Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Rip Van We Go Again on May 11, 2011, 09:34:18 AM
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sportinglife.com
Skipper Stiliyan Petrov admits Aston Villa's players have let their fans down this season and not lived up to expectations.
Villa have finished in the top six of the Barclays Premier League in the previous three seasons but have only just ensured safety from relegation this time around.
Petrov is calling on to squad to ensure it is one-off campaign but is hoping new signings will be brought in during the summer.
The Bulgarian international said: "We need to make sure this season is only a one-off because, with the players and the quality we have got here, it has not lived up to expectations.
"We haven't performed this season and we know that it is down to us and nobody else.
"We have let the fans down, and we will not run away from that fact, and we have to make sure that we are right for next season.
"The last three seasons we have been sixth. This season we did not show what we are capable of and next season will be a big one for us.
"It has been a long and frustrating season."
When asked if Villa should bring in any new signings, Petrov said: "I think you need to ask the people who are going to be in charge that question.
"If I become a manager then I can tell you. But seriously it is always nice to see new faces because every single team will try and strengthen.
"Every team will bring in new faces to make the team better and hopefully we can do that as well."
Petrov is hoping manager Gerard Houllier will be fit to resume his duties after his heart problems but is aware his health has to be the number one priority.
Petrov said: "He is getting better and we hope it will not be long before we see him again but it is important that he puts his health first.
"It is nearly the end of the season and hopefully we will see it through and after that the people here will make a decision.
"I went to see him in hospital. We talked for a while but he is back home now and we will go and see him again and the most important thing for him is to have peace and relax.
"It is strange to see how much he loves football. We went to see him and all he talked about was football. He was frustrated he could not watch the Barcelona-Real Madrid game.
"That is typical of a man who loves football."
Petrov has returned to the side in recent weeks after Houllier preferred Jean Makoun and Nigel Reo-Coker for a spell but is philosophical about his time on the sidelines.
He said: "That is football. I am back in again but that is the way that football goes.
"I love football and at times you go through times like that and, as long as you keep working and stay competitive with your team-mates, that is the main thing.
"It is 20 players and a squad, not just 11 players."
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That's right Stan, you have.
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Stan is a likeable chap but I hope he's elsewhere next season.
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Stan has always been honest.
I'd be happy to keep Stan as a squad player only, good experience off the bench.
To start is too much for him now, 60 minutes in and his legs are shot.
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"It is strange to see how much he loves football. We went to see him and all he talked about was football. He was frustrated he could not watch the Barcelona-Real Madrid game."
That's a nice quote.
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Stan has always been honest.
I'd be happy to keep Stan as a squad player only, good experience off the bench.
To start is too much for him now, 60 minutes in and his legs are shot.
I see where you're coming from but I still wouldn't bother. You need people who will change a game on the bench and that is not Stan.
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No shit Sherlock
Instead of the players giving interviews every 5 minutes perhaps they could work on how to defend set pieces or how to pass the ball forwards
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I think the general consensus is that Petrov is now past his best for us. However, comments when he was out the side that his legs had gone, he was finished, you would be lucky to get 45 minutes out him, were wide of the mark.
It hasnt been a spectacular revival to avoid the dreaded drop, but in recent weeks when we have at least mostly avoided defeat and dug in for a couple of wins Petrov has been there and usually for the whole game.
For getting us out of trouble, I credit Petrov for stepping up when it mattered every bit as much as Bents goals.
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Stan has always been honest.
I'd be happy to keep Stan as a squad player only, good experience off the bench.
To start is too much for him now, 60 minutes in and his legs are shot.
I see where you're coming from but I still wouldn't bother. You need people who will change a game on the bench and that is not Stan.
You're probably right.
I'd say an up and coming Championship side might be his best bet, Leeds or Forest.
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Stan has always been honest.
I'd be happy to keep Stan as a squad player only, good experience off the bench.
To start is too much for him now, 60 minutes in and his legs are shot.
I see where you're coming from but I still wouldn't bother. You need people who will change a game on the bench and that is not Stan.
You're probably right.
I'd say an up and coming Championship side might be his best bet, Leeds or Forest.
I agree
But as MON was so fond of doing he gave Petrov a stupid contract
He still has two years to run so if he does leave we will have to give him a golden goodbye
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I also hope that this season is just a one off like Stan but shame about his legs i wish he was 5 years younger than he his now.
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Still shocked about people saying that he isn't good enough etc. anymore. Since he's come back into the side he's been up there with our best performers week in, week out. He breaks up the play fantastically, and he has a cool head - vital for a central midfielder.
Yeah, he isn't the fastest, but with Reo-Coker, Makoun or Delph next to him, they're the sort of players who can make up for it. Hope we keep him.
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Can they all buy us dinner?
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Buy having petrov as one of our best performers it highlights how shit we really are.
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Still capable of having a good 90 minutes (as we saw against Newcastle), just not every week. I'd keep him and let him go next Summer.
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Buy having petrov as one of our best performers it highlights how shit we really are.
I am not highligting him as one of our best performers as such. What I am saying is that a few weeks back when we all shitting ourselves that the worst may happen, the one and only thing that mattered was digging out some points. He as much as anybody else stepped up and did what was necessary.
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Yes you have, you overpaid wasters.
I hope Stan isn't here next season also, I think overall he has been a disappointing player for us
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
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just soundbites.
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You need people who will change a game on the bench and that is not Stan.
If you mean come on when we need a goal and score/create, then no he's not. But changing a game can also be defensive changes when we're defending a narrow lead. In certain games a player who can come on, break up play and help us keep the ball is worth as much as a super-sub who gets the winner/equaliser.
I'm in the 'sell him' bracket if I'm honest, but I can see how he could be of use as a squad player should he stay, especially with what is looking like quite a young and inexperienced midfield.
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Have we not learned anything from the injury problems this season? We need his experience and ability in the squad, not to start every week but with Bannan, Delph and Makoun having about 20 league starts between them they are going to need somebody who knows the ropes.
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As people have said, at this stage, we should be looking for a player who can run our midfield for the next 4-5 seasons and Petrov probably has another year or so left maximum. I think he'll probably stay, if only because we won't be able to shift him on his current contract
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I wouldn't bring him on as a defensive player either. For that you need somebody who can close the ball down with speed and strength and he has neither. I really just dont see the point in him.
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He's talking as if the season is over whereas a couple of likely drubbings in the final two matches could see us down. Do your talking on the pitch Stan!! (then F*** off).
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He's talking as if the season is over whereas a couple of likely drubbings in the final two matches could see us down. Do your talking on the pitch Stan!! (then F*** off).
Are you still seriously suggesting we can be relegated ?
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His legs might have gone but he is still the only class performer we have got in central midfield, he does have the ability to up his game if needed albeit rarely these days, with the likes of NRC you are only going to get a certain level of performance, Makoun looks like he could have some real ability if he gets used to the prem.
If we're going to challenge the top 6 again we need a younger version of Petrov, but he will be a good squad player to have next season.
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In what way is he a class performer? And if we're ever going to be a top 6 side again we dont need any kind of version of Petrov.
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
I'm not sure what Delph has done to demonstrate he should be in side ahead of those who have been playing.
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I'd keep him and let him go next Summer.
I reckon he'll still be here next season and then go on a free next summer.
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In what way is he a class performer? And if we're ever going to be a top 6 side again we dont need any kind of version of Petrov.
I find that a bizarre statement considering we were 6th for three consecutive years with him being a fixture in the side?
What we need, and have needed for a while, is an improved version who has extra energy and physicality to truely dominate a midfield.
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Good at passing sideways
Falls over a lot
Terrible level of fitness
Mediocre player at best
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
I'm not sure what Delph has done to demonstrate he should be in side ahead of those who have been playing.
Faster, better range of passing, tenacity and fitness. Also more of a goal threat. He only lacks experience and he wont get that unless he's played.
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
I'm not sure what Delph has done to demonstrate he should be in side ahead of those who have been playing.
yep, no wonder leeds thanked us when we bought him.
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Thanks Stan.
So far this week:
Brutal Honesty 2 (Petrov, Luke Young) Footballer-tinted Specs 1 (NRC)
As for his future... sorry, not for me. Flashes of class still but looks laboured too often. I wouldn't want us to keep both him and NRC in the squad next season and given that we have Makoun now, who plays a similar type of game to Petrov, I'd sell Stan to a European club while his international reputation is reasonably sound still. Get £2m or so. We'd be better off moving him on and getting in Kallstrom, who's more athletic and three years younger.
As for an impact off the bench... he's got composure alright but that's part of my reasoning for retaining an experienced player like Reo-Coker next season. I'd rather, if we needed a midfielder capable of opening up a defence, we turned to Bannan from the bench. Stan's showing the classic signings of a once-decent playmaker getting old - retreating further and further back, playing safe passes. Not what we need.
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
I'm not sure what Delph has done to demonstrate he should be in side ahead of those who have been playing.
Faster, better range of passing, tenacity and fitness. Also more of a goal threat. He only lacks experience and he wont get that unless he's played.
If he's that good (and I have to be honest I'm not sure), then why hasn't he had more opportunities in his favourite position from the various managers we've had this year?
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In what way is he a class performer? And if we're ever going to be a top 6 side again we dont need any kind of version of Petrov.
I find that a bizarre statement considering we were 6th for three consecutive years with him being a fixture in the side?
What we need, and have needed for a while, is an improved version who has extra energy and physicality to truely dominate a midfield.
He did have a lot to do with us finishing 6th, you're right. With a better player (not hard) we would have done better than 6th though. Any success we had in midfield was more to do with the likes of Barry and Milner.
Unfortunately we bought Sidwell instead of Parker for instance.
Sorry, I'm yet to see why we need a better version of Petrov and what it is he brings that has any charm to begin with. He's not terrible and is a model pro but why do we need a younger version? So he can crab across the midfield in more spritely fashion?
How about this for an idea. Dont bother with any version of Petrov and get another kind of player that is just better. One who'll boss a midfield, support the attacks with driving runs and a few goals, and/or protect the defence for the whole match. One who'll move into space to collect the ball and look forward first to realease the ball to our attacking threats? Since we lost Barry first and then Milner, we've had nobody who can use the ball quickly, bravely and intelligently.
If he's playing with NRC he needs to do this and he's not up to it, neither is he a defensive midfielder you can rely on.
So whilst I admire him as a person, I'm trying to list his pros and apart from experience, all I come up with is cons. So please, somebody tell me why he should be a central midfielder for Aston Villa. Because I dont get it.
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He has not been one of our best performers at all. He's had one game recently where you could say he was the standard we need in a central midfielder and that was the Newcastle match.
It's mostly crab like ineffective passing, being bypassed easily and breathing through his arse 10 minutes into the second half. Reo Coker, for all his faults, is regularly outperforming him and has been far more consistently good this season.
If he is in the starting XI next season we are in big trouble in my opinion and currently there is no way he should be in the side ahead of Delph certainly and Makoun.
He'll do well in a more ponderous league though. Maybe a midtable Serie A side or something.
I'm not sure what Delph has done to demonstrate he should be in side ahead of those who have been playing.
Faster, better range of passing, tenacity and fitness. Also more of a goal threat. He only lacks experience and he wont get that unless he's played.
If he's that good (and I have to be honest I'm not sure), then why hasn't he had more opportunities in his favourite position from the various managers we've had this year?
Apart from the fact he's been recovering from a serious injury, I honestly dont know. I know he is rated by the coaching staff though. That I can guarantee you. Obviously MON was playing him a lot more before his injury.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
Does that not kind of excuse them from any responsibility?
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On the form of the team as a whole, that's unfair, but there are a number of them who have consistently put in performances which have been nothing short of pathetic this season.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
In relation to Petrov, I'm not.
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I'd keep him and let him go next Summer.
I reckon he'll still be here next season and then go on a free next summer.
How long has he got left? I thought he had another 2 years after this season.
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I'd keep him and let him go next Summer.
I reckon he'll still be here next season and then go on a free next summer.
How long has he got left? I thought he had another 2 years after this season.
I thought you could go on a Bosman when there was only one year left?
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
Really? I agree if a player has had three good seasons and then been below-par this season - Hi Gabby! - then that's reasonable but I think Petrov has been a declining force for a couple of seasons now. In fact, he's been far from totally convincing for a good amount of his time here, IMO.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
Really? I agree if a player has had three good seasons and then been below-par this season - Hi Gabby! - then that's reasonable but I think Petrov has been a declining force for a couple of seasons now. In fact, he's been far from totally convincing for a good amount of his time here, IMO.
You can say the same about Dunne and Warnock ,especially the latter,he's been Blues for over a year now.
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let the fans down?
no shit, sherlock...
sick to death of hearing these wankers talking the talk, and then showing how little they give a shit out on the pitch...
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Aye.
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When it comes to letting us down Stan really hasn't been one of the players who have been responsible for that. Unlike some of the ****** (Dunne) we have playing for us he genuinely seems to care and always gives his best. The problem is that he has aged badly recently and we have suffered badly for that. That said when we brought him and NRC into midfield a while back we instantly looked like a much better team capable of getting results. IMO I'd accept offers in the summer and wish him the best of luck in the future.
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All season we've heard far too much from the players saying "we should do better." All mouth. We've been persistently shit and totally clueless. The players haven't put in the graft they did for Martin O Neill, with the odd exception. The sooner we can ship out some of the drek here, and get a new, inspiring manager as well, the better. It's been utterly piss poor.
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When it comes to letting us down Stan really hasn't been one of the players who have been responsible for that. Unlike some of the c***s (Dunne) we have playing for us he genuinely seems to care and always gives his best. The problem is that he has aged badly recently and we have suffered badly for that. That said when we brought him and NRC into midfield a while back we instantly looked like a much better team capable of getting results. IMO I'd accept offers in the summer and wish him the best of luck in the future.
Agree with all of this.
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Petrov has probably had 1 good season in 5.An average player at best, and to be quite honest one of the reasons for our failure to get into the top 4 two years ago.
A likeable chap, but not good enough.
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As for his future... sorry, not for me. Flashes of class still but looks laboured too often. I wouldn't want us to keep both him and NRC in the squad next season and given that we have Makoun now, who plays a similar type of game to Petrov, I'd sell Stan to a European club while his international reputation is reasonably sound still. Get £2m or so. We'd be better off moving him on and getting in Kallstrom, who's more athletic and three years younger.
As for an impact off the bench... he's got composure alright but that's part of my reasoning for retaining an experienced player like Reo-Coker next season. I'd rather, if we needed a midfielder capable of opening up a defence, we turned to Bannan from the bench. Stan's showing the classic signings of a once-decent playmaker getting old - retreating further and further back, playing safe passes. Not what we need.
Agreed. After a tough start had a couple of very good seasons for us but we need to be looking else where. A move to another league would suit him now. The Premier League is all about speed and Stan, despite his technical ability, just isn't physically eqiupped for it now. To his his credit, he's always given his best but unfortunately his best is just not good enough now. Add to that the wages he's on, we really can't afford to be sentimental.
A lovely bloke but I'd prefer we thank him and wish him well, whever he may end up.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
Does that not kind of excuse them from any responsibility?
I guess it does. My view is that the overriding issue has been poor selection, formation and tactics leading to the entire team performing badly. I can't tell to what extent the poor performances are attributable to the players themselves. I do know I was happy with the performance of most of them last season. If I'm looking to attribute blame/responsibility, I'm afraid it all falls on Houllier for me.
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Nice interview, but it is time for Petrov to move on or step down from playing and work on coaching.
Could players like Petrov get his pace, power and fitness back if we made him work harder on fitness.
As I am 38 and is getting fitter and fitter and stronger.
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Nice interview, but it is time for Petrov to move on or step down from playing and work on coaching.
Could players like Petrov get his pace, power and fitness back if we made him work harder on fitness.
As I am 38 and is getting fitter and fitter and stronger.
I thought you posted that you were worn out by dancing with all of those ladies on a Friday night?
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Sorry, the players dont get a pass. They're not automotons, they're very well paid professionals and have to take some responsibility. Especially the senior ones.
I know it's been difficult for them but we could expect much better from them this season.
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I think it is foolish to judge any of our players on this season's form.
Sorry but how else do we judge if not on the whole season performance?
I get judged every year on my performance and if the Company has had a bad year it's my fault as well.
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Stating the obvious and possibly won't get the opportunity to put it right next season -
Stylian hasn't been the worst of a bad bunch .........but his legs run out of steam on 60
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When you see things like Richard Dunne unable to complete an unimpeded 40 yard back pass without putting it out for a corner, you do have to wonder about some of these players.
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So the board have taken some responsibility for the rubbish season, and now the players. Someones missing.
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You may have to excuse him, he's not been well you see.
I'm sure he'll apologise before long.
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When you see things like Richard Dunne unable to complete an unimpeded 40 yard back pass without putting it out for a corner, you do have to wonder about some of these players.
I think that may well go down as the most memorable moment of the season. It should form part of the intro to the 2011/12 DVD review of the season.
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I'd keep stan; we'd get no money for him. I don't see him as an off the bench player, but as someone to rotate in for certain games. I think his form was good when he came back in, but tailed off in the last game. I really don't think getting rid of the entire squad, as some seem to want, is going to be a good idea as we won't get much dough for many of them for age or contractual reasons. I don't think that level of instability will do us much good.
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Petrov "we have let the fans down" yeah, no shit Sherlock. What a clever boy.
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They certainly have but at least he came out and said it.
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I'd keep stan; we'd get no money for him. I don't see him as an off the bench player, but as someone to rotate in for certain games. I think his form was good when he came back in, but tailed off in the last game. I really don't think getting rid of the entire squad, as some seem to want, is going to be a good idea as we won't get much dough for many of them for age or contractual reasons. I don't think that level of instability will do us much good.
Not the entire squad, just the ones who are of little or no use to us. If you dont even want him on the bench, why keep him around?
Get anything we can for him. In fact, just to get his wages off the bill and if no offers come in (and if he's any good to Aston Villa surely some other clubs would want him?) let him have a free transfer. Somebody will want him then.
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When you see things like Richard Dunne unable to complete an unimpeded 40 yard back pass without putting it out for a corner, you do have to wonder about some of these players.
I think it was the Wolves home game when I lost count of the number of fairly short passes that were going out for throw in's. From both sides
Best league in the world and they cant keep the ball on the pitch!