Robbie Keane

[yapster]

Although I've always been a fan of Robbie's and have always stuck up for him in the past, I would be hugely surprised if he ever played for Spurs again, and if so, would say he has no-one only himself to blame.

For as it was, he was always "batting on a sticky wicket" under Redknapp, since Crouch (signed 3 times by Harry) and Defoe (managed with 3 clubs by Harry) were always going to be the manager's first choice strike duo. Moreover, when RK came back from Anfield, it was in the context that the manager was desperate for players, and the Chairman was, as always, happy to make a tidy "turn" from Liverpool.

Which is not to say that RK would never have played under Harry, one of whose strengths is not to be too dogmatic when it comes to selection, personalities, formations and form. (Somebody said earlier that Harry had "frozen out" the likes of Bale, Bentley and Pavylichenko from the team earlier in the season; not so, in fact it was quite the opposite - although he wasn't picking them, it was only because he had better laternatives at the time, which the players accepted. Therefore when he recalled them, they weren't resentful, but gave it their best shot).

No, what did for RK was defying Harry's express instruction that there would be no Xmas Players Party, by covertly organising one in Dublin under the guise of a "Golfing Trip". Faced with potential rebellion in the ranks, Harry could have lashed out at all of them. Instead, he was cuter than that, by going for the chief mutineer. I distinctly remember when Harry first heard of it, he really gave RK what for and I said to myself, "That's the end of Robbie".

However, a couple of days later, Harry was much more conciliatory. Most people took that as a sign Harry was backing off, but I had little doubt that he went to his Chairman, demanding that RK be sold in the January window, only to be told that the club wanted back most/all of the fee they paid Liverpool. As it happens, there were no takers, so Harry was clever enough to offload him (and his wages) to Celtic, to buy himself time.

And in that period, he signed Eidur Gudjonnson on loan (v.similar type player to Robbie), and reinvigorated Pav, who would have been sold had there been a big enough offer.

Thereafter, having asserted his authority and restored the morale in his squad, Harry managed to get Spurs into the Champions League, which means that the Chairman will now loosen the purse strings to allow Harry to sign another couple of strikers and take the first half-decent offer for RK.

Of course, it is just possible that no such offer will come in for RK. In which case, he will have to come back to Spurs. But if he does so, it will be strictly on Harry's terms and quite honestly, the trust having been broken between them, I doubt whether it can ever be regained.

Sad, but as a Spurs fan, I believe no player is ever bigger than the club, therefore so be it.

P.S. For all those posters slagging off Jermain Defoe as being overrated etc, you are, of course, entitled to your opinion. I personally don't share it, but that's neither here nor there, since Harry clearly rates him and it's his opinion which counts - something Robbie Keane should have heeded...

P.P.S. Fabio Capello also seems happy enough to have JD in his squad (if not First XI), which must count for something.

Great post Ealing, Keane was stupid to organize that party behind Redknapps back. Harry is a shrewd operator and played his hand just right.

[endabob1]

It about opinions... Martin Jol sold Defoe to keep Robbie

Nothing is black and white in football, Defoe was ahead of Robbie for long periods under Jol but his contract was running down at the same time as RK had gotten himself back in favour, rather than run the risk of losing him for free Levy cashed him in with Bent essentially already there as his replacement.

I think the stats on Defoe are a bit harsh, saying he scores less against good teams than he does against poor teams is quite frankly stating the obvious. The question for me is does he score enough against everybody and this season the answer is yes, he's faded in the last third of the season, ironically if Keane had still been at Spurs I reckon he would have seen a good amount of playing time during the run in.

Have to agree with EG here, I'd be amazed if Robbie plays for Spurs again, as both a Spurs & Ireland fan it saddens me but c'est la vie. I hope he gets a good EPL club and scores plent of goals, Fulham would be a good move I think, excellent manager and some good experienced heads around him, based in London too, potentially no need to move. That said I have a sneaky feeling he'll end up at Newcastle...

[geysir]

And in that period, he signed Eidur Gudjonnson on loan (v.similar type player to Robbie), and reinvigorated Pav, who would have been sold had there been a big enough offer.

Thereafter, having asserted his authority and restored the morale in his squad, Harry managed to get Spurs into the Champions League, which means that the Chairman will now loosen the purse strings to allow Harry to sign another couple of strikers and take the first half-decent offer for RK.

Of course, it is just possible that no such offer will come in for RK. In which case, he will have to come back to Spurs. But if he does so, it will be strictly on Harry's terms and quite honestly, the trust having been broken between them, I doubt whether it can ever be regained.

Sad, but as a Spurs fan, I believe no player is ever bigger than the club, therefore so be it.

I'd agree with much of what you wrote in your whole post, except Gudjonsson is not a similar player player to Robbie. IMO he was signed as he is a player who can perform a different role and do it more effectively than Robbie could. A free role, some similarity to Berbatov in style. He is part playmaker, he drops deep, roams around the middle and gets involved up front, one who can hold up the ball, who can be brought on in the last 15 minutes and have effect regardless of what the team need to do. It took him a while to get match fit for Spurs. Although Robbie covers a lot of ground, his effective movement is in the last third.

[jbyrne]

which was worse, robbie organising the christmas party or king and bentley getting done for drink driving last year?
you'd swear that robbie had to drag the players over for the party and if keane was singled out for that reason then its ridiculous. if harry is as shrewd as people think he is then how did he not put two and two together when the players were going to dublin to "play golf" a few weeks before christmas?!
keanes form visibly dipped post wc play-off and pre christmas party. id say thats the reason harry let him out on loan and nothing else

[geysir]

Robbie's form did dip after Paris.
But you can't just discount the effect on the manager of the team captain (whose form had dipped) behaving in that way.
And Harry should be able to trust his captain.

[jbyrne]

Robbie's form did dip after Paris.
But you can't just discount the effect on the manager of the team captain (whose form had dipped) behaving in that way.
And Harry should be able to trust his captain.

double standards then as king was captain when he was up to no good

[endabob1]

Harry said no Christmas party
Keane went behind his back and organised it, clearly the other players were complicit but Keane was captain and acknowledged ring leader
Result was a breakdown in trust, end of relationship.

[jbyrne]

Harry said no Christmas party
Keane went behind his back and organised it, clearly the other players were complicit but Keane was captain and acknowledged ring leader
Result was a breakdown in trust, end of relationship.

if he was banging in the goals at the time it would have been brushed under the carpet

[geysir]

The point is that Robbie wasn't banging in the goals and Harry could impress a code of discipline at the same time. It's not double standards, it's killing two birds with the same stone.
And Tottenham did not suffer, they did not get the usual jitters at the end and held onto 4th spot

[Den Perry]

"

Which is not to say that RK would never have played under Harry, one of whose strengths is not to be too dogmatic when it comes to selection, personalities, formations and form. (Somebody said earlier that Harry had "frozen out" the likes of Bale, Bentley and Pavylichenko from the team earlier in the season; not so, in fact it was quite the opposite - although he wasn't picking them, it was only because he had better laternatives at the time, which the players accepted. Therefore when he recalled them, they weren't resentful, but gave it their best shot).

.

and Harry told you this, did he?

[Charlie Darwin]

The point is that Robbie wasn't banging in the goals and Harry could impress a code of discipline at the same time. It's not double standards, it's killing two birds with the same stone.
And Tottenham did not suffer, they did not get the usual jitters at the end and held onto 4th spot

They did struggle to score towards the end of the season. Luckily it coincided with Dawson's best form and King being fit for an extended period.

[SkStu]

Keane ready to regain his Spurs place. Go on Robbie!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ur/8701883.stm

Keane 'hungry' for Spurs success


Robbie Keane expects to resume his career at Tottenham having been on loan at Celtic since February.

The 29-year-old striker has been linked with a move from White Hart Lane.

But the Republic of Ireland captain has insisted he rediscovered his "hunger" for success while at Celtic Park.

He said: "Going to Celtic was maybe the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I am going back to Tottenham unless someone tells me different."

Keane, who has been linked with a possible move to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, added: "I have a three-year contract left and I am going back to train at Tottenham on July 5."

The Irishman has admitted that he lost confidence after returning to the north Londoners for a second spell in February 2009 after a disappointing six-month stint at Liverpool.

He failed to keep a regular spot in the Spurs starting line-up in the first half of the 2009-10 season and was loaned to Celtic this February for the remainder of the campaign.

"I did not have the hunger I had, and I certainly got that back at Celtic and got my life back on track and really enjoyed my football again," he revealed.

"It's up to me now to go back to Tottenham and get back into that team and stay in that team.

"Harry [Redknapp, Tottenham manager] knows what I am like and the type of personality I am. I just love playing football and he fully respects that."

Keane, who will lead his country in an end-of-season friendly against World Cup finalists Paraguay on Tuesday, added: "I love to play football and I am not one of those people like to sit on the bench and pick up the money and be happy with it."

He has also hailed Tottenham's "massive achievement" of breaking into the top four of the Premier League and so earning a shot at the Champions League.

Keane cost Tottenham £12m when he returned from Liverpool six months after the north Londoners sold him to the Anfield club for £19m in July 2008.

The striker, who joined Tottenham from Leeds for £7m in 2002, will face competition for a starting place from Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko next season.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd love to see him play in the CL for Spurs but I think he'll have to content himself with being Defoe's understudy.

Just as I speak, there's a man named Giovani dos Santos tearing the England defence apart.

[Crosby87]

Great attitude from a great footballer and a great Irish Captain. He is not hanging his head or making excuses. He wants to get out there and earn his role. Defoe is not George Best and I think Robbie can regain his spot.

[yapster]

Keane will be a sub again next season that is if Redknapp doesn't offload him in the summer.

[elroy]

Reported in the mirror (reliable I know) that Redknapp has decided that RK and Jenas can leave.

[Charlie Darwin]

If we've learned anything from the past two transfer windows, it's that Robbie's managers always wind up doing the exact opposite of what they say they will. I think this means Defoe is going to Celtic on loan.

[geysir]

Not silly ramblings by Neil but maybe touched by fantasy.
Neil Lennon on a return to CP for Robbie
"It would be an incentive for him but he might have his own thoughts elsewhere. He never really gave any indication to me that he would be back," said Lennon.
"I would like to speak to him again, but whether the club can let that happen is another matter and whether he wants to come back I don't know. He would take a lot of convincing."
“He was wonderful. He made a massive contribution. Not only on the field. He’s got those leadership qualities that I’m looking for. He has that quality that we’ve been lacking this year and a half or so"
“If it’s achievable then why not? It’s not the type of signing I need. I need to strengthen in all areas. If I can get that one extra special signing then I’d be delighted. If I can’t then I won’t be too disappointed because I have to build a team.”

[EastTerracer]

Saw Robbie play for Spurs last night against the New York Red Bulls. He looked a little rusty but did score the equaliser in the second half before Spurs got a winner near the end. Le Cheat scored for New York in the first half on his debut. There were a few Irish shirts around and the Spurs fans gave Henry plenty of booing as well.

It was funny before the game as the two teams were shaking hands. As captain, Robbie gave Henry a very formal (but not necessarily friendly handshake) - Henry tried to put his arm around Robbie and smile but our captain kept walking and didn't really acknowledge him. On Sunday its New York against Manchester City so I'm not sure if Shay will do something similar (he's listed in the squad so hope he's not rushing back too soon from his operation).

Robbie did play at the weekend as well and lacked a bit of sharpness (to be fair to him all the players look rusty as they are only just back in training). He's clearly getting his opportunity to claim a place now before Defoe and Crouch are back from their holidays but it still looks more likely that a decent bid from Villa or Fulham would lead to a move. There were a few other Irish fans at the game (see below) but since I don't have their permission I have spared them their identities. They were right behind the goal where le Cheat and Robbie scored.

Updated: Setanta Ireland are showing the game at 8pm tonight and have the other games live tonight and on Sunday (Man City v Sporting Lisbon tonight and Spurs v Sporting Lisbon and NY Red Bulls v Man City on Sunday evening).

[boovidge]

Keane's goal:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/6342121/