I’ve just been reading an article on what makes the best sports teams... https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-26/what-makes-a-great-sports-team-sam-walker/12454814 Then I looked at the book the article was written about https://www.amazon.com.au/Captain-C...lass&qid=1595742332&sr=8-1&tag=googlestdau-22 Anyway, looking at Roy Keane this profile kind of fits him. Yes, he was a good player but for a lot of his time he was happy to shun the limes and let others do the talking. He was always controversial. Now, fast forward to when he managed us. He got a team that were at the wrong end of the division promoted as champions. He then kept us in the premier league until uncle Ellis decided to sack him. For me at least, and I didn’t recognise it at the time, we shouldn’t have sacked Keane and maybe things could have been a bit different for us.
He didn’t get on with Short, it was a disaster waiting to happen, plus he wouldn’t move from Cheshire upto the North East. I loved Keane here, he brought that Fergie mentality into the team and we had some good times under him, I would love to see him here again but sadly I can’t see that happening.
I never understood why he went. I really didn’t get it at all. We were patchy but always looking to improve under him, I do wonder what may have been.
When Keane gets a bee in his bonnet about anyone...its curtains. His relationship with Short went tits up when Short questioned why he didn't live in the area....went downhill fast from that point
His side was built on character, teamwork, dedication and hard graft. He then brought in loose cannons like Chimbonda and Diouf who, surprise surprise, upset the dressing room. Love the bloke, loved his time here, but those signings were ultimately his downfall
To a degree, yeah. But they looked good signings. Both were quality initially, and there was a ‘small steps forward’ logic in them, but yeah, they certainly did cause issues. I do think he could have taken us further though, I’m sure most ha e read both his books and he had a real passion for the club, that’s absolutely evident. That season in the Championship is unforgettable, totally different to the romp under Reid but just the lift from just escaping the longest run in history of British football to then starting steady then romping. He made some great signings as well, Kavanagh, Carlos etc to get us up the league. They were good days.
My thoughts exactly. He knew what it took to win. I just think after Ellis fell out with him then the writing was on the wall for him.
Totally. Early doors Ellis wanted to be ‘the boss’, as a businessman he wouldn’t have had a clue how to handle a self believing and straight down the line fella as Keane. I can imagine ‘Roy, I need you to move to Sunderland’ Roy ‘gan get tae **** it’s. 2 hour drive’ Game over. I don’t think he’d have taken us all the way but he would certainly have taken us a lot further down the path. I just didn’t get the timing and that was the start of lurching from one failing to another.
That championship winning season was my favourite ever following. 18 year old, missed 4 matches all season, won the league with some mint games....brilliant!
I always expected a last minute goal while he was manager, and we got quite a few , it was brilliant !!
One thing I’ve learned living in Australia is that distance is relative. If we ever moved back to Blighty we would definitely travel a lot more within and without the country.
Still a pain in the arse to commute though, at least a 3 and a half hour drive, I work away during the week and it takes its toll.
Alright lads hull city fan here I’m gonna nick that for our board Look forward to playing you lot if we’re allowed back in
Roy Keane lived in Durham City while he was manager, not far from me. I used to see him walking the dog. it was his family who didn't move up here, and I don't blame him for that. Had he been able to establish himself into a long-term manager here, I'm sure the family would have relocated.
