Last updated: 1st December 2008
Keane: Club that's most important
Roy Keane insists his delay in agreeing a new contract should not be affecting his Sunderland players.
Sunderland have plummeted down the table to 18th in recent weeks after losing five of their last six Premier League games.
The uncertainty surrounding Keane's future at the Stadium of Light has led to suggestions it has had an unsettling effect on his squad.
But Keane, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, is adamant it should not impact upon his team, citing his own experience at Manchester United as a reason for getting on with the job.
"That could be a very easy excuse I could give to defend the players with what is going on regarding my contract situation," said Keane in The Sun.
"But that shouldn't be an issue if you're a top-class professional footballer.
"(Sir Alex) Ferguson said he was retiring. I didn't think too much of it. He spoke to me about it and it was, 'What do you want me to do, cry over it?'
"Managers come and go. Managers aren't that important. It's the football club that's most important."
Meanwhile, Black Cats defender Phil Bardsley has urged the fans to be patient following Saturday's 4-1 defeat at home by Bolton Wanderers.
Bardsley said: "The fans are disappointed, but we need them to be behind us.
"I know we've lost games at home, but we need them to be behind us and not to boo us.
"We need everyone. When the going gets tough you need everybody, not just the players."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
Skysports.com takes a look at striker Michael Owen's career to date following his Man United switch.
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Ian Rush told Sky Sports News that Sir Alex Ferguson's move for Michael Owen could prove a masterstroke.
Michael Owen is eager to put his "poor spell" at Newcastle behind him by scoring goals and lifting silverware at his new club Man United.
Robin van Persie has reportedly signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal, according to The Independent.
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Daniel Sturridge on a four-year contract from Manchester City.
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Joe Kinnear has backed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get the best out of Michael Owen.