Robbie Keane - loan now confirmed

[Risso]

Actually OZZ I don't think it fair to accuse Gabby of being selfish if he is not fully fit. Understood the other comments though. The meds/Manager will make that decision and Gabby does scare defenders. However we agree, I think, that the Gabby or Bent debate has yet to be concluded. Now we have a Ireland/Keane arguement. No Emile please.

 I dunno how to include them. You? Enjoyed Gardners debut too. OK not perfect but something special from the yoofs again.

But Super T - width -especially given the width of VP pitch - is what we should exploit. AMC, however plays narrow. Always has done apparently.

The thing is Simba, he declared himself fit. At which point, he takes the flac on the chin for not working back, and I won't believe anyone who tells me he does not have games where he sulks out wide, I think he has been sulking since Swansea.

Supertom may be right, play Keane from the right and Ireland central with Albrighton giving the width on the left. Shame they can't all play really!

You never know how a player will react after an illness, it was a calculated gamble that didn't pay off and certainly no reason to have a go at the lad. I don't believe he's sulking, he's just not quite hitting the heights he was a few weeks ago back when you were all accusing Bent of sulking.

Why do you always have to do that ridiculously childish tactic of lumping everybody together?  There is no "you all" on here, so just cut it out.   It makes your ridiculous posts even harder to take seriously.

It's neither ridiculous nor childish, it's just a figure of speech but as usual you have to personalise things and put in the sort of petty digs that others would get pulled up for. Bent was being accused of sulking with many of you on here convinced he'd be leaving this transfer window. It's what come of over analysing things and people reading far more into things than they should and then refusing to accept that they might have been wrong.

I never thought that he was either sulking or going to leave, so please don't include me in the "you", which is exactly the sort of childish nonsense that I was talking about, and the sort that means the words "Chris Smith" next to a post probably means it has the same worth as one with "Coopers Injury".

[Chris Smith]

Yet more petty, personal digs from Risso. If it was one of the more clued up posters I might take offence but it's just you, being you.

It was you who included yourself in the "you" and turned this into something more than it is.

[Risso]

Yet more petty, personal digs from Risso. If it was one of the more clued up posters I might take offence but it's just you, being you.

It was you who included yourself in the "you" and turned this into something more than it is.

Stop being such a precious, snide little arse.  If you're quoting my post, then using "you" to say that "you all" were predicting relegation and Bent being sold, then of course I'm going to think you're including me.  You do it all the time, talking about "the mob" and "drama queens", it's all part of the great Chris Smith act.  Take the exact approach to everything, then lump everybody in together so you can pretend that you're being bullied or picked on.  There's probably a syndrome somewhere that describes that sort of behaviour.

[LeeB]

Come on lads, we've won.

Lets live in the land of love for while, eh?

[Monty]

Come on lads, we've won.

Lets live in the land of love for while, eh?

See, Robbie Keane, such a divisive influence!

[Chris Smith]

Risso, you're back to your amateur psychoanalysis again. instead of just arguing the issue you thrash about spouting all sorts of nonsense but I'm not playing any more, it's boring.

So, back to the issue. It's about now deciding that Gaaby is sulking which is a similar accusation that was levelled at Bent not so long back. I think that is reading too much into things and mentioned the Bent thing to demonstrate that it's a recurring theme.

[jonc73]

I don't agree. It is more that most people can see whether or not a player is being bought to improve the team long term and is likely to be either a step up from what we already have or a great prospect for the future.
This was why we lacked enthusiasm for signings like Heskey, Harewood and many more and like signings like Bent or Edna.

Keane being lumped in with Harewood and Heskey is a little unfair.Keane has always scored goals-fact.He is a step up from what we have-yesterday 3 points were acheived largely because of him.Keane isn't prospect for the future but neither was Merson.in my view I welcome good players short or long term with enthusiasm.

i have regularly read proven, international players being slagged of in this forum before they've kicked a ball.In Villas current state I think some comments on this thread were a little unreasonable for a player of Keanes quality

[damon loves JT]

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.

[Toronto Villa]

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.

Years and years of hostility. The make up sex will be just as volatile but over in 30 seconds. Like the praying mantis, I wonder who will get to kill the other first right afterwards?

[Ger Regan]

Only just read McLeish's post-match comments re. Keane. Interesting, looks like a stab at taking him permanently might well be in the offing.

[Matt Collins]

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.

[Louzie0]

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.

Years and years of hostility. The make up sex will be just as volatile but over in 30 seconds. Like the praying mantis, I wonder who will get to kill the other first right afterwards?

Is anybody taking bets?
 
Perhaps it could be pre-match entertainment.  Not that villa fans are voyeuristic.  Well, probably no more than any other FC fanbase.  If it's Premier League, rather than, say Conference.  But not that I am, at all...
I'll stop digging. *puts the top back on the red wine*

[PaulWinch again]

I just keep watching his second goal, brilliant.

[Mazrim]

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.

[Brend'Watkins]

Keane now needs one more goal with us to score more than half the league goals he managed in his entire time at Liverpool where he cost £19 million. 

By the time he goes back to America wouldn't it be nice to see him surpass his Liverpool league tally or better still double what he did.