Michael Keane

[AjaxAndy]

I don't think there's been any 'gotcha' comments, people are just highlighting that despite some posters being pretty vociferous in their criticism of us offering a new contract, with comments calling him absolute shite, we'd be better off just signing any random CB if we want a 4th choice / play Myko there if needed etc etc, that he's played well and shown it was probably a good call after all to offer him a new deal.

He's certainly not as shit as people called him, but also I think everyone who's happy he's playing well, because he's our player and that benefits us at the end of the day, isn't claiming this is his level for ever now. We're all aware Keane has his issues, and those issues are very likely to rear their head at some point.

It's just that he's done well, he's helped the team massively and he's done it for 4 games this season and 3 at the end of last... 7 games is a good run.

If he keeps it up until Branthwaite is back then it gives Moyes the option to phase Jarrad back in carefully to hopefully reduce more injuries and gives us a bit of competition for places which only ever drives performance forward. Again a good thing for the team.

There's no 'gotcha', it's just recognising a maligned player is having a good run and benefitting the team as a result. I don't see the point waiting for the fuck ups to come along, that'd be a 'gotcha' from the opposite side of the coin and I'd hope we've not descended to that level on here.

He's playing well, the team is benefitting, if he keeps it up until Branthwaite is fully back then I'm sure we'll all be happy?

[brap2]

He's not even 4th choice tbf, he's clearly favoured over JOB at cb

[Free Agent]

Not sure I’d like to see Keane at RB instead of JOB though…

[AjaxAndy]

He's not even 4th choice tbf, he's clearly favoured over JOB at cb

Watching JOB on Saturday I saw him do some pretty good things on the ball for such a unit that made me think this Lescott treatment will mean when he does become one of the first choice CBs he's going to be pretty amazing in tight situations and bringing it out from the back.

I know he's not a brilliant RB, and we would be a better team with someone natural there, but I am excited to think of what he'll potentially be next season for all this game time where he's having to constantly use the ball progressively or turn out of tight situations when under pressure.

I can't imagine he'll be anything but extremely comfortable on the ball and able to help us progress up the pitch either with passing or dribbling through a press.

[brap2]

Watching JOB on Saturday I saw him do some pretty good things on the ball for such a unit that made me think this Lescott treatment will mean when he does become one of the first choice CBs he's going to be pretty amazing in tight situations and bringing it out from the back.

I know he's not a brilliant RB, and we would be a better team with someone natural there, but I am excited to think of what he'll potentially be next season for all this game time where he's having to constantly use the ball progressively or turn out of tight situations when under pressure.

I can't imagine he'll be anything but extremely comfortable on the ball and able to help us progress up the pitch either with passing or dribbling through a press.

Doesn't even play CB for ROI

[AjaxAndy]

Doesn't even play CB for ROI

He will though, and for us. I can't see a world where he spends his career as some weird giant RB.

[Cereal Killer]

He will though, and for us. I can't see a world where he spends his career as some weird giant RB.

Let’s just get Dan Burn in as LB and we’ll be alright

[Blueomar]

He's not even 4th choice tbf, he's clearly favoured over JOB at cb

The way Keane's been playing this season you're probably right. However if he had a right back at the beginning of the season and we needed to fill in for JB, I think it would have been O'Brien at that time.

Now, not so sure.

[Cozzie]

He drops out for Branthwaite anyway.

Maybe not straight away.