2020/21 Michael Keane

[sladen90]

Two great Irish players at the club. Great attitude. Coupled with the South American mentality its all good. Ad ive said before. Attitude, Attitude,Attitude. This is the new Ancelotti way...

Forgive me if I'm being thick..... But who's the 2 Irish players? Coleman and?

 

[voodoobloo]

Two great Irish players at the club. Great attitude. Coupled with the South American mentality its all good. Ad ive said before. Attitude, Attitude,Attitude. This is the new Ancelotti way...

Am I being thick? Are you suggesting Keane is Irish?

 

[ArtetaMagic]

Forgive me if I'm being thick..... But who's the 2 Irish players? Coleman and?

Sheedy mate

 

[Leylo]

Forgive me if I'm being thick..... But who's the 2 Irish players? Coleman and?

Keane he's got a dxck the shape of a shamrock lol

 

[SteStocksDJ]

We were one of the PL’s top goal scoring teams from set pieces last season I think.

We look even more dangerous this season.

The delivery is near perfect every time

 

[Kever10]

He's definitely not better than prime Jagielka mate. Jags was unbelievable at his best.

But I will say, Keane looks very good at the mo. Happy for him too as he seems a very decent lad.

I never really got the hype with Jags tbh. He was quick, and he was loyal and always gave his all, but I don't think he was a top player in the slightest. He became a fan favourite because he had the clean cut image and was captain in our most successful team of recent years, relatively speaking of course.

Add to that the absolute worldy Derby goal, which is instant hero materiał, and that he had the misfortune of getting the serious injury to miss the cup final, so he also had the loveable loser "Everton that" bad luck that endeared him to us all.

But honestly, I never got the shouts for him being a top player. He had several really good partners, notably Lescott and Distin, and was admittedly part of a very strong defensive unit under Moyes, but I also vividly remember watching him consistently push to the half way line on the right hand side of the pitch and either, take too much time, check, and pass it all the way back to Howard or launch a ridiculous diagonal percentage ball straight out for a goal kick in attempt to emulate Heitinga's passing ability. It gives me anxiety thinking about it.

And that's not even taking into consideration the amount of goals we conceded that deflected off him and completely wrong footed Howard. Someone said the other day that they can't forgive Lucas Neill for the deflected Rosicky goal vs Arsenal. I'd love to see the actual number of deflected goals that went in off Jagielkas last gasp lunges. At 1 point it seemed to be virtually every goal we conceded. If they counted as own goals, I'm convinced he'd be in the 20s or 30s.

I also think he was something of a let down as a captain. He led by example as a professional, which is fair enough, but he wasn't vocal enough and never seemed like a true leader, just someone everyone liked.

Like I say, he was a good servant, seemed to be a lovely fella, and for his Derby goal, loyalty, commitment and longevity, he will always be fondly remembered. But other than his pace, I don't think he had 1 stand out quality as a top player or defender, and for me, was just fairly average.

 

[mkrudden]

I never really got the hype with Jags tbh. He was quick, and he was loyal and always gave his all, but I don't think he was a top player in the slightest. He became a fan favourite because he had the clean cut image and was captain in our most successful team of recent years, relatively speaking of course.

Add to that the absolute worldy Derby goal, which is instant hero materiał, and that he had the misfortune of getting the serious injury to miss the cup final, so he also had the loveable loser "Everton that" bad luck that endeared him to us all.

But honestly, I never got the shouts for him being a top player. He had several really good partners, notably Lescott and Distin, and was admittedly part of a very strong defensive unit under Moyes, but I also vividly remember watching him consistently push to the half way line on the right hand side of the pitch and either, take too much time, check, and pass it all the way back to Howard or launch a ridiculous diagonal percentage ball straight out for a goal kick in attempt to emulate Heitinga's passing ability. It gives me anxiety thinking about it.

And that's not even taking into consideration the amount of goals we conceded that deflected off him and completely wrong footed Howard. Someone said the other day that they can't forgive Lucas Neill for the deflected Rosicky goal vs Arsenal. I'd love to see the actual number of deflected goals that went in off Jagielkas last gasp lunges. At 1 point it seemed to be virtually every goal we conceded. If they counted as own goals, I'm convinced he'd be in the 20s or 30s.

I also think he was something of a let down as a captain. He led by example as a professional, which is fair enough, but he wasn't vocal enough and never seemed like a true leader, just someone everyone liked.

Like I say, he was a good servant, seemed to be a lovely fella, and for his Derby goal, loyalty, commitment and longevity, he will always be fondly remembered. But other than his pace, I don't think he had 1 stand out quality as a top player or defender, and for me, was just fairly average.

All I'd say mate is, if you admit he had a lot of good partners, could it not be that it had something to do with his quality rather than just each one of theirs?

 

[ToffeeTim]

I did say recently that I thought he was our best defender. i think he's having a very good start to the season.

If he can keep being a threat in the opposition box, then that's a bonus.

 

[Cameron Manning]

I never really got the hype with Jags tbh. He was quick, and he was loyal and always gave his all, but I don't think he was a top player in the slightest. He became a fan favourite because he had the clean cut image and was captain in our most successful team of recent years, relatively speaking of course.

Add to that the absolute worldy Derby goal, which is instant hero materiał, and that he had the misfortune of getting the serious injury to miss the cup final, so he also had the loveable loser "Everton that" bad luck that endeared him to us all.

But honestly, I never got the shouts for him being a top player. He had several really good partners, notably Lescott and Distin, and was admittedly part of a very strong defensive unit under Moyes, but I also vividly remember watching him consistently push to the half way line on the right hand side of the pitch and either, take too much time, check, and pass it all the way back to Howard or launch a ridiculous diagonal percentage ball straight out for a goal kick in attempt to emulate Heitinga's passing ability. It gives me anxiety thinking about it.

And that's not even taking into consideration the amount of goals we conceded that deflected off him and completely wrong footed Howard. Someone said the other day that they can't forgive Lucas Neill for the deflected Rosicky goal vs Arsenal. I'd love to see the actual number of deflected goals that went in off Jagielkas last gasp lunges. At 1 point it seemed to be virtually every goal we conceded. If they counted as own goals, I'm convinced he'd be in the 20s or 30s.

I also think he was something of a let down as a captain. He led by example as a professional, which is fair enough, but he wasn't vocal enough and never seemed like a true leader, just someone everyone liked.

Like I say, he was a good servant, seemed to be a lovely fella, and for his Derby goal, loyalty, commitment and longevity, he will always be fondly remembered. But other than his pace, I don't think he had 1 stand out quality as a top player or defender, and for me, was just fairly average.

I agree with almost all of that but he’s still twice as good, at least, as Keane.

 

[Kever10]

All I'd say mate is, if you admit he had a lot of good partners, could it not be that it had something to do with his quality rather than just each one of theirs?

He was definitely part of a good unit, but that unit often had Neville in the side as well, either at full back or Centre mid, and he was hardly a great player either. He was reliable, and professional, and always gave 100%, and for me they are similar. I would say Jagielka was a better athlete than Neville, and like i say, he was, at his best, very fast. But I never felt confident with either of them on the ball, either carrying it or passing.

I always thought Jags used his pace well to cover for a lack of positional sense, which is why the last gasp lunge became his trademark, and why we conceded so many deflected goals, but I don't think he was as good or as intelligent at reading the game as say, Heitinga, who somewhat unfairly in comparison, didn't have the blood and thunder style or pace of Jags, and therefore came across like he was giving less effort. But he barely ever needed to leave his feet, because he read the game so well.

Neither of them were particularly great in the air, as they were both on the smaller side for CBs and Jagielka was obviously faster, plus he had the whole "returning to Everton, die for the shirt" attitude that people love, while Heitinga often had the calm, laid back demeanour that continental players often have, that, coupled with his superior reading of the game, made it appear as though he didn't care. Personally, I would say that at their respective peaks, Heitinga was the better player. But both were lucky to have Distin as a partner who was fantastic.

I should probably say at this point, that I wouldn't say Keane is outstanding on the ball either, but oddly, I feel more confident when he has it than I did when Jags did. Keane is also deceptively quick, and seems to read the game well. His passing is largely very good, even if he mostly keeps it simple. And honestly, I don't think we've had a defender as good in the air since Gough, maybe Weir.

I just think, if he can continue to build on this current form, grow in confidence and stature and continue to grow under Ancelotti, he has the makings of a very good player for us, which I did not forsee myself thinking in those 1st 18 months after we signed him. Someone rightly pointed out that he did have a terrible foot injury in that 1st year, as well as a concussion, and I think that effected both his confidence and his performances. I'm glad he seems to have moved past that, and just hope he keeps up the good work, including chipping in with the goals like he has done since the restart. He could end up being a very good player for us, and if we do manage to win something under Carlo, Keane would instantly be a hero here too.

 

[blueblue]

Forgive me if I'm being thick..... But who's the 2 Irish players? Coleman and?

Keane chose to play for England, but I think he was eligible for Ireland.... so, half Irish.

We had players in the Jack Charlton era whose connection to Ireland were vary vague, so Keane would be in good company.

 

[Terrarian]

I think Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect manager for a lot of our lads from a psychological standpoint, he'll put an arm around everyone and make them feel a million quid, no more crisis of confidence and Keane is one who will benefit the most

 

[rochdaleblue]

I never really got the hype with Jags tbh. He was quick, and he was loyal and always gave his all, but I don't think he was a top player in the slightest. He became a fan favourite because he had the clean cut image and was captain in our most successful team of recent years, relatively speaking of course.

Add to that the absolute worldy Derby goal, which is instant hero materiał, and that he had the misfortune of getting the serious injury to miss the cup final, so he also had the loveable loser "Everton that" bad luck that endeared him to us all.

But honestly, I never got the shouts for him being a top player. He had several really good partners, notably Lescott and Distin, and was admittedly part of a very strong defensive unit under Moyes, but I also vividly remember watching him consistently push to the half way line on the right hand side of the pitch and either, take too much time, check, and pass it all the way back to Howard or launch a ridiculous diagonal percentage ball straight out for a goal kick in attempt to emulate Heitinga's passing ability. It gives me anxiety thinking about it.

And that's not even taking into consideration the amount of goals we conceded that deflected off him and completely wrong footed Howard. Someone said the other day that they can't forgive Lucas Neill for the deflected Rosicky goal vs Arsenal. I'd love to see the actual number of deflected goals that went in off Jagielkas last gasp lunges. At 1 point it seemed to be virtually every goal we conceded. If they counted as own goals, I'm convinced he'd be in the 20s or 30s.

I also think he was something of a let down as a captain. He led by example as a professional, which is fair enough, but he wasn't vocal enough and never seemed like a true leader, just someone everyone liked.

Like I say, he was a good servant, seemed to be a lovely fella, and for his Derby goal, loyalty, commitment and longevity, he will always be fondly remembered. But other than his pace, I don't think he had 1 stand out quality as a top player or defender, and for me, was just fairly average.

Think that’s unbelievably harsh in my opinion. Ok he didn’t read the game like Bobby Moore, but I’d take a Phil Jagielka in his prime over any of the centre halves at the club at present.

 

[BigDuncTributeBand]

He was definitely part of a good unit, but that unit often had Neville in the side as well, either at full back or Centre mid, and he was hardly a great player either. He was reliable, and professional, and always gave 100%, and for me they are similar. I would say Jagielka was a better athlete than Neville, and like i say, he was, at his best, very fast. But I never felt confident with either of them on the ball, either carrying it or passing.

I always thought Jags used his pace well to cover for a lack of positional sense, which is why the last gasp lunge became his trademark, and why we conceded so many deflected goals, but I don't think he was as good or as intelligent at reading the game as say, Heitinga, who somewhat unfairly in comparison, didn't have the blood and thunder style or pace of Jags, and therefore came across like he was giving less effort. But he barely ever needed to leave his feet, because he read the game so well.

Neither of them were particularly great in the air, as they were both on the smaller side for CBs and Jagielka was obviously faster, plus he had the whole "returning to Everton, die for the shirt" attitude that people love, while Heitinga often had the calm, laid back demeanour that continental players often have, that, coupled with his superior reading of the game, made it appear as though he didn't care. Personally, I would say that at their respective peaks, Heitinga was the better player. But both were lucky to have Distin as a partner who was fantastic.

I should probably say at this point, that I wouldn't say Keane is outstanding on the ball either, but oddly, I feel more confident when he has it than I did when Jags did. Keane is also deceptively quick, and seems to read the game well. His passing is largely very good, even if he mostly keeps it simple. And honestly, I don't think we've had a defender as good in the air since Gough, maybe Weir.

I just think, if he can continue to build on this current form, grow in confidence and stature and continue to grow under Ancelotti, he has the makings of a very good player for us, which I did not forsee myself thinking in those 1st 18 months after we signed him. Someone rightly pointed out that he did have a terrible foot injury in that 1st year, as well as a concussion, and I think that effected both his confidence and his performances. I'm glad he seems to have moved past that, and just hope he keeps up the good work, including chipping in with the goals like he has done since the restart. He could end up being a very good player for us, and if we do manage to win something under Carlo, Keane would instantly be a hero here too.

The game’s all about opinions and you’re absolutely entitled to yours, ridiculous though it is.

 

[random]

With regards to the above post and reading the game

Paolo Maldini: "If I have to make a tackle then I have already made a mistake."

I read somewhere he averaged about 0.50 challenges per game, he believed in positioning and reading the game over tackling everytime