Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn says the no-nonsense approach to management by Roy Keane is key to his success.

Quinn told the Sunday Sun: "The way Roy left three players at home last season after they missed the bus was a big turnaround.

"They were three of Roy's signings - three of his top men at that time, but that didn't matter.

"Rather than say nothing about it, let the players get away with it and hope to God that we won the match, he kicked a bit of a** that day.

"It must have been a big change for the fans to see someone come in - a young manager - and deal with things head on, taking a firm line and dealing with players that way."

And Quinn believes that Keane's fear factor has played a key role in Sunderland's revival on the pitch.

He said: "There are lots of factors that come into it, but there are very few teams that make progress without a manager who stands out in all areas - not just tactically, but in how they handle the media and the players - and who measures up to what fans want from their leader.

"I think Roy does that."