Keane troubled by lack of goals

09 December 2009 09:22
Town dropped more valuable points on another night of desperate disappointment at Portman Road.[LNB]They went close with a string of efforts, were denied by a brilliant save, saw a goal disallowed and had a penalty appeal turned down as they endured their third stalemate in four games.[LNB]Despite a nine-game unbeaten run, Ipswich remain entrenched in the bottom three, having only scored seven goals in that time.[LNB]The Irishman said: "I don't think we played that well but we had some good chances.[LNB]"The fact we didn't take them was very frustrating and I'm getting fed up of using that word.[LNB]"We've got to start putting the ball in the back of the net and I don't just mean my strikers - anyone.[LNB]"Peterborough put their bodies on the line but it's surprising me how much trouble we're having scoring goals.[LNB]"I need my players to step up to the plate and take a sniff of a chance.[LNB]"Instead of that, we always seemed to be on our heels last night."[LNB]Town thought they had broken the deadlock three minutes before the interval when Jon Walters delivered a raking cross for Stern John.[LNB]The loanee hung in the air and nodded the ball past Joe Lewis, only for referee Andy Hall to rule his goal out for pushing full-back Scott Griffiths.[LNB]Town were incensed and there was more frustration just after, when Damien Delaney's rising shot in the box appeared to hit Ryan Bennett's arm.[LNB]However, the official waved play on.[LNB]Asked about the first flashpoint, Keane said: "I always judge the reaction of both sets of players, but the one person who thought it was a foul was the referee."[LNB]Peterborough delivered a couple of timely reminders of their potency on the break.[LNB]Craig Mackail-Smith slid one chance wide of the post.[LNB]Then Lee Frecklington got on the end of Chris Whelpdale's cross but his header was brilliantly saved by Arran Lee-Barrett.[LNB]There was one last chance right at the end when Aaron McLean's drive was deflected just wide by Delaney.[LNB]Posh boss Mark Cooper said: "It was a very resolute performance.[LNB]"On Saturday we conceded a couple of needless goals but tonight the goalkeeper and centre-halves were outstanding.[LNB]"They had to deal with a lot of balls into the area but they won nearly every header.[LNB]"When they didn't they won the second ball that bounced on the edge of the box.[LNB]"I was very pleased defensively and, being greedy, we could have nicked it at the end.[LNB]"When you're in the position we're in and you come to a place like this, with the players they've got, you have to respect that.[LNB]"You can't go all-out attack. We tried to defend properly and play a bit on the counter-attack.[LNB]"That's three games unbeaten now and we have to build on this.[LNB]"We mustn't think we can just turn up and it'll happen for us at Coventry on Saturday, just because we've had some good performances.[LNB]"We've got to show the same work-rate and desire."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk