Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on January 30, 2013, 08:17:00 PM
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Now it seems genuine may as well have his own thread.
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Reported as watching the match last night - and he still signed!!!
6' CDM under-21 International 22 years old from French 2nd Division apparently
Big hard lad ;-)))))
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need.
Still need another one, and a centre back, and a winger...
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I promise to give him a full 10 minutes benefit of the doubt before turning on him!
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Welcome Yacouba.
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Why this couldn't have been done before last night is anyone's guess
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Who had him in the sweep?
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Someone has messed with his Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacouba_Sylla
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Someone has messed with his Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacouba_Sylla
Blues or Baggies. Just on spelling I would go the latter.
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Someone has messed with his Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacouba_Sylla
The French Salifou.
It's a cracker.
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Someone has messed with his Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacouba_Sylla
Blues or Baggies. Just on spelling I would go the latter.
Not that they're obsessed at all. Oh no.
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When you're planning a practical joke, 'prepearation' is all.
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Someone has messed with his Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacouba_Sylla
Blues or Baggies. Just on spelling I would go the latter.
Not that they're obsessed at all. Oh no.
Looking at the latest changes, now the Blues fans are involved.
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Ya-Couba as Gibson Brothers said:
Ya-Couba
Quiero bailar la syllasa
Ya-Couba
Quiero bailar la syllasa
My heart is on fire
the night is divine
My only desire is making you mine
You're the one
that I want
You're the one
yes
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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My lad was saying that Patrick Vierra suggested that Man City sign him.
Likened him to YaYa Toure
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Anything on the OS yet?
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I like Anagrams :o 'Casually a yob'
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I promise to give him a full 10 minutes benefit of the doubt before turning on him!
I've already started booing him. I'll hate him now and work out why later. Then I can call you all muppets for not realising earlier. Even if he scores 20 goals from defensive midfield between now and the end of the season.
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french carlton palmer
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french carlton palmer
He'd do.
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Anything on the OS yet?
Un petit peut.
http://www.clermontfoot.com/yacouba-sylla-en-discussion-avec-aston-villa
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need
I agree we needed a DM, but an experienced premier league player who will fit in straight away, rather than a raw foreigner from the French second division, would fit the bill more. I only mention the foreign bit, as he may take longer to settle, and we are running out of games.
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Getting down the club shop tomorrow for a shirt with his name on.
CILLA.
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french carlton palmer
He'd do.
Perfect sort of player to help win promotion next season.
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french carlton palmer
Your just a french........... At least we have signed somebody, ffs
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We'll he is the mould of player we have been crying out for. So will have to do. Will offer the physical presence if nothing else.
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need
I agree we needed a DM, but an experienced premier league player who will fit in straight away, rather than a raw foreigner from the French second division, would fit the bill more. I only mention the foreign bit, as he may take longer to settle, and we are running out of games.
Sissoko was a raw player from the French leagues (albeit League One) but most saw last night a possibly very good player starting straight away. But with our luck, I doubt it will happen.
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Hopefully, he will give wee Bannan license to get forward
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At least we know for sure at what level of players we are operating at now. Very sobering.
Hope he goes on to be buy of the century anyway.
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Relegation clause?
*sobs*
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need
I agree we needed a DM, but an experienced premier league player who will fit in straight away, rather than a raw foreigner from the French second division, would fit the bill more. I only mention the foreign bit, as he may take longer to settle, and we are running out of games.
Sissoko was a raw player from the French leagues (albeit League One) but most saw last night a possibly very good player starting straight away. But with our luck, I doubt it will happen.
Sissoko was rated around £15 million not so long ago
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I like Anagrams :o 'Casually a yob'
Me too.
Stewart Downing = Reds twat on wing
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I'd guess even the Championship (Division 2) is a step up from the French second division.
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Hopefully, he will give wee Bannan license to get forward
Hopefully Bannan will be on the bench and he will play alongside Westwood.
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I do hope him and Benteke hit it off, simply because unlike at NouveauChateau, we don't have a predominately French atmosphere at the club to help a young player settle in a new Country. Although if they do, I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of them late on Broad Street.
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He's got some guns on him so I guess Lambert is addressing our spineless, weak midfield.
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need
I agree we needed a DM, but an experienced premier league player who will fit in straight away, rather than a raw foreigner from the French second division, would fit the bill more. I only mention the foreign bit, as he may take longer to settle, and we are running out of games.
Sissoko was a raw player from the French leagues (albeit League One) but most saw last night a possibly very good player starting straight away. But with our luck, I doubt it will happen.
Sissoko was rated around £15 million not so long ago
And? I've seen players that cost £20mil and league winners in their countries flop on this league and ones that cost very little with little fanfare have great games. But I do realise that Sissoko has been playing at a higher level at a younger age so probably is a better player.
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Hes 33 ft on WIKI . funny
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Welcome to Villa, Yacouba.
Now, where were you last night at about 9.45? Weren't reversing your car up Trinity Rd by any chance?
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As doug once said " how many of you know who he is?"
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I do hope him and Benteke hit it off, simply because unlike at NouveauChateau, we don't have a predominately French atmosphere at the club to help a young player settle in a new Country. Although if they do, I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of them late on Broad Street.
Benteke, N'Zogbia, Stevens, Given, Weimann and Guzan are all overseas players. Therefore they all speak French and will all be very helpful in assisting young Sylla to settle into the first team.
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Apparently we signed him 4 years ago:
Yacouba Sylla (born 29 November 1990 in Étampes) is a French football player who plays for The English Premier League club Aston Villa . He plays as a defensive midfielder and joined his current club in 2009 after a year's stint with first division club SM Caen.
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If it means we don't have to suffer the Westwood/Bannan or Bannan/Delph central midfield pairing again then he is a very welcome addition!
Hope he does sign as we are really in the shit and a new signing could give us a much needed boost
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His Wiki page is still mental.
1000000000 goals in 18 appearances. 33 foot tall. At age 12-16 he was in the Barcelona B team which would have put him alongside Messi.
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Fits the bill exactly of what we need
I agree we needed a DM, but an experienced premier league player who will fit in straight away, rather than a raw foreigner from the French second division, would fit the bill more. I only mention the foreign bit, as he may take longer to settle, and we are running out of games.
Sissoko was a raw player from the French leagues (albeit League One) but most saw last night a possibly very good player starting straight away. But with our luck, I doubt it will happen.
Sissoko was rated around £15 million not so long ago
And? I've seen players that cost £20mil and league winners in their countries flop on this league and ones that cost very little with little fanfare have great games. But I do realise that Sissoko has been playing at a higher level at a younger age so probably is a better player.
Jean Makoun - plays in the French top division, took time to acclimatise to the pace of the PL
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His Wiki page is still mental.
1000000000 goals in 18 appearances. 33 foot tall. At age 12-16 he was in the Barcelona B team which would have put him alongside Messi.
shit , I thought the height was true too.
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I know it's not quite comparable but if he does in mf what benteke (who was also dismissed as a nobody) has in attack in a similar timeframe he'll be OK.
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What I do find strange is why it's taken until Jan 30th to get him. It's not as if there is chain of signings all reliant on each other and we must have spotted him weeks ago.
He would have been very useful in the past month...
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His Wiki page is still mental.
1000000000 goals in 18 appearances. 33 foot tall. At age 12-16 he was in the Barcelona B team which would have put him alongside Messi.
Sounds like we got ourselves a bargin
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Reported as watching the match last night - and he still signed!!!
6' CDM under-21 International 22 years old from French 2nd Division apparently
Big hard lad ;-)))))
He saw us batter Newcastle, who have a number of French players, in the second half and we're Aston Villa. Why wouldn't he want to join?
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If he signs I wish him all the luck in the world as we'll need it.
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He'll be one of those diamonds in the rough that unbelievably all the other scouts around the world missed. Just like all those unknowns that we signed in the summer who have gone on to prove excellent top flight players. I reckon Paul Lambert spends his spare time wondering around car boot sales looking for rare Beatles promos, Harrison Chronometers and works by Turner that some daft senile old lady hasn't realised the true value of.
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I won't believe it until he's stretching the shirt.
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Reported as watching the match last night - and he still signed!!!
6' CDM under-21 International 22 years old from French 2nd Division apparently
Big hard lad ;-)))))
He saw us batter Newcastle, who have a number of French players, in the second half and we're Aston Villa. Why wouldn't he want to join?
Let us hope he hasn't realised we play in Claret and Blue and not Black and White stripes.
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I won't believe it until he's stretching the shirt.
Ripping it more like from his build.
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He'll probably sign for Newcastle tomorrow.
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One for the future. What about the immediate urgent desperation? Plus, Lambo already bought KEA (shite) and Westwood (promising) in that position.
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Who was that French player we nearly signed under Houllier, was also an under 21 french international.
Think he now plays for Lyon.
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Welcome to Villa, Yacouba.
Now, where were you last night at about 9.45? Weren't reversing your car up Trinity Rd by any chance?
hahahahah class - oh and welcome son...
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Who was that French player we nearly signed under Houllier, was also an under 21 french international.
Think he now plays for Lyon.
Wasn't Houllier allegedly bringing in Cabaye, who then went to Newcastle?
My French mates have nothing to say on Sylla. Below their radar, and they do follow Ligue 2 too. They reckon Clermont are as dreary as dishwater, but say his physique may help him settle.
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I promise to give him a full 10 minutes benefit of the doubt before turning on him!
Oh how I Lolled. Then I realised this was probably the truth for far too many of our clubs 'fans'.
On the bright side - that wheeler dealer Harry Rednose wanted him, as did Martin Jol, and apparently Udinese, so maybe we got a good un?
I howled at the negativos commenting in the Birmingham Mail - the best was 'I never even heard of him'. I suppose said whinger was fully aware of Mr C Benteke.
Still thought we looked a lot better when Ciaran Clark stepped up into the middle last night. The kid is big - but he ain't a centre half. Showed some lovely control and an eye for a pass too. Hopefully Lambo will have noticed this too. The three at the back was understandable given our recent showing - but the Toon's goals came from too much space in front of the defence - Clark into that deep midfield role could fix that - or even play the two - Clark and Sylla - Mancini style.
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If they are dull he'll fit right in, good luck son you'll need it
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Assuming he signs, good luck to him he seems the sort of player we need badly. French under 21 so hopefully he's fairly decent.
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Who was that French player we nearly signed under Houllier, was also an under 21 french international.
Think he now plays for Lyon.
Fofana, with the bad back.
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Who was that French player we nearly signed under Houllier, was also an under 21 french international.
Think he now plays for Lyon.
Fofana, with the bad back.
Isn't that a song?
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Good luck to the guy if he signs. Tough ask IMO to step up overnite to the premier, but at least he looks like a brick shithouse which is something in our midfield.
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I promise to give him a full 10 minutes benefit of the doubt before turning on him!
Oh how I Lolled. Then I realised this was probably the truth for far too many of our clubs 'fans'.
In weaker moments, they probably wish they were as good as you.
Who are these counterfeit Villa fans, BTW. Show yourselves! So we can all LOL.
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Hope he lasts longer than Berson .
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I wouldn't say counterfeit Mr Gage - just miserable and negative.
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This years Eric Djemba Djemba signing award goes to.............
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This years Eric Djemba Djemba signing award goes to.............
Yep, we bought Sylla from Man Utd.
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Apparently he was at Barcelona when he was young. So has been schooled well and should be able to pass the ball.
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Apparently he was at Barcelona when he was young. So has been schooled well and should be able to pass the ball.
His Wiki has been vandalised. Earlier he was 18 million foot tall and had scored 10000 goals in 0 appearances.
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When I heard this news I thought "Surprise Surprise".
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When I heard this news I thought "Surprise Surprise".
Would that be about four hours ago when everyone else did?
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Who was that French player we nearly signed under Houllier, was also an under 21 french international.
Think he now plays for Lyon.
Fofana, with the bad back.
Failed a medical for us, playing in the Champions League eight months later.
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WE were in for Haidera too that is going to Newcastle for about 5 million the summer Houllier got ill.
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I wouldn't say counterfeit Mr Gage - just miserable and negative.
Is that because we have so much to be delighted and positive about right now then?
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Apparently he was at Barcelona when he was young. So has been schooled well and should be able to pass the ball.
His Wiki has been vandalised. Earlier he was 18 million foot tall and had scored 10000 goals in 0 appearances.
I actually heard it on Twitter but I have now checked the French Wiki page (which hasn't been vandalised) and he hasn't been at Barca. My bad.
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Have signed a player???
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It's an extra body in, which is good.
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Have signed a player???
Since I haven't had my text message confirmation, "not yet".
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His full name , allegedely , ( according to WIKI ) is Yacouba Benteke Sylla , so now we,ll have 2 Benteke,s ! , that,ll do me ! ....Godzvilla ! .
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In the same bracket as Fofana, MON let Steve Mandanda go after having a trial in 2007; he is now captain of Marseille (still only 27) and has 15 French caps. We were also rumoured to be after Adil Rami under Houllier before he moved from Lille to Valencia.
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Not at all hopeful that he's the answer to our shortcomings based on our experience with French players. From memory, Berson and the twins were a midfield pairing that won a championship in France but turned out to be gash. See also Ginola, Six. Our record with scandies is way better.
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Never heard of him but wish him all the best.
Here's hoping one or two more arrive.
UTV
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Not quite what the team needs but still, in our position, it's churlish to complain I suppose.
I do have a fear that he will get a straight red in his first game, serve the three match ban, struggle to establish himself and then slowly fade into the history books as the player signed to save us from the drop, but didn't.
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The French Warren Aspinall?
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The French Warren Aspinall?
Man, that's cold.
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As they were both just before my time, I always get Warren Aspinall mixed up with Simon Stainrod.
Which was better?
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Warren Stainrod
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Welcome Yacouba
Positives to the move
1. He appears on the face of it to be strong and athletic exactly what is required.
2. Decent price
3. Decent age
Negatives to the move
1. Why has it taken this long to get him in!!!!!! This guy could of been brought in first week of January available for all of the games. I would suggest he was down the list of targets but if we are hoping for him to make an impact now would of been a darn site easier at the start of January. He is not the sort of player who was keeping his options open I wouldnt suggest
2. Unproven no experience in the Prem - ring any bells
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As they were both just before my time, I always get Warren Aspinall mixed up with Simon Stainrod.
Which was better?
Neither!!
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Not quite what the team needs but still, in our position, it's churlish to complain I suppose.
I do have a fear that he will get a straight red in his first game, serve the three match ban, struggle to establish himself and then slowly fade into the history books as the player signed to save us from the drop, but didn't.
I'm not sure in isolation he can save us from the drop(assuming he signs). It's up to the other players to start earning their wages and step the fuck up. However he is the style of player we need from his description. We need to stop getting out muscled and he would help with that.
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With any luck, we'll sign Charybdis as his central midfield partner today.
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Well it's a signing, which is always welcome, I just hope he hits the ground running and we don't have to hear "needs a full pre-season, time to adapt to the Premier League" etc. He can't be any worse than Bannan though, so hopefully it will fill one of the gaping holes in the side, just leaving central defence to sort.
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As long as he can run, pass 10 yards to a team mate, make successful tackles and head the ball then he will do.
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I think clearly this kid wasn't first choice but that could be a blessing in disguise if he works out.
We desperately needed some power in midfield and this lad looks like he has 4 shredded wheat for breakfast.
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Warren Stainrod
Wasn't fit to lace Simon Aspinall's boots
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Sylla eh. Surprise Surprise.
Somebody different to watch. Might be good at least we all hope so.
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I think clearly this kid wasn't first choice but that could be a blessing in disguise if he works out.
We desperately needed some power in midfield and this lad looks like he has 4 shredded wheat for breakfast.
I'd suggest that Bannan doesn't get in his way in training. Be like a freight train hitting a Nissan Micra parked on a level crossing.
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Hope he lasts longer than Berson .
Good old Bagic Berson.
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Whilst our record with French players is about as successful as our record with Scottish Managers at least it would be a signing, a fresh face, and a bit of physical presence in a desperately lightweight midfield that gets trampled over far too easily. And it might keep Bannan out of the team - I don't mind him as a player, despite his lack of pace and urgency, I just don't want him anywhere near our set pieces.
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With any luck, we'll sign Charybdis as his central midfield partner today.
We're signing a Super-Villan?
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Which is what should happen to all Nissan Micras.
At least until the law allow me to fit 20mm cannons to the front of my car.
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While this guy may turn out to be a star, is he really the type of signing we need at this time. Long term, yes it could be brilliant, but unfortunately with the position we are in, we can only be thinking short term.
I see Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham. This is the type of player we need until the end of the season. In 18 months, I am sure we would be better off having Sylla, but it's all about the next 4 months and it's criminal not getting in someone who can go in against Everton and not need any adjusting/settling in time.
Our last few experiences of signing midfielders from France haven't exactly been rip-roaring successes and I am too downbeat to be optimistic about this one....I hope I am horribly wrong.
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While this guy may turn out to be a star, is he really the type of signing we need at this time. Long term, yes it could be brilliant, but unfortunately with the position we are in, we can only be thinking short term.
I see Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham. This is the type of player we need until the end of the season. In 18 months, I am sure we would be better off having Sylla, but it's all about the next 4 months and it's criminal not getting in someone who can go in against Everton and not need any adjusting/settling in time.
Our last few experiences of signing midfielders from France haven't exactly been rip-roaring successes and I am too downbeat to be optimistic about this one....I hope I am horribly wrong.
I would tend to agree, we should have two strategies at the moment, a strategic one involving youth and development and a tactical strategy designed for the short term to get us out of the shit now!
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While this guy may turn out to be a star, is he really the type of signing we need at this time. Long term, yes it could be brilliant, but unfortunately with the position we are in, we can only be thinking short term.
I see Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham. This is the type of player we need until the end of the season. In 18 months, I am sure we would be better off having Sylla, but it's all about the next 4 months and it's criminal not getting in someone who can go in against Everton and not need any adjusting/settling in time.
Our last few experiences of signing midfielders from France haven't exactly been rip-roaring successes and I am too downbeat to be optimistic about this one....I hope I am horribly wrong.
In his time at Tottenham Huddlestone has been available for selection for a little under 50% of their games. He isn't what we need in the slightest.
This guy isn't the experienced premier league player we wanted but who is realistically available to us who can provide what we need with that experience, Diame is about the only 1 I can think of and even he would probably want a fair old raise to consider it.
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Is he in the shirt, on the pitch yet?
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While this guy may turn out to be a star, is he really the type of signing we need at this time. Long term, yes it could be brilliant, but unfortunately with the position we are in, we can only be thinking short term.
I see Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham. This is the type of player we need until the end of the season. In 18 months, I am sure we would be better off having Sylla, but it's all about the next 4 months and it's criminal not getting in someone who can go in against Everton and not need any adjusting/settling in time.
Our last few experiences of signing midfielders from France haven't exactly been rip-roaring successes and I am too downbeat to be optimistic about this one....I hope I am horribly wrong.
In his time at Tottenham Huddlestone has been available for selection for a little under 50% of their games. He isn't what we need in the slightest.
This guy isn't the experienced premier league player we wanted but who is realistically available to us who can provide what we need with that experience, Diame is about the only 1 I can think of and even he would probably want a fair old raise to consider it.
There has been a couple of long term injuries in there though and he seems to be fighting fit now. But forget about him specifically, it is his type, i.e. a player not getting his game for whatever reason who has the experience of playing in the League, that we need right now. Gambling on the new 'Yaya Toure' is madness.
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While this guy may turn out to be a star, is he really the type of signing we need at this time. Long term, yes it could be brilliant, but unfortunately with the position we are in, we can only be thinking short term.
I see Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham. This is the type of player we need until the end of the season. In 18 months, I am sure we would be better off having Sylla, but it's all about the next 4 months and it's criminal not getting in someone who can go in against Everton and not need any adjusting/settling in time.
Our last few experiences of signing midfielders from France haven't exactly been rip-roaring successes and I am too downbeat to be optimistic about this one....I hope I am horribly wrong.
In his time at Tottenham Huddlestone has been available for selection for a little under 50% of their games. He isn't what we need in the slightest.
This guy isn't the experienced premier league player we wanted but who is realistically available to us who can provide what we need with that experience, Diame is about the only 1 I can think of and even he would probably want a fair old raise to consider it.
There has been a couple of long term injuries in there though and he seems to be fighting fit now. But forget about him specifically, it is his type, i.e. a player not getting his game for whatever reason who has the experience of playing in the League, that we need right now. Gambling on the new 'Yaya Toure' is madness.
Given our limited cash and ability to attract players right now, I think it represents a lack of options more than a gamble.
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Is he in the shirt, on the pitch yet?
Nope.
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We seemed to be the butt of a few 'jovial' comments this morning on R5 between 7.00 am and 7.30am.
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We seemed to be the butt of a few 'jovial' comments this morning on R5 between 7.00 am and 7.30am.
The number of radio stations I can't listen to, newspaper sections I can't read, and television programmes I can't watch, as I can't bear to hear people discussing our shitness has grown massively over the last three years.
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We seemed to be the butt of a few 'jovial' comments this morning on R5 between 7.00 am and 7.30am.
Yeah my alarm woke me up, as soon as I heard 'Phil you've never really mentioned you're a Villa fan' I turned it off.
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Strikes me a a signing that was lined up to happen next summer but has been brought forward just to say that something is being done.
Of course, I've no evidence to support this, its just that the guy fits the criteria for last summer's signings (ie, young, lower league and lots of potential) rather than a signing that will immediately help the starting 11
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Is he in the shirt, on the pitch yet?
Nope.
Always follow the golden rule.
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Is he in the shirt, on the pitch yet?
Nope.
Always follow the golden rule.
Indeed I just want us to get him signed now, then we can discuss the merits.
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I hope he is better than Didier Six.
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Another one I've never heard of. Which to me is a positive considering some of the clapped out names that have been banded around lately.
I can't remember the last time we had genuine muscle in midfield. If he's psychologically disturbed too that's a bonus.
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Another one I've never heard of. Which to me is a positive considering some of the clapped out names that have been banded around lately.
I can't remember the last time we had genuine muscle in midfield. If he's psychologically disturbed too that's a bonus.
Ha ha ha, brilliant. Coffee through nostrils moment.
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Has this already been posted? delete this if it has
Houlier's verdict on Sylla
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gerard-houllier-gives-the-birmingham-mail-1280190
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I hope he is better than Didier Six.
and Berson, and Makoun....put together to be honest.
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Good review from Houllier.
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“Clermont have a good reputation for supplying players for Ligue One in France and he would have made that step up next season.
“In England , in the Premier League at Aston Villa it will be a massive challenge for him, but he is thought of in France as a very promising player.”
I'm sure Matthieu Berson was originally described like that. If anyone thinks this guy will be our saviour then they're off their head, in my opinion.
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He's our saviour!
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Good review from Houllier.
I wish Houllier was still the manager. I think we would be in much better place now. Cabaye would probably be here along with others as GH had good connections in France. Oh well......
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Let's hope he gets a bit more a run than Makoun got.
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“Clermont have a good reputation for supplying players for Ligue One in France and he would have made that step up next season.
“In England , in the Premier League at Aston Villa it will be a massive challenge for him, but he is thought of in France as a very promising player.”
I'm sure Matthieu Berson was originally described like that. If anyone thinks this guy will be our saviour then they're off their head, in my opinion.
It is too much for him to be expected to be a saviour. But is that what is needed or just one of, hopefully, a few coming in to plug holes and then provide a steady platform for the likes of Benteke, Weimann and N'Zogbia to be the saviours?
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He's our saviour!
Pills Dave ?
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Why has it taken Lambert 31 days to realise we need a DM? For me, it's probably too late given the dire run of results this month which have left us 2nd bottom in the table and the players confidence has been further shredded. Too little, too late.....
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I do hope him and Benteke hit it off, simply because unlike at NouveauChateau, we don't have a predominately French atmosphere at the club to help a young player settle in a new Country. Although if they do, I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of them late on Broad Street.
Benteke, N'Zogbia, Stevens, Given, Weimann and Guzan are all overseas players. Therefore they all speak French and will all be very helpful in assisting young Sylla to settle into the first team.
??
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“Clermont have a good reputation for supplying players for Ligue One in France and he would have made that step up next season.
“In England , in the Premier League at Aston Villa it will be a massive challenge for him, but he is thought of in France as a very promising player.”
I'm sure Matthieu Berson was originally described like that. If anyone thinks this guy will be our saviour then they're off their head, in my opinion.
I don't think anyone expects him to be the 'saviour'. He will however be a physical presence in our midfield, which we badly need and sounds promising. Just because Berson came from France is incidental. Emmanuel Petit was promising and signed from France for Arsenal, he turned out to be pretty decent.
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I know it's not quite comparable but if he does in mf what benteke (who was also dismissed as a nobody) has in attack in a similar timeframe he'll be OK.
Benteke was a Belgian international starter?
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“Clermont have a good reputation for supplying players for Ligue One in France and he would have made that step up next season.
“In England , in the Premier League at Aston Villa it will be a massive challenge for him, but he is thought of in France as a very promising player.”
I'm sure Matthieu Berson was originally described like that. If anyone thinks this guy will be our saviour then they're off their head, in my opinion.
He will however be a physical presence in our midfield, which we badly need
So would the Big Show from WWE but is he up to the Premier League? and will he make a difference in the short term?
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Well I don't know, but seeing as he is a professional footballer and a French under 21 international. I'd say he's got a better chance of making an impact than the Big Show.
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Why has it taken Lambert 31 days to realise we need a DM? For me, it's probably too late given the dire run of results this month which have left us 2nd bottom in the table and the players confidence has been further shredded. Too little, too late.....
people make me laugh. Why do you think it has taken him 31 days to realise we needed a DM?
none of us know just how much work goes on in the background to set up these deals - and how many other DM's we have been in for that, for one reason or another, haven't ended up joining us e.g. Sissoko
I am sure he knows the shortcomings of the current squad and has been trying to address that for the last couple of months, working in the parameters that he has been told to operate in
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Why has it taken Lambert 31 days to realise we need a DM? For me, it's probably too late given the dire run of results this month which have left us 2nd bottom in the table and the players confidence has been further shredded. Too little, too late.....
people make me laugh. Why do you think it has taken him 31 days to realise we needed a DM?
none of us know just how much work goes on in the background to set up these deals - and how many other DM's we have been in for that, for one reason or another, haven't ended up joining us e.g. Sissoko
I am sure he knows the shortcomings of the current squad and has been trying to address that for the last couple of months, working in the parameters that he has been told to operate in
This x1000,000
"QPR are signing Samba we should have been in for him".
We couldn't afford him, end of.
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The insane logic of football fans.
The few French players we've had, haven't turned out well, therefore all French players are doomed at Villa.
Maybe we should just buy players from Scottish teams as Evans, Bremner and Gray did well?
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The insane logic of football fans.
The few French players we've had, haven't turned out well, therefore all French players are doomed at Villa.
Maybe we should just buy players from Scottish teams as Evans, Bremner and Gray did well?
Exactly, I mean no good players have ever come out of France have they.
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Samba could end up costing QPR a fortune, £12.5mil fee, probably £5m a year in wages, 4 year deal? add it up. Massive. not worth the risk.
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Well I don't know, but seeing as he is a professional footballer and a French under 21 international. I'd say he's got a better chance of making an impact than the Big Show.
I don't know - if nothing else he could repeatedly smack Stephen Ireland over the head with a folded up metal chair!
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The insane logic of football fans.
The few French players we've had, haven't turned out well, therefore all French players are doomed at Villa.
Maybe we should just buy players from Scottish teams as Evans, Bremner and Gray did well?
Exactly, I mean no good players have ever come out of France have they.
I dont think its his nationality.
Did I read he was from the French 2nd division who's team is 14th?
That would be like us plucking an England under 21 from Derby, Blackpool or Blackburn and hoping he will settle quickly in the PL and make a difference!
Im not sure if he will in the short term but I bloody hope he does
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Why has it taken Lambert 31 days to realise we need a DM? For me, it's probably too late given the dire run of results this month which have left us 2nd bottom in the table and the players confidence has been further shredded. Too little, too late.....
people make me laugh. Why do you think it has taken him 31 days to realise we needed a DM?
none of us know just how much work goes on in the background to set up these deals - and how many other DM's we have been in for that, for one reason or another, haven't ended up joining us e.g. Sissoko
I am sure he knows the shortcomings of the current squad and has been trying to address that for the last couple of months, working in the parameters that he has been told to operate in
Have you looked at the Prem League table this morning? My point is the damage has already been done during this month. It's too late
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Well I don't know, but seeing as he is a professional footballer and a French under 21 international. I'd say he's got a better chance of making an impact than the Big Show.
I don't know - if nothing else he could repeatedly smack Stephen Ireland over the head with a folded up metal chair!
This I would pay to see.
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I'd have Sylla straight into the side on Saturday with the mission of sticking to Fellani and kicking lumps out of him.
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The insane logic of football fans.
The few French players we've had, haven't turned out well, therefore all French players are doomed at Villa.
Maybe we should just buy players from Scottish teams as Evans, Bremner and Gray did well?
Exactly, I mean no good players have ever come out of France have they.
I just don't think people should expect too much simply on the basis that people in France think he could make the step up. If he does pull up trees immediately, then great. But I'm not expecting on the basis that I'm desparate for good news.
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Welcome to our great club Yacouba.
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He hasn't signed yet.
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We're surrounding the club with good young talent, all of whom will improve and at the very least will go for more money than we paid for them.
The problem is that they need to be surrounded by solid pros who can guide and lead them and help bring them out of the firing line from time to time.
En tout cas, bienvenue Yacouba!
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He hasn't signed yet.
Is it still subject to a medical? I thought he had.
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
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Maybe waiting to unveil four new signings all at once ?
Wishful thinking!
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
SSN keeps showing his car i presume pulling into Bodymoor Heath so it should'nt be too long before it's done and dusted.
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Hope so.
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I'd have Sylla straight into the side on Saturday with the mission of sticking to Fellani and kicking lumps out of him.
When I am Villa manager you can be my number 2. That is the kind of acute strategic thinking I want as the power behind my throne.
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
SSN keeps showing his car i presume pulling into Bodymoor Heath so it should'nt be too long before it's done and dusted.
I knew you would be tuned in to the action clampy!
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
SSN keeps showing his car i presume pulling into Bodymoor Heath so it should'nt be too long before it's done and dusted.
I knew you would be tuned in to the action clampy!
I've not long put it on. It's going off when Jim White turns up.
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
SSN keeps showing his car i presume pulling into Bodymoor Heath so it should'nt be too long before it's done and dusted.
I knew you would be tuned in to the action clampy!
I've not long put it on. It's going off when Jim White turns up.
Im going with the 6/1 shot blue tie
Just put your remote on zoom and keeo it on kirsty gallagher - thats my plan!
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Sylla and the shirt-
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BB8B1mgCUAAd_lM.jpg:large
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Sylla and the shirt-
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BB8B1mgCUAAd_lM.jpg:large
Good to see that BMH still use the same kind of gym benches that we had at school thirty-odd years ago
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I'll still wait until it's officially confirmed.
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Not sure what it's subject to, but there's nothing to confirm he's signed.
SSN keeps showing his car i presume pulling into Bodymoor Heath so it should'nt be too long before it's done and dusted.
Does he drive a clapped out Citroen 2CV? Any update on the big unit from Porto or sightings of Jimmy Milner? I think there will be at least one more transfer in before last orders.
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Why has it taken Lambert 31 days to realise we need a DM? For me, it's probably too late given the dire run of results this month which have left us 2nd bottom in the table and the players confidence has been further shredded. Too little, too late.....
people make me laugh. Why do you think it has taken him 31 days to realise we needed a DM?
none of us know just how much work goes on in the background to set up these deals - and how many other DM's we have been in for that, for one reason or another, haven't ended up joining us e.g. Sissoko
I am sure he knows the shortcomings of the current squad and has been trying to address that for the last couple of months, working in the parameters that he has been told to operate in
Have you looked at the Prem League table this morning? My point is the damage has already been done during this month. It's too late
And my point is that I am sure that he has been trying to get players in that he thinks we need before today. I am sure he didn't wait until after last nights games to see where we are today and then suddenly think "fuck, we're in the bottom 3, better go into work tomorrow and sign somebody"
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I've not long put it on. It's going off when Jim White turns up.
I think you may find that Jim's name is written as White but in the old Gaelic is pronounced - Shite - with a heavy emphasis on the Shhh - Connery style if you will.
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Perhaps he might add a goal or two! - He doesn't appear to have ever scored one before!
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From BBC Sport website:
"Now, I suspect you Villa fans out there are hoping your soon-to-be new signing Yacouba Sylla is a battle-hardened Patrick Vieria clone ready to add some authority to the their club's midfield, as well as possessing the goal-scoring touch of Frank Lampard and the silky skills of David Silva.
Sorry but French football expert Matt Spiro has some bad news: "Yacouba Sylla is an intriguing signing for Aston Villa. He's a big, strong tackler who will certainly add physical presence in the middle of the park, but if Paul Lambert expects him to make an immediate impact in the Premier League he may be disappointed.
"He's only 22 and has never before played in the top flight, making 65 appearances for second-division Clermont. Although he played one game for the France Under-21s, Sylla remains relatively unknown this side of the Channel."
Not ready to make an immediate impact in the Premier League? Sounds to me like he will fit in nicely with the rest of the Aston Villa squad..."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/21272160
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Hmm.....
1307:
SYLLA TO VILLA
Now, I suspect you Villa fans out there are hoping your soon-to-be new signing Yacouba Sylla is a battle-hardened Patrick Vieria clone ready to add some authority to the their club's midfield, as well as possessing the goal-scoring touch of Frank Lampard and the silky skills of David Silva.
Sorry but French football expert Matt Spiro has some bad news: "Yacouba Sylla is an intriguing signing for Aston Villa. He's a big, strong tackler who will certainly add physical presence in the middle of the park, but if Paul Lambert expects him to make an immediate impact in the Premier League he may be disappointed.
"He's only 22 and has never before played in the top flight, making 65 appearances for second-division Clermont. Although he played one game for the France Under-21s, Sylla remains relatively unknown this side of the Channel."
Not ready to make an immediate impact in the Premier League? Sounds to me like he will fit in nicely with the rest of the Aston Villa squad...
From http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/21272160
That said, I've never heard of Matt Spiro either.
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I see Matt Spiro the BBC French football expert hasn't exactly been glowing. Although given the general mockery the BBC seem to be levelling at us regarding this transfer windown, who knows.
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The reports about Sylla seem to echo the reports about Benteke. Let's hope Lambert has got this one as right as he did Benteke because, for all his faults, if we had a player as good as Benteke in midfield we'd be far better off.
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Bienvenue Yacouba!
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I think those BBC comments(not so much Spiro's report) were appalling disrespectful.
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I think those BBC comments(not so much Spiro's report) were appalling disrespectful.
I'm not sure they say anything that hasn't been said on here..
"You can't talk about our pledges like that! Only we can talk about our pledges like that!"
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The reports about Sylla seem to echo the reports about Benteke. Let's hope Lambert has got this one as right as he did Benteke because, for all his faults, if we had a player as good as Benteke in midfield we'd be far better off.
Was just thinking that.
The way they instantly wrote off Benteke, simply because he wasn't Darren Bent was pathetic.
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That waste of skin Murray mocked the signing of Benteke. Feck the BBC, feck them all.
We will know if he is ready for this league by the number of impacts he puts on Sideshow Bob on Saturday.
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The reports about Sylla seem to echo the reports about Benteke. Let's hope Lambert has got this one as right as he did Benteke because, for all his faults, if we had a player as good as Benteke in midfield we'd be far better off.
Was just thinking that.
The way they instantly wrote off Benteke, simply because he wasn't Darren Bent was pathetic.
Yep hopefully another player who will prove them wrong. Welcome to Villa Yacouba, now help drive us up the table.
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Yep hopefully another player who will prove them wrong. Welcome to Villa Yacouba, now help drive us up the table.
That's a big ask for a young inexperienced kid Paul.
I can't help thinking that he's been bought with next season in mind.
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
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The reports about Sylla seem to echo the reports about Benteke. Let's hope Lambert has got this one as right as he did Benteke because, for all his faults, if we had a player as good as Benteke in midfield we'd be far better off.
Was just thinking that.
The way they instantly wrote off Benteke, simply because he wasn't Darren Bent was pathetic.
Yep hopefully another player who will prove them wrong. Welcome to Villa Yacouba, now help drive us up the table.
Yes to add to all the other....one.
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If he can tackle and pass the ball in a forward motion to one of his team mates I'll be over the fookin moon.
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fookin moon.
The South Korea winger?
Worth a shout if the price is right.
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fookin moon.
The South Korea winger?
Worth a shout if the price is right.
Or a Chi Ki bid.
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Or the perennial Spanish H&V favourite, No Juan.
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Yep hopefully another player who will prove them wrong. Welcome to Villa Yacouba, now help drive us up the table.
That's a big ask for a young inexperienced kid Paul.
I can't help thinking that he's been bought with next season in mind.
Oh yeah it is Mark no doubt. But I'm just pinning on to some faint hope!
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Henke's finally found a German gem for us, Jak Schidt.
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Presumably he's the back up plan after we didn't get Sissoko. We'd have signed him earlier in the window if he'd been first choice. First one in, hopefully we go again ;)
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Yep hopefully another player who will prove them wrong. Welcome to Villa Yacouba, now help drive us up the table.
That's a big ask for a young inexperienced kid Paul.
I can't help thinking that he's been bought with next season in mind.
Oh yeah it is Mark no doubt. But I'm just pinning on to some faint hope!
Christ,we were planning for relegation in August then?
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I was more refering to it being a big ask for him.
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I was more refering to it being a big ask for him.
I know Paul,and I agree this team is crying out for any sort of experience if only PL had realised we desperately needed this in August,can't believe we weren't looking at Scharner and he's gone to Wigan
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
His what and what on what?
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
His what and what on what?
Current Ability and Potential Ability, basicly generally how good the player is; higher CA/PA, the better he is/can become.
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
His what and what on what?
His California and Personal Assistant on Frequency Modulation 2013.
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It would appear he has been given the number 18 shirt.
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
His what and what on what?
Current Ability and Potential Ability, basicly generally how good the player is; higher CA/PA, the better he is/can become.
I hope someone has told Lambert about this essential tool to judge a new signing's ability?
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
More importantly... what will it be when I start a new game later ;-)
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
FR12 PJ16 43PTR
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Just to put this one to bed, it's 2 / 4. For what it's worth, i.e. not much, his stats are pretty good for a young defensive midfielder.
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When will all this excitement end?
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On the OS now
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3060013,00.html
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
FR12 PJ16 43PTR
Isn't that his license plate?
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I miss those Teletext updates: "Villa swoop for French Ace".
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I miss those Teletext updates: "Villa swoop for French Ace".
Or the premium rate phone lines - "World Cup star set to sign?"
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Welcome
http://mobile.avfc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=3059952
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Welcome. No pressure. Good Luck
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Welcome, Sylla
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Just read Sylla's comments on the OS. He says how happy he is to be playing in the Premier League. I hope he enjoys it whilst it lasts.
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
His what and what on what?
His California and Personal Assistant on Frequency Modulation 2013.
Thanks Chris, now it makes sense. I thought I was going yampy when I first read Paul theVillan's post.
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We probably showed him the table in Alphabetical order. Pathetic attempts to keep this club up bordering negligent.
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I liked his comments, good lad.
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Welcome, Yacouba. Do us proud.
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When will all this excitement end?
Saturday. 3.05pm. Once Everton go 1 up.
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Sounds promising - welcome
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BBC site says that he has always dreamed of being involved in a relegation fight. Huh?! Well, he could be in for a fantasy three years before he wonders why he is in Luton.
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What's his CA & PA on FM2013? ;D
More importantly... what will it be when I start a new game later ;-)
200/200?
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Welcome to Villa Park Sylla...
For me this is the wrong player at the wrong time, we need experienced players at this moment not un-tried players...
I hope Sylla proves me wrong but i have a feeling it will take him time to settle in the EPL and we just don't have that time...
I still see relegation for us at the end of the season...
Paul Lambert has learned nothing from signing these type of un-tried players earlier this summer...
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BBC site says that he has always dreamed of being involved in a relegation fight. Huh?! Well, he could be in for a fantasy three years before he wonders why he is in Luton.
You're right, but it's not what he said, the BBC are just openly taking the piss out of us.
Aston Villa's new signing Yacouba Sylla has said he dreamed of being in a relegation fight ever since he became a professional.
"Playing at Villa Park will be unbelievable," said the £2m midfielder. "It is a huge stadium with a great history and the crowd will be incredible. You dream about this when you become a footballer."
Dear BBC: Go fuck yourselves.
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On the plus side he does have second tier experience.
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Got my text message. Hopefully he can do a job, welcome Yacouba.
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I don't know Sylla, but if I must base on his "curriculum", it looks like if he has been taken just thinking about the next championship.
I have the strong impression that Lambert is resigned to be relegated.
Otherwise, why shouldn't he has tried and strenghten the midfield and the defence, that are by far the worst of the League?
I don't think that this choice is due to financial restrictions, for various orders of reasons.
- first of all, I think that Randy would be available, as he's always been, to do another effort if the manager tells him that it is necessary (and it is) in order to avoid relegation;
- alternatively, money could be found by selling Bent, considered that Darren doesn't seem very happy to play for the Villa and there are three good strikers in the team;
- alternatively, we could take good and cheap players on loan like did Fulham with Frimpong and West Ham with Chamakh.
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I don't know Sylla, but if I must base on his "curriculum", it looks like if he has been taken just thinking about the next championship.
I have the strong impression that Lambert is resigned to be relegated.
Otherwise, why shouldn't he has tried and strenghten the midfield and the defence, that are by far the worst of the League?
I don't think that this choice is due to financial restrictions, for various orders of reasons.
- first of all, I think that Randy would be available, as he's always been, to do another effort if the manager tells him that it is necessary (and it is) in order to avoid relegation;
- alternatively, money could be found by selling Bent, considered that Darren doesn't seem very happy to play for the Villa and there are three good strikers in the team;
- alternatively, we could take good and cheap players on loan like did Fulham with Frimpong and West Ham with Chamakh.
I agree Archie, I think the squad is being built for an assault at the Championship next season.
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I don't know Sylla, but if I must base on his "curriculum", it looks like if he has been taken just thinking about the next championship.
I have the strong impression that Lambert is resigned to be relegated.
Otherwise, why shouldn't he has tried and strenghten the midfield and the defence, that are by far the worst of the League?
I don't think that this choice is due to financial restrictions, for various orders of reasons.
- first of all, I think that Randy would be available, as he's always been, to do another effort if the manager tells him that it is necessary (and it is) in order to avoid relegation;
- alternatively, money could be found by selling Bent, considered that Darren doesn't seem very happy to play for the Villa and there are three good strikers in the team;
- alternatively, we could take good and cheap players on loan like did Fulham with Frimpong and West Ham with Chamakh.
I agree Archie, I think the squad is being built for an assault at the Championship next season.
Unless something happens between now and midnight I'm inclined to agree too.
If this is all we get in, then clearly we are paving the way for an assault back to the Prem next season.
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Good luck Yacouba. We're expecting you to single-handedly save our season, starting on Saturday. No pressure.
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Spot on.
The likes of Delph and KEA will be competitive next season in the MML and given this lads physique, one would imagine he can be too.
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This new lad needs to be the new Claude Makelele or Michael Essien because there is going to be a lot of hope and expectation placed on his young shoulders to not only shore up the midfield, but protect the defence. I find remarkable that we were unable to find someone out there, even a loan more or two to get us out of this slide. I hope this kid is everything we need him to be.
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No idea who you are, but welcome and good luck.
The least I ask of you is that you never put anything less than 100% effort into every game you play.
You do that, you have my full support.
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Good luck. If you hear anyone moaning, do an Eric Cantona on them.
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Good luck
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Good luck Yacouba, you're going to have to be one hell of a player.
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As they were both just before my time, I always get Warren Aspinall mixed up with Simon Stainrod.
Which was better?
Which one was worse would have been a better question.
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As they were both just before my time, I always get Warren Aspinall mixed up with Simon Stainrod.
Which was better?
Which one was worse would have been
a better question.
IIRC Stainrod's goals were pretty much the main reason we stayed up in 1985-6
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Poor sod
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Wank
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Remember that Viera song Arsenal fans used to sing? Since he is the new Viera, maybe we can use it for him?
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We pick ourselves up and we go again, welcome to the mad house fella.
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Welcome to Villa Park and someone wrote earlier of the pressure on you, no pressure on you son, but plenty on that twat PL, enjoy, give a 100% and we will back you .
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Yacouba, woaaahhh,
Yacouba, woaaahhh,
he came from Clermont Foot,
he's gonna keep us up.
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Welcome to Paul Lamberts Kerazee Travelling Circus where we always pick ourselves up and go again. Next stop, Championshipsville.
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Welcome. You will be expected to be as good as Yaya Toure. If not slightly better.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
Was mentioned elsewhere, so is stubbsy the originator or just a copy cat? ;)
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Looking at him in training, if you had asked me to draw the physical specimen I wanted in the middle of our pitch, I reckon he would have been about bang on the money.
Lets just pray he is suited to the prem. Houllier thinks he can do it, Vieira clearly rates him, and Lambert has a decent eye for a player even he has no clue of how to gel them into a side.
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Looking at him in training, if you had asked me to draw the physical specimen I wanted in the middle of our pitch, I reckon he would have been about bang on the money.
Lets just pray he is suited to the prem. Houllier thinks he can do it, Vieira clearly rates him, and Lambert has a decent eye for a player even he has no clue of how to gel them into a side.
Agree on that first bit, looks like the big, strong athlete we've needed all season, if he can make the step up quickly he could make a big difference for us.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
Was mentioned elsewhere, so is stubbsy the originator or just a copy cat? ;)
Well I thought I was a clever dick, but didnt see it anywhere else, so there must be two of us :)
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He is on room 101 at the minute
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
Was mentioned elsewhere, so is stubbsy the originator or just a copy cat? ;)
Well I thought I was a clever dick, but didnt see it anywhere else, so there must be two of us :)
Dude - the thing with all good ideas is - more than one person has them - you made me smile and that's good enough for me.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
Was mentioned elsewhere, so is stubbsy the originator or just a copy cat? ;)
Well I thought I was a clever dick, but didnt see it anywhere else, so there must be two of us :)
Dude - the thing with all good ideas is - more than one person has them - you made me smile and that's good enough for me.
B-rilliant
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I see Lambert has told the press he did not cost 1.7m as reported, and was in fact less.
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I heard the initial fee was lower then reported but it can rise to around 2m or something.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
stubbsy - the Sun is missing a gem with you - top stuff.
Was mentioned elsewhere, so is stubbsy the originator or just a copy cat? ;)
If there's money or some sort of prize, I'm claiming it.
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How did he do in his brief cameo?
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According to WM he gave away a daft foul that lead to the corners they equalised from. Even if it should have been a goal kick rather than a corner (also according to WM).
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Got booked. Gave away a silly free quick. Led to the equaliser.
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Got booked. Gave away a silly free quick. Led to the equaliser.
The modern day Salifou? He put himself about, which was fine with me.
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The referee gave them a freekick every time we went near them.
He looked very strong, but we had dropped into a very low block by the time he came on so it was difficult to judge.
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Can't blame him for the equaliser. It wasn't his job to mark Fellaini.
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Gonna be an interesting one.Looks a red card in the making to me, but we need that kind of player.
If he can get up to the speed of the Prem, he will be our 1st choice in midfield.Tbf Everton played well today, and moved the ball around really well.
A week to get fully fit, and probably play alongside KEA to me, Westwood was poor today.
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Gonna be an interesting one.Looks a red card in the making to me, but we need that kind of player.
If he can get up to the speed of the Prem, he will be our 1st choice in midfield.Tbf Everton played well today, and moved the ball around really well.
A week to get fully fit, and probably play alongside KEA to me, Westwood was poor today.
You're the second person to question Westwood on this thread, which is odd because I thought he played really well.
Not saying you're not right, just how I saw it.
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I'm quite surprised at that too, as I also thought Westwood was one of our better performers today. Just goes to show, I suppose.
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I like Westwood, but i thought we gave the ball away too cheapley, lacked composure,failed to close them down quick enough, and more importantly lacked power and strength in the middle of the park.They seemed to win every loose ball in the midfield.
When you think that Benteke, Gabby, and N'Zog, and occasionaly Weimann, were causing them a lot of problems, we did'nt get the ball to them enough.
Now for me we missed an opportunity in Jan.We have Given, Dunne, Bent, and Ireland all on circa £65k per week, and we could'nt get rid of one to bring in a Sissokho/Capoue kind of player on the same money......i don't believe it.
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£250k a week on players not even playing ..sucking us dry
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£250k a week on players not even playing ..sucking us dry
You're right.
Oxygen thief Ireland is on about £70,000pw for doing fuck all.
I reckon he gives the sort of blow job where he could smoke a cigarette through your arse.
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I thought he looked ok when he came on. He reminded me of Boateng a bit.
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£250k a week on players not even playing ..sucking us dry
You're right.
Oxygen thief Ireland is on about £70,000pw for doing fuck all.
I reckon he gives the sort of blow job where he could smoke a cigarette through your arse.
Can't we just give Bent and Ireland away for free ? What could we possibly lose ?
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I wish we would just show Ireland the door now. He's a leech.
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I reckon we'll do everything we can to shift Ireland in the summer regardless of what division we're in as he'll be into the final year of his contract.
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Ireland wont go cos no one will pay him half the wage he is on now, the guy should be ashamed, but he wont give a toss
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Ireland wont go cos no one will pay him half the wage he is on now, the guy should be ashamed, but he wont give a toss
Bent should go also. We don't need him at all.
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£250k a week on players not even playing ..sucking us dry
You're right.
Oxygen thief Ireland is on about £70,000pw for doing fuck all.
I reckon he gives the sort of blow job where he could smoke a cigarette through your arse.
Can't we just give Bent and Ireland away for free ? What could we possibly lose ?
We would have to pay up their contracts which would cost us Millions.Thats the reason no one bid for Bent no one is going to match his salary here.Ireland the same only hope we got of him going is Mark Hughes getting a job somewhere
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I really hope we can get rid of Given, Hutton, Ireland and Bent in the summer. I would've said N'Zogbia up until recently also. Given isn't a mercenary IMO and would take pay-cut for first team football. Hutton will probably depend on how he does in Spain. Ireland will be really hard as nobody will pay him what we are. Bent will but we will have to accept a really cut price now. 7m maximum probably.
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Ireland wont go cos no one will pay him half the wage he is on now, the guy should be ashamed, but he wont give a toss
Depending on our financial situation in the summer, I would offer him a pay off. It would be a big hit, but would be worth it just to get him out. The other option would be to send him out on loan or even sell him and contribute to his wages for one year until he is out of contract. Again, not ideal but he just needs to go.
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Ireland will get a taker on a free. And will go.
I thought Westwood did well today and carried KEA much of the first half. Second I was fuming with KEA on the goal, he can see the whole thing unfolding and could have made the tackle coming back IMO.
Anyhow, Sylla looked like a stunned rabbit running for his life for the first 5, then looked totally out on his feet for a couple of minutes, but then improved. And the 3rd goal looked a goal kick. No shock the ref gave it a corner.
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Ireland wont go cos no one will pay him half the wage he is on now, the guy should be ashamed, but he wont give a toss
Bent should go also. We don't need him at all.
I agree, and I suspect they wanted to shift him in January and their failure to do so resulted in no decent purchases.
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Anyhow, Sylla looked like a stunned rabbit running for his life for the first 5, then looked totally out on his feet for a couple of minutes, but then improved. And the 3rd goal looked a goal kick. No shock the ref gave it a corner.
He got booked. I think that was it wasn't it?
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Ireland wont go cos no one will pay him half the wage he is on now, the guy should be ashamed, but he wont give a toss
Bent should go also. We don't need him at all.
Bent is a great sub to bring in if we need a goal
Sylla looked raw as hell when he came on. Won a few free kicks so we were crying out for a Petrov or Robbie Keane to come on at that stage not a young guy making his debut. Thought we missed Delph today, strange as that might seem
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To sell someone you need a wiling buyer.
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To sell someone you need a wiling buyer.
Sure, failure in a factual sense, not pejorative.
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Clearly too early to judge Cilla. As a team we are collecting yellow card like confetti this season, so I question whether we need another serial offender. However, if he can become the midfield 'rock', great. It's inevitable that he will take time to adapt and - like the fella that Hughes hired for QPR last January (can't remember his namem, but he got sent off within his first three games) - may well be at risk as he finds the pace of the EPL.
If he can get to grips with the EPL, it may well be that Westie, Delph and Cilla becomes a tight midfield three, giving Benteke Gabby and Weimann / N'Zog more freedom to attack.
We have to keep believing that this is still a season we can rescue even if the immeidate future looks bleak.
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We threw Sylla on when our backs were firmly against the wall. Didn't play any different to anyone else really.
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£250k a week on players not even playing ..sucking us dry
And that David is the issue in a nutshell. Well done.
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GOD-SYLLA!!!!!!!!!
Call my Lawyers , now !............................Godzvilla! ;)
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Played well yesterday. Ok it was only Reading, we had 3 vs 2 in his area of the pitch and it has to last more than the 3 or 4 games KEA looked good for, but he does seem to have a lot of the qualities we have lacked in midfield.
He got about a lot, put his foot in with a lot of purpose and looked tidy on the ball.
Gave the ball a decent biff at goal a couple of times too.
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Ireland will get a taker on a free. And will go.
Someone said on here the other day (possibly you, Ozzjim) that they can see him going to Celtic next season, and then go to the MLS. That's the sort of thing I can see happening to him. He'll join a Celtic/Sunderland/Fulham type team. I wouldn't even rule out Everton - Moyes occasionally takes a punt on a cheap signing, like Tommy Hitz.
With regards to Cylla, I thought he was fine yesterday. People say it's only Reading, but a relegation six-pointer is not the easiest game to come into.
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Encouraging debut for sylla and a wicked shot from him just over, he gives us another option and a bit of physical presence too.
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Agreed Eastie I thought Sylla had a very good debut game. Looks match fit and was tidy with the ball. As I posted in the match thread he has a kind of Petrov style about his play, with his positioning and work rate.
Hopefully we have found a gem who will help secure our Premiership status this season and beyond.
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He did ok. Took a while to get into the game which was understandable but he got better as the game went on.
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He did a lot of running closing down players always made himself available when we had the ball and used the ball simply. A decent performance from a player who could really grow into this team.
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Obviously very nervous. But so were the rest of the team. He could be very useful in the next few games. A little bit of confidence and he might become a suprise "find". Did Viera not recommend him to Man City ?
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He's the sort of presence we need in midfield. We look better playing 3 in mid too, more solid. It allows Westy and one of Delph or BB to play a bit more too. It's early days yet, and indeed it's only Reading, but we've got to get some presence in our team and help out the backline more. Sylla can do that.
Would he have played if Delph wasn't suspended? Probably not.
For me, we should play 4-3-3.
Though N'Zog did quite well last month in an attacking mid role. Often our system didn't look good, a bit disjointed and teams carve through our midfield too easily. As some mention, it looked like a 4-2-4 at times.
The way Delph has been playing I'd like to see him playing with Sylla and Westy. If Sylla sits, it will allow Delph more freedom to burst forward and use his pace. I want Delph attacking more and defending a bit less. He can't tackle. Lambert seems to be playing him as our defensive mid, which isn't his game. He's been our best midfielder in recent weeks certainly, but we could be getting more from the Fab. Sylla should help that happen.
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Delph in for Bannan in the system yesterday would be fine. NZogbia has to fight with Gabby and Weimann for one of the front 3 spots realistically. I thought Westwood and Sylla were excellent tackling and closing yesterday, but also thought the Robson Kanu fella found space really well between them and our back 4, to the extent if they drop I would not mind him at Villa, if we stop up of course.
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He's the sort of presence we need in midfield. We look better playing 3 in mid too, more solid. It allows Westy and one of Delph or BB to play a bit more too. It's early days yet, and indeed it's only Reading, but we've got to get some presence in our team and help out the backline more. Sylla can do that.
Would he have played if Delph wasn't suspended? Probably not.
For me, we should play 4-3-3.
Though N'Zog did quite well last month in an attacking mid role. Often our system didn't look good, a bit disjointed and teams carve through our midfield too easily. As some mention, it looked like a 4-2-4 at times.
The way Delph has been playing I'd like to see him playing with Sylla and Westy. If Sylla sits, it will allow Delph more freedom to burst forward and use his pace. I want Delph attacking more and defending a bit less. He can't tackle. Lambert seems to be playing him as our defensive mid, which isn't his game. He's been our best midfielder in recent weeks certainly, but we could be getting more from the Fab. Sylla should help that happen.
100% agree with this. Whislt the defence is so fragile, 4-3-3 makes sense.
Perm 3 from Westie, Sylla, Delph, Bannan and Herd and ensure that their is plenty of energy to cover the fullbacks when required.
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It's especially key in the next 2, winnable (and must win) games that we don't revert back to a really lightweight 2 in CM. We look so flimsy like that. 3 in mid. It has to be done. We need as much presence in midfield as we can. Take as much pressure of the backline as possible. It helps in keeping the ball too and will then aid our attacking play.
We've tried the 4-2-3-1 (or 4-2-4 it often seems like). Have we scored more goals? Not really.
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It's very early to be making a definitive judgement on Sylla, but I was impressed with him yesterday, too. He does seem to have the physical attributes that we've been looking for for our midfield, and although Reading aren't the most difficult test he'll face, he did his job really well. He screened left and right in front of the defence and made some good tackles. Added to that, he didn't appear to give the ball away often, and actually seemed well aware of his limitations (as they might be) in that he frequently played a very simple pass to a team-mate.
In fact, it struck me yesterday while watching that he looked like a player who had been well coached, to be honest, to make the best of his attributes and to play a certain role very effectively.
For what it's worth, I'd be inclined to play him with Westwood and Delph at this point, although given how his presence seemed to 'free up' Westwood for his best game in a while yesterday, it will be interesting if he can do the same for El Ahmadi (who I think is struggling with the role of Defensive/Deep-Lying midfielder, but looks decent enough as standard central midfield player).
Still, as I say, too early to cast any aspersions about him, but it was a promising debut.
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He did ok. Took a while to get into the game which was understandable but he got better as the game went on.
But that's what impressed me. As I said on the other thread, he played himself into the game sensibly. Kept it simple and tidy, did not make any mistakes, and did more and more as he got up to speed.
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I was impressed with him yesterday. He worked hard and didn't look out of place in the Prem - a long way to go but I think we may have ourselves a good player in the making. As others have said, I'd like to see him in there with Delph and Westwood long term. Or even Gary Gardener with any luck.
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So far he's done two of the three things our French midfielders do - look tidy and keep it simple. All he needs to do now is vanish and he'll be another Makoun and that one O'Leary signed.
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I was impressed with him yesterday. He worked hard and didn't look out of place in the Prem - a long way to go but I think we may have ourselves a good player in the making. As others have said, I'd like to see him in there with Delph and Westwood long term. Or even Gary Gardener with any luck.
The return of gardner will be like a new player next season and I think he will be a great asset, with Westwood and Delph finding form and gaining experience if sylla can establish himself as well it will give us several options - i think the likes of Ireland and kea will be surplus to requirements - the vital thing is we must avoid relegation and our home form will be crucial in the run in .
Hope springs eternal and the qpr game will be a huge test - win that and confidence should soar.
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I can't see KEA leaving just yet. It's his first season and while he has'nt set the place alight with some of his performances, some foreign players always take a while to anyway. We may see a better player next season, let's hope so anyway.
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I can't see KEA leaving just yet. It's his first season and while he has'nt set the place alight with some of his performances, some foreign players always take a while to anyway. We may see a better player next season, let's hope so anyway.
I hope you are right clamps, the same applies to Holman although I'm not sure either are good enough to be anymore than squad players .
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I can't see KEA leaving just yet. It's his first season and while he has'nt set the place alight with some of his performances, some foreign players always take a while to anyway. We may see a better player next season, let's hope so anyway.
I hope you are right clamps, the same applies to Holman although I'm not sure either are good enough to be anymore than squad players .
But then given the threadbare state of our squad, I wouldn't say that having some squad players is a bad thing.
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He looked good to me yesterday, he liked a tackle and passed it nicely.
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He and we looked good in the middle because we had 3 in there. Reading only had two as they went 4-4-2 to get some width.Whilst we looked good in possession Reading had chances because our full backs were drawn inside and there was no cover in front of them. Reading should have done better with their chances but so should we.
It seems we are going for the tactic of just trying to outscore the opponent because we know we will struggle to keep it tight at the back.
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He and we looked good in the middle because we had 3 in there. Reading only had two as they went 4-4-2 to get some width.Whilst we looked good in possession Reading had chances because our full backs were drawn inside and there was no cover in front of them. Reading should have done better with their chances but so should we.
It seems we are going for the tactic of just trying to outscore the opponent because we know we will struggle to keep it tight at the back.
Old Trafford should be interesting if that is the case -perhaps the record defeat could be surpassed again? or we will snatch an unlikely draw 6-6 :)
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So far he's done two of the three things our French midfielders do - look tidy and keep it simple. All he needs to do now is vanish and he'll be another Makoun and that one O'Leary signed.
But he has the physical presence that Berson and Makoun do,or did, not.
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As some very wise and insightful poster said a week or two back, what we have been missing all season is a player who can kick the opposition while the ref is not looking. Young Sylla may be that man.
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I see Sylla got 5 out of 10 in one of the papers, shows they don't bother watching the games.
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Technique nothing to write home about, but he's tidy enough and his movement was a refreshing change. He popped up left, right and centre, was constantly looking around him to find space to receive the ball. Which is enough to make me love him, so seldom do I actually see anyone in a Villa shirt do that for more than 5 minutes at a time.
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He is a big unit in a see of little 'uns.
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I thought he showed some good promise yesterday. Good ball control, drove forward at times and got stuck in. Perhaps the most promising thing is that his inclusion allowed Westwood and Bannan to play their game a bit more and that is the reason we had so much possession.
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
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Technique nothing to write home about.
Some examples please??
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Remember Makoun looking fantastic on his debut at OT so not getting carried away. Thought he looked decent and can only improve as he gets used to the pace of the play.
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I'm looking forward to seeing him if he plays on Saturday.
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About time we had a big lad in the middle who can put himself about, from what I saw yesterday he looks another good signing by Lambert
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About time we had a big lad in the middle who can put himself about, from what I saw yesterday he looks another good signing by Lambert
And cheap in Premier League terms at £1.8M
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Technique nothing to write home about, but he's tidy enough and his movement was a refreshing change. He popped up left, right and centre, was constantly looking around him to find space to receive the ball. Which is enough to make me love him, so seldom do I actually see anyone in a Villa shirt do that for more than 5 minutes at a time.
The latter part of what you say is so true, drives me mad. Throw ins being the worst example of our non movement. When I see old clips of the Villa, it is the movement off the ball of players like Townsend, Houghton, Johnson, Taylor, Merson et al that I notice the most in contrast to the last few seasons
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
We are wholeheartedly behind the players ;)
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Technique nothing to write home about, but he's tidy enough and his movement was a refreshing change. He popped up left, right and centre, was constantly looking around him to find space to receive the ball. Which is enough to make me love him, so seldom do I actually see anyone in a Villa shirt do that for more than 5 minutes at a time.
The latter part of what you say is so true, drives me mad. Throw ins being the worst example of our non movement. When I see old clips of the Villa, it is the movement off the ball of players like Townsend, Houghton, Johnson, Taylor, Merson et al that I notice the most in contrast to the last few seasons
I honestly can't remember the last time we had good movement at throw-ins. It really pisses me off.
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And yet it must surely be one of the easiest things to coach/practise on the training ground all week?
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The last time we took a decent throw in it was on to Sid's chest then volleyed down the line for Withey to control.
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The last time we took a decent throw in it was on to Sid's chest then volleyed down the line for Withey to control.
I think you're right.
Every time we take a throw in in our own half I'd imagine that 95% of the time we make a balls of it and it goes to the opposition. I just don't get it. There is little point in flicking it on in the hope it finds one of our players. Why not control it on your chest and then pass it to one of our own? It is more than infuriating.
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Technique nothing to write home about, but he's tidy enough and his movement was a refreshing change. He popped up left, right and centre, was constantly looking around him to find space to receive the ball. Which is enough to make me love him, so seldom do I actually see anyone in a Villa shirt do that for more than 5 minutes at a time.
The latter part of what you say is so true, drives me mad. Throw ins being the worst example of our non movement. When I see old clips of the Villa, it is the movement off the ball of players like Townsend, Houghton, Johnson, Taylor, Merson et al that I notice the most in contrast to the last few seasons
I honestly can't remember the last time we had good movement at throw-ins. It really pisses me off.
I often think that when we have a team struggling to break us down the best thing they can do is to boot the ball out for either a throw in or a goal kick.
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He is very strong. Every 50/50, he would win, although he was slow at times to close the man down.
He had decent movement, a little clumsy in possession, but neat and tidy in his distribution. You could tell he was nervous and so were we. If his thunderous shot had been an inch of two lower, then we’d have all been a lot less nervous!
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I watched the whole match again on Football First, and he got involved quite a lot - mostly the quick, short passes in our spells of possession. I thought he did very well, considering where he's come from.
Agreed, that shot would have been an absolute belter had it been a few inches lower.
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
Ah clampy , I've been expecting you my old friend, glad you enjoyed sylla , I don't see bannan as a regular , I hope sylla will be :D
Now where did i put my landing net? ;)
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
Ah clampy , I've been expecting you my old friend, glad you enjoyed sylla , I don't see bannan as a regular , I hope sylla will be :D
I only responded because you brought my name up.........again.
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
Ah clampy , I've been expecting you my old friend, glad you enjoyed sylla , I don't see bannan as a regular , I hope sylla will be :D
I only responded because you brought my name up.........again.
Actually phil brought it up and I replied, all very tongue in cheek- be happy,we won , the sun is shining, and all is well in the world.
Bring on those hooped Londoners! :)
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
Ah clampy , I've been expecting you my old friend, glad you enjoyed sylla , I don't see bannan as a regular , I hope sylla will be :D
I only responded because you brought my name up.........again.
Actually phil brought it up and I replied, all very tongue in cheek- be happy,we won , the sun is shining, and all is well in the world.
Bring on those hooped Londoners!:)
You did mention me in the MON thread the other day then deleted it a while later when i did'nt bite.
Have a good week Eastie.
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
I think clampy is judging us by his own standards, nothing the old clamps loves more than a good old whine about a player :)
Is this the same Eastie who one week says Bannan should be playing for Cowdenbeath then a few days later says he'll be a good option from our bench? Just going by your own standard's like.
Ah clampy , I've been expecting you my old friend, glad you enjoyed sylla , I don't see bannan as a regular , I hope sylla will be :D
I only responded because you brought my name up.........again.
Actually phil brought it up and I replied, all very tongue in cheek- be happy,we won , the sun is shining, and all is well in the world.
Bring on those hooped Londoners!:)
You did mention me in the MON thread the other day then deleted it a while later when i did'nt bite.
Have a good week Eastie.
You too clampy , lets hope it ends in triumph on Saturday!
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<3
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Doncha' just love the little rascals? (apart from the endless quoteback)
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He had a decent debut yesterday but let's not get too carried away just yet. He'll have bad games and the knives will be out. Promising start though.
You must have the wrong site Clampy, We'd never do that on here ;)
Of course not. ;)
Were you there on Saturday mate?
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The last time we took a decent throw in it was on to Sid's chest then volleyed down the line for Withey to control.
I think you're right.
Every time we take a throw in in our own half I'd imagine that 95% of the time we make a balls of it and it goes to the opposition. I just don't get it. There is little point in flicking it on in the hope it finds one of our players. Why not control it on your chest and then pass it to one of our own? It is more than infuriating.
What was the game at home a couple of seasons ago that Sidwell provided an assist to a quick throw in that we scored from?
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The last time we took a decent throw in it was on to Sid's chest then volleyed down the line for Withey to control.
I think you're right.
Every time we take a throw in in our own half I'd imagine that 95% of the time we make a balls of it and it goes to the opposition. I just don't get it. There is little point in flicking it on in the hope it finds one of our players. Why not control it on your chest and then pass it to one of our own? It is more than infuriating.
What was the game at home a couple of seasons ago that Sidwell provided an assist to a quick throw in that we scored from?
I think it was Hull and Milner scored?
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It was. Richard Dunne also scored a belter in that game.
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Carew also scored. I think.
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The last time we took a decent throw in it was on to Sid's chest then volleyed down the line for Withey to control.
I think you're right.
Every time we take a throw in in our own half I'd imagine that 95% of the time we make a balls of it and it goes to the opposition. I just don't get it. There is little point in flicking it on in the hope it finds one of our players. Why not control it on your chest and then pass it to one of our own? It is more than infuriating.
What was the game at home a couple of seasons ago that Sidwell provided an assist to a quick throw in that we scored from?
I think it was Hull and Milner scored?
It was Hull, you're right.
I know this as I had my Hull City supporting brother in law sat next to me in the Upper Trinity, and the look on his face when that happened was one of those brilliant off-pitch football moments that remain with you.
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It was. Richard Dunne also scored a belter in that game.
I have the highlights of that game. We were incredible that day. The commentator said 'wow, aren't the Holte End just loving this'.
Here's hoping those days return soon.
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It was. Richard Dunne also scored a belter in that game.
I have the highlights of that game. We were incredible that day. The commentator said 'wow, aren't the Holte End just loving this'.
Here's hoping those days return soon.
Milner's pass for Dunne's goal was genuinely one of the best I've seen at Villa, probably only about 15 yards but I imagine a 30-40 yarder
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@ clampy, No sadly I'm destroying my kitchen at the minute, I'm hoping to go the weekend though mate
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@ clampy, No sadly I'm destroying my kitchen at the minute, I'm hoping to go the weekend though mate
That's a shame, what with us winning as well.
Happy kitchen destroying and keep the facts coming. ;)
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Lovely article here on our Sylla.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-yacouba-sylla-says-1748125
Its very early days for him, but whether he makes it or not, at least the kid appreciates his chance.
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... sadly I'm destroying my kitchen at the minute ...
A bit extreme. You certainly take your AVFC supporting seriously!
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Lovely article here on our Sylla.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-yacouba-sylla-says-1748125
Its very early days for him, but whether he makes it or not, at least the kid appreciates his chance.
Yeah seems a decent chap, I wish more players that turned up at Villa park had the same attitude.
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Comes across in the interview as a decent level-headed person. Just the type you want at the club. In fact, despite the lack of quality, we have quite a few likeable players at the moment.
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Comes across in the interview as a decent level-headed person. Just the type you want at the club. In fact, despite the lack of quality, we have quite a few likeable players at the moment.
Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
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On Reading v Villa - "The standard of the game was really high-level.” (Bloody hell, I'd hate to watch a game in the French 2nd division!).
Also, I'm on the email mailing list for Pushkar Indian Restaurant on Broad St as I've organised a couple of works dos there. The last one listed the latest "celebraties" to have dined there recently, and included Yacouba Sylla!!
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
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Just imagine how good Salifou would have been under Lambert.
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On Reading v Villa - "The standard of the game was really high-level.” (Bloody hell, I'd hate to watch a game in the French 2nd division!).
Also, I'm on the email mailing list for Pushkar Indian Restaurant on Broad St as I've organised a couple of works dos there. The last one listed the latest "celebraties" to have dined there recently, and included Yacouba Sylla!!
We had our works do there the Christmas before last. We enjoyed it, but the owner of Pushkar didn't.
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Lovely article here on our Sylla.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-yacouba-sylla-says-1748125
Its very early days for him, but whether he makes it or not, at least the kid appreciates his chance.
Yeah seems a decent chap, I wish more players that turned up at Villa park had the same attitude.
I read a very similar interview with Westwood after the Liverpool match. They both seem so humble and appreciative of what they have. Fantastic characteristics for a human being but I'm not sure it's necessarily what you want from your central midfielders. I hope they're not too in awe and respectful of the opposition.
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He was the worst player on the pitch yesterday according to The People which is a bit harsh.
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Just imagine how good Salifou would have been under Lambert.
Just imagine how good Makoun would have been under Lambert
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Just imagine how good Salifou would have been under Lambert.
Just imagine how good Makoun would have been under Lambert
Just imagine how good Michael Bradley would have been under Lambert.
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Just imagine how good Salifou would have been under Lambert.
Just imagine how good Makoun would have been under Lambert
I'd like to see him back actually, he'd be a decent squad player to have.
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He was the worst player on the pitch yesterday according to The People which is a bit harsh.
Surely not? He's done very well I think in his first couple of appearances. Solid, good on the ball, plenty of energy and a good attitude. What's not to like?
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He was the worst player on the pitch yesterday according to The People which is a bit harsh.
Especially when considering that Bennett was on the same pitch at the same time.
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Just imagine how good Salifou would have been under Lambert.
Just imagine how good Makoun would have been under Lambert
I'd like to see him back actually, he'd be a decent squad player to have.
We barely saw the first of Makoun, but I imagine we've seen the last of him.
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He was the worst player on the pitch yesterday according to The People which is a bit harsh.
Especially when considering that Bennett was on the same pitch at the same time.
Tim Abraham said he had a bad first half. I'm hoping he can make a real difference in terms of his physicality.
Interesting that players like Sylla, Sissoko, Diame are increasingly playing a box to box role rather than sitting infront of the back four in our league. I still think we lack protection for the defence though.
I imagine Delph will come in for Bannan against Liverpool so we'll see how it looks as a trio.
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We win two crucial games with Bannan playing and then every wants Delph back. Odd.
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
Yes but they are our shit overpaid losers!
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
Yes but they are our shit overpaid losers!
Harsh but hilarious and suprisingly hard to argue with.
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We win two crucial games with Bannan playing and then every wants Delph back. Odd.
We also won a crucial game with Delph playing and Bannan not when we played the Kitstealers.
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
Yes but they are our shit overpaid losers!
I'd like to point out, John, that I was being sarcastic at the original post.
I actually thought it was a stupid comment to make.
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
Yes but they are our shit overpaid losers!
I'd like to point out, John, that I was being sarcastic at the original post.
I actually thought it was a stupid comment to make.
I aam never averse to a bit of gallows humour.
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I was very impressed with the way he passed the ball at high speed straight to feet; the ball fairly fizzed along, allowing no chance of being intercepted.
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Yep, they might be shit, overpaid losers, but on the whole, they're a pretty likeable bunch of shit, overpaid losers.
Wonderful comment!!!
Yes but they are our shit overpaid losers!
I'd like to point out, John, that I was being sarcastic at the original post.
I actually thought it was a stupid comment to make.
I'd like to point out, Nigel, that I was making a joke about the original post.
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He was the worst player on the pitch yesterday according to The People which is a bit harsh.
Surely not? He's done very well I think in his first couple of appearances. Solid, good on the ball, plenty of energy and a good attitude. What's not to like?
I agree entirely, I have been pleasantly surprised with him these last two games. Tidy in possession, keeps the ball moving, shows good energy levels.
He's come from Ligue 2, lest we forget, that's a massive step up to make.
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The thing I like about him is he keeps it simple - plays the way he is facing, keeps the ball moving, always looks to find space and hasn't tried to overplay to get himself noticed.
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Doesn't go hiding either. He always seems to be involved, as a midfielder should.
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I like him he is what our midfield needs and has started very well. Also when he starts we win!
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We win two crucial games with Bannan playing and then every wants Delph back. Odd.
We also won a crucial game with Delph playing and Bannan not when we played the Kitstealers.
We also beat the team we are playing next at their ground with Bannan playing and having a big part in two of the goals! I'm with you TonyD.
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I am not convinced by him, but then I think exprience and nerves are big mitigating factors.
One thing I will say is that the pace of the game does not appear to be an issue for him as it is for KEA or was for Makoun.
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He runs hard and can keepo up with the game, something we've been lacking all season in the middle of the park. Worth keeping him in there till the end of the season.
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I am not convinced by him, but then I think exprience and nerves are big mitigating factors.
There were some people on here not convinced by Benteke 2 games in either.
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I think Lambert has something to work with here.
I was more pretty impressed with him last week than this but 2 games in and I'd happily include him in the squad.
It will be very interesting to see who Lambert goes with against Liverpool.
Prior to his Suspension Delph was stringing together his most consistent level of performances since he joined us, Sylla has been introduced to the fold and done a steady job and Bannan has come back into the side after weeks of ridicule and performed very well in a team that has won twice.
Personally I'd stick with Sylla & Westwood and then flip a coin between Delph and Bannan
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I am not convinced by him, but then I think exprience and nerves are big mitigating factors.
There were some people on here not convinced by Benteke 2 games in either.
Not convinced is charitable, some said he was useless.
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We win two crucial games with Bannan playing and then every wants Delph back. Odd.
We also won a crucial game with Delph playing and Bannan not when we played the Kitstealers.
We also beat the team we are playing next at their ground with Bannan playing and having a big part in two of the goals! I'm with you TonyD.
It's great to have the choice, isn't it?
Bannan drops a bit of form, Delph comes in and is arguably our best player for several games.
Delph gets suspended, Bannan comes in and does a fine job.
I think things are beginning to knit together. We're a fair way from being the finished article, but we're getting there.
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I am not convinced by him, but then I think exprience and nerves are big mitigating factors.
There were some people on here not convinced by Benteke 2 games in either.
Not convinced is charitable, some said he was useless.
Do people ever stop and think that we are talking about kids who are 21 or 22 or so - and that doesn't make them "kids" in the football sense anymore, but in every other sense, it does - coming in from foreign leagues, where the football is played in a different style, and having to move to a new country, where maybe they don't know anyone, they don't speak the language, or struggle to communicate.
That's a massive ask on a human level, and on top of that, they are asked to perform at one of the highest levels in world football.
Having worked abroad myself, and experienced how tough it can be at first, I can understand why this might be an issue for them. I know footballers have it all laid on a plate for them, but that's not to say everything remains easy.
It's like when people talk about Stan Collymore and his depression - "what did he have to worry about, living such a charmed life" - it doesn't change the fact that we're talking about young blokes facing a major upheaval in their lives.
Sylla, until January, was playing in the French second division, for an unremarkable team, and with no inkling whatsoever that this might happen, has suddenly found himself bought by a club in England, left his home country, been dropped in amongst new team mates, and already is being playing in the Premier League.
I think if you take into account all the above, and the two performances he has put in so far, he has done pretty well.
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Indeed he's done very well.
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Good post Paulie. I wanted a big "unit" in the midfield with pace and disciplined postioning. I think he has helped Westwood and overall pleased with him. He doesnt look so big next to Mbia and Samba though, crikey, they are massive
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He's kind of been thrown in at the deep end, new team, country, language etc. I reckon a good pre season and we'll get a better idea of this prospect. He's done pretty well so far.
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Clearly the new NRC from what I've seen so far.
Plenty of energy and willingness, but likes to take a safe pass option often as is not quite capable of more.
As pointed out, very early to properly judge him, but if he puts in the same amount of effort every week then that's good enough for me at the moment.
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I like the fact that he doesnt give the ball away, even to the detriment of our forward progression at times, what do we expect for a couple of million, that said I felt the substitution on Saturday was the right one, we needed someone who gave them more to worry about in their third of the field and N'Zogbia did just that. Nice to have these options in midfield, just wish there were more at the back.
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Being used to following games on radio rather than streams, I usually have to wait for MOTD or watch the game's incidents online, so unfortunately the commentator's opinion tend to colour your view. Against Reading, WM were so adamant that Sylla was basically some sausage meat in a Villa shirt that it led me to believe we'd been sold a pup. Having seen him since, it's pretty clear that's not the case.
I should have known better, because these were people who spent most of late 2012 parroting that they were yet to be convinced by Benteke. I'm not saying Sylla is a world beater, but I guess it's worth seeing a player in the flesh and over a consistent period of time before you mentally ship him out the door.
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
They were talking down our survival chances by early September.
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The way Lambert set us up to play on Saturday was to use short passing in order to work openings by pulling the opposition out of shape. It only works if you move the ball quickly. Most of Sylla's passes were first time, not even a touch to control the ball. It's not an easy thing to do, I thought he played very well.
There's a team in Spain that use the same tactic. The odd thing is, even though we have better strikers they seem to score a lot more than us.
We also have Barry Bannan.
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
I'd agree with that.
They're miserable as fuck. Everything about them is, even the tone of voice of their presenters. That fucking dullard Franksy, especially.
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
They were talking down our survival chances by early September.
To be fair, so were quite a few on here.
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I've not listened to a WM commentary for ages but when i have they do always seem to single a player out if he's having a poor game.
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Don't WM still do the 'dur-dur-dur-dur dur-dur-dur-dur' when a goal is scored?
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Yes - they do, it's so predictable now that you know when it's coming.
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They're miserable as fuck. Everything about them is, even the tone of voice of their presenters. That fucking dullard Franksy, especially.
Not surprised really, he is a wolves fan.
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Didn't one of the idiots on WM say earlier in the season that Benteke was awful and wouldn't make it in the Premier League?
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Didn't one of the idiots on WM say earlier in the season that Benteke was awful and wouldn't make it in the Premier League?
Probably every match. I think they even said it against Liverpool.
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
I'd agree with that.
They're miserable as fuck. Everything about them is, even the tone of voice of their presenters. That fucking dullard Franksy, especially.
4 words that fill me with despair "Over to Richie Anderson" What a cock!!!
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Radio WM are the most negative set of commentators alive, they'd say we'd been sold a dud if we signed Messi.
I'd agree with that.
They're miserable as fuck. Everything about them is, even the tone of voice of their presenters. That fucking dullard Franksy, especially.
4 words that fill me with despair "Over to Richie Anderson" What a cock!!!
He's a nice chap actually, well for a Stripeyfilth anyway.
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Sylla adds to the midfield options and I'm delighted Gary Gardner came through his return to training today - i think Gardner will be the best of the bunch of young players in future years - if fit next season he could be a revelation.
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Yacouba Sylla on his time in the top-flight.
Yacouba Sylla says he's flourishing at Villa thanks to good pal Christian Benteke .
Sylla has impressed greatly in the middle ground for the past three games against Reading, QPR and Liverpool.
The 22-year-old admits that having French-speaking Benteke around has helped him settle into his new surroundings.
He said: "Christian leaves near to me so we see each other and eat together sometimes.
"This has been a big help for me in trying to integrate into the group.
"We help each other as team-mates and this is the spirit we will be able to draw on always.
"Christian is leading from the front and he is having a very good season but we are all in this together.
"We have goals in us and we are very positive in our thoughts. "I've been welcomed and helped by everybody at the club.
"I understand the philosophy of the game we play here - we try to play very well on the ball. We are also a very tight team, a team that are together.
"This is the central part of the philosophy."
Sylla could hardly believe Villa wanted to sign him but he has quickly adapted to the demands of the top-flight.
After making substitute appearances against Everton and West Ham, he watched from the bench as Paul Lambert's side slipped to defeat at the hands of Arsenal and Man City.
But Fabian Delph's two-match suspension paved the way for Sylla to make his first starting appearance at the Madejski Stadium - and he responded with what the manager described as an outstanding display.
He added: "I was really happy to start the game.
"But the joy I felt I had to put aside because I needed to concentrate on my job.
"In this league everybody can beat everybody else. You must concentrate on your own game and simply try to do your best."
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Why is it that foreign players often sound so much more erudite and intelligent than English ones?
I know when learning a new language you're more likely to use formal words for a long time, not having been exposed to enough slang and colloquial terms, but still...
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Why is it that foreign players often sound so much more erudite and intelligent than English ones?
I know when learning a new language you're more likely to use formal words for a long time, not having been exposed to enough slang and colloquial terms, but still...
I'd imagine hes speaking in fairly colloquial French to an interpreter, who then repeats it in slightly more formal english to the journalist/website , before being 'cleaned up' by an editor or PR bod. English players have one less filter for their words to go through.
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no mention of Charles. Interesting and Well done Christain Benteke. Is there only 3 French speaking players in the club ?
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Why is it that foreign players often sound so much more erudite and intelligent than English ones?
I know when learning a new language you're more likely to use formal words for a long time, not having been exposed to enough slang and colloquial terms, but still...
I'd imagine hes speaking in fairly colloquial French to an interpreter, who then repeats it in slightly more formal english to the journalist/website , before being 'cleaned up' by an editor or PR bod. English players have one less filter for their words to go through.
And yet we still get "Christian leaves near me"
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It owuld be good to see him score a goal. That would have to be a good feeling - plucked from lower league obscurity in France and suddenly being a Premier League goalscorer. Stuff dreams are made of.
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no mention of Charles. Interesting and Well done Christain Benteke. Is there only 3 French speaking players in the club ?
Indeed - good spot.
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no mention of Charles. Interesting and Well done Christain Benteke. Is there only 3 French speaking players in the club ?
Indeed - good spot.
Young lad new to the country, perhaps its easier to latch onto someone nearer your own age?
The Zog has been in the UK 8 years, Whereas Benteke and Sylla are both still settling in.
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no mention of Charles. Interesting and Well done Christain Benteke. Is there only 3 French speaking players in the club ?
Lambert might, I'm still not too sure!!
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Played well.
First couple of games he looked off the pace hence getting a couple of early bookings but his tackling was spot on and not too bad when in possession aswell.
Looks to me he could be a decent midfield option for us in time. Dunno where KEA was, assume he was injured as he wasn't on the bench so interesting if he'd have started ahead of Sylla if fit.
There's a nice balance to our central midfield with Delph's improved form aswell. Obviously I'm not going to get carried away as the quality is nowhere near what it was in 07-09 but shows you can still win games if the balance of the personnel is right over the pitch.
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Interesting that he seems to be playing as the most advanced of the three. I would have played him as the defensive midfielder but I guess he wants Westwood sitting there dictating.
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His best game last night. Off the ball he probably did more than any other player in the team.
It was clear that Delph and Sylla were the get forward and back midfielders and Westwood was the sit there midfielder, and it worked well.
Still not sure about him on the ball, perhaps a bit more belief in himself would do it.
He's a bit like Weimann in the way that, whilst not the greatest players in the world, they will give you 100% no matter what.
He's the new and improved Nigel Reo-Coker.
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His best game last night. Off the ball he probably did more than any other player in the team.
It was clear that Delph and Sylla were the get forward and back midfielders and Westwood was the sit there midfielder, and it worked well.
Sylla's best game last night. Still not sure about him on the ball, perhaps a bit more belief in himself would do it.
He's a bit like Weimann in the way that, whilst not the greatest players in the world, they will give you 100% no matter what.
He's the new and improved Nigel Reo-Coker.
He was superb last night as were the whole team.
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His best game last night. Off the ball he probably did more than any other player in the team.
It was clear that Delph and Sylla were the get forward and back midfielders and Westwood was the sit there midfielder, and it worked well.
Sylla's best game last night. Still not sure about him on the ball, perhaps a bit more belief in himself would do it.
He's a bit like Weimann in the way that, whilst not the greatest players in the world, they will give you 100% no matter what.
He's the new and improved Nigel Reo-Coker.
He was superb last night as were the whole team.
Indeed.
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I think he needs a little more composure on the ball, but our CM 3 should be Westwood, Delph and Sylla.
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When you consider he was plucked from the French second division around 3 months ago, to put in a performance in a pressure scenario like he did last night was incredible. His energy allowed us to play the way we did.
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I thought he was incredible. But then again, when you go through the team they all were.
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First half- Isaiah Osbourne.
Second half- Nigel Reo Coker and Patrick Viera's baby (somewhere in the middle of them).
Heading in the right direction.
No seriously. His movement and use of the ball in the first wasn't great. His tackling and energy was good but he seemed nervy in possession.
However, 2nd half he gained in confidence and rarely wasted it. Made some nice runs too. I hope he keeps it up.
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First half- Isaiah Osbourne.
Second half- Nigel Reo Coker and Patrick Viera's baby (somewhere in the middle of them).
Heading in the right direction.
No seriously. His movement and use of the ball in the first wasn't great. His tackling and energy was good but he seemed nervy in possession.
However, 2nd half he gained in confidence and rarely wasted it. Made some nice runs too. I hope he keeps it up.
How harsh? Nobody is that bad!
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First half- Isaiah Osbourne.
Second half- Nigel Reo Coker and Patrick Viera's baby (somewhere in the middle of them).
Heading in the right direction.
No seriously. His movement and use of the ball in the first wasn't great. His tackling and energy was good but he seemed nervy in possession.
However, 2nd half he gained in confidence and rarely wasted it. Made some nice runs too. I hope he keeps it up.
How harsh? Nobody is that bad!
I thought he was decent in the first half and outstanding in the second half - ive been impressed with him so far .
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He's improved as he's had more time with the coaches, his team mates and minutes on the pitch. Exactly what you'd expect from a young player coming to England for the first time.
And that's what makes him and our other young players so exciting - who knows how good they will be?
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First half I thought he was a poor mans Reo-Coker, he flattered to decieve, looked a yard off the pace at times & every ball was backward. Can't fault his second half performance I thought he was outstanding.
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I like him, he's a proper footballer. Does the simple things well, doesn't try to over complicate it; wins tackles, plays the way he's facing and is always moving.
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After twenty minutes, I was asking people around me what the point of Sylla was and bemoaning the absence of Herd.
Second half he was superb
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Sylla is a much better option than Herd.
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After twenty minutes, I was asking people around me what the point of Sylla was and bemoaning the absence of Herd.
Second half he was superb
Same here. He frustrates me because most times he gets the ball he turns his back to goal and passes sideways or backwards. Second half though he was immense. Broke up Sunderland's attacks and kept hold of the ball. Great stuff!
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Fantastic performance from the lad. Really didn't see it coming! After OT, I reckoned KEA had bagged the start. Just hope he continues in the same vein.
I do think Lambert said something to him at half-time about using his right foot, as a couple of moves in the first half broke down with his insistence on turning back onto his left. A lesson for Delph there, he could've bagged himself a goal if he'd trusted his 'swinger'.
Glad when he got up after the sessegnon challenge, I was sat right above it, and it looked nasty at the time.
Finally, I'm glad Lambert resisted any temptation to pull him off towards the end. He's played a full 90, and that can only do his confidence the world of good, give him the self-belief that, considering where he came from, he can play at this level.
Onwards and upwards.
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He played very well against Fulham as well when he came on late. Still think him and Delph are too similar though - need an attacking midfielder alongside one of them.
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Sylla Back.
But joking aside, considering he's new to the league and the size of the step up that he's taken, I was very impressed last night. Extremely encouraging. I think Lambert may have found another gem.
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I like him, he's a proper footballer. Does the simple things well, doesn't try to over complicate it; wins tackles, plays the way he's facing and is always moving.
Yep. What that midfield was lacking, I think. Gives us drive and energy. When he's started games, we've tended to do well, so while Sylla's still pretty raw it suggests we get the blend right with him involved.
Potentially, another great spot by Lambert (and his scouting team).
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Sylla Back.
But joking aside, considering he's new to the league and the size of the step up that he's taken, I was very impressed last night. Extremely encouraging. I think Lambert may have found another gem.
Indeed sometimes the unexpected hits you between the eyes ;)
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Is he left-footed too?! Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, Bennett and Delph also do it like Ziggy, don't they?
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As I have stated before, I like the way he gives his longer passes a bit of zing.
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Sporting life have a stat that in his 8 appearances, we have won 5 drawn 2 and lost 1, suggesting he was a pretty shrewd signing really.
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As he settles, learns more of the lingo and gets a good pre season under him he should be better. I'll hold my judgement until about 10 games in next season. Heading in the right direction and I've seen a few glimpses of a good player.
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Thought he was excellent today.
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Yes, he was very good. Great engine, tidy on the ball and got a couple of good shots away too. Very promising start to his Villa career.
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At times in the 2nd half he just looked like a player. Even when he wasn't touching the ball.
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Think he still needs to get up to the pace to the premier league but looks like there could be a tidy player in there somewhere.
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Glad that we have started to understand how he can offer more than the N'Zogbia. I was worried just after the Fulham game that he was rubbish. Is there anyone who still wants the Zog back???
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Glad that we have started to understand how he can offer more than the N'Zogbia. I was worried just after the Fulham game that he was rubbish. Is there anyone who still wants the Zog back???
I might put Andi in the middle and pop N'Zog wide...I just havent fancied Bent for a long time now and Andi prefers playing right upfront.
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Glad that we have started to understand how he can offer more than the N'Zogbia. I was worried just after the Fulham game that he was rubbish. Is there anyone who still wants the Zog back???
I might put Andi in the middle and pop N'Zog wide...I just havent fancied Bent for a long time now and Andi prefers playing right upfront.
I would go with that.Sylla ,Westwood and Delph ,best player on the pitch,looked a decent midfield,and Gardner on the bench after a long lay off is a big thumbs up from Lambert.
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At times in the 2nd half he just looked like a player. Even when he wasn't touching the ball.
I think the calm of Westwood is significant though. He is a bit like Petrov became in that respect, that he just has time when the ball comes to him, and Sylla is benefitting from that. It annoyed me immensely that about 3 times he won the ball clean and got the ref giving the cheating Chelskis free kicks.
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Excellent performance from Sylla today. Lovely lay off for the goal from Tekkers.
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Considering the step up he has made I think he has been excellent. We look so much better with him in the side.
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I imagine N'zog will start the Wigan game now. Interesting.
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Yes I think it might be zog rather than bent who comes in, with gabby up top. The risk with bent is that his hold up play is so mediocre that we won't be able to hold onto the ball well enough.
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Considering the step up he has made I think he has been excellent. We look so much better with him in the side.
Agreed, we look much better with Delph, westy and sylla as a middle three.
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Looks like another bargain to me.
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Agreed that Sylla, Westy and Delph make us a team and at their current level are good enough for a win against 60 % of the PL teams however to succeed further they all been to develop much better control and passing accuracy.
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Their passing accuracy isn't a problem. From yesterday; Delph was No.3 for passes with fifty-three successful from fifty-seven made. Westwood was No.4 with fifty from fifty-six made. Sylla was No.7 with forty-one successful from forty-seven made.
That's against one of the top football sides in the league. Westy & Delph have had similar passing stats every time they've played.
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Looks like another bargain to me.
Some excellent points for Chelsea game.
Odd call from aftab regarding passing accuracy, though, thought the midfield three's passing was excellent, given the opposition, too.
I don't know how much the media said he cost, but my brother know's a guy, who works in the right circles, he was saying it was £600K.
He and Benteke look to have a bit of an understanding starting to develop.
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He played well but I thought Delph was head and shouilders above the rest yesterday; best MF on the pitch. He just needs to start scoring goals a little more.
Also surprised how little acceleration Sylla has; thought he was quicker than he appeared yesterday.
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He played well but I thought Delph was head and shouilders above the rest yesterday; best MF on the pitch. He just needs to start scoring goals a little more.
Also surprised how little acceleration Sylla has; thought he was quicker than he appeared yesterday.
Delph was my motm, too.
But I certainly wouldn't take anything from Sylla's performance. Quite a few by where I sit agreed with Sylla as motm.
It could have gone to any of the midfield 3 and there'd have been little argument.
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Agreed that Sylla, Westy and Delph make us a team and at their current level are good enough for a win against 60 % of the PL teams however to succeed further they all been to develop much better control and passing accuracy.
I think Westwood hardly ever dips under 95% for accuracy, and Delph since January has been very similar!
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Agreed that Sylla, Westy and Delph make us a team and at their current level are good enough for a win against 60 % of the PL teams however to succeed further they all been to develop much better control and passing accuracy.
I think Westwood hardly ever dips under 95% for accuracy, and Delph since January has been very similar!
I am mistaken. Over the season Westwood has about 85% and Delph about 88%. Higher than Wilshire for example, and Lampard. It is very misleading though, as the highest completion is from mainly defenders, who knock it across the back all the time.
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They do have good stats but I'd like to see some more probing passes. We do keep the ball for the sake of it at times.
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Their passing accuracy isn't a problem. From yesterday; Delph was No.3 for passes with fifty-three successful from fifty-seven made. Westwood was No.4 with fifty from fifty-six made. Sylla was No.7 with forty-one successful from forty-seven made.
That's against one of the top football sides in the league. Westy & Delph have had similar passing stats every time they've played.
I think what was trying to say earlier, half asleep, was that they need to spring forward into the last 3rd and pass like Mata, Lampard and Hazard did yesterday putting us under serious danger. That has to be their next stage of development.
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Also surprised how little acceleration Sylla has; thought he was quicker than he appeared yesterday.
That was one thing i said yesterday during the game. If he was a little bit quicker he'd be very good.
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Also surprised how little acceleration Sylla has; thought he was quicker than he appeared yesterday.
That was one thing i said yesterday during the game. If he was a little bit quicker he'd be very good.
He looked fairly quick for me, over larger space. He's not so quick on the first 10 yards, but he covers a lot of ground when up to speed, for a big lad anyway.
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I thought he looked like a real player until he tired.
He looked like he had a lot more belief in his game, ran with the ball and took players on, rather than just tackle, give and go as he has pretty much done in most games.
I am hoping for really good things from him next season.
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Sylla has been a nice surprise for me, he's been a lot better than I expected.
Certainly a good squad option to have next season.
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All three midfielders are very promising indeed. They a going to need some help in the summer because inevitably at some point their form will dip. It's great that the likes of Gardner will be coming through but we need more experienced heads on their to lessen the burden on the current lads.
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Westwood, Delph, Sylla, G.Gardner, new signing-attacking midfielder, new signing- physical midfielder.
That should be our 6 options for next season ideally for the 2-3 positions depending on the Lambert formation.
I'd get rid of KEA, Holman and Bannan if possible. First two after decent starts to the season have been really disappointing and Bannan is overrated.
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Sylla, Delph, Westie, KEA, Gardner (and possibly Clark as a midfielder) is a good starting base for next season: with Grealish, Johnson and Carruthers as possible step-up candidates. We then need one really class addition and we're sorted.
Don't need the likes of Ireland, Bannan, Holman and N'Zog.
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I won't be writing Bannan off just yet.
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Sylla had a great game on Saturday, PL has unearthed another gem.
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I won't be writing Bannan off just yet.
He's going to leave this summer I think.
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Really impressed with sylla on Saturday,looks promising for next season
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He's settled very impressively.
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Let's have more of these cheap Lambert punts.
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Sylla will be even better with a full pre-season I reckon.
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I won't be writing Bannan off just yet.
He's going to leave this summer I think.
With any luck
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Sylla will be even better with a full pre-season I reckon.
He just walked straight into the side as we started to improve. Amazing stuff when you consider the high profile, expensive flops we've had in midfield over the years.
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Obviously Lamberts signings vs MONs signings has been done to death
but when you think of Sylla as a punt in the same category as Salifou, Jesus! Lambo and his back room staff can't half spot a player!
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Obviously Lamberts signings vs MONs signings has been done to death
but when you think of Sylla as a punt in the same category as Salifou, Jesus! Lambo and his back room staff can't half spot a player!
It does help if you actually play these players.
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Sylla will be even better with a full pre-season I reckon.
He just walked straight into the side as we started to improve.
Dont you mean to say:
He just walked straight into the side and we started to improve.
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He's done very well so far, must be a big ask coming from the French second division to the premier league.
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He's done very well so far, must be a big ask coming from the French second division to the premier league.
Yeah its part of Lambert's plan though isint it that if he can pick the right one from the lower divisions they give more and play for us rather than the waste of space useless players like Ireland.
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He's done very well so far, must be a big ask coming from the French second division to the premier league.
I've been very impressed with him, okay his passing isn't always the greatest but it's better than NRC. And for a fraction of the cost. Overall i'm more than happy with the Lambert signings so far. Quite excited about the summer already.
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is beginning to look the bollox.
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He's done very well so far, must be a big ask coming from the French second division to the premier league.
Yeah its part of Lambert's plan though isint it that if he can pick the right one from the lower divisions they give more and play for us rather than the waste of space useless players like Ireland.
Picking the right ones is difficult, mind.
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I think he's done brilliantly, especially given where he came from. If you look at our results since he joined, it can't be coincidence that they've had a sharp improvement. I really think as his confidence grows he'll get even better.
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Looking forward to more shots like the one at Reading.
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A yacouba Sylla came on for Mali tonight, is that ours? If it is well done to him. From French second division to premier league regular and full international in 6 months.
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not 100% certain but he is of malian decent and he did take part in a malian training camp after choosing them over france so i'd say it was him, he has been a very decent find so far and after another year may well become a top class premier league center mid destroyer.
source for the malian decent is from frence wikipepia and a french news paper website. english wiki knows sod all about him
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I thought he'd played for France U21s, so I'd be surprised if he changed now, but I guess you're still allowed to.
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I thought he'd played for France U21s, so I'd be surprised if he changed now, but I guess you're still allowed to.
yeah you can change still and a hell of a lot of players do when they think they have no chance of progressing to the full national team. i think in hide sight he might have made it in the france squad but i guess we will never know
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I don't think it's same Sylla, according to Soccerway Boubacar Sylla played for Mali, not Yacouba.
http://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2013/06/09/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/mali/rwanda/1230235/ (http://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2013/06/09/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/mali/rwanda/1230235/)
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http://www.maliweb.net/news/sports/2013/04/18/article,140748.html
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http://www.maliweb.net/news/sports/2013/04/18/article,140748.html
yeah I dug that out too and came to the conclusion it was him, was a bit lazy to post it. Seems he came on for the last 10mins in the Mali 1-Rwanda 1. Mali also have Benin on the 16th.
I rather enjoyed the translation of "Il a commencé à taper dans le cuir à l’âge de 6 ans dans le club de sa ville natale"
thanks to google translate - (my French is rubbish and i'm still at work!):
"Since the victory of Mali against Rwanda (2-1) on behalf of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Patrice Carteron and his deputy Amadou Diallo Pathe staying in France. Both technicians have used this room to keep more players in their club but also explore new talents that strengthen the national team for the upcoming deadlines. Thus the technical staff of the Eagles of Mali, was able to convince the young Franco-Malian Yacouba Sylla integrate the Malian team.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Yacouba Sylla take part in the training camp of the Eagles of Mali to be held in May in France. Yacouba Sylla, aged 22, is a defensive midfielder moving to Aston Villa (English L1). He began to tap into the leather at the age of 6 years in his hometown club, FC Stamps before the turn of several clubs. Including CS Brétigny Foot (2005), AS Montferrandaise (2006), SC Malesherbes (2007).
At 18, he joined the reserve team of SM Caen before joining Clermont Foot Auvergne 63 in League 2, where he signed his first professional contract on 22 November 2010. It also has two caps for France hopes.
It was during the winter to sign a contract for 3 years and a half English club Aston Villa transfer window. His choice for Mali will be a reinforcement of size in the game between the Eagles"
if you fancy a bit more Sylla view from those that appreciated (seems the author knew him) in France, again Google translate http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vive-le-sport.fr%2Ffootball%2Fyacouba-sylla-un-futur-aigle-en-puissance-3189.html
or full squad blurb etc in English http://allafrica.com/stories/201305240990.html
btw my only experience of African football is in Uganda: setting up a match for the patients at the hospital with old AV kits provided by generous folks of this parish, and seeing a couple of matches in Uganda, BUT, last year when out there I did finally get to see the mighty 'Sports Club Villa' (named after us : ) play in Kampala. when I find a spare minute I'll ramble on about that in an appropriate thread, I have pics somewhere of the other Villa Park (their not much more than wasteland training ground!)
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Thank God he chose Mali! Any Frenchman who's had anything to do with us has had a wretched time. Six, Berson, Houllier. It's a curse.
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Only trouble is we will lose him for Africa Nations tournaments which are every 2 years.
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Only trouble is we will lose him for Africa Nations tournaments which are every 2 years.
I can live that and it is, after all, why we have a squad.
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Are people sure about this? I read somewhere that he is of Senegalese decent.
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Are people sure about this? I read somewhere that he is of Senegalese decent.
We are sure... born in France, his parents are Malian... for the doubting Thomas's
and any french speakers want to translate?
His facebook for those of you that do (i don't) https://www.facebook.com/astonsyllayacouba i'd guess it's real?
The only doubt was/is that some sites listed both Sylla's in the last Mali squad and a couple even said the other one not our one came on as the sub, but as the sub replaced a midfielder and Boubacar Sylla (Lens) is a defender, I think it was our man Yacouba... There is a mistake on some sites either way.
from what i can pick up his actual intl debut in a friendly 28/5 is mentioned on https://twitter.com/guypakeman/status/339484572762902529 (https://twitter.com/guypakeman/status/339484572762902529) against, wait for it.... Brittany!
if anybody wants to watch the Mali-Rwanda 1-1 WCQ (it looks a Kosher channel mods, also broadcasting the next Mali game on Sunday) the Mali equaliser is on 78mins (@1h50.15) and @1h53.00 (before play finally restarts) our man i believe comes on as the number 8, white wristbands. Just to add to the comedy of confusion that sometimes is African football (and certainly on the internet it seems), the (English) commentator calls him Sow to start with but then Sylla! i haven't watched it, just worked this out so far...
Anybody want to confirm it's him?!
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Mali 2-2 Benin | CAF African Qualifiers 2014 | 16.06.2013
"Mali have crashed out of the qualifying series for the 2014 World Cup after they drew 2-2 at home with Benin on Sunday."
Sylla looks like he played 90mins, if anyone has time to watch the match tell us how he looked?
&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Mali 2-2 Benin | CAF African Qualifiers 2014 | 16.06.2013
"Mali have crashed out of the qualifying series for the 2014 World Cup after they drew 2-2 at home with Benin on Sunday."
Sylla looks like he played 90mins, if anyone has time to watch the match tell us how he looked?
&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Watching the whole match is long but i peeped a beautiful ball played by him on 0:23:56
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I think he's gonna be very good for us next season.
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Watching the whole match is long but i peeped a beautiful ball played by him on 0:23:56
I've watched about half of the match and he certainly isnt afraid of trying passes like that. They dont always work, but he's showing an aspect of his game we havent seen too much of at Villa.
Again, he could be really something in a few years.
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So yeah he is Malian now then, glad it only took a week to clear up?!
Would imagine it would come down to him and Delph if an attacking midfielder is signed, Westwood is an automatic pick for me in central midfield.
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So yeah he is Malian now then, glad it only took a week to clear up?!
Would imagine it would come down to him and Delph if an attacking midfielder is signed, Westwood is an automatic pick for me in central midfield.
Don't get me wrong if we can get an AM in of quality I'll be chuffed. But it would be harsh on Coubs or Delphi, that's top level football though.
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Think Sylla has come on leaps and bounds since first being signed. He did not look comfortable on the ball or on the pitch in his first few games but as the season has gone on he has matured a lot. Really like how he slots in to the midfield trio and think we have a lot more to see from this guy. However not to sure who will get the starting places in midfield, a lot of rotation in the first few games from Lamber I guess.
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I think he's got the potential to go all the way and become the Malian Ian Taylor, if he can add a few goals to his game.
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Sylla was a vital part of the reason we stayed up, he did fantastically well.
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Sylla was a vital part of the reason we stayed up, he did fantastically well.
I thought he was really good up at Wigan on the last day. There's a cracking player there.
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Sylla was a vital part of the reason we stayed up, he did fantastically well.
I thought he was really good up at Wigan on the last day. There's a cracking player there.
Glad I'm not the only one that can see what he offers. I really believe he will be a cracking player for us.
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He was one of the best, most encouraging things about the run in to the end of the season.
Delph was another.
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Delph was really good from January onwards, fair play to him as I was one who'd written him off and was happy to sell.
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Me too.
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The more games he played, the more positive his passing became.
He rarely played a forward pass in his first few games.
He settled in well and looks a good prospect.
A great find from the French second tier.
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He did generally very well in the run-in, but I saw glimpses in the Chelsea game that suggest he will become a real quality (and much sought after) midfielder.
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He did generally very well in the run-in, but I saw glimpses in the Chelsea game that suggest he will become a real quality (and much sought after) midfielder.
Yeah, I saw that too.
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He did generally very well in the run-in, but I saw glimpses in the Chelsea game that suggest he will become a real quality (and much sought after) midfielder.
Definitely, he looked like the simple no messing DM that weve longed for since my paper round days.
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He did generally very well in the run-in, but I saw glimpses in the Chelsea game that suggest he will become a real quality (and much sought after) midfielder.
Yeah, I saw that too.
Yep, he had been playing well for a few games but that was the first time, I actually could see a proper player in there
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Thank God he chose Mali! Any Frenchman who's had anything to do with us has had a wretched time. Six, Berson, Houllier. It's a curse.
You forgot Daveed (sic)
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He did generally very well in the run-in, but I saw glimpses in the Chelsea game that suggest he will become a real quality (and much sought after) midfielder.
Definitely, he looked like the simple no messing DM that weve longed for since my paper round days.
Yes, but I'd kind of expected that by then. It was ability going the other way that impressed me. The ball to Benteke for the goal, his quick feet on that little run when he beat about 3 players in 5 yards etc.
Delph's got that in his locker too.
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Playing Delph and Sylla in midfield has a number of advantages:
- protects Westwood
- protects the full backs and allows them to get forwards
- If they can both improve in the attacking third as they have been doing, we've got a decent amount of creativity in there gven where we are. But ideally you'd have a more attacking option in there too, who doesn't leave the midfield as exposed as CNZ does.
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Playing Delph and Sylla in midfield has a number of advantages:
- protects Westwood
- protects the full backs and allows them to get forwards
- If they can both improve in the attacking third as they have been doing, we've got a decent amount of creativity in there gven where we are. But ideally you'd have a more attacking option in there too, who doesn't leave the midfield as exposed as CNZ does.
It's their energy that impresses me, particularly Delph. This energy allows them to press high up the pitch which has become a characteristic of Dortmund in recent years, the template I think Lambert istrying to replicate.
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Playing Delph and Sylla in midfield has a number of advantages:
- protects Westwood
- protects the full backs and allows them to get forwards
- If they can both improve in the attacking third as they have been doing, we've got a decent amount of creativity in there gven where we are. But ideally you'd have a more attacking option in there too, who doesn't leave the midfield as exposed as CNZ does.
I'll keep saying it: N'Zog ain't going to do for us and we should offload as soon as poss.
I have far more faith in the three that finished the season, the return of GG and the prospects we've recently bought.
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Delph was really good from January onwards, fair play to him as I was one who'd written him off and was happy to sell.
Delph came to the club young, but confident. Then he got one injury after another which really set him back in every way especially mentally. Last season was the first sustained run he's had ever at the club which in itself sounds bizarre. He showed real promise last season and started to influence the tempo of our play at times. He's going to play a big role for us if he can stay fit.
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Sylla cought my eye when he came on against Fulhum as sub. Got booked with his first challenge but looked brilliant after that. Never lost possession and really got stuck in.
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I don't know what I'm missing... a lot of people have really started rating Sylla, but I don't see it. He's athletic and gets about, and has certainly improved from where he started, but seems lacking in technique and passing ability. Basically NRC, but a hell of a lot cheaper (and better for it). Here's hoping he continues his rapid improvement, and I become more aware of his qualities.
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I don't know what I'm missing... a lot of people have really started rating Sylla, but I don't see it. He's athletic and gets about, and has certainly improved from where he started, but seems lacking in technique and passing ability. Basically NRC, but a hell of a lot cheaper (and better for it). Here's hoping he continues his rapid improvement, and I become more aware of his qualities.
Our upturn in performance had a lot to do with him, his passing ability is fine as well.
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His passing looked very good at the tail end of last season. He was pinging some lovely crossfield balls around in the last few games. He was brilliant against Chelsea. Man of the match for me that day. He was bombing round like Pat Viera and had some quality on the ball to match the athleticism.
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His Chelsea game is by far his best performance. But against Sunderland he really got stuck in the MF and eventually Sessegnon got sent off tackling him. He will get better with pre season .......
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post removed...wrong thread
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Jeremy Forest the teacher who fled to France with a 15 year old girl last year has been found guilty of abduction.
I'm a bit surprised they even got him on that. He's sentenced on Friday, a maximum of 7 years awaits. I doubt very much he'll get that length of term.
That's all very well, but what does Yacouba Sylla think about it?
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I don't know what I'm missing... a lot of people have really started rating Sylla, but I don't see it. He's athletic and gets about, and has certainly improved from where he started, but seems lacking in technique and passing ability. Basically NRC, but a hell of a lot cheaper (and better for it). Here's hoping he continues his rapid improvement, and I become more aware of his qualities.
I think he is deserving getting a lot of praise because of the gap between expectations and outcomes. We signed the lad from the French Second Division and I think a lot of us were expecting him not to do much. However, he's come in and handled a big step up well and he doesn't look out of place in the Premier League. He's a neat and tidy player and I agree that he plays a bit like NRC but his passing is better.
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Considering he came in at a young age to a new league and new country, he performances were really good, and its no coincidence that our results were a lot better when he was in the team. He'll only improve also with time and decent coaching and a better understanding of English.
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I don't know what I'm missing... a lot of people have really started rating Sylla, but I don't see it. He's athletic and gets about, and has certainly improved from where he started, but seems lacking in technique and passing ability. Basically NRC, but a hell of a lot cheaper (and better for it). Here's hoping he continues his rapid improvement, and I become more aware of his qualities.
I think he is deserving getting a lot of praise because of the gap between expectations and outcomes. We signed the lad from the French Second Division and I think a lot of us were expecting him not to do much. However, he's come in and handled a big step up well and he doesn't look out of place in the Premier League. He's a neat and tidy player and I agree that he plays a bit like NRC but his passing is better.
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Jeremy Forest the teacher who fled to France with a 15 year old girl last year has been found guilty of abduction.
I'm a bit surprised they even got him on that. He's sentenced on Friday, a maximum of 7 years awaits. I doubt very much he'll get that length of term.
That's all very well, but what does Yacouba Sylla think about it?
I thought I'd removed it. I'm having a mare.
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Jeremy Forest the teacher who fled to France with a 15 year old girl last year has been found guilty of abduction.
I'm a bit surprised they even got him on that. He's sentenced on Friday, a maximum of 7 years awaits. I doubt very much he'll get that length of term.
That's all very well, but what does Yacouba Sylla think about it?
I thought I'd removed it. I'm having a mare.
It's all in the reflexes.
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Did anyone see the interview with Yacouba on Futbol Mundial on Sky?
He comes across as a very humble guy, looking to play for Mali and so happy to be at the Villa!
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I really like him. Hopefully he'll get a game tomorrow and have a blinder.
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Is he still to pass comment on the incarceration of Jeremy Forest?
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Why are we talking about Jeremy Forest ?
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Why are we talking about Jeremy Forest ?
The poster posted in the wrong topic by accident.
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I think we look so much better when Sylla plays, don't really understand why he hasn't been getting a start lately. Although Man City had most of the possession first half today, I thought we looked stronger and more structured than we have all season so far. Sylla should be a starter every week.
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yup i agree
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I think Westwood might have a tough time of it getting back into the team upon his return. Not sure I'd drop any of the three right now.
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I thought he did his best work off the ball today, as he was a bit iffy when in possession.
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I thought he did his best work off the ball today, as he was a bit iffy when in possession.
Agreed, one or two simple passes went straight to City players. KEA was our best midfielder today.
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I thought he did his best work off the ball today, as he was a bit iffy when in possession.
Agreed, one or two simple passes went straight to City players. KEA was our best midfielder today.
Agreed, but I think we play better/stronger with Sylla in the side. I thought he was a big physical presence in the 2nd half and got in Toure's face for much of that 45 mins
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I thought he did his best work off the ball today, as he was a bit iffy when in possession.
Agreed, one or two simple passes went straight to City players. KEA was our best midfielder today.
Agreed, but I think we play better/stronger with Sylla in the side. I thought he was a big physical presence in the 2nd half and got in Toure's face for much of that 45 mins
And was always tracking across to help Luna when he ended up 2 on 1.
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Definetly still raw but today he looked a lot more positive in possession one or two forward runs without turning back....I do hope he or bacuna change their hair style though :-\
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And was always tracking across to help Luna when he ended up 2 on 1.
One of his strengths - hes always cutting off the runs of wingers and helping out the full backs, which is the sort of thing that gets easily overlooked.
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Don't know if it's true or not but in a league game when he's played we haven't lost? Even if it isn't true I love him in the side, a player who gives his all is what I like. He's looking like the find of the century.
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Another good signing by the manager, a grafter and does a great job for the team.
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Don't know if it's true or not but in a league game when he's played we haven't lost? Even if it isn't true I love him in the side, a player who gives his all is what I like. He's looking like the find of the century.
We have, but a great % rate with him in the team. Didnt he play v Liverpool at home last season, Im pist so may well be wrong lol
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I thought he did his best work off the ball today, as he was a bit iffy when in possession.
I thought he was shite today and I was a fan from last season. Maybe the lack of starts was to blame, but was not impressed at all.
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Can he pass or not? I still dunno.
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Can he pass or not? I still dunno.
Des Bremner was not the best passer in the world, but what a flucking player, though would not have said that after his debut lol
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He was the worst out of the three today up until 70 minutes. Then he was superb. Copy and paste this into every thread there is.
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He was the worst out of the three today up until 70 minutes. Then he was superb. Copy and paste this into every thread there is.
Maybe confidence plays a part there
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Don't know if it's true or not but in a league game when he's played we haven't lost? Even if it isn't true I love him in the side, a player who gives his all is what I like. He's looking like the find of the century.
14 league appearances, 2 defeats. Racists and Chavski home games last season.
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Don't know if it's true or not but in a league game when he's played we haven't lost? Even if it isn't true I love him in the side, a player who gives his all is what I like. He's looking like the find of the century.
14 league appearances, 2 defeats. Racists and Chavski home games last season.
It does prove a point, somewhat.
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He's the sort of physical player we needed in the middle. Still raw, but he's starting to become quite important for us. I think he's yet to get properly up to speed this season, too.
I wonder how the lad must be feeling. Last year he was playing in front of crowds of a couple of thousand in French provincial towns, now he's at Villa Park beating one of the most expensively assembled teams the world has ever seen. I guess that's what you call living the dream. Good luck to him.
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Love this guy playing at the Villa.
The talisman.
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He's the sort of physical player we needed in the middle. Still raw, but he's starting to become quite important for us. I think he's yet to get properly up to speed this season, too.
I wonder how the lad must be feeling. Last year he was playing in front of crowds of a couple of thousand in French provincial towns, now he's at Villa Park beating one of the most expensively assembled teams the world has ever seen. I guess that's what you call living the dream. Good luck to him.
And in fairness another fantastic spot from Lambert, even if we were all a bit bemused at the time.
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This lad and Bacuna probably cost less in transfer fees than Stephen Ireland's salary.
There's a sobering thought.
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He was the worst out of the three today up until 70 minutes. Then he was superb. Copy and paste this into every thread there is.
Maybe confidence plays a part there
Maybe we see his influence more as the opposition tires.
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He's a must for home games, can play a little bit wider than our other central midfielders which we need at home really to narrow the game.
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He is something a little different to the other midfielders, bigger and more physical. Still work to be done but a great team player
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too many square balls. couple of mistakes each game. On the plus side, great engine, superb attitude, harrying, hard working. I thought his best game yesterday, he was plaing against some of the best midfielders and strikers money can buy
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I think he is just what we need. Works so hard to close down players and a great engine. For you old uns it's the unglamorous role Des Bremner used to do.
Thought he did well yesterday, especially in the last 20 minutes. Note Moxley in the mail gave him (and luna) a measly 5, thought they both did well.
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Interesting in those stats on the OS - 3 different players' pass completions were with Sylla - shows he gets around the park and makes himself available, something I feel we haven't been doing so well this season as a team and was shown up particularly against Spuds and 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' in the first half.
Agree that he does a lot of the less fancy stuff like Des Bremner used to do. It needs doing and he does it well.
And he loves the f**king Villa! ;-)
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I think he is just what we need. Works so hard to close down players and a great engine. For you old uns it's the unglamorous role Des Bremner used to do.
Thought he did well yesterday, especially in the last 20 minutes. Note Moxley in the mail gave him (and luna) a measly 5, thought they both did well.
If he does half the job Des Bremner or Frank Carrodus did, he will be fine for me.
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He's shown a few times that he can work his way out of tight spots with the ball.
I think he's got bags of promise.
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He's shown a few times that he can work his way out of tight spots with the ball.
I think he's got bags of promise.
Totally agree with this bit.
It's fair enough to point out his flaws at this point, there's nothing to be had by pretending they aren't there, but if he were a 29 year old with a few seasons under his belt and making those errors, I'd be worried.
He's not, though, he's a young player from a poor league who has done pretty well thus far.
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Don't forget he also had a quiet word with Benteke during the summer which is as big a contribution to the club as you can get.
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I just love and really appreciate the energy he brings to the side. The whole team has a sense of urgency when he's playing, we get in the opposition's face and press them. The only strange think for me is that he was supposed to be a defensive midfielder but Lambert gives him licence to roam. Maybe PL is happy enough with Westwood playing that deep lying role and is trying to develop Sylla as a more box to box player. Right now, Sylla certainly has the energy and is adapting well though whether it's his best position is difficult to say.
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Possible one of Lambert's best signings so far and makes a big difference to our midfield which is maybe the weakest area of the team right now. Another fine prospect for the future.
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I like the fact that he recognises he has to step his game up. And he is beginning to become more effective when he has the ball. I think early next year we are going to have a very good player who might well have half a dozen goals by then ........
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We look a more balanced side with him in it.
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We look a more balanced side with him in it.
I agree however I hope and think that Bacuna has similar qualities but with added free kick skills.
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too many square balls. couple of mistakes each game. On the plus side, great engine, superb attitude, harrying, hard working. I thought his best game yesterday, he was plaing against some of the best midfielders and strikers money can buy
I don't like seeing that used a negative so often, particularly when one of our biggest complaints is that we don't retain the ball as well as we'd like. He needs to cut the mistakes but square passes have a place and only become a problem if it's the only thing you do with the ball, which isn't the case. I agree with the rest though.
I just love and really appreciate the energy he brings to the side. The whole team has a sense of urgency when he's playing, we get in the opposition's face and press them. The only strange think for me is that he was supposed to be a defensive midfielder but Lambert gives him licence to roam. Maybe PL is happy enough with Westwood playing that deep lying role and is trying to develop Sylla as a more box to box player. Right now, Sylla certainly has the energy and is adapting well though whether it's his best position is difficult to say.
He is playing as a defensive midfielder, all his best work is defensive, he just doesn't do it 2 yards in front of the defence. Style wise, in his defensive play, he's the prefect midfielder for the way we're trying to play, he's got a great engine, knows when to pres the ball and when to hold his ground and is quick and strong. It means We can have a deeper playmaker who intercepts and closes space in defence and changes the point of attack going forward. Westwood is ideal for that role but he needs to get his mojo back (KEA is decent at it as well but I don't think him and Westwood can play together). Add in the qualities that Delph and Bacuna bring and we've got a lot of potential in the midfield, I'd still like to see someone exciting in there as well though.
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I just love and really appreciate the energy he brings to the side. The whole team has a sense of urgency when he's playing, we get in the opposition's face and press them. The only strange think for me is that he was supposed to be a defensive midfielder but Lambert gives him licence to roam. Maybe PL is happy enough with Westwood playing that deep lying role and is trying to develop Sylla as a more box to box player. Right now, Sylla certainly has the energy and is adapting well though whether it's his best position is difficult to say.
But I think that is the point of PL's tactics - he wants players like YS, Bacuna and Delph who can cover the ground, both supporting the offensive moves a well as being able to track back. KEA does it too, TBF.
This means that the full backs should have more licence to get forward, safe in the knowledge that the MF is covering for them.
As paul-e says, it is also true to say that YS appears to be playing a higher line, to get into the oppo faces further up the pitch.
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Sylla will join Turkish outfit Kayseri Erciyesspor on loan for the coming season.
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He needs playing time. After some positive performances at the end of 2012/13 season he badly dropped off in form when called upon. Hope he does well.
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Twatter is ace. Apparently, he's going to a Turkish club that got promoted from the Greek second division last season.
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Gutted. He had a great chant.
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Good luck to the lad. Sadly not good enough. At leasted we've shifted him for a year without much hassle. His destination all but sums up his level.
I expect Luna will manage to snag himself a move back to Spain. I reckon before the windows out, we could see Tonev returning to his old club too.
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Disappointing. He had some really good games for us back end of 12/13 and I really thought he'd be a key player last season but he just looked off the pace and really not that good.
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He's crap.
IMO
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It's sad to look back at pages 28-33 of this thread, see how impressed we were with him at the end of his first season and think how good he could have been had he kept that level of form.
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Man of the match in his first season against Chelsea at home.
Looked a find.
Last season, he looked the worst of a pretty poor trio.
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It is a shame, I thought Lambert had found a gem. The problem is though so many floundered last season maybe there still is a good player within him somewhere and a bit of confidence will lift him.
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No technical ability whatsoever and it turned out he was pathetic in defence too.
I'm glad we got rid, he didn't put the effort in last season.
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It's sad to look back at pages 28-33 of this thread, see how impressed we were with him at the end of his first season and think how good he could have been had he kept that level of form.
Yep, it's a shame, he showed real promise to start.
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Awful player. Struggling to think of one good attribute he had.
Possibly, in terms of potential ability and playing ability, the worse player we've ever had?
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Playing catch up here, is he dead or been shipped out? Seriously, just got in from work.
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It's sad to look back at pages 28-33 of this thread, see how impressed we were with him at the end of his first season and think how good he could have been had he kept that level of form.
Yep, it's a shame, he showed real promise to start.
Sometimes unfortunately players get worked out pretty quickly, and when there's no really another level to their game, they struggle. He seemed to lack confidence too, given that KEA snagged his place early on last season after impressing in pre-season.
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Gutted. He had a great chant.
Doesn't stop the Holte from singing it. Cantona's been gone from Man Utd for years but their fans keep banging on about him
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It's sad to look back at pages 28-33 of this thread, see how impressed we were with him at the end of his first season and think how good he could have been had he kept that level of form.
I think it was more surprise that a bloke signed from the French 2nd division had adapted reasonably quickly and looked a premier league quality player.
Last season he did play like a bloke plucked from the French 2nd division.
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His performances in the second half of the season before last were instrumental in us staying up. I don't know why he fell away last season but I'll always be grateful for what he did when he did.
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Strange one this. He's not crap as some people say on here......there's a player in there somewhere as evidenced by the end of his first season, yes, I remember him getting Man-of-the-match against Chelsea in that last home game. Perhaps Keano could coax him back into form? - the loan deal will probably suit all parties. He's still young - people are too quick to write off players
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Awful player. Struggling to think of one good attribute he had.
Possibly, in terms of potential ability and playing ability, the worse player we've ever had?
Baker, Bowery, Herd and Luna would push him close, shit half the squad look like they won a competition to play at our club
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His performances in the second half of the season before last were instrumental in us staying up. I don't know why he fell away last season but I'll always be grateful for what he did when he did.
Pretty fair assessment. Couldn't agree more.
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His performances in the second half of the season before last were instrumental in us staying up. I don't know why he fell away last season but I'll always be grateful for what he did when he did.
I put it down to a change in formation and players last season. 4-3-3 suited him far better but bringing in Bacuna and KEA last season altered the way we played too much for him, to the point he looked completely lost. His ball control is not the best but he can play a fast 'pass and go' type of game. Last season we were slow and laboured in moving the ball around.
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Lambert brought him on and played him in wide positions in some games. He seemed to be operating on the left side against Newcastle for some reason.
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Nothing on the OS Beeb or Sky?
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Sylla will join Turkish outfit Kayseri Erciyesspor on loan for the coming season.
Good. Let's see how he develops. Hopefully in the right direction and then can come back here next season.
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How long was his original contract? Maybe going out on loan is merely a way of covering some of his costs until he pisses off into the blue yonder. Either way I doubt he's going out on loan to come back a better player.
It is a great shame, it seemed like we had unearthed a good player from nowhere. I doubt if he even got chance to continue the good work last season. I have read a couple of times that he enjoyed the recreational side of being a professional footballer, maybe that is why he found himself out in the cold and wasn't overly desperate to bust a gut and get back in the fold.
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Sylla had the chance to really make himself a first team regular. No-one else at the club could play that defensive role, well... Herd could if his head was right. He had no real competition.... maybe that didn't help him?
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He's posted a picture of himself having medical on his twitter feed. Along with this:
@ Malifootball: Yacouba Sylla joined this season Erciyesspor Kayseri (Turkey) on loan. Good luck to him 91_yacou @ @ TMahamet http://t.co/oQAUnqkuli
Last we will see of him I suspect.
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Adieu Yacouba. Bon chance. If you need any advice on survival in Turkey listen to Darius's radio interviews on his time out there. Simultaneously funny and frightening.
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http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2014/in-depth-interview-yacouba-sylla/
In Depth Interview: Yacouba Sylla
Get French Football News exclusively spoke with Aston Villa defensive midfielder Yacouba Sylla regarding his recent loan move to Turkish outfit Kayseri Erciyesspor.
What have you learnt from last season with Aston Villa?
First of all, I want to point out that I have not left permanently. I learnt a lot of things in six months in my first year. The club allowed me to enter into a new dynamic. We succeeded in remaining in the Premier League. That for me was an experience. Then, in my second season, it was a bit of a dark season for me, because I did not play a lot. I only keep the good moments with me even though I have come across certain difficulties. I only have good things to say about my time in Birmingham with Aston Villa.
Why did you choose this Turkish side to go on loan to?
I am not going to lie to you, Kayseri Erciyesspor was one of the only clubs to make an offer of the sides that were interested. It was the only club that was able to bring me in, because it was the only side that made a formal offer. Today, I am 23 years old and I want to participate in the African Cup of Nations (for Mali). Signing here gave me the certainty of game time and it does not bring that problem from Aston Villa here with me in that regard.
Is it possible that you will perhaps stay there after your loan?
At the moment, the principle aim is to get game time, and to start to feel those sensations of playing regularly again. I have a contract with Aston Villa and I will do everything to stay there and continue to play at the top level. We will see at the end of the year (season).
Was the decision to leave Aston Villa a personal one of one made by the club?
It was a personal choice. I have been thinking about it since last year: since December 2013, I wanted to leave on loan. It was not possible because the club and the manager needed me. We have spoken about it since last year and we agreed in a way that it would be possible to leave this season.
Are you annoyed at Aston Villa, considering your current situation at the time of writing?
No I have no bad feelings personally. I have always been serious and a hard worker. I respect the coach’s decisions. That is how it is. In football nothing is certain, we do not always get what we want. I must continue to persevere and work. I am not annoyed at all with them (Aston Villa). It is thanks to them that I was able to make myself known, it is they who took my from Clermont. One must adapt in order to attain and arrive at the very highest level.
What are your aims for the coming season?
Play as many games as possible, play in AFCON, find that feeling of playing regularly and to enjoy myself above all.
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Why did you choose this Turkish side to go on loan to?
I am not going to lie to you, Kayseri Erciyesspor was one of the only clubs to make an offer of the sides that were interested.
Well, I guess that's frank enough!
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Reminds me of the Richard Dunne interview soon after he arrived at the Villa (with a face like a smacked arse).
Interviewer: Richard, why did you leave Manchester City?
Dunne: Because they sold me
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No Bull there just honesty. Refreshing
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very refreshing in a coded 'I'm shit, the club's shit, so it's a perfect match' kind of way.
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Being discussed in the transfer thread already, but as it's official:
Aston Villa midfielder Yacouba Sylla has joined French side Rennes on a four-year contract.
The 24-year-old's move to the Ligue 1 club ends his two-and-a-half year stay at Villa Park.
The Mali international joined Villa from Clermont Foot for £2m in January 2013 but made only 12 Premier League starts and spent last season on loan at Turkish club Kayseri Erciyesspor.
Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann have also left Villa this summer.
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Good riddance. Cya.
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Did well for 6 months when we needed him. Good luck.
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Did well for 6 months when we needed him. Good luck.
He was good for us when we needed him. Best of luck to him. I liked him and thought he would turn out better.
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I remember him playing like Patrick Viera against Chelsea. The following season it just seemed to go to pot, at which point he looked more like Ali Dia when he played.
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Being discussed in the transfer thread already, but as it's official:
Aston Villa midfielder Yacouba Sylla has joined French side Rennes on a four-year contract.
The 24-year-old's move to the Ligue 1 club ends his two-and-a-half year stay at Villa Park.
The Mali international joined Villa from Clermont Foot for £2m in January 2013 but made only 12 Premier League starts and spent last season on loan at Turkish club Kayseri Erciyesspor.
Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann have also left Villa this summer.
Bet he can't believe his luck. Four year deal at at club that finished in the top half of the French top flight last season is a great result considering the last couple of seasons.
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Did we get any money for him? I'm assuming not as I've not seen a fee doesn't mentioned.
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Good riddance. Cya.
Good riddance. Cya.
No, Cilla.
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Didn't Makoun go off to Rennes as well? Looks like if we sign a midfielder from Ligue 1 this summer, he's nailed on to leave us in two seasons for Rennes.
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Part of the new Villa way apparently. Unknown who comes in with low expectations, plays decent for a while then a wobble, then gets bombed out, never to be seen again until its announced he has gone.
I imagine Gil will follow the same path.
Sad imho.
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Did well for 6 months and had a good chant. Shame it went pear shaped.
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I wonder did Tim Sherwood check him out before decide to cut him or whatever. I wonder who told him he is poor or whatever.
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Sylla, Sylla, Sylla, he leaves the fuckin' Villa.
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I wonder did Tim Sherwood check him out before decide to cut him or whatever. I wonder who told him he is poor or whatever.
If he wanted to, Sherwood could watch every minute of all our games from the last couple of years, or have coaches etc watch them, which would help him decide about a player.
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I wonder did Tim Sherwood check him out before decide to cut him or whatever. I wonder who told him he is poor or whatever.
If he wanted to, Sherwood could watch every minute of all our games from the last couple of years, or have coaches etc watch them, which would help him decide about a player.
The Ludovico Technique
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Did we get any money for him? I'm assuming not as I've not seen a fee doesn't mentioned.
I wanted to know that as well
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1.5mil Euro is fee I have seen quoted
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1.5mil Euro is fee I have seen quoted
Good news. I feared the worst not seeing a fee mentioned yesterday (at least we've got something back).
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I wonder did Tim Sherwood check him out before decide to cut him or whatever. I wonder who told him he is poor or whatever.
I'd hazard a guess that would be the thirty-odd thousand regular attendees.
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At first he looked like just what we might need but just didn't have the bottle for the fight and has looked mostly out place ever since. This one makes complete sense.
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1.5mil Euro is fee I have seen quoted
Good news. I feared the worst not seeing a fee mentioned yesterday (at least we've got something back).
That is good. I'd have taken a bag of Pickled Onion Space Raiders for him to be honest.
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That is good. I'd have taken a bag of Pickled Onion Space Raiders for him to be honest.
A little undervalued, no? I would have held out for two bags of spicy nik-naks.
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a half eaten Freddo Frog would have represented a good deal. Actual coin is a mega deal.
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That is good. I'd have taken a bag of Pickled Onion Space Raiders for him to be honest.
A little undervalued, no? I would have held out for two bags of spicy nik-naks.
Perhaps one bag of Nik-Naks and one bag of Space Raiders. Two bags of Nik-Naks? Only a club like Liverpool would fall for that.
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He's getting a lot of stick but he looked really good in his first half season. It's a shame that he couldn't get back to those levels.
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Even if we needed to pay to get him off the books, he's been value for money, purely for his contribution in his first 5 months.
Good enough in the long run? Apparently not.
Did what was needed there and then? Definitely.
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Partly because he hardly ever got a look in playing in the same role as that first few months. I really thought he was going to kick on and become an integral player after that first 8-10 games. Shame, hope he gets back to that level.
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Partly because he hardly ever got a look in playing in the same role as that first few months. I really thought he was going to kick on and become an integral player after that first 8-10 games. Shame, hope he gets back to that level.
I can't recall if he had a pre-season injury or not, but by the start of the next season Karim had won his place back. KEA had a good pre-season that year, and Sylla didn't really. Then during the season proper he really struggled to have an impact whenever his chance came. But then again aside from 5 months of playing okay under Lambert, the vast majority of the side for his 2.5 seasons were wretched.