Written by Damian Friday, 22 January 2010 21:08
It isn´t on the club site yet, but I suspect it will be very soon or tomorrow as if there was ever a deal that was nailed on to happen, this was it.
No idea what it is, but think £3.5mn and you probably won´t be too far off and well, for a player not playing, £3.5mn is a lot of money.
It´s not that I think Gardner is good enough to be playing in our midfield or that he maybe hasn´t had a good enough chance to show us what he has, as I don´t actually know if he is good enough really and if he isn´t going to get the chance, the manager must have his reasons.
It is that he is a product of the Aston Villa system and well, for all the talk, it doesn´t really seem to be working very well does it.
I want it to work and I want us to be churning out a player every season, but unless these kids get a chance at Aston Villa, we will never really know.
But, it does appear Craig Gardner will be leaving Aston Villa. There is a lot of talk that his brother is the real deal; much like Craig was a few years ago and many many players before him. I hope we get one coming through soon that is the real deal.
When this happens and if he comes back to Villa Park, playing for The Clowns, I hope he gets a good reception.
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Dave
said:
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... Got to let him go if he will never get a chance. Just a real shame it's to the knuckle draggers. |
Super Villain
said:
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... I personally hope it's the first of a few squad players to go to free up some much needed cash to improve our squad. Good luck to him though but F**K THE SCUM |
Villa4Life11
said:
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... I'm perfectly fine with this if we sell another player like Reo, Sidwell, Beye, or another bench player and BRING IN A GOOD STRIKER! That's all we really need to become a real force |
frem
said:
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... Good deal. 3.5 mil for him, 1.5 for Beye and 5 mil for reo. Lets go and get Robbie Keane. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... Good luck Craig. I hope you become a star (after you move away from City). |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... Could this be part of a Boyd deal? We ask Blues to cool there interest in him, and in return we allow them to speak to Gardner? I wonder....... Stranger things have happened  |
Shane Black
said:
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... Would rather see Sidwell go then Gardner. Gardner is a far better player than Sidwell. |
avfc4life
said:
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... blues website is claiming that he's a lifelong fan of theirs.. :S always thought he were a villa fan. |
VillaNick
said:
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... Good luck to him, but I have to say I have never been a fan. What I can't understand is why anyone in his or a similar position could go and play for that club! Another club would have come in for him for sure and I would imagine on similar money. Disappointed! |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... Damo: It is that he is a product of the Aston Villa system and well, for all the talk, it doesn´t really seem to be working very well does it. You're so cynical. Sure, first and foremost, we want the academy to produce starters. And at the moment, Gabby is the only academy product who fits that bill. But the amount of money that we've earned from sales of academy products---about 15 million over the last few seasons---makes me think that the academy is working OK. frem: Lets go and get Robbie Keane. Why, so we can be the latest club to experience his considerable drop in form over the last two seasons? No thank you. Keane ain't the answer. |
Eamon McElwee
said:
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... good deal for all concerned...hes nowhere near good enough for our first team, dont get me wrong its not that hes a bad player just not good enough for us...he'll fit right in at an ordinary club such as the birmingham and it'll generate some funds for us |
Nathan Price
said:
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... I trust MoN, look at the kids that have gone, whom we may not have agreed with... Luke Moore, we loved him but he wasnt/isnt good enough, Steve Davis, gabriele marcotti whose opinion I respect highly said he hated MoN for letting Davis go, where is he now? Gary Cahill, ok so he had a number of good games and suddenly Barca, Madrid, Manure I think even the Harlem Globetrotters wanted him. Whats happened since then? He might be a great defender one day but he has a lot to prove still and meanwhile we took £5m for him. So Gardner, we do love you and think you could be a great footballer but just probably not at the level our club is now at. Thank you for your service, have a great career. |
frem
said:
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... Texas- Keane is the arnswer. Hes a smart player and a proven goal scorer in the prem. Unless we get Torres or Rooney, Keane is our best bet. To replace gardner we should go for Scott Brown or Barry. |
Damian
said:
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... VFT i am slightly cynical but surely that isn't new to you and yes, the money it creates is fantastic, but wouldn't you like a player to come through it that really was the business? |
THOMAS PRYCE
said:
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... with any luck sould we get rid of a few more maybe mart as some thing up is sleeve, the next one surly as got to be harwood osborne beye shorey and even sidwell that would release about 160 k a week anough for two decent players to come in, (wage wise) whats the point in keeping them anyway they wont get a game cuz thers better players here who cant get a game, time to move on the sooner the better lets hope it this week other wise a nother lost opportunity gone |
Cian Donaghy
said:
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... will the brighton game be on telly anywhere lads, or even a stream you reckon? |
Eamon McElwee
said:
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... i personally wouldnt sell anyone else in this window...i'd look to bring in a stiker on-loan (huntelaar would be good and i think Barca could be tempted on loaning Bojan for 6months)...then in the summer, i'd take stock and probably sell one of if not both Reo and Sidwell with Delph stepping up the pecking order and bringing someone else in also, someone who can create, eden hazard, pjanic of lyon or even dos santos of the spuds...i think its time we realised that Bouma aint coming back and release him, sell shorey and bring in a left back to cover for Warnock...then we have the striker situation...personally i'd keep big John and gabby(his pace alone gives us an extra dimension although he isnt a good finisher), Delfouneso id keep but if he doesnt progress next year id cash in - i'm not at all convinced hes the answer, ok ok, i know hes young but i dont see alot there, just my opinion...Heskey would go and possibly Boyd coming in with a.n.other but it would have to be someone who is a natural finisher(proven record)...saviola would be good - he'd compliment the big guys (carew and boyd)and compete with Gabby. |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... Damo: wouldn't you like a player to come through it that really was the business? We all would. But the fact that we haven't produced a Steven Gerrard or a John Terry doesn't mean that our academy isn't working very well. |
Cian Donaghy
said:
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... so the only bit of genius you left out was the player who will score goals. please, im all for ambition, but there is a good few dillusional people out there with who they think we can attract with our uefa cup football and wages structure. saviola is one of the most over rated argentinian footballers of his generation, and that is saying a lot. he's playing the portugese league now, which is piss poor. |
Damian
said:
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... VFT it is working, to the extent it is probably paying for itself but we are in the business of winning football matches. It was a throwaway comment but wouldn't it be nice if we produced the next ryan giggs, wayne rooney or xavi |
Eamon McElwee
said:
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... Celtic Villian...the portugese league is no more piss poor than say the the dutch league which is shockingly bad - does that mean v.nistelrooy isnt good,v.basten etc wernt good players???? look at the french league, the belgain league...even that feckin joke scottish league!!! plus heres saviola's stats 1998–2001 River Plate 86 (44) 2001–2007 Barcelona 119 (49) 2004–2005 → Monaco (loan) 29 (  2005–2006 → Sevilla (loan) 30 (9) 2007–2009 Real Madrid 16 (4) 2009– Benfica 16 (9) National team‡ 2001 Argentina U20 7 (11) 2001– Argentina 40 (11) dont look too bad to me compared to emule's or even gabbys for that matter |
marty
said:
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... I would rather have had sidwell been sold... Wonder if the younger gardner will think about leaving as well since he saw how his brother was treated... I hope we get our silverware this year! |
bobby
said:
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... 3.5m for Gardner, 1.5m Beye and don't sell Reo! Sell Sidwell instead, NRC is so much better. Remember there's also Harewood (probably leave on free), Osbourne and Shorey. O'Niell seems to be intersted in signing a younger right-back to replace Beye and a new Striker. Carew might leave at the end of the season aswell by the sound of it, he's one of my favourite players, but oh well. Out with the old and in with the new. |
Tim Hodgetts
said:
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... Agree with VFT - not sure there is too much wrong with the academy - it's producing squad players with one or two doing better than that and those that aren't quite up to it are going for decent money. Good luck to him but its a win-win and he is nowhere near getting a game for us. |
frem
said:
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... This is what we should do : Gardner 3.5 Beye 1.5 Reo 5 mil Robbie Keane 10 mil ( Randy can give us a bit of cash ) In the summer get rid of our rubbish. Shorey, sidwell, Osbourne and harewood. Get Brown in, get another winger and striker and Drente from real madrid. Nani, Boyd, VDV should be on his list. LETS LOAN VDV NOW. |
Eamon McElwee
said:
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... PLUS Celtic villain you write 'but there is a good few dillusional people out there with who they think we can attract with our uefa cup football and wages structure'. i think the players i stated are realistic targets for our club...i'd see through it if my wish list comprised of David Villa, Lionel Messi and Michael Essien with Philip Lahm comin in at left back |
VillaForeverAndEver
said:
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... Good luck CG. Too bad it didn't work out. However, I hope you play like shit at the Scums. |
frem
said:
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... By the end of the summer are team should look like this. Guzan Friedal L.Young Naughton Dunne Davis Cuallar Clark Collind Warnock Drenthe A.Young Downing albrighton Nani Petrov Delph Milner Brown VDV Carew Heskey Gabi Delfonz Keane Rodelga 7 new players in. 62 mil all together in my view maybe cheaper. Gardner 3.5 Beye 1.5 Reo 5 sid 4 mil Hare 1 Shorey 2 mil Osbourne and sali will make a mil The sales from these players will move it down to 46 mil. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Now the other Gardner brother who is aparently an absolute gem can come through without stepping on any toes. Really looking forward to seeing if all the hype is true. Good luck to Craig, good lad who always gave his all, this is a good move for everyone. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...It is that he is a product of the Aston Villa system and well, for all the talk, it doesn´t really seem to be working very well does it. It's not working very well, you're right. This one kid has paid for the academy for the last two years. That'll do for me. Only you could see a negative side to the academy Damian. It's known as one of the best in the British game, but hey, what does that matter? If we aren't trawling out world class players every season, it has to be crap. Give over. You'll no doubt mention Arsenal or Chelsea. Take my advice and don't. |
VillaNick
said:
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... Gary Gardener is the dogs doo - dars. The next one to come throug,h I would put money on it. |
young villain
said:
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... i hope the boyd deal goes through, he is exactly what we need. The man is a predator! i know he is playing in scotland but i think he can do a job for us. dissapointed with craig going to blues, but wish him the best for his career. Just hopefully not so successful with blues! i don't know what i'm saying still high from wednesday night! |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... Frem, you mean Van der Vaart? He isn't going anywhere. Why would he want to? He has featured quite often for Real Madrid this season. Look at his recent came log---since the start of December, he has started 5 games in the league and 1 game in the Champ League. |
THOMAS PRYCE
said:
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... how can getting 3 and a half million not be sucess if they dont make in the first team for one reason or another and you get great money for them how is that not sucess that money now sould go to making villa more of a better side if every player made it from the academy were the hell would we put them , as you know villa only need 14 players a season |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... Just saw the BBC post about the match tomorrow, "Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is set to make wholesale changes with Richard Dunne (hamstring), Emile Heskey (foot)and Stiliyan Petrov (Achilles) doubts. John Carew and Nigel Reo-Coker are both ruled out" Although I of course hope that their injuries are nothing, I will be very glad if they don't play against Brighton, firstly they need a rest and recondly I want some one young to play. Surely he can't omit Delf if neight of the other two are there? Maybe drop Ash and play Alb. too? That'd make me happy, especially if there's no cuellar either and clark gets a run. Wishful thinking, but how good would it be to see: Guzan Young-Clark-Davies-Beye Albrighton-Delph-Reo-Downing Agbonlahor-Delf I don't think Davies is fit enough to play, so collins could replace him but that would be sweet imo. Wouldn't even care if we lost if we started them and they played OK. [tho I say that now, would I still think it tomorrow?] |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... oh wait, no reo. In that case bring Salifou back from his compassionate leave! ha ha. No, but seriously - I meant Sidwell. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Huntelaar wants games so he can get picked for the world cup he'd only get that at a club like Villa because for most big clubs he'd just be a back-up player. I hope MON is working on it and , in addition, will play the Fonz tomorrow |
THOMAS PRYCE
said:
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... yes i seen it glensider i reacon the,s saving them for the arse game,still got gabby carlos dunne albrighton on bench in case something goes wrong, god will that jimmy milner ever take a bloody rest that a star that lad is  |
Damian
said:
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... Badger it was a throwaway comment only because we haven´t yet seen a youngster come through and be ´the next big thing´ but i guess, it was something that ellis did right as for the other thing, yes, no longer registered. can still leave comments but they will need to be approved. none have been left since his last outburst and if he or she leaves one, responding to the post and not having a pop at me, it will get published i will say, that if i didn´t get involved after the post and took little or no interest in the comments, then it wouldn´t be an issue, but all this week, there has been little else other than swipes and point scoring aimed at me and basically, i am fed up of it |
frem
said:
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... Huntelar would fit the bill perfectly for us. Hes good in the air, strong, good with the ball at his feet and gets goals. Service from Downing, Young and Milner would be great for him. Loan him out MON. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... I'd say it was about the only thing Ellis got right. You know I hate Eliis with a passion, but I at least listened to him, even when I thought he was talking proverbial. His response was to go down the route of ignoring what was said to him. Do you really want to go down that road? Wind your neck in Damian, imo. Like I said, you can always ignore mate. It's a blog and you should be willing to take what comes at you. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...but all this week, there has been little else other than swipes and point scoring aimed at me and basically, i am fed up of it You need to ask yourself why your blog is so popular Damian |
Damian
said:
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... Badger haha .. so you are now likening me to ellis. the thing is, yes it is a blog and he can comment. he can comment all he wants. but it as clear as day in the comment policy: http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...nt-policy/ specifically the part in the first paragraph that mentions ´Ad hominem´ try and put yourself in my shoes just for a moment. it isnt nice and a last resort and not forever |
BaltimoreVilla
said:
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... Robbie Keane is too slow, would be a waster of money. Not sure why anyone would want Huntelaar as he didn't make the cut in Spain or Italy. It's a pity if Reo is injured as I think MON would give him a run. I'd much prefer Reo to start ahead of Petrov. It's a pity MON said there's no truth to the Boyd rumors - or does that mean it's really true? |
Steve Badger
said:
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...You need to ask yourself why your blog is so popular Damian try and put yourself in my shoes just for a moment. it isnt nice and a last resort and not forever Damian, it's your site. Choose what you want. Restricting keef is a mistake imo, simple as. Like I said, you can ignore, should you choose to do so. And that's the route I'd take, fwiw. I like keef, he's the exact opposite of you, imo. Enough anyway, I still want to discuss how shite we were in the first half hour the other day  |
Viva las villa
said:
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... Here is a thought although never think it will happen. But for a creative midfielder of the same ilk of Van der Vart, how about Joe Cole in the summer. He is creative, english and out of contract. If he does not extend his contract at Chelsea, I'd say Spurs would be next destination, not man city as with their spending power, I think Cole will eventually find himself in the same position at chelski and not always guarnteed a starting spot. I think cole would be a great addition to our starting XI, although I would not bet my mortgage on it |
Ammar
said:
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... This sort of sums up my biggest concerns and were we are really lacking. http://astonvilla-views.com/20...s-players/ |
stevo
said:
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... it would be great if the youth system was producing world beaters, but even the likes of united and arsenal buy in a lot their youth players at 16/17, 3.5 million is a lot of money, and would be well spent re invested in more young players like delph, ashley young etc. its one of the few areas you can get value in the transfer market, i think mon would be mad not to snap up victor moses, he's far from the finished article, but surely better signing someone with a bit of hunger than someone over the hill like robbie keane or van nistelroy etc |
Cian Donaghy
said:
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... bosnich13 french league is weak and the premiership has a btter standard than it ever has. van nistlerooy made his wayfrom there, rose to fame and got transfer for a huge sum ever after a bad injury. he didnt get sold to there from a better club at an age where he should be at his peak. similar story with van basten. and both played in different eras of dutch football, a lot stronger thwn it is now, esp in van basten's era. the dutch league is at an all time low. the comment about unrealistic targets wasnt solely aimed at you obviously, but with what we have offer in europe and in wages to huntlaar, who i personally dont rate that highly but given is better than our current crop- he would never come |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Enough anyway, I still want to discuss how shite we were in the first half hour the other day I thought every one was avoiding this fact? |
Simon
said:
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... At what age does a player move from one of potential to one that has peaked? I personally do not believe Gardner will become a class player, but is certainly a good (journeyman) pro like many before him. |
Simon
said:
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... AK_27 I watched the first 30-minutes live, but thought we were so poor that i went to bed (3-hrs ahead of UK)So when i saw the result the next day, I felt sick as a parrot to have missed the rest. Having said that, when i watched the full game the next day (knowing the final score) i did not think we were that bad. How does that work then? is it the emotions at the time or are we that fickle that regardless of the performance its the score that counts? |
Simon
said:
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... MON 4-5-1 Read the article and yes, you could say it is a concern, but dont forget he did paly under one of the best managers ever and whos philisophy was very simple. When asked he said "all you have to do is get the ball in their net more than they get it in yours". In MON we trust. |
Lew Chatterley's Lover
said:
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... Unfortunately we will never know how good Gardner could have been in his prefered position central midfield as he was never given a run there, I don't think he ever got more than 2 games in a row there without being shipped out to the right wing or right back. Contrast this with Sidwell who had about 15 to 20 games in a row in central midfield last season and was utterly mediocre throughout. Competition for places ? Don't make me laugh ! |
Michael
said:
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... we should put some add on's in the clause including a sell on fee, i hope weve learned from the cahill mistake. |
doubledown9
said:
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... Hmmm Linked with some Uruguayan dude this morning. Beye, L Young and Davies all leaving according to other reports. |
david
said:
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... Damian, it's been easier to agree with you lately so ...I have! However, there will be times when I and others disagree and then we'll say so. It isn't about scoring points though, it's about debate. Surely the point of real debate is to listen to counter views and as a result, sometimes change your own views and be man enough to accept that you (one) may have got it wrong. Last year I came round to your view on 451 and said so. (with a better 4 man midfield this year I think the point is valid less frequently) May I be so humble as to suggest that some people would step back from scoring points if you (one) were to be seen to accept when you (one) had made a mistake. If for example you said that Milner has turned out to be better than you'd expected at the start (never mind the positional change as we all know that MoN sees the quality of the player first and his position is to some extent secondary)then I suspect that Keef (for example)would not try to 'score points'. |
david
said:
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... On today's game, am I feeling more nervous than I should? Is it just because I have a mate who's a mad Brighton fan and I hate the thought of the taunts if they were to win? Every year there are a number of upsets and this year will be no exception. Brighton fans are likely to be louder than the Villa fans today...it's their cup final... and there has to be a risk that Villa park could be the scene of this year's big upset........ Or am I being more nervous than I should? |
Leroy
said:
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... Feel bad for Craig...he always gave maximum effort and in my opinion he clearly never got a chance to impress. I think its easy for many to say he was not good enough, or perhaps it just makes people feel better as he is going to the scum. Im not saying he could be a world beater, but i think people have given up on him when he has played only a few matches at his preferred position in the middle of the pitch. He is better than Sidwell and if we are serious about "strengthening" the squad then it should be Sidwell that departs IMO. One other thing that puzzles me is the fact that MON raves about how he has strengthened the squad now, but when do we see anyone esle get a run? Delph, Albrighton, Reo, Fonz, Beye all worthy of playing time in my opinion. If we are not going to use them sell them and fix the problem up front by getting a certified goal scorer....not Boyd either, typical MON cost saving option... |
Damian
said:
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... r0bb0 absolutely agree with you and i have said that milner is now much better in the middle of the park than on the wing. but how many times was that called for last season? but i will stand by everything i said about milner prior to him moving into the middle - he was not a very good winger - but never have i said for example, i prefer ellis to lerner - which was getting passed off yesterday that i had said my point is - it wasn't the first time and if that just sits there unanswered - people will believe it - it is unfortunately the nature of the internet and i am fed up having to continuously defend myself against ad hominem attacks which in the comment policy are very specifically not allowed |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... Habib Beye to Sunderland? http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5879777,00.html? I wonder if MON will let him go. If he does then we better be seeing a striker come in with the money from that and the Gardner deal too. btw, I never knew Gardner was a boy-hood Bluenose. I don't feel as bad letting him go now.  |
david
said:
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... Damian, As it's your blog it's difficult for you not to answer comments made to you or about you that other posters on here would just let go. Your position here does also mean that your comments carry more weight than others so it's to be expected that if people think you're being unreasonable they will 'have a go'. It must be difficult not to become defensive (i'm sure I would) but some of the criticism may be defused if you were to admit to the occasional fallibility yourself. Just a thought. |
Damian
said:
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... r0bb0 and in one off instances it is fine, i dont mind, but when it is all the time, i do and yes, we all make mistakes and we are all fallible (can i say that) but in the particular instances brought up this week i wasn't and that makes it more annoying |
keith
said:
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... r0bb0 be fair damian always puts a post with a little twist that is there to be debated over, its all about opinion and opinion is never right or wrong. if there was nothing to debate there would be a list of "agreed" responses which would be the death of the blog. i could argue that because ellis bought me and my mates a plate of sarnies on the way back from huddersfield many moons ago he was a top man but would i be right? only in my opinion. i think that it is just about respect, and respect to damian for putting the effort into this blog, |
david
said:
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... keithj. I agree with you to a point, but I'm not sure that 'respect' is the right word. If anyone publicly makes comments that I or anyone else disagrees with then I reckon they're fair game. I do agree that it isn't right to have a go for the sake of it though. If a blogger says things that are potentially harmful to the club then I think it's reasonable to keep on raising the point until the blogger has retracted it. I'd include in that what I saw as unfair criticism of Milner before he'd had a chance to prove himself. |
keith
said:
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... r0bb0 im not going to check but have you ever posted i dont think X would be good for villa after reading that someone said we should buy him because thats not giving him a chance and by the way im guilty |
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