[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[tonyoz]

Let me say this as well. Some don't rate him and say so after a game, some do rate him and say so after a game. If it had been left at that, we wouldn't have three thousand pages on here. The whole continuing debate is caused by one person, now two, that say the doubters are wrong because Sam picks him. All the time. Poor argument.

According to Sam, the players’ performances are analysed in detail after every match. If they fail to meet the required standards, they are out.

“Generally I don’t drop players, the players drop themselves. When we assess the performances, particularly by ProZone, on every stat you can get the overall average and find out if he is falling below his average and if he is that is him deselecting himself. “

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/searc...rn_Rovers_boss/

Presumably this analysis addresses the following points highlighted by Shilito and advocated by yourself:

Is Andrews a good passer?

Is Andrews a good tackler?

Is Andrews a good dribbler?

Is Andrews good in the air?

Is Andrews a good goalscorer?

Is Andrews a good play maker?

Is Andrews a good set piece player?

After all this objective scrutiny you would think that he would have been found out by now – if not by Sam then surely by one of his many highly qualified minions? That lad's got the luck of the Irish!

[S15]

Stats can be pretty evil. It can tell you how many tackles you did make, but not how many you didn't (if you catch my drift).

Same applies to all the others.

I must say, the Andrews fans (Big emphasis on Johnno) are still struggling to answer my very simple questions. Unbelievable really, that somebody who usually writes four loooooooooong paragraphs of absolute drivel, can struggle so much to write a few one word answers.

[roversmum]

It's the Legend's turn for Ewood Emales so get your questions in, folks

[alexanders]

Is Andrews a good passer? Mediocre

Is Andrews a good tackler? Yes.

Is Andrews a good dribbler? No.

Is Andrews good in the air? Mediocre.

Is Andrews a good goalscorer? Yes.

Is Andrews a good play maker? No.

Is Andrews a good set piece player? Quite.

[S15]

''Is Andrews a good goalscorer : Yes.''

Is this a joke? Four goals in one and a bit seasons makes you a ''good goalscorer?''

Can somebody explain this please?

[AggyBlue]

Can somebody explain this please?

It's good compared to our other midfielders.

Is that what he meant?

[rebelmswar]

''Is Andrews a good goalscorer : Yes.''

Is this a joke? Four goals in one and a bit seasons makes you a ''good goalscorer?''

Can somebody explain this please?

Didnt he score more than some of our strikers and from midfield?

StevieG and Lampard he is not though.

[only2garners]

''Is Andrews a good goalscorer : Yes.''

Is this a joke? Four goals in one and a bit seasons makes you a ''good goalscorer?''

Can somebody explain this please?

Well it was more than any other midfielder at the club last season - only McCarthy, Roberts, Santa Cruz and Derbyshire scored more. He got four times as many as Pedersen or Tugay.

[S15]

Right? So he's a good goalscorer then?

[rebelmswar]

Right? So he's a good goalscorer then?

No, he is good in comparison to what we have to compare him with and he does score goals.

World Beating attacking midfielder no, decent and does his job yes.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Right? So he's a good goalscorer then?

Obviously not in the same league as goal scoring midfielders like Lampard or Gerrard but Keith will chip in with a few goals this season i reckon if given the freedom to make those forward runs. I think he's capable of scoring at least 5 goals over the course of the season.

He was pretty unlucky not to score against Wolves.

[LeChuck]

If we're comparing to the other midfielders in our squad, which seems to make sense as we're debating whether he should be starting games, then you have to say goalscoring is one of his biggest strengths (relatively speaking).

I'm not even sure what the argument is anymore to be honest. I'll be disappointed if Andrews is still starting when our other midfielders are match fit, but until then I can understand why he's playing and he's doing an okay job as a squad midfielder.

[LeftWinger]

I have a strange feeling Andrews is going to play a big part in the derby. I’m not sure whether that is going to be scoring or fluffing a simple late chance with the scores level. I just have a feeling that he’ll either become a hero or an even bigger villain than he is considered now. For the record, I’m not his biggest fan, but thought he did really well against Wolves (before people think I’m just another joining in with the Andrews bashing).

[fishmesiter]

Well - I don't normally post replies - just lurk on here but feel that certain critisicms of Andrews on here is over the top.

1. No, he's not a world class midfielder - if he was he wouldn't be in our side or squad - he'd be at Chelsea, Man U or somewhere similar.

2. Does he make mistakes? - yes, of course like most other players in the side.

3. Does he care when he makes mistakes? - he certainly seems to care - hence the tracking back that he carried out.

4. Is he better than our other midfielders? - All we can offer is opinions - the man whose opinion counts most is SA and he keeps playing him week in week out.

5. Will he play when everybody else is fit? - Personally i doubt it, but see answer to 4 above.

Whilst KA is never going to be the best in the world, or even in our squad, as an all-round midfielder who can tackle, pass, score goals without excelling at any of these - he probably is one of the best we have. Grella is probably the best in the defensive stakes, Dunn in the attacking, but, with the possible exception of a fit Reid or Emerton - Andrews is probably the best we have, especially in Sams eyes.

[jim mk2]

1. No, he's not a world class midfielder - if he was he wouldn't be in our side or squad - he'd be at Chelsea, Man U or somewhere similar. IRRELEVANT. NO ONE EXPECTS A WORLD-CLASS MIDFIELDER TO BE AT ROVERS BUT FANS ARE ENTITLED TO EXPECT A REASONABLY COMPETANT ONE.

2. Does he make mistakes? - yes, of course like most other players in the side. STATEMENT OF THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS. THE POINT IS, ANDREWS MAKES MORE MISTAKES THAN MOST.

3. Does he care when he makes mistakes? - he certainly seems to care - hence the tracking back that he carried out. ANDREWS IS VERY FIT, AGREED, BUT RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO ATONE FOR BASIC ERRORS IS HARDLY A PLUS POINT.

4. Is he better than our other midfielders? - All we can offer is opinions - the man whose opinion counts most is SA and he keeps playing him week in week out. ALLARDYCE KNOWS BEST SO WHO ARE FANS TO DOUBT HIS JUDGMENT: SAME OLD TIRED ARGUMENT USED AD NAUSEUM BY THE ANDREWS APOLOGISTS.

5. Will he play when everybody else is fit? - Personally i doubt it. ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION.

.

[Hughesy]

He's next on the ewood-emails - get your questions sent to him......

[CrazyIvan]

1. No, he's not a world class midfielder - if he was he wouldn't be in our side or squad - he'd be at Chelsea, Man U or somewhere similar. IRRELEVANT. NO ONE EXPECTS A WORLD-CLASS MIDFIELDER TO BE AT ROVERS BUT FANS ARE ENTITLED TO EXPECT A REASONABLY COMPETANT ONE.

He is a competent midfielder otherwise he wouldn't be in the team would he?

2. Does he make mistakes? - yes, of course like most other players in the side. STATEMENT OF THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS. THE POINT IS, ANDREWS MAKES MORE MISTAKES THAN MOST.

I disagree with this completely. I don't think he makes any more or less than anybody else.

3. Does he care when he makes mistakes? - he certainly seems to care - hence the tracking back that he carried out. ANDREWS IS VERY FIT, AGREED, BUT RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO ATONE FOR BASIC ERRORS IS HARDLY A PLUS POINT.

Actually, trying to atone for errors is a very good thing in a player. Letting your head drop and play continue around you while you think about the mistake you just made is a bigger error.

4. Is he better than our other midfielders? - All we can offer is opinions - the man whose opinion counts most is SA and he keeps playing him week in week out. ALLARDYCE KNOWS BEST SO WHO ARE FANS TO DOUBT HIS JUDGMENT: SAME OLD TIRED ARGUMENT USED AD NAUSEUM BY THE ANDREWS APOLOGISTS.

He's better than some and not others. Different skills, different fitness levels, etc etc. Sam plays him because he is consistant and performs as well as could be expected of a mid range midfielder in the Premier League.

5. Will he play when everybody else is fit? - Personally i doubt it. ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION.

That depends on Sam and the team/tactics he employs doesn't it?

[tcj_jones]

Is Andrews a good passer? No. Well, over a distance of ten yards, I suppose... maybe.

Is Andrews a good tackler? A reasonably good one, yes.

Is Andrews a good dribbler? No.

Is Andrews good in the air? Average.

Is Andrews a good goal scorer? No (four goals over a season and a bit does not constitute a good goal scoring record).

Is Andrews a good play maker? Hell no.

Is Andrews a good set piece player? I'm not actually sure on that one, struggling to remember. He certainly isn't great, but I dunno really.

You could probably also add to that: does Andrews have good positional awareness? The answer to which would be 'no, because he runs around like a headless chicken'.

[BuckyRover]

Does Andrews have high energy, drive and determination? Yes because he runs around like a headless chicken.

[CrazyIvan]

Is Andrews a good passer? No. Well, over a distance of ten yards, I suppose... maybe

Is Andrews a good tackler? A reasonably good one, yes.

Is Andrews a good dribbler? No.

Is Andrews good in the air? Average.

Is Andrews a good goal scorer? No (four goals over a season and a bit does not constitute a good goal scoring record).

Is Andrews a good play maker? Hell no.

Is Andrews a good set piece player? I'm not actually sure on that one, struggling to remember. He certainly isn't great, but I dunno really.

You could probably also add to that: does Andrews have good positional awareness? The answer to which would be 'no, because he runs around like a headless chicken'.

Q1. Andrews made a pass to Jacobsen in the second half of the game on Saturday which was genuinely superb and showed excellent vision. Jacobsen was able to take it in his stride and Rovers were in a very good attacking situation because of it. So, Question 1. Actually, yes he is. (Stats also back this up...)

Q2. Not bad, not the best but sometimes pull off excellent tackles. One late in the game against Spurs last season was a match saver.

Q3. Hmm, never seen him so really can't say.

Q4. Probably average but I'm not honestly certain.

Q5. I don't think anybody can say yes or no at the moment. Wait until the end of the season to answer that. The highest scoring midfielder last season but that wasn't hard.

Q6. Not his forte but does make some telling passes to release others forward. Not his strongest suit so average at best.

Q7. Took one on Saturday that forced Wolves keeper into a very good save. Deserved a goal to be honest. He doesn't do it enough to judge though.

Q8. Positional awareness? Much improved this season already. Wasn't the best last season but taking into consideration his first season etc...

*Q9. Work-rate. He never stops running and always tracks back. Gives 100% every match. This is his strongest point.

*Q10. Versatility. Has proved over an entire season that he can 'do a job' anywhere he's expected to play. He might only be an understudy to the main talent in a particular position but is Mr Versatile. His best position is still mid-field as he proved on Saturday.

Andrews has improved markedly since he joined Rovers to the point where it's now expected to see him on the team sheet come match day. He's not a world-beater and never will be but he is a much better player than some would like to admit.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

The prozone stats argument in support of Andrews is flawed IMO

If he falls below his normal levels he would be deselected, however, his normal levels may be below some of the other midfielders not currently getting a game (Emerton, Reid etc) as the other midfielders would appear to have more talent at this level.

[CrazyIvan]

The prozone stats argument in support of Andrews is flawed IMO

If he falls below his normal levels he would be deselected, however, his normal levels may be below some of the other midfielders not currently getting a game (Emerton, Reid etc) as the other midfielders would appear to have more talent at this level.

I somehow doubt Sam would miss comparing his players performances on prozone.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

I somehow doubt Sam would miss comparing his players performances on prozone.

How would he compare the stas if he's only selecting certain players - ie Andrews against Reid - or is prozone used at reserve level as well?

[CrazyIvan]

How would he compare the stas if he's only selecting certain players - ie Andrews against Reid - or is prozone used at reserve level as well?

I imagine in training as well. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

[mellison24]

I imagine in training as well. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

I asked about it on a tour of Ewood and the lady said it is used at all levels and even in the academy (although a system that isnt QUITE as sophisticated as that for the 1st team, but it was being upgraded at the time).