Keane desperate for a home tie as Blues keep that away-day winning habit intact

Town boss Roy Keane has one simple request for those in charge of the Carling Cup third round draw – give us a home tie, please!

Last night and Blues extended their run in the competition with a narrow, 1-0 win over Crewe courtesy of David Norris’ 101st minute strike.

It was the second time in as many rounds that the Suffolk side had been forced into extra-time by lower league opposition following that first round success over Exeter City.

Both trips have proved to be long hauls for the Blues faithful; late nights that at least came with a win attached. And whilst Keane was clearly delighted by the winning habit his players have slipped into from the start of the new campaign – last night’s success made it four wins out of five league and cup outings – he was also conscious of the heavy toll long nights on the road can have on his young squad.

“We’re happy with the victory, but we’re just hoping for a home draw because it’s been a tough start to the season,” said the Blues chief, with Town maintaining their perfect record on the road; the two cup victories complemented by those eye-catching away wins in the Championship at first Middlesbrough and then Crystal Palace.

It is the first time in the club’s history that they have opened the season with four, back-to-back away wins.

That all said, however, Keane clearly misses the supposed comforts of home where Town have, thus far, played just the once – that 1-1 draw with Burnley.

“I thought we didn’t look as sharp as we have been over the last few weeks, but we’ve had some tough away games – and extra-time as well, of course,” Keane told BBC Radio Suffolk afterwards.

Last night’s tight encounter at Gresty Road saw Blues new-boy Jason Scotland make his first appearance in an Ipswich shirt – coming on at the start of the second period. Of normal time.

The ex-Swans star would get another half-an-hour more than he, or anyone else, bargained for.

Town were also endebted to keeper Brian Murphy for a couple of big, big saves to keep the home side at bay – particularly in a first-half in which the Championship side failed to let class tell.

In fairness to the Railwaymen, the continued to trade blows with Town right through to the final whiste; in the end it was left to Norris’ 101st minute smash to earn a place in Saturday’s third round draw – that strike also made it four for the season for the combative midfielder.

“He [Murphy] did make some good saves; his decision making was good; he looked sharp,” Keane agreed afterwards. Once again, Norries wore the responsibilities of captaincy very lightly on his shoulders; thus far Jon Waters’ exit to Stoke and Pablo Counago’s switch to Palace has barely caused a ripple – Town are marching on with Norris’ hand firmly on the tiller.

“It was a very good finish – and once again a captain’s performance,” said Keane. “And we kept at it. And as we’ve said before, sometimes in the cup it’s just about getting through to the next round.”

Job done, in short.

Even if it required another late night to get there. As for 31-year-old Scotland, his introduction to Town ways was rather longer than anyone had planned.

“We didn’t plan on giving him the 75 minutes, to be honest with you,” said the Town chief. “But it’s that bloody extra-time again for you! But he stuck at it and he’ll be the better for it and I thought he showed some good signs.”

All eyes now on that third round draw; a home tie against one of the Premiership sides would keep both punter and club accountant happy.

“It would be nice to get a home draw – just to save our supporters a few bob,” said the manager. “I think that’s six away draws in a row now and that’s got to change.”