Robbie Keane - loan now confirmed

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I know it's tough reading a thread like this. But just think. When Risso and Chris Smith finally get it together, the sex is going to be a-mazing.

I doubt it. Risso has forever got the painters in whilst Chris only knows one position.

[themossman]

Haha, wey good sir.

[Concrete John]

I'd say on current form and the basis of today, you can't really drop Keane, and it'd be very harsh for Ireland not to get back in the side.
Gabby's just lost a little spark of late, maybe just needs a rest.
I'd be tempted to play Keane and Ireland, not least because together they could find a good wavelength and potentially cause havoc. Perhaps one can play as a floating wideman. Or they alternate during the game. They've both played on the wing. It allows them to drift in field, especially as we've got Albrighton who can provide the width.

We do have a few difficult tactical choices to make. The Ireland / Keane type player is in so many ways EXACTLY the type we've needed for ages (Young was very average in that position) and yet it's actually difficult to fit others into the side.

I imagine a bit of rotation between the Arse / QPR games, and Keane will only be here for 2 more after that I believe, so I doubt it will be a huge problem. I can only see two options to get them both in the side:

- Ireland and Clark in central midfield, and probably only one out and out winger with Gardner / Bannan on the other side a little more tucked in so we don't empty out the midfield. I know Modric plays centre midfield with 2 wingers, but Spurs keep the ball much better than us and are less vulnerable to teams breaking on them from the half way line.

- Ireland tucked in wide. Should be feasible, but in practice hasn't worked so far.

I imagine either of those sides would be something to turn to rather than start with, but you never know.

Trying to play Gabby and Bent has cost us a bit this season, IMO, as unless it's 4-4-2 then it's Gabby wide, which has only worked sporadically.  The big decision was to drop one, play the other up top, with Marc and N'Zog wide.  So the last thing I want to to see is the balance of the side further effected by trying to fit Keane and Ireland into a formation that leaves us further unbalanced.

Our best set up is having either Ireland or Keane in behind either bent or Gabby. 

[Concrete John]

I do love Keane's busy leadership in the final third. Its something we've definitely lacked on the field.
Petrov has his moments I know but not to the same level.

Our defence lacks such a player aside from Given and I'd rather it was an outfield player.
I think the best teams or teams that are successful have one in each third.
Definitely one for the shopping list.

Scott Dann is supposed to be such an organiser of defences.  I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen if/when Blackburn go down.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He wanted the ball. He did as sub last game. Confident buggar. I like that and we need that.

That for me was the stand out characteristic of Keane's performance, the bloke is full of confidence. Let's hope he can spread some around the place, McCleish mentioned Keane was a big character in the dressing room when we first agreed the loan, after Saturday's performance you can imagine why. The frustrating thing is, there's a very decent team in there somewhere and hopefully we'll start to see them perform to their capability for more than the odd 15 or 20 spell per game.

[Mazrim]

I know it's tough reading a thread like this. But just think. When Risso and Chris Smith finally get it together, the sex is going to be a-mazing.

I doubt it. Risso has forever got the painters in whilst Chris only knows one position.

Beautifully played gentlemen.

[Risso]

There's no way I'm stirring O'Leary's porridge.

[Mazrim]

Hehehe.

[Chris Smith]

There's no way I'm stirring O'Leary's porridge.

Not what your wife says.

[Mazrim]

[Sexual Ealing]

So, is this one that can be erased from the Proof That MON Didn't Know What He Was Doing book?

[Ger Regan]

I propose that we come up with a term, similar to Godwin's Law, for when any topic on H&V ends up in a MON debate. Any suggestions?

[Legion]

Thread lockdown?

[VillaSpen]

Jesus. Thank you Keano. If not for his input we may well have had a different ending to this wretched season.

[Mister E]

Jesus: thanks, Andreas. Without your anticipation in the dying seconds against Fulham we'd have gone.

There were a few "Jesus" moments this season; why we're all probably pretty ragged right now.