SUNDERLAND v PORTSMOUTH - POMPEY KEANE ON YET ANOTHER AWAY WIN?
Sunderland remain the only club in the bottom 6 who have kept faith in their manager this season. Whilst 8 of the 20 Premier League clubs have sacked their managers, Roy Keane’s name has not been linked with the chop at all. The Black Cats have hardly been impressive since rejoining the top flight and find themselves in the bottom 3 despite spending £32million on new recruits so why is Roy exempt from the threat of the sack? One realistic conclusion is that the powers that be at the club are scared witless of the volatile Irishman or alternatively they believe in their man and don’t want to go down the same route as their local black and white striped neighbours.
Whatever the reason Keane’s kept his job, one thing for certain is he needs to start winning matches sooner rather than later. The Black Cats are in the bottom 3, out of all the cup competitions and have won just once in their last 6 League matches. However, you know you are in trouble when a player turns down a move to your club to join a team doomed to play Championship football next season. Which is exactly what Robbie Savage did when he joined Derby this week. So what does Roy do? He tries to sign yet another Irishman of course. That player is Reading’s Stephen Hunt and if he joins will take Keane’s Irish playing staff into double figures and ensure the Dubliners are played in the dressing room before matches.
Unfortunately for Roy he faces Premier League away specialists Portsmouth this weekend. However, on a positive note the Pompey midfield will be stripped of their African contingent who have flown off to compete in Ghana.
Harry Redknapp doesn’t have the biggest squad but still possess enough talent to win this match. The Pompey manager has been named as one of the frontrunners for Sunderland’s Northeast rivals Newcastle’s vacant managerial position and an away win would be welcomed on Tyneside. Any side that has won 9 of it’s last 10 away match in all competitions should be feared so back the south-coast side to silence the Stadium of Light on Premier 10 this weekend.
Pundit’s Pick: Pompey push on (away win)
Tags: 13/01/08, Black cats, harry Redknapp, pompey, Portsmouth, Premier League preview, Roy Keane, Stadium of Light, Sunderland
