Robbie Keane

[dww]

We certainly seemed to have so far - although that could be due to the lack of Babel and Mascher as well. To my mind it is a mistake or has been in terms of performance levels and I might have been tempted to leave Keane on the bench for a game or two to get our rhythm as a side. I think he adds several of the things we lacked (particularly in big games) last season - ability with his back to goal and the willingness to make back post runs and follow up others shots - which is why I'm happy we have him.

I would have wanted to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation though and feel it suits more of our players. I wouldn't be happy with Gerrard and Alonso in the 2 though. Like I say I think Gerrard on the right would balance the team but in the past he has seemed unwilling to hold that position. I'm not sure that the style of the 4-4-2 we have played has been that far removed from the 4-2-3-1 though and I'm hoping this means that we will revert to it in some form.

In a way I kind of feel that whatever we do the key is having more confidence in each other and keeping the ball on the ground - which are not formation dependent factors and are where we seem to have struggled this year.

[Craig_H]

I think it's incredible in the sense that players of such influence are usually attacking players. It's fairly rare that a defensive player is so important in terms of influencing a team's chances of winning. Keane and Vieira were the same and i think Mascherano's influence is at a similar level.

[Laz]

Dww, would you agree that changed our system in order to accomodate keane and if so, is that a good thing to do?

I know you didn't ask me but I think we have and yes, it will be good. Once Gerrard, Keane and Torres stop tripping over each other to a certain extent then that attacking trio can be fantastic. Stevie will be able to pick the ball up in a slightly deeper position and the movement of the front 2 should give him more passing options or will create space for him to attack the box.

[Craig_H]

We certainly seemed to have so far - although that could be due to the lack of Babel and Mascher as well. To my mind it is a mistake or has been in terms of performance levels and I might have been tempted to leave Keane on the bench for a game or two to get our rhythm as a side. I think he adds several of the things we lacked (particularly in big games) last season - ability with his back to goal and the willingness to make back post runs and follow up others shots - which is why I'm happy we have him.

I would have wanted to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation though and feel it suits more of our players. I wouldn't be happy with Gerrard and Alonso in the 2 though. Like I say I think Gerrard on the right would balance the team but in the past he has seemed unwilling to hold that position. I'm not sure that the style of the 4-4-2 we have played has been that far removed from the 4-2-3-1 though and I'm hoping this means that we will revert to it in some form.

In a way I kind of feel that whatever we do the key is having more confidence in each other and keeping the ball on the ground - which are not formation dependent factors and are where we seem to have struggled this year.

Interesting post. It does highlight that we're talking about grey areas here, there's no outrightly definitive answer.

I think Keane played a part in us playing 442, but i think the absence of Lucas and Mascherano were the more influential factors. I think we'll go back to 4231 when we have Mascherano, Lucas and Alonso to choose from. That solves all but one problem for me, and of course that is Keane related too.

Do we move Gerrard to the right or do we leave him behind Torres and play Keane wide? And what of Kuyt, who Rafa rates so highly?

I'd personally keep the Torres/Gerrard linkup of last season and use Keane in a 'narrow' right or left sided position. I dont think Rafa will do that though.

[Laz]

I think it's incredible in the sense that players of such influence are usually attacking players. It's fairly rare that a defensive player is so important in terms of influencing a team's chances of winning. Keane and Vieira were the same and i think Mascherano's influence is at a similar level.

Absolutely. But it still won't stop the 'meh' brigade criticising his signing if he doesn't help us keep a clean sheet, lay on a hat-trick for Torres and slide-tackle Martin O'Neill at full time on Sunday.

[MrMichael]

Absolutely. But it still won't stop the 'meh' brigade criticising his signing if he doesn't help us keep a clean sheet, lay on a hat-trick for Torres and slide-tackle Martin O'Neill at full time on Sunday.

Oh that wouldn't that just be superb though (apart from the suspension for the united game). Monster

[dww]

Interesting post. It does highlight that we're talking about grey areas here, there's no outrightly definitive answer.

I think Keane played a part in us playing 442, but i think the absence of Lucas and Mascherano were the more influential factors. I think we'll go back to 4231 when we have Mascherano, Lucas and Alonso to choose from. That solves all but one problem for me, and of course that is Keane related too.

Do we move Gerrard to the right or do we leave him behind Torres and play Keane wide? And what of Kuyt, who Rafa rates so highly?

I'd personally keep the Torres/Gerrard linkup of last season and use Keane in a 'narrow' right or left sided position. I dont think Rafa will do that though.

Ideally I would like to see a more fluid combination behind Torres. Gerrard should be allowed to come in from the right and Keane should look to make space for himself by moving wider. I think if the swapping is between right and centre then Gerrard would be less likely to do the whole charging to the left which he was want to do when allowed free role on the right. United employed less rigid team positions for three of their attack last year to some effect. It took time to get right though and they had a very rigid shape for their back 6 (defense + 2 deep midfielders) with less changes of personnel than we have employed so far this season.

Kuyt will have to fight for a place. I think he has to become a squad member or play with the combined best aspects of last season (crossing towards the end of the PL campaign + goal scoring from the CL) in which case he can play any of the three behind Torres (although obviously left would be the least suitable).

[Marky]

A few Spurs fans have tried to laugh about the £20m we spent on Keane. They say he's over the hill and that they're happy as hell that he's gone for that amount of money.

Then I just ask them how many games have they won since he left.

Over the hill??? He's 28, not 38.

He has at least another 4 or 5 seasons in him at the highest level.

Not as if he's injury prone either and he's a fit lad.

[Vermilion]

Just thinking about Keane, and his er goals, now that Kuyt looks like he'll chip in with a few, and obviously Torres as usual will get his quota, i thought what about Keane.

I hear all the time about Robbie..."Keane..he'll score goals, just a matter of time, no doubt about it"....so it got me thinking that Keane could be our bonus for 19.

I'm wanting to believe that as the season go's on, even if he's not scoring freely for a good few games yet, as long as he puts it in, contributes to the side winning then for now that'll do.

Then, as the season warms up 'BANG'.... Keane hit's form on the goal front, what an extra burst that would give us at a crucial time, lots more goals, ok it's all supposition, but that's how i'm hoping it'll pan out, like i say......our Bonus for 19.

[twistnkuyt]

A few Spurs fans have tried to laugh about the £20m we spent on Keane. They say he's over the hill and that they're happy as hell that he's gone for that amount of money.

Then I just ask them how many games have they won since he left.

Almost 2 months later and this would still work.

[Fubar]

Almost 2 months later and this would still work.

so true

[FatTony]

Almost 2 months later and this would still work.

I used it only yesterday to 2 of the feckers!!!!

[saj]

....

[Shaggy]

Lone frontman tonight I would hope.

In many ways Deadly deserves to be the front man but I don't see it panning out that way - he'll back out to the right in a 4-2-3-1, with Gerrard off Keane IMO. If Kuyt starts up front, who plays on the right? Not Babel.

[wiw]

Yossi?