IPSWICH TOWN: Roy Keane today insisted that he’s going to be a managerial success, and if it’s not at Portman Road it will be somewhere else.

Keane was furious with the reaction of supporters to last Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Barnsley and he hit back saying if there could be other clubs where he can win trophies.

He takes his team to Hull City tomorrow for a Championship game at the KC Stadium (kick-off 3pm) looking for points to hang on to the coat tails of the play-offs and to restore fans’ faith in his ability.

He answered recent criticism by saying: “As a manager I’m making progress.

“But I’m also making mistakes like everybody else, and I’m still learning.

“Given the right support and respect I’ll do a good job – guaranteed.

“If that’s not with Ipswich Town it will be elsewhere.

“I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m doing my best and working on a daily basis.”

Last Saturday’s booing of his tactics and cheering the opposition left an indelible mark on the young manager who has taken Town to within two points of the play-offs and two wins from Wembley in the Carling Cup.

“Our fans were great against Watford last season, and that left a mark,” said Keane. “And I shan’t forget last Saturday.

“Regardless of the outside issues and what people think I’ll do my utmost until my contract ends in June, and we are still on course to have a good season.

“After June 30 you can’t say what will happen.”

Keane feels that fans are like sheep and follow one another adding: “It has not soured by affection for Ipswich and my opinions of the club have not changed, but people have got to understand where we are.

“I’m not in football to be popular and criticism drives me on – I enjoy it.

“But our young players did not deserve what they went through last week, and it’s good that we are playing away for our next two games.

“I’ve said before that our fans are brilliant, but I’m saying now that they were out of order last week.

“I’ll go the annual general meeting next month and be quite happy to answer shareholders’ questions.”

Grant Leadbitter will return to captain the side after serving a one-match suspension while Darren O’Dea, who returned to action when he played 67 minutes for the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, will return if passed fit after collecting a hamstring strain in Dublin.

Tomorrow’s likely line-ups

Hull: Mannone, Rosenior, Solano, Gerrard, Dawson, Zayette, Ayala, Kilbane, Koren, Ashbee, Harper, Garcia, Barmby, Simpson, Bostock, Cooper, Duke, Cairney, Cullen, McShane, Halmosi.

Ipswich Town: Fulop, Murphy, Peters, Eastman, Brown, Delaney, Smith, O’Dea, O’Connor, Edwards, Leadbitter, Livermore, Colback, Townsend, Priskin, Scotland, Murray, Wickham, Griffiths, Norris, Civelli.

Referee: Mr A Haines (Tyne and Wear)

Ipswich league record at Hull City

P 12 W1 D4 L7 F18 A26