Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PaulWinch again on January 01, 2012, 12:53:43 PM
-
I have been very critical of Stan in the past and thought his legs were going. However it looks like Mcleish has finally found his correct position this season, allowing him a licence to go forward. It's reflected in his goals and he doesn't look exhausted all the time. I thought he was excellent yesterday and looks something like the player I thought we were buying when we originally signed him. What are other peoples thoughts on him?
-
Quality player. Most underated at the club imo. Due to his influence and experience he should be kept at the club at least until the summer. I love him!
-
excellent this season and when we are in possesion of the ball he helps us keep hold of it and reads the game very well. if he keeps it up he will be player of the season! consistent performer
-
Criminally under-rated by most fans. Even when he was playing the holding role I thought he was vital to us. He's playing ever so well and his experience is crucial given the number of young players we have. I don't see any reason to sell him at all. Excellent technique as shown with all his goals this season. Cracking left foot finish yday
-
Hopefully Petrov will still be at Villa next season, sharing time with Gary G
-
Invaluable to us. For so long he was a scapegoat for many, particularly those who listen to others moaning and moronically repeat it ad nauseam. A most hard working and inspirational player.
-
I have been very critical of Stan in the past and thought his legs were going. However it looks like Mcleish has finally found his correct position this season, allowing him a licence to go forward. It's reflected in his goals and he doesn't look exhausted all the time. I thought he was excellent yesterday and looks something like the player I thought we were buying when we originally signed him. What are other peoples thoughts on him?
Have to admit, I was the same for a long time, but the last 12 or so games and he is winning me over, scored some crucial goals for us already this season and I hope he stays. Thought 8.5 mil for an average player was excessive but he is starting to become a must-play for me.
-
I think Stan will finish his career with us, he will be used more sparingly from next season I'd think.
-
He's doing an Andy Townshend - underwhelming for the first couple of years, now a vital player and the glue that holds us together.
Although even when he was struggling he was busting his gut for us.
Respect.
-
He has something that only the best players have: the ability to create time for himself on the ball. He never looks under pressure even though he takes many hits from opponents. His use of his body to turn away from opponents is excellent. He reads the game very well, which is why he makes so many interceptions.
And with his movement he yesterday "out-franked" Lampard.
When he first joined us I was critical - as the ST holders around me could testify - of his contribution to the team. Over the last 24 months I have come to realise what a canny and capable player he is.
We are seeing a highly competent, senior-level international footballer in Petrov. Great stuff.
-
His use of his body to turn away from opponents is excellent.
There is almost an element of Cowans there, even though his game is different. An image of Petrov that always comes to me is of his body twisted completely around, ball at his feet and breaking away from his opponent.
-
His use of his body to turn away from opponents is excellent. He reads the game very well, which is why he makes so many interceptions.
I agree.
I'd also say that he's one of those players who usually, even if having a quiet game, does one thing which makes you think "crikey, that was a decent bit of skill"
This is by far his best season for us thus far.
-
Seems to have had a new lease of life, first name on the team sheet & we have no one with his experience to call on if he gets injured.
Even when he was struggling, has always given everything for the cause.
-
Been very impressed with Stan this season. I hold my hands up and will say I thought his best days were behind him. AM has to take some credit for that.
-
With younger legs around him in Clarke and herd he is a much better player. I've been massively critical of him in the past. Sideways Stan, but there have been some fantastic performances this season from the guy and I think that's down to herd and Clarke supporting him really well.
-
When I saw his first game away to West Ham I thought he was fantastic. Someone to link the midfield and forwards. Then he dropped back into the holding role which was ok for me. But in this new system of him and another holding allowing the wingers to play is working. The other holding midfielder does give him a little bit freedom to join the play rather than sit back. Someone else mentioned it but he keeps the ball well which is what you need. Tugay at Blackburn was fantastic just sitting in the middle playing little passes and he retired at what, nearly 40. We can keep Stan going for a few more years yet
-
I've stuck up for him for a long time. I don't even think it's that he's a better player this season. It's just that without our more skillful players who've played alongside Stan in past years we have truly started to appreciate the understated but vital job he does for the team.
Bet Pubehead tries to take him to Sunderland. :(
-
I was one who thought he should be put out the pasture during the summer,but this season he's been our best performer,rarely gives the ball away,has good vision,keeps play moving,and now with younger legs next to him in midfield he can get forward a lot more.
An important guy to have in the squad with all the youngsters we have, could make a good coach.
-
I think you're right there Gary. He'll make a great coach. I've gone from not bothered of we kept him or not to really hoping he doesn't go anytime soon. Especially up to Sunderland. He is an important player for us. We're finally getting the right balance again in midfield and it would be a shame to disrupt it now. AM whether by accident through injuries or not seems to of found the right role for Petrov. The fact he's scored 4 (I think) so far this season is brilliant. It's really important that we get midfielders scoring goals. Him and Ireland I hope will get 20 goals between them.
-
The fact he's scored 4 (I think) so far this season is brilliant. It's really important that we get midfielders scoring goals. Him and Ireland I hope will get 20 goals between them.
We've had entire midfields that haven't scored that many all season.
-
I know. I'm being extremely over ambitious. Ha!
It's just nice to have midfielders scoring goals. It's not happened enough with villa. It's always been a bit of an Achilles heel
-
I know. I'm being extremely over ambitious. Ha!
It's just nice to have midfielders scoring goals. It's not happened enough with villa. It's always been a bit of an Achilles heel
I can think of David Platt and possibly Ian Taylor who have been regular midfield goalcorers in 20-odd years.
-
Anyone know if his injury was serious or just a precaution? It looked like a groin or thigh strain on the full match highlights yesterday. Herd back in against Swansea? Or a GG start?
-
Merson maybe? How many would Gaz baz score from open play in a season?
-
Didn't Garry Parker would notch a few? Or was it that his goals were always a bit special that I tend to remember him scoring regularly?
-
At a quick glance I think they all scored not many, but either spectacular or vital goals. Barry got more than I thought.
-
Hendrie chipped in with a few.
-
Ray Houghton bagged a few, and Kevin Richardson weighed in with one or two.
-
Weren't most of of them penalties for Fat Baz though?
-
Invaluable to us. For so long he was a scapegoat for many, particularly those who listen to others moaning and moronically repeat it ad nauseam. A most hard working and inspirational player.
Spot on.
Last season when he was injured it was clear to see we missed him terribly.
-
Weren't most of of them penalties for Fat Baz though?
Apart from when he was off the pitch.
-
For so long Stan has been the 'cover me' player, giving others licence to roam.
He has shown, (as he did on his first game for us at Wet spam), he is perfectly capable of doing the roaming himself.
With two apparent gems of holding players, in Clarke & Herd, he no longer has to worry about being caught up front and what a difference that has made to his overall contribution.
-
Did he pick up an injury yesterday or did he go off because of cramp?
-
Anyone think he who shall not be named did not do Stan any favours by insisting he played a holding only role? He came with a reputation for scoring goals and in his first game looked great at getting forward but that was soon knocked out of him.
Now he is given licence to get forward if he wants, and being such a good reader of the game he knows when that is, and is looking to score much more often. Also, because he has such composure on the ball, when he gets the chance, like yesterday, you know he is going to hit the target/put it into the net.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
Agreed. He is a solid person on top of proving that he is a top player. Makes you also realize that we was wasted playing a holding role for all those years when in fact, had we bought a proper holding midfielder he could have scored many more goals for us in the past few years. The irony of all of this is off course the man who bought him knew this better than everyone else yet didn't use him in that capacity.
He will prove to be a really good influence on a group of very talented kids coming through. We need to keep him and have him retire in our colours.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
Gardner will be his replacement in my opinion. Over the next year I'd like to see Gardner coming on in that role more and more.
I like petrov but he's a difficult one for me as I thought at timkes in the earlier part of the season his lack of movement in deeper positions was one of the main reasons that our players never had an out ball. I still think that's a big weakness but clark is excellent at making himself available in there so it's not being exposed now. It was the same when he was alongside Barry, Petrov then looked a very good player (and got player of the year if I remember rightly) because that part of his game wasn't being exposed.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
Gardner will be his replacement in my opinion. Over the next year I'd like to see Gardner coming on in that role more and more.
I like petrov but he's a difficult one for me as I thought at timkes in the earlier part of the season his lack of movement in deeper positions was one of the main reasons that our players never had an out ball. I still think that's a big weakness but clark is excellent at making himself available in there so it's not being exposed now. It was the same when he was alongside Barry, Petrov then looked a very good player (and got player of the year if I remember rightly) because that part of his game wasn't being exposed.
Paul, this might be an odd statement but a lot has changed in the past 3 games and the players look completely different. It's as if a light has come on and they now can see the game better. Petrov, with others are now moving off the ball better and creating openings. We are a million miles from the finished article, but were starting to believe again. We just have to keep this up.
-
When he got substituted against Newcastle and we were a goal down and came back to slap their little geordie arses without him, i thought that`s it, to come back the way he did, shows quality in his heart and his feet, respect to him, absolute, utter, total quality footballer.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
Gardner will be his replacement in my opinion. Over the next year I'd like to see Gardner coming on in that role more and more.
I like petrov but he's a difficult one for me as I thought at timkes in the earlier part of the season his lack of movement in deeper positions was one of the main reasons that our players never had an out ball. I still think that's a big weakness but clark is excellent at making himself available in there so it's not being exposed now. It was the same when he was alongside Barry, Petrov then looked a very good player (and got player of the year if I remember rightly) because that part of his game wasn't being exposed.
Paul, this might be an odd statement but a lot has changed in the past 3 games and the players look completely different. It's as if a light has come on and they now can see the game better. Petrov, with others are now moving off the ball better and creating openings. We are a million miles from the finished article, but were starting to believe again. We just have to keep this up.
I don't disagree, but petrov has had problems with that part of the game before.
Don't get me wrong I think he's a very good player and he's very important to the way we're playing now but he does need to right player alongside him (which isn't unusual for a midfielder, there's only a handful of genuine all round great midfielders in the world), in Clark he has a partner who is allowing him to really shine, herd also did to an extent but herd looks inexperienced whereas clark looks like he's been playing there all his life (bar a silly challenge against arsenal).
-
What happened to all the crab comments?
-
Petrov, Clark and Ireland could develop into a very good midfield.
-
I love that trick where he drops a shoulder and flicks the ball over a player's head, as they charge past him. Think he first brought it out at Bramall Lane, when he scored his first goal for us.
-
He is quality, and for me is almost Mr Aston Villa. There is no way he can be allowed to leave the club. We need to have a long term plan for his replacement.
Maybe Clark or Herd?
-
Anyone think he who shall not be named did not do Stan any favours by insisting he played a holding only role? He came with a reputation for scoring goals and in his first game looked great at getting forward but that was soon knocked out of him.
I have to agree, that was one of MON's faults, buying players then changing their game, he did the same to Sidwell.
Stan's been great this season, on a par with Gabby for player of the season so far.
-
Anyone think he who shall not be named did not do Stan any favours by insisting he played a holding only role?
Yes!
Though in fairness, after a promising start he didn't look particularly potent as an attacking force, or an all action midfielder.
But the one talent he's always possessed is a reluctance to concede possession too readily, so it was probably natural that he found himself further back, in defensive rather than attacking areas. He generally plays defensive midfield for Bulgaria too - and did so dating back to his time at Celtic. So it's not as if it was only MON who decided to go that route.
But maybe Big Eck has told him 'I know what you can do in attacking areas, I've seen it when I was at Rangers and you should get forward more,' as he's definitely been more willing to bomb forward and have a crack at goal this season -even before the introduction of Clark.
-
What happened to all the crab comments?
That was Mark Draper and George Boateng and anybody else unfortunate enough to be burdened with the role, was it not?
-
I've always liked the way Stan plays the game and now having a licence to roam more is bringing out the best in him. With Herd, Clark, Bannan and Gardner in the squad, we should definately keep Stan, to provide support to these younger players.
-
It's interesting, out of Clarke, Herd and Delph we finally seem to have found the right partner for Petrov. I've been an advocate of giving Ciaran a run-out in midfield for a long time so I'm glad he's finally been given his head.
For all the money we spent on Fabian, and the talent he no doubt possesses, he doesn't have the same discipline when it comes to ball-retention that Clarke posseses. I think Herd will be a useful utility player to have, maybe we could make a left full-back out of Delph but Clarke, Petrov and Ireland/Bannan looks the best combination for us now.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
Big fan then?
-
Credit where credit's due. I've criticised him lots on here, especially when he played under MON, I thought he held us back. However, this season, he's looked a much better player and has been impressive...is that to show MON he still has it???
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
You are utterly, utterly, utterly wrong.
-
I've always rated him, ever since his Celtic days, this season his performances have been class considering the pressure of being the only experienced Villa midfielder.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
You are utterly, utterly, utterly wrong.
Am I being a bit thick, this is a Petrov thread, so I presume you mean Petrov?
If so I'm with Dave with this and also struggling to think that even if you do not rate him you can say that about him. He has always worked his bollocks of for us and has been very very consistent for most of his time here.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
You are utterly, utterly, utterly wrong.
Sorry Gary. You couldn't be more wrong. He's a player who has worked his bollocks off for the club, being played out of position most of the time, a calming influence, a great role model and spokesperson for the club. You've just described Sasa Curcic or Steve Hodge, not Stilyan Petrov.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
Agree with this 100% Simply not good enough. The fact that some others have been even worse simply reflects how very poor our midfielde is.
-
Probably one of the greatest confidence tricksters ever to have worn a Villa shirt.
He has ability and skill but only shows it when contract time comes around, or when he fancies, which has not been frequently enough.
The fee we paid, the new contract, and the wages, have been preposterous. Far better value was, has been, and is, available.A man who never should have risen beyond Blackburn/ Bolton status.
Agree with this 100% Simply not good enough. The fact that some others have been even worse simply reflects how very poor our midfielde is.
I think that's very harsh on him.