Managers Reaction to Sporting Friendly

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was pleased with his sides start to their pre season in Portugal.

His side cruised to a 3-1 victory in which Roy O`Donovan, Nyron Noseworhty and Anthony Stokes replied to a Ronny free kick.

Michael Chopra got send off for a late challenge which also got Keane sent to the stands for his reaction.

Keane told the clubs official site “There’s no such thing as a friendly, is there? It was a good game, very competitive and there were some good goals.”

“Everyone got a run out tonight except for Wardy who will probably get one on Wednesday so overall we were delighted with the night`s work.”

“There were a few tackles going in on our lads but what we tend to find with most of the English teams is they get up and get on with it but it doesn`t seem to work the other way round.”

“I don`t mind there being an edge to a game and a few tackles because you`ve got to tackle in football. There were a few tasty tackles going in and that`s what football`s all about.”

“I think Michael Chopra was very unlucky to get sent off and hopefully not too much will come of it. Anyone who knows Chops knows he can`t tackle. I suppose it was a typical striker`s tackle – slightly mistimed.”

“I thought a booking would have been the worst possible scenario but unfortunately he got red. We`ll see how it goes. Hopefully that will be the end of it.”


“We`ve no injuries from the game. You have to be respectful to our supporters and obviously the team we were playing. We made a few changes at half time, remember it was our first game.”

“Deano and Murph had an hour and Danny Collins and Nuggsy had the full game, which, again, was probably not ideal but because we`re short of numbers they had to do that.”

“Overall, I`m delighted with the lads who came on, they had a good run out against good opposition.”

“I missed Nuggsy`s goal because I was in the tunnel. Typical! I`ve been waiting all this time but I`m sure I`ll get the chance to see it on video.”

“To be fair, we`ve said it many, many times before that the players` always show good spirit whatever the situation and obviously to finish off the game well and for Stokesy to score, we looked really sharp and overall I`m delighted with the night`s work.”


Vital Sunderland Says

It was a great win to get the pre season going hopefully Keane can add a few new faces before our next friendly.