2020/21 Michael Keane

[Barnfred 55]

That is the way I see it also. With Coleman and Digne being marauding full backs space was plentiful for the opposition. We are now a so called low block squeezing spaces and this suits Mina and Keane as they are less likely to be pulled out of natural position to cover the full backs. This is something for Carlo to reach a comprimise and maybe use our midfield as cover. Either way the coleman, digne way will create more goals yet concede more goals so we are between a rock and a hard place.

Think Carlo need to mix it up depending on who we are playing. The important thing is that we win, i.e score more than our opponents. Not bothered if we don't keep a clean sheet provided we score more than them.

Against the lesser teams, we should be able to open the game up. Against the better teams it's probably better to keep things tight and hope for a set piece or a screamer.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I actually think it's not so much the high line (obviously, to some degree this would mean he'd need pace around him). For me, as I've maintained since we signed him and from knowledge of Burnley through working there and from a mate in work who is a season ticket holder.. I appreciate you've said what im saying as well and im backing up but just as the main issue.

His issues come with us from having full backs who attack, who leave wide areas exposed and therefore Keane massively exposed. At Burnley, he had full backs who did not attack, or very rarely attacked. He was always protected at the side and was able to focus on using strength and size to get the better of his striker. He came to us, had Baines and Coleman who bombed on, suddenly being asked to defend very, very differently. Having a more defensive shape/structure to us has allowed him to blossom. CA came in, IMMEDIATELY saw that we were vulnerable at the back and stopped the full backs being so attacking. Immediately Keane looked a better footballer, now he's proven what he can do consistently.

In theory, a back three with Keane in the middle would be ideal for him, but doing a back 3 means you need many players able to paly the system which you never know until you try I guess. If we ever went back blind attacking football he would be shown up again.

Fair play to teh lad, taken a lot of stick, said he'd gotten therapy. His confidence is high, hes playing well, fans are backing him now, manager rates him. Long may it continue.

A back 3 only works if everybody knows how to function within it, not just the 3 CBs, but everybody else too. We tried it and were ruthlessly exposed. It isn't something you can experiment with during the season IMO. The only positive that came out of that 4 game spell was Iwobi as a potential wing back.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Im not denying he’s been our best defender. I just think he isn’t in the top bracket. City aren’t going to come and drop 50 million on him like they did with Stones, or even the 26 they spent on Lescott to partner Kompany in a title winning team. We’re the best team Keane will play for now. Like I said, unlike some on this team I think he’s always given his best and made the most of his talent, he’s good in the air and he’s good positionally. You can’t invent pace though, you can’t invent a cultured left foot, you can’t invent vocal leadership. He doesn’t have these things. If we wanted to play a high line he’d be horribly exposed.

His passing is actually very good too. If you could combine Mason's composure, pace and leadership qualities with Keane's aerial strength, positioning and passing ability, you would have the perfect centre back.

 

[Bluebonic]

Yep totally agree with that. I think people always made out like he was a lot worse than he was, similar to Iwobi now, and then they're astonished when it turns out they're actually perfectly competent players and so go overboard with their praise. Keane has been really good, he deserves recognition, but I'm with you that he's not right out of the top drawer.

That’s the problem with our fan base though in a nutshell. A player is either world class or utter turd. There is so little allowance for (and appreciation of) simply good! Good at this point does me, because good (consistently good anyhow) wins you cups and gets you up toward if not into the top six.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Yep totally agree with that. I think people always made out like he was a lot worse than he was, similar to Iwobi now, and then they're astonished when it turns out they're actually perfectly competent players and so go overboard with their praise. Keane has been really good, he deserves recognition, but I'm with you that he's not right out of the top drawer.

Playing the style we are playing currently I'm not sure there are many CBs better. He obviously would struggle if we tried to play a high line and press but we aren't doing that under Carlo.

 

[andy4efc]

A back 3 only works if everybody knows how to function within it, not just the 3 CBs, but everybody else too. We tried it and were ruthlessly exposed. It isn't something you can experiment with during the season IMO. The only positive that came out of that 4 game spell was Iwobi as a potential wing back.

Ofcourse I wasnt suggesting its just the defence that adjusts, just that Keane would be the biggest benefit

 

[4737carlin]

Keane has been our best defender this season, it's not even a debate.

People have pre-determined opinions on Keane and he deserves far more credit. He's played every single game too.

Didnt realize he had played every game, he is the first name on Carlo's team sheet

 

[maccavennie]

Shaky start and then was solid again as usual.

 

[sageyefc]

Started the game like he’d started his Christmas celebrations early

 

[The Blue Watch]

He was decent. Everyone was a shambles first twenty minutes. Happy with how he’s turned out so far after it looked like it was another write off.

 

[Zatara]

5 years

 

[Saint Domingo]

Hello darkness my old friend. Step forward the real Michael Keane.

 

[mceverton]

What’s up with big Mick? Hopefully not an injury

 

[ToffeeTim]

Probably in need of a rest on Monday

 

[atypicalusername]

The lad is a big loss. Been an absolute man mountain all season. Athletically gifted man also