Manager Reaction @ Blackburn

Sunderland Manager Roy Keane was delighted with his side`s 2-1 victory over Rovers.

His side fought back from going a goal behind just before the break to turn the game on its head with goals coming from Jones and Cisse.

Keane told the clubs official website “I’m always delighted to win football matches.”

“Obviously we’ve had a few words at half-time, we needed a reaction in the second half. Conceding on the stroke of half-time was particularly disappointing.”

“But credit to the players, they came out and I thought we were outstanding in the second half.”

“I wouldn’t say we were more up for it. It was a closely-fought first half and we got a big boost by scoring at the start of the second half. We had the momentum with us, managed to get the second goal and just about deserved to win the game.”

“I thought we did OK in the first half, I just thought we needed a bit more quality in the second half, and I think we got that.”

“It’s a big bonus to have Kenwyne back. He’s still getting up to match speed. You saw the relationship there with Djib in the second half. It’s got potential, but they need playing time. The fact they both scored is a big boost for them.”

“Djib has been great for us. That’s his fifth goal for us, which is a good return for him really. There’s a lot more to come from the team and there’s a lot more to come from the partnership with him and Kenwyne.”

“We talk about potential but it’s about working hard together, getting out on the pitch and getting goals. Potential can be a lot of things, but going out and doing it is a different thing, and luckily we saw that today, the team showed good character.”

“Blackburn put us under a lot of pressure in the first half. They’re a big strong team. Their quality at set-pieces is very good, and they’re very hard to defend against. Marton has done very well for us.”

“You saw how close it was between us and Blackburn today. They were mid-table and we were in the bottom two before the game. There’s not a lot between us, Blackburn, Newcastle, Middlesbrough – you get a few results together like Bolton and you’re up there.”

“But we’ve got some tough games coming up and it’s going to be difficult. We’ve got a few of the lads on international duty next week and fingers crossed they all come back with no problems.”

“If I was going to answer to rumours, then we’d be here all night. It’s what happens in football – people put two and two together and come up with 10, it’s just stupid. I think some people must be very bored.”

“But those things take care of themselves. It’s my job to win football matches.”


Vital Sunderland Says

Keane must have given the players a right tongue lashing at half time for them to react the way they did.

What difference a win makes to the clubs position in the table.