Roy Keane vs Shay Given
Roy Keane has spoken a lot of sense since he became a manager. He has been articulate when expressing his views and often humorous in his observations, but I wonder whether the Irishman regrets what he said about Shay Given this week?
Sorry, Keane doesn’t do regret, just as he doesn’t do friends, but for the first time since he arrived at Sunderland I feel he has said something he shouldn’t have when it comes to his former international teammate.
Not that Keane will give a you know what about what I think about it, but I just feel that criticising someone for wanting to play as many games as he can for his country is, well, just a little bit harsh!
Few could argue that Given is anything but an impeccable professional, meticulous in his preparation and determined in action. In other words, he is precisely the sort of player Keane would presumably enjoy working with and I’m sure he did when they were international colleagues.
I guess Keane’s comments were made because he felt Shay’s craving to win as many caps as he can for Eire - the Newcastle goalkeeper made his 80th in the win over Slovakia this week - was depriving the back-up keepers of a chance to gain international experience.
Yes, it probably is frustrating to play in Given’s shadow - just ask Steve Harper - but Shay only wants to play because he feels that is what he is paid to do. He is proud to represent his country and, let’s face it, having stayed at Newcastle for longer than some feel he should, personal achievements are always likely to out-number the trophies he wins.
So becoming Ireland’s record cap holder, or breaking the appearance record at Newcastle, are things he probably attaches a lot of importance to. When you have won as much as Keane, maybe he simply doesn’t understand that desire.
Mind you, it’s bound to crank up the tension ahead of, if things go to plan at the Stadium of Light, the return of the North-East derbies next season!
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Roy should keep his big mouth shut when it comes to Saint Shay if you ask me. However, as much as it pains me to say it, I'd rather have him as manager at Newcastle than Glenn Roeder
Im not defending keane on this one as i think his comments were wide of the mark:indeed he should of stepped aside on this one. However whenviewed from outside the NE this was not really a safc v nufc issue. keane was really having a go at staunton/the fai and irish football politics. He was criticising the manager for not spreading experience throughout the squad when he had a chance. Keane has proved already at safc that he manages a squad not a team. football managers should develop a squad not indulge individuals whims -no disrespect to shay who is top drawer.
Keane has had a few recent digs about Eire matters and it's beginning to sound as though perhaps it's personal against Steve Staunton.
He would be wise to steer clear of such matters as his own past international indiscretions somewhat invalidates his right to criticise.
A sultry face rumbles like thunder rippling across a high desert. Eyes darkening, deeps pools of Irish rain. Wet, impenetrable, black. Like Guinness. How does it go now, Roy? Enthuse the masses, court controversy, berate the years of humiliation and grinding failure? Spew indignation? Or slump to the level of the leaden, lumpen majority and fester. The path is mazy, the way ahead unclear. I met Jimmy Montgomery once. Once.
I'd just like to say that Danny's entry is the best bit of writing ever on this site and that includes my own! Well, maybe not but it was very good, poetic even. Cheers Danny, I really liked it.
I've never met Jim Montgomery, not even once.
These days why cannot the likes of Freddie Shepherd be called to account.At this moment he is head of the biggest joke in English football.His manager has the personality and passion of Data (robot in Star Trek)Its not sufficient to be polite.We need and crave success and pay our money week in week out to watch absolute garbage."No-one could have done better" cries Roeder.Which planet is he living on to be so delusional.
Freddie Shepherd has,in the past, sacked managers(prime example Sir Bob)who should not have been sacked.Now is the time to sack Roeder who does deserve to be sacked along with the entire coaching staff-a complete clearout and get us the"International Manager" that we were promised two years ago.And please do not put forward the argument the new manager has to be a Geordie.Arsenal (French)Chelsea (Portugese) Liverpool(Spanish).Ability and will to win are pre requisite NOT place of birth .There is of course one outstanding exception-Alan Shearer.
danny o'riordan, wonderful prose, I’ve just visualised a slow motion picture of Bob Stokoe galloping through the waves instead of the horses It could be the next Guinness commercial!
Have you been reading the benefits of a sweeper system by James Joyce?
Every man has a mind and Keane knows how to speak his. Everybody has that right. Even Keane.
Keano vs Given: reckon the comments about him having a go at the "Irish FA" is more to the point than his relationship with Shay. For the record Shay was chasing 80 caps, and Ed van der Sar has 120 for Holland, so go figure!
Sour grapes, Roy? Just because Shay's a Magpie now and not a Black Cat - you think that gives you the right to slag the Premiership's greatest keeper? Let Shay win his caps - he deserves them.
Roy Keane was a violent thug in his playing days and I still haven't changed my opinion of him now. Fancy saying Shay doesn't deserve the caps he's won? What's wrong, Roy? Sour grapes? Just because he joined a good team and not your rubbish lot? Grow up!
Roy Keane's a violent thug and should watch what he says about Shay Given - a wonderful keeper and a great guy. Shouldn't've said you wanted to punch Alan Shearer should you, Roy? That just shows you for what you are - a violent thug and a bully. To some Roy Keane's a legend - to me, he's a violent thug.
Funny, I've just read in a report in the Sun that so - called tough nut Roy Keane actually cried as he left Man Utd. That'll kill your hard man image, eh, Roy? Their hardman crying like a kid.