Why Did We Let Him Go?

The guy who scored two goals against us last night used to play for us. Was it because he only scored 3 goals in 23 appearances – or was there more to it than that? Over the years we have made a bad habit of letting talent go. England’s number two keeper Nick Pope started his career in Town’s youth team, before being released aged just 16. Then, our Player of the Year, James Wilson, was sent packing by Paul Cook, and I have never been able to get my head around that. Then strangely, we let Will Keane go!

Yesterday, we witnessed Will Keane score twice against us, bringing his tally this season to 25! That is more than Wes Burns and Macauley Bonne’s total tally put together! In August 2019, Keane signed with Ipswich Town permanently, after a short loan spell, on a free transfer. There was an option of an additional 12 months. We did not take it, and he moved on to Wigan Athletic. Poor decision-making all-round, and with The Latics, Keane has already netted 33 goals in just 71 games!  Here he could do the same!

What is so galling is that we are in desperate need of a striker, just like him. If he had been with us, and not with our Lancastrians visitors, it might have made all the difference, and we would not have found ourselves firing so many blanks. At 6ft 2 inches, he is a commanding figure, and I enjoyed watching him in an Ipswich shirt. On loan, he scored 3 goals in 11 games, but that squad was nowhere near as good as the one we have today. Last night, in the first half especially, we were truly excellent.

Keane is a very intelligent forward, who is technically good, both in the air and on the floor, and could easily play at a higher level. His brother plays for Everton of course, and he started his career at mighty Manchester United, where he stayed for 5 years. He has a calm dexterity for someone who has to contend with thuggish defenders week in and week out, and I think it is a great shame that we could not have persuaded him to stay at Portman Road. Under the new regime, he would have seriously considered it.