Robbie Keane

**Charlie Darwin** · 02/02/2011, 9:39 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

he didnt tho he was a very good prem striker but never top class bracket that couldnt be argued. if he was he would still be with inter

Because Inter regularly hang on to strikers for longer than a decade?

**paul_oshea** · 02/02/2011, 9:54 PM

Skstu, im not so sure people outside of Ireland would say the same.

i had this argument with a few lads from work and they really didn't think he was. But some of that may be down to not actually knowing his records and stats. One when i mentioned he is only 3 away from bobby charlton was there are a lot more mickey mouse games around now, and how many has he scored in world cups? I used the latter as part of my argument, that that was the whole point he hasn't played in many, whereas his was its a lot harder to score in world cups, but keane had 4(3 + pen shoot out i like to count that as one!) in the only one he played in. The point about there being more friendlies and more non competitive games is a fair point though

**geysir** · 02/02/2011, 10:05 PM

I really miss your one liners, Paul.
One line is plenty, your argument can fit fine into the one line.

**Stuttgart88** · 02/02/2011, 10:05 PM

Bobby Charlton played for the world champions, Robbie Keane played for a poorly performing ROI side for the most part. Then again, Charlton was a midfielder! Robbie only played in one world cup, and in Japan, not England, and not when they decided to chamge the SF to Wembley from Everton(?) to suit the home team.

Robbie's been a flippin good player. You guys can all argue away over whether he was ever world class or not. Who cares?

He's left too many chances untaken for my liking but compensated by giving it all and being our best midfielder and attacker all at the same time. Robbie smashed our scoring record, a lot of the time playing ahead of the worst Irish midfield in my lifetime - maybe even Owls Fan's or Noely's. We hate losers in Ireland but Jaysus do we begrudge our winners too, unless they're horses.

**elroy** · 02/02/2011, 10:05 PM

What happens if RK bags a bucketload of games for WHam on the run in and WHam stay up?? Does the deal become permanent or is there scope for Spurs to take him back?

Considering how poor or at least average Defoe, Pav and Crouch have been this year, it is surprising that Robbie wasnt at least given a chance this season.

**paul_oshea** · 02/02/2011, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

I really miss your one liners, Paul.
One line is plenty, your argument can fit fine into the one line.

yes I over elaborate. But before some didn't seem to understand unless i completely explained/expanded on my point

From an Irish perspective, you can't beat robbie. He has missed some really gilt-edged chances and very important ones also, but overall there has been no comparison and it will be a long time before another one of his calibre.

**tetsujin1979** · 02/02/2011, 10:12 PM

next time, mention Charlton's record is bolstered with hat tricks against those giants of international football Luxembourg, Mexico, the US and Switzerland, also 6 goals against the North, 5 against Scotland and 5 against Wales
also, only 11 goals in World Cup/European Championship games, 5 of which came against Luxembourg
All here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_C...national_goals

**SkStu** · 02/02/2011, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Skstu, im not so sure people outside of Ireland would say the same.

i had this argument with a few lads from work and they really didn't think he was. But some of that may be down to not actually knowing his records and stats. One when i mentioned he is only 3 away from bobby charlton was there are a lot more mickey mouse games around now, and how many has he scored in world cups? I used the latter as part of my argument, that that was the whole point he hasn't played in many, whereas his was its a lot harder to score in world cups, but keane had 4(3 + pen shoot out i like to count that as one!) in the only one he played in. The point about there being more friendlies and more non competitive games is a fair point though

to be honest i think Keanes stats speak for themselves - they dont require outside approval - and they all point to someone who is, by most definitions, world class.

**irishultra** · 03/02/2011, 12:12 AM

i wouldnt even call miroslav klose world class and look at his record in int. football. hes a good striker like and like keane is nothin more than that

**SkStu** · 03/02/2011, 12:22 AM

But he plays for Bayern! Theyre like a German Inter arent they! That seems to be your criteria - or is it just Inter Milan?

Klose is quite clearly world class by the way. Your definition is skewed.

**EastTerracer** · 03/02/2011, 1:01 AM

I don't always agree with Eamon Dunphy but in this case I wanted to upload his comments after the Andorra game in September because I agreed with every word he said in Robbie's defence.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/02/2011, 2:06 AM

The irony of Dunphy talking about "a certain element in the media"!

**shakermaker1982** · 03/02/2011, 8:00 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

If our 'other Keane' had said it there'd not have been a peep out of the papers about it or if they did it'd be put across as some sort of noble gesture. I'm with Tets on this one, I took it to mean to he'd stand aside without going into a strop. Bad turn of phrase alright but that's Robbie. He's always said he'd turn up as long as he's wanted, I think he was just reitterating it.

Robbie bashing is all the rage these days it seems, been like that since he went to Liverpool, make of that what you will....

I mean the regular haters on here. However the other Keane has plenty of enemies in the Irish media as well IMO (usually the pro Big Mick brigade).

**Stuttgart88** · 03/02/2011, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I mean the regular haters on here. However the other Keane has plenty of enemies in the Irish media as well IMO (usually the pro Big Mick brigade).

Will you be voting pro- or anti De Valera in the forthcoming election?

**DeLorean** · 03/02/2011, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

next time, mention Charlton's record is bolstered with hat tricks against those giants of international football Luxembourg, Mexico, the US and Switzerland, also 6 goals against the North, 5 against Scotland and 5 against Wales

I know you're only defending Keane's tally accumulated in friendlies and against minnows, but I don't really see much of an issue with the countries you've listed there. With the exception of Luxembourg, I don't think you could really consider any of them footballing minnows, granted Switzerland & the US would have been weaker in those days. The most impressive part of Keane's tally is that he'll probably manage to do what no English, or even British, striker has done and beat Charlton's 49. Fair enough, most English forwards would have more competition for their place, but when you consider the calibre of the likes of Shearer, Lineker, Sheringham, etc. it could be a remarkable achievement. An injury free Michael Owen would probably have smashed the record in fairness and Wayne Rooney could possibly still do it, doubtful though.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 03/02/2011, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I mean the regular haters on here. However the other Keane has plenty of enemies in the Irish media as well IMO (usually the pro Big Mick brigade).

So other then that gob****e Cathal Dervan who do you mean?

**shakermaker1982** · 03/02/2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

So other then that gob****e Cathal Dervan who do you mean?

Dunphy haha! He's definitely got more enemies than Robbie.....

Scoring loads of goals for your national side doesn't necessarily make you world class in my book. Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jan Koller, Podolski (very good player but he's not top drawer), Pauleta of Portugal. The list goes on.

**DeLorean** · 03/02/2011, 12:04 PM

Scoring them for club and country, against the best teams and when they're most badly need does though I think. I remember a couple of seasons ago Keane scored against all of the big four at the time, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea. He has got late and/or important equalisers against top teams when we've most needed them i.e. Germany, Spain, Italy and France. He's scored in two world cup playoff matches, one of which turned out to be the winner. Whether he is seen as world class beyond these shores or not is highly debatable, but everybody in this country should certainly see him that way.

**shakermaker1982** · 03/02/2011, 12:13 PM

World class for me is Eto, Torres, Drogba, David Villa, Tevez & Messi. Players who do it at the highest level (domestic, Europe and international) but are also consistent. Wayne Rooney is not world class (yet) IMO. People might view it differently. It's like when Andy Gray said England had 8 WORLD CLASS players at the 2006 World Cup. I couldn't stop laughing but hey maybe Andy was right!

**OwlsFan** · 03/02/2011, 12:27 PM

All semantics. Who cares if he's "world class" (whatever that means). He's ours and he scores and is 29th in the list of record international goal scorers. Never heard of the Iranian on top of the list mind you. Rubbing shoulders with David Villa and Schevchenko.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_int...ers_by_country