Keith Andrews

**paul_oshea** · 12/02/2009, 10:08 AM

Am I the only one who thought andrews did well?!

**irishfan86** · 12/02/2009, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Am I the only one who thought andrews did well?!

No, he was one of our better players in my view, and should have had that goal.

He adds a goal threat from central midfield which is something we haven't really had since Roy Keane (not making comparisons in terms of style or ability at all).

**Pike B** · 12/02/2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

The problem with introducing a "luxury" player into the system Trapattoni has is that it would reintroduce the problem of a revolving door in central midfield. Neither Andy Reid or Stephen Ireland would have the same work ethic tracking back, or marking runners that both Whelan and Andrews do. In the last few games, all the opposition attacking moves have been forced out wide, but that's the concession to playing two attacking wingers in Duff and McGeady.

I see what your saying and his set up is exactly that. I just disagree with it at home against a team we should (in theory) beat.
It's a bit like Rafa setting out with one up front at home to Wigan or Fulham. It's over cautious.
As the crowd chant goes'Attack Attack Attack!!

But hey, thats just my view on how the game should be played. I understand he's Italian and it's their way, but maybe Brady needs to say, 'Hey, we're better than this team, lets tear into them early doors, play attack minded football'..

Just a thought..

**Stuttgart88** · 12/02/2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Am I the only one who thought andrews did well?!

I thought he was very good. Mobile, quick to tackle and break up play and always looking to get involved. I wanted him to do well and he did.

**OwlsFan** · 12/02/2009, 10:51 AM

Sorry to say I thought he was fairly anonymous. Whelan was on the ball a lot more than Andrews. Need to see much more of central midfielders.

**third policeman** · 12/02/2009, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Sorry to say I thought he was fairly anonymous. Whelan was on the ball a lot more than Andrews. Need to see much more of central midfielders.

Think your Owl goggles were deceiving you. I have never been a fan of Andrews but last night he was excellent. Whelan was manifestly the weak link. His touch and distribution were way off. He is not good enough for this level and we must find an alternative if we are to progress.

**Stuttgart88** · 12/02/2009, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Sorry to say I thought he was fairly anonymous.

Couldn't disagree more. I thought Andrews was everywhere, always looking to break up their possession, winning ball and using it efficiently. Contrary to the perception that Trap likes 2 "sitting" midfielders I think Andrews got forward a lot last night and is happy to take responsibility. Giles would have commended his "moral courage".

**paul_oshea** · 12/02/2009, 3:28 PM

Andrews in my opinion was constantly trying to harrass and win back ball, which is something I always said a midfielder should do even though most on the thread after cyprus game said whelan was great cos he sat back and just dispossesed if they were on the 18 yard line, which I dont agree with you need someone getting up and at them and harassing, wheland never does this, and gives away the ball more often than not. Andrews played about with it and look to assert himself in the game and win back possession or break up their play. Whelan did none of this.

The one thing I was surprised at/hoping for from Andrews was that he would be around the 18 yard line more, as thats what i was led to beleive from here/papers/clips on MOTD etc, but there was plenty of times that mcgeady/duff cut inside/ball came out after a set piece where i thought he was going to be and popping a shot in. This never happened and its somewhere where SI always excels. Anyway hope this was because Trap told him to sit further back(in a way though i hope thats wrong too....) and he normally would, as we need that side of his game desperately as was shown by his "goal"

**NeilMcD** · 12/02/2009, 4:08 PM

Yeah I would be with those who thought he did well. Not outstanding or in the class of Stephen Reid but I thought he was our most effective player and closing down the opoosition last night. He has plenty of energy and I think himself and S Reid could combine well in a central midfield, and give us plenty of energy in there. I think Whelan has a picture of the game in his head but his body does not react to it in time and he gets caught in possession. Whelans best games for Ireland have been with S Reid there and I think that could continue for him. We lack creativity in the centre of the park with out the two Stephens there.

**rambler14** · 12/02/2009, 4:29 PM

He certainly impressed me. About time we had a central-midfielder whos not afraid to shoot!

**stiffler** · 01/03/2009, 3:30 PM

Big man scores an important goal for Blackburn today as they beat hull in a bottom of the table clash.

**republicofwhite** · 11/03/2009, 8:44 AM

Progressing nicely...
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...035687,00.html

**tricky_colour** · 11/03/2009, 9:41 PM

Good result for Blackburn, it takes them out of the relegation zone, and it leaves the 'least Irish' teams in it - Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Brom.
If any of those 3 escape relegation it will put a squad player in the relegation zone.

**Fergie's Son** · 12/03/2009, 12:01 AM

Odd to look at it that way but it's a good way to look at it! More Irish in the Premiership the better.

**Stuttgart88** · 12/03/2009, 6:35 PM

He went off after 56 mins last night. Tactical or injury?

**irishfan86** · 12/03/2009, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

He went off after 56 mins last night. Tactical or injury?

They were down 1-0 at the time, and Allardyce brought him off in favour of a forward.

Purely tactical.

**republicofwhite** · 13/03/2009, 9:28 AM

I was at the match, he was Blackburn's most tidy player in a period of disarray for the first ten-15 minutes but started to fade out for the rest of the half, like everyone else. Only Warnock was doing anything and Fulham were cruising. But yeah, a purely tactical switch in the end as McCarthy was needed to change the approach. He couldn't take off Tugay that early as he was creating everything and Warnock was having a stormer defensively and going forward so he was the only one that could go really...