Thank the Lord for Roy Keane. A few years back I hated the bloke as a player (even though he was admittedly one of the best around) and, with having an affinity to Newcastle United due to my North East roots and having a NUFC mad fatha, I always wanted Alan Shearer to knock his block off when they had one of their many spats. However, I find his typically forthright and direct manner as a manager quite refreshing and it makes a pleasant change to see a manager have a pop at a worthy target rather than start a petty squabble with a fellow boss.
Apparently he’s caused some concern amongst the top-brass up at the Stadium of Shite with his scathing comments last week regarding Sky pundits and commentators. For what it’s worth, I think he’s fairly spot on. Whilst it’s in Sky’s best interests to provide almost blanket coverage of English football and breaking news, some of their so-called ‘experts’ are piss poor. Namely Andy Gray, who is far too smug and self-aggrandising for his own good, and Paul Merson, who is an illiterate joke and would struggle to convey an accurate and clear report on my 2-year old daughter putting her coat on. In addition, Trevor Francis (do they still use him?) is quite simply an arse, likewise Ruud Gullit.
But, and I must stick up for Sky here, they do have some diamonds in their ranks (and these outnumber the duffers listed above). Jeff Stelling is quite simply a legend. Jamie Redknapp is proving to be a very competent analyst and must be in the frame for taking over from Andy Gray. Chris Kamara is comedy gold and I do like the no-nonsense input from both Alan McAnally and Le Tiss. Christ – I’m even warming to Phil Thompson’s slightly witty style of analysis and I never thought I’d see the day I’d say that…
Good on you Roy for having the balls to speak out. Plus a topic prompted by you provides an ideal opportunity to revisit this gem of a clip.