Poor Roy Keane.
As he trudged through the snowbound Portman Road after a convincing victory over Leicester City, he would surely have reflected that the upcoming festive period would provide the perfect opportunity to propel his beleaguered side back into play-off contention and the season firmly back on track.
Just over two weeks later, and the Ipswich Town manager must begin to wonder whether fate is simply conspiring against him.
Having benefitted once from the arctic conditions sweeping across Suffolk, it appeared to be once too many, as Portman Road saw its first weather affected cancellation in 11 years, leaving Watfords playing staff to return back to Hertfordshire without purpose.
Two days later, it was the turn of Doncaster Rovers to put up the “Closed” signs, as the KeepMoat Stadium also succumbed to the weather.
Suddenly, a busy Christmas period had been cut swiftly in half.
A trip to play-off chasing Coventry presented a tough return to action, from which a draw would have ordinarily represented a very reasonable return. Yet circumstances dictated that, with Coventry playing the final half hour with a man disadvantage, and Town throwing away a half-time lead having allowed Coventry a rather pedestrian equaliser, a favourable result turned into a missed opportunity as far as most were concerned.
A long-awaited return to Portman Road provided the prospect of a morale boosting victory against Nottingham Forest. Instead, a meandering scoreless draw became a narrow defeat as Damien Delaney took it upon himself to hand Forest victory.
With the league programme suspended for a week, Keanes side could ordinarily look to the cup for refuge and a chance to build confidence. Yet, fate decreed that Town would be drawn away from home against the current League and Cup champions.
As if to further exacerbate matters, Keane has watched as, one by one, the premiership loanees he has come to rely on to bolster his squad, have drifted back to their parent clubs. Finally, Grant Leadbitters late sending off against Forest also removed himself from any action in the coming weeks, leaving Keane with a threadbare squad at the worst possible moment.
All of this has conspired to leave Keane in his most precarious position since he was appointed just over eighteen months ago. The former Ireland Internationals’ managerial career is being monitored on a day-by-day basis, such is the media expectation that it is shortly to come to an end.
So where now for Keane? The man himself is resolute. Asked if he was determined to carry on as boss, Keane remarked “Ive not had a stupid question for a while, but well done”.
The manager feels his side have more potential than they are showing “I’m a good one to talk about what we haven’t got in terms of options coming off the bench, but we’ve got a committed group of players, who I think give 100% for the club. I appreciate that that only gets you so far, but it’s a good starting place, let me tell you.”
And there are positives.
Finally, Towns lengthy injury list appears to be waning. The return of Gareth McAuley for the two Christmas matches was an unexpected, but very much needed, boost to the squad. Similarly, Connor Wickham, tipped to make such an impact this season, finally managed to take his place in the starting line-up, showing an ability that has been all too missed. And after a heavily disrupted season, Mark Kennedy has managed to string a series of matches together which suggest that, at last, he may have overcome the injury problems which have blighted his own season.
These factors combined to see Town get as close to their first choice back four as has been managed at any point so far this season.
Keane can also take solace in the performances of Rory Fallon. Representing something of a gamble having struggled to make an impact in League One, the on-loan Plymouth forward has surprised many with his link play and movement. Coupled with a first ever goal in a Town shirt, Fallon is fast becoming one of Roy Keanes better transfer market judgements.
So, with Chelsea struggling to find some form currently and probably as welcome of cup respite as Town, there remains the possibility of an upset which would quickly re-balance Keanes fortunes and buy him further time for essential transfer window recruitment.
And failing that, then theres always that semi-final against Arsenal....
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