Robbie Keane - loan now confirmed

[Boz]

I was happy for the team to stay as it is when we were leading but Keane should've been on pretty much as soon as after Everton scored.

They equalised on 65 minutes and Keane came on at 80 minutes so there was a 15 minute gap there where we barely threatened.

McLeish did this against Swansea aswell, they scored right after half time and he didn't bring anyone on until after 70 minutes at which point the game had been lost.

AM doesn't seem to have enough tactical nous and a team who can't keep the ball, which is a Swansea strength. Our Academy teams might be good, but they only come through as individuals and will only get a few minutes towards the end of a match. They are not going to be able to influence much and usually, the result will always be nearly decided.

[Legion]

This now seems a done deal. From the Everton pre-match thread:

Am I alone in thinking that taking Keane on loan is a big mistake?

He would have been a great signing all those years ago but not now.

Clueless numpty.

[D.boy]

Keane may not have the pace anymore but he will get into goal scoring positions and is not afraid to shoot from outside the box (on target) so gives us something we lack.

[saunders_heroes]

I'm glad I didn't slag him off! ;-)

[ez]

He's just saved McLeish from a barrage of grief.

[The Laughing Policeman]

All we can do is hope that he thinks LA is a shit hole of a place to play football and decides that maybe Aston is a much nicer place.

[Ger Regan]

He's just saved McLeish from a barrage of grief.

Another "everything that goes wrong is McLeish's fault, everything that goes right is anyone else's" type post, then?

[Dave Clark Five]

He's just saved McLeish from a barrage of grief.

Another "everything that goes wrong is McLeish's fault, everything that goes right is anyone else's" type post, then?

I was waiting for one of those to come along. It is very tiresome.

[Toronto Villa]

I said he'd come in and give us a boost! And some people scoffed

Seriously, that doesn't matter. I think for a short term deal this will really work out. He is intelligent off the ball, and not afraid to have a go. We've needed a player like this for a while. So whle it lasts, keep it up Robbie.

[not3bad]

He's just saved McLeish from a barrage of grief.

Of course you mean he's just earned Mcleish some credit right? 

[hawkeye]

I am Happy to admit to being wrong, I thought it was a bad idea until he scored the first, the second was magnificent, it was interesting that as the game went on he got more into it and starting finding space,

[Simba]

Brings it down almost shoulder height with his left, controls, measures and drills it with his right. Powered. Accurate.
Runs his arse off. Obviously liked and respected by our players. Took a half to find himself. Fair enough. Did not celebrate against his old club with the usual cider ad/Robin Hood pose. Good man. Loved the way he smiled (notwthstanding) with his Irish team mates.

Never did before, but I like this man.

[Villan For Life]

Brings it down almost shoulder height with his left, controls, measures and drills it with his right. Powered. Accurate.
Runs his arse off. Obviously liked and respected by our players. Took a half to find himself. Fair enough. Did not celebrate against his old club with the usual cider ad/Robin Hood pose. Good man. Loved the way he smiled (notwthstanding) with his Irish team mates.

Never did before, but I like this man.

This

[gervilla]

2 cracking finishes for us today.
I've been watching him play for The Republic since what seems like time began and he has always infuriated me , despite his goalscoring ratio at international level. It's all now different though as he is with the Villa.
I  forgive you Robbie. Keep it up .

[ROBBO]

An honest appraisal of Keane would be that good players lose their speed bur not their skill. His third effort was vey close . He bossed the midfield and forward line, demanded the ball and got it, as he said we did much better when the ball was played along the ground. Ireland to come back in makes it very interesting over the next few weeks but what do we do with Gabby?