Last month, we questioned the success rate of Roy Keane’s outgoings – the men he has sold and those he has allowed out on loan. Today, as the January transfer window heats up, we turn the spotlight on the players the manager has signed for Town. Some for big money, some on loan, too many with little or no success.

THE mysterious Marcus Evans is about to show his hand.

Even if Ipswich Town and Roy Keane do not part company due to the current dire league record, the manager’s future at Portman Road is about to become a lot clearer.

The January transfer window will give the biggest indication yet whether Keane retains the faith of the Town owner.

Give him some money for new additions and the manager’s position, for now, is safe. But tightening the purse strings at a time when signings are essential will speak volumes.

While he is perhaps too clever to issue a public ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum, inside Keane must be wondering what is going on. If the owner refuses to splash any cash, at a time when it is so crucial, what price Evans showing Keane the same lack of confidence when it comes to a decision on a new contract?

The signs are far from convincing after Keane mentioned that the club were “playing it by ear” when it comes to new signings.

The crux of the matter is whether Keane should be trusted with Marcus’s millions.

His record in bringing in players has arguably been the biggest cause of concern for Town supporters. For every Grant Leadbitter, easily Keane’s best signing, there is a Lee Martin. His transfer record has been indifferent at best and his loanees, something Keane has relied on too often in his two seasons, have fared little better.

Last year, Daryl Murphy started well but faded badly, the same could be said of Liam Rosenior. While this season, Andros Townsend, Jake Livermore and Jack Colback’s second spell at the club have largely failed to light up Suffolk.

So maybe Evans has every reason not to give Keane a new year war-chest. Maybe we are all about to see how much confidence Keane can still call on.

CONCLUSION

Roy Keane cannot say he wasn’t backed by Marcus Evans when he first arrived in Suffolk, given big money to sign the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards and Lee Martin. But following some largely unspectacular forays, the money has certainly dried up. On the one hand, you can’t blame a businessman like Evans for being a little more careful with his millions. But Keane has every right to question why he wasn’t at least given a bit more money when promotion was always a two-year aim. If you don’t trust your manager in the transfer market - and Keane’s record is indifferent at best - then he probably shouldn’t be in charge any more.

Keane’s success rates - his signings in full

2009/10

Troy Brown - success

Damien Delaney - success

Lee Martin - failure

Shane O’Connor - success

Colin Healy - failure

Tamas Priskin - question mark

Arran Lee-Barrett - success

Grant Leadbitter - success

Carlos Edwards - question mark

LOANS

Jack Colback - success

Liam Rosenior - question mark

Asmir Begovic - success

Stern John - failure

Daryl Murphy - question mark

David Healy - failure

2010/11

Conor Hourihane - question mark

Mark Kennedy - question mark

Marton Fulop - success

Jason Scotland - question mark

LOANS

Andros Townsend - failure

Darren O’Dea - success

Jake Livermore - failure

Jack Colback - question mark

Rory Fallon - question mark

Gianni Zuiverloon - failure