The Keane Factor

One Game. One Win. Three Scored. None Conceded. If Towns first performance under Roy Keanes leadership is anything to go by, then put all your money on an Ipswich Town Championship winning team next season. Just how much impact did he have?

There were several changes made to the Town line-up at Cardiff from the previous weeks long-awaited victory over Norwich City. However, given the extent of Towns current injury ravaged squad, defensively in particular, some of them may not have been as sweeping as might have been expected.

After his bright introduction at left-back against Norwich, Jamie Peters made his first start for Town in almost two years and continued in revelatory style with a performance of pace and style, coupled with some defensive discipline. Whilst much of the groundwork to this new position has been made over the course of the season away from the eyes of supporters, he has put himself in line to be a major beneficiary of the new regime.

After an even longer period away from the squad, it was even more of a surprise to see Matt Richards return and play a controlled part in a relatively sound defensive display for the team. Richards has unquestionably been one of the losers from the Jim Magilton reign, seemingly consigned permanently to Brighton. Yet, with such a dearth of left-sided talent, it remained something of a mystery that he had been excluded for so long. Given the extent of full-back options available, it is quite possible that whoever was manager on Saturday would have been left with little alternative. However, Richards performed well enough to suggest his recall was not without some merit and he seems likely to get a final chance next Sunday against Coventry. Whether it is enough to prolong his Ipswich career remains to be seen, but it has more life than it did a week ago.

Kevin Lisbie has had a much-maligned season at Town. Bought as a goalscorer, he has failed to deliver in that respect. However, his performances away from home have been as good as any player. On Saturday, he was used in an unusual left midfield role for much of the game, where he provided a threat throughout the game, constantly a willing runner into the channels and providing a suitable outlet from defence. With the dearth of left-sided players at the club, particularly in attacking roles, he appeared as well suited to the role as anybody.

The player thankfully vacating that left midfield role was David Norris. After a tortous few matches trying to come to terms with an unfamiliar position, Norris was reinstated to a central midfield position and the impact of such a change was enormous. Norris performed exceptionally across the midfield, working tirelessly to help out defensively, whilst getting forward on numerous occasions, not least with his well taken goal. His performance was of the high calibre that Norris has all too infrequently demonstrated he is capable of.

For Jon Stead, a player who found himself completely ostracised by Keane when at Sunderland, the new managerial appointment must have been daunting after finishing what has been a good season on a personal level. Yet called into action from the bench, Stead was possibly the teams outstanding performer. Great control and link-up play was accompanied by good aerial strength and his usual willingness running. His impact on all three goals is a fitting testament to his level of performance.

With the side winning so comfortably, it becomes difficult to assess whether good individual performances are a result of a good overall team performance, or that the good overall team performance were a result of improvements in playing positions. However, its unquestionable that certain players clearly benefitted from being given the opportunity to play, and to play in positions they are comfortable with.

Something which has been often lacking previously in this dissapointing season.

The Keane factor already? Lets hope so.