Harry's view of Keane

[Black]

Keane always starts of slow

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Well, they're the points we've been making for some time. But, without throwing in a 'I told you so', perhaps the 'anti-Keane' camp (believe me, I hate to admit we Spurs fans have a divide like this) will be happy in the knowledge that their discontent has reached Redknapp's ears, even if he refutes it. Looks like it is his idea for Keane to drop back so much so why not just support the manager and players and continue to revel in out Champions League push?

If it wasn't for the fact that Redknapp is an habitual liar who says whatever he thinks people want to hear, and also has a vested interest in talking up a player he insisted be resigned for 15 million, then his words would carry more gravitas.

It is definitely not all Keane's fault that we see him to less effect many weeks - as I have said numerous times - and I don't think in terms of overall team dynamic he contributes any less (and often more) than Defoe most weeks.

But don't tell me that he puts n 100% week in week out because it's bollocks. I've seen his best and I know different.

And don't tell me that we are stronger as a team with a player not putting in his shift who's "bubbly" than a player who is talented, gives 100% but isn't very entertaining in the dressing room. That is utter nonsense.

I have played football at various levels over the years and even at 5-a-side I'd have rather had a good player on my side than a funny **** who's shit.

I don't hate Keane, and I wouldn't necessarily pick Defoe ahead of him every week, but what Redknapp is saying is rubbish and so is the theory that Keane's dressing room banter is what kept this club up.

 

[gregga]

i think this anti-keane campaign is not about his impact on the team, as that is hardly questionable. It relates more to the manner of his departure and his swift return when it didnt work out for him. There are those who are critical of his mentality and add to that he isnt the same player he was 2 years ago and you have reason for negativity towards him.

I personally dont think it is warranted but you can justify it either way; in this case it is really a matter of opinion and nothing else. It is not like keane is struggling this season but then again he isnt in great form. If we get off his back i think his best form will return and then the criticism will stop. He tends to peak in the 2nd half of a season anyway.

This is what irks me about the Keane supporters.

Fair enough you don't have to agree with the anti-Keane brigade, but stop trying to make out that this is some kind of personal vendetta against him.

In my opinion he has a few good games this season, a few ok ones, and in the others he has been utterly awful.

My gooner colleagues were laughing after the Arsenal game about just how bad he was. Fair enough most of the team was that day but RK was particularly dreadful.

If he starts playing well again I will praise him, but at the moment I dread seeing him on the team sheet because I honestly think he doesn't deserve to play on current form.

 

[nicdic]

Well said gregga.

 

[Dougal]

But don't tell me that he puts n 100% week in week out because it's bollocks. I've seen his best and I know different.

And don't tell me that we are stronger as a team with a player not putting in his shift who's "bubbly" than a player who is talented, gives 100% but isn't very entertaining in the dressing room. That is utter nonsense.

Over 32,000 posts on here and people still feel the need to put words into my mouth for things I haven't said in the first place

I've seen Keane better than he is now. We all have. Nobody is saying he is at his best. If this was his best I'd be very disappointed. It's just a matter of if his form will return or if he is on a downward spiral. Time will tell. What I will tell you is I believe there's a lot more to come from the guy.

And the whole 'bubbly' and 'character' thing doesn't carry Keane. To a certain extent it is needed because every manager wants voices in the dressing room and on the pitch and that is what Redknapp gets with Keane, but it won't do on it's own, otherwise we'd just send Michael McIntyre skipping onto the pitch and hope for the best. Keane still has a job to do when he crosses the line but I don't think he is suddenly a liability on the pitch. We're 4th, joint 3rd but for goal difference, he has 8 goals already this season, hardly up (or indeed down) there with Robert Fleck's first season with Chelsea (before you ask that's always been my default answer for 'shit striker' ). We all know he's been moved around the team. We don't need to go into it again. We all know he's not at his best, we don't need to go into it again. We all know that he has had dodgy periods in the past and he has come back stronger. Let's get behind him, Jenas, Palacios, Gomes, Dawson, Corluka, Defoe, Bassong, King, Crouch, every player, because if we can sit here in 4th and say we are not at our best then that lot will be Champions League material come May with our support. Enough with this whole 'scapegoat of the month' mentality at Spurs. We are onto something at last!

Right, I'm done with this Keane thread. See you all in the next one, I'm guessing Sunday evening :adios:

 

[StartingPrice]

If it wasn't for the fact that Redknapp is an habitual liar mg:mg:mg:who says whatever he thinks people want to hear, and also has a vested interest in talking up a player he insisted be resigned for 15 million, then his words would carry more gravitas.

It is definitely not all Keane's fault that we see him to less effect many weeks - as I have said numerous times - and I don't think in terms of overall team dynamic he contributes any less (and often more) than Defoe most weeks.

But don't tell me that he puts n 100% week in week out because it's bollocks. I've seen his best and I know different.

And don't tell me that we are stronger as a team with a player not putting in his shift who's "bubbly" than a player who is talented, gives 100% but isn't very entertaining in the dressing room. That is utter nonsense.

I have played football at various levels over the years and even at 5-a-side I'd have rather had a good player on my side than a funny **** who's shit.

I don't hate Keane, and I wouldn't necessarily pick Defoe ahead of him every week, but what Redknapp is saying is rubbish and so is the theory that Keane's dressing room banter is what kept this club up.

You is lying - 'Arry is an good fella, ain't'eee? All of my illusions that 'Arry was just really nice guy who didn't 'play the game' are now thoroughly shattered

As has been said, constantly, no-one is actually saying Keane is at his best at the moment. I actually advocated dropping him pre-Ireland game. And no-one (so far as I am aware) actually said that we stayed up 'cos his banter was good. But for someone who has played football at so many levels to not be aware of how important team spirit is, and how Robbie Keane was instrumental in turning our (none existent, seemingly, under Ramos) morale around, is quite worrying.

Are you transferring Keaneos recent form - especially when played in non-striking positions, onto the whole time since he has returned? I really don't think his form has been anything but up-and-down this season, not brilliant and not dreadful - just up-and-down. His form last season was okay, not brilliant, but certianly not dreadful.

But this is what I find most disconcerting: 'Arry is paid (a considerable amount to do his job). He appears to be doing that job rather well. In his estimation, Keanos overall contribution, factoring in everything from the things we see on the pitch (which some seem to be seeing different to 'Arry), to the many things we don't see, such as impact on training sessions and mentoring of young players, has been immensely important to the job he is doing at the club - and he appears to be doing that job rather well. Now supposing, just for the sake of argument, that we could relieve 'Arry of his position immediately (Pompey would take him back, like:rofl; are you suggesting that you would do something drastic like make Keano play with the reserves or something - and if, in your infinite wisdom you did this, and the form noredived in a Leeds-esque manner, would you finally have the good grace to admit that maybe Ol'Arry actually knew and understood a thang or two:shrug:

I don't mean this as a personal attack, BC, 'cos, as you know, I often agree with you, but what exactly is it you do, again? 'Arry manages football teams; that's what he does; and, by, all accounts, he does it rather well. Now, at this precise moment 'Arry has taken us from bottom of the table, on two points, with a visibly demoralised squad, to goal-difference away from 3rd, with a visibly evervescent squad. Pardon me, but, aside form the fact that my eyes are telling me that Keane has produced some decent form as well as some less decent form, 'Arry is telling us that Keane is vital in some many ways. I'm afraid I am going to have to take his opinion as more valid than yours.

That only leaves it for me to say that if this is the impact Keane is having when not producing the form we all know he can produce (ie goal-difference away from 3rd), I really can't wait until he does start to produce that form:up:

Yours
SP (a man who genuinely wants to see Spurs do well, and enjoys seeing them do well:wink.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Right, I'm done with this Keane thread. See you all in the next one, I'm guessing Sunday evening :adios:

I'll go for Saturday evening. About 7.30pm.

*Makes note in diary to start thread at that time