Kinnear Says 'Sunderland Players Should Look At Themselves'!

Last updated : 09 December 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Kinnear: "It was a big surprise for me because Roy has done an excellent job there. I just wish he had taken a deep breath, taken a step back and realised what a good job he has done over the last two seasons.

"He is a bright young manager and it's sad he has walked away because I don't think the team were in a crisis.

"I think Roy is his own harshest critic really and he obviously wasn't happy with how things were going.

"Nobody can tell him what to do. He has made his decision and we have to respect that, but I don't believe it was the right one because, in my opinion, he was doing a brilliant job there.

"I thought it was only a matter of time before he turned things round, but he has decided he's taken the club as far as he can and there wasn't anything anyone could say to get him to change his mind.

"I sincerely hope it isn't the last we see of Roy as a manager in the Premier League because that would be waste. He will probably feel relief for the first week or so because it's over, but in a few weeks time he will feel like he has chopped his arm off.

"Football is in his blood and I know what it's like to be sat there watching games on television or in the stands. You just want to be back in the dressing room.

"Roy will be welcome at lots of grounds up and down the country, but when he's there he will regret not being involved. I don't think we have seen the last of him, I certainly hope not because he is a top manager in the making.

"I think the players need to take a long hard look at themselves because it is too easy for a manager to take all the blame when performances don't go well.

"They were leaking goals left right and centre and I think they will be shocked the manager has left.

"They will feel responsible I hope because they have lost an excellent manager who was capable of taking them on to a higher level in their careers."