Kerr expects Keane to blossom under Jol
Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr believes Robbie Keane is certain to flourish under new Spurs head coach Martin Jol.
Jol took charge at White Hart Lane last Monday after Jacques Santini had surprisingly resigned three days earlier, citing “personal reasons”.
The defensive, dour Santini has been replaced by a more attack-minded Jol who was instantly rewarded with a 3-0 Carling Cup victory at Burnley a week ago, with Keane scoring twice to send Tottenham into the quarter-finals.
Spurs netted four more on Saturday, only for Arsenal to score five in reply in a nine-goal north London derby thriller at the Lane, although Keane remarkably was not on target.
But after finally becoming Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer last month, grabbing his 23rd in just 56 appearances with both goals in a 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands, Kerr is confident Keane can only improve with Jol at the helm.
“I don’t think it [the change] will have much of an impact on his form for us because we have always used him as far up the pitch as we can,” said Kerr.
“But I saw one of Spurs’ games, against Manchester United, where he played wide right of midfield, but ended up behind the right-back at times. I didn’t think that suited him very well, although I understand what Spurs were trying to achieve.
“I would not criticise the tactics they used, but his own attributes were not best served by being in that position.
“Now it appears Martin Jol’s influence will be towards a more attacking, open game and that will suit Robbie more, as we saw with the two cup goals last week.
“Although I am surprised he did not score when Spurs scored four at the weekend, I think the way Martin Jol wants to play will help Robbie get into the action and help him score more goals.”
Kerr, though, concedes there was some method to Santini’s madness, adding: “The other side of it is that he has taken on other responsibilities within the team very well, which is good for him.
“He understands he can’t always play as an out-and-out frontman and if asked to play in other roles, he can do that and I am very happy to see him playing that way.
“It means he understands those responsibilities and that he is prepared to work hard for the team, but he has continued to score goals for us, which is his main job.”
Keane is certain to lead the line again in tonight’s friendly with Croatia at Lansdowne Road, and may have a new partner in Stephen Elliott.
The match represents the opportunity for Kerr to freshen up his side after this season starting the campaign with four World Cup qualifying matches in which experience is vital.
Even if Sunderland striker Elliott does not start, he will certainly make his debut as a substitute, with Kerr conceding: “There are not that many opportunities to blood players because of the fixtures in the qualification period.
“We have had four games this season and the one friendly before it, which was crucial to get the shape sorted and rhythm of the team clear for the qualification games.
“So this is an opportunity for us to get some of the younger players into the match, and a chance to try a few things we have not been able to do over the last few matches.”
Kerr is without four injured players in Newcastle’s Andy O’Brien [hamstring], team-mate Stephen Carr, Charlton’s Matt Holland and Andy Reid of Nottingham Forest who all have knee injuries, while Manchester United’s Roy Keane is rested.
