Not so Keane on Robbie
Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:40PM Robbie Keane. A few seasons back I would have had him down as my favourite Spurs player in our squad. He was on fire for us. On fire. And his goal scoring record in the Prem is pretty much conclusive for anyone who doubts his ability. Sure, he's not world class and he sucks most of the time when faced with a one-on-one situation where the brain is required to act faster than his feet. But for all the much-maligned negatives thrown in his direction even when he was doing a job for us - like his pointy shouty antics and sometimes playing too deep and complicated or far too flicky with the ball - there is no doubting his pedigree. Well, at the very least prior to his move to Anfield. After that season in red, his pedigree was fed to the dogs.
And he returned, wounded, a move of desperation for both us (Defoe injured) and Robbie (had to get out of Anfield). We all know the story. He did okay initially, galvanised us without ever really tapping back into the olde mojo and then it all went a bit flat. No big surprise. Tainted at Liverpool, how he managed to bag the captaincy on his return remains one of the more questionable decisions made by our gaffer. Rafa never wanted him, showed in Robbie's confidence. And it must be fairly soul-destroying for people to suggest you're not good enough for the next level. Although to be fair to him, there are plenty of players at Anfield at the minute who fit into that category anyways.
Joining Celtic in the manner he did (on loan and in a league that is some way off from past glories - the standard of football up there isn't exactly fantastic, honestly, it's shit) - was all very apologetic and embarrassing. Great goal-scoring ratio for the hoops, but you could send Theo Walcott up to the Scottish Prem and he'd probably score in every game too.
Okay, he probably wouldn't. Let's try this again. Great goal-scoring ratio for the hoops, but you could send Theo Walcott an inanimate carbon rod up to the Scottish Prem and it'll probably score in every game too.
So once again, his comments are being reported on in the press (having a month or so back cited that he was still a 'Tottenham' player - he's reminding everyone once again). He wants back in at WHL, at least that's the suggestion. The reality is, he can still play for a EPL team and make a positive impact. Just not us. I don't mind being proved wrong, and I'm cynical enough to believe perhaps all this attention seeking is nothing more than a heavily disguised yet still obvious 'come and get me plea' to other clubs, but I sincerely hope we draw a line under this.
Keane - a fantastic servant to THFC. He found his home. But like most footballers, wanted to take that risk at a critical moment in his career. If he didn't he could deem himself unambitious, and hindsight is hardly helpful until after the event, and can only be used to shake ones head after it happens and wonder what if....what if he stayed and hadn't moved on? He'd have cemented his stature at Spurs as one of our most loyal modern day players. Instead, it's all a bit tarnished, and people have a habit of remembering the way it ends (badly, low-key) rather than all the good bits that came before.
It didn't come off for Robbie on his adventure up in Liverpool. Monumental shag-up for him. Good luck for the future, just don't expect it to be in Lilywhite. And stop whoring yourself back to us. It's unbecoming.
But I don't hold a grudge. He made a mistake. I'd rather remember what he gave us when he was focused on all things Tottenham. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
Reader Comments (83)
Throw him to the Wolves.......
Maybe he's the villain of the piece.
I'd hang on to him if we don't secure Eider, but he'd have to come to terms with the fact that his chances in the first team might be limited. Could still do a job if called upon and we'll need a bigger squad if we get into the CL proper.
Big shame.... like you said if he didnt go to Liverpool he may have regretted it for the rest of his carerr, however it was the worst choice he made. I remember hearing the rumour he was off and spoke to a scouse in my local - my reactionwas f**k Berbatov let him go but there's no way that Robbie, Mr Tottenham (at the time) will leave. Gutted when i heard the news but he made his choice and i would rather we sign a real world class striker for this season to compete with JD, Crouchy and Pav (sorry but Eidur wont cut it). Bye bye Robbie please dont hang around and f**k up our team moral!
I wouldn't have him back.
Keane leaving was a risk, and staying was a risk. I don't blame him for leaving, and I don't blame him for coming back, and wanting to come back again. No doubt Keane lost something, and it is a shame. If he gets it back, then it would be useful in Europe. As for loyalty - there is no loyalty anymore in football - accept it - they are no less loyal than we our to our own employers (better pay & company and we are off). Unlike Essex_yid, I want Eidur to stay - think about it: someone with Champions League experience, Spanish football, French football, English football experience and won't moan if left on bench, or even if left at home. Someone who can do a job up front, forming a partnership that none of the others can do, and can also can do a great job in midfield like he did in the Arsenal game where he came on and slowed down the game and killed it off. He is also already here and settled.
I still look back at that Christmas party Robbie "secretly" threw in Dublin prior to the Wolves loss. BOOM - Celtic! Harry will cut him loose and Levy will somehow wrangle £15m from someone.
Good article.I aggree completely.What a tragedy to see a man's arrogance make him self-destruct .Pride comes before a fall.......
Would take him back in a heartbeat for multiple reasons. When given proper, consistent minutes, he maintains a prolific scoring record. We need the options for all the competitions for next year. Lastly, Eidur and Pavs will nolt be here next year so we need to ensure enough quality strikers.
good post.
looks so shabby him wanting to come back.
bringing him back from liverpool saved us from relegation.imo.
but we have outgrown robbie now..just like he thought he had when he left.
we are at a crossroads of our history,and we will grasp it,without the likes of robbie.
we are CL and should replace the likes of robbie now we can.
I can't believe what I'm reading from spooky & other comments. You talk about loyalty as tho it's a hugely valuable thing to have with one breath, then damn keano becuse he is trying to prove his loyalty with another breath. He left, true! He came back, he got a smack on the bottom fromAarry for the party and in an attempt to get him re-focused & back in form, Arry sends him on loan where, he has regained his confidence and sounds like he's got his confidence back! Pride before a fall my arse! Show me a decent striker that isn't cocky or pridefull. Robbie has scored 100+ goals for us and is a top top CF who rallies the troops and handles the pressure of big moments, his record speaks for itself, and he wants to play for us!!! Anyone who questions his ability or loyalty needs to get over it! Relise you have had your sense of pride in the club hurt and move on, either that or agree that Defoe is a traitor, as is Kaboul & any other player who will ever do more than one stint at spurs.... Spooky great article as always........... I just don't agree!
Spot on Fozz
Fozz...spot on
My original post was missing and now I have posted the same comment twice!!
Not for me Fozz. Setting aside issues of loyalty etc, its all about whether he will improve us. I cant see Harry ditching Crouch or Defoe, but we also need a top striker - ideally one who can play on his own up front, is good in the air, holds the ball, is quick etc. If we recruit someone like that, Robbie will be back to 3rd/4th choice and I dont think he will accept being a bit part player. This summer might be our last opportunity to get an expensive (salary) player off our books for a decent fee, which Harry will be happy to trade with, so despite all the talk I think its highly unlikely he will stay.
Robbie is still my man compared to Pav/Defoe. None of the latter will attempt to retrieve a lost ball if robbed by an opponent. Striking should not be perceived by receiving passes from the workers & scoring. You have a utility role to play as well - in defence/ midfield/ wing. Robbie has these attributes.
Totally agree with Fozz and asking for Robbie's loyalty what about ours if someone in your family made a bad mistake would you disown them?! He made a mistake but remember he didnt grow up a Spurs fan (ignoring he had like 3 boy hood clubs) his loyalty came with playing for us and growing as a player with us, he has played in a few not so good Spurs teams so has been with us through good and bad funny enough leaving when we were in a good position.
Show a little bit of forgiveness to him and give him the chance to repay us our loyalty.
What John Terry did to his team mate was forgiven because Wayne Bridge had moved on but it was much worse than any thing Robbie Keane has done.
Boys and girls, your too emotional on this point. RK is a good player but we've moved on, we now move the ball faster, due to the players we have. RK tends to dwell a bit too long and loses the impetus. This doesn't make him a bad player, just not suited to our style of play under Harry.
It's not just the fact he made a mistake by leaving (for his boyhood club), it's now purely the fact his ship has sailed. A great player for us before his move to the job dodgers (particularly his link up with Berba), but we've moved on and he's not the player he was. Whether he can step up again is another matter, but I think a clean break is best for all concerned. Cash in and put it towards a top notch goal getter.
Pretty much agree with Spooky: I wish Keane well but he never really came back from Liverpool and now the ship has sailed without him. In his defence, he decided to go after once again Spurs had sold a key player to MU, suggesting our ambitions were limited.
One other point: people constantly take the piss out of Keano about his boyhood clubs. Well, believe it or not, it's not unusual for a Catholic Irish boy to support Liverpool and Celtic.
And I hate to say it, but Ledley was poor last night - shame he reserved his second below-par performance of the season for the England game.
I expect a big name signing up front for next season. Therefore, would Robbie accept the roll of the clubs 4th striker behind JD and Crouchy? He can start at other Prem clubs if sold otherwise he will be riding the pine.
I think Fozz has it right. Loyalty is a two-way thing. There's no point in having a no good/get rid attitude to the likes of Keane and O'Hara - and then screaming like a girl when Carrick and Berbatov leave.
Robbie used to be a top CF and i have been following him since the old days but i do believe he is not CL material (any more) , he could do a job for other teams but it's too late for a return at WHL
Wish him all the best though
Loyalty in football is not a two-way thing. The only loyalty in football is from fans to their club. Players (99.99%) are mercenaries who pick up a healthy living whilst living the dream. If they're playing well week in week out, they either get a nice big contact extension or a move onwards and upwards. If they're shite however, they sit on the bench/with the reserves, moan and still pick up a massive wage under their contract which is weighed wholly in a players favour. A bit of badge kissing doesn't mean they won't fuck off tomoorow if a better offer comes in.
Robbie Keane reminds me of my favourite whiskey glass. You see I used to love that whiskey glass to celebrate an event which I would deem important, for example, like spanking Manshitty at Eastlands and finishing in the top four for the first time in our Premier league history...
Anyway me and my whiskey glass loved each other deeply. We bonded over time and shared many great moments together. In the background to this my wife has reunited herself with her father after many scattered years... he lives in Ireland and stays with us. One morning I got up to wash my teeth and noticed my fav whiskey glass sitting in the bathroom... "what’s this" I thought and then I approached with caution. The father-in-law had decided to use the glass to wash his fucking false teeth overnight.
I've washed the glass many times, but it isn't the same. Something has changed. I loved that whiskey glass but now I'm gonna have to get a new one.
yiddioyiddo : spot on mate , but doesnt that make you feel a bit confused when cheering players on ?
I love the game of football but having seen my fair share of negotiations , contracts and players who onlty live for the money ( i play together with some of those in our lower league) ... well it tires me. I am happy if we win and get paid but in that order , i have the feeling that most players are happy to win because they will get paid.
There's no more honour, loyality, sportsmanship or winning spirit in the modern game
Old man's rant over.
belgian spur - Though I stand by my comments, you're right in so much as if we feel this way, we shouldn't have any connection with our clubs 'assets'. However, I spend a lot of money following the love of my life, and whilst a player is wearing our shirt, I'll love them like their my own children (obviously some are like step children who you never really bond with - wish I'd never got together with JJ's mum..........).
Football is full of oxymorons, but I still love it and Tottenham above anything else.
20m from Liverpool was a great deal for us. His goals and link up play with then strike partner Berbatov were great for us. Him going on loan to Celtic was great for us. I wouldn't have changed a thing as it all, rollercoaster ride though it has was, took us to the Champions League. Cheers Robbie and good luck at whatever other team you play for next season.
Keane can fuck off. He didn't think we were good enough before when he left for a 'big 4' club and CL football, the delicious irony being he's not good enough any more to be a top 4, CL player and we're in both categories
We all knew Berbatit was off, but Keane sneaking off at the 11th hour came way out the blue. It was one of the many reasons for our worst ever start and had Levy not acted so swiftly in cutting loose the Spaniard, it could've been a contributing factor in us dropping down a division.
I've no problem with players wanting to better themselves, but when they leave you in the shit and come back six months later as though nothing happened, it tends to leave a nasty taste in the mouth. I'd also disagree that Keane was the main influence on dragging us back up the table. That honour should go to the bloke who some believe (idiotically) is now deemed surplus to requirements, take a bow Mr Palacios.
I'm sick of the sight of the bloke to be honest, and think it best for all concerned (although not best for RK's CL dream) if he stayed up in sweaty land. How sweet would it be if it's us that kick him and his precious Celtic out the CL?
Goodbye Robbie.
I have no sympathy - he made his bed so now lie in it. He could have been a legend but he left for his boyhood team? You are flipping Irish not Scouse, whatever you chuff. Enjoy your retirement.
Keane was in my eyes the greatest spurs player for a long, long, long time. I loved him - he WAS brilliant, and did so many wonderful things for spurs. But the way he pissed off to Liverpool and came back with his tail between his legs was just embarassing..................but more to the point the fact he ditched us again in our most important season for 20 years because he had to sit on the bench a bit................well that makes me even more mad than when he first pissed off.
He left, we then had a proper skipper & leuitenant (Ledley & Dawson) - there was no more confussion and the team blossomed. Having Keane in the team earlier in the season did us no good.
In conclussion - he was a legend, could have been an absolute LEGEND (I would have Imagined the park lane whoring out their wags to him instead of Gomes type of status) but he has made himself a laughing stock. Go back to your spiritual home keane....................wherever the f*** that is. Goodbye.
COYS
PS: I think spurs could well win the world cup this year for England!
Aside from agreeing with Foz and Roy Singh, would also like to say:
The decisio to give Keano thecaptaincy wasn't on eof 'Arry' 'stranger' ones. he specifically stated at the time that what Robbie Keane did off the pitch, his effect on team morale and 'the dressing room', was jut as important as what he id on it. The fact that team spirit was visibly lifted after Keano retuned would tendto preclude any consideration that it was a 'strane' decision. In fact, it would suggest that it wa a move of genius...and when folk analyse his return to the Lane they should factor his impact on morale and team spirit into the equation.
Bazmundo. That just about sums it up. I was going to say all sorts but you've said it all...
My feelings on the matter range from unbothered to ambivalent. If he stays, we've got a proven, international level striker who knows the club inside out. If he goes we make at least 8 million if not more which goes towards someone even better.
And I swear Harry, it's a true story... father-in-law used my fav whisky glass to wash his false teeth over night. I was most upset.
all your strikers are shit, doesnt matter who you sign or keep they'll all be shit
Robbie Keane would be great back at Spurs...as a mascot
Robbie Keane is, like all players, a paid employee. he is not a fan, and to expect him to act like 'one of us' is wrong. he has a right to go and ply his trade wherever he sees fit. I shed no tears when Campbell, Berbatov etc left - good luck to them all. Football is a job for them, a business. To those who cry into their pillows when these players leave and scream abuse at them - please don't. There is no loyalty from players to clubs, or clubs to players, or fans to players etc etc. The only loyalty in football is from fans to the club. To think otherwise is simply naive.
I have no problem with Keane leaving for Liverpool, even less so for 20mil. I don't want him back though, not becaus he has betrayed my love for him and dumped me, but because he's been shift for the best part of 2 years, and his best days are clearly behind him. He was a massive fucking albatross in our team last season, was incredibly ineffective. If he wants to come back as emergency 4th choice, so be it. But that's it. We should be looking to improve and move forward, and I fail to see how bringing him back would improve anything, when our best run or league form for 20 years co-incided with him leaving the club!! Read that last csentance back again, in full rant voice -
OUR BEST RUN OF LEAGUE FORM FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS CO-INCIDED WITH HIM LEAVING THE CLUB!! WHAT POSSIBLE FUCKING REASON IS THERE TO BRING HIM BACK TO SIT ON THE BENCH WHEN YOU CAN GET 10MIL FOR HIM?? SIMPLE AS, END OF, BYE BYE NIGHT NIGHT.
We are just past the crossroads of football being a family affair as opposed to a business.
We still have echoes of the family thing. There are still afew players who are 'one club' men. We have one ourselves and how we love him.
So we are not quite ready to ditch the 'loyalty ethic yet and Robbie once a much loved son has seriously transgressed by walking out when it suited him and crying to come back now that we have won the lottery.
I wouldn't have had him back after he was set upon by the Liverpool 'scallies'. Something about making your bed and hiding underneath it.
So I certainly wouldn't have him back a second time.
He's not quite good enough now, adds nothing to the team and in fact registers quite high on the Bellamy disruption scale.
Find out what Celtic can afford and make it one of those complicated deals which headline at about £10 million but in fact work out at £30 a month over 15yrs or whatever.
With any luck financial meltdown of the Western world will enable us to start again.
Sorry Robbie, byebye. Good luck at your childhood heroes [insert club name], but you're simply not up to our standard anymore. No hard feelings and thanks for all the good times.
<off topic>
I looked at this but couldn't find Alf Garnett:
http://www.skysports.com/poll/results/0,19911,12782_106107,00.html
Do all the people implying that football is just a job to players, and we need to realise they are free to do as they please, also extend this goodwill to that cunt Campbell?
Harvey you nailed it, now watch the RK apologists come up with stupid excuses that how Campbell was different.Whatever Keane did years ago fine , he's simply not good enough now
'I shed no tears when Campbell, Berbatov etc left - good luck to them all.'
What a load of old bollocks.
The pair of them are scum. One lied through his teeth and the other went on strike.
RK's not in that category, but as others have said, he made his bed, let him lie in it. It's about time our club showed a bit more pride itself. Bringing back his ilk displays the opposite.
Sometimes when reading stuff like these responses I wonder which of the current players people will talk about in such ways in just a few years. For example swap 'Keane' for 'Modric' in some of the above posts and how do they look.
That was pure poetry Bazmundo, even though it made me retch a bit, but the analogy was spot on.
To PL:
I won't bear Modric any malice if he eventually left. I don't even have a particular dislike for Berba or Carrick - although i'd still not buy either of them back. It's the manner of Campbell and Keane leaving that invokes my disdain for them.
Campbell lied about his loyalty for Spurs, ran his contract down, and signed for them even though he had his pick of the very top clubs.
Keane declared his love of Spurs in Feb 08, saying he loved it here, felt at home, and was here as long as we wanted him. 4 months on and he's jumping ship. I never wanted him back, and I want rid regardless of how good/bad he is now.
There were hollow words from both of these players - if you don't mean what you say, don't say it.
While in my eyes what he did for THFC far exceed the hurt caused by his brief defection, it is clear that Spurs have moved on in his absence.
Our 4 strikers cover nearly all the options. the only one they do not is a big physical mofo up front and Keane is as far removed from that as any striker could be. Gudjohnson in my opinion represents a better option. He has some physical presence - witness Viking strength vs Stoke to score - but he is clearly a class act. Technically superb, superb reader of the game, almost a second coming of Teddy. Despite Keanes experience, he seems to lack a lot of Eidur's skills & knowledge. Most of the past 12 months have seen him struggling to find form, he has lost that instinctive knowledge of knowing what to do with the ball, instead he dillies and dallies and takes the wrong option.
Maybe a pre-season will get him back in to the zone, but I don't think we need to or can afford to sit and wait and see. There are targets out there, better than Keane, and we need to secure them.
Spurs have moved on....sure RK would love to return and play CL footy, but tough. Whereby I would normally preach loyalty to a loyal but aging servant (a la Giggs, Neville & Scholes at Utd) in this instance Keane has undone a lot of the good feeling towards him and should expect no favours.
Keane....your contribution to THFC shall not be forgotten, but lets all move on.
Great review of Robbie's decline over the pat 2 seasons. Never a world-class player but one who did magnificently for a good few years at WHL. With Berbatov he was on fire and even when back from Liverpool (and far from his best), he still galvanised the side and got them back to winning ways. It's time for him to move on - perhaps Villa - but would love to see him succeed.
To Harvey Huddlestone
Sorry mate but you are barking up the wrong tree comparing Keane to Campbell. There is just no comparison to be made unless you want to tar the whole of the football world with the judas brush.
Every player says they love the club and the fans and would play for free and all that guff. If you believe it at face value then you are being naive. Only player that does not say it is our own BAE and he gets slagged for being a mercenary when he is just saying the truth. They are all in it for the money but play the media game.
Regarding Keane, Berba, Carrick, any player, I am happy with what Harry decides about whether they can do a job for us or not. He is in the best position to judge where Keane's head and form is at. It is a football judgment imo nothing else.