The Black Cats are reported to have bid £5million for United’s on loan centre-half Jonny Evans after 2 successful spells at the Stadium of Light. The 20-year-old played an important role in Sunderland’s Premier League survival but his fee seems particularly high for a youngster who’s made just 3 first team appearances for the Red Devils. There is no doubting the players ability but should Roy Keane be aiming for a higher calibre of player now the Black Cats have cemented a place in the top flight and is the reported fee far too high?

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Loyalty and football rarely go hand in hand nowadays. One mistake can be the difference between a manager remaining in charge or losing his job regardless of all the good he had done prior to that. These billionaire owners fail to recognise improvement, only seeing missed opportunities (and ultimately missed money). That’s exactly what’s happened down at Eastlands with Sven’s likely exit come May 11th. I think Dr. Shinawatra should take a leaf out of Niall Quinn’s book.

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Sunderland’s search for an away Premier League win continues at Fratton Park this weekend but their winless run looks set to continue against a revitalised, purposeful Pompey side. Roy Keane’s team have climbed to the dizzy heights of 14th after a run of 4 successive home wins but their away form remains the poorest in the Premier League. So don’t risk the £12,500 Premier 10 jackpot by backing the Black Cats to turn things around this weekend.

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The Black Cats return from a Jekyll and Hyde performance at White Hart Lane to the Stadium of Light desperately needing a home win. Roy Keane’s Sunderland were behind within 2 minutes at Tottenham and could have conceded a lot more after a dismal first half display but a much improved second half showing should have seen them grab a point. More shoddy defending though allowed Robbie Keane to score and to leave the Black Cats with an unenviable record of 8 successive away defeats. Luckily for Roy, their performances at home have been far more profitable.

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The 20 Premiership teams spent a combined £470m on transfers last summer but as Benitez, Jol and Keane all know these pounds don’t necessarily mean points.

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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.

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These two struggling Premier League clubs clash in the FA Cup for the first time in history this weekend. The opposing managers Steve Bruce and Roy Keane shared plenty of success as team-mates at Old Trafford playing in back-to-back FA Cup finals together but may see this competition as a burden on their respective club’s limited playing staff as League survival takes precedent over cup glory.

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Both sides ended the year on a high with wins, Rovers European ambitions were reignited and Sunderland’s dreams of survival boosted as they climbed out of the drop zone. Blackburn are looking for their first back-to-back wins since October but will be aware they have won just 1 of their last 5 games at Ewood Park. Mark Hughes’ side have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 home matches so the Black Cats will fancy their chances of an upset. Roy Keane will know that the Rovers defence has been less than watertight after keeping just 1 clean-sheet in their last 15 League games so don’t be surprised if Kenwyne Jones gets on the score-sheet.

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Roy Keane was humbled by his former side on Boxing Day as the Black Cats went down 4-0 at home to United. Gary Megson also suffered from Boxing Day blues at Everton as they were beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park. However, this is a fixture both sides will feel they are capable of winning with just 3 points separating the sides.

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Wear-side is becoming more Irish by the day as Roy Keane’s riverdance revolution continues to take shape. Not only is the manager from the Emerald Isle but also the chairman, kit sponsors and 9 of the playing staff. Rumours of Dwight Yorke changing his surname to O’Yorke are said to be incorrect. This weekend Roy can cast his eye over 3 Irish stars that slipped through the net in the shape of Reading’s Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Stephen Hunt.

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