BookZone: Keane Wednesday, 7th Apr 2010 12:43 In a week that he got the better of the Rams, we continue our reviews of round ball reads with Roy Keanes autobigraphy.
KEANEBy Roy Keane with Eamon DunphyPublished by Penguin BooksISBN 0-141-00981-0
Unfortunately I cannot say the same about Roy Keane after reading his autobiography. He has always presented to me as egocentric, aggressive, unforgiving and mean spirited, and his book gives me no reason to change my mind.
Some of his sending offs for crude tackles are dismissed as mere hazards, all of his disagreements with people are the fault of others and he is the only committed player on the pitch he seems to say. He is scathing in his criticism of Peter Schmeichel, envious of the camaraderie among the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham and often glosses over some memorable moments in Manchester United’s games because the spotlight fell on others. For example, he makes little reference to the Beckham ‘wonder goal’ against Wimbledon which thrust the England captain onto the national stage, and is only slightly more praising of Ryan Gigg’s solo effort v Arsenal in the FA Cup. Alex Ferguson is praised throughout the book for his hunger to win, his ruthlessness and his refusal to tolerate indiscipline or compromise. These may be good qualities, but because they are lauded by someone as intransigent as Keane it makes them seem less worthy of applause. Brian Clough is seen as someone worthy of praise, although there are a few digs at his idiosyncrasies. His account of the World Cup fiasco where he returned home ‘in disgrace’ after a war of words with Mick McCarthy doesn’t really reflect that much credit on the author. Yet again he was unyielding, uncompromising and refusing to see anyone’s point of view except his own. To read of him claiming he was really speaking up for the Irish fans is somewhat unbelievable – Keane speaks for Keane. His whole attitude is ‘that’s me, take me or leave me’ without a thought for how he could strive to harness his faults and actually be of more benefit to his team. I found it to be none of those things. In my opinion it was honest – yes, brutal – yes but lacking in any absorption or genuine feeling.
Next Week:Derby County: Journey Through A Season
Ian Hall
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