Robbie Keane

[the bear]

Redknapp probably knows Keane isn't good enough anymore for that spot either but given their transfer failings, a has-been Robbie Keane is still possibly better than the alternatives they already have.

if he thought this then why would he play the alternatives ahead of him the last 2 years

redknapp is bluffing, trying to get his best price, keane will be gone by august

[Murfinator]

He didn't he rotated them and sided with the ones initially on form and more recently on whoever complemented van der vaart the best. Keane had plenty of opportunities for Spurs the last two years (more than his form warranted) but didn't do especially well with them, had he scored a few goals in back to back games he'd be the first name on the teamsheet because it really doesn't take much to rise above the mediocrity up front there, but Keane does have to show something to do that.

[EastTerracer]

He didn't he rotated them and sided with the ones initially on form and more recently on whoever complemented van der vaart the best. Keane had plenty of opportunities for Spurs the last two years (more than his form warranted) but didn't do especially well with them, had he scored a few goals in back to back games he'd be the first name on the teamsheet because it really doesn't take much to rise above the mediocrity up front there, but Keane does have to show something to do that.

This is the usual uninformed nonsense about Keane. Someone has been reading too much of the Sunday Indo. In the last two years Robbie has only started 17 Premier League games (15 in 2009/10 and 2 in 2010/11). He scored six league goals two seasons ago and then went to Celtic and scored 12 goals in 16 games there.

Last season he started two games for Spurs and five for West Ham - 2 league goals from 7 starts is not a bad return. Keane's biggest issue has been lack of playing time much more than lack of form. You can't judge any player on short substitute appearances which is all he had towards the end of the season after an injury.

Keane's last 66 club games (Spurs, Celtic and West Ham) have produced 25 goals - there are plenty of strikers playing regularly who don't have better than a 1 in 3 goal ratio.

Redknapp has gone off Robbie (and the Christmas party incident seems to have been the start of it). He was Spurs best player in pre-season last year but couldn't get a start when the league commenced. Spurs and Robbie are just waiting for the right offer to come along and I think both sides will be happy enough to part ways if the move is right for Robbie. I'm still hoping it will be Fulham as I think Jol can get the best out of him.

[the bear]

fulham would be a great move, especially with jol there. i think a move to a team around that level would be best for robbie. where he would be first name on the team sheet every week. if he plays he will score he has proved that in the past. i like redknapp as a manager but i think he has failed to utilise his strikers properly ,the 4 of them particularily keane and defoe are much better than recent form suggests, spurs lacked goals in the league last year and i think they had the players but didn't use them correctly

[outspoken]

fulham would be a great move, especially with jol there. i think a move to a team around that level would be best for robbie. where he would be first name on the team sheet every week. if he plays he will score he has proved that in the past. i like redknapp as a manager but i think he has failed to utilise his strikers properly ,the 4 of them particularily keane and defoe are much better than recent form suggests, spurs lacked goals
in the league last year and i think they had the players but didn't use them correctly

Redknapp gave all 4 front men chances last season (maybe not some as many as others but none the less) and they failed to perform despite having a good coaching and forwards coach behind them - not Harrys fault they under performed.

[the bear]

Redknapp gave all 4 front men chances last season (maybe not some as many as others but none the less) and they failed to perform despite having a good coaching and forwards coach behind them - not Harrys fault they under performed.

spurs relied heavily on having van der vaart playing off a big man(crouch mostly) last season, this was brilliant for VDV but not really for any one else including crouch. this resulted in having VDV on fire winning matches nearly on his own, and 4 other unhappy strikers low on confidence. then around christmas VDV started picking up injuries . when the other lads got a bit more game time they failed to deliver. defoe and keane are proven goalscorers and i don't think they have declined that much as players , but strikers are pure confidence players and its harrys job to build up their confidence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C._season

[Fixer82]

He just needs to go somewhere where he's playing every week. He showed during last few Ireland games that he's still got what it takes to poach goals. He's sharp as a tack still and clubs should be screaming out for him. Would love to see him join up with Duffer at Fulham

[Stuttgart88]

It's actually quite staggering that Defoe only managed 3 (?) league goals last year, even if he was injured for a while. I'm no great fan of Defoe (I've been influenced too much by Dr_Peepee) but his goalscoring ability isn't a doubt.

[CraftyToePoke]

It's actually quite staggering that Defoe only managed 3 (?) league goals last year, even if he was injured for a while. I'm no great fan of Defoe (I've been influenced too much by Dr_Peepee) but his goalscoring ability isn't a doubt.

I remember a MOTD breakdown about three seasons ago of his positions taken in the box, runs, timing of them and such compared to Keane's with the latters being far more likely to yield a goal, a cleverer striker, more consistent goal threat was the verdict at that time anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, I recall the same thing, but in the meantime I think Defoe has improved as a box striker.

'Arry had a great season last year (until spring), but then again Bale and VDV must take the plaudits.

[CraftyToePoke]

'Arry had a great season last year (until spring)

Bit like Arsenal then. Nothing is won in March as the wise men say.

Do you believe Defoe to be better than Keane now?

[Stuttgart88]

Tough question. There's more to Keane's game but, in like-for-like positions I'd fancy Defoe to get more goals. I prefer Keane, but I'm biased. I think Redknapp was misguided in his treatment of Keane this year.

[SkStu]

Defoe is definitely more clinical but Keane brings more to a team. Keane has also done consistently it since he was 17, Defoe's career has been more hit and miss.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The main thing for RK, different from Ireland, is he can't do it regularly anymore in the EPL, eg, scoring goals!
Certainly not for a top club.

Nothing to do with ability, but the cycle many players go through as their careers start to wind down....

[dr_peepee]

Keane is still a 2 in 5 man at premiership level, provided he gets the game time IMO. He still has alot to offer the lower to mid table clubs.

And whilst Defoe has better technique Keane is a better all round player all things considered.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Keane is neither fish nor fowl. He's a gifted all-round footballer but not as creative as, say a Modric, and not as clinical as a thoroughbred forward. Instead, he's a better goalscorer than almost any midfielder imaginable but not as good a midfielder as the very best. If anyone is looking at the Tour de France, Robbie is a bit like Thor Hushovdt. He can hold his own with the climbers and the sprinters, but is as good as neither in their speciality. But he is brilliant.

Continuing the cycling analogy, Defoe might score higher in one of the main categories but is not as strong all-round.

Who would I prefer? It depends who my other 10 players are. For Ireland, Keane's ability to contribute in over half of the pitch is way more valuable than anything Defoe could bring.

If Redknapp is the great manager they say he is, it prompts asking why Keane has been disgarded so completely. If I was Daniel Levy, I'd be asking 'Arry why they're looking for an expensive replacement when a regularly starting Keane is worth about 15 goals a season, plus assists.

In the extemely unlikely case Robbie was ever to read this, I think wouldn't swap him for anyone else for us.

[Charlie Darwin]

The main thing for RK, different from Ireland, is he can't do it regularly anymore in the EPL, eg, scoring goals!
Certainly not for a top club.
I'd say it's the complete opposite. He's not been playing more than one game in a row for Spurs over the past two years so we wouldn't know either way whether he was consistent. His problem is that he can't be a bit-part player who comes into games and offers a lot right away - you only get value of out of him if you're patient with him, which isn't a luxury managers chasing top four spots really have.

[dr_peepee]

Not a big fan of Redknapp but I don't think Keane could be accomadated productively in the same 11 as Modric and VdV though, in any formation... (for the reasons mentioned above!)

I hope the speculated move to Fulham materialises. All the tactics and formations aside, i think the profile of the club would suit him. The shins and miskicks he's prone to wouldn't be torn down and rebuilt and replayed and what not....

[the bear]

if keane can find a club that will have him as first choice striker coming into every match he will score 15-20 goals, at any level i believe. he has scored goals against the best of them. he needs to be the main man , he just can't keep his confidence levels up as a squad player. been like that all his career at inter , leeds, liverpool , spurs these days. hope he gets a move, fulham would be ideal

i believe keane could be accomadated in a team with modric and vdv it would prob mean less goals for vdv though

on a side note defoe on form is absoloutley clinical, a very good goalscorer. but as someone said above ,i would also have keane over him for ireland. we take robbie for granted . doubt he'll be fully appreciated till he has hung up his boots , and we have to deal with the hole thats left, the man is an irish legend

[dr_peepee]

Fulham boss Martin Jol has ruled out signing Robbie Keane - or indeed any other striker.

"I've got Moussa Dembele, Clint Dempsey, Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson so I can't tell my board they should sign someone like Robbie Keane."

F365 Transfer Blog

[CraftyToePoke]

Villa then, maybe? Didnt McLeish try hard for him last year while at Birmingham? and Villa need a few ins the way their squad is being pillaged.

Ahhh, the sound of the straws being grasped .....

[tetsujin1979]

Villa do have a truckload of money after selling Downing, and Carew has left the club so they're missing a striker.
Could happen.

[dr_peepee]

Villa wouldn't work out for him... Although he has Marquee pedigree to a degree, he won't be able to put in the performances required to appease the fans after loosing Young and Downing on top of the McLeish hiring. He'll be torn to shreds after a few games, if he's even given a chance.

[Stuttgart88]

Were Young & Downing that good for them? Villa were 4th from botton at one stage. Nearly £40mm for those two isn't bad business if they can get a 15 goal-a-season guy for £2mm+.

One pundit said recently that if Downing was right-footed he'd be in League One.

[EastTerracer]

After Fulham's win over Crusaders this evening Martin Jol is quoted as saying "Robbie's a great player, but we've got great strikers here. I'm a big fan of Robbie."

Jol also said that "we're busy" when asked about the transfer market. I think that indicates some interest from Fulham but perhaps only at the right price....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14136438.stm

[Murfinator]

Were Young & Downing that good for them? Villa were 4th from botton at one stage. Nearly £40mm for those two isn't bad business if they can get a 15 goal-a-season guy for £2mm+.

One pundit said recently that if Downing was right-footed he'd be in League One.

Its excellent business particularly for Downing whos a nothing player, Dalglish is a moron however as he should from his Carroll and Henderson transfers.

As for Keane to either Villa or Fulham? Both Jol and McLeish are new at their club and on this move they'll simply say they can get younger, better, cheaper players than Robbie. A 31 year old whos been off form for two years, has astronomical wages and his club is looking for a transfer fee is unattractive to everyone. The only way I could possibly see this going ahead is on deadline day if the clubs in question exhausted other avenues and were prepared to throw money and take a risk on him. I don't think he'd be seen as the ideal candidate for either.

[Gather round]

After Fulham's win over Crusaders this evening Martin Jol is quoted as saying "Robbie's a great player, but we've got great strikers here. I'm a big fan of Robbie."

Jol also said that "we're busy" when asked about the transfer market. I think that indicates some interest from Fulham but perhaps only at the right price....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14136438.stm

Crusaders supremo Stanley Baxter added: "We're also busy in the market and interested in Robbie at the Rite-Price. He could do a job when we sell big Jordan Owens to Blackpool/ Chesterfield/ er, Linfield..."

[tetsujin1979]

Its excellent business particularly for Downing whos a nothing player, Dalglish is a moron however as he should from his Carroll and Henderson transfers.
Bit much to describe him as a nothing player, he was sixth on the midfielder assists table behind Nani, Fabregas, Arshavin, Brunt and Young, none of which Liverpool could afford (bar Brunt and they don't need him) and played more minutes than any other midfielder.
Worth £20m? Not a chance, but they're going to stick him on the left wing and he'll aim right at Carroll's head for the whole season, going on past seasons he's not going to miss much and similar performers from last season are beyond their reach.

[SwanVsDalton]

Bit much to describe him as a nothing player, he was sixth on the midfielder assists table behind Nani, Fabregas, Arshavin, Brunt and Young, none of which Liverpool could afford (bar Brunt and they don't need him) and played more minutes than any other midfielder.
Worth £20m? Not a chance, but they're going to stick him on the left wing and he'll aim right at Carroll's head for the whole season, going on past seasons he's not going to miss much and similar performers from last season are beyond their reach.

Agreed. Downing was by a distance Villa's best player last year, even in a poor team he was consistently very good to excellent. Much better than Young tbh.

Doubt very much Villa will be in for Keane, strikers are not on the radar at all - priority is winger(s), central midfielder, goalkeeper and probably a left back.

[dr_peepee]

Were Young & Downing that good for them? Villa were 4th from botton at one stage. Nearly £40mm for those two isn't bad business if they can get a 15 goal-a-season guy for £2mm+.

One pundit said recently that if Downing was right-footed he'd be in League One.
Fair point. An article I read yesterday cites downing as having more accurate crosses than any other premiership player over the last 3 years. Could well be an upmarket Steve Guppy.. But it's fans perception, overall mood at a club and Keane ability to operate under that sort of scrutiny or environment i've a bad feeling about. If he goes to Villa in their current guise we'll see more of the West Ham type form from Keane. Unless he piggy backs on some other major signings I don't see it working out.

[Macy]

A 31 year old whos been off form for two years, has astronomical wages and his club is looking for a transfer fee is unattractive to everyone.
I'd agree with this assessment. My take is that there's lots of clubs that would be happy to take Keane, even with a fee, but won't come close enough to the wages he gets at Spurs.

[Noelys Guitar]

From todays IT.
REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni says Robbie Keane is in talks with both Blackburn Rovers and West Brom about a possible exit from White Hart Lane, with the Italian suggesting a decision is likely to be made over the coming week or so, reports Emmet Malone.

[CraftyToePoke]

From todays IT.
REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni says Robbie Keane is in talks with both Blackburn Rovers and West Brom about a possible exit from White Hart Lane, with the Italian suggesting a decision is likely to be made over the coming week or so, reports Emmet Malone.

If its a choice of those two, West Brom. I have a feeling Hodgson will deliver a very good season.

[AlaskaFox]

Linked to Sunderland in today's Mirror too.

[Murfinator]

If its a choice of those two, West Brom. I have a feeling Hodgson will deliver a very good season.

Would agree, I feel like Blackburn will be this seasons West Ham. They have a poor manager, an aging squad and have been on the slide for a few years now.

Have to say I'd be surprised if West Brom have the money to accommodate Keane and his wages. All the mutterings from Spurs so far would indicate that they thought they wouldn't be able to offload him.

[Lenny82]

Started for Spurs today in a pre-season friendly!! Might not go anywhere!

[BonnieShels]

Well may that be the first of the 40 or so games he'll play between now and next may.

[tetsujin1979]

Spurs lost 1-0, and Keane went off at half time, along with everyone else who started the game, apart from Cudicini in goals, Assou-Ekotto and Jenas: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/report-160711.html

[Noelys Guitar]

Watched the game today. Keane looked fit. Couple of nice touches and a couple of wayward passes. My immediate opinion of the Spurs side that started was shop window 11. At least Keane ran around unlike Defoe. Keane to stay at Spurs 1%, move to West Brom 50%, Sunderland 40%, Blackburn 9%.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'd say it's the complete opposite. He's not been playing more than one game in a row for Spurs over the past two years so we wouldn't know either way whether he was consistent. His problem is that he can't be a bit-part player who comes into games and offers a lot right away - you only get value of out of him if you're patient with him, which isn't a luxury managers chasing top four spots really have.
No, that's why he's not playing as he can't do it regularly at that level....

[Charlie Darwin]

He can't do it once. By definition if you can't do it once you're not going to do it regularly.

[Noelys Guitar]

Possible move to Sunderland for 4m according to this
http://www.fansfc.com/story/33861.html
I hope he does move to either Sunderland or West Brom. Both should do OK this season.

[AlaskaFox]

Sunderland seem a good choice, especially with Bent gone, they need someone who can score goals.

[IsMiseSean]

I hope he doesn't move to Blackburn, never liked them! If he moves to Sunderland I hope he doesn't get hit with their injury jinx....

[Charlie Darwin]

Blackburn could be a good move if Santa Cruz rejoins.

[Irwin3]

Playing for NY Cosmos in Paul Scholes' testimonial on 5th August at Old Trafford.

http://nycosmos.com/news/cosmos-squad-announced-match-against-manchester-united

[Paddy the Dog]

I hope he doesn't move to Blackburn, never liked them! If he moves to Sunderland I hope he doesn't get hit with their injury jinx....
I never liked them either. Funny how individuals have a dislike of particular teams. West Brom or Sunderland would be a fine move for Robbie. If he got a transfer and a couple of goals in the first few games it would be a huge confidence boost for Slovakia.

[the bear]

don't care where he goes, once he plays

[theworm2345]

I'm surprised QPR haven't been mentioned more for the sole reason that they are in London and are in need of a striker (assuming they don't stick with the same formation they used last season, which I don't think will be viable).

[tetsujin1979]

Here's what Warnock had to say recently about QPR's transfer policy this summer (from http://www.football365.com/transfer-gossip/7055029/Friday-s-Big-Gossip )

"I don't think I'll be getting any of the money [transfer fee for Taarabt]. We have to look for 'Bosmans' and shrewd acquisitions, loan players: try and do it on the smallest transfer fee outlay there's ever been. We'll be trying to survive on that and that will be another achievement."
Based on that, I don't think they can afford Robbie