Will Keane F Preston North End b.1993

[pineapple stu]

Came off injured after half an hour today, having of course picked up an injury in the September international window and missed the October windows with injury. After a bright start to the season, he now hasn't scored in two months; Preston have dropped out of the top six after a run of three points from 18.

Strangely was part of a double sub at that time - two Irish players taken off injured at the same time, with Cunningham the other one.

[Demesne Lad]

Came off the bench for second half, at home to Bristol City; two goals (so far).

[Eirambler]

Very much assisted by a rush of blood from Max O'Leary for the first of those.

[pineapple stu]

Fifth goal in five games for Preston today. Be interesting to see if he's in the mix for the March friendlies. Has never shown much for us, but hasn't been given huge chances either.

[samhaydenjr]

Fifth goal in five games for Preston today. Be interesting to see if he's in the mix for the March friendlies. Has never shown much for us, but hasn't been given huge chances either.

That's an understatement - he's had 97 minutes over 4 caps. Now our top scoring forward in The Championship, albeit with Connolly and Idah not far behind. His career did get going late but he's scored 59 goals in three and a half years. If we're looking for a target man back-up to Ferguson, it's him v Idah and he's arguably got his nose in front on form now, so could do with a proper blooding in. Definitely should be in the mix for March and maybe June

[pineapple stu]

Two in the first half as Preston storm to a 3-0 halftime lead over promotion-chasing Ipswich

Seems to have found a bit of form lately - seven goals in his last seven league games

[samhaydenjr]

Time to increase that 97 minutes of action for us. Second season in a row where he's hit double figures in The Championship, except this year, it's only taken him 22 appearances - his minutes per goal is 125, which is only bettered by Jamie Vardy among the top 24 scorers. At 31, he still has at least one campaign left - let's take advantage of his late-career form and give him a proper shot.

[Snapshot]

Time to increase that 97 minutes of action for us. Second season in a row where he's hit double figures in The Championship, except this year, it's only taken him 22 appearances - his minutes per goal is 125, which is only bettered by Jamie Vardy among the top 24 scorers. At 31, he still has at least one campaign left - let's take advantage of his late-career form and give him a proper shot.
Good call, Sam. A ridiculously underrated player.

[ontheotherhand]

One of the things Kenny probably got right was bringing him in. Wasn't bad at spotting the players, just very poor at setting them up.

If you were picking a team on form it'd be Keane and Sammie Smo up front? Ogbene at RWB.

[Diggs246]

One of the things Kenny probably got right was bringing him in. Wasn't bad at spotting the players, just very poor at setting them up.

If you were picking a team on form it'd be Keane and Sammie Smo up front? Ogbene at RWB.

I think Ferguson starts ahead of keane
Even if he is having a dip in form

Sammie sz defo starts

[mark12345]

One of the things Kenny probably got right was bringing him in. Wasn't bad at spotting the players, just very poor at setting them up.

If you were picking a team on form it'd be Keane and Sammie Smo up front? Ogbene at RWB.

How about Keane and Ferguson with Ogbene and Mikey Johnston as attacking wingers

[ontheotherhand]

I think Ferguson starts ahead of keane
Even if he is having a dip in form

Sammie sz defo starts

Here's a wildly unpopular take for you of a bank holiday - I'm not sure we should be relying on Ferguson at this stage. He's 19 and still learning his trade. He's had a serious upward trajectory, similar to Bazunu, from LoI at 15 to EPL at 19/20. He's struggling now because of it but he's a striker so he can be rotated and have bad games and all the stuff a keeper can't. It's worth it for Brighton to keep giving him minutes because they have other options and they know what they have on their hands in Evan. He will be a world class striker.

Is he our most talented option? Yep. Is he ready to put the nation on his back and lead the line for a very poor team with no creativity behind him? I'm not sure. McGoldrick could do that but he was a savvy operator who knew when to drop deep and when to push on. Ferguson is still learning how to play with Brighton and that's a hugely different animal to Ireland. He's scored goals for us but I don't think he's really led the line well yet. He's looked a bit lost during games and that's fair enough. He's 19.

I'm not saying Keane or anyone else is better or should start ahead of Ferguson, but we need to find another 1 or 2 players who can take the pressure off and we have two banging the goals in at Championship level. 2 that haven't had a chance really or at all. It'd be worth seeing if they can play together and do a job.

[mark12345]

Here's a wildly unpopular take for you of a bank holiday - I'm not sure we should be relying on Ferguson at this stage. He's 19 and still learning his trade. He's had a serious upward trajectory, similar to Bazunu, from LoI at 15 to EPL at 19/20. He's struggling now because of it but he's a striker so he can be rotated and have bad games and all the stuff a keeper can't. It's worth it for Brighton to keep giving him minutes because they have other options and they know what they have on their hands in Evan. He will be a world class striker.

Is he our most talented option? Yep. Is he ready to put the nation on his back and lead the line for a very poor team with no creativity behind him? I'm not sure. McGoldrick could do that but he was a savvy operator who knew when to drop deep and when to push on. Ferguson is still learning how to play with Brighton and that's a hugely different animal to Ireland. He's scored goals for us but I don't think he's really led the line well yet. He's looked a bit lost during games and that's fair enough. He's 19.

I'm not saying Keane or anyone else is better or should start ahead of Ferguson, but we need to find another 1 or 2 players who can take the pressure off and we have two banging the goals in at Championship level. 2 that haven't had a chance really or at all. It'd be worth seeing if they can play together and do a job.

You're spot on about Ferguson. He was hyped way too much. He's still learning his trade in a cut throat business, and by this time next year he could be playing Championship football. His currency is goals and right now he's not doing well at all. Indeed I don't remember him even getting a goal scoring opportunity in the last few games while Joao Pedro is tearing it up. Hopefully his fortunes change but it's a little much to expect him to be leading the line for Ireland right now

[Razors left peg]

Jesus Christ. I've as much chance of playing Championship football next season as Ferguson does. Have you actually watched the games? He got a standing ovation coming off yesterday because he played very well. He's on a goal drought for sure, but his all round game is still excellent. Hoilund at United couldn't score all 1st half of season and now is on a tear, do u think Norwayfoot.no was talking about him going to Championship?

Ferguson wasn't over hyped, he was given correct credit for how well he was doing, but now like all young players he's going through a patch that he has to fight through, and he'll be better for it.

[ontheotherhand]

He's a Premiership level player who is being brought through very well by Brighton.

[pineapple stu]

I've a theory about new young forwards - which could be nonsense of course, but what the hey - and it's that when they break through, it can in part be because they're an unknown quantity, so the opposition haven't scouted them and are focussing more on the experienced strikers. Then there's a spell where opposition teams give them more respect, and they'll find it tougher to get going. But as they're still young, they're still improving, and they just need to come through the other side of that and they'll start scoring again and be a much stronger player for the experience.

Rashford did something similar as I recall.

[Razors left peg]

I've a theory about new young forwards - which could be nonsense of course, but what the hey - and it's that when they break through, it can in part be because they're an unknown quantity, so the opposition haven't scouted them and are focussing more on the experienced strikers. Then there's a spell where opposition teams give them more respect, and they'll find it tougher to get going. But as they're still young, they're still improving, and they just need to come through the other side of that and they'll start scoring again and be a much stronger player for the experience.

Rashford did something similar as I recall.

Theres something to that, but also even very experienced strikers go through goal droughts. He'll be fine, as I said his overall game is still excellent, but I don't think he links well with Pedro.

[ontheotherhand]

I've a theory about new young forwards - which could be nonsense of course, but what the hey - and it's that when they break through, it can in part be because they're an unknown quantity, so the opposition haven't scouted them and are focussing more on the experienced strikers. Then there's a spell where opposition teams give them more respect, and they'll find it tougher to get going. But as they're still young, they're still improving, and they just need to come through the other side of that and they'll start scoring again and be a much stronger player for the experience.

Rashford did something similar as I recall.

Yeah I think that's part of what I'm suggesting. Ferguson will deal with teams figuring him out and will learn to adapt and do different things. I'm not saying he'll become a completely different player but he'll know how to switch it up a bit when faced with top level players who know how to contain a certain type.

He isn't there yet and we are expecting him to lead the line for us. It would be great if he could rotate a bit with other players and not have to be the main man before he is ready. Robbie at least had Quinn.

[Eirambler]

I don't think we need to rotate Ferguson. In fact we can help his development by not rotating him. Ideally I'd start him in every friendly we have before the end of the season and give him 45 minutes to an hour in each one. Plenty of time in the second half for his competitors like Idah and Keane to make their cases. But they must know they're playing to be his back-up/support act.

[ontheotherhand]

Maybe rotate is the wrong way to put it but we need to find a way take some of the pressure off him. I don't think his decision making has been great at times for Ireland. Looks like a lad who thinks he has to do it all sometimes. And as stu sort of says, he's well marshalled and scouted now. Teams know he is our main threat. It's a completely different situation to Brighton who have weapons everywhere.

Without an experienced pro forward beside him or even in the squad, it could be hard for him to live up to the expectations if we don't find a way to relieve that pressure a bit. That might be in switching up the formation to get him more support or just finding other options that can work.

45 to an hour in each game sounds about right but maybe sometimes it's not even from the start. Let him watch a few of his support actors from the bench and come on in a few games maybe.

We have an absolute diamond on our hands and I'm not really too worried about it overall. If he plays every minute of every game it will probably benefit him as well. Was just thinking over a few pints yesterday.

[pineapple stu]

Another one today - 12th league goal of the season; 60th league goal in the last four seasons.

Preston up to seventh and a Premier campaign not out of the question next year

[Demesne Lad]

Wrexham's bid of £750k for Keane rejected by Preston NE; West Brom and Cardiff City also interested, according to www.sportsbible.com/football (28 August)

[Fixer82]

Wrexham's bid of £750k for Keane rejected by Preston NE; West Brom and Cardiff City also interested, according to www.sportsbible.com/football (28 August)

He’d be mad to drop down to Wrexham. He only scored the winner against Luton the other day sure.

Also, £750k seems a bit low?

[ColourfulPeanut]

Probably decent money and a long term-contract, along with the publicity of playing with the Hollywood team.

Wouldn't be the first Irish player to drop down for them. Eoghan O'Connell dropped down 2 divisions to sign for them in 2023

[liamoo11]

Probably decent money and a long term-contract, along with the publicity of playing with the Hollywood team.

Wouldn't be the first Irish player to drop down for them. Eoghan O'Connell dropped down 2 divisions to sign for them in 2023

Tom o Connor droped down a few divisions as well and he seems to have thrived there and hopefully making good money

[ColourfulPeanut]

Tom o Connor droped down a few divisions as well and he seems to have thrived there and hopefully making good money

Forgot about him and Anthony Forde, who did the same thing. Dropped 2 divisions as well. Seems right on brand for the Irish lads!

[Acornvilla]

Jimmy Mc as well ofc. I think it's probably a good move for lads if they're going to be playing, there's opportunities at Wrexham they won't get anywhere else in England outside of being a well known PL player.

[Eirambler]

Forgot about him and Anthony Forde, who did the same thing. Dropped 2 divisions as well. Seems right on brand for the Irish lads!

There's more Irish players at Wrexham than Welsh players. Now that they're in League 1 it's not a big drop to play for them the way it was a couple of years ago when the likes of O'Connor and Forde went there.

[Demesne Lad]

In the Preston NE match-day squad for the twelfth time this season and starting for the fifth, at home to Leeds.

[Demesne Lad]

Scored PNE's equaliser with a close range header, at home to Oxford Utd.

[Demesne Lad]

Keane, now 32, was PNE's top scorer in 2023/24, with 13 goals. In 2024/25 he made only 13 starts and 14 sub appearances, scoring 3 times, to bring his total PNE stats to 19 goals in 93 appearances (all competitions). Wigan Today and the 'Lancashire Post' (11 June) have dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Wigan and a reunion with Ryan Lowe.

[Eirambler]

Can't see him being called up again. Probably 10 ahead of him now in that position.