The most exciting signing happening since Ronaldo. We have nothing to lose, just money, and we don't seem to care much about it. If he's too old and not playing well, then he'll leave soon. What's wrong with that? Anything is better than trying nothing, and this team has been lacking a decent midfielder for too long. Whatever but Gravesen, García, etc, etc, etc. I would like it to happen.
Better than the Keane who has topped the Premiership's passing attempt and success rate charts for a decade? I don't see what you have to lose with this deal - if it works, your team is significantly improved until the end of the season and possibly for another year. In the event that it doesn't, you're down his wages for six months and can then let him go. Regardless of his age, having one of the stand-out players of his generation can only be a good thing. I'll be surprised if some of the negative opinions here aren't reversed come May.
Ramos was far and away the best man on the field today, playing as a DM. You really want to rethink that statement. My bet is that Ramos will be a consolidated starting DM for RM and for Spain by the WC. It might not be his natural position (although at 19 not that many players have a natural position) but there's a VERY long stretch from there to saying that he doesn't have a clue. I doubt that Keane was playing at Ramos's level, and with Ramos's command of the field and his own team, at age 19.
I doubt that Keane was playing at Ramos's level, and with Ramos's command of the field and his own team, at age 19.[/QUOTE] Your quite right at 19 Roy Keane was playing in the Irish league.
You could have just gave your opinion oh why he was wrong and provided your rationale. The insults were uncalled for and don't make you look smart.
Signing Keane isn't that big of a risk as many mentioned earlier in the thread. Plus, Keane will have a lot to prove so he will be marketable next summer. My guess is he'll try to control himself and contribute. It might not end of being a great move, but I don't see how a short term contract can be a bad one.
I didn't see the game today, and thus can't comment on it. The fact that he's been red carded so many times this season is a good indication of his ability to play DM. We'll see if he ever gets the hang of it. I don't think he will. Then again, I've never thought much of him and thought the price tag ridiculous.
After the events of recent weeks, what more would have to happen for me to be surprised? Sure, Keane has pedigree, he's proven a leader for years, but in Madrid? Given the lethargy of the midfield in recent games, another 30+ player might not be the most obvious solution. Either Perez is desperate for some quick fix, or this will be the stroke of madness/genius that finally sees some improvement in the team. As others have said, lets give Keane a chance, see if something good comes of it, and if not, we don't lose too much anyway. As long as injuries don't come into play, the language/cultural/playing style difference isn't too huge, Roy might have something to say about this season yet? Now what happens to Gravesen, thats the real point for me. Call me illogical, but i still maintain i'd rather see Gravesen start than Garcia, but i must be in the minority. Add Keane into the picture, is this goodbye Tommy?
I think he saw both reds playing as a CB - still, it takes time for a player from a mid-table team to adapt to the high-risk environment of a RM defence. Plus he's 19, he has a right to be a bit green at this stage. Believe me, I used to be in your camp on this (check my past posts on his price tag), and the guy has just changed my opinion of him completely. He is incredibly strong and fast, puts 101% of his heart into it and has more than adequate skill. Plus, when he's played DM (not so much when he plays CB) he just looks like he owns the place. Gravesen and Garcia (let alone Keane) look like arthritic old men beside him. Watch him for a couple of full games at DM, and there's no way you won't change your opinion.
I'm in the same boat. Now that Caro is playing with two DM's, a position next to a more defensive pivot is much better suited for Gravesen than anything under Luxa. Garcia is too slow and lacks the passing/setup ability to play in Caro's system. Don't know about Keane, although whatever problems Gravesen had coming from a physical league to playing in Spain, Keane will have those problems times 10. I can understand why Guti is first choice for the second spot. He's played so many different attacking positions that he's a shoo-in for the second pivot. Hell, he could even take Baptista's spot as AMC and the lineup would still be strong, especially considering that Guti is a much better dribbler than Baptista, and he's better at maintaining possession. If it were up to me, it would be a battle/rotation between Baptista, Zidane, Guti and Gravesen (and Raul, when he comes back) for three spots -- AMC, AML, and second pivot. But it's not up to me, so a transfer out to ManU or Everton is most likely in the cards for Gravesen.
OK, I'll wait and see, I guess. I tend to get few Real games in New York since I don't have Gol TV (I've seen 4 or 5 this year, not counting CL games) but I'll have the opportunity to see a lot more in the New Year. I guess I'll have to reserve judgment. I'll probably make it to Madrid this winter for a weekend, hopefully he'll impress me when I visit the Bernabeu again. EDIT: dmar - we can settle up our bet then. You can buy me a San Miguel or a Mahou.
As I said in a previous post, our problem is not needing a DM, but having a good passer in that zone of the field. At least of them has been while playing at CB. And a couple were really harsh calls. Plus, when the team was playing overall like crap and everyone looked out of his mind, specially a 19-old who is new to the position. IMO those cards aren't really indicative. You might have a point if the trend continued for the whole year. It's really too soon for you to pass judgement like that. Wasn't Gravesen the most apprecieated midfielder in the EPL when we signed him according to some stats? ...we are paying him 3 million € in half a year and introducing a potential time-bomb in the dressing room. Plus, Florentino should be trying some mid-term solution instead of yet another smokescreen. Provided you come here not before Spring (when I'll be done with being very very busy with finally ending college), you're on, and make it a Mahou Clásica.
You misunderstood the politeness of the people in this forum. It would be more accurate to write that you don't know what you are talking about.
Take it easy. He is a human, not a monster. If he can contribute on the pitch, the signing will do good to RM. If he can't, I don't think he will cause much trouble. It'll be anyway a short term contract. Worth trying~~ Gravesen used to be a player with strong character also. He dominated in Everton. But he makes no noise here so far.
its amazing that people think that keane is going to be bad for madrid?? Roy Keane is the kind of leader that Real desperatly need, Real never really recovered from the loss of makalele and the stars have nobody on the pitch to get the most out of them and keane is your man in this regard. i mean Real are dropping points to ordinary sides in la liga and with Keane being cup tied he will get the league aspirations back on track. to say that he is not good enough is laughable, id bet any money that if Keane was from Italy or Spain there would be no bad comments, istead of the aging veteren losing skill he would suddenly be the experienced leader ,the Spanish are just jealous that the man to sort out their problems happens to be Irish, live with it and dont criticise a man who is a true legend of the game. Give the man a chance before you run him down ye arrogant ba$tards
Cool, if everything goes according to plan, I'll probably have free time again in March. I'd say that the first person who has brought his nationality in this thread is you. You're over-reacting because we happen to think we don't need our local boy. Personally I couldn't care less where he is from. BTW, Keane is Cup-tied.
ye dont need him but how far are ye behind barca?? the thing is that ye know ye need him, as for the nationality thing im right because ye wouldnt mention it because Ireland isnt cosidered to be a big soccer nation, its the same at Chelsea Damien Duff plays unreal week in week out but Robben is always considered to be a better player just because hes from the continent, its the same thing with Keane. All that i ask is that you give him respect and dont run him down unless he plays poorly its not much to ask. I mean hes probably going to be the best free signing ye are likely to get
6 points. Not a huge gap. And if you've read the thread, you'll se we differ in our appreciations of what we need. Certainly not another DM who is very famous but past his prime, will earn 3M in half a year, is cup-tied and has a conflictive personality. Those are facts, and are independent of where he's from. BTW I was just having a look at a chat in As and it seems like everyone is thinking the same. It seems we are tired of very hyped players that just don't end up fitting well. What if he proves me wrong? Fine, I'll eat my words then. But that doesn't stop me of thinking he's not what we need now.
i know and understand that but i mean it is fair to say that Graveson has not been successful there and to have keane at yer disposal can only be an asset imo, i know that ye need to look to the future but real arent a team who like to do that they demand results instantly and keane even at his age will organise and motivate the "stars" and that ye do lack