Keano Tells It Like it Is

Former Manchester United player Roy Keane has launched an astonishing attack on England’s World Cup failures.

The United legend is famously candid when speaking about football and his latest verbal assault was no different.

Among those in the firing line were David James, Robert Green, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Gareth Barry, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard.

Keane believes England fans should look at the players on the pitch, rather than blame manager Fabio Capello.

“To keep criticising the manager is crazy. Capello is a brilliant manager,” Keane said.

“The players have to look at themselves. They get away with murder.”

He added that England don’t have as many world class stars as most people think.

“You say that the players are good individuals in the Premier League, but tell me who they are?

“I think Wayne Rooney had a brilliant season. You look at the goalkeepers, I thought David James at Portsmouth, they didn’t have a good season and the other one, Green, at West Ham [United] they just about stayed up.

“Glen Johnson at Liverpool did okay, they had a poor season. John Terry had his issues, I don’t think he had a great season.

“Chelsea won the double but that was down to some world class attacking players. Upson, who played yesterday, West Ham didn’t have a great season.

“Ashley Cole’s just come back from injury to be fair to the boy. [Steven] Gerrard didn’t have a great season at Liverpool, James Milner had a good season.

“[Gareth] Barry I thought was very average for Manchester City this year. [Emile] Heskey started the season up-front for Aston Villa and he got three goals.

“You keep talking about these world class players, and they’re not. Wayne has the best chance but he still hasn’t done it on the world stage.”

It’s hard to disagree with Keane in some respects, particularly when the same group of players have consistently failed under numerous managers. But Capello must shoulder some of the blame too for making the exact same mistakes as his predecessors.  However, it’s always good to see Keano having a rant. Too many players and managers are too scared to say it how they see it and instead toe the party line and err on the side of caution.

Football needs more Keano’s.

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