[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[RovertheHill]

Let me start off by saying that I was aware of 2 things that Andrews did particularly well on Saturday-the knock down for Warnock and an excellent pass to Simpson on the wing.

But I also noticed an awful pass to one of their players that totally broke down our move and gave them the momentum to quickly start a move. My overall view of his playing on the wing was that he was constantly drawn to the ball and as a result didn't stay in the right wing area; this might have resulted in Simpson having a poor match and certainly didn't give him protection in the 2nd half when he was targetted.

What I can't reconcile is the amount of effort Ince appears to have put in to sign a squad player. Has he done OK? Well, at times he has. Has he added much to the squad? I personally don't think so. He should never start off if the full squad is fit and I would have preferred us to go for someone younger who would have had that potential.

I actually don't disagree with anything you say. I never wanted Andrews, I'd rather we'd signed someone else. But he's here now and my point is that he's not really been any worse than any of the others, and we should treat all of the players equally regardless of who signed them. And my guess is that he's taking up far less of the wage budget than the other non-performers and non-prem class players

[LeChuck]

If Andrews had come through our youth team we would be saying 'Not Premiership quality' and sell him to a lower league club.

Completely agree.

Andrews has done well not to look a shambles in this division, he's obviously been playing a few levels below what he's capable of throughout his career. That doesn't mean he's good enough for us though, he'll only ever put in 'adequate' performances at best.

I've seen nothing in him to suggest he's anywhere near as good as Vogel, who put in much better performances last year in more difficult (personal) circumstances. I'm absolutely convinced he'd be one of the first players to go if a new manager came in.

[RovertheHill]

Boom boom!

[1864roverite]

I will be totally honest with my fellow members, I have not seen anything in Andrews to convince me that he is going to be a success at Rovers.

It has ZILCH all to do with Paul Ince signing him before we go on.

Many people have stated that he can run box to box, well for me THAT IS ALL HE CAN DO and it is simply not enough to be able to run around a football pitch. A midfielder role is to produce something positive on the pitch, he is there to assist the defence, defend and attack the middle of the park, break up play, set up play and indeed then to support the forwards whilst throwing in a goal every once in a while.

Lets look at his age, he is 28yrs old and has had the chance in the higher leagues, however he failed miserably and couldnt hack it at wolves or hull, and it is also known that NOT one other Premiership team were looking at him, or have been looking at him otherwise he would have been snapped up.

At 28, he should know the basic of football and his role in a team. A footballer does not become a bad player, he simply loses his form once in a while. He struggles to play a pass and move game and he is not alone in this, howevr it is this basic factor of football that heaps untold pressure on teams in the middle.

He cannot defend or tackle and has been guilty of giving the ball away more often than not. Again he isnt alone on this score but his role in the team espceially the midfield is vital and this is why his mistakes are highlighted even more.

He does not support the defence or attack to a decent standard because of his inexperience or lack of skill. What can be done in the lower leagues can not be reciprocated in the Premiership, you just cannot get away with basic mistakes. You get punished.

Okay, he scored at WBA and a fine finish it was. However, look at the goalscoring chances that have come his way. he has had a few chances to pot the net and failed fairly miserably. I reiterate he is not the only player to do this, but again, compare this to other clubs and he really should be looking at being compared to the midfielders of Fulham, Boro, Bolton, Newcastle and the like because ROVERS are better than teams such as these. The plain fact of the matter is that he isnt any good compared to these players because he doesnt have the skill, he doesnt have the make up and he doesnt have the guile to be even an average midfielder in the Premiership. At 28, its too late to learn the trade of being a midfielder, especially in a league where its fast and furious and players have to think on their feet. Unfortunately that is a skill that he will never have.

From what I have seen, he has been just about poor at best.

Over the years Rovers have had some good midfielders, Andrews doesnt even get a mention alongside them. Once our players are fit he will not break the first team squad that is clearly obvious to me.

The lad had done well to get picked for the Irish team, but I do have to say that there is NOT a lot of choice for them at the current moment. At Internationallevel, he will definately get exposed even more as the standard of player is much higher.

I recall the Jimmy Quinn boos many year ago (as mentioned here), and he turned it around after leaving Rovers by getting a couple of big money moves. In Andrews case, it wont happen. I think that after this season he will simply disappear back to the lower leagues where he can perform at the standard that he is good at.

It is my opinion on the lad and as it stands I cannot see it changing. BTW seeing him in cameo performances is not the correct way to give an overall view of his play, watch him during a full game and see just how the lack of a performance affects our defence, the midfield and the forward part of our football.

[CrazyIvan]

I will be totally honest with my fellow members, I have not seen anything in Andrews to convince me that he is going to be a success at Rovers.

etc. etc.

I'd disgree with some points but I'd just get labelled a 'paullette' again... It's pointless.

[gumboots]

Here's another pertinent question, what other teams in the Premiership would pick him before one of their current central midfielders?

Their central midfielders are probably fit. Too many of ours aren't and therefore Andrews plays and doesn't look out of place.

[JAL]

to be fair jal - i'm not a season ticket holder, so i only see a few games live per year ( mostly the london based ones!)

and saturday was the first time I've seen him play live - but i really did think he had a very good 45 mins. Judging by what others have told me who are there every week - he's improving with every game.

I wish the same could be said of the rest of the midfield.

Our problem is that we havent had a tireless centre midfielder since savage in his first season. and i actually think andrews has twice as much vision and skill as robbie.

....but not the work rate or energy that motivates everyone around him players and crowd alike, maybe, but do we not need someone of a higher standard its been mooted to me by other fellow supporters that hes probably Inces spy in the camp.

[gumboots]

....but not the work rate or energy that motivates everyone around him players and crowd alike, maybe, but do we not need someone of a higher standard its been mooted to me by other fellow supporters that hes probably Inces spy in the camp.

I think spy in the camp is a bit strong. I doubt whether he goes running and telling tales which is what it suggests. However, it is good to have one friendly face around training just in case it gets a bit fraught. Hughes had Savage and souness brought Tugay nad Friedel both of whom he'd worked with before. Most managers like a player they know around the place.

[Exiled in Toronto]

You're totally wasting your time LD. These Paulettes would say a bad black pudding was a good 'un, if it were dressed in blue and white.

Very funny, but it does highlight the point that to you this is an issue about Ince, rather than the player. I'd rather you just admitted you don't like Ince and anything he does rather than run down an honest player - at least he's the honest one. Our predicament is bringing me round to thinking Ince should go but I still like Andrews for the money he cost, which doesn't seem to fit in with your black and white world

Anyway, being booed in the warm-up will do him good - character-building. Isn't that what they used to tell Barnes when he was getting the bananas? Made a man of him.

This board is amazing at the moment where it seems clever to some people to deride supporters who actually support the club and its players.

[den]

Very funny, but it does highlight the point that to you this is an issue about Ince, rather than the player. I'd rather you just admitted you don't like Ince and anything he does rather than run down an honest player - at least he's the honest one. Our predicament is bringing me round to thinking Ince should go but I still like Andrews for the money he cost, which doesn't seem to fit in with your black and white world

Anyway, being booed in the warm-up will do him good - character-building. Isn't that what they used to tell Barnes when he was getting the bananas? Made a man of him.

This board is amazing at the moment where it seems clever to some people to deride supporters who actually support the club and its players.

You're off on one again EIT.

The issue here is Andrews, not Ince. Where have I even mentioned him? Who's discussing booing him - certainly not me.

How many times are you going to say that everyone who thinks Ince isn't doing a good job, "doesn't like him"? What an absolute load of tripe.

I've stated my position on Paul Ince on numerous occassions, if you want to ignore that and put falsehoods on my views, then you're out of order.

[CrazyIvan]

You're totally wasting your time LD. These Paulettes would say a bad black pudding was a good 'un, if it were dressed in blue and white.

Is this meant to be a joke Den?

[dopper69]

Well, I for one think that Mr Andrews is fit for purpose; decent enough squad player (certainly no worse than Reid and the Axe), cheap (800K, we will probably get double that if sold in the next year due to his current premier league exposure) and someone in whom Ince can rely on in order to get a 'feel' of the dressing room in the difficult time that the club is in.

All in all I don't believe that Ince signed him to be the next 'Lampard' but has he improved the overall team? At the moment I would say yes.

Their central midfielders are probably fit. Too many of ours aren't and therefore Andrews plays and doesn't look out of place.

I'm sure the following teams would benefit from having Kieth Andrews in their squad:

Stoke City

Hull City

WBA

West Ham United

Fulham

Bolton

Sunderland

[1864roverite]

All in all I don't believe that Ince signed him to be the next 'Lampard' but has he improved the overall team? At the moment I would say yes.

I'm sure the following teams would benefit from having Kieth Andrews in their squad:

Stoke City

Hull City

WBA

West Ham United

Fulham

Bolton

Sunderland

Hull - Already been there and FAILED

WHA - better than Parker ? No

Bolton - Better than Nolan ? No

Sunderland - Better than Whitehead ? No

Fulham - better than Gera ? No

Stoke and WBA ? Maybe

As for bettering Rovers ? You are having a laugh. Better than Mokeona, Dunn, Reid, MGP,Emerton, Tugay and Vogel aka the Invisible Man ? get a grip he aint fit to lace their boots and that includes a dodgy Reid with dodgier knees than mine

[CrazyIvan]

Better than Mokeona, Reid, and Vogel aka the Invisible Man

Yes, he is better than these three.

[1864roverite]

Are you serious Ivan ?

He maybe slightly fitter in that he can run but as for skill he is is miles behind.

As for productivity he is nowhere near any of them.

As for defensive minded dream on

[Amo]

Yes, he is better than these three.

Better as in?

Andrews might be more technically gifted than Mokoena, but the latter is a bigger asset to us. We're lacking someone in the middle to break up play, what with that Australian chap who's always injured. Grella his name?

Reid. Mmeh. I'm not the biggest fan of him anyway, so I won't argue that one. But if both were on form, Reid would win it.

Better than Vogel? The guy's played for top clubs in Holland, Spain, and Italy. Andrews is only just getting a crack at the big-time because his mate's the manager.

[montalbano]

He's just scored for Ireland, they're down 3-2..

[CrazyIvan]

Are you serious Ivan ?

He maybe slightly fitter in that he can run but as for skill he is is miles behind.

As for productivity he is nowhere near any of them.

As for defensive minded dream on

I'm not sure who you have been watching but it isn't Andrews. In my opinion he is better than those three apart from a fully fit on form Reid but we haven't seen him for a very long time.

Next time you watch Rovers and he's playing of course, seriously watch him without prejudice like you were watching a new unknown signing.

[dopper69]

Hull - Already been there and FAILED

WHA - better than Parker ? No

Bolton - Better than Nolan ? No

Sunderland - Better than Whitehead ? No

Fulham - better than Gera ? No

Stoke and WBA ? Maybe

As for bettering Rovers ? You are having a laugh. Better than Mokeona, Dunn, Reid, MGP,Emerton, Tugay and Vogel aka the Invisible Man ? get a grip he aint fit to lace their boots and that includes a dodgy Reid with dodgier knees than mine

Hull - He was only there for 1 year and was injured for 4 months of the season. Plenty of players fail at one club but do not elsewhere (even world class players - not that I believe Kieth is before you start). However, I would expect you would not appreciate that with your blinkered view on the world.

Also why name the (arguebly) best players from each of the teams highlighted above when it was quite clear in the post you replied too that I rate Andrews as a squad player?

He's just scored for Ireland, they're down 3-2..

Not bad for a lower league journeyman

a fully fit on form Reid

Is there such a thing?

[CrazyIvan]

He's just scored for Ireland, they're down 3-2..

Great timing there Mr Andrews!

[cn174]

Not a bad finish either

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Who cares if he's scored a good goal and played well, he came from MK Dons and therefore will never be good enough for us and should be sold.

()

[dopper69]

Better than Vogel? The guy's played for top clubs in Holland, Spain, and Italy.

He only played a handfull of games for AC Milan and Real Betis . PSV, I will give you, but he hasnt shown any of the form that won him his Dutch player of the year award (which he got 7 years ago, I may add) for 4 years!

Plus FIFA 09 on the PS3 has Kieths stats better than Vogel's, so there

[Amo]

He only played a handfull of games for AC Milan and Real Betis . PSV, I will give you, but he hasnt shown any of the form that won him his Dutch player of the year award for 4 years!

His form for PSV, and even just earning movies to Betis & AC Milan easily eclipses Andrews' lower league pinball.

There has to be a personal reason that the guy is being overlooked. Someone really needs to beg the question to Ince.

[dopper69]

His form for PSV, and even just earning movies to Betis & AC Milan easily eclipses Andrews' lower league pinball.

There has to be a personal reason that the guy is being overlooked. Someone really needs to beg the question to Ince.

There is no doubting that Johan Vogel has had a more distinguised career than Andrews. I don't think that anyone would be stupid enough to argue that.

Current Vogel however has not shown me anything to suggest that he is still that player. Almost like a certain Robbie Fowler (Although, not AS dramatic).

Why has the reason that Vogel is being overlooked got to be personal? Maybe he just doesnt produce the goods in training and is therefore not being rewarded with a shirt?

Edit - As a side note Betis are not exactly an elite football club are they? Did they not finish 16th the season that Vogel played for them and avoided relegation by one point? 14th the season before and 13th last term?