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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 25, 2015 17:02:30 GMT
Is Andy Monkhouse under-rated, and / or under appreciated?Personally I’d say he is a bit, especially when you look at the match ratings people have given him on the other forum ( gaschat.co.uk/thread/1229/player-rating-season-statistics?page=2), where he averages 5.39 out of 10 per game, and is only 20th in the averages. Is he really only the 20th most valuable player of ours this season? There was quite a lot of barbed banter on the Blackthorn Terrace last Friday. The man behind me was very vocal in his opinion that Andy Monkhouse was a terrible player. When Monky made a mazey little run and executed a fine right footed finish (especially for an exceptionally left footed player), a group of guys in front of me turned to light-heartedly chide the detractor. They evidently all knew each other, but even better came later when the Leeds-born wide man was (slightly surprisingly) named Man of the Match, and we all turned around and sang, “He’s Man of the Match, he’s Man of the Match, Andy Monkhouse, he’s Man of the Match!” at his critic. It was all taken as banter, but it’s not the first time a Rovers player has been loudly labelled rubbish by a vocal minority on the Blackthorn. The biggest problem I can see is that despite playing 34 games out of 43 this season (plus 3 sub appearances), and playing pretty much in the same style each game, some people still expect him to be a traditional winger, hugging the byline, taking people on for pace and skill, and providing probing crosses. He’s never been that really and at 34 years old he certainly won’t be starting now! At 6’ 2” he is surprisingly tall for a wide man, and certainly not the stature of the nippy winger we usually have on the other side of the pitch. Which is where the crux lies. Not only have we rarely possessed two such out and out wingers this season, but I doubt Darrell Clarke (or many managers for that point) would play a brace of them at this level anyway, where any ‘perfect’ wingers will probably be playing at a higher level, and the imperfections could be heavily punished. Monky is really a wide midfielder, and is more comfortable with short passes than dribbles or balls over the top, but can also be used as a forward and is good in the air. He actually has a very impressive career goal record, with over 75 strikes in around 500 appearances (about 100 of which have only been as a sub), and most of them at League One level. He has five league goals now this season (plus two from the Dorchester thrashing), and although I would like him to score more, all the league strikes have at least been important goals. Four of the five have been the first Rovers goal of the match, and twice his strike has been the only gas goal. Even last Friday’s goal was important in that it regained us the lead. It’s not a big surprise that we’ve gained 11 points out of a possible 15 when he’s scored. Most of us must have spotted the similarity to Dave Savage and Jeff Hughes in that virtually every goal kick heads towards him on the left, to use his height. Without the possession of pace, the height that allows this attempt of ball retention from goal kicks may be just as important to a TEAM than the pace of Dawson or the tricks of Della-Verda. Similarly the partnership with Lee Brown behind him is just as important as, say, the centre-backs’ understanding of each other as they try to complement each others’ strengths and weaknesses. And although disappointingly Monkhouse has only a solitary goal assist to his name, the four that Brown has been credited with must surely owe something to their left side partnership? And from the other side only Ryan Gosling has an impressive tally (three), and not many of us would be clambering for his inclusion in an ideal team would they? He can’t have a discipline problem as he has only four yellows this season, although he did get a straight red in the last few minutes of our narrow away win at FC Telford United on the 1st November; our last red card of the season (so far). It is unlikely that this lack of cards is because he shirks his tackles, as he has 31 fouls to his name, which is about par for the course compared to other players. He is not injury prone and has missed only a few games this season Maybe he could be cut a bit of slack? Or is he really that bad?
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brizzle
Lindsay Parsons
No Buy . . . No Sell!
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Post by brizzle on Mar 25, 2015 17:07:21 GMT
Yes he is . . . well by several on this Forum he is at any rate.
But I think that the majority accept him for what he is.
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Peter Parker
Global Moderator
Richard Walker
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Post by Peter Parker on Mar 25, 2015 17:08:06 GMT
Definitely under-rated by some What does he have 6 or 7 goals this season (all from open play) decent return from a wide player.
Of course because he plays wide, most people expect a winger as you say but that is something Monkhouse isn't. Monkhouse is a clever footballer and one with plenty of experience. He probably looks a bit laid back at times, but I would say he is a consistent reliable performer and one who must be good around some of the younger players.
Always rated him when he was at Hartlepool and think he is good enough for us.
Bob ain't underated by me
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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 25, 2015 17:19:04 GMT
Definitely under-rated by some What does he have 6 or 7 goals this season (all from open play) decent return from a wide player. Of course because he plays wide, most people expect a winger as you say but that is something Monkhouse isn't. Monkhouse is a clever footballer and one with plenty of experience. He probably looks a bit laid back at times, but I would say he is a consistent reliable performer and one who must be good around some of the younger players. Always rated him when he was at Hartlepool and think he is good enough for us. Bob ain't underated by me 7. 5 in lge. All 'important' goals. 2 at Dorchester drubbing. |
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GasMacc1
Les Bradd
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Post by GasMacc1 on Mar 25, 2015 17:48:46 GMT
The three games without Monkhouse (after his harsh dismissal at Telford) were the defeat at Tranmere, the struggle at Alfreton and the below-par draw at home to Kidderminster.
Performances then picked up when he returned. In the draw at Chester, the first goal resulted from the interplay between Monkhouse, Brown and Taylor; wins against Barnet and Welling followed.
All of that might be considered coincidental.
But I think he's a valuable part of the jigsaw. He provides an element of creativity going forward with accurate passing, weighs in with some good goals, and also has enough experience to do a good job defensively.
Finally, his maturity ought to give the team some important mental strength when the going gets tough over the next six games. He might not lay the law down like Mansell, but I see him offering encouragement to the likes of Harrison, Blissett, Lockyer, Leadbitter and Dawson, when their inexperience might otherwise cause their heads to drop. The team's mental strength could make the difference this season.
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GasPanic!
Rickie Lambert
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Post by GasPanic! on Mar 25, 2015 17:51:54 GMT
Extremely underrated, have never understood the criticism of him!
His goal against Aldershot last weekend, his through ball to Lee Brown against Grimsby and his assist against Macclesfield show he has plenty of quality.
I love him,
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Mar 25, 2015 17:57:31 GMT
To answer the title.....yes!
I must admit to thinking his form had dipped recently, particularly at Gateshead & Halifax. He was sort of player to look towards when play needed a positive impact.
Conversely, he is exactly the sort of player we need at this time. Experienced and dependable.
Also, I met him on Friday night....he came right out for man of match presentation BEFORE getting stitches in a wound just below the left eye. Legend!
I want to poetically make similarities between him and rovers in general, but will refrain. Save to say, I think he's a model professional and a credit to this club. Utmost respect.
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Post by Topper Gas on Mar 25, 2015 18:35:05 GMT
I still can't make my mind up about, he has flashes on brilliance, but then has shockers like Eastleigh at home.
I'd say he's been average this season probably above the likes of Mildenhall & Lockyer but there's quite a few players above him, the back 4, Mansell & Sinclair plus Taylor.
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Post by brimmers on Mar 25, 2015 19:00:09 GMT
Ask Lee Brown who covers for him when he goes on his galloping runs forward.
He also puts his body on the line for the team massively, last Friday he was getting it from all angles
A good player we are lucky to have him
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Post by gasheadnaboo on Mar 25, 2015 19:02:12 GMT
Top player in my opinion and we're definitely weaker without him or when he has a below standard game, hence why Balanta hasn't really been able to get much of a look in! Perhaps more people would rate him if he grew a big beard and ponytail?  |
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Post by ismellgas on Mar 25, 2015 19:14:59 GMT
Overrated in my opinion,he doesn't get forward enough or beat players but does get back and defend
The amount of times this season I have seen him put his foot on the ball and pass it backwards:( it does my head in.
FairPlay to him for the goal on Friday that's what he should be doing more often
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 19:20:54 GMT
I like him but can see why others don't, reminds me abit of a certain Jeff Hughes!
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mjhgas
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Post by mjhgas on Mar 25, 2015 19:39:34 GMT
Yes.
I thought he looked lazy when he first arrived. He strolled through games.
He works hard, doesn't lose the ball too often, likes a tackle and a lot of clearances end up on his head!
Good all round player!
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LPGas
Stuart Taylor
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Post by LPGas on Mar 25, 2015 19:59:57 GMT
Overrated in my opinion,he doesn't get forward enough or beat players but does get back and defend The amount of times this season I have seen him put his foot on the ball and pass it backwards:( it does my head in. FairPlay to him for the goal on Friday that's what he should be doing more often The idea of passing it back or sideways is to keep possession so the opposition can't score. This is how top teams play. The alternative is holloways headless chicken approach.lump it forward and hope. This means the opposition has it handed to them on a plate. |
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Post by ismellgas on Mar 25, 2015 20:11:24 GMT
Ha yeah we are a top team that's why we are in this league,my point was he is too safe and never try's to beat a player when one on one
This thread is because he scored 1 good goal last Friday,doesn't make a top player
Funny how everyone was laughing when he was announced as man of the match,will struggle in league 2
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Bridgeman
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Post by Bridgeman on Mar 25, 2015 22:08:35 GMT
I think if we were to hear he was going to be signed as an additional signing until the end of the season we'd all be pretty excited. I think he has been more than average this season, a real acute signing by Darrel and has put in a shift in most games this season, his experience and maturity will be crucial in seeing out the rest of the season....underated...not by me  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 22:54:30 GMT
I'd just had a moan about his lack of creativity or goal threat when he went and scored on Friday. Quite amusing.
I like him, he's consistent and reliable and occasionally does something quite special. He's getting on a bit but he's a clever player and he's made a good contribution, but underrated? I'm not sure of that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 23:45:17 GMT
i like andy,,,he does a solid job for the team and is very strong in the air and has an eye for a goal,,,i think one problem is he never really dominates his opponent and im always waiting for a bit more from him.
will rovers offer him a new contract?
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Mar 26, 2015 0:45:03 GMT
He seems like a 6 out of 10 kind of guy. Solid and reliable but not very flash or exciting. Kind of the footballing equivalent of cottage pie.
People always expect wide players to be exciting creative players for some reason - they rarely are (and even when they are they're rarely as effective as people like to think) but nevertheless the image persists and if they're not that type of player then they're normally judged a bit harshly. Michael Meaker - one good attacking performance bought him months before people realised he didn't have much about him, Mark Mckeever was loved because he used to be able to get to the byline but in most games he was very easily shut down. Wingers bring out the romantic in people for some reason - it's like you'd rather have a guy who beat 2 men and crossed the ball in twice a game but did nothing else than a guy who never did that but constantly made good decisions on the ball, tracked back well and got themselves involved. Yes attacking wing play is exciting but in terms of what it actually offers to a modern team it's very overrated which is why so few teams use them. They use guys like Monkhouse.
I think Monkhouse is a good player and an asset to the side but I've not seen a standout performance from him in the game I've seen and I do remember having a bit more in his locker when he used to play against us for Hartlepool but that may be more to do with how they used him.
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TaiwanGas
Paul Bannon
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Post by TaiwanGas on Mar 26, 2015 3:40:17 GMT
One of the best players in the squad IMO, has a skill of hiding all the good work he does, and he does plenty of it, integral to the team and the goals scored by others, has a great footballing brain, does not charge around the pitch, so some may think the effort is not being applied, but that's not Monkey's game....
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