 3 Thought this old Blog by Nuggets was brilliant. Gives us some good facts and figures to look at (hope you don't mind me posting it here Nuggets??) Our club has become the laughing stock of the division. We have a tactically inept manager playing boring, predictable football to the tune of discontent and disappointment in the stands. The question is can anybody defend Roy Keane? Can anybody justify keeping with this man? Since Keane came to Portman Road to the fanfare of an expensive two-year contract and the promises of promotion, our club has witnessed poor results, widespread dissatisfaction and declining attendances. I am usually a firm believer in being patient with the manager, but I had my doubts about Keane from the beginning. I wrote an article on 606 expressing my reservations over Keane's transfer record when he was revealed. Keane's signings at the club have been poor, that's indisputable. I struggle to pick out many positive, consistent performances from the likes of Damien Delaney, Carlos Edwards, Grant Leadbitter, Lee Martin and Tamas Priskin since they arrived at the club with their big reputations and inflated transfer fees. I can remember when fans were so bitterly hostile to Jim Magilton in his final months, believing that a change was necessary to break into the promotion places. Arguably those people were correct, but the subsequent decision to hire Roy Keane has completely undermined the reason of firing Magilton and the good squad both he, and arguably Joe Royle had left behind. We would be better with Magilton still at the club, alas for the benefit of hindsight. Take a look at Magilton and Royle's final seasons at Ipswich Town, considered to be poor campaigns by our club's standards, but compared with what is happening at the moment puts their Ipswich careers into perspective: Royle's final season — 56 points, 53 goals scored, 66 goals conceded Magilton's final season — 66 points, 62 goals scored, 53 goals conceded Keane's first season — 56 points, 50 goals scored, 61 goals conceded If we persist with Keane this season then I fear it will be our worst season for decades, even worse than his first. We will be sucked into a bitter relegation battle in a tough division and I seriously doubt our ability to survive. The fact is we have won one league game in the last nine. It pains me to have to say this, because our club usually gives managers time, but Keane has got to go if we want to salvage anything from this wasted season. I fear that this prophecy may come true. FORK!!!! FORK!!!!FORK!!!! FORK!!!!

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StowTractorBoy added 23:45 - Jan 3 To all the people who wanted Keane out over the past year or so I now take my hats off to you and apoligise for staying with him but I felt he deserved his chance. Alas I now have to confess that over the time span of his management i.e. 19 months there has never been a period like it during the last 50 years, as this is the worst football served up by ITFC over a 19 month period. Even Duncan served up better football although he could never pick a team a la Keane. If Keane does not walk (as he will not be sacked) we will be relegated as Palace will I am sure get out of it which leaves just PNE and Scunthorpe to go down with us. Keane has made it clear again today he will not walk so I am afraid we can look forward if you can call it that to visiting a few new grounds next season playing our home games in front of 10,000 supporters. How very sad this is but am afraid it is a reality. I just consider myself lucky enough to have seen ITFC playing all over the world and in the top two divisions of English football in in my time as a Town fan. Sadly those days look like never returning to our beloved Club - very sad times. Oh and to the Norwich gloaters on here you will never achieve what ITFC have so don't get too cocky.

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GiveusaWave added 23:51 - Jan 3 Well done Leicester City btw for making a deal for Ben Mee (a very good short term signing!) SlowTractorBoy- I fear Scunthorpe might get out of it-they have a game up on us and always fight hard near the end of the season. lets hope Sheff Utd, Preston and 1 other team just have terrible results for the rest of the season!
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BrettenhamBlue added 00:00 - Jan 4 Like you Slowtractorboy I supported Keane on this site from the start but have gradually grown more and more disillusioned as unbelievable decision after unbelievable decision was made. I had reservations about the Leadbitter/Edwards deal and couldn't believe that we literally "gave away" Jordan Rhodes. Since then the football has become more and more negative and our manager seems to be tactically incompetent. A change of Manager (most of the time) brings out the best from players. Why are none of our players resigning? They don't want to play under Keane in League 1 next season. They should do what is best for them first. I wouldn't want to play under Keane, why should they? We have excuse after excuse after games. We defend comically and fans of league 2 sides laugh at our clown-like defending. We don't think when we attack and no longer have the players who can create chances (Garvan, Walters etc). We are destined for League 1 under Keane and should acknowledge our fate. The ultimate insult would be if he gets a new 2-year contract at the end of the season once we have been relegated!!! Norwich must really be looking forward to playing us at Portman Road this season.

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BlueArmy01 added 00:25 - Jan 4 Please can anyone tell me how the Clown still has a job..............words fail me!
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zebra added 00:28 - Jan 4 I know I've said in previous posts that it isn't the 'Ipswich way' to sack managers and we should let RK see out his contract; but after today I have to admit that perhaps that ethos should now change. The club is no longer the Ipswich Town that I have known and loved since the '50s. I wonder how he gets on with his nearest and dearest? Are they also terrified of doing something 'wrong' and if they do are they marginalised like Priskin, Civelli et al. The players are scared of him. They have no respect for him and so they can't play for him. They're scared. He has no respect for their footballing abilities [and YES they do have abilities] - he plays them out of their best positions, he plays them one game and then drops them for the next. The team that played against Forest were his team, his signings, the ones that the coaching staff work with, so he can't just say that they're not good enough. The buck has to stop somewhere or with someone and I have to finally admit that that somewhere/one is RK. Please do the decent thing Mr Keane and resign. You don't need the money - we scrimp and save and miss out on other things in life to buy season tickets [and, a while back, buy Ipswich Town shares too]. Just go and walk your dogs and let someone else do the job. The first game I saw we were in 3rd Division [South] and it looks like I shall finish my days watching us playing back in the equivalent Division 1. I could cry - actually I am crying. It's so sad.

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BrettenhamBlue added 00:56 - Jan 4 hate to say it Zebra,but reckon we will all be crying after the Chelsea game. They will want to build up the confidence of their team,and know we have no recognised rightback. If they score an early goal it could be a slaughter. I was at Old Trafford many years ago (early 90's) when we got hammered 9-0 by Man Utd. We were in poor form and United wanted to prove a point. Ironically there first goal came at about 30 mins from Keane! If we are lucky we might get away with a 3/4-0 and some degree of reputation. If they exploit our weaknesses (and they will) the score could be a landslide. They will most likely play players who are on the fringe of their first team who are desperate for the step up and desperate to make a mark. Meanwhile, we will be comically defending as always. Maybe we should buy clown costumes for our back-four? (except McCauley, he doesn't deserve to be tainted with the same brush and looks far too good for our team)

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BrettenhamBlue added 01:05 - Jan 4 To all those fans who say our players should show loyalty by signing their contracts we should ask ourselves, would we? Would we sign to play in League 1 oblivion? (this is their livelihood). If you are McCauley and QPR want to sign you, would you listen? If you were Norris and Norwich were trying to make a deal, wouldn't you consider it? Potential Premiership Football or Top of League 1 next season? Which would you rather play for? These players have families and lives outside the game and need to consider them first. It will be an interesting January. Many of the players we want to resign will move on and those we don't want (Lisbie, Pablo) will move on. Who will be left? Last man standing, close the doors please. On the ME front, do you blame him for not giving Keane money? Why should he, he's blown the rest and created a laughing stock of a team. I would rather wait for his contract to expire, DON'T renew it and give some serious cash to the next man in. With the amount of players who are leaving SERIOUS investment is needed next season. Why give it to Keane who will blow £1million on Midson or someone like that? Does Keane actually know when he sees a good player?

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GiveusaWave added 01:26 - Jan 4 The most frustrating thing about all of this is that we can clearly see what the issues are yet they are never resolved. TACTICS LACK OF RIGHT BACK LACK OF CREATIVE PLAYERS NO ASSISTANT TOO MUCH USE OF LOANEES SELLING PLAYERS ON THE CHEAP TOO MUCH USE OF YOUTH PLAYERS INABILITY TO RECOGNISE GOOD PLAYERS MOTIVATION AND CONFIDENCE OF TEAM If we can see it and the results show it, why can't he?

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GiveusaWave added 01:27 - Jan 4 Almost makes me cry also
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GiveusaWave added 01:29 - Jan 4 If we were playing Championship Manager, the board would have sacked us long ago- and with good reason.
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Steve_Ryan added 01:31 - Jan 4 yet another poor home display and as against Coventry i feel Fullop has to take some responsabilty for the goals if it didnt come off Delaney it would of be pushed straight to a Forest player to slot home, and his kicking from pass backs have been very poor. Also i sit just behind the dugout and like a few have said about a disagreement with a fan who seats a row in front of me, they did have words as they do most weeks with a few shut ups etc, it was Mcparland who jumped in F'ing and blinding and completely loosing it i know passions are high but its the family area with kids around they shouldnt in the firing line on hearing this, security staff wanted to speak to the guy about what he said to keane, even the stewards had tried to defend the supporter but security wouldn't listen to them.

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RedDust added 02:13 - Jan 4 Roy Keane you are mentally and tactically a fuc*ing peasant!
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adamisablue added 02:42 - Jan 4 ah dont go roy! i personaly will miss you "making a few phone calss" whilst quietly playing down " an expected hectic transfer window" i mean any muppet can get to mid table in the chamionship right? i mean sure the core of the current squad is good (or is there a long way to go? i cant remeber what you said about them last) you only need 2 or 3 whole teams worth to achieve promotion in 2 oh wait 3 wait again 4 years. sure we have a striker who is scoring complimenting his team mate, but he should shut up and concentrate on scoring right? and another striker who is m.o.m 4 games running, but he did have a poor 30 minutes of football, every reason to drop him out of the squad. 5 or 6 "streetwise chracter" loan players should do the job and you dont need an assistant, he'll just get in your way. you still have the backing of your players, i think its edwards turn this week. dont worry about us supporters, we dont know nothing about the game, we'll still be here after some very flat in-effective football. just walk your dogs mate, everything will be fine. keep going roy, sterling job! i do understand scarcasm is the lowest form of wit.....

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bobble added 11:04 - Jan 4 i will give you a tip roy .......when you inherit a ream that was just outside the playoffs playing good footbal and has plenty of support buy 1-2 players to perfect the club .spend bugger all and enjoy the ride....its not hard is it ?
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Strikes added 13:00 - Jan 4 Protest? I have an idea... a little left field but stay with me. An earlier post mentioned someone chucking a few plastic forks or something. Well if every supporter who wants to see the back of Keane came along wielding a giant fork (or fork-like effigy, so as not to contravene ground regulations), and waved it during the game, it would prompt the obvious question from the media ("Why are so many people waving forks around at Portman Road?") and we would get our message across. I may knock one up to take to Chelsea....

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Lightningboy added 13:46 - Jan 4 I think it's time our club shop started selling giant inflatable forks....we could use the enormous proceeds to pay the clown off.
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DrJeckyll added 09:51 - Jan 5 i love the idea of a boycott, it would be fantastic to go to a game where all you weak sphinctered whingers have stayed away, just like with the northampton and west Brom games, far far better atmosphere without you
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