Chimbonda feels the wrath of Keane

Aug 25 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

BEFORE his team passed their first travelling test of the season with flying colours at Tottenham, Roy Keane was forced to meet an examination of his managerial mettle by disciplining defender Pascal Chimbonda.

The Sunderland manager has imported some notable names with proven Premier League pedigree into his Black Cats squad this summer but not all of them have come with an unblemished disciplinary record.

And Keane was moved to send a message to the rest of his personnel after Chimbonda turned up late for a ‘pre-match stroll’ at the team hotel on Saturday morning – an indiscretion rated serious enough by the Wearsiders’ manager to merit the French defender being replaced by Danny Higginbotham for the game.

It proved little distraction for Sunderland, who recorded a superb 2-1 win at White Hart Lane courtesy of Djibril Cissé’s headed winner. And in an indication of the rising feelgood factor around the club, the French striker told The Journal afterwards that he is intent on making the season-long loan deal a permanent transfer in the summer.

But there was intrigue at Chimbonda’s presence alongside Carlos Edwards as an unused member of the travelling party. Keane refused to be drawn on the sidelining of Chimbonda afterwards, saying only that he had “chosen a team to win”.

When asked about dealing with the difficulties of working with the likes of Chimbonda, El-Hadji Diouf and fellow newcomer Djibril Cissé the Sunderland manager said it would work in the club’s favour this season.

“That’s part of my job. I really don’t think I can shy away from people with

different character traits. I was no angel,” he said.

“I don’t mind that. If I had a dressing room full of angels I’d be really worried – trust me. You end up winning nothing.

“I’ve played with good characters, played for tough managers. It’s no problem, it’s fine. I’ve no problem with players. If they want to challenge me, they will lose.

“I had issues on Friday morning at the training ground – I never thought it would happen, just different stuff. It was nothing major and that’s the beauty of the job – you never know what’s round the corner.

“Everyday something is thrown up. Part of the enjoyment is that you don’t know what’s going to happen any given day.”

Managing a dressing room full of ‘big’ characters is another test for Keane, but the pedigree of the player in question has not prevented him from imposing a punishment consistent with those he has handed out in the past.

Liam Miller, who returned to the squad and made a late substitute appearance on Saturday, was transfer-listed because of persistent tardiness – and Anthony Stokes, Tobias Hysen and Márton Fülop have all been dropped for a single game because of lateness.

Kieran Richardson was left out of the squad for the final game of the season for time-keeping issues, but his fantastic goal on Saturday sealed his rehabilitation and illustrated that Keane does not hold grudges.

Meanwhile, Keane has confirmed that he hopes to add two players to his squad before the end of the week. While refusing to be drawn on Anton Ferdinand, who is believed to be one of the two players after West Ham manager Alan Curbishley confirmed the Londoners had accepted a bid for the player from the Black Cats, it does appear that there will be further movement soon.

“I’ve got two players in mind. We’re hopeful with one in particular and we’ll be working hard next week to get the other player I’m interested in,” he said.