Black Cats boss is hot favourite for next manager to go
After losing six in the last seven, confidence in Roy Keane’s abilities couldn’t be any lower, and in a turn of humility that is rare in the Premiership, it seems the Sunderland manager is his own biggest detractor:
“I ask myself every single day if I am the right man for Sunderland. I asked myself this morning and said I was.
“Tomorrow morning if the answer is ‘No’ we will have to look at it.
“It’s not about what’s best for Roy Keane. It’s what’s best for Sunderland Football Club.”
Roy Keane brought Sunderland from the depths of the Championship, and his ability to grow incredible facial hair is unparalleled in the top flight, yet overspending and the recent crisis in confidence that has led his friends to question his authority suggest the irishman could be on his way out sharpish.
No one expects him to take points at Old Trafford next week, but the rest of December sees crucial games against West Brom, Hull and Blackburn. Will he be able to turn things around, or will he be ringing in the New Year as an unemployed man? Votes and comments below, please.
Footballers denied permission to get their crunk on
Hip hop “stars” Lil Wayne and Akon will be holding a behemoth of a Christmas celebration in Miami, and via their relative fame, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf and Djibril Cissehave earned invites.
Unofrtunately, the Premiership stars’ opportunity to parade their astonishing wealth in front of other shamelessly affluent young folks has been denied by Big Phil Scolari and Roy “Buzz Killington” Keane. The “biggest hip hop bash ever thrown” is scheduled for Christmas week, and apparently there are quite a few pesky Premier League games set to scupper the festive plans.
Frankly, this professional obligation is a blessing in disguise for Anelka and Drogba, as anyone who has ever been in a confined space with El-Hadji Diouf will undoubtedly agree.
Sunderland forward paints the town red before Chelsea game
Prior to joining Liverpool in 2002, Senegalese forward El-Hadji Diouf toldThe Guardian:
“If I go out, party and still score goals on the pitch, no one will be able to write bad things about me.”
According to The Sun, the Sunderland party animal completely lived up to his mantra prior to getting spanked at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. Except for the part about scoring goals:
Sunderland star El-Hadji Diouf drank champagne in a trendy bar just hours before his team were thumped 5-0 by Chelsea.Less than 48 hours later he came on as a substitute as his side were drubbed by London giants Chelsea at their Stamford Bridge ground.
The Senegalese forward was with fellow Black Cats stars Pascal Chimbonda, 29, and Djibril Cisse, 27, at Newcastle’s Living Room bar.
They were there to celebrate the birthday of striker Obafemi Martins, who plays for arch-rivals Newcastle United.
Can you imagine what the argument will be like when Roy Keane confronts Diouf about this picture? When two of the scariest men in football face off, the effect will be something akin to Armageddon in the north east. But with a lot more spitting.
Roy Keane may have enjoyed his first couple of years in football management, but is the angry, albeit mellowing Irishman getting fed up already? The principled departures of Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley have paved the way for other managers to turn their backs on high profile jobs should circumstances become intolerable and Roy Keane has made it perfectly clear that he will not be putting up with abuse from supporters.
Following Niall Quinn’s announcement that the Black Cats are pushing for the Champions League, the Drumaville consortium have decided to strengthen the squad. This weekend, they have been spotted lugging a giant shopping basket in Lancashire and East London…
Benni McCarthy to Sunderland
Paul Ince chose to pick Jason Roberts over the South African on Saturday, so might be tempted to sell if Sunderland are able to raise the £9 million that Blackburn are thought to value the striker at.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: After a fantastic first season, McCarthy’s importance at Blackburn has fallen
Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland
Roy Keane’s spending isn’t going to stop there though as he looks to spend £8 million
Reportedly, Hamburg’s Martin Jol politely enquired as to whether Liverpool would part with Dutch striker-turned-winger Dirk Kuyt, but was left petrified, alarmed and severely shaken after Rafa Benitez mentioned the £16m price tag. With no new wingers arriving, he will be needed again at Anfield, so a transfer looks unlikely.
Benni McCarthy to Blackburn
McCarthy doesn’t match any of Roy Keane’s three transfer target requirements (played for Manchester Utd, played in the Championship, comes from Ireland) yet a £7 million offer for the South Africa is being readied.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Keane wants another striker and Santa Cruz has stolen Benni’s thunder, but Ince may want to keep hold for now
United players fall into two distinct camps: the ones Sir Alex will personally visit over Christmas for a cuddle - Giggs, Irwin, Solksjaer, Neville, Scholsie - and those he’ll spy on from a nearby tree, whispering profanities under his breath - Dwight Yorke, Becks, and now Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson does not tolerate certain characters, and as things stand, the gelled-up winger looks likely to be playing himself into this team of rebels, all of whom still send angry chills up Ferguson’s aging spine.
GK Jim Leighton
Leighton was riding the crest of a wave in his early Man United days, with even Brian Clough saying “Jim Leighton is a rare bird - a Scottish goalkeeper that can be relied on.” But then Sir Alex axed him from the 1990 FA Cup final replay against Palace, sending the keeper into a downward spiral, involving anger, shame, Les Sealey, and, eventually, Dundee.
DL Gabriel Heinze
The future was so bright for Heinze (pronounced “hent-zay” apparently) - United fans loved him, his hair was only second in footballing terms to Ginola’s. But then it all went hideously wrong. His body revolted, Ferguson embarked on a love affair with Patrice Evra, and Gabriel could no longer be guaranteed the satin starting shirt he so yearned for. He threw an almighty strop, and finally Ferguson bundled him in the direction of Real Madrid - simultaneously ignoring the clamour from Liverpool.
All today’s transfers in a scroll down listy thing
Think about it: Italian men always seem to be wearing hair product, they probably look at us and wonder why we don’t bother. Well, riddle over, Italian friends - you obviously haven’t heard of something called rain. It’s a watery substance that Ricardo Carvalho can give a talk on next season when he’s at Inter. Perhaps by way of introduction? Oh, and speaking of transfers…
Ricardo Carvalho to Inter Milan
Like an obedient young robot, wherever Mourinho goes, Carvalho is programmed to follow. Luckily for him, that means paying a visit to the food capital of pizza and chips - Italy.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Who could say no to Jose?
Shaun Wright-Phillips to Portsmouth
Portsmouth are willing to fork out £10 million on Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose only skill is to run fast. Harry, you could get Dwain Chambers for a bag of drugs and a quid.
