Keane wasn't a thug, Sludge. There's no way he could've won what he did and performed at the highest level for so long if he was just a thug. In one of his books he mentions that he learnt in management that he actually needed the players on his side and that he couldn't expect all of them to go about their business in the way he did. Players like Bellamy and Keane are about doing everything to the maximum, they're the type of characters who would have to cut their grass better than the neighbours. Very high standards and a huge competitive edge. They both probably realised that they had limitations at an early age and in order to compete at the highest level they were going to have to work even harder than everyone else. That's what made them into top class players for a sustained period, Honesty and work rate that added to natural ability. Does that ethic translate into modern day football management, where established players have already set into a routine? I'm not so sure, although it would be fun finding outOriginally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY
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