Roy Keane

[bcubed]

Anyone hear Roy Keane on Irelands loss yesterday? They lost 2-1 to Belarus and he warned the players they will have to put their bodies on the line to achieve success.

Some classic comments followed (reminding me what football used to be like and how Keane still thinks it is):

"I'm worried when players aren't carrying knocks. You're supposed to carry knocks because you are supposed to tackle people, you're supposed to hit people at pace and hit them hard. It's part of the game.

"It's not chess we are playing. Every time you get a knock, you don't need to go for a scan - you know what I mean? - or take painkillers or have two days' recovery or match-day minus-two, 'I need to sit in the pool for an hour-and-a-half'.

"It's a man's game we are playing, believe it or not."

"Well, I wanted to kill a few of them last night, so I have moved on from that."

"Control the bloody ball, pass it and move to your mates and if you lose it, run back - and run back like you care."

[From Despair To Where?]

He's got a point that you should play like you care and give your all but kind of loses it with all the Black Knight "Tis but a scratch" nonsense.

There's a reason why so many old pros from the 90's and earlier are hobbling around on shagged knees and hips and getting joint replacements in their early 50s.

[bcubed]

Maybe but footballers are too cosseted today and full of their own self importance. Diving and feigning injury are ruining the game. The idea of someone saying get up or just get on with it appeals to me. Not that the game will ever return to one where a proper tackle can be made.

I also hate the attitude you see from many pros where they don't appear to care. Keane's attitude as a player was never in doubt. A bit over the top (literally) at times but always committed.

[Sutekh]

FIFA ruined the art of defending. It's as much part of the game to see a ball won fairly in a well timed manner as it is to see Wingy McWingface noodling about going nowhere while pundits cream themselves over how wonderful he is.

[bcubed]

Totally agree

FIFA - what a bunch of oxf*rd!
When have they ever changed a rule that improved the game?! Apart from the original offside rule obv

[Platypuss]

Backpass rule?

[Ian Royal]

Have FIFA destroyed the ability to tackle, or has the ability to tackle gradually been lost to the point where FIFA had to act to reduce the number of leg breaker challenges? I'd say that footballers are now conditioned to such a peak that they're practically at snapping point the entire time with the increased pace and strength the game is played at.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Preposterous nonsense, but then, yes maybe, but what of the non-league/sunday league fraternity? Can hardly have two different sets of rules....but take away those hungover rightback sunday morning tackles then what?

[bcubed]

Backpass rule?

Oh yeah that was a good one
But apart from the original offside rule and the backpass rule what have FIFA ever done for us?!

[Geekins]

Backpass rule?

Oh yeah that was a good one
But apart from the original offside rule and the backpass rule what have FIFA ever done for us?!

goal line technology.