[Archived] Keith Andrews - Rovers Newest Signing

[Hughesy]

"The chairman (John Williams) was very fair with me. When I signed here from MK Dons he said that if I performed and got in the team and stayed in the team I would be rewarded and he has been true to his word."

I'd be extremely surprised and disappointed if Williams had gone back on his word. This seems more like simply fulfilling a promise rather than making a statement about his worth to the team, for all we know Sam might not even have been involved in the decision.

Either way, having players on long term contracts is no bad thing, providing they're not into their thirties.

Agree - looks like he may of come in on a very low wage (based on the standard he came from) and now he has been rewarded for proving he can have some impact at the top level.

[den]

The term "Premier league player" is largely meaningless when bandied about like this however. What does it mean?

I don't know what that means FLB. It was the wording that CrazyIvan chose to use. That's why I said "[as you put it CrazyIvan]".

I do disagree that Andrews is being judged because of Ince. He's being judged because of the fact he's never been anywhere near to the Premier league before - and on his performances so far. Which I must add, haven't been all bad.

[FourLaneBlue]

I do disagree that Andrews is being judged because of Ince. He's being judged because of the fact he's never been anywhere near to the Premier league before - and on his performances so far. Which I must add, haven't been all bad.

Who said he was being judged because of Ince?

By the way just because I quoted you does not my post was directed at you. It was just that "premier league player" is bandied about on here (and this thread all the time) and I was ruminating on how there are different levels of Premier League players at every club.

[den]

Who said he was being judged because of Ince?

Sorry FLB, I thought this was meaning that:

Andrews does get more stick than he would because he is linked to Ince and League 2.

By the way just because I quoted you does not my post was directed at you. It was just that "premier league player" is bandied about on here (and this thread all the time) and I was ruminating on how there are different levels of Premier League players at every club.

Yeah, that's OK. No problem there.

[FourLaneBlue]

No he is ultimately judged because of his quality or lack of it. If he had come in and really impressed people would forget where he came from.

However I do not think there is anybody on here who would say it was not a factor in opinions towards him even before he came. Due to his association with Ince and due to him being in the bottom league at an advanced age for players he had plenty to prove. Therefore he had to rise above those doubts just as the likes of Nelsen did when coming from a league such as the MLS.

It is pretty obvious that he has not managed during the last season to get rid of those doubts amongst the Rovers support through his performances on the field.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

G'won Keef.

Suicide watch and effigy burning in Leyland tonight?

[langhoblue]

It's called motivation spencey. Andrews made a good contribution for us last season, scored four goals, put a lot of effort in for us and never let his head drop. That can't be said for some of our other so-called talents.

Now, I don't like Paul Ince as much as the next person but, while I actually think there was evidence on and off the pitch that players wanted the manager fired (if you went to Wigan away you'd know what I mean about on the pitch evidence), Andrews never stopped putting in the effort for the team at any point during the season. He was loyal and got on with the job. Admirable in my opinion, amongst what must have been an awfully demotivated dressing room..

Sad to see that you only think players should be given a rise for their talent and not their effort. Thank **** you're not our manager.

Can't fault the lad for attitude, effort and commitment but can fault him for being two yards off the pace and the only man whose range of passing makes Aaron Mokoena look like Pele.

Not his fault but not good enough, never has been and never will be

New contract?? The mind boggles

[thenodrog]

Keith Andrews should have been sold to Fulham. I bet there are a couple of dozen players easily as good as him in the lower divisions (there's one at Coventry that we already know about. Who would not take him as a replacement for KA?). We could have turned a tidy profit and enhanced our reputation as the 'place to be' for up and coming players aspiring to play at the top.

[Kelbo]

Keith Andrews should have been sold to Fulham. I bet there are a couple of dozen players easily as good as him in the lower divisions (there's one at Coventry that we already know about. Who would not take him as a replacement for KA?). We could have turned a tidy profit and enhanced our reputation as the 'place to be' for up and coming players aspiring to play at the top.

Agree entirely!!

[Gally]

For what it's worth I'm delighted he's staying at Rovers. You could perhaps question the wisdom of four years but in the modern game contract length is there to give the club more power in the transer market, little else.

He is not technically the most gifted player I've seen in a Rovers shirt, but his passing isn't all that bad and I don't think we could replace him with the money that Fulham were supposedly willing to play. He gives 100% from box to box and has no area in his game which really stands out as a weakness. I know this sets up many "Jack of all trades, master of none" or "equally bad at everything" jokes, but I think he does everything that a quality centre midfielder might have in his arsenal to a reasonable or good standard. The stick that he gets off his own supporters is ridiculous in my opinion, we've had some very bad players pull on our jersey in the past who put in MUCH less effort than Andrews does, and at the same times had better pedigree whlilst picking up more money, yet they didn't get half the stick that Keith does. Anyway, rant over, I'm just glad he's playing for us next year and not another premierleague club.

[broadsword]

Beejabbers and begorrah!

Oh Keefy Boy!

I take it all back. He's an Oirsh de Stefano in blue and white, so he is.

[Stuart]

In fairness, we don't know the money involved. I just wish that players would show the same loyalty to BRFC as BRFC seems to show to its players.

[BuckyRover]

He's better than Flitcroft. I'm delighted. We can aim

many things at ince but we cant say he can't judge a midfielder. I think he will be made captain.

[joey_big_nose]

Can't fault the lad for attitude, effort and commitment but can fault him for being two yards off the pace and the only man whose range of passing makes Aaron Mokoena look like Pele.

People can give keef a lot of stick, but surely there has to be a line somewhere?!

The one thing I think most people would agree on is that Andrews is a better player than The Axe, and certainly a better passer of the ball.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Sorry but no.

Mokoena was terrible, granted. But he had a purple patch in that defencive midfield position which kept us up. He pulled some top draw performances out of the hat.

Andrews has so far ran around alot and ran into a few people (thats hard work and commitment aint it?). Its depressing times when such averageness (even below averageness) is rewarded with a new contract and no shipped out when fulham were daft enough to take him off of us.

[Kelbo]

I do despair, a player with no touch and no pace can get a contract extension!!

Ok he works hard, but so do many of us!!!

[Steve Moss]

It is pretty obvious that he has not managed during the last season to get rid of those doubts amongst the Rovers support through his performances on the field.

Why that would be so is beyond me. 4 goals in 35 appearances, considering his role, is pretty good work. And he will work, unlike some. Overall he's a postive influence with the club. He's earned his contract.

[tHe_UnAmEd]

Keith Andrews has the poise and control of a divine being, the only thing that could possibly strike more fear into a defence is Chuck Norris.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves, spouting such heresy, and bow to the God like behemoth that is Keith.

[Tris]

Well, the experts have been posting on here for months about how Andrews has only been getting picked in the team because Allardyce had nobody else to choose. Den, LeChuck, tcjjones, philipl and Bryan alone have knocked out over 300 posts slagging the player off, announcing his imminent departure from the club, and cutting down anyone who dared to suggest any different.

So now, Allardyce has a world full of midfielders to choose from, and supposedly an offer on the table to take Keith Andrews away from Rovers for real cash money - but he's chosen to back Andrews in the most emphatic way possible. 4 years?? That's a hell of a statement to make. I think it's designed almost as much for the fans as the player. This lad's here to stay, and here to play.

I'm not sure why there's so much wailing and gnashing of teeth tonight since this was announced. It's been crystal clear for weeks that Allardyce really rates Andrews, although every time I've pointed that fact out, it's been shouted down by the "he only plays cos there's nobody else" brigade.

I can't see our manager being able to afford / scout for free or cheap / loan in anything better than Keith Andrews in centre mid, so you may have to get used to the fact that he's a mainstay of the side next season.

If Fulham have actually enquired about Andrews, and BFS has sent them away, it says quite a lot.

It also suggests a lot of Rovers fans are going to get very grumpy, because if he was only earmarked to be a bit part player next season, I'm sure that BFS would take the cash and use it elsewhere.

The signs are that SA rates Andrews very highly.

He went out of his way - on at least two occasions at the end of last season - when praising the efforts of the team, to pick out Andrews for a name check for his versatility and his progress since stepping up, and his valuable goals.

He's also played him from the start in both pre-season fixtures this week.

And if the interest from Fulham was genuine, Rovers could have gone back with the "derisory offer" or "nowhere near our valuation" line.

They didn't, it was a very public "he's not for sale."

Well ... how fascinating.

4 out of 8 pre-season opponents now played ... and the only Rovers player to start against all 4 is - Keith Andrews.

Maybe the gaffer is testing his fitness ... or maybe he's grooming his midfield linchpin

SO... next time I cop a volley of abuse for suggesting that Allardyce picks Andrews because actually he can play / score / contribute in line with the wishes of the manager, rather than being a last choice charlie, I will simply refer Den and co to the 4 year deal handed to the player by BFS today.

[islander200]

Sorry but no.

Mokoena was terrible, granted. But he had a purple patch in that defencive midfield position which kept us up. He pulled some top draw performances out of the hat.

Andrews has so far ran around alot and ran into a few people (thats hard work and commitment aint it?). Its depressing times when such averageness (even below averageness) is rewarded with a new contract and no shipped out when fulham were daft enough to take him off of us.

he also scored 4 goals last season getting us points at west brom and hull.He is a better player than mokoena imo.

[Ronin]

Andrews has so far ran around alot and ran into a few people (thats hard work and commitment aint it?).

Sounds a bit like Robbie Savage

[alexanders]

To the poster above. I actually think that with the right coaching he will be able to do a Savage job.

Keith has a great engine, but is technically limited.

How happy are you know Jonnolad?

I think the guy deserves it, and will deffo give him my support!

[Martin]

Well done to Keith.

He's nowhere near a favourite of mine, but looking back he did a fine job.

He knows what he can do and doesn't try silly things.

He will have another decent season. His biggest problem is that Ince signed him - he'll always have that terrible assocaition.

A good squad man and plays like he cares.

I like it.

[S15]

The decision to reject £2m to give him a similar amount, if not more in wages to stay for FOUR (ridiculous) years seems stupid.

Not good enough, his seemingly ''cult'' supporters have only emerged due to the OTT abuse he has recieved from certain people.

I'll go with what Ive always said, he's crap, and any team finishing above 12th won't have him in it.

[jim mk2]

Its depressing when such averageness (even below averageness) is rewarded with a new contract and no shipped out when fulham were daft enough to take him off of us.

Correct.

Rovers should have snapped up Fulham's offer and replaced with Andrews any number of championship players with more skill. There's even one at Accrington Stanley who is better.

Sold our centre forward for £17m yet cannot afford a decent replacement and now we have to suffer another four (!!!) years of misplaced passes and badly timed runs from Andrews.

I like Allardyce and think he will be a good manager for us but these are depressing times for Rovers fans.

At least Andrews's psychotic agent / mum / dad on here will be happy.