[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[gumboots]

I was going to say much the same. Don't know anything about the values of the other two but Huddlestone would probably cost a lot more than Pennant.

And Spurs would probably have mucked us about over selling him - probably trying to link the sale to their purchase of Bentley etc

[AussieinUk]

And Spurs would probably have mucked us about over selling him - probably trying to link the sale to their purchase of Bentley etc

You could be right gb, but we managed to seperate the Robinson deal..

[BuckyRover]

But Huddlestone doesn't look much better than Andrews.

Andrews seems like an average premier league central midfielder, much like Huddlestone who probably would have cost us £8m.

Paying a big price does not make them good players!

[gumboots]

You could be right gb, but we managed to seperate the Robinson deal..

Didn't stop them trying according to media reports though and they could really have mucked us about because they didn't want to keep Robinson whereas they seemed to want Huddlestone.

[joey_big_nose]

The Arsenal game was more Ince's tactical naivety than anything else. You can't throw a League Two player against somebody like Fabregas for his Premiership debut. I guess Ince had some bizarre notion that if Andrews (SOMEHOW) kept Fabregas in his back-pocket he'd be hailed a genius.

I really don't agree with people that Andrews will be a squad player. He's going to be a first-team regular. Sure, Grella, Dunn, and Vogel were all injured, but Andrews was still chosen ahead of Villanueva, Mokoena, and Tugay who all have Premiership experience (besides Villanueva, but then why ease him into the league and not Andrews?).

Part of it is that Andrews is a different sor t of player to most of those guys apart from Dunn. He is a central player who can pass and shoot and likes to get into the box. Grella, Vogel, Tugay and Mokoena are all deep lying players. Emerton and Reid can get forward but they are not really passers (well Reid used to be but soemthing happened to him...). Andrews can bring other people in the play and presents a goal threat. I can understand why he would be picked ahead of those other individuals as he is balanced and a worker.

If Dunn was fit Andrews would not get into the team - I am cetain Dunn/Grella would be the first choice partenrship. Andrews would just come on once Dunn was knackered. As Dunn is injured this can't happen, andrews starts.

And to be honest Andres has looked sizably better than Reid so far and not far off Emerton. Not sure what the problem is - we could do with someone better (couldn't everyone), but he looks a perfectly capable Prem player.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Huddlestone and Kightly both signed new longterm contracts at their respective clubs before ince started as manager. This probably increased their values to price them out of Rovers' valuation of the players. Both players were on Hughes' radar before they signed the contracts but he did not move to sign either.

Ince from day one wanted his own man in who he thought could a job for Rovers. Like Hughes did with Savage. Andrews,like Savage, has not got the individual talent to win games on his own but could become an important cog in a team unit. He will take time to adjust to the pace but injuries to other Central midfielders means he has no time for cameo appearances like Carlos. He has had to be thrown in and I think so far he has not sunk by any means. He needs help from more experienced players. Against Arsenal he did not get that from Reid. Against Fulham, Emerton helped him agreat deal. When Tugay came on, Andrews was effective as the person who ran around to create room for Tugay to play.

[Ricky]

Anyone remember Ooijers first few games??

He looked shocking, and he was signed for more than Andrews and came as a full international with Champions LEague Experience. Andrews will settle, he hasn't looked bad at all so far but some have already made their mind up without even seeing him play a handful of games.

[philipl]

Two factual comments:

- Nothing has emerged from anywhere which makes me think anything other than Ince was given the opportunity of spending one of the biggest transfer budgets in the club's history in terms of absolute £ms. Relative spending power was less than in '91-'95 of course.

- Hughes was attacked for signing Welsh players and appointing Welsh coaches. However, despite every transfer window linking us with Earnshaw and Koumas, and numerous opportunities to sign them, neither arrived. In fact, apart from Nelsen (and arguably Samba), I don't think he signed any players who didn't have a track record at a top league club on their CV.

[rover6]

The Earnshaw link was always as spurious as they come. Even as Wales manager when Earnshaw was at his pomp, Hughes displayed a strong reluctance to starting him. A predilection that annoyed quite a few Welshmen who thought little Earnie was their bright new thing.

[67splitscreen]

Interesting MF tomorrow night.

Grella, Vogel, Dunne, Reid injured.

Mako ill.

Andrews cup tied.

Any guesses.

[Head Rover Heels]

Anyone remember Ooijers first few games??

I've tried my hardest to forget the Chelsea one, as I'm sure Andre has too

[imy9]

Two factual comments:

- Nothing has emerged from anywhere which makes me think anything other than Ince was given the opportunity of spending one of the biggest transfer budgets in the club's history in terms of absolute £ms. Relative spending power was less than in '91-'95 of course.

- Hughes was attacked for signing Welsh players and appointing Welsh coaches. However, despite every transfer window linking us with Earnshaw and Koumas, and numerous opportunities to sign them, neither arrived. In fact, apart from Nelsen (and arguably Samba), I don't think he signed any players who didn't have a track record at a top league club on their CV.

Bruno Berner, Jeffers was about to sign for Coventry and was hardly a success in the top flight, The Axe (Belgium 1st division is not a top league).

[92er]

Bruno Berner, Jeffers was about to sign for Coventry and was hardly a success in the top flight, The Axe (Belgium 1st division is not a top league).

Berner was a squad player, Jeffers was sold at a profit and the Axe, who started off at Ajax, played an important role in keeping us up in MH's first season.

[Eddie]

Roberts hardly had a proven track record in the top flight, he was simply a decent player who happened to be in the premiership. Brown didn't have a great CV. Kuqi certainly didn't come with a top flight CV. Give Ince time to fully assess his squad and see where he needs to improve and players he'd like to bring in.

[briansol]

People also seems to forget was that the first player brought in by Hughes was Djorkaeff, who was deemed to old for Bolton. A lot of similarities to Fowler I'd say.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Two factual comments:

- Nothing has emerged from anywhere which makes me think anything other than Ince was given the opportunity of spending one of the biggest transfer budgets in the club's history in terms of absolute £ms. Relative spending power was less than in '91-'95 of course.

That's a factual comment??

You think something, and if no evidence emerges to contradict it, it then becomes a fact?

This explains a lot about your past 11,000 posts

[imy9]

Berner was a squad player, Jeffers was sold at a profit and the Axe, who started off at Ajax, played an important role in keeping us up in MH's first season.

Berner played more first team games than Olsson which is a disgrace, plus he never played in a top league Europe did he?

Jeffers scored 25 goals in his ENTIRE career which is hardly worth shouting about.

The Axe played SEVEN games for Ajax over FOUR years!!

[LeChuck]

People also seems to forget was that the first player brought in by Hughes was Djorkaeff, who was deemed to old for Bolton. A lot of similarities to Fowler I'd say.

Another thing people forget is Hughes inherited an awful side in September (when the window was shut) and therefore had no choice but to look at unattached players who could possibly bring a bit of quality to the final third.

[92er]

Berner played more first team games than Olsson which is a disgrace, plus he never played in a top league Europe did he?

Jeffers scored 25 goals in his ENTIRE career which is hardly worth shouting about.

The Axe played SEVEN games for Ajax over FOUR years!!

How many games did Berner play? I am asking because I don't know, but I can't remember his playing very often.

Again, I don't know how many goals Jeffers scored for Everton but Wegner, incorrectly, thought he could do something with him. I didn't want him to come....but the consolation was we got a fee for him when we moved him on.

The Axe was an international-maybe captain?-so I guess that woulod count on his cv.

[herbergeehh]

Berner played more first team games than Olsson which is a disgrace

Whilst I agree that giving youth a chance is preferable to playing half-decent 28 year olds, how many times have you seen Martin Olsson?

Sparky clearly thought Olsson is a prospect, but not ready to play regularly should Warnock pick up an injury. Ince seems to think the same (re: the Konchesky link). Berner did a decent job. Unspectacular, but decent. He's gone now, and Olsson has four months to show Ince what he can do. What's the problem?

[Jan]

Someone asked how much stick Hughes got about his signings. I remember wads of stick about Koumas every time he was linked. The difference is, Hughes didn't sign Koumas. Ince DID sign Andrews.

He's not as bad as I thought he'd be and he's clearly trying very hard, so I think it's humble pie time and give him a bit of support.

[frosty]

How many games did Berner play? I am asking because I don't know, but I can't remember his playing very often.

2 in the league, 2 in the FA Cup I think.

[67splitscreen]

Someone asked how much stick Hughes got about his signings. I remember wads of stick about Koumas every time he was linked. The difference is, Hughes didn't sign Koumas. Ince DID sign Andrews.

He's not as bad as I thought he'd be and he's clearly trying very hard, so I think it's humble pie time and give him a bit of support.

I cannot believe what I have just read

[Blue blood]

I'm not sure how Hughes can be criticised for not giving Olsson more games. The guy looked extremely lightweight and was far too easily shrugged off the ball whenever he played. He was one of the better players in the reserves from what I saw of him, but he wasn't head and shoulders above everyone and looking like he'd do ok in the prem.

As for Andrews - not convinced from what I've seen/heard. However, it is not his fault that he has been signed. If he puts in the effort, all the ire should be directed towards Ince for signing him rather than Andrews himself.

It's interesting to see how players are viewed - Kuqi was fairly limited (although ok against weaker teams) and had the worst technique i've ever seen yet was really popular, whereas the likes of Ward, who also tried really hard and wasn't good enough, is slated, even though it was Kidd not he who paid the stupid transfer fee for him. It'll be interesting to see which way it settles for Andrews, I've a feeling it'll depend on how well Ince does.

[gumboots]

I cannot believe what I have just read

Beat me to it!