[Archived] Andre Ooijer Signs !

[philipl]

I was not doubting the veracity and value of a lot of the research (not all of it) which goes behind those games' databases.

What I was getting at was the "flog these 6 players, buy those 8" type of comments which forget the risks involved in transfers (particularly when you have a social and sporting well-bedded set-up which Rovers have at the moment) and the sheer overheads in costs (signing-on fees, signing-off fees, agents, wage drift) and managerial time involved.

Andre Ooijer suffers in the minds of quite a few Rovers supporters from having had a rough settling in period in the Premiership. I bet that given his time over again, Sparky would not have dropped Ooijer for the Old Trafford match and stuck with him at right back and Bert in the centre of midfield. Andre seems to have a huge amount of football cunning and ability which compensates for his lack of pace.

Edited November 21, 2007 by philipl

[den]

Ooijer declines Dutch return.

Underrated player IMO, it appears as though he had plenty of options in Holland.

[brian_gallagher85]

Great news...the extending his contract part is also good

[Drummer Boy]

I've been impressed with Ooijer - his class, positional play, team work and attitude have been excellent as well as his ability to perform both centre half and right back roles to good (prem standard) effect. He is neither the fastest or slowest but his professionalism means, in my view, that what pace he has will last longer than, say, David Dunn's. Although not high profile, Ooijer is a top player in my book and we should only let him go when someone better comes along and I don't see such a person on the horizon at the moment.

[Atomicrover]

Second everything you say DB, Ooijer has been reliable in the main, and although not great at RB, he does a competent job.

[roversmum]

I was pleased to see Andre as Captain at the Villa match. Also loved the fact that the Villa announcer had no idea how to pronounce his name!

[Presty On Tour]

i think he just need time to adjust to pace of the premiership like most new imports to the league.

you don't get to play for holland and captain your country on a regular basis for being a bad player and the fact he would rather stay with rovers than go back to 1 of the big 3 in his homeland is nice to hear. It shows things are all good in the blackburn camp.

[captin_ofthe_silverbullet]

Read's the game superbly, has been better than Emerton at RB this season for me.

Contract extension is a must.

Hallelujah!

[Presty On Tour]

out of dutch squad

i think it's along the same lines as reid, just withdrawn for precaution.

[JamieUK]

Apologies if this is already being discussed - Couldnt see it on the first page... Rovers have taken the 12 month option on Andre Ooijer's contract: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11676_3204019,00.html Good news for me - After his shaky start at Rovers he's become probably our most consistent defender this season...

[RibbleValleyRover]

Very good news

[JAL]

A good signing far better than that Quintine Fortune misfit fella.

[joey_big_nose]

Ooijer is the sort of player i could see doing well for us for a number of seasons, as long as he is played at centre back alongside another defender with pace. I doubt he will offer much more than cover at right back next season though, so we probabaly need to strengthen there.

If Nelsen can recover we are looking at an outstanding array of centre back options: Nelsen, Samba, Ooijer and Zurab. That is pretty impressive. Shame we have the injury problems.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Despite his unlucky donkey debut, he's proven that he's been another great purchase by Hughes. A really good defender, bundles of experience and a player we can fully rely on in any game.

[gazsimm]

great news lets hope he stays injury free from now on, i prefer him to Emerton at right back

[RoyRover]

This is good news. He has proven himself to be a quality defender and is quality player to have in the squad. My first choice centre backs at the moment, if everyone were fit would be Ooijer and Samba. Andre has been much more reliable than Nelsen. A good bit of business.

[American Rover12]

Someone please tell Ince he's (Emo) been generally brilliant at RB for the last two seasons, and let him and Simpson fight it out for that position. Leaving Ooijer as cover at CB.

now, that got me thinking, and apologies if this has been discussed or is common knowledge, but how bad would Ooijer be in that holding defensive mid spot? Yeah, the Axe has staked his claim but two fluke games doesn't means he's a footballer and I don't see Vogel working his way into the plans or back from injury, so maybe Ooijer would be in a good role here. He'd be centered and not forced on the wings and would probably want to hang back more than the average holding mid player, giving stability and allowing the other CM to make runs with the play without being worried the Axe is the one behind him.

[OscarRaven]

now, that got me thinking, and apologies if this has been discussed or is common knowledge, but how bad would Ooijer be in that holding defensive mid spot? Yeah, the Axe has staked his claim but two fluke games doesn't means he's a footballer and I don't see Vogel working his way into the plans or back from injury, so maybe Ooijer would be in a good role here. He'd be centered and not forced on the wings and would probably want to hang back more than the average holding mid player, giving stability and allowing the other CM to make runs with the play without being worried the Axe is the one behind him.

Chris Samba would be better at DM

[rover6]

The fact that Phil Neville is a effective Premier League DM, suggests that any half decent player, given time and with the right attitude and physical attributes can make it in that position.

Imo, Ooijer, Reid and Emerton could all do a much better job in there than Moko. Samba played there occasionally for Hertha.

Obviously, a specialist, decent player for that position would trump all the above as the best bet.

Edited August 24, 2008 by rover6

[RevidgeBlue]

Chris Samba would be better at DM

Imo it would be folly to take out our best centre half in the hope he can fill another position.

[American Rover12]

Chris Samba would be better at DM

Maybe but Id rather him, taller and stronger, at CB where he is. I rate Ooijer quite highly though and feel he should be on the pitch in a role better suited for him.

[philipl]

Andre Ooijer confirms his departure.

On the whole, Andre has been a class act for Rovers and been an excellent player for us with real class.

Sorry to see his time ending with us. Was proud to have the Dutch skipper playing for Rovers and being our representative at Euro08.

[riverside returns]

Second that Philip, Oiijer was a pleasure to watch, uncomplicated but read the game exceedingly well, a little like Mr Kipling and his cakes! haha

[mattyc2422]

Yeah wish him all the best. Despite a few frustrating moments early on, he has really played his part for the club in recent times. Sad to see him go but it does provide an opportunity for the club to find a younger option there.

Well done Andre.

[DE.]

Can't fault his commitment, been a pleasure to have him here. A proper professional.