ROY Keane may be struggling for points, but his start to life in the Ipswich Town hot seat is no worse than his illustrious predecessor Sir Bobby Robson.

Elvin King

ROY Keane may be struggling for points, but his start to life in the Ipswich Town hot seat is no worse than his illustrious predecessor Sir Bobby Robson.

Keane goes into today's Championship game at Middlesbrough with just two points from the opening five 2009/10 league matches.

Robson began his first full season in charge at Portman Road - 1969/70 - with just one point from seven First Division games before the Blues beat Newcastle 2-0 on September 6.

At the time he was sorting out his squad in a similar way to Keane is at the moment, and two years later - in September 1971 - he was the subject of 'Robson Out' chants during a 3-1 home League Cup to a George Best-inspired Manchester United.

By the time Robson had overcome his well publicised player unrest, including fisticuffs with Billy Baxter and Tommy Carroll and began to get the best out of his players, he had been in the Town job for three years.

He then went on to magical things after being allowed leeway by then Ipswich chairman John Cobbold to find his feet in the job.

Keane will be seeking his first win either today or at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to get his reign moving in the right direction and avoid the possible need for similar long-term backing from the current Town hierarchy that Robson enjoyed nearly 40 years ago.

Whatever happens over the next four days, Keane will be sitting in a better position than Robson did at a similar stage in his Town career.

In these days when patience is a rare commodity in the world of professional football, Robson's example shows the worth of keeping faith and giving a manager a chance.

Keane's position is obviously still strong as it should be, but if he is going to deliver what he was brought in to do this season results must soon start to flow.

Pressure will increase dramatically next term however, if the Blues still find themselves in the Championship.

Ipswich also made poor starts in 1970/71 - under Robson - and 2003/04 - under Joe Royle - when they managed just two points from their opening six matches.

n Giovani Dos Santos, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Ipswich at the end of last season, feels his career is starting to move in the right direction at Tottenham.

He said: “In the past things did not go the way I would have liked but the truth is I began working harder every day until I improved and things are now much better.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that the Mexican international is now in his plans at White Hart Lane.