We've got time to turn it around, says Roy Keane

Roy Keane returned to the North East for the first time since leaving Sunderland after a humiliating 4-1 home defeat against Bolton 10 months ago.

This trip ended just as miserably, with Gareth Southgate’s Boro side running out comfortable winners.

But the man who worked wonders on Wearside can see a resemblance between the North East club’s plight when he took over three years ago and his current predicament, with just two points from six games.

‘There are similarities,’ said Keane. ‘Sunderland had just come down so had that bit of strength. But we can’t keep making excuses, we need to be better. It’s up to the players, the staff and myself to sort it out.

‘That’s the beauty of the Championship. When you’re down the bottom like us, sixth place is realistic. Even teams at the bottom in November can be up there challenging at the end of the season.’

Boro started brightly and took the lead in the 17th minute when Gary O’Neil, returning after a hernia operation, scored with a looping header from a Marvin Emnes right-wing cross.

But it was supersub Jeremie Aliadiere who clinched the three points for Boro with two goals inside 20 second-half minutes.

Ipswich pulled a consolation goal back in the sixth minute of added time when Adam Johnson up-ended Jon Walters, who converted the penalty.

Martin Walker (Mail Online)