Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PaulTheVillan on February 02, 2011, 09:42:25 AM
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I'm really fed up/bored of watching these two in our central midfield.
Petrov has good technique & plays the odd wonderful pass, but he's so far off the pace he's a weak link.
NRC is a very limited player, I've never seen a player look so uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. He could have won us the home games v Chelsea & Blues (I think) with 2 decent chances that most midfielders would have scored. His passing has improved, but it's taken too long.
About time we moved these pair on in the summer.
They are no longer good enough to be a to 6 centre midfield (if thats where we want to be).
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I'm really fed up/bored of watching these two in our central midfield.
Petrov has good technique & plays the odd wonderful pass, but he's so far off the pace he's a weak link.
NRC is a very limited player, I've never seen a player look so uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. He could have won us the home games v Chelsea & Blues (I think) with 2 decent chances that most midfielders would have scored. His passing has improved, but it's taken too long.
About time we moved these pair on in the summer.
They are no longer good enough to be a to 6 centre midfield (if thats where we want to be).
I doubt it anyone in our squad, other than A.Young and Bent, would have finished those chances. A bit harsh to criticise him for that.
I think NRC can still do a job for us, be it first team or squad coming on as sub, the job of running around and getting in peoples way and stopping them.
Petrov hasn't been good enough for a long time. I wonder who'd win a race out of Pires and Petrov?
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We signed 2 central midfield players in the window. In addition we have Delp and Bannan who the manager appears to rate.
Both NRC's and Petrov's days must be numbered.
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Bannan was unlucky to not be involved last night, maybe GH is looking to use him v Fulham on the weekend?
Delph will be a star here, but we need to be careful with him after that injury, I'd imagine next season he'll get a regular run of games.
Looking forward to seeing Bradley & Makoun get a game together.
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All in good time, Rome wasn't built in a day, take it one week at a time and any other applicable cliche's.
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I'd hold on to Petrov for the moment. It's not like he'll generate a massive transfer fee at his age and he's a useful squad player.
NRC is welcome to pack his bags.
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I think we can safely say NRC will be off in the summer. With Makoun, Bradley, Bannan and possibly Sissoko and others coming in, his game time is going to be limited. Some fair-to-middling team like Wolves or Newcastle will offer him a good contract and we'll thank him for five years decent service.
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Petrov looked better v Sheff Utd & Wigan when he came on for half an hour in a more advanced role than normal.
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Next season's central midfielders:
Makoun, Sissoko, Bradley, Delph, Gardner, Bannan and Hogg.
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What a pleasure to read a nice relaxing thread, for a change. Exactly as summarised, there is nothing to worry about. Stan & NRC can play their part until the end of the season, their replacements have just arrived and then there are the young players coming through.
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NRC will be gone in the summer,and Petrov can do a job coming on for the last half hour to see out the game.
GH is addressing these problems,looking towards the future,so no point pissing our pants about it.
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Some fair-to-middling team like Wolves or Newcastle will offer him a good contract and we'll thank him for five years decent service.
Wouldn't surprise me to see him join a bigger team. When there's no transfer fee involved people are more likely to take a punt on someone they would never actually buy. Chelsea buying Sidwell and Man Utd buying Owen are testament to that.
If the likes of O'Shea can be earning c. £80,000 per week then paying Nige £40,000 isn't even going to register for him to come in and captain their League Cup youth team.
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We signed 2 central midfield players in the window. In addition we have Delp and Bannan who the manager appears to rate.
Both NRC's and Petrov's days must be numbered.
Exactly - strange time to start a thread on the subject as we've just signed their replacements.
My only concern is that if both go we lack any experienced back-up for Makoun and Bradley, so maybe one will stay?
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Agreed playing both together is unnecessary, particularly with Makoun and Bradley just signed. I'd prefer NRC to Petrov in the defensive midfield role, at least he tackles. People talk about Petrov's range of passing but when it's always sideways or backwards it's not much use.
I notice that everyone on here is very pro-Delph but I have concerns if he'll make it. Is he still injured? When is he going to get a run of games? Really hope he comes good but I'm not as convinced as many others
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I've not seen anything yet apart from some fans hyperbole that Delph is so special or that Bannan is anymore that a potential playmaker short on stature. Same with Bradley, never having played at Pem level how can he be considered such a talent. He may well prove to be but for now he's an unknown quantity.
Coker is a proven Prem player who does his holding job well, there are 8-9 other outfield players who can play the killer ball his passing is good enough for the job he does.
As for Petrov his Mon inspired immunity went as Mon drove off into obscurity.
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Next season's central midfielders:
Makoun, Sissoko, Bradley, Delph, Gardner, Bannan and Hogg.
I'd rather Herd to Hogg to be honest.
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Our midfield is all about potential at the moment, before we wrote off NRC or Petrov we need to see some of that potential realised.
I do think NRC decided a long time ago his future was elsewhere, and even a change in manager hasn't altered that.
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Next season's central midfielders:
Makoun, Sissoko, Bradley, Delph, Gardner, Bannan and Hogg.
I'd rather Herd to Hogg to be honest.
Aye, why not. Works just as well.
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I would sell petrov for maybe £3m or so and use his wages to give reo- coker a new contract as I feel nige has a better engine and would still be a useful squad player, petrov has not the stamina required at this level .
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both of their days are numbered, we just have to be patient for a little while longer...
i do think however, that okey cokey could do a job for us still, however, when he wants half the worlds gold a week as wages, for a limited, but effective footballer, we are doing the right thing in not caving into his demands...
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We signed 2 central midfield players in the window. In addition we have Delp and Bannan who the manager appears to rate.
Both NRC's and Petrov's days must be numbered.
Yes, I think NRC has probably made it quite plain that he wants out and Petrov seems to be on the wane.
Central midfield 5 for next season will be Makoun, Bradley (if he does well), Bannan, Delph and Hogg
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What we have lacked for a while is a midfield player who can score goals,neither score anywhere near what they should and as Ashley Young is not a second striker we need goals from other areas.Come to think of it I don't think NRC has scored in two seasons.
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I think Petrov will be allowed to leave in the summer, NRC he could still offer us something with the way he get's in people's faces just what we need to bring on when we have got our backs to the wall.
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We signed 2 central midfield players in the window. In addition we have Delp and Bannan who the manager appears to rate.
Both NRC's and Petrov's days must be numbered.
Yes, I think NRC has probably made it quite plain that he wants out and Petrov seems to be on the wane.
Central midfield 5 for next season will be Makoun, Bradley (if he does well), Bannan, Delph and Hogg
Gardner will definitely come into the reckoning next season and I think we'll get Sissoko.
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Bradley will score goals .
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Petrov looks rubbish next to Makoun.
I'd sell petrov in the summer, we don't need players with his attitude.
NRC I would definatly keep, he is a good solid player, granted abit limited. But he closes people down non stop which is needed in certain games.
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Agreed shrek, pocket £3m or so from petrovs sale and use his wages to give nige a new deal.
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Agree with other posters NRC is very useful at closing players down and there are certain games such as Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal away where we just can't afford the luxury of playing 3 wingers.
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We want to be a top 6 then a top 4 side. Reo Coker isn't good enough to play at that level so we replace him with players that are and let him go.
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I think that the Petrov-(insert Mon signed midfielder here) Axis is now coming to an end.
I think come the summer he will go and Makoun and Delph / Bannan and a 3rd signed dynamic midfielder will be our new axis. You could see that Petrov was unhappy to be substituted with a shake of the head - he aint used to it. Looked off the pace come the hour.
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Agree with other posters NRC is very useful at closing players down and there are certain games such as Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal away where we just can't afford the luxury of playing 3 wingers.
The issue with NRC is that it is not a case of "sell him or keep him", it is "commit to an improved, big money contract or let him leave".
He is useful to have at times, but I don't think he's done anything to deserve more money.
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If I was going to keep one of the two I'd want it to be NRC.
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Agree with other posters NRC is very useful at closing players down and there are certain games such as Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal away where we just can't afford the luxury of playing 3 wingers.
The issue with NRC is that it is not a case of "sell him or keep him", it is "commit to an improved, big money contract or let him leave".
He is useful to have at times, but I don't think he's done anything to deserve more money.
Exactly what I reckon.
Solid and unflashy, he's done nothing to merit a hike in wages.
I can imagine him going back to West Ham, if they survive.
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Agree with other posters NRC is very useful at closing players down and there are certain games such as Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal away where we just can't afford the luxury of playing 3 wingers.
The issue with NRC is that it is not a case of "sell him or keep him", it is "commit to an improved, big money contract or let him leave".
He is useful to have at times, but I don't think he's done anything to deserve more money.
Exactly what I reckon.
Solid and unflashy, he's done nothing to merit a hike in wages.
I can imagine him going back to West Ham, if they survive.
Doubt it - their fans hate him!
I get the point about contract/wages being an issue as opposed to just saying 'keep'. I'd say stick a decent (as in existing wage) 1 year extension infront of him and he may bite.
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Can't see reo- coker ever going back to west ham after the animosity when he left there, doubt either he or the fans would consider it being viable.
Offer him the wage he is on now and I doubt he would get better terms elsewhere,yes we have replaced him with better but we need a quality squad and he offers more than petrov in my opinion .
I'm not sure what petrov is on wages wise but I'd guess it's more than nige so we would be saving on wages and getting a transfer fee if petrov goes and nige stays.
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I get the point about contract/wages being an issue as opposed to just saying 'keep'. I'd say stick a decent (as in existing wage) 1 year extension infront of him and he may bite.
I doubt it. He's what, 26? He can go somewhere else, get a decent length contract, and on a free, so with a big signing-on fee thrown into the bargain.
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I get the point about contract/wages being an issue as opposed to just saying 'keep'. I'd say stick a decent (as in existing wage) 1 year extension infront of him and he may bite.
I doubt it. He's what, 26? He can go somewhere else, get a decent length contract, and on a free, so with a big signing-on fee thrown into the bargain.
I also don't see what we've got to gain.
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I get the point about contract/wages being an issue as opposed to just saying 'keep'. I'd say stick a decent (as in existing wage) 1 year extension infront of him and he may bite.
I doubt it. He's what, 26? He can go somewhere else, get a decent length contract, and on a free, so with a big signing-on fee thrown into the bargain.
But would that wage match what he's on here now and/or not be there in 2012 when he's 27? I don't see him as a longterm player for us, but might be useful as experienced back-up if it is just Makoun/Bradley and then the kids.
May be the answer is a longer contract and then flog him for a fee in a year or 18 months time?
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No point in keeping NRC at the end of the summer. Bradley, Makoun, Sissoko (if we get him) and Delph do a similar job and also offer something else besides. I've been supportive of NRC but always maintained that we could improve on him. We will, we have, and so its tarrah a bit.
Our midfield will be crowded with enough quality and potential that we wont need him and certainly not for a substantial commitment in wages.
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I get the point about contract/wages being an issue as opposed to just saying 'keep'. I'd say stick a decent (as in existing wage) 1 year extension infront of him and he may bite.
I doubt it. He's what, 26? He can go somewhere else, get a decent length contract, and on a free, so with a big signing-on fee thrown into the bargain.
But would that wage match what he's on here now and/or not be there in 2012 when he's 27? I don't see him as a longterm player for us, but might be useful as experienced back-up if it is just Makoun/Bradley and then the kids.
Yeah, but that's a "what's in it for us", this is about "what's in it for me?" from NRC's perspective.
He's not going to think about a one year extension. Also, as Chris said, there's very little in it for us, either.
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Petrov looks rubbish next to Makoun.
I'd sell petrov in the summer, we don't need players with his attitude.
NRC I would definatly keep, he is a good solid player, granted abit limited. But he closes people down non stop which is needed in certain games.
If last night is anything to go by, Petrov is the one to make way for Makoun. Neither are great tacklers; Petrov 4 all game, winning 2, Makoun 8, winning 3. NRC offers us a bit of bite in midfield, his passing has dramatically improved this season and when he's played (Sunderland apart), he generally had a good game.
Whether Houllier has the balls to drop Petrov, especially after his hissy fit last night, I've no idea but we now have a run of games against teams that are fighting to stay up and they're not going to roll over. The battle will be in the midfield and if we're going to continue carrying Downing for the attacking options he brings, we need a strong central midfield. Sadly, despite giving us good service, Stan just doesn't seem to have the legs anymore. Last night whilst Utd when attacking, he was walking across the half way line. I couldn't believe my eyes. The other point is that Stan can't play the advanced midfield role and I really wish he'd stop those 25 yard shots that end up in the stands. It's not his strength and never has been, certainly not whilst at Villa.
It will be interesting to see Bradley but we should remember, despite his experience, he's only 23 and I'm not yet convinced he's the box to box player we need. He'll certainly add a bit of bite into the midfield and appears to be able to run all day. If it works out, great. If not I'd go for Makoun and NRC in the middle with Bannan in the advanced role, at least until the end of the season.
The one think we can't afford between now and May is to allow teams to bully us in the middle of the park. The defence just isn't up to it.
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Anyone who saw last nights game will recognise that Petrov is on his way out. He lost the ball to Giggs which led to their 2nd goal, whilst Makoun played his role well with few mistakes and more positive passing, ie less sideways passing, bearing in mind that was only his 2nd game, Makoun is a ready made replacement for Petrov.
NRC is still useful but not a game changer, as stated, this issue is already being worked.
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3 million for petrov?
is it 1st April?
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Whoever stays be it nige or petrov then they will be a squad player in the main, I would think £3m would be the going rate for petrov personally , maybe £4m max.
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We'd be lucky to get £2m.
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No point in keeping NRC at the end of the summer. Bradley, Makoun, Sissoko (if we get him) and Delph do a similar job and also offer something else besides. I've been supportive of NRC but always maintained that we could improve on him. We will, we have, and so its tarrah a bit.
Our midfield will be crowded with enough quality and potential that we wont need him and certainly not for a substantial commitment in wages.
If we do sign someone like Sissoko then fair enough, but if we don't there is a (potential) issue with experienced back-up in the centre, hence my suggesting we try and find some way of keeping NRC that suits him and isn't too expensive for us.
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petrov would go for an undisclosed sum like Sidwell i.e. basically nothing
A 32 year old who can only run for 50 mins before breathing out of his arse. He shouldn't be playing purely because of his shocking fitness.
i wouldn't mind if he was fucked by running box to box rather than looking like he's playing piggy in the middle when he just cant get hold of the ball
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We'd be lucky to get £2m.
We'd still owe him approximately £6m on the two remaining years of his contract.
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A 32 year old who can only run for 50 mins before breathing out of his arse.
Don't knock it, breathing out of one's arse is a much underrated skill.
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No point in keeping NRC at the end of the summer. Bradley, Makoun, Sissoko (if we get him) and Delph do a similar job and also offer something else besides. I've been supportive of NRC but always maintained that we could improve on him. We will, we have, and so its tarrah a bit.
Our midfield will be crowded with enough quality and potential that we wont need him and certainly not for a substantial commitment in wages.
If we do sign someone like Sissoko then fair enough, but if we don't there is a (potential) issue with experienced back-up in the centre, hence my suggesting we try and find some way of keeping NRC that suits him and isn't too expensive for us.
Bradley and Makoun, whilst not experienced in Premier League terms, have 100 caps between them and are plenty experienced. By the time the summer comes they will both be familiar with this league and are superior players. Then there is the issue of Delph who'll be coming back into first team contention once fully fit so that's three already. Then the likes of Gardner, who has 10 times the potential of Reo Coker or Petrov, will warrant at least an outside chance of getting games along with other promising kids like Bannan and Herd.
And I do think we'll sign Sissolko or somebody like him. A destroyer with all round ability.
If that all goes to plan there is no need to offer NRC a new contract. He can provide cover until the summer and then be on his way with our thanks. So it's becoming very crowded in there.
It's annoying that Petrov is on such a long contract (thanks MON, you twat). He may hang around like Beye although I hope he'd want to be playing somewhere.
So anyway. Come the summer, there's no need for either of them and I'd be disappointed if we felt we had to keep one or both as that would mean a lack of progress. We need more dynamic players in their positions, its as simple as that. In my opinion.
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I'm classing Makoun and Bradley in the 'experienced bracket', but after that it really is a matter of 4 players (Delph, Bannan, Gardner and Hogg) who have how many PL starts between them?
I'd feel more comfortable with one older head around in case we need him, so fine if we get a Sissoko but unless we so I think one of Petrov or NRC should stay. The way I'd few it is that if Makoun or Bradley are out you put one of the kids in, but if BOTH are out the older head plays with one of the kids.
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Fair enough John but I'm basing my opinion around getting Sissoko or somebody similar so we pretty much agree.
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Is this the Sissoko who was at Liverpool?
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Is this the Sissoko who was at Liverpool?
Nah the one at toulouse Moussa Sissoko
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Cheers,that makes sense,as i've heard we've got a couple of deals with French clubs lined up for the summer.
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I've always been a fan of Petrov's and have felt that his apparent unpopularity with the Villa faithful was sometimes a little unwarranted. We did miss him when he was injured but I think that was more down to the inexperienced replacements we brought in and the joke of a defence we seem to now have. However, having said that, his legs have gone and he offers too little going forward to warrant being the creative force we need in the middle of the park and for that reason has to go in the summer. I think we should lose nrc as well provided we bring in someone else. Having not seen enough of Makoun or Bradley its difficult to know whether we would need a defensive or attacking minded player but I personally think a midfield three out of makoun, bradley, bannan, delph and one other signing (who has to be in the significant improvement category i.e. 10mill) with hogg, herd and gardner able for the odd run out (or loan them out) isn't half bad. The way we play at the moment we need someone breaking from midfield to free up space in behind teams (look at our goal yesterday, it was the one time we did that and was caused by Young being in that advanced central mid role and drawing the defenders to him) otherwise we are pretty ineffective with teams able to sit in two banks of four against us. That's why I feel we are in need of a lampard, modric, fabregas style player (i.e. someone who can play in the midfield, even a 2man mid, but offers a lot of movement and attacking intent).