Sunderland's Keane Exempt From Critisism?

Recently I wrote a blog concerning Gary Megson and the unfair treatment the beleaguered Bolton boss receives.

Suffice to say, I received a fair bit of flak myself, which, to be honest, I fully expected. I like a challenge, you see, and defending Gary Megson is certainly a challenge!

Anyway, with all that being said, there's something else I'd like to get off my chest.

No matter what they do, some managers are seemingly exempt from criticism, and one such man is Roy Keane.

Keane's Sunderland currently lie in 19th position, and occupy one of three relegation spots. but is anything being said about this? Not really. There’s some slight rumblings of discontent from Sunderland fans maybe, but within the media, there's no talk about Keane's position coming under threat, nor is there any real criticism in regards to Sunderland's recent poor form - which has seen the Wearsiders lose four in a row in all competitions.

It seems Keane is being let off the hook, so to speak.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not crying out for Keane to be put under any kind of pressure, far from it. In today's managerial climate, it's refreshing to see teams stick with their manager in times of adversity, if you can even call it that.

There's far too many trigger happy chairmen out there at the moment, happy to sack their manager at the drop of a hat.

But when you look at the likes of Megson, Mark Hughes and before them the recently dismissed Alan Curbishley, three managers that are or were seemingly always under pressure from the fans and media alike, you have to wonder if it's a case of double standards?

Look at the money that's been spent at Sunderland this summer. £30m (though this figure is unconfirmed due to undisclosed fees) is a staggering amount of money for a club of Sunderland's size, and it’s more than most clubs spent in the Premier League this summer.

And it's not just this summer Sunderland have spent big. After achieving promotion from the Championship, Keane spent £37m on the likes of Craig Gordon and Michael Chopra keeping Sunderland in the Premiership.

And with Sunderland currently lying in 19th place, for all Keane's wheeling and dealing, you'd have to think Niall Quinn would want more for his money than a relegation battle on his hands.

So why is Keane excused from any criticism whatsoever? His successful playing career maybe? His outspoken nature? The fact he's young? Or maybe we're all terrified of upsetting him?

Either way, it's something that bemuses me.