THERE is no middle ground. Either you love him or loathe him.

THERE is no middle ground. Either you love him or loathe him.

Roy Keane is still very much the boss of Ipswich Town, despite an awful run of seven defeats in nine league games, and a crushing 4-1 defeat at arch rivals Norwich City.

And whatever happens tomorrow evening, when Town entertain West Brom in a Carling Cup quarter-final tie, Keane is still set to be in the box seat for a string of crucial league fixtures to come.

Say what you want, about the outspoken Irishman, but there is no doubt that Keane polarises opinions like no other manager.

That is clearly evident from all the correspondence that this newspaper has received, with regards Keane and Town’s current plight, over the last 24 hours.

We have had many letters and e-mails calling for Keane to be sacked, but more than you might imagine have come out in support of the Town boss. They may be in a minority, but Keane continues to command respect amongst some who want to give him more time.

That was also the case with regards yesterday lunchtime’s on-line web-chat. I was inundated with questions and comments from passionate Town fans.

Again, many were calling for Keane’s head, and yet others were appealing for calm.

And that’s why it’s so difficult to strike a balance, or to judge who is right and who is wrong. Only owner and chairman, Marcus Evans, has the final say.

In Monday’s EADT, I suggested that Keane was on “borrowed time,” but that he deserves to be given this time to sort out the mess at Portman Road. His contract expires in the summer, and he should be given every opportunity to make a go of it at Town.

Ironically, whereas some fans believe that I am being too soft on Keane, and have already backed him to the hilt, a few have even suggested that I am a “Canary in disguise” for slamming Town’s performance at Carrow Road.

You can’t please everyone, as I have learnt over these last few torrid days, and weeks.

But Keane needs to start pleasing a few more.