Written by John Friday, 18 September 2009 11:20
Whether there is any truth in the ‘training ground bust up’ rumour is up for debate, but I don’t see why the club haven’t come out and nipped it in the bud if it’s not true.
The look on Nigel’s face was there for all to see as he trudged off the pitch at The Circus last Sunday and to be honest this doesn’t surprise me.
Interesting that in Sidwell’s appearance on Soccer AM last Saturday morning he named Reo-Coker as ‘biggest moaner’ and said that he loves an excuse to have a whinge, but this was quite rightly justified on Sunday as I felt he did enough to stay on and Sidwell should have made way.
Whether Reo-Coker is aware of O’Neill's possible plans for the weekend and has taken offence or he is just running out of patience.
My opinion on this whole fiasco is this; I believe that Reo-Coker has put O’Neill in a very difficult position. How is Nigel’s position at the club not now untenable? Remember the backlash after Gareth Barry spoke to The News of the World, it was severe, being dropped and stripped of the captaincy was certainly a signal of intent from O'Neill and if he is to keep the dressing room harmony then the guy needs to be made an example of.
If this was Alex Ferguson we were talking about, what do you think would happen?
In Reo-Coker’s defence you can kind of appreciate where he is coming from, played out of position for long periods if at all and I imagine he sees this season as his big chance only to be subbed off when playing pretty well.
Basically he needs to grow up, pull his finger out and show why he should be the first name on the team sheet every single week. This player is captain material and he also has the quality to play international football.
Why not take a leaf out of David Beckham’s book or even better Stan Petrov’s and knuckle down and do your talking on the pitch rather than taking a swipe at the manager. The lad is 25 which is still relatively young in football so there is room for improvement in his game and he needs to wise up.
Can anyone remember this happening before with a player and manager? Obviously we remember Sir Alex volleying a boot at David Beckham’s face and that this eventually led to him leaving the club and I would be very sorry to see Nigel go. His application, determination and passion on the field are a huge plus for us as a team and I think we need him at the moment; however no player is bigger than this club.
If Reo-Coker is now subsequently dropped for the Pompey game who should play in his stead? Would you replace him with Delph who I personally see more of a replacement for Sidwell’s position? Would Gardner be a tenacious option in the middle to replace or will we simply switch to 4-4-2?
I would be very surprised if no disciplinary action is taken as what sort of example does that say to rest of the squad? O’Neill could be in danger of losing the dressing room if this isn’t handled absolutely correctly.
We all know Nigel is passionate and outspoken and I felt a huge amount of pride when he threw his shirt in the crowd at Anfield after the game. I was adamant then that this was a big moment for him and an indication of his intentions for the season. I even went as far as saying this lad could be a future captain and would probably bleed claret and blue.
We may know for sure sooner rather than later if O'Neill were to catch him with a sweet left hook.
I hope this is a passionate gesture and he doesn’t leave, but I think this could be a very, very important week for Villa and our chances of success this season.
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Damian
said:
 |
... If this happened and that is supposed to be a big IF, we don't know the reasons. It could have just been Reo-Coker or he could have approached the manager on behalf of the or some of the players; you can't see Petrov doing it can you... But it doesn't matter. If it did happen, then action will have to be taken simply because he will have to nip anything like this happening again in the future .. if it didn't happen expect to see Reo-Coker start tomorrow. |
colm tarpey
said:
 |
... Reo-Coker was pissed to be coming off at Birmingham...but he was also the first person O'neill went to at the final whistle.... |
Andi
said:
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... Think we are in risk of blowing this up out of all proportion. Reo is a professional and so is MON i suspect it was a training ground joke or something similar i very much doubt it was because he isnt playing. Coker was there throughout the summer and he seen the players coming in surely he would of asked for a move if he thought he was not going to be playing. We need to focus on the games not stupid training ground things that someone somewhere has seen and then the sun as span it into a full toe to toe |
Damian
said:
|
... Chiefy I sort of agree - focus on tomorrow not something that might or might not have happened. But you can't be surprised at the interest this is going to get over the actual event of a football match ... However, as someone said on the other post - this couldn't have happened because the live blog from Bodymoor and the club yesterday never said anything about it  |
Matthew Smith
said:
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... I think it's complete bull****. Hypothetically if MON and Reo were to have a scrap who would you fancy? I recon MON has got some dirty moves up his sleve... |
John Samuels
said:
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... Keefvilla, That's what i'm trying to say mate, it's beneath him and he should be more grown up about it. Being so volatile is probably why he isn't captain at the moment. Being captain of West Ham and winning promotion to the premiership at the age of 21 is pretty impressive though isn't it? I bet you couldn't do that could you... |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Jeddy, MoN would obviously watch Coker do all his fancy moves and then just pull out a gun 'a la Indiana Jones' and shoot him in the kneecaps. |
Keith
said:
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... JPA But didn't the West Ham fans say that being made captain was the worst thing that happened to him? Didn't they accuse him of getting too big for his boots? Anyway, trust MON to sort it out. Maybe MON told him Delph was playing tomorrow. |
JohnnyMcleod
said:
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... If the article had come from The Guardian or The Times maybe it would be worth taking notice, as it appeared in the equivalent of the Beano I don't think we need lose to much sleep. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... This smells like a big lump of BS to me. Was most probably a play fight. Sick of pepers making up crap trying to disrupt us. I'm sure if this lie does start to spread then the club will deny it on the OS. Until then whats the point in even acknowledging it. The only good thing about the sun is page 3, and half the time thats shite too. |
Andi
said:
|
... If it where to happen i would put money on MON, Reo is a bit of a street brawler where as i reckon MON is a bit of a ninja or shaolin monk stype fighter, just steps out the way of the punchs catches his hand and busts him up Matrix style. Ha Ha just picture it now MON running up the wall   |
Michael panizza
said:
 |
... Anyone know what does O'Neill do for the rest of the week if he doesn't attend most of the training sessions? |
Lanceley12
said:
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... Wish the club would say something on the official site about this. Hope it isn't true! |
Michael panizza
said:
|
... Yeah funny but seriously...what does he do? Because it cannot be scouting, can it.. |
gazza01
said:
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... NRC has just been spotted wearing Victoria Beckham style sun glasses at Bodymoor Heath, could this be to cover the black eyes? |
Yippey ey Ay Yipeey ay oh
said:
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... Apparently Villa have not lost a league game that Sidwell has started since November against Boro |
Aaron Wilson
said:
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... Wasnt Reo Coker born in London? Jesus MON, watch out for that knife he hides down his sock! Im pretty sure i saw Reo in "Ross Kemp on gangs"... I myself think the story is a load of bull... well anyway, it will all be confirmed by the starting line up tomorrow! UTV! |
Will
said:
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... if this is true reo has to be shown the door there is a news conference going on now so i guess MON will be asked the question at some point so hopefully it will be resolved today, i just cant see them grappling although the image is hilarious i couldn't imagine it being left to get that far by everyone else on the training field was probably just a hug and a slip |
John Samuels
said:
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... keef, I always felt that Coker was used as a scape goat after the Tevez, Mascherano saga that destroyeds their squad. Then he was offloaded to bring in quality like faubert, Ljungberg, Neill and Boa Morte. I'd be pi**ed off if that happened at my club if i'm honest. Plus I think he played every game in the run that kept them up. The longer this goes on the more i'm starting to think it's rubbish. It just seems so far fetched doesn't it. Still no word from the OS tho!! |
VillaMitch
said:
 |
... This sounds like a load of rubbish, the proof will be at 3pm tomorrow. If NRC isn't in the squad then they may have had a bust up. He has been playing well but if he wasn't in the team I am sure we would cope just fine, we have back-up so I don't really care to be honest. Maybe Fabian Delph orchestrated the whole thing to get a run in a 5 man midfield. He would be awesome in that formation Or maybe MON asked NRC why as a 25 year old professional footballer playing in the top division and describing his best position as 'attacking midfielder' the guy can't hit a barn door. The amount of times he receives the ball on the edge of the box and chooses not to shoot or has a woefully off target effort is a joke! He has other fantastic footballing qualities but surely being able to shoot is a requirement for a midfielder. |
Paul Gough
said:
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... Statement from the club! http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1801207,00.html |
Costa del Kieran
said:
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... My mate used to be physio at the shit & told us a story that Muzzy Izzit had told about MON chinning Neil Lennon at half time after not admitting to a mistake he made. Lennon then plays brilliant in the second half,they win the game & he & MON hug & make up. I think if MON feels he has made his point to Coker & that its been taken on board then there should be no problem |
Will
said:
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... hes bin sent home, i wouldnt be surprised if he was to leave in the next two transfer windows, i like reo but attitude like his seems to outweigh what he does do on the pitch hopefully he just knuckles down apologizes and no more will come of it but i just cant see him staying long term, shame though as i think he has bin playing very well so far this season |
stig
said:
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... sell him, what the fook has he ever done in a villa shirt for us? misses passes, gets hustled off the ball, cant score. frees up a position in our midfield that i would rather see delph or gardener fill at the moment. |
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