Robbie Keane

[Charlie Darwin]

Was a good cross from the left, Keane was on his own running in just about the six yard box. Would have taken a good header to beat the keeper and defenders on the line, but he should at least have hit the target.

edit: fantastic goal by Wolves - Foley assists for Fletcher

[shakermaker1982]

Wolves have scored now!

[tetsujin1979]

Soccer Saturday said it was a big chance. Sitter or a tricky chance?
was a glancing header from close in. He didn't get any direction on it, and went wide of the far post.
Really should have tested the keeper from that distance

<EDIT>

Brian Kerr is the assistant commentator on Today FM who are covering the game

[geysir]

Robbie ain't so hot with the headers.
I'd be well satisfied if Wolves win, that serves us much better than Spurs getting a point or 3.

[EastTerracer]

He tried to head it downwards but didn't get a ful connection on the ball so it drifted just wide of the far post.

[Noelys Guitar]

Doyle has had an excellent half. His hold up play is excellent. I really hope Arry leaves Keane on as I have a feeling he will score if Crouch sets him up with a decent header (which he has failed to do so far). Very impressed with Ward again and he saved a certain goal from Keane. Foley was harshly booked and that has allowed Bale more room to get his crosses in as Foley has had to step off a bit. Great work from Ward and Foley for the goal.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is it me or have Doyle and Fletcher swapped positions? My only criticism of Doyle in the first half was that he was hanging around outside the box at times when he should have been providing a target in it.

[tetsujin1979]

another near miss there for Keane. Hutton cut inside and shot with his left foot, looked like it was going for the far corner so Robbie left it. Any kind of connection and it would have been on target. went wide

[EastTerracer]

Robbie subbed off on 66 minutes. You can see the frustration etched on his face.

[tetsujin1979]

subbed off for Pavlyuchenko on 67 minutes
had another great chance with an overhead kick that went just wide

[Charlie Darwin]

I thought he did OK but he'll rue that miss in the first half. I wonder if when van der Vaart decided to sign for Spurs if he envisioned himself lumping the ball into two tall strikers for the last 20 minutes of every game.

[EastTerracer]

Van de Vaart scores from the penalty spot - would have been Robbie's pen if he hadn't been subbed. Ward's tackle was very rash to concede the penalty.

[rebelmusic]

Foley's playing an absolute blinder. Best chances fell to Robbie and he really should have popped on of them in. The shot he left pass was a sitter really. Not too impressed with him. Ward has been pretty bad culminating in an awful penalty to concede. Doyle not the sharpest either : /

[tetsujin1979]

Foley lucky not to be sent off
Pavlyuchenko just scored too

[rebelmusic]

wolves defence gone to shambles. 3-1 now and all the goals came after Keano went off which knowing the way that plonket Arry thinks it will stand to something. Not a nice game

[Charlie Darwin]

I really don't know how Wolves have walked away from White Hart Lane without 3 points, let alone 1. Spurs were absolutely second best in every respect but have somehow managed to get 3 goals.

[Noelys Guitar]

Mick's tactics cost Wolves that one (same as last week). He has never mastered defending a lead. Why he keeps trying is beyond me. Two incidents summed it up in the second half. Doyle with a one on one and he turned back to play the ball sideways. And a corner with five Wolves players in the box and they play it short and try waste time out at the corner flag with 20 mins to go. I have seen Mick's teams do this way too much to blame the players involved.

[irishfan86]

Well Noely, personally I feel Mick has done an incredible job with Wolves and continues to improve them. Losing away from home to Spurs is nothing to be ashamed of, especially given the performance.

[rebelmusic]

I think in fairness though Noel is not too wrong. Losing that game was sloppy - if they wanted to defend the lead they should have had 9 men in the Wolves half for the last 20 mins. I know everyone hates that tactic, but for the most part it is effective.

[Noelys Guitar]

Well Noely, personally I feel Mick has done an incredible job with Wolves and continues to improve them. Losing away from home to Spurs is nothing to be ashamed of, especially given the performance.

I agree Irishfan that Mick has done a very good job (and Wolves should comfortably stay up). But for some reason his sides continually give up leads and turn draws into defeats late on in games. Can't all be down to bad luck. If he could adjust that he would be an excellent manager rather than a good one.

[ChrisRed]

Robbie on for the second half against Arsenal. Hopefully can make a impression!

[gustavo]

and he does. 1-1

[ChrisRed]

Must have been reading this at half time. 1-1 good finish from Robbie from edge of 18 yard book. Looking very lively!

[tricky_colour]

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Robbie Scored!!

[Stuttgart88]

Poor goalkeeping. He was far less onside than Gibbs was in the first half to make it 2-0. No more tonight please Robbie!

[Charlie Darwin]

Offside ref.

edit: Flapianski living up to his name there. Never seen a keeper flap at a shot along the ground, mind...

[Stuttgart88]

Do goals against Fabianski count?

[rebelmusic]

Robbie hit the post as well. Tottenham getting killed. Lots of irish goals tonight tho - Keane, Lawrence, Coleman and Doyle. Good night for us!

[Colbert Report]

I wonder if Coleman will get to take a penalty against Brentford?

[backstothewall]

Tardelli was at White Hart Lane tonight. Keane was the only Irishman on the pitch, so I am assuming he was there to watch him. I really am forced to question what benefit there is to watching our record goalscorer. What is he going to find out he shouldn't already know?

This on a night when there were 6 Irish players starting in the Ipswich v Millwall game, and 4 Irish right backs starting in various games in England. I know Spurs v Arsenal sounds like a more entertaining game, but the FAI pay this guy very well to do a job.

[Predator]

Tardelli was at White Hart Lane tonight. Keane was the only Irishman on the pitch, so I am assuming he was there to watch him. I really am forced to question what benefit there is to watching our record goalscorer. What is he going to find out he shouldn't already know?

This on a night when there were 6 Irish players starting in the Ipswich v Millwall game, and 4 Irish right backs starting in various games in England. I know Spurs v Arsenal sounds like a more entertaining game, but the FAI pay this guy very well to do a job.That certainly is interesting. I wonder what Tardelli's reasoning behind it was. However, I do know that Tardelli was at a Chelsea reserves versus Everton reserve game earlier this season, watching Shane Duffy and Conor Clifford, so he obviously does get around and sees a variety of players.

[Charlie Darwin]

Tardelli was at White Hart Lane tonight. Keane was the only Irishman on the pitch, so I am assuming he was there to watch him. I really am forced to question what benefit there is to watching our record goalscorer. What is he going to find out he shouldn't already know?

This on a night when there were 6 Irish players starting in the Ipswich v Millwall game, and 4 Irish right backs starting in various games in England. I know Spurs v Arsenal sounds like a more entertaining game, but the FAI pay this guy very well to do a job.
He may have been scouting Kyle Naughton.

[SwanVsDalton]

Maybe he took the Tuesday off and wanted to see the derby game? Hard to be critical, we don't know how much he really gets around.

[SkStu]

i know he scored and all but there is no way Keane should have taken that so early. Anyone else think?

[irishfan86]

i know he scored and all but there is no way Keane should have taken that so early. Anyone else think?

Taking it that early is fine, but he didn't make fantastic contact with the ball. Terrible goalkeeping.

[rebelmusic]

I think in fairness Keano's confidence has been shot in recent times - it makes sense his first goal back would be bumbled over the line. From the description of when he hit the post it was much better play. Be interesting to see if he's earned a start at the weekend.

[Charlie Darwin]

i know he scored and all but there is no way Keane should have taken that so early. Anyone else think?
Looking at it again, Fabianski's left way too much space on that side and an early shot isn't that bad an option - if anything he just didn't make the right contact. We know how well Robbie can finish when he's on form and this will give him confidence so we'll take it!

[backstothewall]

Maybe he took the Tuesday off and wanted to see the derby game? Hard to be critical, we don't know how much he really gets around.

If there was any evidence that they are looking outside the same group of players I would agree. But even for friendlies people who have came through to become Premier League regulars in the past few years (e.g. Foley) are being overlooked for the same old faces who were in the squad two years ago because we had a lack of options (e.g. McShane).

Its only a minor gripe as long as we keep winning, but if McShane cocks it up again in the next two games there will be criticism of the lack of opportunity for other players ever after it became obvious he isn't good enough.

[tetsujin1979]

But even for friendlies people who have came through to become Premier League regulars in the past few years (e.g. Foley) are being overlooked for the same old faces who were in the squad two years ago because we had a lack of options (e.g. McShane).I don't follow your problem, Foley's in the squad?
Two years ago we played Cyprus in Croke Park: http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=451
from that squad, Dean Kiely, Damien Delaney, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Reid and Caleb Folan are not in the squad for the games in two weeks, and Stephen Hunt is the only one who'll play again in these qualifiers

[backstothewall]

Foley was in Traps first squad in 2008. He is in this one. Yet despite playing regularly in one of Europe's best leagues he still only has one cap for 72 minutes against Nigeria at Craven Cottage. Similarly O'Dea has only got 2 caps in that time. Yet when we get the chance to experiment against Andorra, its O'Shea at right back until the 74th minute, and Kilbane plays the whole game. But the point isn't only the players in the squad. Its the ones like Marc Wilson who don't even get a chance.

As I say, its only a minor gripe while we keep winning, but if we pick up a few injuries before the next round of game and we end up with Cunningham making his competitive debut at left back and McShane at right back against the Russians, it will be a much bigger gripe if Arshavin pulls us apart on the wings.

[elroy]

On the bench again today. 'Arry just going for Crouch.

[Charlie Darwin]

1-0 down at half time to West Ham, and by all accounts it's a fair reflection of the game. Would be very surprised if we don't see Keane introduced.

[EastTerracer]

Robbie is on as sub now (about 65 minutes in). He's already showing for the ball and dropping back into midfield to try and get on the ball. I can't help feeling he's trying a bit too hard and should stay a bit further upfield.

[Charlie Darwin]

On with 20 minutes to go for Lennon. West Ham are under siege but looking comfortable.

[Charlie Darwin]

Forget that, West Ham have controlled the game ever since and have been denied a second only by a great Cudicini save and some last-ditch defending by Hutton on the line.

[tetsujin1979]

Keane dilemma for Trapattoni: http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6442395,00.html

"I could have given him a rest, I could have changed one or two players and in the future it's possible I could try this situation.

"He can improve his condition. He wanted to stay at Tottenham in August, and I agreed because I thought he would play.

"He has experience and is confident with the ball, although today he was missing the technique a little bit.

"The last game he scored a goal so the goalkeeper knows where he placed the last penalty. He was tired and I could have changed him. But psychologically it's like killing him."

[Duggie]

lads im sick of this questioning of robbie, he had an off night, so what hes earned it. hes scored 45 goals for us and won many the games with his goals. as far as im concerned he has earned a few off days. hopefully between now and the next qualifier he will be playing again away from WHL. he owes us nothing, hes given us everything.

[Morbo]

Well if his situation at Spurs doesn't change between now and our next qualifier I think dropping him should be considered. I'm not having a go at Keane he is one of our best players ever but strikers need to be getting regular football more than any other position so at the moment I think a Long/Doyle partnership might be more effective, hopefully though it won't come to that and he gets a move in January.

[Duggie]

he has to go in jan, no one will know it better than himself. i dont care if he has to move to a championship club as long as hes playing and scoring(hopefully it wont come to that).

[Sullivinho]

lads im sick of this questioning of robbie, he had an off night, so what hes earned it. hes scored 45 goals for us and won many the games with his goals. as far as im concerned he has earned a few off days. hopefully between now and the next qualifier he will be playing again away from WHL. he owes us nothing, hes given us everything.

Well said.

It's imperative that he gets a move away from Spurs, the lack of minutes is destroying him.


i dont care if he has to move to a championship club as long as hes playing and scoring(hopefully it wont come to that).

If worse comes to worst, even Celtic (again) would do. ;)