Yorke gets glowing reference from manager
By: Northeastfootball.co.uk
22 Dec 2006
Sunderland manager Roy Keane believes the club's recent revival in the Championship is down to Dwight Yorke. The player has not set the world alight since arriving at Sunderland from Sydney. At Turf Moor on Saturday the Trinidad and Tobago captain looked every one of his thirty–five years in a sluggish display which saw him withdrawn just under half an hour from the final whistle.
However Keane has given him a glowing reference. The secret of Sunderland's recent success has all been in the mind, buoyed by a character and determination which has seen poor performances disguised by results. Ask Keane who should take most credit and he immediately singles out the club's second oldest player (after Kenny Cunningham) and the club's resident DJ. Yorke looks after the club's music in the build up to a game.
"People have been critical of Dwight recently but he's been a great help," says Keane. "He's been excellent in the dressing room, the way he smiles coming into training and his banter. He'll have a vital role to play for the rest of the season. I try not to get involved in the music that gets played. When I first got the job believe it or not I think it was Abba. I actually don't mind Abba that much but I don't think it's great before a game. Yorkie tends to look after it now. There's a bit of R&B, hip–hop – nothing too heavy – but you need a bouncing dressing room."
Keane has also played his part with subtle alterations. "I've just made little changes, there's been no magic wand. It's been little changes in terms of travelling, preparation, whatever it might be. There's a good spirit among the players no matter what happens. You need that togetherness," said the manager.