Written by Damian Monday, 18 May 2009 09:41
This time next week, Martin O'Neill could be sitting in a press conference unveiling his new squad for next season. If you didn't know, the season ends on Sunday, Newcastle will go down and that means the transfer window opens.
Okay, the season ended a couple of weeks ago and it looks like we're not going to improve on the position we finished in last season - in fact I think we might end up with exactly the same as last season in terms of finishing 6th and getting 60 points, which will be consolidation, however if we beat Newcastle, it will be seen as progress this season, which technically, it would have been.
But, that was last season, sorry this season and while I'm not trying to forget it, I'm trying to move on from it as it has been a disappointing end. However, it has made the manager aware that he needs a bigger squad, based on what he has been saying the last few days, so all we need now is for him to figure out that 4-4-2 is a formation that isn't going to work unless he invents a time machine and takes the entire squad back ten seasons.
Martin O'Neill, May 16th 2009
We didn't have the squad size this season which is something we would like to address. We essentially have a young side and have got the wherewithal to rotate as much as the others do.
What I have learned is that to try to compete against those top four sides - who are contesting quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League consistently - takes a lot of doing.
But, this post isn't about ten seasons ago or even this season, it's about next season and the rumours are flying about like a Birmingham City fan locked in a cage searching for a banana.
First up is Anderlecht's highly rated defender Roland Johasz. Last week it was Lucas Biglia from Anderlecht so either we have someone watching a few Anderlecht games or someone somewhere thinks a deal is going to get done with Anderlecht and they are slowly going through the squad.
I'm afraid, I can't tell you too much about him, so I'm not even going to visit his Wikipedia page to copy and paste, but I will tell you he is a central defender and since that is one position where we only have three players, we're going to need more and you can pretty much bet that we're going to be splashing some cash on that position. Also, that he's got some pretty big boots to fill.
Moving on to a rumour that I read something about yesterday and we are apparently keeping tabs on Toulouse striker Andre Gignac. I've got that bit from the BBC gossip pages and they finish the one liner with 'which could mean an early exit from Villa Park for John Carew'.
Now, I like John Carew and I've written before how nice it would be for him to play a whole season, only because he would likely get us our 20 goals a season, but in the same breath, if he were to leave, I don't think I'd be that disappointed.
I like Carew, but I'd also like someone that was a bit faster and I'd also like us to play with one recognised striker and because of his pace, if it was someone else, it wouldn't bother me that much, however I know it would bother a few, so I'm leaving it there. It is just my opinion.
That I think is about it for this morning, in terms of the rumours. My football bet for next weekend is for Hull to win and for us to get a draw at home against Newcastle. That will be enough to put Newcastle down although I might also have a cheeky bet on us to win as that will be progress on last season and it might be progress in terms of points and place, you never know.
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Nick
said:
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... I have a feeling transfers will be few and far between this summer. And i'm not sure how many of the fringe players will be around next season either. Which places a huge amount of strain on MON's shoulders. Expect this summer and next season to be the defining one of his Villa managerial career. I fear we're in for a grind next season. |
Mini Beest
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... Right, Vital Villa reported over the weekend that sources have been told that Lescott is in talks with Villa (hmmmmmmm) So I did a bit of diggin' about, I contacted my mate who knows JL from back in our college days. JL always wanted to play for Villa as he is a fan but he was snapped up by Wolves at a young age and he couldn't turn down the chance. I know cos I know his mrs (HOT!) Anyway, back on track. He isn't supposed to be happy with part of his contract at Everton (not much detail was given) & there has been a slight bust up with Moyes over it but we are supposed to be having talks with him and his agent in the near future which could see him return back to the Midlands. No price has been agreed as yet but mate thinks it could be between £10m & £15m Now, if this comes off you heard it first but if not, You AY seen me RIGHT!? |
villarobin
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... why are you and others so desperate to get rid of Carew ?? In one breath you are saying he can easily get us 20 goals a season, then in the other you are not bothered if he leaves !! He is exactly the sort of player we need to be keeping, even if its on the bench, because he is an International and he can do a job scoring goals. Hes our only striker to score in about our last 10 games or something. SUPPORT THE GUY ! |
Vijay
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... I agree with you Van Dutch, we are in for a tough time during the transfer window, im no expecting any real class player to come in, simply because we havent got the money, and other clubs will get in ther before us, i think we should forget the likes of Lescott, Rihards and Hangeland, and yes next season will be real tough, top 10 at the very best, then we can start questioning Lerner! |
VillaChris
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... Firstly, I hope that Laursen is there on Sunday to say goodbye because there is no doubt that he will get a brilliant send off from the fans. It will be sad to say the least. Secondly, I hope to God we win, not only to improve on last season but also to relegate Newcastle!That would feel great. I will be absolutely gutted if Carew left. He's a genuine goalscorer when fit and has been there, done it all so he's a valuable member of the squad. I think the story is total rubbish anyway. Harewood is the one most likely to be replaced. |
Damian
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... villarobin I'm not desperate to get rid of Carew .. if O'Neill is going to persist with 442 then I'd like Carew to stay, but I think O'Neill has to move away from 442. It's almost a catch 22 .. if O'Neill came out and said he was sticking with 442 for next season then I'd want Carew to stay .. but I just don't think 442 is the way forward. I'll even predict, that if we stay with 442 for next season, we'll get no better than this one and the last one. |
Steve Sims
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... If Barry is off, which we all think he is, then let's thank him, pack his bags and send him North as soon as possible so he doesn't be a distraction all summer. Maybe players who show an interest in us (us showing an interest in them isn't how it works any more!) will be more inclined to get involved when the state of our midfield is clearer. So sign Stan up and tell Gaz to push off so that there's no confusion or uncertainty about what we're doing. That's presuming someone at VP know what we're doing  |
gregdavillain
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... u could be like the daily mirror mini beast but if its tru it would soften the blow a little bit about laursen |
VillaChris
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... If you are right Mini Beest, that would make my summer and as Greg said, soften the blow of Laursen retiring. I would like to see Bentley come this summer too. Harry 'Twitchalot' Redknapp has basically come out and said he's not part of his plans because he's changed the style of his play. Bentley would suit our play (wing play) although I would like to see less of that ext season of I'm honest. |
ak_27
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... If MON gets rid of Carew then god help us. He is by far our best striker and how can we cope another one of our top 5 players. Losing Barry and Laursen will be hard enough to cope with but Carew going would really turn the heat up on MON next season as he is a crowd fav. It really does not make any sense to sell him but with MON you never know. |
Nick
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... Actually I wouldn't be surprised if we buy some of Sunderland's relegated players... Ferdinand and Malbranque anyone?  |
ak_27
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... Sorry Damien but this 442 is getting old. We have to be going out at home and away to lesser teams playing 2 up front if we are progress. Its the fact that we cannot pass or get possession due to the long ball tactics that we often get out played in the centre. Yes we should go 451 on occasion like away to Liverpool , Arsenal and the like but going to play the likes of Blackburn away and putting only one man up front is in my mind showing them way too much respect. I know you seem to think UTD go and play 451 a lot but they don't. They put out a 442 or a 433 but their strikers drop back and get on the ball or interchange with Ronaldo because they have the ability to do that. We do not. |
Cally
said:
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... Poor Villa. Back down to earth with a bump, with their limited manager and not so rich greatest owner of all time(tm) |
VillaJon
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... I think saying that we can afford to let Carew go based on what formation we should be playing is over-thinking the problem a bit to be honest. Of course Carew fits a certain formation better than others but in the end all that matters is that he's a top class striker who will score us goals, even if that just means chucking him on off the bench. He's been the one and only player who's played really well consistently for the whole season when fit. For the past four months he's been our best player by an absolute mile, he's made the rest of our team look crap, so I cant believe that anyone could think of letting him leave. We need more striking options, but I think if we get rid of Carew we'll come to regret it |
Smyth
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... Van Dutch No & no thanks mate. They certainly wouldn't make us better. Damien Getting shot of Carew - CRAZY!! |
Leroy
said:
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... I think that the same thing is said every year........."We need to strengthen the squad and we will do so if the right player is available". How many more times can he say it really? If he knows its a problem do something about it or it looks like you have no idea what you are doing. The other 19 managers seem to know that you need a certain amount of personnel to withstand the usual injuries, suspensions and allow the players to have a rest. Why after 3 years is it still being said with nothing done to address the issue? |
VillaDude
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... Carew has to stay - he is one Villa player who always looks dangerous infront of goal and has the confidence to finish. I cringe whenever heskey or gabby have a chance, and know they haven't got half the talent of Carew. It wasn't for Carew, we would be a lot further down the table. How you can say you woulndt mind getting rid of him is crazy. He needs an adequate strike partner and a full season and you will see him hit 20 goals. He's by far one of our best players. Regarding Lescott - I honestly dont rate the player as highly as others - 12-15m is FAR too much - this is the same player who got skinned by Young at Goodison park. If you watch some of Everton matches closely, he is often caught out of position and makes the odd mistake - bit similiar to our own Zat Knight. |
ak_27
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... The thing about Carew is i think he doesn't really like the long ball tactics we use either. He would score far more goals in a team that slowly played the ball around and got into better positions to cross the ball into the box. At the moment he is having to deal with long diagnal balls coming from 60 yards down the pitch.) |
Jake Gardner
said:
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... if carew leaves i will be almost as gutted as i still am from laursen leaving , those two are the modern day legends. |
sss1
said:
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... I think MON could be out by xmas!!! No villa manager has lasted more than 3-4 years.As MON moves into his 4 year in charge it will be his make or break season. I would like us to buy 3-5 players,What do think of the following, Babel,benayuon and lucas from liverpool, Martins from Newcastle, Shawcross from Stoke |
Damian
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... ak_27 I don't think it is getting old. It has to be mentioned, it has to be talked about otherwise we will all just accept 442 and I disagree that we need to be playing this way at home or that way away. What we need is a consistent way that we play as a club and rather than change how we play based on the team, make other teams change how they play when they are playing us. Let's say, for example, we decide to play like Liverpool, 4411. My point is, you get players to train and play in that formation throughout the club, so players know their roles and it also makes it easier if someone gets injured and needs to be replaced, as the player coming in knows how the club plays. Playing 2 up front doesn't work. It's not just me that thinks this, look at all the clubs above us. It isn't getting old, not in my opinion and in my defence, I've hardly spoken about it for a couple of weeks now. If I was doing it every day, I'd understand, but I'm not. Although I might .. because it is that important. |
RayK
said:
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... What a sad and demoralising end to the season given the hope and expectation when we were 4th...especially now that Laursen has retired too. I really don't know what to expect this Summer. On the one hand Lerner is an astute businessman and MON is no fool either. My two main concerns with MON though are that he's never had this kind of budget to spend on players and so will he get it right? Can he spot the difference in quality between a Laursen and a Cuellar? Evidence to date is patchy. I also agree with Damian on formation to an extent. If we had Ronaldo on the right wing, Ashley on the left, Gerrard and Lampard in central midfield and Rooney and Torres up front then 4-4-2 would win us the Premier League. The trouble is we don't have that quality of player to make 4-4-2 work every time and we need a Plan B - and the players to make it work - when 4-4-2 isn't working for us. I still trust that MON & Lerner are the right people to take us forward but (as I've siad before) that trust is based more on hope still than expectation. MON basically needs to be braver in the transfer market this summer and show that he's learnt from this season's mistakes. |
Eoin Greene
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... AK-27 - finally someone talks sense about formations. Manchester United have nearly always played 4-4-2 under Ferguson - the only difference was when the played 4-5-1 for a while with HorseFace up front and that was a disaster. Arsenal nearly always play 4-4-2. Liverpool play with 4 midfielders. 4-4-1-1 is the same as 4-4-2 = the only difference being that one of the strikers plays slightly behind the other. Gerrard is a second striker everywhere except the brittish media who want to give him the hilarious tag of 'best midfieder in the world' despite the fact that he NEVER plays there. Soof the top 4 - three of then use 4-4-2 and the other is accused of its 'anti-football'. 4-5-1 is a formation used by negative teams to blunt more creative, attacking teams - typically playing for a 0-0 away from home. Villa's problem is not formations - its players and the way we play, players are uncomfortable in posession (Davis is hilarious) - how many goals have we actually created this year?? People seem to forget that we were playing the exact same as we are now when we were winning games - you need to look at peroformance - because in general good peroformance mean good results. Finally - Carew is definitely one of our best players and our best striker. He is not slow and in fact is the opposite. Maybe he doesn't look quick but he is. Also he is one of the top scorers in the league and missed a large chunk of the season. |
Mike Carter
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... Actually United have played 4-3-3 for almost all of this season. Arsenal have rarely played 2 up front, they've only had one good out-and-out striker fit all season so most of the time the likes of Van Persie have been playing behind the main striker. Liverpool and Chelsea never play with 2 strikers either. I've generally never agreed with Damian's idea that 4-4-2 has to go. I still do think his views are quite extreme, 4-4-2 serves a handy purpose and it certianly shouldn't be regarded as "out of date". I am however beginning to think that a new approach is needed. I am against 4-5-1 because it's far too negative. Playing possession football is fine away from home but we're not going to score many goals. That leaves 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, either of which I think would suit us perfectly. The latter would require the biggest changes to the squad, as we'd need a new defensive and attacking midfielder. I'm also 100% convinced that Milner should be moved into the middle, allowing us to purchase a new winger on either side (yes, Young can play on the right despite what some people might say). |
Anthony Laud
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... eoin1981 do you watch football games. do you see where gerrard creates goasl for torres from or kuyt at the weekend for example. passes from his own half cutting open deffences - if he is an out andout striker as you say how does this happen? Arsenal simply do not play 4-4-2 - you clearly havent watched how they play. ie at the weekend van persie up top on his own the others out wide and dropping back! Man uts all season have played one up top with 2 on the wings. you may be getting confused cause throughout the game they rotate which one is up top - ie rooney often plays left, tevez sometimes goes out right, ronaldo goes up top on his own - theres is more a 4-3-3. if you think these teams play a 4-42 you clearly dont watch football. fk; benitez even came out in the press earlier this season and said football has moved on from 4-4-2 as its to rigid a formation and you still reckon he uses it! |
Damian
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... vivavilla we might not agree on everything but i'm glad you've pointed out the formations there .. i wanted to, but well, i thought it was obvious so just left until someone else did change is needed in my opinion and well, you might not agree with my views on 442, i just can't see it working any more as it sort of loses you a player |
RayK
said:
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... I agree with AK-27 and eoin1981. 4-4-2 isn't really at the root of the problem - its trying to play that formation with players that can't seem to make it work. Our version of 4-4-2 is really a pretty basic one. ie just trying to attack on the break which means feeding the ball quickly to Milner or Young to race down the wing to deliver a killer cross for one of the forwards to put in the back of the net. Against Hull it worked perfectly but too much of the time we're a one trick pony. What we don't have to make the system work properly, is - - someone capable of breaking from midfield and getting into the box - someone in midfield capable of threading passes through the defence when the wingers/forwards have drawn the opposition wide - strikers who are comfotable collecting the ball in midfield and holding onto possession - full backs given the licence to overlap the wingers when the first attack hasn't worked (normally we've lost possession by this stage) - a central defender capable of stepping up into midfield to help us keep possession when we're attacking. Far too often it seems like its a race to see how quickly Milner or Young can get the ball to Gabby or Carew and 8 or 9 times out of ten we lose possession almost immediately. |
AaronStud
said:
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... I am a huge fan of Carew and would hate to see him go, he is our 20 goals man for sure based on this season.I however am not worried about the newspaper article from yesterday, Damian if you're talking about the one I read, the paper mentions that he has "struggled" since the lapdancing incident, when nothing could be further from the truth. If I were MON, Carew would be the first name on the team sheet. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Yes I can see why that's apparent. Infact the more I think about it, the more 4-2-3-1 seems to make sense. It combines the beauty of 5 midfielders but also 3/4 attacking players. I can envisage a good team for Villa next season with only a few additions... - Same back 4, with Bouma probably replacing Shorey - Petrov and another similar player alongside him. I imagine someone like Tom Huddlestone to be a perfect fit - Young and another winger, possibley Downing. Possibley even Gabby. Milner in between them. I reckon Jimmy could thrive in a central attacking role, his workhorse ethic could do us wonders. - Carew the lone striker. In my eyes it works a hell of a lot better than what we've been doing recently. |
David Tyler
said:
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... sss1 - I'd be pretty happy if we made those transfers this summer. Mind you, I'm voting in favour of RayK's 442 team. Might cost a bit to get Rooney, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Lampard and Torres, mind. I know no-one will agree but it is just possible that EH would be the one to move on. In a WC year, he couldn't risk a bit of bench time and MON might just feel that he doesn't gel with the others the way he likes. Yes, I know there's a 98% chance that I'm wrong there. |
VillaDude
said:
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... Does anyone think MON is forcing Carew OUT? Im just going off paper talk, but he sent scouts to watch Gignac on the weekend, and he is a very similiar striker to Carew. You know he's not getting rid of Emule Heskey, so is MON's priority to replace big JC - If there is, then a lot of Villa fans will turn on MON. |
Anthony Laud
said:
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... vivavilla the only problem you have there - is the same back 4 apart from Bouma! we need to new centre backs. get rid of cuellar and knight. keep davies and put him on the bench he might get better with experience but they all look dreadful players i like the 4-2-3-1 system which is what liverpool play. they have 2 holding out of mascherano, alonso and lucas then 3 behind torres from gerrard, kuy, babel, riera. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Tonebone, my point was that if we really don't have the money some are guessing (and they are only guessing), then it still can be implemented without much spending. But ideally yes you are right, in a perfect world we would look to upgrade at centre back as well. |
Mike Carter
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... Incidentally, I'd also give Cuellar a season at centre back. He's taken his time but I believe he's beginning to settle in and I think he could be a solid player. Knight can go, obviously, and Davies would make a good relief option. |
Fordvilla
said:
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... What a miserable lot we have become. If we want to be a top four team then it takes time and patience, look at Leeds, you can't buy players for the sake of buying players. This season we could probably finish fifth, which is great and we have qualified outright for Europe. I don't want Champions League football yet, I want to show that we can challenge for the UEFA cup first. Plus out of all the mangers out there MON would be one of the few that I would trust to take us to great heights. Just because people on TV said we would take fourth place doesn't mean we can or should. |
Eoin Greene
said:
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... Tonebone - fair enough thats your opinion and you may be correct. However, i dont think so! Man Utd have always had this philosophy of having 4 strikers and picking 2. Yorke, Cole, Sherringham, Solskjaer.......Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez and sometimes Ronaldo as an out and out striker. Now the fact that Ronaldo plays so far forward does not change the fact that he is a winger, who plays in a 4-4-2 - look at uniteds formation when they dont have the ball. Also Rooney often drops deep to cover for united, but its still a 4-4-2, a formation is not stuck in stone - players are free to move into different positions...... There are occasions when Aarsenal play 4-5-1, but the majority of the time its 4-4-2. There best team, and one they would play most often is with Adebayor and Van Persie up front. Now you may say that Van Persie is not an out and out striker. I agree but he is a striker who plays just off the front man - same as Bergkamp used to. Again - Liverpool - if you dont think Gerrard plays as a second striker - thats your opinion. By the way how have the brittish presses 'two best central midfielders in europe' done playing together? Where does Gerrard play for England? I suggest looking at the formation when Liverpool dont have the ball in the next game. As for explaining Gerrards two passes from inside his own half - players are allowed freedom - its not table football. And thats my main argument - its not about formations - it about HOW you play! Players win matches not formations. Maybe the reason we didn't challenge longer for the champions league is that the players are not good enough? Maybe Davies, Shorey, Young, Heskey, Milner, Petrov, heck even Barry, Young, Friedel and Carew would not get intpo any of the top 4 sides. Maybe the reason the top four are the top four is because they have the best players? Maybe I'm crazy and mayeb you are all right - its because we use 4-4-2. |
RayK
said:
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... VivaVilla - there is really not too much difference between the 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2. In a 4-2-3-1 formation the wingers play a bit more up the field and one of the forwards drops a bit deeper. Equally with 4-5-1, its often just 4-4-2 with one of you forwards is just dropping into midfield alongside the wingers. 4-3-3 is just 4-4-2 with an extra central midfielder in place of a winger or forward. Or its moving one of you wingers - e.g Milner - into a more central midfield position and moving the other winger - e.g Young - alongside your forwards. All of these formations are just a variation around 4-4-2 and we should be comfortable switching between the variations - it should not be rocket science. Ultimately its players and not formations that win matches and quality and intelligent players can make most system work - which is why its irrelevant whether its 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.... |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Historically yes but I guarantee you most of this season United have had a lone striker by design. Their 4-3-3 formation against Arsenal has been commonplace all season long. Hell, even Blackburn played a 4-5-1/4-3-3 type formation against Chelsea. Plenty of teams are noticing the need for change. |
Mike Carter
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... RayK, I'm sorry but I disagree. You could argue that every conceivable formation is simply a "variation of 4-4-2", since 4-4-2 has been the de facto formation for decades now. I do not believe 4-2-3-1 to be similar at all. For a start, the 5 midfielders are branched out over two levels in midfield. This gives the midfield more depth, obviously, as a 4-man midfield is spread out in a line whereas the 5-man play as a separate two and three. Secondly, 4-4-2 is not a flexible formation. Yes, the wingers can push up, but it leaves you exposed. 4-2-3-1 allows the flexibility of 2 or 3 strikers while still keeping 3 players in the centre of midfield. Thirdly, the two central defensive midfielders rarely need to push forward. Petrov and his partner, whoever it might be, can constantly be sat infront of the back 4 providing support, whilst linking defence to attack. In 4-4-2, you are now allowed this luxury. The central midfielders must constantly be roaming back and forth - this has caught us out on many occasions this season, when both Petrov and Barry have been upfield when the opposition has launched a counter attack. Look at players like Essien, Carrick, Lucas/Mascherano. These guys stay in the middle, protect the back 4, provide excellent link-up play, and can stick to their task of man-marking without having to worry about getting forward/dropping back. This is what Petrov needs to do for us, and he can do it if we have 3 midfielders in front of him who worry about doing the attacking. |
RayK
said:
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... i'm sorry this is going to be really boring and repetitive but this is what we need: - a quality replacement for Laursen - a quality replacement for Barry (hopefully a bit more creative) - a better right winger - a more consistent forward than Gabby. (I think Gignac sounds like he could force Gabby and not Carew onto the bench) With those additions/replacements and the squad we have we should make any formation work for us. |
Dan Price
said:
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... carew is 10 times the player gabby is! the only player we have who isnt afraid when he gets in front of the goal... he CANNOT leave. but if we do get a 6ft 7 1/2 player in to play with big john i fear the long ball will become a common place |
RayK
said:
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... I really don't think that the formation is the holy grail. Essien, Maschereno and Carrick have got caught out less this season because they are - imo - better players then Petrov and Barry. Equally, they have better forward (wingers, attacking midfielders, stikers) players playing in front of them than we do, who can keep possession (unlike us). Don't get me wrong though, if we feel that we need to tweak the formation to suit the match (ie the players we are facing) then that makes sense. But simply changing from a rigid 4-4-2 to a rigid 4-2-3-1 is really not going to make the blindest bit of difference across the course of a season if we essentially have the same players playing. |
ak_27
said:
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... Look we can play any formation we want but if our back 4 are incapable of passing the ball and getting on it without looking like they have never seen a football before then we are going nowhere. I really don't see what others see in Davies. Without going into his defending i can't remember seeing another Villa player look so uncomfortable on the ball. You would swear he just made the cross over from rugby. The whole back line is the same (maybe not Luke Young han't seen him play in his right position enough) but Bouma, Cullar and Daves are all extremely poor in possession. Now this may be down to the culture that MON is bringing to the club or just down to their individual skills (or lack of) but that is in my mind the root cause of so much that is wrong with us at the moment. I personally think its a bit of both but mainly it brings me back to the fact that MON is an out of date manager who hasn't spotted/ or simply just ignores the fact that the premier league has moved on a lot and is a far more technical league then it was when he was manager with Leicester. Just look at how much Fulham have improved and also at how far Swansea town have come on since their managers instilled their pilosophy of being comfortable on the ball from the backs forward and the importance of keeping the ball. The reason we conceed so much is down to the fact we give the opposition the ball so much. |
bob
said:
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... 442,451, 352, 1 10, It dont make one iota of difference theres still 11 players lining up on the pitch and its them quality or lack there of that determines the out come of matches! for the record though id deploy a 3-5-2 formation! but thats still just the same 11 pleyers as 442 anyway  |
Michael Williams
said:
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... I am an Everton fan, and i have been reading your comments about your season. I beleieve the only way you will improve next season is getting TWO top class centre halves. The two you have in the middle at the moment are awful and they are not worth any penny. Your midfield and strike force is good and i believe if you get that defence sorted you will be a very very hard team to beat!! Also the links with Joleon Lescott are not true, why would he leave a team who is higher in the league and going to cup finals? |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Probably because we have more money. I really don't think any player is going to see a difference between 5th and 6th in the league, it's one and the same. The cup final, yes that's quite an achievement, but I don't think I'm out of place in saying it's a bit of a one-off achievement. Do it again next year and perhaps you'll have a point. Plus you have to actually win the thing first. What a player in his situation will be thinking is, which team is more likely to be playing in the Champions League sooner? Nobody knows yet. Though the bookies give us better odds of winning the league next season |
Michael Williams
said:
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... True that we need to win the cup, but look at the sides we have knocked out, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Manchester United. Also i feel next season Tottenham will be in the hunt for 4th. But you did not answer my question about your centre halves? |
RayK
said:
|
... Michael - I think most people on here feel that we need at least one new central defender to replace Laursen. The hope is that either Cuellar or Davies come good and if there wasn't that hope then yes we'd be looking for two new central defenders. AK-27 - totally agree, but we should remember that the issue of keeping possession hasn't just the fault of our defenders. |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... The goals you have conceded from set pieces have been awful and there has been no excuses for the size of the centre backs. So do u believe the centre backs are champions league quality? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Yes we definitely need a new centre back. And to be honest, I'd give my left nut for somebody like Lescott. In truth I don't think he'd leave Everton for anything less than a top 4 club, that's the level he's been playing at. |
ak_27
said:
|
... Michael Williams totaaly agree with you. RayK you are right about it's not all down to the defense but they are the starting point of most attacks and they seem far too eager just to launch it forward. Again it may be down to Midfield also and even our strikers aren't that good at holding the ball up (mainly Gabby it must be said). But that again points to the whole football culture/philosophy that MON has instilled in the club since he arrived. |
Anthony Laud
said:
|
... michael we def need 2 centre halves but oneil wont buy 2 thats for certain. he has aready bought 3 in knight, Calamity Curtis and cuellar who are all terrible but he is to stubborn to admit they arent good enough and get rid! |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... As an Everton fan you need to keep your best players to go forward as a club. Do you think Barry will stay and would you sell him for 15m? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Cuellar and Curtis aren't terrible. Knight is terrible. Davies at the start of the season was actually pretty good. He lost his form over the new year and hasn't been the same since. Cuellar, a similar story. Being forced to play out of position at right back did him no good at all. He's put in some decent performances since being moved back and I firmly believe he'll come good next season. |
ak_27
said:
|
... I think Barry is gone. We won't get 15m either with just a year left on his contract. I think we will get 8 to 10 million for him. Personnally i think Everton are much closer to tackling the big 4 then we currently are. You have a better defense and also a better centre midfield pairing as well and if ye can get Saha and Yakuba both fit then you will be close next season. Probably need a top winger perhaps. Hopefully ye will win the cup. By the way how much would you want for Arteta? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I'd sell Barry for a lot less than that. He hasn't been one of our best players at all this season. Infact, Petrov has made him look pretty piss poor at times. He brings little to the team in terms of creativity and apart from the fact he can cross quite well, he doesn't have many qualities that stand out. I've said all along, he's easily replaceable. |
toon
said:
 |
... hiya my fellow footbal supporters iam a toon fan is there any chance u could keep the noise doon on sunday or even cheer for us it mite give us half a chance lol |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... Wouldnt sell Arteta for any price!!!! Hes to valuable to the club and also Cahill is!!! I do hope the yak is fit for next season and i think we are going to sign that Joe Ledley from Cardiff. I havent seen him play but ive heard good things about him!!!! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... toon - don't worry, I can count the number of times we've played well at home on one hand. |
Anthony Laud
said:
|
... toon - we'll be singing a song that starts "we'll meet again dont know where dont know when.....you know the rest! all afternoon - so get used to it! enjoy the fizzy pop league! |
Anthony Laud
said:
|
... 15m for barry would be sensational business. think 8m is realistic with a year left on his contract |
vogra
said:
 |
... If your talking of getting rid of strikers Gabby would be on the top of the list, Heskey isn't going anywhere..Carew is immense for us, Get in a quality striker alongside Carew...who?? i don't know, but not Gabby...please. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
 |
... I think that we should cash in on Gabby while we still can , he is not a natural footballer . Reminds me of Darious Vassel . We should try and swap him for Darren bent maybe . If Carew left I would be absolutly gutted , the press seem to be convinced he's on his way .Also really rate Tuncay from boro , great workrate with an eye for goal , what more can you ask for. As for midfeild get Bently in and move Milner into the middle. Barry will be off no dought. Think we need to take a gamble on a european/south American flare player that yes might be a bit lazy but will have an eye for a killer pass. Defence , were do you begin . I think were ok at left and right back it's our Cb's that need sorting all three of them are ok/not bad so its hard to put a finger who to replace. I think Lescott is overated Jagielka is a far better player. In goal big brad should make way for little brad I think , his form is definetly starting to drop off. Add to this a few squad players and I think that would make a good summer . |
ak_27
said:
|
... I would love to see a striker up front who is capable of getting ball to feet and doing things on his own if needed. Wagner Love would do nicely. As for Gabby i think he is the new Vassell who himself was the new Julian Joachim. All pace and little techniacl ability will only get you so far. I would cash in now on Gabby before his stock goes down. |
Anthony Laud
said:
|
... i agree cashing in on gabby wouldnt be a bad idea but only if we got in a striker who still has pace but is techincally better than gabby. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Toon A last minute screamer from Milner to win us the game would be funny !! |
RayK
said:
|
... I'm going to stick up a bit for Gabby. If Carew was a bit more mobile, we had a better right winger and if our central midfield was capable of threading through balls through the centre for Gabby to run on to then he'd score more goals for us without doubt. Gabby's main asset is his pace and my preference would be for him to come on for the last 30 mins and terrorise a tring defence with his pace. Heskey and Harewood would be out of the door for me before Gabby. |
ak_27
said:
|
... The thing about Gabby is that often the way person acts off the pitch is an indicator as to what type of professional they will become. Take a look at Giggs. he was the oringinal pin up boy but he decided to shun the lime light/ woman and all that goes with it to concentrate on becoming probably the greatest Utd palyer of all time. What has Gabby done in the 2 years he has been a famous footballer? Well he managed to get 3 woman pregnate at the same time. Now this might seem a bit harsh but that really doesn't say much for the guys character and a players character as they get older really makes or breaks them. |
David Tyler
said:
|
... RayK - So will I... Gabby's got into a rut over the past few months and doesn't really have the experience to put it behind him. But he does have the game to cause issues. He would be a great impact player off the bench - either chasing the game or as an outlet when we're in front - and as he develops more, I'd still expect him to be pushing for a start all the time. His season was pretty much a microcosm of the teams as a whole, particularly when you look at his difficulty in reintegrating into a 442 lineup one Heskey joined and Carew returned from injury. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Blimey hope this is fake ....! http://www.footballshirtculture.com/football-kit-design/fantasy-kit-design/new-aston-villa-shirt-09/10-2195.html  |
David Tyler
said:
|
... That's an interesting point, AK_27. I hesitate to say it's a fair one because it doesn't seem right but there probably is something in that. He might still have his "Giggs epiphany" yet but it's probably unlikely. It's far too early for us to be getting on his back but, yes, as a long term prospect the doubts must be there. But to be honest I thought a few years back that Rooney would have gone off the rails by now and for all the Giggs and Shearer-type characters, there's always going to be guys like that. |
bennytoon
said:
 |
... Hi guys, newcastle fan here. Just wanted to say that i am looking forward to stuffing you lot on sunday and securing our prem status. |
David Tyler
said:
|
... bennytoon - I hope you can make it down to Villa Park. It would be a shame to miss your final day. Can't beat a bit of blubbing on Final Day. |
bennytoon
said:
|
... themachine- unfortunatly i cant make the trip as like most of the geordie population i am on benefits with a couple of sprogs that drain my finances. Villa have been poo since xmas and i dont think we could have had an easier game to secure our prem status. I can see you struggling next season whilst we challenge for 5th. |
VillaDude
said:
|
... There is 0 chance of MON selling Gabby or Heskey. If anyone is going its Carew, but MON has said recently how much the fans love him and he needs to be fit for a full season. Shame he doesn't notice how much Heskey gets injured. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Damian Thank fcuk for that ! Wish Villa would unveil the new home shirt on the last home game each year like other teams do . |
David Tyler
said:
|
... bennytoon - setting your sights a little low, aren't you? You should be going for automatic promotion, not just 5th. |
NUFC
said:
 |
... Lads, bennytoon is a rancid spurs fan with no mates. He spends all of his time on NUFC forums winding up Newcastle fans. |
bennytoon
said:
|
... A recent survey concluded that the birmingham accent is the most annoying accent in the world. I compare it to running finger nails down a chalk board. |
David Tyler
said:
|
... NUFC - It must take a lot of energy chasing him off other boards! They obviously asked for that response but actually as a rule I don't wish ill on any other decent fans... I don't envy what you guys have had to put up with. I want us to win - for us - and that therefore will send you down. If it goes that way, chances are you'll have a great year next year, once you come to terms with it. |
ToonOlly
said:
 |
... Villa fans, I am a newcastle fan from Devon, but Villa are my 'second' team if you will. My best mate comes from a long, long line of villains and as such I've been up the motorway countless times to villa park as a neutral. I saw you play West Ham last year shortly after Upson had been transferred from Birmingham, and I was in the Holt end for Villa Arsenal on boxing day! What a game that was! I went absolutely mental when Barry put that pen away, and even more so when (Knight?) equalised in the 93rd minute. I am proud to say I've cheered on the Villa because I have always, and will always have a soft spot for them and their fans in my heart, which is why im so gutted it's you we'll be playing on the last day of the season. I am hoping and praying for a toon victory, but if it is Villa that sent us down I will be more gutted than you can imagine. Here's hoping |
bennytoon
said:
|
... nufc- what are you on aboot you little twerp. newcastle till i die. we will smash the villains and go on to world domination under the messiah. andy carrol and shola are the future. |
toon
said:
|
... BENNYTOON IS A DIRTY COCKNEY SPURS FAN LADS HE COMES ON THE NUFC BLOG ALL THE TIME PLUS HE,S A GOLLY WOG WITH A FAT BALD HEED TAKE NO NOTICE |
bennytoon
said:
|
... toonolly- what a pathetic creature you are. sucking up to the villa fans, hoping they will take it easy on us. well if we get relegated you can fuck off and support villa you dirty rat. |
NUFC
said:
|
... hahaha Benny. TheMachine: Yes mate, fair play. I've had similar conversations with my mate who's a Villa fan. Both sides will be up for it on Sunday, I'm sure. At least if we go down it'll be against a decent side. Jeez, I can remember it was only a couple of years ago when we were both neck and neck each season. Just goes to show what ludicrous decisions at board level can do to a club. Anyway lads, I'm back to work. May the best team win on Sunday (by the day's performance though, obviously!)  (and just ignore bennytool) |
Fitzy_7
said:
 |
... nufc- what are you on aboot you little twerp. newcastle till i die. we will smash the villains and go on to world domination under the messiah. andy carrol and shola are the future. lol im gonna miss the deluded newcastle fans next season deluded club supported by deluded fans newcastle united football club in one word is a "Joke" |
toon
said:
|
... reetpetite // May 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM devonmag- you are pathetic sucking up to the villa fans on there blog. Are you wanting them to go easy on you. I could never cheer on another team yet you admit to creaming yourself over a barry goal ;;;;;THIS IS BENNYTOON LADS |
Johno Toon
said:
 |
... Bennytoon is a spud , strange little man , check out www.nufcblog.com and im sure you will find comments to prove this, good luck sunday , but any chance ye could throw the game |
ToonOlly
said:
|
... I remember when we were neck and bloody neck, I remember seein us beat you 2-1 at Villa Park, with Shola getting the winner! Hahaha how times have changed. Benny you're a mug mate. May the best team win on Sunday, as long as it's us. |
David Tyler
said:
|
... Johno - not sure about the other guys on the blog but I'm not expecting to get the nod for the game. If I do, consider the game thrown (out of a lack opf talent rather than a lack of moral fibre) |
Leroy
said:
|
... Toon Olly - If we do amazingly turn up and beat the Tooners and send you down, you can always come on here and have a chat with us and talk a bit of Villa. You seem like a good bloke, better supporter than some of our own too it pains me to say. In many ways i think it is sad when you see a giant fall. I was a bit upset for Leeds when they went down, although they did it to themselves. It just goes to show how competitive the Premiership is, well from 4th down anyway. Villa were not so far away from this same position before MON came in, we should be quite gracious really. Good luck to Newcastle either way |
Johno Toon
said:
|
... HaHa machine! its gonna be tense for us , but we dont really have anyone to blame bar oursleves do we? Any opinion on who you will get to replace laursen? |
ToonOlly
said:
|
... Leroy, yes mate from reading some of the comments on here it's like some of your fans forgot that a mear few seasons ago you were a club resigned to mid-table mediocricy with players like Gavin McCann! Hearing people complain about MON seems like the most ridculous bollocks in the world (to me anyway) ! Out of interest, why is Laursen leaving? He's been injured for time hasn't he? Where's he going? |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... Im a Everton fan and i cant stand Newcastle i would love to see Villa beat them on Sunday would make my day!!!!!!!!! And us to beat Fulham so we grab 5th spot!!!!!! |
David Tyler
said:
|
... You're right, Leroy, we've definitely had our 'but for the grace of God' moments in recent years. There's that one level that says it is in our best interests for the teams that carry the greatest threat to go down. That ain't Hull. There's that other that just feels a bit for any other fans facing what is a horrible feeling (for those of us old enough to remember). Someone has to go down though and I think you're right Johno, there have been chances to get out of trouble despite the actions of the board. I must admit after your win obver Boro, I had you as odds on to stay up. Still, my cheeky £5 a few weeks back on Shearer scoring the winner in our match doesn't look like happening now! Replacing Laursen is no easy task! To be honest, we probably won't know if we've done if for a season or two. Could even be one of the guys we already have, though evidence doesn't support it. But we've seen one guy go from zero to hero (Petrov) in a season and the whole team do the opposite journey in half that time so anything's possible. |
ToonOlly
said:
|
... Michael, I reckon you'll beat Fulham. Why can't you stand newcastle? Is it because the media has us down as disillusioned Geordies that place our footballing hopes in 'messiahs,' believing we have a 'divine right' to be in top flight football cos we're such a 'big' club. Very little nufc fans actually think like that, generally we're realists, just like most supporters. |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... Ive never liked Newcastle since you had Grahame Souness at the club!!!! I used to like ur lot when you had Bobby Robson!!! Ur club is badly run and you dont know how lucky ur club is on how much money you have had to spend!!! We cant even get 1 million together never mind 10 million on one player!!! Unfortunately for you i think your goin down i cant see you beating Villa!!! |
ToonOlly
said:
|
... Bobby Robson was a great, it was such a load of bollocks when that pillock souness was appointed. That was our big turning point, ever since then we've been falling. Aye, you may be unlucky with your funding, but you're not unlucky with your manager, and that, surely, is far more important than funds. You're fith, and in the f.a cup final. I think if anyone doesn't know how 'lucky your club is' it's you pal! |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... But just think if we had the money you lot have had!!! Were would we be in the league? We wouldnt be buyin players like Colocchini, Martins, Ryan Taylor, Nolan the list can go forever!!!! Your club has been run badly for too long and now its finally hit the bored that your in trouble and unfortunately your going down and you will be playing clubs like Swansea away on a january wednesday night!!!!! |
beyethegreat
said:
 |
... michael to be fair martins is a good player p.s i would take your chairman over ours anyday |
beyethegreat
said:
|
... also evertons net spend over the last 2 years has probz been bigger than ours anyway thuogh admitadly our wages are twice the size of yours |
Michael Williams
said:
|
... Were goin in the right direction not like some teams!!! So martins is worth 10 million? (i doubt he is!!!) We dont give injured players 60,000 a week!!!! |
Michael
said:
 |
... iv never really minded newcastle, liked them alot when bobby robson was there and have always liked some of there players, and i like alan shearer. however, why do you all treat keegan as 'the messiah'? he has left you in the shit twice now?! i think he is a weak man and always leaves when the going gets tough. also i hope we get owen when he leaves. |
beyethegreat
said:
|
... well im unsure whether he is worth that much but he is a good player though you are right we shouldnt be paying these palyers so much but unfortunately we are its hard to believe but our best player (bassong) is on the least wages |
beyethegreat
said:
|
... mickey about keegan the 1st time he left i will agree with you but the 2nd time heh had every right to leave the reason we called him the messiah was because he led us to the prem and then finisshed 4th straight away a record which still hasnt been bettered and also the style of football waas brilliant aswell as the passion he showed he was some one we could identify with |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... Comments 65 and 66, Vogra and Atlan; I have heard a rumour that Gabby may well be off to Spuds, there is no mention of swaps or money, and it's a totally unsupported rumour. Just thought I'd mention it. If there was to be a swap I think like-for-like with Bent would be better than a swap for Bentley, I just have my doubts about Bentley - he's a good player though. |
Chrisodon
said:
 |
... This still the villa blog isn't it ?. or has damo spread his wings and left again ?. Anyway i hope we sink newcastle on sunday as i know a few barcode fans and they're annoying as fuck. |
Damian
said:
|
... Chrisodon Still here Just busy working on the forum ... and most of the banter has been okay .. hasn't it? I've not read all. |
vogra
said:
|
... andy5759, as bad as think gabby is i wouldn't take Bent or Bentley over him, Id be going for Ebanks-Blake or someone like Yakubu if we could get him from Everton (which i doubt very much) I take it the Villa game will be on Sky, can't see Sky not taking the opportunity to see the Newcastle fans crying at the end of the game. I think Newcastle will stay up, just have this feeling.. |
Goldie 7
said:
 |
... WISH LIST: Joleon Lescott Van Der Vaart Aaron Lennon or Bentley Obafemi Martins Antonio Valencia Brede Hangeland Michael Mancienne Loan Eidur Gudjohnsen Carew replacement All realistic quality players we'll have to spend twice as much as last year though w |
Fitzy_7
said:
|
... we dont need a carew replacement because he wont be going anywhere as for your wish list well we can all dream eh  |
Chrisodon
said:
|
... There was nowt offensive damo. I was just commenting on the number of comments by the barcodes & the everton fan. |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...apart from martins & gudjohnsen it's a nice choice of players. Much better than we've got now check the squad list http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.u...65,00.html Poor squad we need quality no more average players.... Those 2 would slot right in very nice plus the others on the list. |
azza30
said:
 |
... friedel Johnson Hangeland cuellar bouma young petrov sidwell milner carew vagner love subs: guzan, davies, owen, downing, reo coker, young and gabby my next years villa squad and not to difficult to achieve i dont think. |
Goldie 7
said:
|
... Salifou is definitely no Togolese zidane as the club compared him to on his arrival. Thankgod it was only a 1 year deal |
Leroy
said:
|
... Azza - That line up requires about 50mil mate...i think Owen is useless, but if we were to get Lescott and Hangeland we are in with a real shout next year....... |
azza30
said:
|
... leroy I think o'neil will spend that amount (50m) he spent it last summer and as for owen, for a free transfer i would take a chance on him if anything just to teach gabby a few things. agree that the centre half situation is priority specialy as Laursen the legend has gone, need a leader. and i like the scandinavians in that role. |
Panos
said:
 |
... Goldie, Salifou is definitely no Togolese zidane as the club compared him to on his arrival. Thankgod it was only a 1 year deal To be fair, the club never compared Salifou to Zidane...in fact he got the nickname after the 2006 world cup, and a year before he joined Villa in 2007. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Wish list Tuncay £10m Bent £8m Defour £15m Bently £10m Hangerland £10m Delph £6m Ummm, not going to happen is it...! |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Out.... Barry Pool £8-9 m Reo c .... £5m Salifou..... £500k Harewood ... £1.5m Gabby ! ..... £12m Might happen !! |
Chrisodon
said:
|
... I Just don't see how people rate martins and tuncay, i can understand gudjohnsen as does have a bit of class, but tuncay is a player that could have a hundred chances and maybe score 6 of them he's to wasteful. and martins another gabby that just shoots from further and gets injured more. |
peter power
said:
 |
... juve have just sacked ranieri,lets get rid of mon and bring in the tinker man and hope he brings mellbergwith him |
Chater1703
said:
 |
... depressing hell.....is this a villa or a newcastle blog lol as for all this carew replacement bollocks....mon has already said hes not gonna sell him....just need someone decent along side him. AND NOT FUKIN MICHAEL OWEN.....when we everyone finally admit hes shite |
Simeon
said:
 |
... It beggars belief, the rubbish that people come out with. How can people not see that, until he was finally run into the ground, Gabby was our most important player? He was our only striking option because of O'Neill's complete lack of foresight, and, despite not being a natural target man, acquitted himself fantastically in the role - scoring an impressive number of goals whilst he was at it. Here is a guy who didn't seem to be blessed with much talent, but who has improved every aspect of his game dramatically in the past three seasons. The man who must take most credit for that is Gabby himself. Questioning his professionalism is utterly ridiculous, given the way in which he has made himself (with, no doubt, some help) a better player. And he's a Villa fan! A local boy made good! I can't think of any other club who have the misfortune to have such a large section of 'fans' who would disrespect one of their own for no good reason. There is nothing wrong with valid criticism, but please, if you don't have a clue about football, stick to supporting your club and your own players blindly, rather than making up reasons for critcising someone like Gabby who has given his all this season, and been undermined by his stupid manager. As for any right-thinking Villa fans reading this, make an extra effort to make Gabby appreciated, and treat with the contempt they deserve these ignoramuses who can't tell their arse from their elbow. Otherwise, we risk losing a player of genuine quality. |
John Clark
said:
 |
... Simeon- Don't blame MON for Gabby. The kid's built like a racehorse, and how old is he? He played a full campaign? And MON has "undermined" him, run him into the ground? He deserves full credit, all himself, for upping his game, but made himself a better player "(with, no doubt, some help)? Look...Gabby needed the games. He probably did tire, mentally, as much as physically. he's only going to improve facing EPL competition week in, week out. I rate Gabby. I think MON has shown him all the confidence a player could ever ask for. He's practically handed him the keys. If Gabby can't push on, it's not MON's fault. It's the fact that he's about as clever as a grapefruit. And I really like the kid. |
jim
said:
 |
... reetpetite // May 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM sunderland wont go down because it would mean newcatle winning away at villa which isnt going to happen. I have been on a villa blog all morning(pretending to be a geordie and saying how we will stuff them) and they are really starting to get wound up. They will hopefully now get right behind there team. just doing by little bit! There u go bennytoon your sussed-coming on nufc and now villa blogs to try and sway a result-u dont need to wind the villa fans up to win their last home game of the season-they already want to-plus theres enough newcastle fans that actually do think we can get a result there on sunday to come on themselves and say it-these blogs change nowt-its down to performances and lady luck now... |
David Tyler
said:
|
... Ha ha... Coming on a blog, pretending to be a fan of the opposition in order to wind the home team into supporting their own is a bit like trying to knock the earth out of its orbit by jumping up and down. Well put Kohoutek, though I do agree with Simeon insofar as cutting Gabby a bit of slack. If - in a couple of seasons - he's still unable to put a bad run out of his mind, I'll start to feel he hasn't got the game. I'd love him to get a goal on Sunday though... at least he can sign off on a high. |
Simeon
said:
|
... Kohoutek, I don't think we're a million miles apart in our opinion of Gabby - although I would suggest that, even if he is "as clever as a grapefruit" this has little bearing on his football ability. Credit to O'Neill for giving Gabby his head, but I'm afraid that Gabby has paid the price for O'Neill going into the season with just TWO strikers he was willing to play. Mental fatigue has probably been more of an issue than physical fatigue, but mental fatigue is no less serious of an issue. The fact of the matter is that O'Neill was concerned about Gabby being burnt out as early as November when, absurdly, he voiced concerns about Gabby playing in an international, when it is O'Neill himself who is responsible for picking or resting him 95% of the time. Yet he continued to play him because he had to because Carew was injured. But even since signing Heskey, Gabby has played if fit - and even when he hasn't been fully fit. It is O'Neill who must be blamed for Gabby's disappointing end to the season. Gabby has done as good as a job as he could in the circumstances, and should be saluted, not slated, for his season's work. |
ak_27
said:
|
... Simeon i think you hit the nail on the head when you called him 'genuine quality'. But the fact is he does not have genuine football quality at all. He is a speed merchant who if had average pace would not be playing at any level of professional football. Also intelligence does play a big factor in the game. I know there have been some very stupid people in the past like Gazza but they seemed to have a different intelligence. A football intelligence. I would argue that Gabby does not have this either. I wouldn't get rid this summer just in case but i can see huge similarities to Vassell. He could as someone above said be a very potent sub to bring on when defenders legs are tired. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Apparently we're interested in Stephen Ireland. Now that's a buy that I would be absolutely over the moon with. He's a class act and would provide that driving force from the midfield and an eye for a threaded pass. Please MON, pull this one off! |
ak_27
said:
|
... VillaChris he would be a quality signing but that is never going to happen. He is City's best player. They wouldn't sell him and to be honest i don't think we could afford him. |
Smyth
said:
|
... I read on telly text this morning that he was a long way off signing a new contract at city. Quality player/pure tithead. |
ak_27
said:
|
... He really is a tit. Great footballer. It sickens me that he won't play for his country. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... ha ha pure tithead.. I heard he wouldn't play for his country but what is the reason? |
Smyth
said:
|
... Me too. On the plus side though, if he did sign we wouldn't have to worry about him picking up an injury on the side of a hill somewhere in the middle of eastern europe. |
David Tyler
said:
|
... Wasn't something to do with his team "mates" pulling chinks of his hair out? You can sort of understand it on that basis but he doesn't help himself otherwise. There's something about a whole bunch at Man City that makes me nervous of signing any players from there. Still, could be a case of changing the setting might change the player's behaviour |
ak_27
said:
|
... The rumour is that when he turned up with that wig he had at the start of last season some of the guys in the Irish team on an away trip held him down and tried to take it off. He was trying to pretend it wasn't a wig at all. He really is a muppet. We had 2 games in 5 days and after the 1st game he said his Grandmother had died and had to go home. As if the press wouldn't find out. Thick isn't the word for this guy. But on the pitch he is probably the best young footballer in the prem league at the moment. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... He is Irish after all.... Poor bloke, I wondered what was with his bald head... |
David Tyler
said:
|
... ak_27 - I'd completely forgotten about the Grandmother comment! Yes, that really takes the biscuit. He makes Grapefruit Gabby look like a genius |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Gabby isn't necessarily stupid, its his typical, laid back, brummy accent that gives that impression. Ive just been looking into the Stephen Ireland hair situation... his car is crazier than his hair...why on earth would a bloke have a black Range Rover with bright pink grill and alloy wheels?? |
VillaDude
said:
|
... Before and after pics of Stephen Ireland's wig... http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/Stephen Ireland.jpg |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... It was his girlfriend who started the lies saying his grandmother had died. She had a miscarriage. Shame for Ireland. Anyway, besides the fact he's a balding, pimped up Range Rover driving tithead, I would love him at Villa Park next season! |
Michael
said:
|
... regarding the world cup 2018 bid birmingham city have re-opened discussions to build the city of birmingham stadium so they can compete with villa to host birmingham based matches, should we win the bid. they say that they are willing to put £20million of there own money into the development, but if you see the designs, it looks like it will cost well over £100million, money which will most likely come from the council. why should birmingham city get help to build a football stadium? if villa wanted to build a new stand, we would have to find the money ourselves. and if the money comes from the council then does that mean tax paying villa fans will be paying for the scum to have a new home which will probably be better than villa park? (maybe you could do a post on the world cup bid damian and mention this?) |
David Tyler
said:
|
... Chris, Obviously the circumstances aren't ones to made fun of and perhaps the Grandmother line wasn't his fault after all. She probably picked his Range Rover for him too Great player, though - would have won YPOY if vote was at end of season |
David Tyler
said:
|
... mickey86 - that's a stunning revelation. I think the land value at Villa Park is lower than the one in Small Heath so we are more deserving - oh, and we'd fill it! |
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