I never said anything about shocking errors, I'm talking about moments of inexperience and every time I've seen him for Leicester he's had one or two of them. But he'll grow out of it and, as you say, by and large he's done very well. My only point is that he doesn't look as mature as Evans did for Sunderland. No shame in that.
Michael Keane
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I never said anything about shocking errors, I'm talking about moments of inexperience and every time I've seen him for Leicester he's had one or two of them. But he'll grow out of it and, as you say, by and large he's done very well. My only point is that he doesn't look as mature as Evans did for Sunderland. No shame in that.
It should be mentioned that when Evans was Keane's age he had played almost 3 times as many league-matches. Michael Keane lacks a lot of experience because he was so small. As I recall he hardly played a match at academy-level
Again these are all just harmless comparisons but Im still of the opinion that Evans was in a different class at the same age.
Look at his performance against Spain on his debut for NI. Man of the match. He hadnt even played for Sunderland or United at that stage.
Look at his performance against Spain on his debut for NI. Man of the match. He hadnt even played for Sunderland or United at that stage.
Yep, that is true. He was definitely a late bloomer physically and was held back through the ranks by it. Almost all his u18s games were at right back due to it (and the Thorpe/Fornasier partnership).
He's definitely behind where Evans was at the same age, but that doesn't say anything about his potential. He has the potential to be United class if he continues to progress.
I could be wrong, but Decotron seems to have a little thing about talking him down since he's overtaken Thorpe in the pecking order..
I was talking about style of play more than anything. He's not the most physical lad but he's got some class about him.
People obsess far too much with how good people were at certain ages. Players develop at different rates - always have, always will. Evans was definitely further along at this point than Keane is but that doesn't really have any bearing on how they'll compare further down the line.
I've been a big Evans fan since his youth team days and if pushed I'd probably say I'm not sure Keane has quite the same potential in him, but look at how much Keane has improved in the last couple of years - from not making his U18 debut until well after his 17th birthday and being a largely unimpressive right-back in that Youth Cup winning season to shining in the Championship and getting England U21 recognition 18 months or so later. Perhaps the most marked/rapid improvement I can remember in a youngster at United, so who knows just how good he can become?
I've been a big Evans fan since his youth team days and if pushed I'd probably say I'm not sure Keane has quite the same potential in him, but look at how much Keane has improved in the last couple of years - from not making his U18 debut until well after his 17th birthday and being a largely unimpressive right-back in that Youth Cup winning season to shining in the Championship and getting England U21 recognition 18 months or so later. Perhaps the most marked/rapid improvement I can remember in a youngster at United, so who knows just how good he can become?
He was underrated at right back in that FA Youth Cup winning side. He certainly kept Raheem Sterling fairly quiet apart from a few moments of his explosive pace in that tie.
He must have shot up by at least 4 inches since then, and he's still pretty undeveloped in terms of muscle size/ strength which are pretty important for a bloody centre back!! He perhaps is short of a yard of pace on the turn (a bit like Evans was early in his career), but that will improve as he gets stronger and his anticipation will improve as he gets more experienced.
To some people this might sound crazy, but I think he has a decent chance of being a better centre back for us than Smalling..
He must have shot up by at least 4 inches since then, and he's still pretty undeveloped in terms of muscle size/ strength which are pretty important for a bloody centre back!! He perhaps is short of a yard of pace on the turn (a bit like Evans was early in his career), but that will improve as he gets stronger and his anticipation will improve as he gets more experienced.
To some people this might sound crazy, but I think he has a decent chance of being a better centre back for us than Smalling..
Didnt see that one coming!
if he has done why would it bother me on a personal level ? I like Keane and have no problem with him.Its impossible to say where they both are in a Versus each other type argument. Obviously with the first team experience Keane would be but equally that experience doesnt mean hes the better footballer.
Id still argue that Thorpe if developing his attributes accordingly has a higher ceiling than Keane.
Its a tricky game making these predictions, look at how McShane and Spector turned out.
I was disappointed that he didnt redeclare for Ireland but that situation was nothing to do with him. All fault lay with the Ireland camp on that one.
Fair enough, I guess I put 2 and 2 together and made 15
Its no secret Im a big fan of Thorpe but he could easily drop off and not develop over the coming years. So if that happens I'll edit my posts in this thread and jump camps
The one thing that Keane does every game that annoys the hell out of me is that he tries to nick the ball high up the pitch and gets caught out of position by a little bit of clever play from the strikers. He isn't quick enough to get back 20-30 yards into position in a reasonable time and the sooner he sorts that out the better.
If this is what Elliott is talking about, then he's correct about moments of inexperience.
If this is what Elliott is talking about, then he's correct about moments of inexperience.
Yeah against Millwall he was largely responsible for Wes Morgan's red card as he did that very thing.
Doesn't Vidic attack balls like those all the time ? Think both Centre backs generally try and push up while being aggressive at Leicester under instructions. Though, i agree his choice making in terms of what balls to attack can be better.
Konchesky was more responsible for that goal, i thought. His positioning while trying to get to the ball coming towards them was wrong. Plus Morgan himself with the initial attempt and then the tackle didn't cover himself in glory either.
Konchesky was more responsible for that goal, i thought. His positioning while trying to get to the ball coming towards them was wrong. Plus Morgan himself with the initial attempt and then the tackle didn't cover himself in glory either.
Keane - 7 - Held his ground, nothing got past him
Keane 7 - Gave his man no change.
Keane 8 like Morgan snuffed out any threat
Keane 8 - had a strong game both in terms of defending and in supporting the passing game
Keane 7 Very solid first half. Looks much better alongside Wes.
Keane - 8 - Dealt with everything in the same vein as Morgan. The pair of them seem to have a very good knack of knowing when to either completely clear their lines or play it patiently from the back. If we could keep him for another season regardless of our division, I'd be delighted - though I remember reading SAF doesn't like his kids going out twice to the same side to stop attachment? If anyone could ratify this, cheers.
http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/topic/87341-player-ratings-vs-brighton-a/page__st__20
Had a good game again to Brighton away today, it seems.
Keane 7 - Gave his man no change.
Keane 8 like Morgan snuffed out any threat
Keane 8 - had a strong game both in terms of defending and in supporting the passing game
Keane 7 Very solid first half. Looks much better alongside Wes.
Keane - 8 - Dealt with everything in the same vein as Morgan. The pair of them seem to have a very good knack of knowing when to either completely clear their lines or play it patiently from the back. If we could keep him for another season regardless of our division, I'd be delighted - though I remember reading SAF doesn't like his kids going out twice to the same side to stop attachment? If anyone could ratify this, cheers.
http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/topic/87341-player-ratings-vs-brighton-a/page__st__20
Had a good game again to Brighton away today, it seems.
Going up against Birmingham and Ravel right now, in a televised game.
Should be interesting to see how he deals with Zigic
Apparently he assisted Leicester's goal.
Don't think so. It was a own goal from a corner with Morgan pressuring Davies?
And he just misses a sitter from another corner.
It's 1-1 right now. Leicester dominated the whole game. Created atleast 8/9 chances but just can't bury them. Particularly Schlupp.
One thing noticeable about Keane is now, that he is getting better in the Air each game. Real threat from corners now and even defensively won many headers against Zigic.
One thing noticeable about Keane is now, that he is getting better in the Air each game. Real threat from corners now and even defensively won many headers against Zigic.
Can tell Schlupp is a good player, but incredibly raw and lacking in composure.
Keane is absolute class, IMO. Just wish he'd 'put his body on the line' as much defensively as he does attacking the ball.
Keane is absolute class, IMO. Just wish he'd 'put his body on the line' as much defensively as he does attacking the ball.
FFS Nugent. Was outside the box though.
Agree on both points.
Schlupp reminds me of Anichebe almost. Can possibly be better too.
Keane is putting his body more on the line aerially now. Both defensively and attacking wise. Just needs to make more blocks/diving tackles etc.. when required. Though not too worried about it, as he will get better though he will always be more of a Evans/Rio type of defender than a Vidic.
Keane has made strides this season. Great stuff.
Think he will be able to step up to the PL next season with or without Leicester. Looks a top talent.
How's his pace like? If he turns out anything like Jonny Evans or Wes Brown, it'll be great
Keane has the talent to match Jonny Evans...a tremendous talent
Wonder if the Keanes will turn out like the Da Silvas? The allegedly less talented brother gets better luck with injuries and turns out the better player?
I popped my own ACL in January, so have been looking out for news of a comeback from Will with a bit more curiosity than I would otherwise. fecking horrible injury. Really takes it out of you. Can't even imagine playing football, nearly 4 months on.
I popped my own ACL in January, so have been looking out for news of a comeback from Will with a bit more curiosity than I would otherwise. fecking horrible injury. Really takes it out of you. Can't even imagine playing football, nearly 4 months on.
Have to say after being quite critical of him earlier in this thread it looks like this loan has done him a world of good, watched the Leicester brum game and he looked very good, good positioning, good on the ball and did really well in the oppositions box attacking the ball in the air.
Maybe a loan to someone like Wigan, Norwich or even Villa would do him sone good next season.
Maybe a loan to someone like Wigan, Norwich or even Villa would do him sone good next season.
Michael has never been the less talented brother - he was just smaller, and less developed physically. When Michael couldn't get a start in the U18 because he was too small - Solskjaer said he was gonna be a great player.
I do indeed consider him to be the slightly less talented brother. Very talented, mind, just not quite as natural as his bro.
Nice to see he had another good game. Did he hit any of those sexy passes out to the wings?
Nice to see he had another good game. Did he hit any of those sexy passes out to the wings?
The bits I've seen of him at Leicester suggest he's well worth persevering with here. He might not ultimately become a first team player here but in terms of improvement he's flying along.
I missed the play off game last night. How did the lad get on? What's the current feeling from the Leicester fans as to his progress?
Most on the Foxestalk forum are rating him a "7" for his game last night, in their player ratings thread.
"Just edges Morgan in the defence tonight. Very cool head for his age, and unlucky not to bury his most audacious of goalscoring chances."
"Great in the air and distribution was good but lost Vydra a few times"
I also did a quick search on there for threads about him, and he seems popular. There's one thread asking if they could have him permanently, and another asking about the best way to replace him.
If they come up he should stay there for a season in the prem IMO.
He's good enough for a Prem loan next season imo. His partnership with Morgan is pretty good and if Leciester go up I think they'll make an effort to keep him for another season. If not then a loan to another lower Prem club or one of the newly promoted ones look likely. Hopefully his career trajectory follows a similar path to Jonny Evans.
Thanks all.
Am definitely hoping that his career path follows that of Evans. Would be great to have another Keane in the first team squad!
Equally I'm hoping that his brother get his career back on track next season. Has obviously been an horrendous injury to keep him out as long as it has.
Am definitely hoping that his career path follows that of Evans. Would be great to have another Keane in the first team squad!
Equally I'm hoping that his brother get his career back on track next season. Has obviously been an horrendous injury to keep him out as long as it has.
...I was just writing about how they reckon on Foxestalk that SAF has a rule where he doesn't loan a player to the same club twice.
Then I remembered that isn't a factor anymore. Dammit.
Then I remembered that isn't a factor anymore. Dammit.
Also Jonny Evans went to Sunderland twice.
If he goes back on loan, Rio is another season older...might be a decent transition.