EX REDS LINE UP TO PRAISE ROY

Last updated : 27 February 2003 By Editor
Ray Wilkins:

"Against Juventus Roy was a bit like Bobby Moore. He read the game
superbly, and just breezed through it.

"Roy has had two nasty operations and it would be commonsense that
defence is where he will eventually end up on a regular basis.

"I still think we will see the best days of Roy as a midfielder - but if he wants to
prolong his career, central defence is where he will finish up."

Nobby Stiles:

"He was tremendous against Juventus. He's a fantastic player and he can
perform brilliantly anywhere. I'm sure if he wants to play in the back four he
can be there for the next six years, but I know he likes the midfield."

Tommy Docherty:

"I thought Keane played brilliantly. I've often said when a player gets a bit
older he can drift into the back four.

"It will be interesting to see if he is played there more often in the future -
because he certainly looked comfortable.

"There's no substitute for experience and the way Roy reads the game is
fantastic for the manager.

"I played in midfield but as I got older I drifted back. It can add years to your
career, because you are not doing all that running around.

"But with John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre all able to play there,
I wonder how many games Roy would get at the back."

Ron Atkinson:

"It's an added string to Roy's bow. I saw him play there years ago for Forest
and he does it very well.

"Sir Alex has used him there before and it's yet another option for him. In the
coming years Roy could be used there more."

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