Robbie Keane

[drinkfeckarse]

I thought he did ok, not his best game but by no means his worst. He did a lot of work off the ball and very rarely got good service to try and hurt the German defence.

Some people are never happy with Robbie unless he scores twice, does plenty of flicks, 6 keepy uppies and a fcukin rain dance.

[Dr. Ogba]

Defo one of his worst performances in recent times but one of the most worrying things imo was that he was back at his moaning and whinging best which is not what you want to see from your captain...

[Stuttgart88]

To those detracting from robbie's performance:

When was the last time an Irish central midfielder played a ball to an Irish forward to run onto to create a chance?

Apart from Faroes at home, I can think of only ONE in the whole of the last campaign.

Our play needs to be more intricate in advanced positions. Who can provide this? Liam Miller, Andy Reid, Stephen Ireland, McGeady, McPhail etc. in theory anyway.

Who played CM in Amsterdam? I was away but I think it was Alan Quinn and one other.

[DotTV]

I'd have to agree with that.
He gets brutal delivery from the midfield.
If Andy Reid or Liam Miller start getting some good first team action at their clubs, they may be the type of players to put some killer passes through for Robbie to finish off.

[eirebhoy]

A.Reid is definitely the man for the job. Reid's pass from the centre for Keane's goal against Israel was superb.

[Stuttgart88]

oh yeah, make that two I can think of :)

[Kingdom]

I know he hasn't been playing well/at all for Sheffield Utd, but to me the performance of the last couple of years was Alan Quinns against Holland in the Amsterdam Arena, he was excellent that night, but he hasn't been given a chance since.

[Leinster Lim]

I feel strongly that R. Keane is one of the big egos in the squad who can never be dropped or taken off for fear of tantrums that would cause and so we can look forward to many more fallow years before we get a united team effort again.

[carloz]

I was at the Irish game aganst the Czechs and i have to say he was the only player who really seemed to have the wrong attitude the whole game. He seemed in a huff and on three seperate occasions was outside of the box from an attacking free kick. Surely this isnt right of a striker!!! Being dropped for Spurs has generally brought out the best in him. With Doyle we have a player who has the attitude for the game that Keane should be aiming for

[head the ball]

No dont agree.
Robbie is not having the best time of it for Ireland or Spurs but he has that touch of class and craft which can turn a game.
He'll come good again soon I'm sure, and even now although the goals are not flowing he keeps the opposing defenders busy.
I expect him to get back on the scoring mark next month against San Marino.
Mind you I'd expect to get on the score sheet against San marino too!
Would you really not want him in for a do or die big game?

[Stuttgart88]

It's a bit like the do we keep Kerr or don't we debate.

Only drop him if you've got someone better. His place is by no means sacred but who's better?

I think it's becoming very clear that Doyle is becoming every bit as important to us as Robbie. I think there's every likelihood he'll finish this campaign as our most important forward. He's calmer and is a better header of a ball too.

But this just tells me that Robbie & Doyle for the time being are streets ahead of any alternatives we have, and in most cases we'll play 2 upfront.

Clinton Morrisson has served us well but is dropping down the order. Alan Lee is not an international standard forward but has a degree of nuisance value.

Stephen Elliott needs a run free of injury & Daryl Murphy needs to consolidate his position at Sunderland before either has a chance of dislodging Doyle & Robbie.

Long, Stokes, Clarke, Rooney, Keogh et al are all exciting prospects with time on their side. Long is probably furthest up the curve of these.

Connolly offers nothing that Doyle & Keane can't offer.

So would you drop Robbie for any of the above?

[as_i_say]

i dont understand this constant negativity now about robbie. since his epic season with spurs just gone by he has cut out the most irritating feature of his game which was his constant moaning at the ref and looking for decisions instead of getting on with it.

he is suffering along with the rest of the team. there's no reason for him to be dropped, he worked his socks off against the cazechs.

And about DOyle-whats the big deal about this lad. i mean what has he done for us yet? (I havent actually seen him play for us yet as ive been away but he's yet to score) I'm very hopeful he will become a regular scoring partner for robbie but as of yet he's as unproven internationally as the likes of Alan Lee.

[Stuttgart88]

True, Doyle has yet to do much in green, but his club form is really good & I think you can tell just how easily he's adapted to the higher level.

[green army]

i dont think doyle is the answer to our goal scoring problems. his work rate and link up play outside the box is very good but he has got to take his chances when they come to him. hopefully he can get a few against san marino.

[Emmet]

It's a bit like the do we keep Kerr or don't we debate.

Only drop him if you've got someone better. His place is by no means sacred but who's better?

Agree with that 100% ... I thought Robbie did alright against the Czechs actually (apart from the miss near the end of course!) and his form for Spurs has been good.

[tetsujin1979]

Bit pointless dropping our record goalscorer with 2 gams against San Marino coming up!

[Billsthoughts]

I would play the same formation we played against the czechs for important games from now on but replace keane with doyle. he shouldnt be captain either. the way he played against the czechs only served to highlight how much he has been coasting in other games. andy reid seems a far more important player for us now. altho a lot of improvement still needed there. he does look like someone who could actually open up games for us.

[Condex]

Bit pointless dropping our record goalscorer with 2 gams against San Marino coming up!

Quit going on about our 'record goal scorer', most of the goals were in friendlies or against poor teams in competitive matches. Hes playing crap, didn't even get a game in the last spurs match. It was a real stupid idea ot make him captain
the way he behaves on the pitch is hardly an example to others.

[tetsujin1979]

Quit going on about our 'record goal scorer', most of the goals were in friendlies or against poor teams in competitive matches. Hes playing crap, didn't even get a game in the last spurs match. It was a real stupid idea ot make him captain
the way he behaves on the pitch is hardly an example to others.
So what if they were? Noone else is scoring regualarly for the senior team (yet) and he's still the most likely to score against San Marino.

[macdermesser]

its not going to happen. We all hoped that being captain might bring the best out of him .. to be fair though, we have never had a more prolific striker .. so its up to Stan to get the best out of him. Doyle does seem to have a good attitude .. at least in Stuttgart anyway

[Noelys Guitar]

Keane was a bit unlucky with that last chance against the Czechs as Douglas jumped at the same time and slightly put him off. He is still ahead of anyone else we have available. And I thought his workrate against the Czechs was excellent. But I would not have him as Captain. That should go to Carsley, Dunne or Given.

[carloz]

Hes playing crap, didn't even get a game in the last spurs match. It was a real stupid idea ot make him captain
the way he behaves on the pitch is hardly an example to others.

Im not doubting Keanes ability and as has been stated we have limited other options. Its his atttude which sickens me. On the pitch he seems to have a chip on his shoulder and this is hardly the attitude of a captain. Dunne and Given must be wondering what they have done wrong. Personally i would never make a forward a captain

[Billsthoughts]

I would question whether Given has the stomach for the captaincy role...dunne on the other hand....

[manofthemoment]

I would question whether Given has the stomach for the captaincy role...dunne on the other hand....no puns intended I'm sure

[tricky_colour]

Apparently we looked a little paralysed down the left against the Czechs...

[Billsthoughts]

I would question whether Given has the stomach for the captaincy role...dunne on the other hand....

Post of the month....can ya nominate yourself? or would that provoke a 3 day ban?

[dr_peepee]

Drop Robbie Keane???

Are you havin' a laugh? :rolleyes: (Is he havin' a laugh?)

[elroy]

No way should Keane be dropped, although I do feel he suffers when there isnt a tall forward up along side him eg with Quinn and Mido he formed very good partnerships.
Im not sure Keane and Doyle will work well together up front.

[elroy]

One of the best performances Ive ever seen from Robbie yesterday, when the guy plays with confidence, hes immense. Played almost ala Henry, on the left wing for a large part and moving in from there. Made bits of both right backs!! Drop him?!?! dont be crazy!

[Dr. Ogba]

One of the best performances Ive ever seen from Robbie yesterday, when the guy plays with confidence, hes immense. Played almost ala Henry, on the left wing for a large part and moving in from there. Made bits of both right backs!! Drop him?!?! dont be crazy!

Yeah watched the match yesterday and he was superb by all accounts, particularly pleasing was the way he left Boulharouz (spelling?) on his arse in the lead up to Lennon's goal. He also set up Berbatov with an easy enough chance after that which should have been put away.
Having said that, Jol has had the balls to drop Keane on several occasions if he's not up to scratch and, unfortunately, by making him captain for us, it is effectively making him undroppable which may be contributing to sluggish performances for us...

[Stuttgart88]

Pity about the missed header. A major weakness unfortunately. Agree that he was very good though.

[Peadar]

On the performances of the weekend, I'd drop Duff, play Robbie on the left and play Clint up front with Doyle for the San Marino game.

[osarusan]

How about looking at it this way?

If a player is in top form for his high level club, and is a player who is capable of brilliance, but who has underperformed at national level for a number of games, does he deserve to be dropped?

[Stuttgart88]

If he's consistently poor for Ireland then drop him if there's a better candidate.

That candidate is?

Exactly.

And I'm not sure you can say he's consistently poor either. Yes he missed a great chance late against the Czechs and a gilt-edged chance in Cyprus (both headers - as usual) but in the Czech game his all round performance was really good I thought.

[Stuttgart88]

re-the thread title, I think a more pertinent question is whether we should drop Duff.

Robbie, Doyle, Andy Reid and McGeady are all playing better, Kilbane has been doing well, in his usual not great but not bad kind of way.

Andy Reid has been playing in a withdrawn role where he is clearly flourishing.

Alan Quinn is another who can add something.

Granted, Duff has created 2 of our last 3 gioals, but I'm just just putting the question out there. Maybe he can come off the bench to good effect, or maybe picking him for Ireland is what he needs to rediscover his form.

I'm inclined to keep him in the team, but he's got to watch his back.

However, I also like the idea of a 4-3-1-2 with

---Douglas-Carsley-Kilbane---
------------Reid-----------
-------Robbie---Doyle-------

Debate.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm keeping faith with Duffer for a little longer - his class will show up this month when we play San Marino. A couple of assists etc will boost his confidence no end Just a pity he has joined a team that is sinking faster than the titanic.

[Stuttgart88]

Just a pity he has joined a team that is sinking faster than the titanic. A good new manager would help.

[Billsthoughts]

I dunno bout duff....he seems to be suffering from being constantly double marked. would anyone else fare better under similar pressure? another obvious question is why arent the other players able to utilise the space this creates for them?

[Peadar]

---Douglas-Carsley-Kilbane---
------------Reid-----------
-------Robbie---Doyle-------

Debate.

No, I don't think Kilbane should start. Try Keane on the left in a sort of 4-3-3

Doyler up front with Clint. (San Marino game only)
We need to get the confidence up and score a few goals.
Clint loves scoring for Ireland and he can feed off Doyle.

I presume you mean A Reid there? I'd have Miller in the position ahead of him.

[Stuttgart88]

I've lost all faith in Miller & wouldn't have him in the squad even. Andy Reid is oozing quality at the moment in my opinion.

[eirebhoy]

Duff was absolutely terrible against Sheffield United. He was playing up front for a while but even out on the wing there was no excitement when he got the ball.

[Stuttgart88]

One of the UK papers descibed him this morning as a "no trick pony" :(

At least Kilbane has one trick!

[elroy]

I've lost all faith in Miller & wouldn't have him in the squad even. Andy Reid is oozing quality at the moment in my opinion.

Am the same have been waiting a long time for Miller to turn things around and there just isnt a sign of it happening to be honest.
Andy Reid seems to be hitting good form, saw him on MOTD sat night and he looked to be pulling the strings for charlton, played in a few very good crosses.

[shakermaker1982]

Andy Reid is showing signs he is back to his best and the way he was playing for Forest week in week out - I have great faith in him. If he stays clear of injury this season he could have a fantastic season for both club and country.

[drinkfeckarse]

Very worried about Duffs form. I thought the Newcastle move would be good for him and indeed it should've been but he doesn't look confident at all. I've no doubt he'll hit the heights again, after all, the saying goes "Form is temporary - Class is permanent."

I just wish he'd hurry up about it.

Reid is looking excellent again and hopefully will be given a starting role next week in the middle or just off the front 2.

[Fergie's Son]

I presume you mean A Reid there? I'd have Miller in the position ahead of him.

Reid had another good game for Charlton on Saturday. Would definitely have in in the squad. With Douglas and Carlsley in the squad we have the room for good creative midfielder.

How is Douglas doing currently?

[dr_peepee]

I wouldn't drop Duff. He's done enough in green to keep his place and if anything needs an international game to escape from the club situation. I wouldn't be afraid to whip him off after 60 minutes though either.

Was watching some of the game against palermo last week and when they spoke of some of the fringe playrs getting in I expected to see alan o'brien. Not even on the bench. Is he injured? Mick McCarthy was very keen to take him to wolves loan and they refused? Makes you wonder why.

I'd leave Keane as a forward partnering Doyle, with Doyle as the more disciplined of the two in terms of what's expected. I think to get the best from Keane you have to give him a level of freedom to drop deep or drift wide. Then we'll get to see things like Sunday over the course of a game rather than pinning him down to a position i.e left of a three man attack etc His best work is done outside or around the area as opposed to in the box where we hope Doyle can become the clinical one.

[citizenerased]

drop keane, simply to drop the message that everyone is dispensible, and everyone has to fight for their place..Since 1999 he has had his flippin place etched in stone, hardly and inspiring motivational tool!!!

[Reddladd]

I think that one of the problems with Keane is his ability to whinge and moan that doesn't endear him to people. If he kept his head down and his mouth shut he mightn't get so much stick. How many times have we seen him with his two hands in the air having a go at the linesman or referee when it may have been his own greediness that caused him to lose the ball in the first place. Strikers have to be greedy to succeed but keane needs to remember that the only option isn't always a spectacular attempt on goal. Work hard Robbie but don't blame others when things go wrong.................then we might not be so quick to have a go!

[tetsujin1979]

After his performance from the last 2 weekends, playing behind the main target man, it may be time to move him from out and out striker, but there's still no reason to drop him until a more viable alternative emerges