Keane piqued by Sunderland slump
But they upset him on two counts on Saturday and only one was producing 90 minutes of dross that saw Portsmouth goalkeeper David James enjoy an utterly untroubled afternoon.
Their other crime was a novel one, however — by somehow managing to become star-struck at the Premier League’s tattiest ground.
“Some of my players were overawed by some of the Portsmouth players,” Keane fumed afterwards. “And if they are overawed by Portsmouth what happens when we play the real big boys?
“Some of my boys will have been in the Portsmouth lounge getting some autographs, I guarantee you. And that’s a sad state of affairs if you are a top footballer. You shouldn’t get anyone’s autograph.”
Come on Roy, tell us what you really think.
New signing Andy Reid was handed a first start and the Republic midfielder showed within seconds of the kick-off why Keane had been willing to pay Charlton €5.3million.
A free-kick of pin-point accuracy eluded the Portsmouth back-line but lone striker Kenwyne Jones was not yet tuned in and could not make the simple back-post connection required, which was a pity because it was the only decent service he was to receive all day.
“I’m quite happy with Reidy, particularly in the first-half with a few of his set-pieces,” Keane declared. “He tired towards the end, but we know what qualities he has got.”
Reid also caught the attention of many of the home fans, who revelled in the sight of a 25-year-old professional footballer who appeared fatter than they were.
“When you are a footballer and you are away from home then fans are going to have a go at you,” Keane said. “Any decent player will see that as a challenge. I used to.”
Yes, but you never resembled a busted sofa, Roy. At least he didn’t claim Reid was just big-boned.
Pompey were only marginally less woeful and took almost a hour to force Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon into a save.
The game was settled in the home side’s favour with 20 minutes remaining by a penalty award so soft it should have come with a choice of flake or hundreds and thousands. Nico Krankjar showed quick feet to push the ball past Phil Bardsley but then deliberately toppled over his opponent.
It was enough to fool referee Phil Dowd however and Jermain Defoe made no mistake from the spot to add to his debut goal against Chelsea.
By that time the game’s one and only performer of merit had arrived in the shape of the ever-green Kanu. The Nigerian’s touch and awareness were sublime and Sunderland were stretched every time he had the ball at his feet, even though he never felt the need to accelerate above walking pace. Sometimes he just stood there yet he remained untouchable.
“He was fantastic,” purred Pompey manager Harry Redknapp. “He played for the reserves in a practice match on Thursday and no-one could get near him. I love having him around. He is unique and his touch is just unbelievable, fantastic to watch. I know people who used to watch him at Ajax as a kid and they had never seen anything like it.”
The result kept Portsmouth’s hopes of UEFA Cup qualification ticking over and intensified Sunderland’s fears that they might still go down, especially as this was their 10th successive away defeat. Next stop is Derby, though, so it’s now or never for Keane and co.
PORTSMOUTH (4-1-2-1-2): James 6, Johnson 7, Campbell 7, Distin 7, Hreidarsson 7, Diarra 6, Diop 6, Muntari 5, Krancjar 7, Defoe 7, Baros 5 (Kanu 64, 8).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Utaka, Davis.
SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Gordon 5, Bardsley 6, Nosworthy 7, Evans 7, Collins 6, Murphy 5 (Prica 84, 5), Leadbitter 7 (Yorke 79, 5), Whitehead 6, Etuhu 6, Reid 7 (Chopra 71, 5), Jones 5.
Subs Not Used: Ward, McShane.
REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) 5: Upset the home fans with a few decisions but more than made up for that with a free gift of a penalty to decide this contest.
MATCH RATING: * Two poor teams or two teams playing poorly? Either way it was an afternoon that won’t be lingering long in the memory.
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