And in my opinion, he needs to do it soon.

There is a distinct possibility that the Black Cats boss already knows where his future lies, but it would be nice if he would share it with the rest of us.

Keane, of course, will say it's none of our business, but having witnessed a dreadful display against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, I beg to differ.

It's all very well the Sunderland manager saying whether he signs a new deal or not will have no effect on his players.

However, I think that everyone with anything to do with the club – be it players, staff or supporters – are being affected.

Now I'm not saying that Keane's failure to put pen to paper led to Danny Collins' howler that let in Johan Elmander.

Nor did it make Dean Whitehead gift possession to Kevin Nolan just outside the Black Cats' 18-yard area – a move that led to Bolton's fourth goal.

But there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the club at present, and that can't be good.

It seems that with every passing day and every passing defeat, there are claims, suggestions, rumours and Chinese whispers about whether Keane has walked.

The debacle a couple of weeks ago when the boss failed to join his team on the bus down to Blackburn Rovers, was a key example.

Maybe Roy isn't too worried about the speculation. Maybe he has told his team behind closed doors that he is staying put. And maybe he has no intention on walking out on the club.

But why the mixed messages? Comments like: "I'm not considering my future today, no. But maybe tomorrow. I ask myself every day of the week if I am the right man", or hinting that he may not be here in six or seven months' time aren't helping anyone.

It could be that Keane is playing a game of cat and mouse with journalists, who continue to badger him about the prospect of signing a new deal.

But if he is, it is a dangerous game in light of recent results.

It's all well and good keeping my colleagues in the media in the dark, however, they aren't the ones who are losing out. And, in my opinion, it's the fans who are being short-changed.

I agree with Keane that no one man is bigger than the club. Also, you don't have to be a genius to work out that managers come and managers go, and life still goes on.

But right now, Sunderland fans need to know that Keane is in it for the long haul.

They need to know whether he intends to stick around to see out the vision he sold to fans and players.

In times of crisis (if that's what this has become), you need to stick together and come out fighting.

And supporters need to know that Keane is going to be fighting alongside them.