[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Because anything other than a goal and he would have been screamed at.

[1864roverite]

Because anything other than a goal and he would have been screamed at.

No he wouldnt, if he had attempted it he would have been applauded, even by me and I am one of his biggest detractors.

Instead, he took the fairy option, didnt listen or look and went bumbling forward only to lose the ball and put Villa on the front foot.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

No he wouldnt, if he had attempted it he would have been applauded, even by me and I am one of his biggest detractors.

Instead, he took the fairy option, didnt listen or look and went bumbling forward only to lose the ball and put Villa on the front foot.

. If you say so.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Because anything other than a goal and he would have been screamed at.

No he wouldn't have been screamed at. If he'd tried and missed most people would have had a bit of a chuckle to themselves - Nobody would actually expect him to score.....

[Blue blood]

Can see why Sam brought him on today, he's much more consistent/willing in his marking than Diouf and we did need some extra energy being a man down. However a good solid performance from N'Zonzi makes you wonder whether he'll get many games, especially if we revert to 4-4-2. He's probably at least 4th choice behind Grella, Dunn and N'Zonzi, with Emerton and Reid also yet to reach full fitness. Only thing that works in his favour is whether N'Zonzi and Grella are too similar?

[Jan]

Bringing him on today effectively reduced us to 9 men- unless you count aimless wandering around and running like a girl as being useful?

[Blue blood]

Bringing him on today effectively reduced us to 9 men- unless you count aimless wandering around and running like a girl as being useful?

Actually Jan I do. What was needed today when we were down to 10 men was someone who could run, cover a lot of ground, and close down close people quickly. (Ideally he'd be able to tackle as well, but you can't have everything.) In this situation Emerton would've been my first shout for this role, but he was already on for the ineffective peds, so that only left Andrews who could fulfil this role for us. Today's situation was one of the few where Andrews strengths outweighed his weaknesses, in terms of being useful to bring on. I'm sure had Grella not been sent off he would not have come on.

[Jan]

Actually Jan I do. What was needed today when we were down to 10 men was someone who could run, cover a lot of ground, and close down close people quickly. (Ideally he'd be able to tackle as well, but you can't have everything.) In this situation Emerton would've been my first shout for this role, but he was already on for the ineffective peds, so that only left Andrews who could fulfil this role for us. Today's situation was one of the few where Andrews strengths outweighed his weaknesses, in terms of being useful to bring on. I'm sure had Grella not been sent off he would not have come on.

which all would have been fine if he'd got anywhere near anyone who had the ball in the time he was on. I don't remember him doing so.

[Blue blood]

Funny I remember him being quite busy in closing people down, not letting them have free runs towards our goal, or time on the ball.

I'm far from an Andrews fan, he's not good enough, however I think criticising his inclusion and contribution today (bar the none-shot) is somewhat harsh.

[Sandiway Blue]

I try not to lambast Andrews too much but why he didn't have an attempt when brad was stranded baffles me, ever if he missed my a mile at least the thought would have been there

Totally agree...in a crowded area there was always a good chance of a deflection into the net or out for a corner,or even a handball.At least give it a go especially when there were no other options available.

[broadsword]

Sounds like a total lack of confidence to me.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Sounds like a total lack of confidence ability to me.

[Miker]

Andrews was brought on as a tactical decision because Sam wanted to be a bit more defensive since we went down a man. Andrews was the only defensive player he could've brought on, plus with the amount of times Keith has cleared the ball off the line for us, you can't have too many complaints with him coming on. I know it seems negative, but a manager can't rely on the fact that we will score a goal in the last few minutes with a man down.

[philipl]

When Woy bid £2m-ish for Andrews I thought Woy had taken leave of his senses.

Having now seen Fulham three times this season, I have to admit that Woy does have a taste for complete non-footballers.

Zamora and Dempsey don't have an ounce of footballing grey matter between them and whilst Dempsey is at least a highly mobile athlete, Zamora is every bit Kieth Andrews' match in the clueless talentless excuse for a footballer stakes.

I must confess that moment yesterday afternoon will always live with me as the archetypical Andrews moment.

The ball lands at his feet 45 yards from goal, the keeper is nearer to him than the goal line, the defence is playing a high line offside trap, 20,000+ people scream shoot.

So he did the obvious and went on a surging run at the scrimmage of defenders on the edge of the area.

The camera panned in for a close-up on Keith's crestfallen face after that; "he knows he should have taken the shot" intoned the commentator. Anyone who takes fifteen seconds to retrospectively select the right option is no Premier League footballer in my book.

[thenodrog]

I try not to lambast Andrews too much but why he didn't have an attempt when brad was stranded baffles me, ever if he missed my a mile at least the thought would have been there

He chose to run 15 yards with the ball, allow Brad and Villa defenders to guard the goal and then stubbed his toe into the ground trying to shoot. As my mate pointed out given a choice you would have hoped for that chance to have fallen to just about anybody else..... in fact I suspect Keith would too.

To be honest the amount of stick he gets probably played a part. He must know everyone hates him and it would make you hesitate in a situation like that because of the pressure.

C'mon JBN 'hates' is a bad description, and I can assure you that hatred is not my feeling toward Keith Andrews.

[Stuart]

He was the e-males interviewee in yesterday's match programme. The editor had clearly filtered out all of the "so Keith, why is it that you are such a crap footballer?" emails but he did admit that he knows he's only at Blackburn (indeed the PL) because Ince rated him.

He must pinch himself every morning and have to repeat to himself in the mirror, "I'm Keith Andrews, Premier League and International footballer".

No-one else can believe it either, Keith.

[Blue blood]

I noticed that the emails were heavily edited too. Shame really as I'd have liked to hear Andrews views on trying to win over the fans, how he rates his performances competing at a level which is very demanding for him, how he feels now he hasn't got the Ince security blanket stuff like that amongst other things.

Obviously the "your ####, #### off" ones need to be edited out, but it could have been a really unique interview which could've done Andrew's credability a lot of good. As for the fan who emailed in saying that he's quickly adapted to the premier league - I want whatever they're on!

[OscarRaven]

I must confess that moment yesterday afternoon will always live with me as the archetypical Andrews moment.

The ball lands at his feet 45 yards from goal, the keeper is nearer to him than the goal line, the defence is playing a high line offside trap, 20,000+ people scream shoot.

So he did the obvious and went on a surging run at the scrimmage of defenders on the edge of the area.

The camera panned in for a close-up on Keith's crestfallen face after that; "he knows he should have taken the shot" intoned the commentator. Anyone who takes fifteen seconds to retrospectively select the right option is no Premier League footballer in my book.

Got to agree, he froze big time. Any option would have been better than the one he chose (i.e to stop dead and deliberate).

He tries but isn't an instictive player. Better than Mokoena though.

[oozy]

Got to agree, he froze big time. Any option would have been better than the one he chose (i.e to stop dead and deliberate).

He tries but isn't an instictive player. Better than Mokoena though.

Its in situations like this when i cannot understand how Andrews is a Premier League player.

Chris Brunt was faced with a similar situation last week, had an attempt and scored(admittedly, Brunt is one of the better players in the Championship)

[Presty On Tour]

Is he blackmailing the manager or something?

[booth]

It's like fielding ten players instead of eleven. Might as well just stick another forward up front rather than play KA.

Don't agree with boo'ing any players though. It's the manager that picks them.

[snatchymcsnatch]

I wouldn't boo anyone wearing the rovers shirt but seriously WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY DOING IN OUR TEAM??????

You need 11 men to compete in the premier league - it was exactly like having ten today - he looks completely out of his depth.

[Amo]

My biggest gripe with Sam is his persistence with Andrews. Even with Grella out, Andrews adjudged the next best thing - which is scary in itself. He might be okay for a run-out against the lesser teams (and let's face it, there's a lot of average clubs in the PL this season) but against genuine quality he stands out like a sore thumb.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Unless he isn't fully fit - Reid would have been the far better option today - at least he would have put his foot in.

Andrews came with a reputation for getting stuck in - but against the top opposition he just seems to end up like a headless chicken - leaving gaps in midfield to be exploited

[RovertheHill]

Some people claim he breaks up play. He doesn't. Savage broke up play by pressing the ball constantly. Keith sits back and lets players run at him. The number of times Arsenal players glided past him today as if he wasn't there was embarrassing. It really is like playing with 10 men I'm afraid. He may get away with it against the Wolves, Hulls and West Broms but against anyone not in the relegation zone he lacks the speed of foot, or speed of thought to cope. For me this is the biggest mistake Allardyce is making - far worse than 4-5-1. If he thinks Keith is his Stelios then he's miles wide of the mark...