Wolves sign Andreas Weimann: Why it went wrong for him at Derby County
Rams expert Steve Nicholson explains where it went wrong for Andreas Weimann at Derby County
Steve Wollaston
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When Andreas Weimann left Aston Villa, many fans felt it was a bad move.
An ever-present in the reserves, and then in and around the first-team.
A player with an eye for goal, a fair amount of talent, and an excellent work ethic.
For those reasons his exit was seen as a real steal by Derby.
Somehow though, it all went wrong.
Derby Telegraph expert Steve Nicholson explains all...
"Andreas Weimann is an example of how fortune can play a big part in football.
"The Austrian international forward finished last season on a personal high with an eye-catching display in the second leg of Derby County 's play-off semi-final tie with Hull City.
Former Aston Villa striker Andreas Weimann signs for Wolves
"Playing on the left of a 4-3-3, he helped the Rams to a 2-0 victory but they fells agonisingly short of turning around a 3-0 first-leg deficit and promotion hopes disappeared for another season.
"Weimann's aim was to start this season in the same vein and he was on course to do so until injury struck on the eve of the campaign.
"He had impressed pre-season and his knee problem was a blow for the player, and for new manager Nigel Pearson.
"It is a real shame for Andreas because he is one of the fittest players we have got and he has had a really good pre-season. I am disappointed for him," said at the time.
"Weimann did not feature for the first team until mid-September. He then played in four consecutive matches under Pearson which included a start against Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
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"Derby and Pearson parted company in October and Steve McClaren retuned as manager.
"Weimann has started only one game under McClaren - the victory at QPR - and had become something of a 'forgotten man' in the past month during which he made only two appearances as a substitute in six matches.
"He faced a battle with Johnny Russell, Ikechi Anya and Abdoul Camara for one of the wide attacking roles.
"When asked where Weimann stood in his plans, McClaren said: "I know Andi well, and he was one of the targets before I left last time.
"I think he's been unlucky with injuries. I like him, he can score goals - and we need goals. So at some stage he will get an opportunity and it's up to him to take it."
"That opportunity has not materialised, surprisingly given the form and injury problems to other wide players, and now his search and desire to play first-team football has taken the 25-year-old to pastures new.
"He has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season where he will team up with his former manager at Aston Villa, Paul Lambert.
"Weimann's move to Derby from Villa has not worked out as hoped, and expected.
"He cost £2m-plus in the summer of 2015 but has scored only four goals in 45 appearances.
"And just 13 of those appearances have been league starts.
"He has never really looked comfortable in a 4-3-3 although there were promising signs from him in Pearson's team shape 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 systems - formations that would have suited him better.
"Who knows what might have happened for him but for the injury and the change in manager."
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