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Ipswich Town Boss Roy Keane felt local non-league sides Leiston and Bury Town provided his team with more than useful midweek workouts. A largely second string side with Reggie Lambe on the bench beat the Ridgeons League team 2-0 at Victory Road on Tuesday with a more senior squad that saw Lambe take part defeating the Ryman League club 1-0 yesterday.
Speaking after last night’s match, Keane said: “We’ve had two games in last two days and credit to the opposition. Last night [at Leiston] was a very good game, a good tempo, and tonight was just as good and I really enjoyed it.
”Again the important thing was that a lot of the players got 90 minutes. There was only Mark Kennedy getting 45, young Conor Hourihane had a taste of it last night and another taste tonight, and he had to as we’re a bit short of players. I nearly got my boots back on myself!
“These games are about fitness and exercise. The final ball was lacking a bit tonight, but that will come.
“It did help that the pitch was good and the pitch was good last night as well, so there are no excuses for players. They should enjoy playing these games and I think they applied themselves well tonight and I think the supporters enjoyed it.”
The Blues manager says some of the non-league sides’ players caught his eye, including Bury keeper Marcus Garnham, who played a handful of games for Town’s reserves and U18s in 2005 and 2006 and stood in for another second string match in 2008: “I’ve been impressed with the opposition we’ve played over the last few days. I thought the goalkeeper tonight was outstanding. There were a couple of good players I watched last night and you never know they might be playing Saturday!”
Injuries and the impending departures of more senior players means that the younger members of the squad look likely play an important part this season, something which Keane feels could potentially work to the club’s advantage: “It might be the best thing to happen to the club to get these young boys in there.
"We all like experience, but give these boys an opportunity. Lambe, Luke Hyam, Troy Brown, Jack Ainsley, these boys have a chance and sometimes you have to throw them in there.
“I was lucky to play for managers who were quite happy to throw young players in, whether it was Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson. Sometimes your hand is forced that way and it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to the club.”
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