Robbie Keane

[drummerboy]

Hats off to Robbie Keane. What an ambassador for Irish football but also what a fantastic goal poacher. Well done Robert.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Find someone who can find him, low, from the wings consistently, and you've got a role for Robbie that can last a while yet. David Forde is not cut out to be his supplier.

[pineapple stu]

Stern John on 70 is more within range I think.
That's the same mark we were talking about in the pub.

Two more campaigns tops? Add in a couple of silly friendlies against lower-tier teams (the ones we can afford to play, basically), and it's not unrealistic.

But 70 international goals! Even 59 is incredible.

Legend, as Bonnie said.

[DeLorean]

The records he's going to set are Ryan Giggs-esque in terms of being potentially unbreakable. Don't think aul Giggsy was nearly as bothered about his country though.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Keane was given the captaincy too early in his international career but he has grown into the role and has grown from petulant twenty-something year-old into a very mature leader with a presence on the pitch. Very valuable too given the profile of the current squad. Much credit to him. He looks fitter than I have ever seen him too. He's in great condition.

[DannyInvincible]

Just to re-iterate what others are saying in relation to Robbie; a top professional and Irish legend.

[ArdeeBhoy]

We are really really really going to miss him when he goes.

Though incidentally some of the newspaper pundits were calling for him to be omitted from the next two 'big' games and for Wes to play up top with Long instead.

Some sense in saying that, but doubtful Trapp will bother...

[jbyrne]

We are really really really going to miss him when he goes.

Though incidentally some of the newspaper pundits were calling for him to be omitted from the next two 'big' games and for Wes to play up top with Long instead.

Some sense in saying that, but doubtful Trapp will bother...


keane 5 goals from the last two games. In one of those games long missed two excellent 1 v1 opportunities. enough said about who should be first choice although i think long should play too.

since stephen elliot (who, you may ask) came on the scene the papers have being calling for Keane to be dropped. countless goals and caps later Keane is still going strong. our media are beyond a joke at this stage

[ArdeeBhoy]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

[jbyrne]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

goals against spain, germany, italy, france, holland, denmark, yugoslavia, croatia, sweden, chech republic, and about 5 play off goals would suggest otherwise

[Supreme feet]

I'm a big Keane fan, but the question is: how do we accommodate all of Keane, Long, Hoolahan and McCarthy - plus two wide players - without setting ourselves up to be over-run in midfield against better teams?

[DeLorean]

goals against spain, germany, italy, france, holland, denmark, yugoslavia, croatia, sweden, chech republic, and about 5 play off goals would suggest otherwise

And a lot of those goals were when they were most badly needed, particularly the late equalisers against Germany, Spain and Italy.

There was also a season in England when he scored against all of the 'Big 4' as it was known at the time, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Pretty sure it was the season Spurs won the Carling Cup.

Scoring against the best was never a problem for him to be fair.

[OwlsFan]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

Strangely enough you have to score goals against lesser teams as well to beat them. I just wonder if Robbie hadn't been playing against the Faroe Islands, who would have scored. It was interesting that for the cross from Sammon both Keane and Walters made the lunge for the ball but it was Robbie who timed his to perfection. I still find it bizarre that time has to be spent defending our greatest goal scorer of all time.

I was interested to hear Strachan talking about Scotland following their win in Croatia. "Too much time is spent talking about systems. It's about the players and their attitudes...".

Keane has to start no matter who we are playing.

[BonnieShels]

Has anyone ever taken out all the goals he's scored and all the caps he's won against lesser opposition for sh!ts an giggles?

I heard a row being waged about him in the pub on Saturday not being that good. I respectfully declined to partake in such idiocy.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, I should have said 'often'...

Anyway Paul Rowan was someone who made a logical case for RK being dropped.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/I_nationals/article1271182.ece

Much as I love him, to beat either Sweden or Austria, we're going to have to do something dramatically different (or better) than in recent games and starting with Hoolahan/Long might be the best option, with Robbie the best alternative in the last half-hour?

Isn't it about 4 years since he scored v.any 'decent' ​teams?

[BonnieShels]

Why do we have to drop him though?

He played quite well in that role off the front man v Sweden.

I'd be of the view that starting him and bringing Hoolahan on later on could be the way to go, if that's the sort of formation we play with.

[paul_oshea]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?

[BonnieShels]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?

Then that's a reason to play Hoolahan off Keane.

Bring Long on in the second half if need be.

[Charlie Darwin]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?
Because Robbie Keane is a better footballer than Hoolahan.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Only slightly at this stage...

[paul_oshea]

I wasn't suggesting we don't play Keane. Its not 1 or the other.

[Charlie Darwin]

I wasn't suggesting we don't play Keane. Its not 1 or the other.
Ah, sorry, I thought you were suggesting he play at 10. I'd personally favour McCarthy, Hoolahan with Keane. Our big problem is that we don't have anybody good enough to play the lone striker role.

[BonnieShels]

Ah, sorry, I thought you were suggesting he play at 10. I'd personally favour McCarthy, Hoolahan with Keane. Our big problem is that we don't have anybody good enough to play the lone striker role.

I took him up wrong as well.

I think that playing Hoolahan in behind Keane as a lone striker has merit simply because the weakness of Keane in that role is supplemented by the sbilities of Hoolahan

With McCarthy behind him to screen and McClean, McGeady on the wings and Green has the harrasser in chief then I think we could do okay.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Agreed with Bonnie, until you get to the name Green...
Though I realise the alternatives are Whelan or Gibson, either undesirable or unlikely.
And would have Brady on the right.

[BonnieShels]

There's no choice for that role but Green. Well, no realistic choice.

[tricky_colour]

goals against spain, germany, italy, france, holland, denmark, yugoslavia, croatia, sweden, chech republic, and about 5 play off goals would suggest otherwise

Don't forget Canada.

[Crosby87]

Don't forget Canada.

How could we with Stu's girl Alanis getting the crowd revved up like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OhK1EGRZIc

[tricky_colour]

I would say Robbie benefits from playing with Hoolahan their styles complement each other.
I think he has scored only 1 goal in his previous 11 internationals but has scored
4 whilst Hoolahan and himself has been on the pitch. together.

I think that stat is correct anyway. You could perhaps put that down to coincidence but Robbie is
not very tall and really likes the ball on the ground, he not favourite to get to crosses and long balls.

[Crosby87]

You are getting away from your narrative here, I suspect you are under the influence Tricky. You never set out to dismiss Robbie as you have been.
What is up with this lately?

PS you usually love long balls. :cool:

[tricky_colour]

Well I have not been to enamoured about Robbie prior to the last two games, I mean 1 goal in what 10 games is
hardly setting the world alight. OK maybe not the greatest of opposition for his recent goals, but I think having a midfield
that can play the ball on the ground, and in the midfield as opposed to in front of the defence is more suited to his game.
Before we have been relying on by passing the midfield and hitting long balls or in Traps case punching them.

Be a bigger test v Spain but then Hoolahan is not playing, indeed a much changed set-up, we may well struggle but we shall see!!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Another 'pro-Keane' view here...
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/keane-has-won-the-struggle-with-me-and-many-more-sceptics-1.1422330

[DannyInvincible]

Another 'pro-Keane' view here...
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/keane-has-won-the-struggle-with-me-and-many-more-sceptics-1.1422330

Thought you'd mislinked to a book review for a sec there.

[Charlie Darwin]

Thought you'd mislinked to a book review for a sec there.
At least he didn't start banging on about Admiral Nelson this time.

[shakermaker1982]

Ken does like to do random and left field....

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/the-future-is-bright-keane-29334663.html

Robbie giving me a bit of hope by talking up some of our younger players.

[geysir]

Another 'pro-Keane' view here...
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/keane-has-won-the-struggle-with-me-and-many-more-sceptics-1.1422330
Now, that's a template example of a cringeworthy egocentric article.
He finally get's over himself re his appreciation of Keane, but not appreciating Robbie for all those 15 previous years, was all Robbie's fault because he was 'wasteful', 'selfish' and 'maddeningly inconsistent'. Not just content with that, he speaks for all fans, 'we all moaned'.
And finally Robbie stepped out of that mire to glow for a couple of games.

[DeLorean]

My only fear now would be that Robbie might retire, if he hears that he has finally won Ken over.

[Crosby87]

David Villa: Me like Keane.
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2013/06/28/4079928/david-villa-hails-robbie-keane-as-a-great-goalscorer

[Grafter]

Robert Keane: budding thespian:rolleyes:
http://balls.ie/football/robbie-keane-la-galaxy-video/

[strangeirish]

Robert Keane: budding thespian:rolleyes:
http://balls.ie/football/robbie-keane-la-galaxy-video/Misread that, considering the US supreme courts decision to overturn DOMA...

[tricky_colour]

Robert Keane: budding thespian:rolleyes:
http://balls.ie/football/robbie-keane-la-galaxy-video/


Obviously working-on his diving and appeals.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's been known to give the old jazz hands on the field from time to time.

[Crosby87]

Robbie Rogers will ride him anytime. (To score goals.)
Sorry Stu.

[Grafter]

This is funny. Rob may have an acting career in the future.....or not.
http://www.thescore.ie/robbie-keane-chevrolet-la-galaxy-ad-971186-Jun2013/


Aw Crosby you disappoint me not reading my posts....:( t'was posted yesterday half a page back,
but I forgive you, you crazy innuendo laden poster you!;)

[Olé Olé]

My favourite parts are when he states "no wonder you play de-fence." Then, when squaring up to Rodriguez he revisits his roots and goes "you want it?". Brilliant.

[peadar1987]

Why do Americans (and now apparently Tallafornians) pronounce defence that way? It makes it sound like you're disentangling something from a set of railings: "The handlebars of my bike needed shimmying around a little bit before I could get them free, but eventually I de-fenced the thing without too much bother"

[tricky_colour]

If you are not sitting on the fence you are off fence

[geysir]

Why do Americans (and now apparently Tallafornians) pronounce defence that way? It makes it sound like you're disentangling something from a set of railings: "The handlebars of my bike needed shimmying around a little bit before I could get them free, but eventually I de-fenced the thing without too much bother"
Why can't they speak like us?? :)

It's the way of the world, people speak different languages, dialects, accents.
I quite like the sports related 'Americanisms'.

[Stuttgart88]

Even the word "winningest"?

[Charlie Darwin]

The winningest roster in all of sports entertainment.

[peadar1987]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ82aMQONvc