Robbie Keane

[ofjames]

Robbie starts for spurs today at old trafford.

I think Redknapp has rested a good few players for the Inter CL game during the week

Regardless, a big performance from Keane is surely required if he is to have a future at Spurs beyond January.

[AlaskaFox]

He definitely needs to have a good game today.

[paul_oshea]

Even if he has a big game he will be a bit part player....in a way it could be more detrimental for us if he has a good game today....

[The Fly]

Starts for Spurs today, in the late kick-off against Man United.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...em/9137317.stm

[Charlie Darwin]

He's playing well so far. Spurs seem to be resisting the urge to lump the ball up the way they would with Crouch or Pav.

[AlaskaFox]

Yeah, he's linking up well with Lennon. His passing and positioning has been decent.

[Charlie Darwin]

Was Crouch injured in the warm-up? It seems he was named in the initial line-up.

[AlaskaFox]

And now he's off. On comes big Roman.

[tricky_colour]

I thought he was Russian.

[Junior]

Mate of mine was at the game. Said Keane was barely in the game. I watched MOTD and have to say, I didnt notice him once.

[irishfan86]

Mate of mine was at the game. Said Keane was barely in the game. I watched MOTD and have to say, I didnt notice him once.

He was playing as the lone striker, which doesn't suit him. Same reason he didn't do that well at Liverpool.

Maybe people would saying I'm making excuses, but I wouldn't expect much of Messi playing as a lone forward either (not saying Keane is Messi just comparing a hypothetical situation where a player plays out of position).

[elroy]

Problem with RK is that when things are going his way, he always gives them impression that he is trying to hard, is too anxious etc, which is only to the detriment to his game. He naturally is a pretty good finisher but when he gets anxious etc, doesnt happen for him at all.

[Stuttgart88]

I also think that Robbie's career long problem is that he is neither fish nor fowl: he's not a lazy single-purpose forward like Jermaine Defoe, nor is he a classic Argentinian style no. 10, or a Totti type player. He's somewhere in between. Like elroy says though, when he's confident and feeling the love he's a lot better.

[Murfinator]

I always saw Keane as a fox in the box type player like Inzaghi or Makaay. His main asset isn't his finishing, skill, link up play, speed, creativity or anything like that its his positional sense. He's the type of player who can do nothing for 89 minutes then pop up and score the winner out of nowhere.

[DannyInvincible]

I always saw Keane as a fox in the box type player like Inzaghi or Makaay. His main asset isn't his finishing, skill, link up play, speed, creativity or anything like that its his positional sense. He's the type of player who can do nothing for 89 minutes then pop up and score the winner out of nowhere.

I'm not so sure he's so "limited", for want of a better word. When Robbie provided the link between midfield and the front two for much of our game away to Italy in Bari last campaign, I thought he had a fantastic game. He carried the ball forward with competence and ease and looked more than able for such a role in spite of the Italians' willingness to rest on their laurels.

[rebelmusic]

Didnt get off the bench tonight. Pav was crap when he came on but Bale gave him the easiest goal to score of all time. Would have been a great game for Robbie to have come on with the service Bale was providing.

[tetsujin1979]

someone recently asked what the goals tally was for players in Premier League games before November, I'm sorry but I can't find the original post, but Robbie's thread is as good a place as any for this, seeing as how he is the top Irish goalscorer in Premier League games taking place before November, from 2006-2007 to 2010-2011 (i.e. how long I've been collecting data for Irish Abroad)
some late night coding, a facebook chat with magicme and the realisation that 1-5 are all less than 11 (don't ask) later

Player           2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Total
Robbie Keane             0         6         0         5         0    11
Kevin Doyle              4         3         0         3         0    10
Damien Duff              1         0         1         2         0     4
Richard Dunne            1         0         1         2         0     4
Stephen Hunt             0         2         0         2         0     4
Stephen Ireland          0         0         3         1         0     4
Rory Delap               0         0         1         0         1     2
Andy Reid                0         0         0         2         0     2
Shane Long               0         2         0         0         0     2
John O'Shea              0         0         0         1         0     1
Liam Lawrence            0         0         1         0         0     1
Liam Miller              0         1         0         0         0     1
Glenn Whelan             0         0         0         1         0     1
Caleb Folan              0         0         1         0         0     1
Jonathan Walters         0         0         0         0         1     1
Andy Keogh               0         0         0         1         0     1

as always, don't take it as gospel, I'm open to correction on anything

[tetsujin1979]

Not even on the bench for spurs today vs bolton

[Crosby87]

Needs to leave Totts post haste.
Harry looked miserable today.

[elroy]

For all Pavs negatives, would you have backed Keane to finish that chance Pav finished? Im not sure. Robbie def needs to get out, obvious that Harry has no time for him now.