[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Surely every squad needs a player like this who just comes on and generally does what the maanger asks without fuss or complaint. I don't think I want to see him playing every week next season but he hasn't been injured nor has he looked totally out of his depth in our team. Now I know we've been scrambling for points at the wrong end of the table and that may be why he hasn't stood out as being worse than most of what we've got but I wouldn't personally want to see us sell him to anyone as he is reliable for the most part and stays fit and can do a job at this level.

Sorry if you thought I was criticising KA but all I was saying was he had a decent game not an excellent game. I've never criticised him and defended him several times before on this thread.

Keith Andrews will still be part of the plans next season unless Sam signs another midfielder who can run for 90 minutes in the centre of the park

[gumboots]

Sorry if you thought I was criticising KA but all I was saying was he had a decent game not an excellent game. I've never criticised him and defended him several times before on this thread.

Keith Andrews will still be part of the plans next season unless Sam signs another midfielder who can run for 90 minutes in the centre of the park

No I wasn't getting at you really. Just a more general point that I can't see why people are on his back ALL the time, when he has done whatever has been asked to the best of his ability. As I said, I don't think he's the answer to our midfield needs just that I think every team needs a player in the Andrews mould, reliable, versatile and can do a job if you need him.

[philipl]

KA was as fortunate against Pompey as the Norwegian full back for the dingles last night.

After the opposition proved they could go past him with ease, they gave up and attacked down the centre or the other flank.

[Jonnolad]

Andrews is a championship player at best. If he is happy to play sparingly in the Prem on Championship money with an annual review then that would be fine by me. But if he is on Prem money and we want to improve the squad then we need to replace him. Simple as that when you view the situation in black and white and get rid of the distracting shades in between.

Let's be completely honest about Andrews - no matter how well he plays or how many (crucial) goals he scores or how many (crucial) goal line clearances he makes for us - many fans are just not happy that he is at the club and absolutely nothing he does will change that. It doesn't matter that he performs better than people who cost far more than him, or that he gets international call ups, or that the opta stats show him to be a decent performer - none of that matters and it never will for many people. These people had made their mind up about Andrews before he had even kicked a ball for us; he was bought by a disliked manager from a much lower division club so he will therefore never be good enough to play for Rovers. End of discussion for these fans - he wasn't welcome and never will be.

For them every time he plays they are constantly looking for the negatives. If there's absolutely no doubt that he's played well then they are looking for excuses for it - "the opposition was crap", "he only did what was expected" etc etc. Other players can play far worse than him and not be berated by the fans - certainly not to the same level that Andrews is. In fact many players who cost (and continue to cost) more than Andrews can consistently play less well than him but are then far more coveted as Rovers players. For these players the excuses work in reverse - "they need to be given time", "they need to be given a full season to see what they can do". It's clearly odd that Andrews who costs far less isn't afforded this privilege by our fans.

It's the reverse halo effect and it categorically exists for Andrews with many fans (to the point where some fans berate Andrews vocally for mistakes by a totally different player, and other fans question Andrews role when he is actually playing in a completely different position to the one they perceive):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_effect

Thenodrog's comment above shows the highest (begrudging) acceptance that Andrews can ever hope to hold at Rovers with certain sections of our fans. This isn't a small section either - this is a sizable chunk of our fan base.

The obvious best thing for Andrews himself would be to move to a club where the fans would appreciate him (he'd be a regular Premier League and international starter to them not a division 2 player). Unfortunately for him I personally can't see that happening though. Big Sam probably realises that for the relatively low price, and more importantly his continuing low wages, we aren't going to get someone who can perform as competently - not only in his favoured position but also out of position. I could be proved wrong here but I'd be surprised if Allardyce gets rid over the summer.

It's a shame for the lad, especially when it isn't something he's done but where he was signed from which is the cause of his dislike by his own fans, and he's stuck here because we're short of cash.

[Lathund]

Excellent post Jonno, and I agree completely. Sadly a lot of people don't realise that they have prejudices, or that it's possible to interpret identical things differently based on your expectations. They look hard to see anything he does wrong, and ignore anything he does well, and they don't for a second consider that this might be the case. So he won't ever get any praise from any of them. It's often the same people who will overlook any mistakes made by the "local boys" and defend them to the death. Compare him to David Dunn; he had a couple of good games early on in the season, but his overall contribution this season has been far less than that of Andrews, despite costing the club more. Yet people aren't on his back all the time.

People should judge him for what he is; a versatile hard working squad player who cost relatively little in transfer fees and wages. As much as we'd like 20 star players at the club, it's just not going to happen. We need some Zurabs and Andrews.

[gumboots]

I'd agree with that. I hope he stays and gets some games next year. He's useful and willing and so far, stays fit.

[Mozzer]

next season when we get some decent midfielders in and our injuried midfielders back i cant see nothing more then a place on the bench for keith andrews...

hes done ok in moving up to the premierleague from league two-kept himself fit, and probably has been our best central midfielder throughout the season(but that is saying something)..

i think he could be good coming of the bench next season when we are needing a goal as he sometimes can nick the odd goal..

[jonman105]

he has weighed in with a few crucial goals aswell (wba and west ham spring to mind).

[Guest benmaxwell]

Andrews is a championship player at best.

I don't agree with this. If anything, this season i think he has proved that he can play at this level quite comfortably.

A Championship quality midfielder does not score 4 goals and provide quite a few assists that he has. I can remember several but does anyone know the exact number of assists he has provided. I can't find the stats anywhere...

He has also cleared the ball off the line for us a couple of times this season, and does get stuck in...

If you'd have asked me when we signed him what i though, i would have been angry at him joining us... But the simple fact is, you can't help but be impressed with what he has done this season if you remember what you thought of him at the start when we signed him...

Just my opinion...

[67splitscreen]

Try the official site, having said that they have it down as 0.

Andrews

[JAL]

KA was as fortunate against Pompey as the Norwegian full back for the dingles last night.

After the opposition proved they could go past him with ease, they gave up and attacked down the centre or the other flank.

True philipl, but there was definitely a swagger in Keith Andrews play for me against Pompey. Did he not 'megs' one of their players second half.

I've been a critic from day one but if hes showing something for the team then he gets my support. Looking forward to seeing him play again just to see if it was a one off moment in Keith Andrews or does he really have something to warrant another season with the Rovers.

[Jonnolad]

True philipl, but there was definitely a swagger in Keith Andrews play for me against Pompey. Did he not 'megs' one of their players second half.

I've been a critic from day one but if hes showing something for the team then he gets my support. Looking forward to seeing him play again just to see if it was a one off moment in Keith Andrews or does he really have something to warrant another season with the Rovers.

Apologies if I'm missing something here but you're wondering if Andrews is going to repeat his "megs" against Pompey and that will warrant him having another season with us?

Did you miss his goal against West Brom then? Or the one against Hull? West Ham? Man City?

I'm personally hoping he repeats those kind of feats rather than some swagger!

Besides which Andrews has surely warranted another season with us by out performing pretty much all our other central midfield players (all while costing far less).

Just a thought

[JAL]

Apologies if I'm missing something here but you're wondering if Andrews is going to repeat his "megs" against Pompey and that will warrant him having another season with us?

Did you miss his goal against West Brom then? Or the one against Hull? West Ham? Man City?

I'm personally hoping he repeats those kind of feats rather than some swagger!

Besides which Andrews has surely warranted another season with us by out performing pretty much all our other central midfield players (all while costing far less).

Just a thought

No, not another megs, just want to see the general demeanour of his play and that show of confidence in his own ability at this level that alows him to express himself more in a premiership game.

Thats what i'm looking for, but as Philipl quite rightly pointed out, Pompey didnt have anyone attacking him to put him under pressure causing problems for KA.

The 'tap ins' against Hull, Wham and City,were all very well but nothing out of the ordinary Jonnolad.

[thenodrog]

Thenodrog's comment above shows the highest (begrudging) acceptance that Andrews can ever hope to hold at Rovers with certain sections of our fans. This isn't a small section either - this is a sizable chunk of our fan base.

Hey I just tell it how it is jonno. Unfortunately you missed out the word 'accurate' between the fiirst two words.

He tries hard, he grafts too. But he does not have enough to offer in the Prem other than as a cheap back up option. If he leaves us it will be to move down the divisions imo. One thing is for certain no club with a desire to finish top half of the Prem will buy him.

Tell you what... this thread reminds me of the stupidity displayed by many commentators on the threads defending Grabbi and Stead. Some folk need to pay more attention to matters onn the pitch whilst the matches are underway.

[Lathund]

But he does not have enough to offer in the Prem other than as a cheap back up option.

Noone is trying to argue that he's a premiership superstar. But for someone who was brought in as a cheap backup option, he's done what's expected and more. Thus he's undeserving of much of the extremely harsh criticism against him. Based on performances this season, especially under Allardyce, Dunn who costs us more than KA has contributed far less, but gets nowhere near the same abuse.

I don't want him in our first XI next season, but I'll be happy to have him as one of that squad of 18-20 that Sam wants.

[Jonnolad]

No, not another megs, just want to see the general demeanour of his play and that show of confidence in his own ability at this level that alows him to express himself more in a premiership game.

Thats what i'm looking for, but as Philipl quite rightly pointed out, Pompey didnt have anyone attacking him to put him under pressure causing problems for KA.

The 'tap ins' against Hull, Wham and City,were all very well but nothing out of the ordinary Jonnolad.

Yeah that tap in against West Ham was an absolute sitter wasn't it. I surprised we don't score twenty goals a game they're that easy in fact

Just to recap Philipl's point as well "After the opposition proved they could go past him with ease, they gave up and attacked down the centre or the other flank"

Premier league teams do that often in competitive matches do they - avoid the oppositions weak areas? You can just imagine the half time team talk:

"Hey lads, don't go down the left flank because it's way too easy, we want to put the ball where it's harder to score"

It's no wonder Pompey are still in trouble with tactics like that!

Like I said before - If there's absolutely no doubt that he's played well then they are looking for excuses for it - "the opposition was crap", "he only did what was expected" etc etc. In this case the excuse is the opposition didn't want to win the match - you couldn't make it up!

[Jonnolad]

Hey I just tell it how it is jonno. Unfortunately you missed out the word 'accurate' between the fiirst two words.

He tries hard, he grafts too. But he does not have enough to offer in the Prem other than as a cheap back up option. If he leaves us it will be to move down the divisions imo. One thing is for certain no club with a desire to finish top half of the Prem will buy him.

Tell you what... this thread reminds me of the stupidity displayed by many commentators on the threads defending Grabbi and Stead. Some folk need to pay more attention to matters onn the pitch whilst the matches are underway.

It's like ground hog day here!

It seems this thread keeps reminding you of that "stupidity" because you've mentioned it twice now. Unfortunately you can't seem to remember my reply outlining why it's completely different to defending Grabbi and Stead (which it's worth mentioning is something I've never actually done).

Here was my reply last time (which you conveniently ignored then):

Here's the really important bit, your judgement on Andrews is completely and utterly subjective, and many posters on here have actually admitted their judgement is actually biased on where he came from.

Now whilst the opinion of those who say he is decent player is also subjective, this opinion is backed up by absolutely all the evidence which is objective - the opta stats, the match reports and the international call ups. All this evidence has to be weirdly ignored by those who say he isn't a decent footballer. When you start ignoring evidence as strong as this then people quite rightly have a point by saying you are being unjustifiably biased against the player.

This wasn't the case with Grabbi and Stead. With them, as strikers, the evidence is far easier to analyse; they didn't rate in the one stat which counts for strikers - scoring goals. Both their ratio of goals to games was abysmal (apart from the six important one's Stead got for us in his first season). There were absolutely no full international call ups for these players either. The press weren't exactly kind to Grabbi in particular either - here he is featured in the worst Premier League signings ever (number 23):

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle2096584.ece

Compare this to Keith Andrews where he is getting full international call ups and starts based on his performances for us, the opta stats show he is a decent performer, and the Daily Mail in particular (I think - although it could have been the Express) has him short listed as our player of the season!

In conclusion all the evidence backed up the fact that Grabbi and Stead were crap, all the evidence backs up the fact that Andrews is decent.

As I've said before, when you have to start ignoring all the evidence which points to the opposite view then your opinion starts to look very weak.

I'd hazard a guess that you'll come out with the same Grabbi / Stead comparison again though as it seems you like to stick with the same opinion of something even if it's wrong. That seems to illustrate the whole crux of the problem in fact

[jim mk2]

Credit to Andrews for scoring several vital goals this season - the equaliser at West Brom was particularly vital in hindsight - and I expect him to be part of the squad in the next campaign but if we sign more players of similar calibre in the summer we will be relegated.

[Blue blood]

Interesting comparisons between Andrews, Stead and Grabbi.

I think a few people are confusing the difference between talent and performance/output. Grabbi seemed to have lots of talent, some really good touches, good shots etc. which was clear from watching him play, but didn't really perform in his time at ewood.

Andrews on the other hand doesn't have that much talent - his passing is decent at best, the same could be said for his tackling, shooting etc. and some aspects of his game such as positioning are even more suspect. (This is offset in part by his good engine and 100% commitment every game.) However his performances in terms of output - including 4 goals - has been much better than Grabbi.

As for Stead I feel he is more like andrews then grabbi - not that talented but my word didn't he perform well and save our bacon in his first half season with us.

I agree with theno - andrews is no more than a decent backup option, certainly he won't get much better, and if we could get better, or the same with potential we should get rid. However, given the nature of the rebuilding task, and the dire situation in centre mid I doubt he'll be replaced in the summer. We've more pressing issues (like the first choice cms) and so replacing someone who adequately does their roll in the squad probably won't be done this summer.

In time I feel that Andrews could be regarded like Kuqi - woefully inadequate for the prem but liked because of his effort and above talent contribution - but the wounds of the Ince disaster are still too fresh for this to be the case just yet.

[T4E]

Credit to Andrews for scoring several vital goals this season - the equaliser at West Brom was particularly vital in hindsight - and I expect him to be part of the squad in the next campaign but if we sign more players of similar calibre in the summer we will be relegated.

Perfectly summed up in my opinion Jim, just about says it all for me. Credit where it's due, he's done OK.

[riverside returns]

I am not sure if anyone remembers the Dalglish years and the use of Mark Atkins, hardly a world beater, and Nicky Marker. God forbid we should sign anyone of that calibre huh! Andrews is a developing player and even if sold now would realise a decent return! And for the record, a tap in is only a tap in if you make the effort and have the anticipation to get there in the first place.

[Blue blood]

Andrews has nothing on Atkins. Atkins had a brilliant shot on him, could pass the ball well and tackle far better. And had much more positional sense.

We should applaude andrews for his efforts if not his ability, but compairing him to Super Atko is taking it too far.

[jim mk2]

I am not sure if anyone remembers the Dalglish years and the use of Mark Atkins, hardly a world beater, and Nicky Marker. God forbid we should sign anyone of that calibre huh! Andrews is a developing player and even if sold now would realise a decent return! And for the record, a tap in is only a tap in if you make the effort and have the anticipation to get there in the first place.

Andrews is 29 in September, so I'm not sure a player of that age is still "developing". Andrews isn't half the player of Super Atko I'm afraid. Sorry.

[Inta Beaver]

Super Atko, Super Atko, ohh ohh!!

[riverside returns]

Harsh words Jim but Supr Atko scored 12 goals in 84 prem appearances for Rovers as a succesful side, as against Andrews 4 goals in 30 prem appearances, very similar me thinks