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Andrews Signing Sets Up Leadbitter Exit to Pompey
Andrews Signing Sets Up Leadbitter Exit to Pompey
Thursday, 11th Aug 2011 22:38

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Keith Andrews will complete his loan move to Town tomorrow in time to make his debut against his former club Hull City on Saturday. TWTD understands that the 30-year-old Irishman’s recruitment is set to trigger skipper Grant Leadbitter’s departure to Portsmouth.

Andrews trained with the Blues today after Rovers granted permission, with the outstanding paperwork due to be finalised in the morning.

Town have been trying to conclude Andrews’s signing on an initial six-month loan for more than a week with Blackburn having been uncommunicative in the days prior to last week’s opening game of the season at Bristol City.

Rovers manager Steve Kean says Andrews’s move to Portman Road could ultimately become a permanent switch: “Keith will go on a loan basis to Ipswich start to with, it is a loan with a view to purchasing him. I think Keith will do well, they've obviously had a very good start.”

We understand the addition of a further central midfielder will see Grant Leadbitter move on to Portsmouth.

The 25-year-old was linked with Birmingham City earlier in the summer but that deal fell through after the change of manager at St Andrew’s.

The former England U21 international, who was mentioned in connection with a possible £2 million move to Wigan in January when he was also linked with West Ham and Wolves, is now set to be reunited with his former Blues team-mate David Norris at Fratton Park.

Leadbitter joined Town from Sunderland for £2.6 million in September 2009 with his contract up next June.


Photo: Action Images



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Frase1987 added 00:16 - Aug 12
"LEADBITTER WAS A POOR SIGNING"

If you're making this claim I really don't think you have a clue. Definitely one of the better players of the last 2 years.

I think some people seriously judge on goal count :/
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pazelle added 00:20 - Aug 12
I really think Andrews will compliment Bowyer well, happy with this signing. Leadbitter never really had the right partner in midfield or the right movement ahead of him to pick out to really prosper here, but it would have been interesting to see how he'd have done this season.

I won't stop hoping for Bullard until he signs a contract elsewhere!

Also, Peters is a midfield player not a fullback - he can easily cover Andrews' Anchorman position when needed.

I hope we play 2 strikers on Saturday - Chopra and Priskin. Scotland and Ellington couldn't finish a pink hippopotamousse,
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Tractorog added 00:20 - Aug 12
This is about the expiry of his contract.
Never set the world on fire and hard to see Pompey staying up if we needed Bullard to stay up last season. Strange to let the captain go when all the comments were about it being an offer for a minor player. Having said that the strangeness was that he was captain as he never looked to be a PJ type of player.
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Garv added 00:36 - Aug 12
On the contrary Frase I would say anyone expressing your view doesn't have a clue. Next to no goals but overall very poor! Can't take set pieces, rareky looks forward to pass, Bullard here highlighted Leadbitter's weaknesses. Plus I'm looking forward to seeing a taller central midfield player replacing another 5ft6/7/8 tall player.
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Hungry_Badger added 00:40 - Aug 12
I dont understand letting Leadbitter go, Jewell said he wants strenth in depth and as we proved tuesday we dont have that, so if one of the central players gets injured then we will have the option of Healy or Hyam, both pretty average.
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pocketsout added 00:42 - Aug 12
Oh no! .......who will provide those telling corners and free kicks now?!!

That aside, always gave 100%, but Bowyer and Bullard would be a better blend of steel and creativity.
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MarkITFC added 00:45 - Aug 12
i rated leadbitter so not happy he is leaving , although if andrews is a better replacement then there be it .
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algarvefan added 01:33 - Aug 12
Never quite cut it for me,,,shame but we move on.
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heady added 01:47 - Aug 12
I'm really gutted after hearing this... really thought leadbitter would play a big part this season and from what i've heard i think we are going to be very disappointed with Andrews. BAD NEWS but hope i'm wrong.
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imalwayswrong added 05:42 - Aug 12
Why are we letting established championship player like GL go to a rival? Pompey are building a strong team, I'm not sure how they can afford it??? If it was the other way round I could only see town paying mega bucks!
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SWBlue86 added 06:32 - Aug 12
This is a terrible move for town. We will still need another CM. Promotion challenging teams shouldn't be selling their skipper one game into the seaon. No real foundation to the story so hope it isn't true.
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DiamondGezzer added 07:12 - Aug 12
I suppose his weaknesses were shown up by Bullards arrival, but never thought he was as bad as some posters would have you believe.
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Lanky added 07:19 - Aug 12
Leadbitter's only 26, 27 and probably as good as Andrews. Don't like this one bit, we can't be selling players right now.
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are_these_the_days added 07:46 - Aug 12
Best news for ages. Getting rid of another of Keanes rubbish signings.Initially over-rated by many on here but those of us who are more discerning were always aware of his limitations.
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Back_The_Boss added 08:02 - Aug 12
Would be a loss, but i'd rather see Andrews in that role to be honest.
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East_of_England added 08:10 - Aug 12
Seems like every player Keane signed are "rubbish"? I suppose we should get rid of Martin asap as well?? Luckily Chopra didn't sign when Keane was chasing him...

As for Leadbitter leaving. Not happy. Young and will have a bright future. We now have a central line of loans and last-year-injury prone-over-30-players...and everybody is shouting for Bullard...
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ALF added 08:10 - Aug 12
Sorry, this just doesn't make sense - Kennedy was a stop gap till we got Andrews, so if Leadbitter goes we are still 1 short in a 4-3-3 and just about covered for 4-4-2.
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unknownicr added 08:30 - Aug 12
big loss, really rated him for work rate and thought a partnership with Bowyer would prove fruitful in this division. The club will also make a couple of quid as i'll have to get a new shirt without Leadbitter 6 on the back!
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brogansnose added 08:38 - Aug 12
Always thought that Leadbitter was better when Norris wasn't playing alongside him so I'm surprised that Cotterill has paired them up. Sorry to see him leave but i won't miss his corners or free kicks.
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JayITFC added 08:46 - Aug 12
Don't understand this. Andrews could be back at Blackburn come January (or earlier if injured). Leadbitter is a good age (25) rather than the wrong side of 30 (like some we've brought in). Thought we were building long term?

Also WTF is the attraction of Pompey FFS!? Norris included!!!
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JayITFC added 08:52 - Aug 12
Jesus didn't realise Andrews was 30 as well! Just hope all this experience and old legs pays off! ;)
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ipswich_is_the_best added 08:54 - Aug 12
On a serious note Give Ingimarsson the arm band
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cornishnick added 08:59 - Aug 12
Andrews' arrival undoubtedly improves our starting XI, but if we let Leadbitter go, our overall squad hasn't benefitted much. If Bowyer or Andrews were to get injured, there's not too much quality cover
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KenDubZ added 09:11 - Aug 12
Paul Jewell your making a big mistake!! This is what Roy done so please leave leadbitter here and that will be just great as we allready lost NORRIS!!!!
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KenDubZ added 09:11 - Aug 12
Paul Jewell your making a big mistake!! This is what Roy done so please leave leadbitter here and that will be just great as we allready lost NORRIS!!!!
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