suprisingly, i'm really starting to warm to him these days

 

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has hit out at "weak" Premier League players for allowing their wives and girlfriends (Wags) to dictate their careers.

The former Manchester United captain has been frustrated in his attempts to lure players to Wearside this summer.

 

He said: "These so-called big stars are people we are supposed to be looking up to. Well they are weak and soft.

 

"If they don't want to come because their wife wants to go shopping in London it's a sad state of affairs."

 

Keane has spent nearly ?30m on new players this summer but has seen several of his top targets spurn a move to the north-east.

 

The newly promoted club finished bottom of the league with a record low of 15 points the last time they were promoted to the top flight.

 

And they are again one of the favourites to be relegated this season.

 

But Keane feels overbearing wives and girlfriends are to blame for Sunderland's difficulties in attracting top players and feels the current generation of players need to get their priorities in order.

 

He added: "I can understand the attraction of people wanting to go to London - if you are talking about Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham.

 

"If people want to go somewhere else to another football club then fair enough, as long as it is for a footballing reason.

 

"But there are players going to clubs in London simply because it is London. To me, that is wrong.

 

"It is not a football move, it is a lifestyle move and those are the type of people you don't want at your club. It is not a problem for me but it is a fact.

 

"To me, that player is weak because his wife runs his life.

 

"That happens at the big clubs as well. I could name four big players and clearly their wives and girlfriends are running their lives because they are doing these photoshoots and that kind of stuff.

 

"They say they are not comfortable doing it and are being dragged along. Well don't do it."

 

Joanna Taylor-Murphy, wife of Tottenham and former England midfielder Danny Murphy, disagreed with Keane's comments.

 

The actress told Radio 5live: "I think he (Keane) is wrong.

 

"Sometimes players maybe use the wives as an excuse, but in my experience I don't know any players that would let their wives dictate.

 

"If Danny had two moves on the cards, and one was near the shops and one was somewhere else where the shops weren't so good, but that was where Danny really wanted to go to I can assure you that's where we would be going."

 

The straight-talking Keane has hit the headlines in the past for tirades against both Manchester United fans, who he labelled the prawn sandwich brigade, and the club's underperforming players.

 

He left Old Trafford for a brief spell at Celtic after an outburst aimed at some United players on the club's television channel.

 

But Keane's fierce determination and dedication to the game made him one of the most successful players in the history of English football.

 

He revealed: "A couple of years ago I nearly went to Juventus. People spoke to me about Turin and told me Milan would be a nicer place to go.

 

"I told them I wasn't going for the shops, I am going because it is Juventus.

 

"If there is nothing to do then find something to do. Someone once told me that people who are bored are boring.

 

"People who get bored coming to the north-east are bored because they are boring. It is nothing to do with the shops.

 

"Maybe it is because I am not a great shopper but football has got to be a priority.

 

"You don't need to live in Manchester or London to be happy. You don't need to be surrounded by expensive shops or fancy cars.

 

"We have had one or two players this year and their wives are clearly part of the package.

 

"We had one player this summer who didn't even have the courtesy to call us back because his wife wanted to move to London - and shopping was mentioned."

 

Meanwhile, Keane, whose side take on Birmingham on Wednesday, says he is hopeful of getting in two more players before the transfer deadline closes on 31 August.

 

He said: "When I first got the job at Sunderland there were one or two players who I felt were not really up to the job, or not 100% focused or were focusing on a contract at another club.

 

"But I have got the feeling with the squad I am building here that when the whistle goes they will give 100%. That is no guarantee to win a football match but that is all I am asking.

 

"I am very pleased with the players we have got in but I do believe we need two more players to help the squad."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...and/6947333.stm

Get paid shitloads, win nowt, live in Sunderland.

 

or

 

Get paid shitloads, win nowt, live in London.

 

Not difficult is it.

Muphy's missus complained she got invited to only 2 movie openings when he was at Charlton, so he moves to Spurs and they don't need him at the club ::::::::::

 

Never mind footballers - I've got mates who do as SHE tells them - laughable.

Roy Keane is beginning to sound like Brian Clough and there's got to be some entertainment value in that! It's only a matter of time before he starts calling everybody 'young man', wearing an old green jumper on match days and hitting supporters!

Roy Keane is beginning to sound like Brian Clough and there's got to be some entertainment value in that! It's only a matter of time before he starts calling everybody 'young man', wearing an old green jumper on match days and hitting supporters!

why who did that kevin poole?

keane has never been afraid to speak his mind, and stood by his word, whether it be wetherhall, mcarthy, prawn brigade- the guy calls a spade a spade

 

cant fault him, the dirty munich spud farmer

I'll laugh my bollocks off when "Sunlan" get relegated.

I'll laugh my bollocks off when "Sunlan" get relegated.

 

Think they'll stay up meself.

 

Think Keane's a good manager - or will prove to be.

 

The Stadium of Light is a proper home ground for them. No-one will enjoy the trip there.

 

Plus there'll be 3 other worse teams. e.g Brum/Derby/Wigan

Think they'll stay up meself.

 

Think Keane's a good manager - or will prove to be.

 

The Stadium of Light is a proper home ground for them. No-one will enjoy the trip there.

 

Plus there'll be 3 other worse teams. e.g Brum/Derby/WHU

 

the guy calls a spade a spade

 

is that when he digs ditches

is that when he digs ditches

when weighing up his career options on relegation

 

other words include tarmac, and fairground

is that when he digs ditches

Well let's hope so, and not some of his darker skinned players or he'll be supping of a Saturday with Big Ron.

Muphy's missus complained she got invited to only 2 movie openings when he was at Charlton, so he moves to Spurs and they don't need him at the club ::::::::::::

 

I never like to miss an excuse to post a picture of the lovely Mrs Murphy>>>

 

Think they'll stay up meself.

 

Think Keane's a good manager - or will prove to be.

 

The Stadium of Light is a proper home ground for them. No-one will enjoy the trip there.

 

Plus there'll be 3 other worse teams. e.g Brum/Derby/Wigan

I think Keane has bought over priced shite with no experience of the top flight. Another on the way if you believe the rumours re Kenwyn Jones

 

I think everyone much prefers going to SoL than they did Roker Park.

 

That being said I think they may just scrape staying up but I think they'll be in the mix most of the season and they will finish in the bottom 5.

I think Keane has bought over priced shite with no experience of the top flight. Another on the way if you believe the rumours re Kenwyn Jones

 

I think everyone much prefers going to SoL than they did Roker Park.

 

That being said I think they may just scrape staying up but I think they'll be in the mix most of the season and they will finish in the bottom 5.

 

It's irrelevant the comparison with Roker Park. A truer comparsion would be the rest of the PL.

 

In comparison with the PL (outside the top 4), then the only equally intimidating away trips would be SJP, Goodison and Upton Park IMO.

 

I'd agree about his signings though. But he'll live or die as a manager by who he signs and he made a good few to win them the Championship.