By Statto_the_yid
June 3 2005

Strikers are something THFC have plenty of at the moment but with the Transfer speculation about Keane leaving the club made me have a long think about the qualities he brings us, and where we go from here. Keane for me, is a fantastic striker and has proved it at every club he has been to, the excitement of his announcement on the pitch a few seasons back was met with a standing ovation and everyone was happy that this was the one player who could take us forward. That very season he played his socks off for us, not a
critic in sight, not a single problem with Keane’s effort and ability. The next season he was enigmatic in front of goal, but some of the goals he scored were very important in terms of the points we gained at that point of that season.

Then Defoe came in . . . and then the holes in Keane’s game were more visible. Defoe started to knock goals in left right and centre and Keane was made sometimes to play out of position, almost as a supporting midfield player,which I'm sure while he accepted this he hated it. We then saw a player who would complain about every referring decision that went against us, a player who would complain about passing, the timing of these passes and the chances he had in front of goal. A shame really as Keane has so much ability and he shouldn’t allow such things to affect his game.
Temperament is very important in a player and for me Keane has allowed certain things like tactics annoy him and put him off the job at hand - scoring goals for Spurs.

Whilst I accept that the midget show of Keane and Defoe has fundamental issues (i.e. height) it did give us a fantastic pace in front of goal, but we need player who can hold the ball up a little ( ala Sir Les Ferdinand) and I can’t accept Kanoute as an answer to the problem. Mido is perfect if he can just lay off the pies stored away in Andy Reid’s locker.

So back to the point I'm trying to make is that I think Keane is a tremendous player and a Spurs type of player but things have been a little bumpy for him since the arrival of Defoe. So if he does go then Id like to be the first to say he will be missed and wish him well. If he does stay for the start of the new 05/06 season then we should get behind him and try to discover that mental state he had when he arrived, as a player and striker he is one of the best.

I cant see him staying though, its clear Jol / Frank want a partner for Defoe, and I don't think they really want any of the strikers we have to be a long term fix. If we get £5mil then great lets use it well. . .


COME ON YOU SPURS

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