“SHOCKING” is how Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane describes his current run of two defeats in their last eight Championship games.

Elvin King

“SHOCKING” is how Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane describes his current run of two defeats in their last eight Championship games.

“Its wins that we need,” said an unhappy Keane, who still has faith that he will complete his task and get the Blues promoted to the Premier League inside his two-year contract deal.

Bottom-of-the-table Town have a chance to win for the first time in 15 league matches when they play injury-hit Derby County at Portman Road this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

“I am lucky to have the support of the owner and our wonderful fans,” said Keane. “And I am convinced I can complete the job I have been brought here to do.

“But you cannot talk about master plans at the moment. The first win is all that's important to us right now.

“I live in the real world and we need wins.

“When I took Sunderland up we lost 12 league games, but we also won 27 that saw us reach 88 points - and the title.

“You could say that we are on a good run and it depends whether the glass is half full or half empty.

“But I say it's been shocking even though we've been showing better form since the home defeat to Newcastle.”

Since the 4-0 loss to Newcastle six games ago, Town's only defeat came in the 96th minute at Barnsley, and Keane added: “We have been very close to a win and should have had two or three by now.

“The longer it goes on the more pressure there will be on getting a victory. Whether it's a crisis I would not like to say.

“But I'm not happy and we should be doing better, and over the course of the season I'm sure we will.”

Keane confirmed he has not lost any faith in coaches Tony Loughlan and Steve Foley. If Peter Taylor had joined the coaching staff it would not have affected either.

“I'm confident in the staff I've got, but if you think someone might come in and help it is common sense to look at it.

“I spoke with Peter and we discussed a few things but both decided it was best to go our separate ways.

“It's very straightforward and there's no problem.

“Sometimes it's just a gut feeling - that it wasn't going to happen.

“Peter's a top coach and a top man, and it was an option.”