Robbie Keane

**jmurphyc** · 16/12/2008, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by HammerNThongs

There is no way he is a lone striker, we all knew that before hand, but he cant seem to link with Torres, he cant play wide right and he cant play in the hole (though, to be fair, Rafa has hardly tried him here).

Keane has hardly had any games with Torres, so I think it's a bit unfair to suggest that he doesn't work well with Torres. I think that one of the main problems for him is that Rafa bought him to partner Torres, and so far that hasn't really been possible. I'm surprised Kuyt and him haven't really been tried together up front yet though. Once Torres does come back, I think he'll see a lot more time in the team. I'd be very surprised if he does actually leave in January. I'd even be surprised if he left in the summer tbh.

**HammerNThongs** · 16/12/2008, 3:48 PM

I dont see Torres working because he is so direct. Robbie likes a partner who will occassionally look towards him for the ball and will play it back, once Torres gets it, he turns straight for goal and either dribbles, shoots or passes it elsewhere. He very rarely seems to link with his strike partner in the way that Keane would like.

dr peepee, true, Gerrard isnt helping matters at the moment, but if Robbie was signed to play in the hole, then it's kind of the same situation as being signed to play as the center forward. He was signed as �20 million reserve. Gerrard owns that spot now and is surprisingly good at it and only seeming like he is getting better. Even if Stevie Me does get injured and Robbie steps in, it is going to be a very short stay in the Liverpool team.

Saying that, the love that Kuyt gets from Rafa is pretty much impossible to make out!

**ken foree** · 16/12/2008, 5:11 PM

Originally Posted by HammerNThongs

He was signed as �20 million reserve.

i want to disagree with this but i can't - there were endless quotes coming out of benitez, torres, et al when they signed him saying "robbie can also play on the right, so it's good." this really annoyed me at the time, i'd never see him as a player to play one particular position with a simple directive like they were suggesting. he's too much a mobile, instinctive, and organic a player for that. often plays like a kid would, with all that that entails.

**Dodge** · 16/12/2008, 5:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So, getting back to a discussion we had earlier. Has Robbie Keane's move helped Ireland?

Anyone?

**ken foree** · 16/12/2008, 5:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Anyone?

sorry, jury's out for me, meant to imply that in my other post up there.

**Stuttgart88** · 17/12/2008, 6:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Anyone?

I'm obviously on Dodge's ignore list

**Stuttgart88** · 17/12/2008, 7:01 AM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

I'd be very surprised if he does actually leave in January. I'd even be surprised if he left in the summer tbh.

Me too, though the headline in this mornings London Metro (free & of dubious journalistic merit) says that Gerrard told Lawrenson that Robbie is on his way out.

Edit: it was quoting The Last Word:

Guardian says:

Speaking on The Last Word on Today FM, Lawrenson said he discussed Keane's predicament with Steven Gerrard after the game and claimed the Liverpool captain suspects his team-mate could be sold in the forthcoming transfer window. "I hate to name drop," said Lawrenson, "but I was having a drink with Gerrard on Saturday and we talked about Keane. They share the same agent [Struan Marshall] and quite honestly he thinks something is going to happen with Keane in January. Sounds like he could be moved on."

While Marshall declined to comment Liverpool issued a statement last night denying the pundit's version of events. A club spokesman said: "Mark Lawrenson's remarks are his interpretation of a private chat between the two of them. They do not accurately reflect Steven's opinion of *Robbie Keane and they certainly do not tally with Steven's recollection of the *conversation itself."

**HammerNThongs** · 17/12/2008, 8:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Anyone?

Hmmm, it's a tough one to answer because he wasnt exactly playing well for us before he went there. In fact, he was probably on his worst run of form in an Ireland jersey. Now, he is showing a bit more work rate anyway....I think we might need a few more Irish games to see if this has been a dose of reality for Robbie that he needs to get his game back to basics and what he's good at before we can comment for sure

**seanfhear** · 17/12/2008, 9:36 AM

A bit indiscreet of Lawrenson.He wont be getting much more information from players or backroom staff if he does not keep his sources to himself.
Like an excited school boy he had to brag that he was talking to Stephen Gerrard.

**irishfan86** · 17/12/2008, 9:54 AM

Lawrenson has some sort of obsession with Robbie. It seems every second article is about him.

**Stuttgart88** · 17/12/2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

he had to brag that he was talking to Stephen Gerrard.

I hate this whole cult of Steven Gerrard

**Sligo Hornet** · 17/12/2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I hate this whole cult of Steven Gerrard

Had to read you comment a couple of times.......thought you said something else at first!

**Drumcondra 69er** · 17/12/2008, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

A bit indiscreet of Lawrenson.He wont be getting much more information from players or backroom staff if he does not keep his sources to himself.
Like an excited school boy he had to brag that he was talking to Stephen Gerrard.

Pretty indiscreet of Gerrard to let something like that spill to a media whore like Lawrenson. 'Is that Today Fm? Yeah, I'm sure I can fit you in as long as it's not when I'm on BBC1, 5 live or TV3. As long as the money's right of course! Oh, yeah, make sure it doesn't clash with that dreadful Daily Mirror ad I have coming up as well......'.

Great player but such an annoying pundit.....

**shakermaker1982** · 17/12/2008, 10:58 AM

Lawro is a bit of a **** to come out with something like that IMO. Aren't Keane and the most overrated player in the PL very close friends? Maybe not for much longer if your mate runs to Lawro for a little scoop....

**elroy** · 17/12/2008, 2:57 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Lawro is a bit of a **** to come out with something like that IMO. Aren't Keane and the most overrated player in the PL very close friends? Maybe not for much longer if your mate runs to Lawro for a little scoop....

Lawro is trying to back track on it now.....apparently what gerrard said is that he hopes that Keane doesnt leave in Jan as opposed to he will leave in Jan....oh ya sure Lawro.

**tricky_colour** · 18/12/2008, 12:34 AM

The way I look at it is Liverpool are top of the table with Keane, they were
about 4th without him.
That makes Keane unsellable in my book.
He might walk out though

**irishfan86** · 18/12/2008, 1:00 AM

The way I look at it you either play or him or sell him.

You can't justify 20 million pounds sitting on the bench.

The fact that Benitez won't sell him means that he's going to get more chances this season.

**back of the net** · 18/12/2008, 1:19 PM

"Premier League rules state a player cannot return to a club within a one-year period, ruling Keane out of a winter reunion at White Hart Lane. "

fact lads????

**co. down green** · 18/12/2008, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

"Premier League rules state a player cannot return to a club within a one-year period, ruling Keane out of a winter reunion at White Hart Lane. "

fact lads????

Didn't realise this until yesterday, rule L19.

It will also stop Harry Redknapp bringing Defoe back to Spurs, as had been reported. Defoe joined on deadline day last January and can't move until after the year has elapsed.

The Premier League rules that a club which transfers or cancels the registration of a player may not apply to register that player within a year.