I'd expect Robbie to say,
"how deep boss"?
I think that's too simplistic a comparison. Even Dunphy admitted that Ireland's play under Charlton was far more subtle than a simple "pump it long" game. Aldridge certainly worked his socks off ("wore my legs to stumps" is what he said in frustration at Jack's tactics after a 0-0 draw in Hungary) but not so much by dropping deep & subsequently chasing into the corners but by pressing their defenders. When we were in possession he was actually well served by good wide players, overlapping full backs and clever midfield players.
I think you can at least partly explain Keane's lack of goals against tier 1 teams since 2002 by (a) he drops deep to get on the ball - otherwise he'd never see it because, (b) we have had our poorest CM in my memory of watching Ireland (over 30 years) and (c) we have been at our least competitive over the last 5 years so chances against tier 1 teams are far fewer.
Sure, I can think of chances missed, Germany and Czechs at home last time out stick out. Aldridge's miss against Russia is imprinted on my brain. So too are a lot of Robbie's 39 goals though.
Say that again 37 goals in how many matches mid 86s so its a goal every 2.35 or something like that which compares quite favourably against any of the top international scorers like Henry, Raul, Shevechenko and Owen over the last 10 years.
In Trap we trust
Like i've said before, you can prove anything with stats. Clinton Morrisons goals per game ratio is the exact same as Kevin Doyle in international matches, but there is no clamour to get him back involved, while Doyle is revered.
I think the guy was undeservedly dropped by Stan and irrespective of club form always did reasonably well for us. Every bit as good an option as Caleb Folan imo. CM was a character, a good guy to have around to squad and scored one or two very good goals, notably away to the Swiss.
clinton scored our away goals against switzerland and israel, and bagged the opener against cyprus in the 2006 world cup Qf campaign.
they pick folan because he's an aerial threat, but i'd have clinto in anyday.
note: clinto and roy keane got along very well, i could never understand that one.
I'd have Clinton over Folan too.
I also think he's a positive & cheerful character, very valuable to have in a squad environment. A dressing room needs that type of presence - I think most people who've played can think of at least one guy in their squad whose very presence made the whole team feel better.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 25/03/2009 at 3:11 PM.
Does anyone know while Robbie was at Inter did he play in a Milan derby?
I can't find a record of the games he did play, but he only played six competitive games for them, so I doubt it.
You can't spell failure without FAI
i figured it by firstly dividing 36 appearances by 9 goals getting a "ratio" of 1:4 (1 goal every 4 games) for Clinto.
Then, now pay attention for this bit,
I divided Kevin Doyles 6 goals by the 24 (ref : Wiki & Soccer Republic & FAI) games he played and amazingly got the ratio of 1:4 (1 goal every 4 games).
Did they not teach maths in your school??
I agree that stats dont mean anything but that is not reason to dismiss all stats as a result. It has become very popular on this site for people to say you can prove anythin with stats and think they can lie back and they have won the debate with this pearl of wisdom. Some stats are misleading and need greater scrutiny.
However when someons plays over 80 times for their country and scores 37 times it is a pretty good ratio and its over a significant amount of games and time for it to mean something. We are generally either 3rd or 2nd seeds so generally play better teams than say Spain or England yet Robbie Keanes goal scoring ratio in that time stands up with the very best. If someone has only played 20 times then their goal scorin ratio does not mean as much.
In Trap we trust
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