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How bad are things at Blackburn? Keith Andrews reveals all
The Republic of Ireland midfielder signed with WBA this week and now Keith Andrews has revealed some startling stories about his time at Blackburn.
It is safe to say that Keith Andrews was happy to leave Blackburn this week, very happy in fact. Out of favour at Ewood Park after ending a successful loan spell with Ipswich he jumped at the lifeline offered by Roy Hodgson and WBA this week.
And now Andrews has revealed just how bad things were for him under the Indian owners of Blackburn Rovers, Venkys, calling his treatment a “disgrace”.
"I spoke to people last season and said if they wanted me to move on that was fine,” Andrews is quoted as saying in today’s Sun.
"They guaranteed I'd be involved. But during the summer my advisers were hearing I was being touted around all over the place. They were telling people I was available on loan — and agreed a season's loan without me knowing. I didn't want to go to that club.
"The way I was treated was a disgrace — my phone number was bandied around, my contract details were made public in a paper.
"It was underhand the way they went about it. No lines of communication at all. I came back last month from my loan spell at Ipswich and they thought I was coming back into the fold.
"I had a meeting with the manager to see what they were thinking — they were of the mind to play me against Fulham on the Saturday. I said I had no inclination to play for the club again after the way I'd been treated."
Andrews goes on to suggest that the owners don’t really understand English football, saying that they saw him banging in the goals for Ipswich in the Championship and wanted him back in their side.
"Whether they think the Championship is higher than the Premier League, I'm not sure! It's a strange scenario.
"I've also heard they didn't know teams could be relegated from the Prem — it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest!
We hope that last point is only a rumour, if it’s not the owners could be in for a big shock come May.
Anyway, Andrews also fires a few parting shots in the direction of manager Steve Kean.
“When I came back I thought, for my own sanity, I had to get out. I also wanted to play for a manager who I respect and could learn from.
"I've never had dealings with Venky's as such but there are so many finance directors, sporting directors, god-knows-what directors. It's hard to get straight answers out of anybody.
"As much as I'm glad to leave, I have friends there. It's sad the way the club has gone in the last 12 months. I'm just glad to be out of there."
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