‘Bolton had more men than us’ (From The Bolton News)

‘Bolton had more men than us’

10:17pm Sunday 4th May 2008 in

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ROY Keane reckons Wanderers were more streetwise than his Sunderland team and fully deserved the victory that virtually preserved their Premier League status.

In an often cagey game, Wanderers had that little bit more quality in key areas and dominated possession while creating the better chances.

And Keane believes that is down to Wanderers' experience of the Premiership - something his side have yet to achieve.

"Credit to Bolton, I never criticise a team that beats us," said Keane.

"Bolton played to their strengths and made it hard for us. They have been in the Premiership for the last seven years, and I think we saw that today.

"They just had that little bit more experience, particularly in the middle of the park. They had more men in their team.

"We need to learn to get results when we are not playing well. I can't remember one occasion this year when we have got out of jail. Every point we have got we have had to scrap for it."

Keane was scathing in this assessment of his own team's performance, and promised to make changes in the summer to make sure next season's Premier League campaign is more successful than this one.

"We need to improve - we have got to learn from performances like today. We have lost 22 games this season, and some people are saying we have had a good season. To lose 22 games in a season, I am lucky to be in a job.

"You learn about your players all the time, and this confirmed what I have been thinking for a while - that we are short.

"I made three substitutions today, and I could have made 10.

"There will be changes in the summer. I'm sick of saying the same things week in week out.

"If you tell a player to do something three times, and they don't do it you get shot of them. I've been very patient and very kind to some of my players. Maybe this result was a good thing. This confirms we need more players and more quality.

"Today we were giving the ball away constantly when there was nobody within 20 yards of us. It was unacceptable."