Foxes' visit a great chance for Keane to end losing run

ROY KEANE believes Ipwich Town's owner Marcus Evans will "lose patience" with him if the club don't put an end to their losing run.

Keane's struggling Ipswich side face Leicester at home this evening in what is perceived as a 'must-win' game for manager and club alike.

Ipswich, who have suffered six consecutive defeats, are now only three points above the relegation zone. And even more ominously for them, the last team to lose seven Championship matches in a row was Plymouth last season -- and they went down.

Town started the season well but are now enduring their worst run of results since losing eight in a row between February and April 1995, when they were in the Premier League.

Vulnerable

These are tough times for under-pressure manager Keane, who is keen to add to his squad in January, and this week claimed he was about to get "more ruthless" with his players after being "too good" to some of them.

Keane's side have looked vulnerable at home, where they have slumped to five defeats this season. But no second-tier team has conceded more away goals than Leicester, who have shipped 25 on the road.

Carlos Edwards does not see Keane walking out of Portman Road. "He's the same old Roy Keane that I knew from then until now. I've not seen any signs of him cracking," he said.

"We were having him banter within training because he was cloaked up from head to toe. So obviously we told him he was a bit soft. It's a bit of banter between manager and player and when it comes to proper training we are professionals."

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