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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 25, 2015 16:15:44 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 ( 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 Jake 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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Post by Antonio Fargas on Mar 25, 2015 16:17:59 GMT
Yep, I don't understand the crap he gets. One of our most consistent players and crucial to our decent run, imo.
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Post by nolongernonleaguegas on Mar 25, 2015 16:19:44 GMT
Very solid player. Strong and gets the odd goal. I like him
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Post by Gas Go Marching In on Mar 25, 2015 16:20:35 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 (http://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? I think he is underrated AND under appreciated. Yes, he may not have the pace like he probably used to have playing on the wing, but his experience and height have come in use this season. He has scored some important goals and is a better player than some give him credit. |
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Post by BishopstonBRFC on Mar 25, 2015 16:31:03 GMT
Really good post MM. I've thought the same for a while. He is very composed and to me is clearly a class above the Conference.
Like you say though because he plays out wide but doesn't try to beat his man every time some people see that as rubbish.
Was it his link up with Brown that led to Taylor's goal on Friday?
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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 25, 2015 16:38:31 GMT
Really good post MM. I've thought the same for a while. He is very composed and to me is clearly a class above the Conference. Like you say though because he plays out wide but doesn't try to beat his man every time some people see that as rubbish.
Was it his link up with Brown that led to Taylor's goal on Friday?maybe / probably. i was in the corner of the Blackthorn and couldn't see who passed it to Brown. Someone on the centenary would have a better view! The TV highlights don;t show it. Given how high up the pitch Browner was I imagine Monky must have dropped back to cover him... as is usual in their relationship! [not a complaint; perfectly natural, especially when they get it right] Funnily enough I heard someone later suggest Taylor was offside. The highlights suggest he was actually behind Brown as he played the ball in. That's how far forward Browner was! |
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Post by peterparker on Mar 25, 2015 16:57:48 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 AHrtlepool and think he is good enough for us.
Bob ain't underated by me
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Post by Wembley_Gas on Mar 25, 2015 17:02:28 GMT
Really good post MM. I've thought the same for a while. He is very composed and to me is clearly a class above the Conference. Like you say though because he plays out wide but doesn't try to beat his man every time some people see that as rubbish. Was it his link up with Brown that led to Taylor's goal on Friday? Yes it was Monky - best ball of the game. Our left side has always been more productive than our right since Brown and Monky have been teamed together. |
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Post by I Voted For Kodos on Mar 25, 2015 21:40:25 GMT
Yes.
With the exception of the newly returned Chris Lines, I think Monkhouse is the best technical footballer in the squad. He rarely gives away possession and brings others into the game all of the time. I think the patient build-up play suits Brown, Parkes and Taylor, all of whom regularly link up with Monkhouse.
My only criticism is that when as a team we have played badly, he's gone missing a bit. e.g. Braintree.
Come the end of the season, he won't win any awards, but it'd be wrong to deny he's been an integral part of this team.
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Post by Bill Bones on Mar 25, 2015 22:08:42 GMT
In fairness I sure do hate that Ryan Gosling  |
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Post by WeAreTheGas on Mar 25, 2015 23:16:09 GMT
Great OP.
I agree - he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet for me every week.
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Post by RD on Mar 26, 2015 6:12:22 GMT
Wow, great post.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Mar 26, 2015 7:45:30 GMT
I am big enough to admit that I was one of the people who was criticsing Monkhouse up until a few weeks ago. Like you say, these days players out wide tend to be pacey players who will beat a man for pace so whenever Monkhouse picked up the ball and didn't do that, I will admit I found it frustrating and thought he slowed everything down. I have since come to realise though that he offers a lot more than that. His height can be invaluable from set pieces, his passing and crossing is up there with the best in the squad, he has great experience and he has formed a very good partnership with Brown meaning he is very willing and able to do the defensive side of his role too. He is never going to be a winger but rather a left midfielder (like Beckham always was on the right) but he has proved himself to be a very useful member of the squad with his goals and overall play.
And just to clarify, I didn't shout from the terraces at him on a match day or whine and moan!
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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 26, 2015 9:24:05 GMT
I am big enough to admit that I was one of the people who was criticsing Monkhouse up until a few weeks ago. Like you say, these days players out wide tend to be pacey players who will beat a man for pace so whenever Monkhouse picked up the ball and didn't do that, I will admit I found it frustrating and thought he slowed everything down. I have since come to realise though that he offers a lot more than that. His height can be invaluable from set pieces, his passing and crossing is up there with the best in the squad, he has great experience and he has formed a very good partnership with Brown meaning he is very willing and able to do the defensive side of his role too. He is never going to be a winger but rather a left midfielder (like Beckham always was on the right) but he has proved himself to be a very useful member of the squad with his goals and overall play. And just to clarify, I didn't shout from the terraces at him on a match day or whine and moan! brilliant 'confession' and very well analysed. and for my own clarification, I'm not saying he's amazing, I'm just putting the stats and the evidence out there and opening up a debate. Given the little mazy runs he did vs macclesfield and Aldershot I'd like to see him doing that a bit more though. He could be our elderly 'winger'  |
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Post by mehewmagic on Mar 26, 2015 10:31:04 GMT
In fairness I sure do hate that Ryan Gosling ha ha. sorry. Jake Gosling dare I suggest that getting his name wrong shows just how little impact he's had on me this season?  |
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Post by 2nd May 1990 on Mar 26, 2015 13:26:37 GMT
What I like about Monky is his selflessness. He'll be the first to admit that he can't carry off the big bushy beard look like Sinclair can, but he recognised that results had dipped recently along with overall beard volume and he didn't just sit there moaning, he increased his facial follicles for the sake of the team. It's no coincidence that with the extra bushiness he scored a brilliant goal at the weekend. Top man!
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Post by markczgas on Mar 26, 2015 14:21:44 GMT
Judging by previous posts - over-rated. He is a composed player and a decent finisher, but he offers the team little energy and mobility down the left and so puts a lot of responsibility on Brown to hep out attacks .
He's been useful in The Conference but I hope we get someone younger who's more mobile and brings more intensity to their game next season (in L2), so I'd release The Monkey at the end of season.
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Post by Bill Bones on Mar 26, 2015 15:49:09 GMT
In fairness I sure do hate that Ryan Gosling ha ha. sorry. Jake Gosling dare I suggest that getting his name wrong shows just how little impact he's had on me this season? Only joking mate, and you're right that probably says more about you than him! Great OP by the way  |
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