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Keane needs to deliver
Tom Collomosse04.03.09
When Tottenham clinched the deal to bring back Robbie Keane from Liverpool in January, Harry Redknapp indicated it would be the most important of his transfer-window signings. Against Middlesbrough tonight, Keane must prove to his weary team-mates why Redknapp went to such lengths to sign him.
Although Spurs claimed a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and a 2-1 win over Hull in Keane's first two matches since he returned, the Irishman was some way from his best in those games and still appeared affected by his nightmare six months at Anfield.
Redknapp believes Keane will be as much of an influence off the pitch as he is on it and had no hesitation in making the 28-year-old captain, in preference to Ledley King, when he arrived.
There can be no better moment for Keane to justify such faith, especially with some of Spurs' other strong personalities like King and Jermain Defoe absent through injury.
But regardless of his qualities within the squad, it is only through scoring goals - and quickly - that Keane can make a real impression.
No Spurs striker has found the net since Darren Bent's double in the 3-2 defeat at Bolton on 31 January. And with both Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko looking short of form in the Carling Cup Final defeat by Manchester United, Keane must pick up the baton.
Unlike many of his colleagues, Keane should be on his game after missing Wembley, as well as the two UEFA Cup clashes against Shakhtar Donetsk, because he was cup-tied.
With Gareth Southgate's struggling side knowing a win would take them one point above Spurs, Redknapp is certainly counting on Keane.
He said: "I am hoping that Robbie will now come in and score some goals. You are looking for your forwards to weigh in with the goals. I think Robbie is going to be vital and he is fresh.
"It is difficult to know why we have struggled for goals at home. When Defoe came in, I could see us going on a run and scoring many. We beat Stoke 3-1, Jermain scored and we played fantastically. But then he got injured. With so many teams involved in the relegation battle, this is the tightest situation at the bottom I can remember."
Redknapp was careful to talk up Boro's prospects after the Carling Cup Final, claiming Southgate's team would have relished watching Spurs battle for 120 minutes for no reward. But Boro have won only two away games in the League all season, so Spurs are strong favourites.
How Redknapp would have felt better if he had managed to sign Stewart Downing from Boro during the transfer window. The Teessiders rejected a £15million bid from Spurs for the winger, with the Londoners' pursuit of Downing the source of much acrimony between the clubs.
Boro believed attempts were made to unsettle Downing, and though they held onto him, they may be powerless to stop the in-form England winger from leaving this summer.
Southgate said: "We just have to show him that he can fulfil his hopes here."
Reader views (10)
we won't go down but i think that there will be a few more hearts in the mouth days before the end of the season... that's what you sign up for when you surport the once mighty SPURS...
- Rob, london
That didn't look like they were weak all over the park last night (Against Middlesbourgh). We should never have sold Keane in the first place and I'm glad he's back.
This season has been a mess and the sooner were safe the better.
Sorry Ted for calling you a gooner, I just hate negitavity as it's us no where.
I predict we finish in the top 10.... !
- Mark, St Albans
thanks lee i have often wondered where watford was
- Ian From London,London England, ilford essex
I really cannot beleive some people especially fellow, supposedly spurs fans. The club just played the game of their lives against the BEST team in the world and people are talking negative. I for one belive we will comfortably stay up and go onto better things if we play with the same courage as during the carling cup final. Shame on you..
- Philipthe Spur, Ware
Why is it Arsenal supporters will like spurs to go down, but they won't!
Football is about ifs and buts, Tonight is not win all lose all, 3 extra points would benefit the team and push them up...
I hope Harry starts to see how many quality players we have and all supporters will see how many players will roll their sleeves up work for the team.
- Adrian, london
Unless Spurs win tonight there is every chance they will go down,and everyone outside of Spurs will not shed a tear as their fans are so deluded and think they are better than they actually are.
- Lee From Watford, Watford,England
Well said Ted!Myself being a Life long Tottenham supporter from the same era.I feel we are in real danger of going down.'arry knows the team is lacking in most departments but we also lack a real leader on the pitch.The last time we were in this situation J.Klinsmann showed the way!Being optamistic i believe we will just about scrape it this season!
- Alan, Bromley U.K.
Mark, St. Albans asks me if I'm "a gooner?"
No, Mark, simply a realistic Spur. Been one for 57years. Seen some decent Spurs teams, including the great one circa 1960 - 1967, plus the 1979 - 1984 outfit.
The present team are weak all over the park and I reckon they are going down. Hope I'm wrong, but there you go.
- Ted, London
Ted,
Yet another negative comment. Are you a gooner!!!??
"Weak all over the park".... eh? This is the same team that held Manchester United for 120 mins on sunday and although they didn't field their strongest team, neither did we.
I really think you need to call specksavers because its not the same team everyone else is seeing.
We will stay up and will come back strongly next season. You'll have to pick another team to watch in the championship cos spurs are staying up....
- Mark, St Albans
The Keane signing was too little too late for Spurs. The team looks weak all over the park, and I'm afraid the whole club has that hapless `loser look' from top to bottom.
Can't see beyond Championship football for once proud Tottenham Hotspur. I hope they prove me wrong, but I really think the game is up.
- Ted, London
