[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[American]

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.

Of course, all those managers could have been wrong as well.

But Den, weren't you one of the ones who said that Ince might have had success at the lower levels, but managing there and managing in the Premiership are 2 different beasts? Now you seem to be saying that those lower level managers know what they are doing and might know more than Sam because they didn't think he was worth playing or keeping?

[DeadlyDirk]

I think having a topic on a messageboard of 49 pages is probably the highlight of Keith Andrews career so far but all in all he's done OKAY and others have been worse without having such a song and dance made about them. He didn't buy himself and he doesn't keep picking himself so it's not all Keith's fault, we should cut him some slack and support him while he wears a Rovers shirt. He's a bit like Gary Neville but a midfielder and less fashionable, you've gotta love him for it.

[den]

But Den, weren't you one of the ones who said that Ince might have had success at the lower levels, but managing there and managing in the Premiership are 2 different beasts? Now you seem to be saying that those lower level managers know what they are doing and might know more than Sam because they didn't think he was worth playing or keeping?

Well I said that I didn't ever think Ince would gain the respect necessary to make a top manager. Don't remember saying what you've just said.

As for your main point American, I'm just throwing back the point, to the people who say he must be better than anyone on here thinks, because he's being selected by Trap. None of those people can actually sum up the strengths and weaknesses of Andrews game, like Scotty has done, - except to say that his passing and tackling stats are good? [tackling indeed]. Oh and it also apparently doesn't have any bearing on the argument, that He's not actually keeping anyone of quality out of any team.

[broadsword]

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.

I don't care where he came from, but it's a very good marker as to his ability.

Umpteen seasons down among the dead men, and he gets played by Allardyce, a manager who didn't sign him and who hasn't had the chance to replace him; and that makes Andrews a world-beater?

He's being played by default because there's no-one better at the minute. That is the actual problem, and it's part of the reason why we're currently up the creek. That's the real problem, not whatever you imagine my prejudice to be.

[thenodrog]

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.

If he does he should have bought him instead then!

But

Th unfortunate truth is that he sold one.

[tonyoz]

If he does he should have bought him instead then!

Yes, I'll give you that one.

But

Th unfortunate truth is that he sold one.

Wonder if 'arry agrees?

[thenodrog]

Wonder if 'arry agrees?

Don't care tony. I've seen more of David Bentley than Harry Rednapp.

[philipl]

I think the clinching argument on Keith Andrews and one which scares me about our current predicament is that I cannot think of a single Rovers team since 1992 (including the 1999-2001 period) in which Andrews would get picked.

Come to think of it, he wouldn't have got into many Rovers sides in the '80s either.

[cn174]

I think the clinching argument on Keith Andrews and one which scares me about our current predicament is that I cannot think of a single Rovers team since 1992 (including the 1999-2001 period) in which Andrews would get picked.

Come to think of it, he wouldn't have got into many Rovers sides in the '80s either.

I was having this kind of discussion the other day. This is the midfield that played when we beat Fulham 4-3 - one of the previous times we were in big trouble:

Andresen ,Flitcroft ,Tugay ,Douglas

Now that is not the greatest midfield in the world either by any stretch of the imagination, but Andrews wouldn't get in there - no chance!

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

I think people are missing the point. Nobody (seems to) think Andrews deserves a place in the starting XI. What I, and several exasperated others are saying is that he is a SQUAD player. Back up. Not. A. Starter.

It's useless making analogies with previous midfields, unless you are comparing Andrews to the BACK UP for said midfields.

If you want to compare the Douglas', compare them with the likes of Emerton, Grella, Dunn and Reid, who are our FIRST CHOICE midfielders.

The fact of the matter is that we are seeing more of Andrews because people are getting nobbled. He is a squad player, nothing more.

In any case, I'm glad Ince bought him. If he hadn't, we'd have been seeing a Moko/Tugay tandem for most of the season. That is much more frightening.

[CrazyIvan]

I think the point is that he is, not entirely by his choice, a Rovers player and will be for the foreseeable future. Do you support Rovers? So support him.

[Jonnolad]

As for your main point American, I'm just throwing back the point, to the people who say he must be better than anyone on here thinks, because he's being selected by Trap. None of those people can actually sum up the strengths and weaknesses of Andrews game, like Scotty has done, - except to say that his passing and tackling stats are good? [tackling indeed]. Oh and it also apparently doesn't have any bearing on the argument, that He's not actually keeping anyone of quality out of any team.

Well you'd presume he's keeping both Darron Gibson and Andy Reid out of the ROI team for starters. Would you say those players are worth more than the £750k which Keith cost? Would you be chuffed if we'd signed either of those in the transfer window for that £750k? Andy Reid cost Sunderland £4m less than 2 years ago, and been a regular starter for them this season - that would be some monumental and unexplainable drop in value if he was worth less than £750k now! The wierd thing is Trapattoni is picking Keith Andrews ahead of these players.

Hang on though - if Scotty's synopsis of the player is correct then Trapattoni must be clearly insane to be picking Andrews now. In fact if Scotty's synopsis is correct then Trapattoni should be scouring the local pub teams to find someone - anyone - who can play instead of Andrews. Because that's the doubly weird thing - Trapattoni is picking Andrews now - after he has having been having these truly "diabolical" performances for us - diabolical that is accordng to some of our fans. It's easy to forget that Keith Andrews wasn't even on the bench for the ROI's qualifiers last September and it's only since he's been having these "terrible" games for us that he's suddenly not just in the squad but starting for the ROI.

Something obviously doesn't add up here. So which one is it - is Scotty wrong or does Trapattoni just not have a clue what he's doing? Let's compare and contrast - we've got some bod who posts on an internet forum who's only experience of professonal football is probably watching the odd game or we've a supremely experienced and talented manager who's won titles in four different countries and has currently guided the ROI to level top of their world cup qualifying group on points with Italy. I'm not being funny but it looks clearly like Trapattoni isn't a man who doesn't know what he's doing when it comes to football.

If we then add into the equation some Rovers fans' comments (on this very thread) that Andrews can't be good enough because of where he came from and who bought him, then you begin to see that some people's opinions are being formed not how Andrews performs on the pitch but because of some bizarre football snobbery.

The truly bizarre thing is these people are supposedly his own team's fans who have such a blinkered view of the player, a player who we should be geting behind 100%, especially if according to you, he's only in the team because there's no one better. In fact if there's no-one better we should be extremely grateful he's here and only cost a relative pittance in Premier League terms.

I personally think the bloke is actually getting in our team and the ROI on merit. What do I know though. I just watch the odd game. I like to leave the footballing decisions to people who clearly know what they're doing - do you know what I mean?

[rover6]

"Cheek-bones like a cheese-grater."

Bryan wins.

This arguments a little silly cos everyone actually agrees. Andrews isn't that good but we have few other options, so it's not outrageous that he plays and we'll see if he improves.

Anyone disagree?

[Jonnolad]

I think the clinching argument on Keith Andrews and one which scares me about our current predicament is that I cannot think of a single Rovers team since 1992 (including the 1999-2001 period) in which Andrews would get picked.

Come to think of it, he wouldn't have got into many Rovers sides in the '80s either.

And the paradox is there's no-one better in the squad? Then christ on a bike, we should really be getting behind this player then - really really getting behind the player.

Out of interest, can you think of any Rovers players who are that bad but were then inexplicably called up for their country by world class managers who've seen them actually playing that badly?

It's a mystery, wrapped inside an enigma!

Perhaps Keith is giving Giovanni, or big Sam, a reach round when they're making the team selection. That's beginning to be the only rational explanation for their continued faith in him.

[den]

Jonnolad, nice long post, but still you don't tell us what his strengths and weaknesses are. Saying another manager picked him last game, doesn't really mean anything to the people who have watched him most of this season.

So, in your opinion, what is he good at?

[Blueboy Downunder]

garry flitcroft was and always will be far more important to rovers than keith andrews ever has or will be!! those whom followed rovers more than 10 years ago, will understand why i need not explain why...about flitty v andrews.

[1864roverite]

if it helps Den

he is good at getting in the way

he is good at passing backwards

he can run box to box

BUT

he cant do anything else

[tonyoz]

Jonnolad, nice long post, but still you don't tell us what his strengths and weaknesses are. Saying another manager picked him last game, doesn't really mean anything to the people who have watched him most of this season.

So, in your opinion, what is he good at

He can pick a good pass. Sometimes a very good pass. He shows a lot of energy. He does get in the way - ie he puts his body on the line. Sometimes he gets into good positions in the box. Maybe if he scored a cracker in front of the Blackburn End? However, some of that energy is not very constructive. He runs around with little effect sometimes and his tackling is pretty awful to be honest. Nevertheless, we are fairly desperate midfieldwise and if Keith is the best we have then lets cheer him to the rafters.

[Jonnolad]

Jonnolad, nice long post, but still you don't tell us what his strengths and weaknesses are. Saying another manager picked him last game, doesn't really mean anything to the people who have watched him most of this season.

So, in your opinion, what is he good at?

What's the point? I'm no expert at football, I just go to the odd game (well every home game and the odd away, then watch games on the telly of course). I have one view of the game (and the player), the bloke sitting one side of me has a different view, the bloke on the other side a different view again. We're just fans at the end of the day - we don't see training sessions, we don't spend time pouring over vids, we haven't got coaching badges, we haven't got successful and sustained experience at managing a team at the highest professional level. If a fan listing his perceived strengths and weaknesses of a player is held in such esteem - then the scouting system would surely be defunct!

The stone cold fact which you continually keep swerving is that two seriously respected managers clearly do rate Andrews, so either they are wrong or you are, which is it?

Call this sixth sense but you won't address that point, you'll now keep on saying that me listing Andrews strengths and weaknesses is the all important point. Just like me listing which players Andrews is keeping out of the ROI was the point before, but since I've now done that, that suddenly isn't important after all. I think the term I'm looking for is avoidance.

[1864roverite]

Funny, I still havent read any PLUS points as to what he brings to the team whereas we HAVE ALL listed his many weak points.

Whether Sam likes him, or Ince loved him doesnt really matter does it ?

He is only a makeshift replacement at best becasue we have NO-ONE else to play in that position and who can we blame for that one ?

Hughes, Williams, Nicko, Ince or Sam ?

For anyone with ANY experience of watching or playing football EACH differs in opinion but I think we can safely say Keith Andrews is NOT a good footballer and he doesnt bring ANYTHING positive to BRFC on the pitch.

Simple as 1-2-3

Simple as BFC are turds

Simple as babies like milk

[dennis the menace]

What's the point? I'm no expert at football, I just go to the odd game (well every home game and the odd away, then watch games on the telly of course). I have one view of the game (and the player), the bloke sitting one side of me has a different view, the bloke on the other side a different view again. We're just fans at the end of the day - we don't see training sessions, we don't spend time pouring over vids, we haven't got coaching badges, we haven't got successful and sustained experience at managing a team at the highest professional level. If a fan listing his perceived strengths and weaknesses of a player is held in such esteem - then the scouting system would surely be defunct!

The stone cold fact which you continually keep swerving is that two seriously respected managers clearly do rate Andrews, so either they are wrong or you are, which is it?

Call this sixth sense but you won't address that point, you'll now keep on saying that me listing Andrews strengths and weaknesses is the all important point. Just like me listing which players Andrews is keeping out of the ROI was the point before, but since I've now done that, that suddenly isn't important after all. I think the term I'm looking for is avoidance.

you can say that again nah just kidding mate

so because he gets picked by sam and trappatoni, that equals quality?? how about darren peacock then, he got picked by keegan and was it roy hodgson

as im from denmark i dont know alot about the national team andrews represents. BUT im of the opinion, that denmark as a footballnation, has done much better then the ireland or northern ireland team in the past decade(whichever andrews represents), and there is a lot of danish players, who are playing regulary for our national team, that i wouldnt have at brfc.. its a stamp of approval within your nation, but its not necesserely a stamp of quality..

your whole argument is flawed because, A) andrews is only playing because of injuries and B ) the competition he has for his national team position is weak..

i will use dennis rommedahl, he is an excellent example, the majority of the posters here knows him, as he has played for charlton.. how do you rate him.?? he is in the starting lineup for denmark, and has been, for as long as i can remember. he has played for charlton, ajax and now another dutch club, to me he is a decent player, but just because morten olsen loves him, alan curbishley bought him and van basten previously rated him, im not "allowed" to think less of him, because they are well known trainers .. to me thats twisted logics..

now to my opinion about andrews, he is simply not good enough as a starter, the fact he gets picked, has more to do with dunn and grella´s injuries, then his abilities.. that should be obvious to everyone

the thing is, that andrews has been thrown to the wolwes, hardly anytime to adjust and in the middle of a relegation battle... the question that should be asked is this, what are we to expect, as a smallish club, when it comes to our 4 or 5th choice in central midfield position, and here im inclined to think, that andrews is the sort of player we need, as he represents good value for the money, we paid/pay for him..

its no surprise he isnt good enough, but did anyone really expect him to be.. in a much more fortunate scenario, dunn and grella had been fit, tugay younger and andrews would have played less, but thats just not the case.. sadly we have those injuries, and the best replacement we got is andrews..

the fact that andrews plays isnt really saying much about his qualities, but more about the present situation regarding our midfield..

and ill agree with you jonno, it is a stupid to boo andrews, its not his fault he is here, but im willing to bet, he is doing his best.. get behind the f-u-c-k-e.r, perhaps it would raise his game a bit.. we will need everyone in the battle against relegation, and that includes andrews..

[1864roverite]

Now that he is on the pitch versus Coventry, can anyone please tell us now what he brings to our team ?

[Stuart]

Now that he is on the pitch versus Coventry, can anyone please tell us now what he brings to our team ?

Comedy? Tragedy

[CrazyIvan]

What I find amazing from people on here is how they constantly pick at Andrews game. So what? Who is your opinion on Andrews football going to have an affect on? Big Sam? Trappatoni? Keith Andrews? The answer to that is quite simple, if you boo him you will affect him and that will only have a detrimental affect on Rovers players as they'll hear it too. Simple solution, get behind him and Rovers.

[Stuart]

What I find amazing from people on here is how they constantly pick at Andrews game. So what? Who is your opinion on Andrews football going to have an affect on? Big Sam? Trappatoni? Keith Andrews? The answer to that is quite simple, if you boo him you will affect him and that will only have a detrimental affect on Rovers players as they'll hear it too. Simple solution, get behind him and Rovers.

It's got nothing to do with booing him. I don't boo any Rovers players. If he's got the shirt on he deserves the support.

Fact is, for a so-called box-to-box midfielder, he's not capable at this level. FFS, I'm not expecting Frank Lampard standard but I'm expecting better than your average championship player, and he would be average in the championship. At best you could say he does his best not to give the ball away but invariably this involves passing the ball backwards. Please feel free to go to one of the games Andrews is playing and tell me (and the rest of us 'people on here') what he brings to the side. It's a fair question for someone who's being paid a hell of a lot of money and not doing a great deal in return.