Keane's tough words for Sunderland
ROY KEANE had a lengthy discussion with his players after the Black Cats' visit to Portugal concluded with a 1-1 draw with Vitoria de Setubal.
Kieran Richardson – the Boylesports.com man-of-the-match – earned his side a share of the spoils with a well-struck effort just before the break after Vitoria started the brighter.
Keane had been pleased with most aspects of his side's 3-1 triumph over Sporting Lisbon at the weekend but felt his players allowed standards to fall last night during a game that saw Dwight Yorke replaced with a head injury..
He said: "I thought we were poor. We made a lot of changes compared to the other night and would have liked to have tested their goalkeeper a bit more.
"A plus is that we got through the game without any injuries. Yorkie has slight concussion through a knock to the head but he should be ok.
"We've got what we wanted out of the two games. Obviously it was disappointing to have Chops sent off the other night but we've had two good work-outs.
"The training facilities have been fantastic and the hotel and the opposition we've played have meant we're delighted with what we've got from the trip.
Skipper Dean Whitehead went on as a second-half sub, only to pick up a booking and be replaced by Graeme Kavanagh – the man he went on for.
Keane admitted he was wary of seeing another player dismissed after Michael Chopra was red carded against Sporting.
He said: "The situation with Dean was that we know we've got to be careful with some of the tackles.
"We saw the other night that you have to be careful after Chops got sent off and the last thing we wanted was another sending off. Deano had been booked and we thought the safest thing was to take him off."
The full article contains 321 words and appears in Shields Gazette newspaper.
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Last Updated:
24 July 2008 9:48 AM
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Source:
Shields Gazette
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Location:
South Shields