Manager Reaction on Bolton Defeat

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has admitted he needs to strengthen in the summer months and that none of his playing staff on the Bolton showing.

Keane told Safc.com “We were sloppy to say the least. We had a good chance to get back in it through Kenwyne and we didn’t take it. We gave the ball away too cheaply, particularly in the middle of the park.”

“I don’t care what stage of the season it is, it’s not acceptable. We gave bad goals away and I’ve been saying it for 38 weeks, we need to improve. I made three substitutions today and I could have made 10.”

“We’ve lost 22 games this season and people keep telling me we’ve had a good season. When you lose 22 games, you are lucky to be in a job. When I’m on my holidays, I’ll be thinking about those 22 defeats.”

“We need to learn to get results when we’re not playing well.”

“Today was a challenge and it just confirmed what I was thinking anyway – that we’re short.”

“Survival is not a word I like using. People are getting fed up of me saying the same things, I sound like an old record player. There will be changes in the summer.”

“I’ve been very patient and kind to some of my players. Today just confirms what I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe if we had won today and we beat Arsenal next week I’d be thinking we were not bad.”

“We’re not great and we need more quality. There’s no questioning the players’ commitment and desire, but at this level we need quality. Players were constantly giving the ball away when under no pressure.”

“Take nothing away from Bolton, they made it hard for us – they had more men in their team.”

“We got safe last week but that was last week. What do we do, celebrate all summer?”

“Survival is not a word we want to be using next year. I want to think bigger than that.”

“We need to invest and do it wisely and we need to move people on. You want certain characters at your football club.”


Vital Sunderland Says

Keane needs to spend big in the summer if we are to finish more comfortable than this season. The game a Bolton was a shocker too many players didn`t show enough commitment. It was like the Newcastle all over again.