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Reader Comments (9)

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Jeff Spiers
1 Posted 14/09/2025 at 15:44:52
Stick him upfront
Mike Powell
2 Posted 14/09/2025 at 15:59:10
He as been outstanding,keep it going Michael
Lee Courtliff
3 Posted 14/09/2025 at 17:31:02
If Mykolenko continues to struggle with injury, we could well see Branthwaite at left-back, with Keane and Tarkowski in the middle.

That would be the tallest back 4 in Premier League history?

Scott Hamilton
4 Posted 14/09/2025 at 17:37:43
Lee (3) - The irony is that Branthwaite is also out injured and is a recurring worry, just like Mykolenko.

My concern is that, rather than just needing a left-back and right-back, we'll end up needing a new first-choice back 4.

Tarkowski was better yesterday but has been error-prone in prior games. Keane has played out of his skin but it says a lot about our lack of defensive options if he's first choice.

Mike Gaynes
5 Posted 14/09/2025 at 18:51:27
This is the best stretch of Keane's career IMO. Famously diffident player now performing with complete confidence, maintaining solid positioning and asserting himself in every challenge.

Great credit to him -- and to Moyes.

Peter Mills
6 Posted 14/09/2025 at 20:17:44
Keane is a player who needs to develop confidence, mistakes seem to hit him hard.

He was excellent on Saturday. His weak points are crosses drifting over his head, and speed of turning. He wasn't troubled on those fronts against Villa.

Well done to him, he has started the season well, although I wouldn't want him to be first choice for the next 9 months.

Craig Scott
7 Posted 14/09/2025 at 21:20:54
I'm cautious about the current praise for Keane. I think that our currently improved possession and threat from midfield has so far relieved a lot of the pressure on our central defence.

Last season, our midfield could barely string two passes together and we were very susceptible to the press from even ordinary teams. That exposed the frailties in our defence which haven't as yet been tested as much by mediocre opposition to date.

I don't think that Keane's weaknesses have been addressed as much as our improved midfield presence. We'll encounter much more threat from better teams in games to come to really gauge whether his game has improved or not.

He's taken a fair share of stick over a long period, that's for sure, but my big reservation with Keane is his lack of pace and I don't believe he's suddenly found more of that in the last few games.

Andrew James
8 Posted 14/09/2025 at 23:35:32
I'd hoped that when Mina came to us, we'd have a centre back pairing who would dominate both boxes.

That never happened of course because Mina was made of glass and Keane became anxious.

David Moyes gets a lot out of his centre halves, see Jags, Distin and Lescott. It looks like he's achieving the same with Keane and long may it continue!

Micky Norman
9 Posted 15/09/2025 at 08:14:38
0.18 costly defensive errors per start.
7.3 clearances
1.3 interceptions.
Well I never!

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