Roy Keane secret for success with Ipswich Town

SO what do we make of the Roy Keane appointment now that the dust has settled?

He has certainly increased interest in Ipswich Town and revitalised optimism among Blues supporters.

Replica shirts are being worn with pride again, and many are already counting down the days to the first game of next season.

And the signs are that Ipswich Town could soon be back on the glory trail again.

Mr Keane has made a favourable impression since his arrival at Portman Road, belying his ‘Mr Angry’ image although being ultra professional from the word go.

Banner headlines accompanied his decision to dispense with the services of seven players – ‘Keane wields the axe’ they roared.

Jim Magilton would have made similar decisions with 13 players out of contract, but the reaction would have been much more tempered.

This over-egging of the Keane reputation is something Ipswich Town will have to get used to.

Okay, he did not make wise decisions in some of his earlier days in football walking out on the Republic of Ireland squad on the eve of world cup finals and leaving Manchester United in a bit of a huff to join Celtic. And then departing Sunderland when the going got a little tough.

But reports coming out of the Stadium of Light confirm Keane as being a mellow individual off the field, and one that works very hard on the task in hand.

His brief is to take Ipswich back to the Premier League after their longest absence from the top flight for half a century.

He will make changes – he will ensure that players’ confidence is high and that they go into every game with that little bit of extra steel that was already evident in the wins over Cardiff City at Coventry City at the end of last season.

But whether he proves a success remains to be seen. It may be that Magilton would have been the best bet to stay with.

But at the moment that does not hold water, and lo and behold and glory be the signs are that the Blues are set to give their followers some much deserved cheer.