It’s been an eventful few days at Sunderland. Yesterday our manager Roy Keane left and although there had been lots of speculation, it was still a shock to see him leave.

I was genuinely sorry and disappointed to see him go. There may be people who will think that because I haven’t been playing on a regular basis since moving to Sunderland that I’d be happy with a fresh start, but I had a lot of time for the gaffer and always will.

He had a tough job to do and he had to make difficult selection decisions and I have no hard feelings with him for not selecting me as much as I would have liked.

I knew Roy as a player at Manchester United and he was one of the best I’ve ever seen - his desire and commitment helped the club win so many trophies the United fans lost count.

And as a manager with Sunderland, it is worth remembering what he did for the club.

As our chairman Niall Quinn said yesterday he pulled us off our knees when the team was struggling in the Championship.

He carried the team from the Championship into the Premiership and kept Sunderland in the top flight last season.

We may have had some disappointing results this season but there is enough quality at Sunderland for us to climb the table.

We have a big match at Manchester United on Saturday and hopefully we can get something from that even though it is obviously going to be very difficult because they are flying at the moment, what with beating Manchester City last weekend and hitting five past Blackburn in the Carling Cup.

It’s unfortunate that the gaffer won’t be going back to Old Trafford but I’d like to take this opportunity to wish him well in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

And I would like to thank him for bringing me to Sunderland and giving me the opportunity to play for this fantastic club.

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While everyone knows Roy Keane few people not involved directly with the game had heard of Brendan Rodgers when he was appointed Watford boss recently.

I don't know Brendan myself but when Northern Ireland trained at Chelsea before some away trips, the Carnlough man was there and I'll tell you this he was hugely respected by the people at Stamford Bridge.

I know Jose Mourinho thought he was special. When you have someone like that backing you, you clearly have lots to offer.

Watford were a bit unlucky to lose to Spurs in the Carling Cup this week, but I'm sure appointing Brendan will prove a super decision. Don't be surprised if he ends up managing in the Premiership in the future.

It’s great to see Carroll singing again, now bring on United in Wembley final

In my time in football, one of the best shot-stoppers that I've played with or against is Roy Carroll.

At times in training with Northern Ireland, you just couldn't score against him.

Looking at Roy's career he got the dream move to Manchester United and everything looked brilliant.

Unfortunately for Roy (left) he made a few high profile mistakes at United and it never really worked out for him at Old Trafford.

He went to West Ham and Rangers but didn't play as much as he had hoped. That's always a difficult situation.

To Roy's credit though he has hung in there and is now looking like he is back at his best. He certainly played a key part in Derby beating Stoke City the other night in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

I'd love to see Roy make it all the way to Wembley though he might have to beat some of my other Northern Ireland pals first.

Jonny Evans is in the semi-finals with United while Martin Paterson and Michael Duff were impressive for Burnley in their win over Arsenal's youngsters.

Much as I admire the talent of the Arsenal kids, I did fancy Burnley to beat them because Turf Moor is such a difficult place to go to. Burnley have some strong, experienced players and they were more streetwise on the night.

Every time I see Jonny Evans he is gaining that quality, which is something Sir Alex Ferguson loves in his defenders.

I still reckon that Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are Fergie's first choice centre-backs but Jonny is right behind them and it's clear the United boss has no fear at all in throwing Jonny in when required.

I'm sure Roy Carroll would love to take on United in a Wembley final.

I know Roy has said he would like to join up with the international squad again and I'm glad about that. The more quality we have to call on the better.

The other Keane can still shine for Kop

You could tell how disappointed the Liverpool fans were on Monday night with the 0-0 draw against West Ham when boos rang out around Anfield.

It was a sign of the frustration amongst the supporters who saw two points slip away, especially following on from other scoreless draws at home to Stoke and Fulham.

On the upside, Liverpool are top of the table.

And if they stay in that position entering the New Year, they are going to be right in the thick of the title race.

For once Steven Gerrard didn’t come up with a piece of magic to beat West Ham and with Fernando Torres injured, Liverpool looked light in the inspiration stakes.

Robbie Keane was brought in to help those two but it just hasn’t clicked for him yet.

It does take time to settle at a new club and his partnership with Torres has been stop-start due to injuries to the Spaniard. He is also being substituted a lot which he won’t be pleased with.

I still believe he can be a hit at Liverpool because he is a quality player. Certainly Liverpool need him at his best in the coming weeks.