Analysis - Robbie Keane exclusive on Wolves

Robbie Keane likes what he sees of this current Wolves side - and expects a tough test at Molineux on Saturday.

Spurs through and through and 11th on our all-time goalscoring list with 122 goals 306 appearances in two spells between 2002-2011, Wolves will always have a place in Robbie’s heart.

Robbie joined Wolves just before turning 16 in 1996, leaving Tallaght, Dublin in Ireland to chase his dream of being a professional footballer.

He made his debut in the Championship aged 17 a year later, scored twice at Norwich and didn’t look back. He was soon in the Premier League at Coventry, where his exploits in front of goal caught the eye of Inter in July, 2000.

He was loaned back to the Premier League and Leeds and then joined the Elland Road side permanently before settling down at Spurs in 2002. He briefly joined Liverpool in 2008 but was back six months later before taking a career turn and switching to LA Galaxy in the MLS, where he won the MLS Cup three times and was named the league’s MVP in 2014.

Capped a record 146 times by the Republic of Ireland and his country’s record goalscorer (68), Robbie was last seen playing and then managing ATK in the Indian Super League.

He’s scheduled to be at Molineux on Saturday...

Maintaining identity

Robbie: “Usually when teams are promoted from the Championship into the Premier League, managers have to change their way because they have to adapt to the league and adapt with the players they have. Wolves didn’t have to do that. They bought the right players when they were in Championship and knew those players were good enough to then play in the Premier League with a style of play they wanted - pass and move, possession, keeping the ball on the deck. I like that about them."

Form and targets

Robbie: “It’s been a positive start, a couple of narrow defeats of late that perhaps they didn’t deserve. Wolves’ problem over the years when they’ve been promoted is that they’ve quickly gone down again. There has never been the chance to gain any momentum. I think if you ask any Wolves fan, the target this season is to make sure they stay in the Premier League. I’m sure they’ll aim higher than that but because of the years they’ve been through and the relegations, I think that’s the target. If that does happen – and I’m 100% sure it will – they’ll kick on from there. The results (including draws against City and United) just underline the quality of the players they have and the mentality they have. They are certainly a team and players who are not daunted by going to the top clubs and they are not only mixing it with them, but competing and taking points.”

This game

Robbie: "I would expect to see good football from both teams. There could be goals in the game. Wolves are defensively sound, very good in midfield, they keep the ball well, keep it moving and it’s very difficult as an opponent when you are chasing the ball around. Wolves move it quickly with a good tempo and a purpose, rather than keeping possession just for the sake of it. They are a team that will certainly be tough to beat at Molineux.”

Nuno Espirito Santo

Robbie: “I’ve been very impressed with the manager, he’s done a great job. I like the way he comes across, he’s got a good way about him and he also has his team playing for him, which is good. I’m really excited to watch this game. Everyone knows I love Spurs and love this current team, but this will be a test.”