ROY Keane will not be dipping into the transfer market to strengthen his defence.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

ROY Keane will not be dipping into the transfer market to strengthen his defence.

Despite conceding two sloppy goals to slump to an opening day defeat at Coventry City, the Blues boss declared him self happy with his squad of players, although admitted he may still use the loan system at some point.

Although Jon Walters grabbed a goal for the Blues Clinton Morrison had already given the Sky Blues what turned out to be an unassailable lead with two excellent finishes.

Both goals stemmed form poor defending but Keane believes that can be sorted out.

He said: “Our bit of business is done in the transfer market.

“I'm fairly happy with the squad. I'm disappointed with the goals we gave away, but that is not just down to defenders, particularly the second goal. Two of our midfielders had the chanced to clear the ball.

“Also considering how low he was to head the ball as a defender you should take his head off, as simple as that.

“The first goal was poor coming from a straight ball, although credit to Clinton for his finish but it was a sloppy goal to give away.”

The defeat ruined Keane's birthday, he is 38 today, especially as he felt Town deserved a draw.

Keane said: “I'm obviously disappointed at losing the game. We gave two poor goals away but we had some decent chances second half and enough to get something out of the game.

“We lacked sharpness in the final third but hopefully that will come over the next few weeks or months.”

City boss Chris Coleman was understandably delighted with his side's effort and result.

He said: “Before the match all the talk was about Ipswich and Roy Keane. It was about where they were going to finish, whether straight up or via the play-offs and that is not Roy's fault that is just what people were talking about.

“I was pleased with that, I preferred it really.”

Coleman admitted he was impressed with Town, and the spectacle on the day.

He said: “We won't come up against a strong team. They were physical strong and had pace and moved the ball about well.

“We were flustered at times but got through it and I'm absolutely delighted with my side.

“I thought they were magnificent. Really gutsy, no one went missing and they stood up to the test.

“We might have had a few more goals ourselves.

“It was a great game for the Championship and a good standard. Both sets of fans were fantastic during the minute's applause for Bobby Robson so it was a great day.”

Midfielder David Norris will today have a scan on the knee injury that forced him to limp out of yesterday's loss and he will not feature at Shrewsbury tomorrow in the Carling Cup.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk