Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / SUNDERLAND
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

09:54 GMT, Monday, 5 May 2008 10:54 UK

Angry Keane prepares to wield axe

Roy Keane

Roy Keane is planning a major overhaul at Sunderland after losing patience with some of his players.

Keane has kept Sunderland in the Premier League following their promotion in 2007 but is not happy with his team's performances this season.

"We've lost 22 games this season and people keep telling me we've had a good season, but I'm lucky to still be in a job," he said.

He admitted he needed to "invest wisely and move some people on".

"That will be done this week - if not this week, then the following week," he said.

"It's irrelevant to me whether players are under contract. If they are, you just pay them up to go because you want certain characters.

"There will be changes in the summer because I'm saying the same thing week in, week out and I'm really bored"
Roy Keane

"You pay them to come and you pay them to go and that's what we'll have to do. I'll have a very busy week."

Keane said he had come to this conclusion after losing patience trying to get some players to respond to his wishes.

"Every game is an opportunity to impress me, but there will be changes in the summer because I'm saying the same thing week in, week out," the former Manchester United midfielder said.

"I'm fed up of saying it and really bored with myself now at this stage - really, really bored.

"(Celtic manager) Gordon Strachan and one or two other managers have said that if you tell a player something more than two or three times and he doesn't do it, then get shot of him."

606: DEBATE
"Out of a squad of 32, I'd keep 21 of them and send 11 of them packing."
Super_Fin_SAFC

Keane has one more year to run on his contract and says he will consider whether to sign a new one over the summer.

The Irishman spent £40m in the transfer market this season and reportedly wants the Sunderland board to give him another £50m in preparation for the new season.

The Black Cats' form throughout the second half of the season was one of the key factors in their escape from the drop-zone.

Seven of the club's 11 wins have been gained since January and Keane believes his January signings have made a big impact in that run.

Sunderland signed Rade Prica, Jonny Evans, Andy Reid and Phil Bardsley during the mid-season transfer window.

"It was probably the same scenario as last season, we brought in Carlos [Edwards] and Jonny in last January, you look at what Reid has done, Jonny again and Phil Bardsley.

"They've improved the squad and our form has been outstanding. We just need to make sure we start the season, particularly next year, much better."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Bolton 2-0 Sunderland (03 May 08 |  Premier League )
Collins driven by disappointment (01 May 08 |  Sunderland )
Keane confident of survival hopes (20 Apr 08 |  Sunderland )
Fitness key to Cats form - Keane (04 Apr 08 |  Sunderland )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Sunderland fans' views on 606
BBC Wear sport
Sunderland weather
BBC Sport Premier League
Sunderland
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©