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)
pl - agreed. The double standards are quite naive and 'myopic' really. If someone says they love the club, never want to leave etc then leave, they are judas cunts. But imagine the outrage if they say 'hey, Spurs are just my employers, as soon as a better job comes along I'd love to take it'. We judge footballers by these silly mythical standards than in reality none of us would adhere to in our own jobs. They are not fans, they are employees, and to expect them to act any other way is very naive.
PL, on the contrary, everyone I've spoken to about Assou-Ekotto has commented on how refreshing it is to hear what he had to say. If he subsequently decided to move on, I'd have no problem with it. Berbatov never said he wants to be here forever, neither did Carrick. Why? Because they didn't feel that way. Hence, I show them no ill will. I mention Keane and Campbell together because they were both highly respected and influential figures who lied and left - of course Campbell's situation was worse.
Chrisman, If you don't mean something, don't say it. It's that simple. They don't have to go down the BAE route, like you imply, instead they simply don't declare their love for the club blah blah blah. I don't go to the head of my company and tell him how much I love it here and that i'm here forever - if it is just a job to footballers why should they do it? The only reason they come out with the claptrap is to endear themselves to the fans - you can't then expect fans who invest emotionally in to their club to not be angered when they subsequently piss off elsewhere. To be perfectly frank, you sound like a new football fan to me.
Harvey - the only reason they come out with the 'claptrap' is because they are asked. What if the head of your company specifically asked you the question? How would you approach it? Imnagine if some newspaper asked Campbell' so, do you like being at spurs, and how long do you plan on being there? What's he supposed to say? 'Well, to be honest, its ok, but as soon as a better offer comes along, I'm off' ? 'No comment'?
You've hit the nail on the head and unintentionally voided your point by saying 'you can't expect fans to be emotionally involved in their CLUB not to be angered when THEY (the players) piss off elsewhere' - can you not see the quite gaping difference between the CLUB and the PLAYERS? If you have gulliably believed the players claims of 'love this club' then more fool you. If you believed all of Campbells and Keanes propaganda then that is your error. Do you have to fall hook line and sinker for every piece of crap that comes out of footballer's mouths? Yeah they dont have to declare their love of the club, just the same as you don't have to believe them.
Personally I couln't care less what any player says, about anything, ever. It's all bollocks, and you would do well to wake up and realise this. They are ALL paid mercenaries (with extremley rare exceptions), only difference is some admit it, some don't. Hope this peice of info stops your heart from being broken again in future. Really it sounds like you are the new football fan, believing all the Shoot magazine claptrap propagated by the players, and crying blue murder when it turns out to be untrue. I'm (maybe) older and (definately) wiser than to believe anything said by a player. It's all mindgames for the easily led. Read between the lines and use a little common sense next time you hear a player say 'i love this club more than life itself and will be here till judgement day'
You miss the point Chrisman - not all players declare 'i love this club more than life itself and will be here till judgement day' as you so patronisingly put it, but Keane DID say he felt like he was finally at home was here as long as we wanted him, in the aftermath of the CC victory. No-one forced him in to saying that, but he said it all the same. Players aren't complete idiots, they know how much the club means to (most) fans, and they would be wise to either keep their traps shut or be completely honest. I have great respect for Benny for saying what he did, and I have a lot of time for O'Hara after he said he hopes we lose in the semi to Portsmouth.
Incidentally, when I have an appraisal at work there is a part where I have to discuss my future in the firm. Never once have I declared my love of the firm, that Iove it here and want to stay forever. If the head of my company asked me personally I wouldn't blow smoke up his arse either, not in my nature. Would you?
Here's a question for you then: Let's say you had a highly specialised job at your company. You assured your boss you were going nowhere and you loved it there, then just as the nitty-gritty was about to start you defected to a direct competitor and your old firm struggled. You struggle at your new job, and HR at your old firm hire you again. How do you think your boss would feel about you working for him again?
I do not blame players for leaving , i would do the same if another firm offered me more money , more prestige and a more ambitious environment for the same job.
But as you said Harvey , the lying part does bother me. It is like the famous Palacios interview where people were offended by the fact he said : I d love to play for Real Madrid ... He was not disrespecting Spurs , he was just showing ambition and almost every player (certainly south and middle Americans) dream of playing for Real and Barça. Keane just wanted to be loved , wanted to take care of his PR ... but it is alos the fans that fall for the bollocks coming out of the mouth of these players. Some players are loyal to a club but when they get a bit older and can't follow the pace anymore most of the clubs push them aside for a new prodigy, we do not complain then do we ?
If my boss askes me if i am happy : i tell him hell yeah. If our local press asks me if i am happy at our club and the coach and all that : i tell them hell yeah
Hypocrite , yes but telling them i dislike my coach ,the few fans we have, the board and most of my teammates that would be just thick.
Harvey - what you say is true, but it's quite clear that Keanes bullshit proclamations were a real turn on for a lot of people (maybe you too). We pour love over them when they say these things, whilst secretly knowing they are wild talk. You can't have it both ways. Yeah no one forced him to say it, just like no one forced anyone to believe it or listen to it. How often does harry 'bullshit' about plaeyrs he is going to sign/sell? It's just the way the media game is played. None of it is actually true, it's all vox-pop bite size throwaway quotes, that anyone with half a brain cell would do well to completely ignore.
And as Belgian Spur said, I'm sure many Spur's fans have sung songs about players they love, but then as soon as the legs go or the form dips, it's 'fuck off u caaaant'. Best to not get involved either way. My love is for the club, and that alone. Players will always come and go.
And Harvey, as for your rhetorical question - unless my boss was a bit of an unstable wanker, I would expect him to be mature and professional about it, and understand my motives (which aren't really very complicated, are they?) as I'm sure he would. I wouldn't expect him to have my picture up on a dartboard. The problem is that a lot of people seem to take this shit really personally, when in fact it's just professional, job related shit and isn't really worth investing emotion in.
And as for ' I wouldn't blow smoke up his arse either, not in my nature. Would you?' No I wouldn't. But just because you or I wouldnt do it, can you not comprehend that some people would? Some people are insecure, immature, and dumb enough to do that ie Robbie Keane. It's up to you as an intelligent lad to read between the lines and decide what is the truth, and what is needy propaganda (it's really not hard). As I've said, it comes down to this - no one is forcing you to take Robbie Keanes or Sol Campbells comments seriously, and if you did, and believed them, and were hurt by their betrayal, I would suggest you should learn your lesson. Footballers lie all the time. Always have done, always will do. Deal with it.
To be fair, i've been mature like the boss in the rhetorical question - whenever Keane wears our shirt I cheer when he scores, although never sing his name. It doesn't stop me thinking he's a prize cunt in private though, or away from the ground.
As for the players faux-love for the club - certain players you know are bullshitting, some you think are sincere. Keane fell in to the latter category for me. If King said it i'd think he meant it too, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher too. As for you supporting the club instead of players - what is a team without loyal players and stability? A crap team. I'm sick of us being a crap team
I think we are going off on a tangent - the original point was 'Do we want rid or not'. I don't ever want him in a Spurs shirt again. Even though I don't dislike them, I wouldn't take Carrick or Berbatov back either.
I do respect your detachment from the like/dislike of players, but it has set me wondering - would you be quite happy to see Sol Campbell pull on our shirt again? If not, for what reason(s)?
yeah im sick of us being a 'crap team' (or at least was), but I'm not going to blindly kid myself that from 1995-2007 Spurs was 'the place to be'.
King doesn't need to say it. He just is it. Robbie Keane was, is, and always will be a silly little overgrown child. If he was playing for Spurs, he would be a silly little overgrown child in a Spurs shirt. Footballers are generally pretty insecure people, they always need to feel wanted and need to be cuddled. Keane is a classic example of this. He's like a little 5 year old - whoever he is talking to he will love For ever and ever and ever. Until the next person comes along. Don't blame him though, he's too young (mentally) to know any better.
As for Sol, I'll say this - I find it very hard to feel hatred towards someone I've never met and don't know, purely based on their career choices. I wouldn't want him back though (a few years ago, when he was still good), because it would be too much for most WHL regulars to handle, and would not be pleasant for anyone. I do obviously appreciate he has burned his bridges with Spurs, but I'm not going to pass judgement on him. I certainly wouldn't sing the songs I've heard being sung about him.
I would have Berba back though. Because he's still good.
Chrisman,
You, like the club, should have a bit more self respect. Not only have the players you mention fucked us over once (Carrick was different), but you willingly want to bend over and be fucked again.
You keep banging on about how naive everyone is - of course they're in it for the cash - but that doesn't make it right to welcome them back with open arms (a pay rise and the captains arm band) after it hasn't worked out for them elsewhere. Keane, and anyone else who thinks the club isn't big enough for them, can fuck right off. I've got no problem with that. What I do have a problem with though, is bringing these cunts back.
The exhausted comparison of the life of a footballer and whatever boring little job you or others do also doesn't cut it. How many jobs do you know where people come and pay good money to watch you work? I know the players don't give a shit, but that doesn't make it OK; they should show more respect. And as for BEA being 'refreshingly honest' - more like the cunt rubbing our noses in it.
Nice cop-out on the Sol question - you wouldn't take him back to spare other fans feelings!
always putting the feelings of others before my own....what a guy eh
You should have been a politician!!
Belgian. Are you actually saying that you "...dislike (your) coach, the few fans (your team) have, the board and most of (your) teammates"? Or am I just another falling for the 'bollocks'.
Obviously doesn't fit into Harry's plans, we made the Champions League without him, sell for as much as possible.
What has Keane done wrong? was it not Spurs who took the opertunity to encourage Keane to leave so Levy could grab 20 million for him, lets face it Keane did not approach Liverpool, Liverpool approached Spurs, loyalty? it was pure business, although it did cost us on the pitch. Keane went to Celtic because he wanted to play and he did well, having him back will be like signing a new player, providing we play him as a striker and alongside Pav, as a pair I think they would be far superior to Crouch and Defoe who I would sell and go for Dzeko, Modric needs some class forwards in front of him.
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.
Chrisman, surely the songs you referred to are all part of the game - if players want to arse-lick fans when they are at a club and receive the adulation, they should have broad enough shoulders to take some abuse. Sticks and stones and all that. Look at the abuse Beckham got when he got sent off in 98 - wholly unwarranted, but rather than whinge and moan about it like Campbell, he dusted himself off, kept his gob shut, and was instrumental in United winning the treble in 98/99.
so saying that you hope someones kids die of cancer is part of the game of football is it? Have a quick (or long, whatever works) think about what you are saying and get back to me.
Trembly , i do indeed feel that way about my team ... At my level there are mostly failed belgian top level players (divison 1 and 2 ) or players (like me) who lacked certain qualities to go all the way.
But the fact that we get paid to play makes them think they are the real deal ... it's sad really. And most fans expect CL football , the board has unrealistic expectations/ambitions ...
But this is completely off topic , sorry bout that :)
There aren't any songs about Sol Campbell's kids.
Is it Beckham you're referring to? I have never joined in a song about his kids either, and wasn't aware there was any. My comparison with Beckham/Sol wasn't a justification of any abuse that Beckham got, but a comparison of each players reactions. Campbell deserves all the stick he gets, Beckham deserved none. I suggest you read posts properly (or very slowly) before you post a reply next time eh?
I ready your post and understood it fully, thanks. If you are comparing the two, then you clearly think the 2 are directly comparable. Otherwise why bother comparing them? So you think its ok to sing a song about some one getting AIDS and hanging themselves? Campbell deserves this does he? 'Campbell deserves all the stick he get' - this is your exact quote. Again, I'll say to you to take a long think about this. And if you decide that it is deserved, then please don't bother replying, I have no desire to debate anything with someone like yourself.
I'll repeat it again, the comparison I made was about their REACTIONS to the abuse they got, not the subject of the abuse. "so saying that you hope someones kids die of cancer is part of the game of football is it?" were your words. If you fully understood it you wouldn't have even asked this question surely?
To be honest, Sol knew he would get a world of abuse when he joined Arsenal, and decided he would go ahead and do it anyway. Does Sol have AIDS? Is he going to hang himself? I would suggest he isn't, so he should probably just man up and get on with it. I remember Elvis Costello saying in an interview that he hopes that Margaret Thatcher dies - do you think Maggie gives a flying fuck what he thinks?
Your argumant is very confused. So you're saying that it's ok to say anything you want to someone, provided they don't care? How someone reacts is irrelevant. Sol Campbell could not have cared less about the songs, doesn't make those who sing them any less of a bunch of twats. So if David Becham had cried and moaned about his kids being verbally abused, you would tell him to 'man up and get on with it'? Intersstingly, you seem to think that these comments are part of a 'mans game', and not, in reality, childish, petualtant and cowardly. If these are what you consider 'manly' traints then you must be a pretty weak man.
'Does Sol have AIDS? Is he going to hang himself? I would suggest he isn't, so he should probably just man up and get on with it' - So you're saying that as long as what you are saying isn't true, you can say what you like about someone?
'I remember Elvis Costello saying in an interview that he hopes that Margaret Thatcher dies - do you think Maggie gives a flying fuck what he thinks?' - Maybe she doesn't care, but it doesn't make it any less stupid of him to say it. And even then, Thatcher ruined the lives of many families by ending british industires - exactly whose life has Campbell ruined? Yours?
This is the prolem with our country, where people like you feel the need to scream personal abuse at complete strangers to make yourself feel better. The hilarious thing is you would never have the bollocks to say it to his face would you, but hiding behind thousands of other like minded people you are totally comfortable. What would you think if someone you had never met hurled abuse at you from down the street? Even if you didn't care and it was water off a duck's back, you'd probably still think they are a bit of a twat and should get a life. The point is, even if the recipient of the abuse cares about it or not, it doesn't make the giver of the abuse any less of a childish twat.
Again with the Beckham's kids comparison - you brought this up, it has no relevance to my initial post. I wouldn't condone fans shoputing abuse of ANYONE'S kids whether it be Beckham, Campbell, Jade Goody or bloody Osama Bin Laden! If Sol had kids and there were songs about them i'd be right behind him if he moaned about it. As far as i'm aware, the abuse hurled at Campbell has been directed at him, not any member of his family, so yes he does have to man up. As for the 'you wouldn't say it to his face' argument, please!! Even if I was a 20st champion cagefighter I wouldn't bother him away from football - there's a time and a place for it. Incidentally, I wouln't go up to Scousers and tell them to sign on, or that they live in slums either.
Is that a mild justification of Elvis Costello's remarks - that she ruined British industries? Maybe if old Elvis was miner, then yes, but his life wasn't ruined was it? Why did you even offer that up - surely there is NO justification for it in your mind?
On the "you wouldn't say it to his face" theme, I'm sure if you were face-to-face with a right 'orrible bastard up Spurs, who sings said songs, you wouldn't be as forthcoming with insults as you are on a messageboard. Right?
If I heard someone singing it in a pub, or at a game, then I would give them a look that tells them I think it's stupid. I have done it in the past. I'm not gonna go up and confront people because tbh that is stupid too. But if someone challenged me on it I would respond just as I am doing to you here.
'There's a time and a place for it'- that's where we disagree. You do say that you would draw the line at abusing someones kids, well I would draw the line at saying someone should hang themselves. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. I fail to understand why people feel the need to say it. I don't really think there is ever a time and a place for that sort of comment. It's down to each individuals choice, but someone who makes that choice and condones that behaviour....pitiful.
I'm not like you, I DO hold a grudge. Not about leaving, but the manner in which he did it and the way he spoke about us, the fans, who had always treated him well, and the club which was the only one to show any patience with him and teach him in a manner that suited him, as he did so.
But in fairness to Keane, thanks very much; you did us a service for a while, and if your arrogance and the way you forgot your place in Spurs' history (club before ego; always, always club before ego) was the only way we'd ditch the past and realise you were holding us back, then the more the better. It's you f*cking off in that manner we have to thank for us realising that actually we never needed you in the first place, and if that hadn't happened we probably wouldn't be in the Champions League now.
So cheers Robbie, we'll toast you from the Nou Camp as you get to team up with your old buddy Darren Bent & help Sunderland battle relegation next season, and toast the likes of Defoe who know which side their bread's buttered on.
Don't let the door hit your arse on your way out.
You give them a look? Maybe that's what i'd do to Campbell if I saw him too, I may even poke my tongue out for extra effect.
The grievance I have with Campbell is football-related, so singing songs at a football match IS the time and place i'm afraid - it's the only time you can vent your displeasure at a player. They know this, or at least they should do. If we were all like you Chris I'm sure the world would be a unemotional Utopian paradise, but it's emotions that make a match-day atmosphere what it is. The Arsenal and Chelsea games were like a cauldron BECAUSE there is an irrational hatred of the other team.
By all means sing songs...vent displeasure.....have an irrational hatred of Arsenal and Chelsea....it's just that there is a line. and in my opinion the abuse towards campbell corsses over from usual terrace banter. Or maybe it doesn't. Maybe there are plenty of other chants across the world that are of a similar nature. That doesn't make it ok though. We all have boundaries of what is normal and decent, I don't see why that should be completely thrown out of the window just because you're at a football match. Ok behaviour is clearly allowed to be more rowdy, and shouting offensively is totally acceptable. Up to a point. I would put chants saying someone should die at that point. Especially ones so disturbinly specific and personal as the Sol ones. Lets put this one to bed now because I'm not gonna admit its acceptable, and your not gonna admit that its not. Hopefully he will become to you (as he always has been to me) a figure of pitiful ridicule rather than intense hatred.
I can't see it ever happening to be fair - I absolutely (irrationally? Possibly, more likely probably) detest the man - but I can see your point. Agree to disagree. To be honest, in most other walks of life I'd probably take your stance on things, but football brings something out in me - the only thing I can compare it too is being protective over the other half!