Robbie Keane

[Drumcondra 69er]

One of my pet hates is statistics about "the Premiership" football existed before the Skyball big4 league.

I agree in principle but Robbie Keane wasn't playing in the top flight before then so it's a fair enough stat in this case.....

Stats like most Premier League appearances and that really bug me though so fair point.

[geysir]

Even so I think Robbie has still quite a bit to go yet before he matches Stapleton's div 1 scoring record. Frank was a total footballer.

It's the most pointless discussion ever for people to talk about the best ever, if they have not seen the football played by some of our best.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Even so I think Robbie has still quite a bit to go yet before he matches Stapleton's div 1 scoring record. Frank was a total footballer.

It's the most pointless discussion ever for people to talk about the best ever, if they have not seen the football played by some of our best.

According to Wiki Stapleton scored 136 top flight goals in 458 games (a goal every 3.37 games), Robbie is on 115 in 307 games (a goal every 2.67 games) which is a far superior strike rate with a lot more sub appearances I reckon. He'll overtake him before he hits 400 games easily if he stays fit. And Frank got 20 goals in 71 caps (1 every 3.55 games) against Robbie's 39 in 90 (1 every 2.31 games).

Admittedly Stapleton wasn't what I'd consider an out and out goalscorer but then neither is Robbie.

I've seen both at their peak (albeit as a boy / teenager for Stapleton) and would consider Robbie a better player.

[John83]

Stats like most Premier League appearances and that really bug me though so fair point.
In fairness, it's not fair to directly compare appearance stats for a 38 game league with those for a 46 game league. That said, there is an element of SKY just resetting the records so they can claim that someone has set a new one.

[Drumcondra 69er]

In fairness, it's not fair to directly compare appearance stats for a 38 game league with those for a 46 game league. That said, there is an element of SKY just resetting the records so they can claim that someone has set a new one.

But the old first division went down to 38 games in the late 80's before going back up to 42. And the Premier league started as a 42 games season before coming back down to 38. I don't know if there was ever 46 games seasons in the top flight....

[geysir]

But Stapleton could score with the head and could settle in just grand with a top 4 club :)

As I said, Frank was a total footballer, as in all round talent, could play in any position with distinction.
Overall I don't think there is much to separate them.
I'd say they would make the best pairing we could have up front.

[Stuttgart88]

Did Stapleton play centre-back at one stage or is my mind playing tricks?

[geysir]

Maybe when Moran got sent off in a cup final?

[Noelys Guitar]

Both great players but for me Stapleton was/is a more complete player. Brilliant in the air. Deceptive turn of pace. Never complained when kicked/shouldered/bodychecked (not allowed now). He must have won his teams more free kicks (peno against Belgium away!!!) than any other player I can think of. And as Geysir says would loved to have seen Stapleton and Keane at their peaks in the same Irish team.

[MeathDrog]

Best striker Ireland has ever had; continues to score goals at a better rate than any other player we've ever had and at a time when football is increasing in standard all the time.

It's a good thing you stopped writing after that.

[MeathDrog]

According to Wiki Stapleton scored 136 top flight goals in 458 games (a goal every 3.37 games), Robbie is on 115 in 307 games (a goal every 2.67 games) which is a far superior strike rate with a lot more sub appearances I reckon. He'll overtake him before he hits 400 games easily if he stays fit. And Frank got 20 goals in 71 caps (1 every 3.55 games) against Robbie's 39 in 90 (1 every 2.31 games).

Admittedly Stapleton wasn't what I'd consider an out and out goalscorer but then neither is Robbie.

I've seen both at their peak (albeit as a boy / teenager for Stapleton) and would consider Robbie a better player.
Thank God that I missed out on a 131 page w*nkfest over Robbie Keane. :p

[Fergie's Son]

Thank God that I missed out on a 131 page w*nkfest over Robbie Keane. :p

Indeed, God forbid we have a rational, reasoned discussion about one of the best Irish players of all time.

Try not to think too hard.

[Scram]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
Thank God that I missed out on a 131 page w*nkfest over Robbie Keane.


Indeed, God forbid we have a rational, reasoned discussion about one of the best Irish players of all time.

Try not to think too hard.

If you were to take out the moronic w*nkfest posts such as the above from the thread from imbeciles taking their time to "complain" about the existence of the thread, the 131 pages would be more like 31!

ps. he is from Meath and "thinking" isn't usuallly a word you'll find in a sentence with Meath in it, or "football" for that matter!

[MeathDrog]

Oh would you ever lighten up. Some people take this place far too seriously. :rolleyes: I make one joking comment (If a bit snide) about the thread and I get insulted about what county I'm from. Keep it up Scram, that one made me laugh. :)

[Scram]

Anyone know if Robbie ever played the GAA? I know Duffer did. Would either get their games on Sunday against Westmeath?!! (not Meath, because obviously a paraplegic dwarf could get a game against them!)

[shaneker]

Crouch gone to Spurs. I don't like the look of this at all, Harry has a hard-on for Defoe and he likes his target men up top too. Keane is better than Defoe (proven beyond any doubt) but I'd say he certainly won't be first choice come start of the season - most important time for us.

[irishfan86]

Crouch gone to Spurs. I don't like the look of this at all, Harry has a hard-on for Defoe and he likes his target men up top too. Keane is better than Defoe (proven beyond any doubt) but I'd say he certainly won't be first choice come start of the season - most important time for us.

Hard to say what's going to happen.

Harry was worshipping Robbie ever since he arrived back at Spurs, making him club captain in the process.

Robbie basically started every game under Redknapp, although sometimes he was shunted out to the left wing position, where he didn't perform well at all (simply not a winger).

Hard to say what will happen. I think Robbie could play as an attacking midfielder in a diamond 4-4-2, as Palacios is solid enough to cover for him.

Once Steven Reid returns, I think this could also be an option for us, with Folan and Doyle leading the attack.

[Docboy]

No way would I be putting Keane in a 4 man midfield, the lad has never won a tackle in his career. Robbie is at his best, as he always has been, playing off the shoulder of a big man upfront. When said big man isn't around our Keano can look decidedly ordinary. Hopefully he'll pull his finger out if he senses the increased competition for places.

[Drumcondra 69er]

No way would I be putting Keane in a 4 man midfield, the lad has never won a tackle in his career. Robbie is at his best, as he always has been, playing off the shoulder of a big man upfront. When said big man isn't around our Keano can look decidedly ordinary. Hopefully he'll pull his finger out if he senses the increased competition for places.

I don't see it as competition to be honest, him and Defoe don't work together, Crouch arriving is a good thing from the point of view of Robbie now having the aforementioned 'big man' to play off, it's all about him keeping Defoe out of the team as it was last time they were both there.

[elroy]

I don't see it as competition to be honest, him and Defoe don't work together, Crouch arriving is a good thing from the point of view of Robbie now having the aforementioned 'big man' to play off, it's all about him keeping Defoe out of the team as it was last time they were both there.

I agree with this, think Crouch would work well with Keane. Its a case of 4 strikers in spurs now, two tall, two small and it will be one from each that will play. Spurs are in Europe if im not mistaken so he'll probably rotate a bit. Seeing as Keane was captain last year, would imagine he will start most.

[rambler14]

Crouch gone to Spurs. I don't like the look of this at all, Harry has a hard-on for Defoe and he likes his target men up top too. Keane is better than Defoe (proven beyond any doubt) but I'd say he certainly won't be first choice come start of the season - most important time for us.

All the Crouch signing means is the end of Pavlychenko. Toward the end of last season Keane played in behind the strikers like he did in Bari. I'd say that will be his new position.

[Razors left peg]

Robbie is a far better player than Defoe. He kept him out of the team the last time the 2 of them were at Spurs and forced Defoe to look for a move away and I fully expect Robbie to be first choice again. Defoe is an excellent finisher but Robbie adds so much more to the team

[Hibernian]

I be very surprised if Keane goes and leaves Spurs again after they bought him back in January..

I think he would do a very good job with Crouch imo

[Scram]

I be very surprised if Keane goes and leaves Spurs again after they bought him back in January..

I think he would do a very good job with Crouch imo

AGREE and the Muppet, Bent is leaving

[endabob1]

All the Crouch signing means is the end of Pavlychenko. Toward the end of last season Keane played in behind the strikers like he did in Bari. I'd say that will be his new position.

It's the end of Bent, Pav stays as the alternative to Crouch it's Keane v's Defoe for the small man slot.

[Duggie]

It's the end of Bent, Pav stays as the alternative to Crouch it's Keane v's Defoe for the small man slot.

ya looks that way and with crouch and defoe having played together with harry at pompey im getting a little worried. robbie is ten times better than crouch or defoe but we will have to see.

[endabob1]

ya looks that way and with crouch and defoe having played together with harry at pompey im getting a little worried. robbie is ten times better than crouch or defoe but we will have to see.

Depending on how Spurs play, If they go to a more direct approach I think Defoe may well work better as an out and out predator, RK tends to drift wide & deep where as Defoe will play on Crouch's knock on's etc.. but if they keep Modric in the side they will be a bit more on the deck & there may be more room for Keane to interchange with Modric & Jenas coming from deep, time will tell though.

If he is out of the team I could see him moving in Jan. There is a rumour that Spurs only wanted him on loan in Jan (because Defoe was out) but Liverpool wanted the sale which is why Spurs are back in the position they were in 2 years ago when defoe ended up leaving.

[shaneker]

Harry is getting the front two that served him very well at Portsmouth together, Keane will have to play pretty bloody well to split them up in Harry's mind. Hope I'm wrong, but I would bet my house it's Crouch and Defoe who start Spurs first PL game together. Harry loves Defoe - he's managed him at 3 different clubs. This is bad news in World Cup year.

[macdermesser]

linked with Villa today in the bbc gossip page

[endabob1]

linked with Villa today in the bbc gossip page

I will 100% guarantee that is not true

[joema]

Didn't see the match this morning. But by all accounts, Robbie came on as a sub for Spurs and changed the game for them.

Linked up well with Defoe it seems!

[EalingGreen]

I agree with this, think Crouch would work well with Keane. Its a case of 4 strikers in spurs now, two tall, two small and it will be one from each that will play.As a Spurs fan, I'd say Robbie can work pretty well with any other player up front, preferably a big guy, but a smaller guy if need be. (I would never play him on his own, or on the wing, or in midfield, btw).

But whilst he would certainly be my first choice striker at the Lane, I fear he might just struggle to start the big games this season. For I hardly think it coincidence that Redknapp has signed Crouch three times now and Defoe twice, in every case for big money. (And whilst I know he re-signed Robbie, he was desperate for players to stave off relegation, whilst the Chairman was happy to make a big turn on the deal off Liverpool)


Spurs are in Europe if im not mistaken so he'll probably rotate a bit. .
Spurs just missed out on the Europa League this season, finishing one place to low in the EPL and losing the Carling Cup Final. And from the weakened teams Redknapp put out in the UEFA Cup last season (qualified by winning the Carline Cup in 2008), you can see he was pretty desperate not to qualify this time round!


Seeing as Keane was captain last year, would imagine he will start most.Ledley King is the Spurs captain and has been for several years. Due to prolonged and frequent unavailability through injury, Martin Jol made Robbie his (Vice) Captain in Ledley's absence. Redknapp has effectively inherited that situation.

[DeLorean]

Ledley King is the Spurs captain and has been for several years. Due to prolonged and frequent unavailability through injury, Martin Jol made Robbie his (Vice) Captain in Ledley's absence. Redknapp has effectively inherited that situation.

Wasn't Woodgate the vice captain when Keane returned though? Don't see any reason why Redknapp wouldn't have just left it like this. In fact I'd consider Woodgate a more suitable captain anyway truth be told.

[EalingGreen]

Wasn't Woodgate the vice captain when Keane returned though? Don't see any reason why Redknapp wouldn't have just left it like this. In fact I'd consider Woodgate a more suitable captain anyway truth be told.Yep, but Woody was injured nearly as often as Ledley :eek:, so Robbie was frequently given the armband in his place.
As for who best fills the role, I reckon it doesn't actually mean a great deal, esp with a manager like Redknapp, who's pretty hands-on.
But it generally takes a senior player, who is likely to play and (most importantly) has got the respect of the dressing room and Robbie fits that bill as well as any at the Lane (imo).

[Uncle_Joe]

It was always my understanding that Robbie is the Captain and Ledley has the token role of Club Captain (not sure about the title, but its the same role Gary Neville has at Man Utd).



Although Robbie Keane now wears the captain's armband, Ledley did get the opportunity to lead the team out at Wembley again in March 2009

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/players/first_team/ledleyking.html

Robbie is still the captain at Spurs and as such I would expect him to start most games, although maybe in a more withdrawn role.

[Scram]

It was always my understanding that Robbie is the Captain and Ledley has the token role of Club Captain (not sure about the title, but its the same role Gary Neville has at Man Utd).


http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/players/first_team/ledleyking.html

Robbie is still the captain at Spurs and as such I would expect him to start most games, although maybe in a more withdrawn role.

Harry Redknapp is looking to bring Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in at Spurs, which could see Robbie Keane departing to join Aston Villa.

Robbie played some high quality ball v West Ham and showed why he should be a starter. He will not stay on the bench at Spurs. Redknapp took him back from Anfield but hasn't got the best out of him and I would be happy if Robbie moved to Villa.

[rambler14]

One more move could kill Robbie's career. His head must be wrecked, I really hope he stays.

[Wexford Delboy]

2goals against hull today and linked up well with defoe

[christo]

Harry Redknapp is looking to bring Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in at Spurs, which could see Robbie Keane departing to join Aston Villa.

I honestely can never see that happening ever, Keane will stay at Spurs and since he's the club captain he will start most ahead of that other guy

[strangeirish]

2goals against hull today and linked up well with defoe

Kr8id64BFGE

[Junior]

Kr8id64BFGE

fabulous first touch with his chest for that first goal.

[rambler14]

He played centre-mid today vs South China.

[Noelys Guitar]

Gone off injured against Liverpool.

[SkStu]

missed 2 great chances and waved his arms about a lot. He can be so infuriating to watch.

[Manblue]

movement was very smart, tried hard but finishing was terrible

[strangeirish]

Nice goal by Robbie here. (http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/hull-vs-tottenham-15)
It's at the 1.51 mark. Couple of nice assists too.

[endabob1]

Despite his missed chances at the weekend he played really well and again last night his link up play was top class, 2 assits & a goal really showed that he is back in form;
On a side note Caleb Folan played well last night, gave Bassong a torrid time.

[OwlsFan]

On a side note Caleb Folan played well last night, gave Bassong a torrid time.

On a side note Hunt scored as well.;)

[endabob1]

On a side note Hunt scored as well.;)

True but I thought he was generally quite poor, set piece delivery aside.

[Scram]

Nice goal by Robbie here. (http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/hull-vs-tottenham-15)
It's at the 1.51 mark. Couple of nice assists too.

Cheers

ps. It’s at 1.47. Great game form Robbie, as always when he is in the right role.