7:00am Saturday 27th February 2010
By Matt Plummer
Roy Keane is not setting a points target in terms of Ipswich Town staying in the Championship.
With 14 games left, his side – sixth from bottom and four points above the relegation zone – have a fight on their hands to avoid dropping down to League One.
But Keane is not setting any targets in terms of what would be sufficient to dodge the drop.
“Some clubs will look at the points they need to stay up and get promoted and some people look at the league table from past seasons,” said the Blues boss, whose side entertain Bristol City this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
“But I don't think like that. There's too many games left to play.
“All we want to do is win today and not get bogged down by what might happen next week or the week after.
“Some of my staff might set targets, some of the players might and some of the supporters might.
“But I don't and have never been one for thinking that way.
“I just focus on the next game because anything else can throw you off your mindset.”
Town will be back at Portman Road for the first time in three weeks this afternoon, following consecutive away games at QPR, Peterborough, Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe.
“It's been a difficult run of games, playing teams around us and a bit of travelling,” said Keane, who admitted he was concerned by fatigue in his squad.
“It'll be nice to get back to playing at home.
“But we've got some very tough games coming up and it's another tough one today.
“I suppose we were pleased with seven points (from the four away games), given the setback we had at Peterborough.
“We had a good reaction from the players and supporters but now we need to kick on and get a run of victories because we're still down there fighting.
“We know that if we don't win today and other results go against us we could be down there in the bottom three or four again.
“But if we perform like we have in the last couple of games we should be fine.
“We know that on our day we can cause any team problems but it's doing it week in, week out.”
Keane believes his side face a tough test against a Bristol City side that beat title contenders West Bromwich Albion last Sunday.
And he believes winger Danny Hayes – who he let join the Robins last summer – has nothing to prove on his return to Portman Road.
“Danny did quite well when he was here and I don't think he has anything to prove,” said the Town chief.
“We all know he's a good talent and hopefully he'll mature and improve in the next few years.
“But when a new manager comes in, there's an option to go out and I'm trying to bring my own players in, I put it to Danny and he's gone to a good club in Bristol City.
“He was a handful last week and on his day he's a good player, but we've got to make sure he has a bad day today.”
Keane said he has three major injury doubts – although refused to name names – and will be hoping key midfielder Grant Leadbitter avoids another booking, having collected his ninth of the season at Scunthorpe on Tuesday.
If he collects another one – taking his tally to ten – he will face a two-match ban.
“It's certainly not giving me sleepless nights,” said Keane, when asked if he was concerned by the situation.
“Some of his bookings have been needless. I think two or three have been for dissent.
“I certainly don't mind my players getting booked for tackling and if he's going to pick up that tenth booking I hope it's for a tackle.
“If not and he gets a two-game ban, it'll be his own fault.”
For a full report, pictures and reaction from this afternoon's game at Portman Road, see Monday's Daily Gazette.
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