Andersen comments...

[Somerset Fulham]

In my opinion Affengruber is much better, to the point that I dont even notice him in a game, sounds odd but he cracks on, gets the job done, sits under the radar

You see, you may turn out to be right, you may not; but either way that is a hell of a take after one game against an out of sorts United and the other against a Championship side.

[Sting of the North]

In my opinion Affengruber is much better, to the point that I dont even notice him in a game, sounds odd but he cracks on, gets the job done, sits under the radar

You see, you may turn out to be right, you may not; but either way that is a hell of a take after one game against an out of sorts United and the other against a Championship side.

Even though they are maybe not at their best, but I don't think it is accurate to label Liverpool a Championship side. After all, their front line cost about a thousand billions, or something like that.

I think Affengruber has done really well against some world class forwards, and I am excited to see his development. Andersen has however also shown plenty of times that he can play well in the PL, albeit the current tactics may not play to his strengths. Against Palace for example, he looked like the least of our defensive problems with Bassey and Robinson all over the place.

[LittleErn]

Hm, JA thinks that he has played brilliantly this seadon...

"It comes as a bit of a surprise to
me. Last season, I was captain in many matches," he said.

"We lost the first three matches. I was suspended for the first one. And then the coach thinks we should change."

"But I don't have much to say about it. I can't do much about it, and I think I've played quite brilliantly. Sometimes the coach wants to try something different, and that's how it is."

He played two matches before being bench by Arbeloa, one of which was a tight 1-0 loss vs Sunderland. Vs West ham he got an assist for Palacios. Statistically as a defender, i think I've seen some stats which had him as one of the better defenders in the league across certain stats. Granted people seem to scapegoat him, but i got stats from last season which suggested our defence, with him in, was actually capable enough to secure Europe. He may not be as better suited to Arbeloas style as Affengruber and I know people love the new signing, but I've seen a couple of lapses too from affengruber, though none punished yet. We're lucky to have two strong PL options in RCB.

Like all of us, time will diminish our abilities. Andersen is still a very good defender but as the game nears its end fatigue sets in. He has never been particularly fast but holding a high line will make that more of  problem. His long passing ability compensates to some extent. Affengruber has played very well and deserves his place at the moment.

[hopper]

The Bournemouth game was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back for me with Andersen. He's not been good enough for us for a while in my opinion, we so often get caught out by his lack of pace and it's been a big issue. He also seems to always shrug his arms and look around at his teammates after he's done something wrong.

I've not really got the sense he's got as much as desire as he used to, and seems a different player to the one at Palace and under Parker. Not his primary job but he's also barely threatened at set pieces offensively either.

Sure Affengruber may have misplaced a pass that led to a chance v Liverpool, that kind of thing can happen to any CB trying to make a progressive pass. Look at the Brentford game last season, it was Andersen who gave the ball away late on and was far too slow to recover, and it was Leno's point blank save that kept us in it.

What he did v Bournemouth was absolutely horrendous.

He's one of the few players I actually dislike we've had in recent years, and it's connected to his attitude. He appears very conceited, and these comments I think give substance to that.

Also if anyone is actually trying to blame Affengruber for the deflected goal then they need to give their head's a wobble. Deflected shots are a clear case of bad luck.

[Hatch007]

@hopper
I agree with everything except that Affengruber turned his back/head for the equaliser.

If he hadn't, there's a possibility he could have better followed the trajectory of the shot and got a stronger connection with his attempted block rather than dangling a foot out without his eye on the ball. It's not like the attempted block was from point blank range either.

For anyone that doubts my analysis please rewatch the goal before piling in.

Pros being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds that turn their back has long since been a bugbear of mine.

I've been hugely impressed, otherwise,  by Affengruber's performances so far.

[Bassey the warrior]

Affengruber has made a phenomenal start, I can't recall the last time Andersen put in a performance like Affa vs Liverpool. Still early days though, let's see if he can keep it up.

As for Joa, a bit of humility and self awareness would go a long way.

[ffcthereligion]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

[Bassey the warrior]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

That's fair. On the other hand he also made a number of key interventions that could've led to goals.

[Jim©]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

Very true- just imagine the pile on from 'supporters'.
Andersen is getting a really rough ride here in my opinion. He was actually very solid for most of last season.
Some stats...
Dribbled past less than Tete and Robinson
2nd in blocks (behind Bassey)
3rd in interceptions (behind Robinson & Tete)
Way, way more clearances than any other player in the team
Statistically our 3rd highest rated player last season (behind Wilson & Tete)
Won way more headers than anyone else in the team

Would I start him infront of Affengruber? Probably not in this system, but trying to rewrite history like he's been poor for us is just plain incorrect.

[ffcne]

What's with all this Andersen bashing?
Give it a rest.
One mistake against Bournemouth,
Hes still a decent defender and leader.
Joachim does'nt deserve this.

[hopper]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

Very true- just imagine the pile on from 'supporters'.
Andersen is getting a really rough ride here in my opinion. He was actually very solid for most of last season.
Some stats...
Dribbled past less than Tete and Robinson
2nd in blocks (behind Bassey)
3rd in interceptions (behind Robinson & Tete)
Way, way more clearances than any other player in the team
Statistically our 3rd highest rated player last season (behind Wilson & Tete)
Won way more headers than anyone else in the team

Would I start him infront of Affengruber? Probably not in this system, but trying to rewrite history like he's been poor for us is just plain incorrect.

Without a bit more information, these stats all sound pretty par for the course from what you'd expect from a CB who started almost every game.

[Jim©]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

Very true- just imagine the pile on from 'supporters'.
Andersen is getting a really rough ride here in my opinion. He was actually very solid for most of last season.
Some stats...
Dribbled past less than Tete and Robinson
2nd in blocks (behind Bassey)
3rd in interceptions (behind Robinson & Tete)
Way, way more clearances than any other player in the team
Statistically our 3rd highest rated player last season (behind Wilson & Tete)
Won way more headers than anyone else in the team

Would I start him infront of Affengruber? Probably not in this system, but trying to rewrite history like he's been poor for us is just plain incorrect.

Without a bit more information, these stats all sound pretty par for the course from what you'd expect from a CB who started almost every game.

True, but Bassey over the last two seasons has been hailed as an excellent player by many. Andersen was making a lot more clearances and headers than him. Successful long balls, he's one of the best in the league (as per Palacios assist v W Ham). Rated 3rd in the squad overall on whoscored.

[hopper]

In his two starts Affengruber made two big errors which, had they led to goals, would mean that fans have a completely different view of him.

Very true- just imagine the pile on from 'supporters'.
Andersen is getting a really rough ride here in my opinion. He was actually very solid for most of last season.
Some stats...
Dribbled past less than Tete and Robinson
2nd in blocks (behind Bassey)
3rd in interceptions (behind Robinson & Tete)
Way, way more clearances than any other player in the team
Statistically our 3rd highest rated player last season (behind Wilson & Tete)
Won way more headers than anyone else in the team

Would I start him infront of Affengruber? Probably not in this system, but trying to rewrite history like he's been poor for us is just plain incorrect.

Without a bit more information, these stats all sound pretty par for the course from what you'd expect from a CB who started almost every game.

True, but Bassey over the last two seasons has been hailed as an excellent player by many. Andersen was making a lot more clearances and headers than him. Successful long balls, he's one of the best in the league (as per Palacios assist v W Ham). Rated 3rd in the squad overall on whoscored.

Agree on the ball he's superb. His ball to Chukwueze v Brighton was great. I just feel he's too vulnerable defensively and in transition.

[Jim©]

Fair enough, but if Andersen had been the one spun and outpaced V Sunderland, we would have heard a lot more about it. Bassey got away with that one nearly without mention. I just find it odd that people need someone to pile into (Not accusing you of it).

[Stan the Man]

For me the issue with Andersen is not his ability (in the right system, he's a decent mid table prem league CB) it's the amount of money we paid, which was massively OTT, fans are expecting a 30mill CB and we get a 10/12mill player, not his fault at all, but for me that's were the anger comes from.

[Sting of the North]

Really, what about Leno he supposedly let in goals he should have saved, or the forwards for missing sitters, or failing to score more, same as the midfield very few goals from them.
It's a team game, everyone shares the blame or praise. I don't think it's about blowing his own horn, it's about self confidence, of course people will jump on this with all sorts of comments, he didn't have the greatest of season, but no one goes out to have a bad game, I'm sure everyone of us have days when things just don't go right.

He got sent off in the most important game of the season for a completely stupid, needless, two-footed challenge. We were so dominant in that game as well and had a man advantage. Absolutely moronic decision from him and cost us Europe.

I can forgive him that, everyone can make mistakes, but I have no excuses for this kind of comments he's making. He should stay quiet until he can string a few convincing performances together. He deservedly got benched. "I think I've played quite brilliantly"- have some shame. Everything else from that interview is fine, but the lack of introspection from him is baffling. Maybe, just maybe, you're not playing as brilliantly as you think you are.

I'd have the same problem with most players in the squad, btw. If someone like Raul said that he's surprised we didn't offer him the kind of contract he wanted after he played brilliantly last season, I wouldn't agree with him, but I wouldn't be mad at him either, as he was pretty brilliant last year. Can't say the same for Andersen last season or at the start of this season.

Just because you arbitrarily state that it was our most important game of the season doesn't make it so. We also played another 45 minutes or so 10 vs 10, so it's not as if he doomed us, did he? I think you are blowing his mistake (stupid and annoying as it was) way out of proportion. We had 38 games to gather enough points. That Andersen made a stupid mistake in one that contributed to us loosing points in that game is just one of many, many things that we did or didn't do which in total meant no Europe for us.

Also, as has been pointed out earlier in the thread "ganske glimrende" in Danish is a more common thing to say than quite brilliantly in english. I would say that a better translation of the weight would be "really well". I think he's played well in his limited chances this season, and certainly no worse than the other defenders did in the same games. And even if I didn't agree, I think that he is entitled to believe in himself. Definitely don't deserve juvenile comments like "have some shame". The introspection should maybe be had, but maybe not by Andersen.

In my opinion.

[hopper]

Fair enough, but if Andersen had been the one spun and outpaced V Sunderland, we would have heard a lot more about it. Bassey got away with that one nearly without mention. I just find it odd that people need someone to pile into (Not accusing you of it).

Andersen did get a lot of stick for Sunderland and how he was unable to keep up in a footrace with Isidor. Bassey has been given a very roaming role but has amazing recovery pace. For what it's worth, I've also been critical of him a fair bit for being so undisciplined positionally. So it's not the case that only Andersen gets criticised. I think as a pairing they've lacked much chemistry despite having a good two seasons together.

[SerbianLad]

Just because you arbitrarily state that it was our most important game of the season doesn't make it so. We also played another 45 minutes or so 10 vs 10, so it's not as if he doomed us, did he? I think you are blowing his mistake (stupid and annoying as it was) way out of proportion. We had 38 games to gather enough points. That Andersen made a stupid mistake in one that contributed to us loosing points in that game is just one of many, many things that we did or didn't do which in total meant no Europe for us.

Also, as has been pointed out earlier in the thread "ganske glimrende" in Danish is a more common thing to say than quite brilliantly in english. I would say that a better translation of the weight would be "really well". I think he's played well in his limited chances this season, and certainly no worse than the other defenders did in the same games. And even if I didn't agree, I think that he is entitled to believe in himself. Definitely don't deserve juvenile comments like "have some shame". The introspection should maybe be had, but maybe not by Andersen.

In my opinion.

I disagree, but fair enough.

[susiescw]

Andersen should be ashamed of himself. He's the biggest reason we missed out on Europe last season, had a mixed start to this season and has the audacity to blow his own horn. Hope he stays on the bench for a while.

Really, what about Leno he supposedly let in goals he should have saved, or the forwards for missing sitters, or failing to score more, same as the midfield very few goals from them.
It's a team game, everyone shares the blame or praise. I don't think it's about blowing his own horn, it's about self confidence, of course people will jump on this with all sorts of comments, he didn't have the greatest of season, but no one goes out to have a bad game, I'm sure everyone of us have days when things just don't go right.

I agree. I think that was SerbianLad's worst takes (Sorry SL, don't mean to attack you. You usually have great takes). We didn't miss out on Europe because Andersen got sent off, we missed out because we couldn't beat bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

And personally I don't think after viewing it several times it was a definite red at the time and he was unlucky to be sent off. I've seen a lot worse completely ignored by the refs by our opponents, recently against Josh King at Chelsea where one of the tackles could have permanently injured him. Maybe JA shouldn't have taken the risk but I think it was a hard tackle trying to get the ball that had a terrible impact. Plus maybe with a new manager, system and team maybe Europe can wait a bit longer until they're all ready

[Somerset Fulham]

In my opinion Affengruber is much better, to the point that I dont even notice him in a game, sounds odd but he cracks on, gets the job done, sits under the radar

You see, you may turn out to be right, you may not; but either way that is a hell of a take after one game against an out of sorts United and the other against a Championship side.

Even though they are maybe not at their best, but I don't think it is accurate to label Liverpool a Championship side. After all, their front line cost about a thousand billions, or something like that.

I think Affengruber has done really well against some world class forwards, and I am excited to see his development. Andersen has however also shown plenty of times that he can play well in the PL, albeit the current tactics may not play to his strengths. Against Palace for example, he looked like the least of our defensive problems with Bassey and Robinson all over the place.

Ah no, I wasn't calling Liverpool a championship side, I was thinking of West Ham but Andersen started then so that was my mistake.  Liverpool are far from anything close to the Championship.