Mackem Boss Tells His Players 'Kick Them Back!'

But that is what you get in hugely competitive game.

Keane said in his book "I wished I'd connected with Shearer when I threw that punch".

But considering he was trained as a boxer in his teens, you would have expected his to diguise his 'haymaker' better. 

Shearer saw it coming two minutes before he threw it!

But full marks to Keane, he didn't go crying to the referee or the FA when Joey Barton's challenge on Dickson Etuhu incensed the Nigeria international.

And I can give you a list of about 15 Premiership managers who would!

Keane simply told his players, like most of us Geordies were told during our schooldays: "if you get kicked ... kick the buggers back!"

Keane: "That's life and that's football. Players have got to expect it when they are playing against the lad Barton - he's a tough lad.

"But then again, I would like our lads to get stuck into them. That's what football is about."