Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on August 29, 2012, 09:06:46 PM
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As much as I like Darren Bent he's not, to me, a natural born leader.
Who would you have?
Difficult...
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As much as I like Darren Bent he's not, to me, a natural born leader.
Who would you have?
Difficult...
Concrete Ron............
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Karim for me.
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Ron Vlaar. I like captains to be defenders or midfielders. Even Karim might be a good fit. Vlaar captained Feyenoord and I'd rather Bent worried about goals only than the rest of the players. Also, Vlaar is looking forward at the rest of the pitch, whereas a forward often has his back to the others. makes it harder to stay on top of things. He's too nice a bloke is Bent, so Vlaar gets my vote.
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As much as I like Darren Bent he's not, to me, a natural born leader.
Who would you have?
Difficult...
Not really, Vlaar showed his credentials for the role in the You tube vid.
TBH, strikers very rarely make good captain material because they are too far forward and also their whole game is to receive the ball to put it in the net so can be less of a team player then other departments.
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I completely agree that it should be a defender or central midfielder given the job.
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It should also go to an established player (a la Petrov), but at the moment we do not really have anyone that fits the bill.
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Clark if I had confidence he would be an every game player, can't see it though as I'm not sure on his best position.
I'd go for Vlaar, would have Dunne if he was fit and stayed off the black stuff and pies a bit more!
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I think in time Vlaar will get it but for now its more a case of letting him settle first.
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Vlaar has the traits of a captain, but it should go to an established player who genuinely loves the club and has been around a long time.
On that criteria, I'd give it back to Gabby.
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When I look at the squad only Vlaar and Dunne are captain material and I just don't trust Dunne.
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Vlaar without question. Perfect for the role.
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Vlaar by a country mile for me.
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I think its importance is a little overstated. But I agree that, from a traditional point of view at least, Bent doesn't really suit it.
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Vlaar has the traits of a captain, but it should go to an established player who genuinely loves the club and has been around a long time.
On that criteria, I'd give it back to Gabby.
It has to be someone who is certain to start every week!
Vlaar for me.
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n'Zogbia of course
not
Vlaar for me
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Vlaar has the traits of a captain, but it should go to an established player who genuinely loves the club and has been around a long time.
On that criteria, I'd give it back to Gabby.
Even if those criteria were definitely a requirement, still definitely not Gabby. He couldn't be arsed a lot of the time last season even when he was made captain.
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Concrete Ron definitely.
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Vlaar has the traits of a captain, but it should go to an established player who genuinely loves the club and has been around a long time.
On that criteria, I'd give it back to Gabby.
Even if those criteria were definitely a requirement, still definitely not Gabby. He couldn't be arsed a lot of the time last season even when he was made captain.
Personally I think it's a bit harsh to say he couldn't be arsed last season. He tried, it's just a shame he's not good enough. Still, I think he sets a great example for the younger players and will hopefully thrive under Lambert's attacking football.
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Rocky Ron for me every time. I would ban him from speaking english to referees just give some of the one eyed whistlers we get at VP plenty of high octane dutch.
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Personally I think it makes very little difference who we decide to send to shake hands with the referee and call 'heads' or 'tails'
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Vlaar has the traits of a captain, but it should go to an established player who genuinely loves the club and has been around a long time.
On that criteria, I'd give it back to Gabby.
Even if those criteria were definitely a requirement, still definitely not Gabby. He couldn't be arsed a lot of the time last season even when he was made captain.
Personally I think it's a bit harsh to say he couldn't be arsed last season. He tried, it's just a shame he's not good enough. Still, I think he sets a great example for the younger players and will hopefully thrive under Lambert's attacking football.
There were plenty of people apart from me who watched Gabby, as Captain, stroll around the pitch. There was no example to the younger players then. You could argue that TSM had lost the dressing room but that is still no excuse for the displays as Captain he put in.
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Concrete Ron all the way!
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Vlaar seems to be the only one who has the potential to be a leader.
Given time he's got to be the one!
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Strauss is available.
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Whoever it is it's not Bent. Appointing Bent has made me think about Lambert's judgement for the first time since his appointment. Bent has spent a lot of time pointing and waving arms in the games I have seen so far this season. He obviously thinks that is what a captain should do.
I agree with those of you who have nominated Vlaar or El Ahamadi.
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As much as I like the idea of Vlaar, it might take a while for him to adjust and I'm still concerned about his ability to keep his head. That said, he's probably the best pick of the bunch.
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Clark.
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Concrete Captain for me
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Vlaar seems to have all the attributes to be captain.
Clark would need to establish himself first before being given such a huge responsibility
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For me the important thing is to have leaders in the team, doesn't really matter who wears the armband though.
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When I look at the squad only Vlaar and Dunne are captain material and I just don't trust Dunne.
Yup.
Vlaar is is then.
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Vlaar seems to have all the attributes to be captain.
Clark would need to establish himself first before being given such a huge responsibility
I think with certain players the captaincy helps them establish themselves, and for me this would be the case with Clark
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Vlaar seems to have all the attributes to be captain.
Clark would need to establish himself first before being given such a huge responsibility
I think with certain players the captaincy helps them establish themselves, and for me this would be the case with Clark
Yes you're probably right. But, for me, over the last 2 games Baker has established himself a better centre back than Clark, which leaves a bit of a dilema
on that front.
He could easily play a Gareth Barry type role, which would be interesting to see
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Ron Vlaar for me I think your captain should be a defender/midfielder so I would give it to Vlaar.
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For me the important thing is to have leaders in the team, doesn't really matter who wears the armband though.
Indeed.
If Roy Keane hadn't been Man Utd's captain, does anyone think that he wouldn't have played as he did?
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Vlaar seems to have all the attributes to be captain.
Clark would need to establish himself first before being given such a huge responsibility
I think with certain players the captaincy helps them establish themselves, and for me this would be the case with Clark
Yes you're probably right. But, for me, over the last 2 games Baker has established himself a better centre back than Clark, which leaves a bit of a dilema
on that front.
He could easily play a Gareth Barry type role, which would be interesting to see
I'm of the opinion that Clark is more suited to playing defensive midfield than centre half at the moment. In time and with experience he'll most likely move back into centre half, similar to Southgate who if i recall correctly had played the majority of his Palace games in midfield before Little signed him.Regardless of the stick he gets on this forum I honestly believe we'll be a lot better when Dunne returns to the side. I think with Dunne alongside him Vlaar will adapt quicker to the Prem, rather than coming in as the senior partner.As for Baker, I haven't made my mind up totally as yet.
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Vlaar will be the captain next season I think. For now he needs to establish himself in the team and get used to the premier league.
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Concrete Ron!
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For me the important thing is to have leaders in the team, doesn't really matter who wears the armband though.
Quite true. That Arsenal team with Seaman, Adams, Keown, Dixon, Winterbourn, Viera and Parlour was amazing. Lots of horrible bastards but all born to win. They could play a bit too.
We could do with some of that fight in our team.
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Whoever it is it's not Bent. Appointing Bent has made me think about Lambert's judgement for the first time since his appointment. Bent has spent a lot of time pointing and waving arms in the games I have seen so far this season. He obviously thinks that is what a captain should do.
I agree with those of you who have nominated Vlaar or El Ahamadi.
He had to pick somebody experienced and who is guaranteed to start most weeks, there weren't exactly a long line of candidates.
I'm sure it will change in time but for now the new signings have got enough to be getting on with in adjusting to the PL.
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I think it has to be Vlaar at the moment, KEa is the only other option. Thejury is still out on Clark at the present time, he does not need the extra responsibility of being captain thrust upon him.
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So we've pretty much agreed it should be Vlaar, now how shall we tell PL.
I'm serious, perhaps there should be a process for passing our thoughts (when coherent) on to the club.
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So we've pretty much agreed it should be Vlaar, now how shall we tell PL.
I'm serious, perhaps there should be a process for passing our thoughts (when coherent) on to the club.
No, no, and thrice no.
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So we've pretty much agreed it should be Vlaar, now how shall we tell PL.
I'm serious, perhaps there should be a process for passing our thoughts (when coherent) on to the club.
Isn't there a supporters group that has meetings with the club? I think some of the mods on here have contacts when they need to communicate as well.
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Clark isn't a premie league player, yet.
He needs to be sent out on loan and get some regular playing experience. I hope he is dropped for the weekend and Baker partners who I think should captain in Vlaar.
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Clark isn't a premie league player, yet.
He needs to be sent out on loan and get some regular playing experience. I hope he is dropped for the weekend and Baker partners who I think should captain in Vlaar.
I agree with all of this.
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Whoever it is it's not Bent. Appointing Bent has made me think about Lambert's judgement for the first time since his appointment. Bent has spent a lot of time pointing and waving arms in the games I have seen so far this season. He obviously thinks that is what a captain should do.
I agree with those of you who have nominated Vlaar or El Ahamadi.
He had to pick somebody experienced and who is guaranteed to start most weeks, there weren't exactly a long line of candidates.
I'm sure it will change in time but for now the new signings have got enough to be getting on with in adjusting to the PL.
Well that change did not take long. Has anyone seen any quotes from Lambert about this? Another example of very brave management for me, he has certainly got what it takes to make big decisions, and would appear not to be too concerned about changing a decision that he has made if he realises he is wrong, which is massively different to his mentor. It was the right call to make Vlaar captain, I hope Bent is happy enough with the decision.
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Bent played better yesterday than he has been doing as captain. We still need him to start scoring goals though...
And Clark does look a Premier League player now. In fact so do Bannan and Baker.
Smile!
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Bent played better yesterday than he has been doing as captain. We still need him to start scoring goals though...
And Clark does look a Premier League player now. In fact so do Bannan and Baker.
Smile!
Bent is not a captain. He is a striker who relies on confidence not really inspires it. Vlaar now with a few games under his belt is the obvious choice. The team obviously have great respect for him and after being captain of Feyenoord where he was a legend. He has great experience .........
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Bent played better yesterday than he has been doing as captain. We still need him to start scoring goals though...
And Clark does look a Premier League player now. In fact so do Bannan and Baker.
Smile!
Bent is not a captain. He is a striker who relies on confidence not really inspires it. Vlaar now with a few games under his belt is the obvious choice. The team obviously have great respect for him and after being captain of Feyenoord where he was a legend. He has great experience .........
Agreed. I don't think Strikers really make good captains as their job more often than not is to be selfish with the ball and will often find themselves miles away from everyone else on the team.
Vlaar is an excellent choice for captain, in my book.
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I think it was both pretty well though out by Lambert. I think Vlaar was always bought with the intention of being captain but its not necessarily a good thing for team morale to give the capaincy straight to the new lad. Give it Bent and let Vlaar earn it. Bent is the most experienced player pre Lambert that would be a cert on the team sheet. I think while Bent would be honoured to be given captaincy it wouldn't really bother him not to have it.
Then last week it was in the media from various people how good a captain Vlaar would be. Its made it look a bit of an obvious plan but still a very good one.
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Clark isn't a premie league player, yet.
He needs to be sent out on loan and get some regular playing experience. I hope he is dropped for the weekend and Baker partners who I think should captain in Vlaar.
A little bit harsh. We've looked very sound the last two games, and Clark gives us a presence in the opposition box at corners.
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Clark isn't a premie league player, yet.
He needs to be sent out on loan and get some regular playing experience. I hope he is dropped for the weekend and Baker partners who I think should captain in Vlaar.
A little bit harsh. We've looked very sound the last two games, and Clark gives us a presence in the opposition box at corners.
Indeed I was critical after the Everton game, but he's done very well in last two and definitely deserves his place.
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Loved the way Vlaar went up to each player individually before the match and fired them up. Legend in progress this one. HE'S my new favourite player. Ooo ahh Ron Vlaar say oooh ahhhh Ron Vlaar.
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I have said it before but its worth dusting off. The fans have not taken to a new signing like they have with Vlaar since Big John signed on the dotted line.
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I think it was both pretty well though out by Lambert. I think Vlaar was always bought with the intention of being captain but its not necessarily a good thing for team morale to give the capaincy straight to the new lad. Give it Bent and let Vlaar earn it. Bent is the most experienced player pre Lambert that would be a cert on the team sheet. I think while Bent would be honoured to be given captaincy it wouldn't really bother him not to have it.
Then last week it was in the media from various people how good a captain Vlaar would be. Its made it look a bit of an obvious plan but still a very good one.
This exactly
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Apparently on the day he signed he went round to all the various departments of the club to say hello to the staff and introduce himself. Little thinks like that make him a very good choice for Captain.
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I was extremely impressed with Vlaar with his actions in the minutes before kick-off. His performance on the pitch during the game itself was also outstanding. As impressed as I was with Holman who got MoM, I would have given it to Vlaar.
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Holman deserved it.
He and Vlaar were the most impressive performers.
I'm not sure Concrete Ron is deserving of the "Ooh Ahh" just yet though.
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Neither am I.
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Nice update on Twitter:
Ron Vlaar @RonVlaar4
What a great weekend. #AVFC won, #Feyenoord won, but the most important was that my grandmothers (90 and 86) had a great time in Birmingham!
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I'll bet Broad Street never knew what hit them!
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"These are my grandmothers, Granite Gertrude and Marble Mable."
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"These are my grandmothers, Granite Gertrude and Marble Mable."
#
Very good
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I think he could well be one of the finds of the season - and he has tree trunks for legs - would not want a 50/50 with him
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I think we all knew he'd be captain, he's a top man on and off the pitch, he's run in the second half was brilliant
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I want to see him holding the FA Cup this May.
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Perfect captain and perfect manager- good times indeed.
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I heard he was welcoming the new signings around transfer deadline day so he had already taken on the responsibility. It was inevitable really.
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I heard he was welcoming the new signings around transfer deadline day so he had already taken on the responsibility.
It was only on Twitter, so it's not as if he really had to do a lot!
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I heard he was showing them around Bodymoor Heath and introducing them to the rest of the side.
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The good thing is, I think we've got 4 'captains' in the side now. Vlaar is clearly the first choice but KEA, Clark and Bannan are all doing the right things as well (and Westwood came on and sat in and directed things well also). All 4 seem to enjoy having a voice on the pitch and it's a big part of why we're looking so together. I think previously we've had senior players who thought they were above being told what to do by the kids, which meant Bannan and Clark were more withdrawn but their natural game is more about being very vocal and very involved. Lambert, and the new ethos at the club, has given them license to play their way and both are looking more and more like the players we hoped they'd be.
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I heard he was showing them around Bodymoor Heath and introducing them to the rest of the side.
There was a report that he was 'welcoming all the new signings' and it was taken to mean that he was there. But it was just confusion, he was 'welcoming' them all via his Twitter feed.
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I heard he was showing them around Bodymoor Heath and introducing them to the rest of the side.
If that is true that is fantastic
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Captain Ron really is instant hero material - what is it about number 5 at Villa Park? **** Ok just realised he is No 4 however you get my drift!!! ;)
I have seen some great competitors in that shirt - Nicholl, McNaught, Curtis, Laursen, God - I have a feeling "Concrete Ron" is to follow in their footsteps.
He is already showing passion for the club which is more than Mr Dunne has ever shown in his time at the club.
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He is already showing passion for the club which is more than Mr Dunne has ever shown in his time at the club.
100% agree with this and it seems replcated as all the players seem to really like him and respect him - did not take PL long to realise he is the proper captain we have needed
Never been sure about the "huddle" thing though as it always smacks me of showbizzy too much
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He is already showing passion for the club which is more than Mr Dunne has ever shown in his time at the club.
100% agree with this and it seems replcated as all the players seem to really like him and respect him - did not take PL long to realise he is the proper captain we have needed
Never been sure about the "huddle" thing though as it always smacks me of showbizzy too much
I don't mind the huddle, it's been part of England's rise in the cricket world and I think it shows unity.
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Darren Bent has been stripped of the Aston Villa captaincy to ensure he is solely focused on recapturing his form in front of goal.
Bent missed several months at the end of last season after suffering a serious injury in the 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers in February.
The injury prevented him from representing England at Euro 2012 and as a result he is determined to do all he can to be part of the squad for the World Cup in 2014, providing Roy Hodgson’s men qualify for Brazil.
However, he has yet to score this season and the striker could find himself omitted from the England squad for the next round of World Cup qualifiers in October.
Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Bent needs to concentrate on rediscovering his form and in a bid to help the striker, he has handed the captain’s armband to Dutch defender Ron Vlaar.
“In terms of my decision on the captaincy, I just wanted to give Darren a break. I just want him to concentrate on goals,” said Lambert.
“He has been excellent against Newcastle and Swansea in our last couple of games and has looked sharp.
“He is playing well, but I think changing it will help him. It will let him just concentrate on scoring goals for the team.”
Vlaar only joined Villa from Feyenoord in the summer but he has already made a big impact at Villa Park and Lambert is hopeful the extra responsibility will benefit his game.
“Ron is amazing. He is colossal and has been since he came here. He has been excellent for us,” Lambert added.
“He is not a young kid. He is not 21. He has been at a huge football club himself and I just think he is a top player.”
http://ie.setanta.com/ie/bent-loses-villa-captaincy/
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Captain Ron really is instant hero material - what is it about number 5 at Villa Park?
I have seen some great competitors in that shirt - Nicholl, McNaught, Curtis, Laursen, God - I have a feeling "Concrte Ron" is to follow in their footsteps.
I agree...just need to get him in the number 5 shirt!
He is already showing passion for the club which is more than Mr Dunne has ever shown in his time at the club.
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Its what I like about Lambert he see's what were all mostly thinking and does something about it.
Hutton and Warnock, the formation, Given, the captaincy etc.
A lot of its obvious but how many times have we seen the obvious but the Manager fails too act.
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He appears to have plenty of passion as the youtube video of him after Feyenoord beat Ajax 4-2 shows. Top fella.
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Lambo isn't scared to make changes. I like him. I have a semi.
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Think Vlaar is excellent choice as captain. Lambert is his own man and has gone about things superbly, wonder if he had a chat with his good mate Stan about the goings on at the club the last couple of years. He certainly didnt take long to bin a certain few players
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So we've pretty much agreed it should be Vlaar, now how shall we tell PL.
I'm serious, perhaps there should be a process for passing our thoughts (when coherent) on to the club.
No, no, and thrice no.
Always good to see the word 'thrice' in a post - many thanks.
Though Levico did add the proviso of 'when coherent' to his suggestion.
The great thing about Lambert is not that he is listening to the fans and reacting - it is that he is watching the same team as the fans, seeing the same things, then reacting.
He is keeping it simple - when something is glaringly obvious - he does something about it - he isn't over-complicating things - like for instance playing players out of position and asking them 'to do a job', like a previous incumbent.
As for Clark not being a Premiership player - I think you'll find that is a non sequitur.
Villa now have an abundance of leaders on the park - at the back - in the middle - and up front - and that is what a great team really needs.
The picture below tells us all we need to know about issues of leadership in this bright new dawn of Aston Villa FC.
(http://static.adifferentleague.co.uk/images/articles/astonvilla180912.jpg)
UTV
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Darren Bent has been stripped of the Aston Villa captaincy to ensure he is solely focused on recapturing his form in front of goal.
Bent missed several months at the end of last season after suffering a serious injury in the 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers in February.
The injury prevented him from representing England at Euro 2012 and as a result he is determined to do all he can to be part of the squad for the World Cup in 2014, providing Roy Hodgson’s men qualify for Brazil.
However, he has yet to score this season and the striker could find himself omitted from the England squad for the next round of World Cup qualifiers in October.
Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Bent needs to concentrate on rediscovering his form and in a bid to help the striker, he has handed the captain’s armband to Dutch defender Ron Vlaar.
“In terms of my decision on the captaincy, I just wanted to give Darren a break. I just want him to concentrate on goals,” said Lambert.
“He has been excellent against Newcastle and Swansea in our last couple of games and has looked sharp.
“He is playing well, but I think changing it will help him. It will let him just concentrate on scoring goals for the team.”
Vlaar only joined Villa from Feyenoord in the summer but he has already made a big impact at Villa Park and Lambert is hopeful the extra responsibility will benefit his game.
“Ron is amazing. He is colossal and has been since he came here. He has been excellent for us,” Lambert added.
“He is not a young kid. He is not 21. He has been at a huge football club himself and I just think he is a top player.”
http://ie.setanta.com/ie/bent-loses-villa-captaincy/
Am I the only one that doesn't like the tone of parts of that report?
To me the Lambert quotes read as 'he was doing a fine job as captain but I want to take the pressure off him' but the press seem to be reporting it as more of a punishment as if he's had it taken away because he's not scoring.
Just seems a bit sensationalist to say he's been stripped of the captaincy.
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Welcome to the shit press we get from time to time
Be grateful it was not in the Mercury as the headline would be "Bent stripped of captaincy after slapping a gold medalist at the paralympics"
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Talking of the Muckraker, any further news on that master criminal Christian Benteke, the arch car-jacker of Belgium?
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I quite like the headline from Clubcall.com on Darren Bent stepping down as captain:
"Lambert Calls for Bent Focus"
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Albrighton on Vlaar, from the official website:
Ron Vlaar
He's a great footballer. He's been absolutely brilliant since he's come in.
He's a role model to the young players - in every way. Everything he does is just so professional.
He helps the lads, he talks to you, he's just amazing to be honest.
He's been great with me. He got to know me on his first day - and he hadn't even signed. He was just about to leave Bodymoor Heath for his medical, saw me in the gym with my cast on and started chatting to me.
He put his medical on hold! He was asking what I had done, how long I had been out for, when I was coming back. Then he started telling me how I'd be fine and come through the other side fine.
For someone to do that is fantastic.
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The more I hear about concrete ron the more I like
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Always preferred a centre half to be captain. Vlaar is the best choice.
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It was the first time i'd seen Vlaar play on Saturday and he's got 'cult hero' written all over him. Players like Vlaar lift a crowd even more than tricky skilful types. Superb.
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Every time I watch Vlaar I think about 4 men, and I can't help it...
Dunne 5m, 60k a week, Collins 5m, 40k a week, Davies 10m, 30k a week and Cuellar 8m, 40k a week.
And then there is Vlaar, with a release clause of 3m and a wage that is reportedly very reasonable. And I think if there is ever a couple of footballers signed under Lambert already to show how different from MON he is, Lowton and Vlaar are them. Hopefully the press will stop the comparisons soon, it was my biggest fear when we wanted Lambert and he has dispelled it very quickly for me. His use of funds in the window could be the best bit of trading since Little brought in Southgate, Draper and The Big Serb.
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How much did Zat cost? I know he did an ok job when called on but again it was another centre back that was bought and replaced.
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Although somewhat strangely he was the only* defender that O'Neill bought that we sold for a profit.
*I think
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Every time I watch Vlaar I think about 4 men, and I can't help it...
Dunne 5m, 60k a week, Collins 5m, 40k a week, Davies 10m, 30k a week and Cuellar 8m, 40k a week.
And then there is Vlaar, with a release clause of 3m and a wage that is reportedly very reasonable. And I think if there is ever a couple of footballers signed under Lambert already to show how different from MON he is, Lowton and Vlaar are them. Hopefully the press will stop the comparisons soon, it was my biggest fear when we wanted Lambert and he has dispelled it very quickly for me. His use of funds in the window could be the best bit of trading since Little brought in Southgate, Draper and The Big Serb.
You've nailed it, Ozz, although the list could include KEA whom I also think has shown strong signs of 'bargain-buster' all over him. Saturday, he quietly got on with his job and broke up the Swansea play; no fuss, no histrionics.
Incidentally, I was amused by the guy sitting behind me who kept confusing KEA with Ireland ... like, similar except in a different part of the pitch doing different things and displaying rather different behaviours (not that Ireland had a poor game; he didn't). Oh, and different coloured boots.
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The way Lambert's signings have started make future transfer windows a pretty mouth-watering prospect. He's on his way to restoring faith amongst the fans, and hopefully Lerner too.
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Albrighton on Vlaar, from the official website:
Ron Vlaar
He's a great footballer. He's been absolutely brilliant since he's come in.
He's a role model to the young players - in every way. Everything he does is just so professional.
He helps the lads, he talks to you, he's just amazing to be honest.
He's been great with me. He got to know me on his first day - and he hadn't even signed. He was just about to leave Bodymoor Heath for his medical, saw me in the gym with my cast on and started chatting to me.
He put his medical on hold! He was asking what I had done, how long I had been out for, when I was coming back. Then he started telling me how I'd be fine and come through the other side fine.
For someone to do that is fantastic.
What a great guy Vlaar is. We finally have a few heroes on the pitch. For two years it felt like nobody cared and were just happy to pick up a big pay cheque at the end of the week.
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How much did Zat cost? I know he did an ok job when called on but again it was another centre back that was bought and replaced.
I think we got him for £3.5m and sold him for £4m
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In defence of the old ..er.. defence, they were one of the best in the country when they had a manager with a clue how to organise and motivate. It was the succession of clowns since O'Neill left that turned them into an omnishambles.
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There will be a Ron Vlaar interview on Five Live today at about 12.25. Not sure if it's been mentioned!
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Every time I watch Vlaar I think about 4 men, and I can't help it...
Dunne 5m, 60k a week, Collins 5m, 40k a week, Davies 10m, 30k a week and Cuellar 8m, 40k a week.
And then there is Vlaar, with a release clause of 3m and a wage that is reportedly very reasonable. And I think if there is ever a couple of footballers signed under Lambert already to show how different from MON he is, Lowton and Vlaar are them. Hopefully the press will stop the comparisons soon, it was my biggest fear when we wanted Lambert and he has dispelled it very quickly for me. His use of funds in the window could be the best bit of trading since Little brought in Southgate, Draper and The Big Serb.
You've nailed it, Ozz, although the list could include KEA whom I also think has shown strong signs of 'bargain-buster' all over him. Saturday, he quietly got on with his job and broke up the Swansea play; no fuss, no histrionics.
Incidentally, I was amused by the guy sitting behind me who kept confusing KEA with Ireland ... like, similar except in a different part of the pitch doing different things and displaying rather different behaviours (not that Ireland had a poor game; he didn't). Oh, and different coloured boots.
That might have been me..where do you sit?
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There will be a Ron Vlaar interview on Five Live today at about 12.25. Not sure if it's been mentioned!
'Owt of interest from the great man?
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Not really. He came across as modest and said that he was pleased that the fans were chanting his name to the Paul McGrath chant and also he is pleased his grandmothers came to watch the Swansea game. His parents try to get to every game he plays in, but that will now be more difficult, but if he makes his family proud, he is proud, which is nice.