Rhodes Sale Defended
By Aston
August 3 2009
Town manager Roy Keane and Chief Executive Simon Clegg have both defended the sale of Jordan Rhodes to Huddersfield.
The sale of the 19-year-old has prompted black lash from Town supporters who feel he had a bright future at Portman Road.
Keane defended the sale, saying: "The offer that came in was acceptable. I'm under no illusion that, unfortunately, I have to let one or two players go to bring in one or two of my own players.
"I have already paid out to bring in Lee Martin and Damien Delaney and the club spent decent money last year so you can't hold on to anybody.
"As much as I think Jordan has a good chance (of doing well in the game) that will be reflected in the fee and what will come in for him over the next few years.
"It was certainly a difficult decision without a shadow of a doubt but that is part of my job.
"I have to make tough decisions and as I said when I came to Ipswich I have not come here to be popular I have come to get the team promoted.
"Sometimes you have to make sacrifices with young players.
"I spoke to Jordan and gave him the opportunity to speak with Huddersfield, although his dad probably has a better idea of what really went on.
"His dad (now goalkeeping coach at Preston) will have had a say but that is not unusual as most fathers will be involved in what their sons do.
"That's football, players come players go and we wish him well - just like any player I may let go of in the coming weeks and months."
Clegg added: "It has to be a football driven decision. It is important that Roy is given the support that he needs to bring in the players he wants to.
"Jordan has made a massive contribution to this club and that needs to be recognised but also the manager ultimately has the responsibility to deliver on the pitch and he has to decide who is part of his long-terms plans.
"We need to look at offers when they come in and when we get realistic offers even for good players then on occasions we are going to have to let those players go.
"I have made it clear that I intend to run this club on very tight financial reins, although this (selling Rhodes) was a football decision.
"Roy and I work very closely on all of these matters."
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Silly to let him go.
Think RK has got an ace up his sleeve too - just running out of time with the Big KO only days away.
Never seen such a small first team squad - well, not since the Glory Days!