Anxiety, tension, nerves. . I love it! BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Sunderland v Birmingham, tonight, 8pm KEANE RELISHES SURVIVAL FIGHT.Byline: Simon BIRD ROY Keane Roy Maurice Keane (born 10 August, 1971 in Mayfield, Cork City, Ireland) is an Irish former professional footballer and the current manager of English Premier League club Sunderland. has ordered Sunderland to hold their nerve in the crunch relegation clash with Birmingham tonight. The Wearside chief wants his side to feel the "anxiety" of the situation because it will mean they must raise their game and stop Alex McLeish's men inflicting a devastating blow to their survival hopes. Keane's team could move up to 14th if they win tonight - or fall adrift in the drop zone if they lose. He said: "It is a big game for both clubs. There will be anxiety, nerves, all sorts of tension. But I like that. It means there is a big game on. "It is not as if we want to be blase bla·sé adj. 1. Uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence. 2. Unconcerned; nonchalant: had a blasé attitude about housecleaning. 3. Very sophisticated. . I would be worried if there wasn't an edge to it for the managers, the players, the staff and the fans. "It is the sort of game you can't afford a slip-up in. It is the same at the top for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. You can't afford slip-ups at the top either. You can look back at certain games in a season and say 'that one killed us'. "I can hold my nerve. I said this time last year that you get to a stage of the season where it is all about how you are mentally. I said last year we would be fine then and it is the same this year. "What will dictate our season is how we do against teams down there. It is an important game for us. I try to have the attitude every game is a big game and one we can relish. There is a lot more to come physically and mentally. "Our home form has given us a chance. There are three tables and we want to top the one we are involved in." Sunderland have tried to bring in several new players in the last fortnight and had big offers turned down, including pounds 5million for Reading's Stephen Hunt Stephen Hunt is the name of:
Keane will off-load three players, with Andy Cole Andrew Alexander "Andy" Cole (born October 15 1971 in Nottingham) is an English footballer, who is one of the highest scoring players in the game's history. He currently plays for Sunderland. wanted by Burnley, and David Connolly David Connolly (born June 6, 1977 in Willesden, England) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker. He currently plays for Sunderland. Connolly is married and in Jan 2006 became a father for the first time and on April 2007 he had his second daughter. and Graham Kavanagh Graham Anthony Kavanagh (born December 2, 1973 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Sunderland, having also played for Home Farm, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic. up for grabs. Keeper Darren Ward has initially turned down Rangers after talks and fellow stopper Marton Fulop is also likely to leave. But Keane says players who have opened talks to join Sunderland have "asked too many questions". He added: "Sometimes players ask too much. Fair enough about the area, schools, where to live. But sometimes it is one too many. "Like 'Who else are we buying?' I went to Forest and Man United and never asked one question to Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson, they told me things. "Sometimes everything is agreed before you meet but first impressions are vital. So if it doesn't work out, make sure you don't match their personal terms. "I want players who produce no rigmarole rig·ma·role also rig·a·ma·role n. 1. Confused, rambling, or incoherent discourse; nonsense. 2. A complicated, petty set of procedures. and go straight in ready for training. Some players are worth that extra hassle, and like to think we would go there. But at the moment I need players who roll their sleeves up and get on with the job in a no-panic situation." New Sweden striker Rade Prica, 27, has already demonstrated the no-nonsense 'low maintenance' attitude Keane wants. Prica, who was the Danish league's top scorer, said: "The leagues I've played in, I know that it hurts people to play against me. "I always give 100 per cent and I think defenders have a little pain after games against me. I'm a tough player. The game is more rough here, like football should be played." James McFadden is poised to make his full Blues debut tonight, alongside another new signing, Mauro Zarate. PROBABLE TEAMS Sunderland 4-4-2 Gordon Whitehead Evans Nosworthy Collins O'Donovan Miller Yorke Murphy Jones Stokes Birmingham 4-4-2 Taylor Kelly Schmitz Ridgewell Queudrue Larsson Muamba Johnson Kapo Zarate McFadden TV TIMES: Live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm. Kick-off 8pm CAPTION(S): REPUTATION: Rade Prica; KEANE AS MUSTARD: Roy Keane is fired up for Sunderland's clash tonight; STARTING: Blues new boy James McFadden |
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