Do you remember when Sunderland were going to become the new powerhouse in North-East football?
Newcastle and Middlesbrough would be swept aside as the Wearsiders stormed their way back into the Premiership. It was even suggested that Roy Keane's appointment would have the same amazing impact that Kevin Keegan's did at Newcastle United 15 years earlier.
As if. Not that I'm saying Keane cannot go on to have a major impact at the Stadium of Light, I'm just saying you could never see Keane's managerial style matching the emotional Big Dipper that was the Keegan era!
Nope, the Keane era has been, well, rather subdued. There have been no rants and raves in public, no emotional outbursts to the media, no threats by Keane to start playing again and there have been no stories from players about Keane giving them the "hairdryer" treatment,
There wasn't even a punch up with Mick McCarthy on the touchline when Sunderland went to Wolves last month much to the irritation of all of Ireland!
I suppose there was the training ground bust-up with Liam Lawrence, Mansfield's self-styled answer to David Beckham, but that was behind closed-doors and nobody actually knows whether it was just a heated argument or something a little more tasty.
I can't imagine Keane liked Lennie very much though. He didn't exactly appreciate the circus which followed Beckham everywhere he went when they were teammates at Manchester United so he's not likely to appreciate some poor imitation with even less pace on the right wing is he?!
For those expecting fireworks - I'll not mention the foolish Wearsider who decided to light a rocket up his backside, oh dear, that amounts to a mention doesn't it - at the Stadium of Light, Keane's first steps into management have been a poor spectacle.
However, you suspect that is how Keane likes it, the chance to just get on with things quietly and professionally without all the flashing cameras and constant media attention he had to endure as a player.
In fact, it might just be a coincidence, but Sunderland's results have improved as national interest in them and Keane has lessened. Diverted back to the Champions League, England's shortcomings, David Beckham's hairstyle and a ridiculous debate about Wayne Rooney's form.
Even in the North-East, the attention has shifted, concentrating on Newcastle's relegation problems, takeover talks and Gareth Southgate's lack of coaching qualifications.
In the meantime, away from the glare, Keane has quietly and efficiently begun to get Sunderland on course for a promotion push. Unbeaten in five and just five points away from the play-offs, things are looking decidedly brighter at the Stadium of Light - at least until everyone starts taking a major interest again!
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »