Roy, this charming man

Carl Marston

ROY Keane, although he has a reputation for being a hard man with a cold stare, is actually very entertaining during his weekly press conferences.

Even though his team are in the bottom three, and struggling for goals, Keane shows no signs of cracking under the pressure.

Indeed, his rapport with journalists remains, by-and-large, very good.

And after a week where Stoke City boss Tony Pulis had a high-profile spat with his striker James Beattie, and QPR manager Jim Magilton was suspended from his job because of an altercation with midfielder Akos Buzsaky, it was refreshing to once again detect Keane's relaxed frame of mind going into today's crucial home game against Blackpool.

Of course there's a world of difference between a manager ranting at his players in the sanctuary of the dressing room, after a heavy defeat, and a manager sharing a joke with members of the press 24 hours before the next fixture.

But it makes for a cheerful morning, all the same. Below are the highlights from Keane's most recent press conference, held yesterday

morning:

No 1: Asked whether Colchester United boss Aidy Boothroyd had rung him about the possibility of signing Kevin Lisbie, he looked at his mobile phone and said: "No, he hasn't. And I haven't had any missed calls either!"

No 2: Asked about David Wright's desire for a new contract next year, he quipped: "But we all want to remain at the club!"

No 3: Referring to Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, during his days as a

player: "No doubt Ian Holloway wanted to sort me out, and I was trying to nail him! Everyone remembers the ones I kicked, not the ones that kicked me!"

No 4: About what he does to relax after a game, he revealed: "I don't play golf. I don't like golf. I just walk my dog for miles upon miles." And when asked whether he comes to any conclusions, when he is on his own, deep in thought, he added: "No, I just keep walking!"