[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[den]

Well since Andrews admits he wasn't properly focused until he dropped into League 2 maybe those managers were right but since he is proving himself now,

Proving what?

[Jonnolad]

This only works on the basis that every experienced manager is completely flawless in his predilections.

I remember a certain Sir Alex Ferguson who thought Eric Djemba-Djemba, and Kleberson were Premiership midfielders.

Not to mention it's slim-pickings, so far as the RoI are concerned.

No it doesn't - it works on the basis that a manager who has won league titles in four different countries, including 7 Serie A titles, and all UEFA club competitions going (the only manager to do so in fact) knows a tiny winy bit more about football than some random bods on the internet who’s only actual experience of professional football is watching the odd game.

It’s also weird how respected football journalists haven’t singled out Keith Andrews as a poor performer for Ireland (or for Blackburn either).

It all seems to point to the fact that the only people that denigrate Andrews are a section of his own, I repeat own, fans!

[imy9]

Andrews has done a good job for Rovers and it is not his fault is it that Ince signed him?

I watched the Ireland game and Andrews played well, the commentators mentioned him as one of the best Irish players and he will probably start against Italy. It does not help Andrews that a majority of supporters are constantly on his back and the fact that Big Sam is playing him in midfield in front of Dunn, Aaron and even Warnock speaks volumes.

I will be interested to see whether Andrews starts now that Diouf will probably play right side with Dunn shifting to the centre.

[Jonnolad]

As well as wondering why Sam and Trapattoni pick him, you could also try to work out why on earth he's been wasting his time getting released by clubs in the lower leagues. Maybe he was a far better player than they all thought.

Out of interest which clubs in the lower leagues have released him?

[den]

No it doesn't - it works on the basis that a manager who has won league titles in four different countries, including 7 Serie A titles, and all UEFA club competitions going (the only manager to do so in fact) knows a tiny winy bit more about football than some random bods on the internet who’s only actual experience of professional football is watching the odd game.

It’s also weird how respected football journalists haven’t singled out Keith Andrews as a poor performer for Ireland (or for Blackburn either).

It all seems to point to the fact that the only people that denigrate Andrews are a section of his own, I repeat own, fans!

Now I don't honestly know the answer to this, but who is he keeping out of the ROI team?

[den]

Out of interest which clubs in the lower leagues have released him?

Wolves to Hull - free.

Hull to MK Dons - free.

[Jonnolad]

Now I don't honestly know the answer to this, but who is he keeping out of the ROI team?

Don't know the answer? I do - it's Occam's razor!

I'll give the facts again:

1) Andrews keeps getting picked to play by Sam Allardyce and Giovanni Trapattoni - who between them have an unbelievable wealth of football knowledge and experience.

2) He never gets disparaging reports in the media for his performances.

Now considering those two facts how’s about this for a crazy suggestion – Keith Andrews is actually a decent player!

I suspect however you’ll not accept what’s staring you in the face and will instead scratch round for any possible cause as to why world class managers and respected football journalists apparently disagree with your blinkered view of him.

[Scotty]

I don't know if the posters above have actually seen Keith Andrews play for the Rovers, but if you have then I find it hard to believe that you think he's done a good job for us and is up to the required standard.

Most games seem to pass Andrews by. He doesn't tackle, he can't head the ball, his passing isn't great, he doesn't beat people with skill or strength, and he lacks pace. His only real redeeming features are that he makes good runs into the box and can hit a shot. He's simply not dynamic enough, not strong enough, and not technically adept enough to make an impression as one of a central midfield pair in the Premier League. Or at least he hasn't been up to now. And it's hard to see him improving too much given his age.

I suspect the only reason he's played so many games for us and his country is that both teams have a lack of quality alternatives.

[Amo]

No it doesn't - it works on the basis that a manager who has won league titles in four different countries, including 7 Serie A titles, and all UEFA club competitions going (the only manager to do so in fact) knows a tiny winy bit more about football than some random bods on the internet who’s only actual experience of professional football is watching the odd game.

And this may surprise you, but sometimes managers get it wrong.

It’s also weird how respected football journalists haven’t singled out Keith Andrews as a poor performer for Ireland (or for Blackburn either).

Nicko is well respected (on here at least) and he can't see how Andrews demands a first-team place. He said as much after the Villa game.

It all seems to point to the fact that the only people that denigrate Andrews are a section of his own, I repeat own, fans!

He isn't good enough for our team, fan or no.

[den]

Don't know the answer? I do - it's Occam's razor!

I'll give the facts again:

I'll ask again, who is he keeping out of the Rovers and ROI teams?

[Kelbo]

I don't know if the posters above have actually seen Keith Andrews play for the Rovers, but if you have then I find it hard to believe that you think he's done a good job for us and is up to the required standard.

Most games seem to pass Andrews by. He doesn't tackle, he can't head the ball, his passing isn't great, he doesn't beat people with skill or strength, and he lacks pace. His only real redeeming features are that he makes good runs into the box and can hit a shot. He's simply not dynamic enough, not strong enough, and not technically adept enough to make an impression as one of a central midfield pair in the Premier League. Or at least he hasn't been up to now. And it's hard to see him improving too much given his age.

I suspect the only reason he's played so many games for us and his country is that both teams have a lack of quality alternatives.

Exactly, an honest and straightforward post, there simply havent been the right alternatives when he has played for both the Republic and Rovers, a fit Grella and Dunn along with Tugay, a fit Reid would always play ahead of him.

Thats not knocking him, he tries hard but just simply is really not premiership quality!!

Remember, there are players in the Irish squad from Irish teams

[rover6]

You can't deny that the guy has great self-belief. He's gone into that Irish team, talent-deficiency aside, and performed really well.

Is he Jon Douglas with a longer CV? Possibly. But confidence can make a footballer. If Andrews believes his own hype from his Ireland performances, we may see him leap into a confidence bubble like Steven Reid did a few years back - and end up catching the eye of Alex Ferguson... although hopefully the bubble doesn't burst as it so spectacularly has with Reid.

[Jonnolad]

And this may surprise you, but sometimes managers get it wrong.

Two respected managers? Both making the same mistake? Consistency and repeatedly?

Suddenly the odds are shortening of it being a "mistake", don't you think?

Nicko is well respected (on here at least) and he can't see how Andrews demands a first-team place. He said as much after the Villa game.

Funny how it hasn't appeared in print anywhere though eh including from Nicko?

He isn't good enough for our team, fan or no.

Again it's bizarrely weird how respected managers keep on disagreeing with you there.

Exactly, an honest and straightforward post, there simply havent been the right alternatives when he has played for both the Republic and Rovers, a fit Grella and Dunn along with Tugay, a fit Reid would always play ahead of him.

Thats not knocking him, he tries hard but just simply is really not premiership quality!!

Remember, there are players in the Irish squad from Irish teams

A fit Grella? When is that bloke going to fit eh and everyone can stop making excuses for him? It's odd because Sam played him for the full 90 against Villa so I suspect he thought he was actually "fit".

This is a player, don't forget, who cost at least 4 times what Andrews did.

Would Grella be worth now what we paid for him? I'd be very surprised if he was. Would Andrews be worth more now than we bought him for? I'd be incredibly surprised if he wasn't, especially considering his starting place for us and the ROI.

[den]

Jonnolad - you're being an arse. You would have a bit more credibility to your argument if you could point out the strengths that Andrews has, that makes him such a hit in the Premier league. You might actually persuade a few more people on here, if you would give us the quality players that he's keeping out of the ROi and Rovers teams.

Not expecting much though.

[Amo]

Two respected managers? Both making the same mistake? Consistency and repeatedly?

There are plenty of overrated footballers who are given chance after chance by different managers and clubs.

Funny how it hasn't appeared in print anywhere though eh including from Nicko?

Except for last week's football pull-out.

[CrazyIvan]

Wolves to Hull - free.

Hull to MK Dons - free.

Is that released then Den? Come on, even you know that isn't the case. Also some people only pull their fingers out, figuratively speaking, once they've reached rock bottom. It seems Keith may well be one of those. Granted, he's not the equal of Lampard or Gerrard but he is much better than you make him out to be.

Speaking generally, those that continually berate him need to sit down and actually watch a game with him in it with open eyes and actually watch his performance rather than assume he's crap because 'he just is' as I've heard people say.

[den]

Is that released then Den? Come on, even you know that isn't the case. Also some people only pull their fingers out, figuratively speaking, once they've reached rock bottom. It seems Keith may well be one of those. Granted, he's not the equal of Lampard or Gerrard but he is much better than you make him out to be.

Speaking generally, those that continually berate him need to sit down and actually watch a game with him in it with open eyes and actually watch his performance rather than assume he's crap because 'he just is' as I've heard people say.

OK CrazyIvan, you've obviously seen more of him than me. He's a very good player.

[92er]

Speaking generally, those that continually berate him need to sit down and actually watch a game with him in it with open eyes and actually watch his performance rather than assume he's crap because 'he just is' as I've heard people say.

I think that a lot of the people who go to matches and are critical of Andrews have a similar perspective to Scotty's.

[broadsword]

Because he hasn't been slagged off in print that means that he can't be a bad player?

Twisted logic, Rovers and ROI don't get that much print space, it doesn't mean anything.

I've only seen him play on telly, but he looks very ordinary. If you don't think that the fact that he's played mainly in the lower divisions and only made it to the Premiership courtesy of Ince isn't some sort of commentary on his ability then you're mad.

He plays for Rovers and ROI because there's no better options available for those teams, that's pretty bloody obvious. But neither of them has a big strength in depth so not really an endorsement of his playing ability.

Mind he can't be all-bad if he once had a hair-cut like this:

[CrazyIvan]

So, come on then, who else should be playing in front of Andrews and why? For Rovers and RoI...

[Jonnolad]

Jonnolad - you're being an arse. You would have a bit more credibility to your argument if you could point out the strengths that Andrews has, that makes him such a hit in the Premier league. You might actually persuade a few more people on here, if you would give us the quality players that he's keeping out of the ROi and Rovers teams.

Not expecting much though.

Being an arse for defending a Rovers player by stating the obvious (that he's actually rated by respected, some would say even world class, managers)? That's obviously a definition of arse I've never come across before!

As for Andrews' strengths go, the problem we have is 25,000 people go to a match and 25,000 see a different game - most people's views are subjective. One thing that isn't though is the stats - and they consistently show he is a decent performer in both passing and tackling. I'm not saying he's outstanding, but he does outperform players who cost us far more.

And surely that's the point - he's a squad player. He doesn't need to be outstanding to have my total respect in a Rovers shirt. Importantly though he cost us far less than other squad players. So what is everyone's problem with him? If your point is he's only being chosen because there's no-one better, then surely we should be having a go at the other players who cost more but aresn't performing better than him.

[Jonnolad]

Because he hasn't been slagged off in print that means that he can't be a bad player?

Twisted logic, Rovers and ROI don't get that much print space, it doesn't mean anything.

I've only seen him play on telly, but he looks very ordinary. If you don't think that the fact that he's played mainly in the lower divisions and only made it to the Premiership courtesy of Ince isn't some sort of commentary on his ability then you're mad.

In a sentence you've summed up the problem here nicely.

Why do you care where he came from? Why is it even an issue? Surely all that matters is how he plays in a Rovers shirt. I personally couldn't care if he'd only played for Great Harwood Town (sound familar to you?).

Fortunately Sam Allardyce and Giovanni Trapattoni don't look at where he's been but how he's playing now. That's why he can't be a bad player IMO - because arguably the greatest club manager ever thinks he's a decent player - not where he came from.

[thenodrog]

Riddle me this one - why do Allardyce and Trapattoni keep on playing Andrews?

He is an attacking midfielder not a defensive one and we are not well stocked in that department at all.

[tonyoz]

Jonnolad I like your style. No one has dented your logic yet!

Andrews did have a shocker against Villa - but who didn't?

That's 3 managers this season who have rated him highly enough to earn a starting place. Yes, i know, one of them was Ince and we all hate him now - but he does know a decent midfielder surely.

I'll ask again, who is he keeping out of the Rovers and ROI teams?

It doesn't really matter does it? If he is the best option in either case, he should play - and the fans should get behind him until a better player is available.

[JAL]

So, come on then, who else should be playing in front of Andrews and why? For Rovers and RoI...

For Rovers thats a good question, but it was one that Paul Ince had to address and failed miserably. Rovers didnt need more squad players but effecive first teamers something Andrews isnt. He gives his all but sadly lacks the qualities needed to be able to consistently put Rovers into winning positions in the premier league.

Its not Andrews fault but he should never be here in the first place but then neither should that numpty's who brought him here.

Come summer I fully hope the club and big Sam bring in some much needed quality central midfielders otherwise the season ticket might have to be passed up on.