Robbie Keane

**irishfan86** · 30/11/2007, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

Even though he is not a Number 9, if you know what that means (ie main striker), his job for Ireland is to score goals and not to be running around like a headless chicken waving his arms around.

I am not anti-Robbie, he was excellent from 1998 to 2002 when his club situation was in turmoil. Since going to Spurs he has been excellent for them and shocking for us.

I, like everyone, would like to see the old Robbie back again, THAT'S ALL.

I think he just needs a target man, give him Alan Lee.

**barney** · 30/11/2007, 3:12 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

Even though he is not a Number 9, if you know what that means (ie main striker), his job for Ireland is to score goals and not to be running around like a headless chicken waving his arms around.

I am not anti-Robbie, he was excellent from 1998 to 2002 when his club situation was in turmoil. Since going to Spurs he has been excellent for them and shocking for us.

I, like everyone, would like to see the old Robbie back again, THAT'S ALL.

Patronizing, lovely.

I know exactly what a Number 9 is pal. But if you know anything about football, when a team is not scoring goals it's not always the strikers' fault.

Take the game in Germany last year. Himself and Doyle (I think) may as well have been at home because they didn't see the ball in Germany's half all evening. Criticising them in that game would be like criticising our defenders for not defending enough against San Marino at Lansdowne.

We have been cack for five years. Our best players have been defenders and our 'keeper. We have not had a settled or quality midfield in that time. They are all contributing factors as to why Robbie Keane is not fulfilling his potential. I'm not saying he is blameless - he's due his fair share but some people go over the top because he is Robbie Keane.

**stojkovic** · 30/11/2007, 3:41 PM

Didnt mean to sound patronising.

One little anecdote about Robbie.

In one of the games at Croker we played five across the middle with Robbie up front on his own. Robbie was taking the throw-ins and throwing them into the box. Why was he taking them and who the fcuk was he throwing them to ?

Look it mate, this topic has been exhausted over the past year and I dont wish to continue it.

If your happy with his performance over the past five years well then fair play to you. Im not. As Billo would say, we'll leave it there so.

**eirebhoy** · 30/11/2007, 4:38 PM

I actually seem to remember Keane missing a decent chance in the first half in Germany.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 01/12/2007, 8:19 PM

Niall Quinn used to score against teams like England and Holland not to mention Anto Cascarino

**NeilMcD** · 02/12/2007, 4:15 PM

2 goals today so far. does he ever miss penalties.

**NeilMcD** · 02/12/2007, 4:26 PM

There is the jinx. Terrible decision by the ref to send him off.

**dodgycanadian** · 02/12/2007, 4:29 PM

how bad was the foul, what just happened...

**NeilMcD** · 02/12/2007, 4:32 PM

It was a yellow card at most, he caught Muamba in the follow through. Never a red card.

**Sligo Hornet** · 02/12/2007, 5:15 PM

You're right, a deadful decision.

...yet in spite of his obvious ( to everyone accept the referee ) innocence, I have to really admire his dignity in not complaining...he went to apologise to the defender for the accidental contact, then walked off clapping the crowd...well done Robbie!

**irishfan86** · 02/12/2007, 9:29 PM

Very harsh decision, hopefully the club appeal that.

**SuperDave** · 03/12/2007, 1:01 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Very harsh decision, hopefully the club appeal that.

they have already said they will. can't see it succeeding, though.

on another note, and i don't know if it has been mentioned on here before, but the bbc are forever praising spurs strikers, most notably berbatov, but to a lesser extent the english two, and often seem to be ignoring the one on form this season. maybe i'm just paranoid.

**irishfan86** · 03/12/2007, 3:58 AM

Originally Posted by SuperDave

they have already said they will. can't see it succeeding, though.

on another note, and i don't know if it has been mentioned on here before, but the bbc are forever praising spurs strikers, most notably berbatov, but to a lesser extent the english two, and often seem to be ignoring the one on form this season. maybe i'm just paranoid.

Whenever I'm watching he's always held in high esteem.

Every now and again you'll hear a comment about him not finishing enough (except during one his scoring streaks), but I think that's been a criticism of him throughout his career at times.

**tricky_colour** · 03/12/2007, 5:58 AM

He needs Stephen Hunt to teach him how to tackle properly.

**OwlsFan** · 03/12/2007, 7:25 AM

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

You're right, a deadful decision.

...yet in spite of his obvious ( to everyone accept the referee ) innocence, I have to really admire his dignity in not complaining...he went to apologise to the defender for the accidental contact, then walked off clapping the crowd...well done Robbie!

It wasn't obvious to everyone except the referee because he obviously checks with the 4th Official who confirms it was a sending off offence. Most people have now joined the Andy Gray school of referee slating ("I am not accepting that" says Gray. WHo cares whether he does or not. He's only a pundit who now thinks he's Mr. Football). Referees only get one chance to see an incident and then get slated by those who view them 7 times on action replays. I have said it once, and I'll say it again. Referees should be assisted by video replays for sending offs, penos and goals like most other sports. Otherwise they'll continue to get condemned for their decisions.

As for Robbie, he might have had a hat trick but missed one where he was through on the goalie but he played well and his peno was superb. Memories of Korea.

**eekers** · 03/12/2007, 8:13 AM

joint top scorer in the premier league.
i think we can void all arguments about him being shiite

**NeilMcD** · 03/12/2007, 9:21 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

It wasn't obvious to everyone except the referee because he obviously checks with the 4th Official who confirms it was a sending off offence. Most people have now joined the Andy Gray school of referee slating ("I am not accepting that" says Gray. WHo cares whether he does or not. He's only a pundit who now thinks he's Mr. Football). Referees only get one chance to see an incident and then get slated by those who view them 7 times on action replays. I have said it once, and I'll say it again. Referees should be assisted by video replays for sending offs, penos and goals like most other sports. Otherwise they'll continue to get condemned for their decisions.

As for Robbie, he might have had a hat trick but missed one where he was through on the goalie but he played well and his peno was superb. Memories of Korea.

Go marry a refereee Owls Fan, it was never a sending off and he was straight in front of it. Just like a player who should be slagged for missing a chance or not tracking back a referee who makes a bad decision and sees it perfectly should be criticised.

Also you are not the only one who can see Andy Gray for what he is, but just because he is right in this case does not mean we are all followers of the Sky Sports Andy Gray bible.

Also the referee appeared to consult his fourth official which is against the rules as he saw the incident. If they want to bring videos in then fair enough but dont do it in an underhand way like it was done on Sunday.

**Stuttgart88** · 03/12/2007, 9:34 AM

Did anyone see MoTD on Saturday? Hansen saying there was nothing in Melchiot's challenge on Ireland? Shearer got it right in my opinion, surprisingly.

I still haven't seen Robbie's offence yet. Unanimous opinion is that it was harsh. 5 Live thought so at the time.

**OwlsFan** · 03/12/2007, 9:38 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Go marry a refereee Owls Fan, it was never a sending off and he was straight in front of it. Just like a player who should be slagged for missing a chance or not tracking back a referee who makes a bad decision and sees it perfectly should be criticised.

Also you are not the only one who can see Andy Gray for what he is, but just because he is right in this case does not mean we are all followers of the Sky Sports Andy Gray bible.

Also the referee appeared to consult his fourth official which is against the rules as he saw the incident. If they want to bring videos in then fair enough but dont do it in an underhand way like it was done on Sunday.

Gray doesn't slate players' mistake the way he slates referees. His "Last Word" is 90% made up of incorrect decisions by Officials. Remember Anders Fisk (the guy who gave us the penalty in Korea against Spain)? He was hounded out of the game by the likes of Gray when he got a major decision incorrect.

My point is it cannot be a coincidence that so many decisions are incorrect.

Blame the system, not the person. The ref can only give what he thinks he sees. It's a totally thankless job made even harder by people like Gray "I am not accepting this". They need technology to assist. Most fans would prefer to see them get the decisions correct and put up with the delay.