Andersen comments...

[cwindsor]

I was a big fan of Andersen, when he came to us on loan in 2020, and would argue that he was one of our best, if not the best, defenders that year. But time moves on.

He is still very capable with the ball. It's just that he's lost too many steps and is not quick enough to play the type of football that Arbeloa intends to play. Also, I find that he seems lost at times in front of our net and too often he's caught flat footed.

In short, he's probably past his sell-by date, at least for Arbeloa's needs. No reason to slag the guy off, however.

[The Rock]

When you make all that money under the table for getting us kicked out of Europe, there's really not much else you can do but blab like the donkey he is.

Obviously has nothing to play for anymore and cant spend the money on hooks and party favours as he might have to play a few Cup matches for show.

Might as well serve out his contract while he's waiting for that Danish chalet to be built as well. Has more toilets than Ostrich Watches Costa del Sol villa by the sea I hear.

[hopper]

I was a big fan of Andersen, when he came to us on loan in 2020, and would argue that he was one of our best, if not the best, defenders that year. But time moves on.

He is still very capable with the ball. It's just that he's lost too many steps and is not quick enough to play the type of football that Arbeloa intends to play. Also, I find that he seems lost at times in front of our net and too often he's caught flat footed.

In short, he's probably past his sell-by date, at least for Arbeloa's needs. No reason to slag the guy off, however.

Quite.

If he was playing in a team that sat back a bit deeper he could still do well - maybe why he worked well under Parker. Glasner I think also had a back 5 when he was at Palace.

I don't really feel he's been that good at sniffing out danger or putting himself on the line for us either. As you say on the ball he still oozes quality - but that alone isn't enough.

[Angus Telford]

Andersen, Smith-Rowe, Kevin and Oscar Bobb, Marco Silva has a lot to answer for IMHO

Let's be honest if Berge hadn't played alright the last couple of games he'd be on your list too, and if of the others strung two decent performances together you'd take them off it. Fickle attitude. They're all inherently quality players. Andersen doesn't suit this system but then neither would Ream or Aaron Hughes. If any of these players aren't working with AA's tactics then that's on TK for not maintaining some continuity. But we shouldn't be blaming or dismissing the players themselves.

[fulhamfever]

JA is a just a joke we overpaid for him. Already got relegated once with us should never of signed him again.

[demeant0r]

JA is a just a joke we overpaid for him. Already got relegated once with us should never of signed him again.

So did Mitrovic.

[F(f)CUK]

Andersen's position reminds me of John Terry at Chelsea. Chelsea suddenly decided to play a high line with him in the team. It didn't work because Terry couldn't play that type of game. At that time, Terry was undroppable. So they reverted to a deeper line. This is where the positions differ. Andersen is a really good defender in a system that suits him. Unfortunately for him, he is not deemed to be undroppable and we had time to bring in someone that Arbeloa, at least, believes can play with a high line.

What worries me most is that an injury to a centre back, Berge or Charles and we do not have the players that can replace them in the system.

[Holders]

If he's not being selected because he doesn't suit the changed system,I don't see how he can expect to be captain - whatever he did under earlier managers

[General]

Ahh the residual blaming him for us not getting European football - things start to make sense why everyone's so much more on his back then before. Even though there are 11 players on the pitch over a 38 game season.

[Thailand Mick]

We have to be very careful now to make sure these quotes are real. Social media now is awash with people making up fake quotes, I would love to see these people getting the arse sued off them for defamation.

[Burntheashes]

Joa definitely got the leader quality but it just doesn't suit the current tactical needs.

[alfie]

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.

[demeant0r]

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.

[KentFulham]

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

[alfie]

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 didn't see the goal then ? 🤣

[General]

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 didn't see the goal then ? 🤣

Yeah, Affengruber has been doing well - no denying that, but to say he's looked peerless/faultless is a stretch.. Andersen and he are different players but both have their strengths and weaknesses. Affengruber was unlucky to a degree by being the player the goal deflected off, but there have also been other moments he's been lucky to not have made a more noticable mistake. Long may it continue that he and our players get the rub of the green, obviously - but to say he's incredible and so good he goes by unnoticeably is a stretch. Against Liverpool he made a clearance that went straight to a Liverpool player and resulted in a shot on goal. We've got two good quality RCB's and both are better than Diop, so we've upgraded, but both can do a job for us.

[Southcoastffc]

Ahh the residual blaming him for us not getting European football - things start to make sense why everyone's so much more on his back then before. Even though there are 11 players on the pitch over a 38 game season.

Exactly.  As I've said previously, we did not miss out on Europe because JA was sent off against Bournemouth. As a TEAM we lost 16 games last season and drew 7.

[Thailand Mick]

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 didn't see the goal then ? 🤣

can't win turn their back and get blamed, face up and still get blamed. That goal was no fault of his just unlucky but the Fernandes hitting the post would have been.

[SerbianLad]

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.

[Nick Bateman]

Affengruber allowed United to get wrong side of him in the first few mins of the match nearly a goal, then at the end opened a gap for Cunha to shoot at and stuck out a feeble leg which deflected for their goal. Definitely not better than Andersen despite his numerous flaws.

I had hope for the new signing but now I'd rather stick with the devil I know.