Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Karl Bridges on October 16, 2013, 11:26:16 PM

Title: The one that got away
Post by: Karl Bridges on October 16, 2013, 11:26:16 PM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.

I had no idea we had Adnan Januzaj on trial before he went to Utd. One of our former youth players was tweeting about him when he scored the two goals for Utd

Quote
ADNAN SCORED! I trained with him for like a week at villa and played against him couple times since, maybe best I've played with/against

ok ok never mind maybe, he is the best player I've ever played with /Against , wooooooow

Safe to say Adnan was the best trialist villa ever bought in.......

Fancy getting seduced by Utd, he'd have probably played 30 odd games by now if he'd have come here.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: wozwebs on October 16, 2013, 11:50:27 PM
MON, Houllier or McLeish era?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Karl Bridges on October 17, 2013, 12:47:14 AM
He signed for Utd when he was 16, so i'd presume it was just before that. He's 18 now.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: danlanza on October 17, 2013, 12:49:34 AM
Lambert will have him in JANUARY. ;)
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Irish villain on October 17, 2013, 01:00:56 AM
He signed for Utd when he was 16, so i'd presume it was just before that. He's 18 now.

If I was a betting man I'd say Houllier though it sounds like a McLeish thing to just let such a good player go.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 17, 2013, 01:15:34 AM
We didn't sign a 16 year old we had on trial. May as well just pack up and disband the club.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Karl Bridges on October 17, 2013, 01:34:03 AM
I think it was more that he chose Utd, rather than us letting him go.

@ Dave, I just didn't know we'd had him at the club. If he goes on to be as good as is being suggested, then he's another name to add to the list of Villa folklore of nearly but not quite.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 17, 2013, 01:54:59 AM
I think it was more that he chose Utd, rather than us letting him go.

@ Dave, I just didn't know we'd had him at the club. If he goes on to be as good as is being suggested, then he's another name to add to the list of Villa folklore of nearly but not quite.

We haven't let many slip through our fingers over the years though.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 17, 2013, 02:30:04 AM
We haven't let anything slip through our fingers. The kid has played one very good game against a side that is utterly gash. In fact had Man U been playing anything to the level they should be these past few weeks we'd still never have heard of him as he'd be stuck in the reserves. Let's just see how he performs in the next few games now that he is no longer a surprise.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Isa on October 17, 2013, 06:45:18 AM
Fancy getting seduced by Utd, he'd have probably played 30 odd games by now if he'd have come here.

More likely he'd be on loan to someone like Notts County if he were here now.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on October 17, 2013, 06:57:48 AM
I think it was more that he chose Utd, rather than us letting him go.

@ Dave, I just didn't know we'd had him at the club. If he goes on to be as good as is being suggested, then he's another name to add to the list of Villa folklore of nearly but not quite.

We haven't let many slip through our fingers over the years though.

Sturridge, but he hardly 'slipped through our fingers'.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 17, 2013, 07:40:08 AM
We didn't sign a 16 year old we had on trial. May as well just pack up and disband the club.

Think of the massive profit we've lost out on.

Could have sold him for £25m in 2 years time to a big club.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: nigel on October 17, 2013, 08:43:59 AM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.


I don't know any youngsters that 'slipped through the net' , but, I can think of a couple of players who could/would have signed, and made a huge difference, for the club.

Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 17, 2013, 09:24:16 AM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.


I don't know any youngsters that 'slipped through the net' , but, I can think of a couple of players who could/would have signed, and made a huge difference, for the club.

Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

We signed Ginola instead.
;D
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: not3bad on October 17, 2013, 09:52:02 AM
Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

I thought in Keane's case it was because Gregory didn't think much to him.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 17, 2013, 10:04:35 AM
Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

I thought in Keane's case it was because Gregory didn't think much to him.

I thought Wolves wanted an extra £500k to make it £6m and Fergie said something about him not being worth the £500k alone, and Doug pulled out of the deal?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Clampy on October 17, 2013, 10:06:56 AM
Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

I thought in Keane's case it was because Gregory didn't think much to him.

I thought Wolves wanted an extra £500k to make it £6m and Fergie said something about him not being worth the £500k alone, and Doug pulled out of the deal?

I think it was Gregory who pulled the deal, not Doug.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eastie on October 17, 2013, 10:17:05 AM
Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

I thought in Keane's case it was because Gregory didn't think much to him.

I thought Wolves wanted an extra £500k to make it £6m and Fergie said something about him not being worth the £500k alone, and Doug pulled out of the deal?

I think it was Gregory who pulled the deal, not Doug.

Correct clampy ! Gregory decided not to sign him , in his book he confirmed that the money was there but he decided not to proceed.
I remember him saying one night he watched at molineux and wolves fans were saying to him ' you must sign him ' which he found very odd .
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave on October 17, 2013, 10:20:40 AM
Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.
I wonder how long this myth will carry on.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 17, 2013, 10:30:08 AM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.


I don't know any youngsters that 'slipped through the net' , but, I can think of a couple of players who could/would have signed, and made a huge difference, for the club.

Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

And Juninho was a bullet dodged. He did nothing for Boro when he went back there.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: not3bad on October 17, 2013, 10:36:58 AM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.


I don't know any youngsters that 'slipped through the net' , but, I can think of a couple of players who could/would have signed, and made a huge difference, for the club.

Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

And Juninho was a bullet dodged. He did nothing for Boro when he went back there.

But this was from the first time he went to Boro, when he was good?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: garyshawsknee on October 17, 2013, 10:43:50 AM
Werent we offered Falcao before he left River Plate ?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 17, 2013, 10:44:49 AM
We all know the long list of players who could have signed for Villa but slipped through the net somehow.


I don't know any youngsters that 'slipped through the net' , but, I can think of a couple of players who could/would have signed, and made a huge difference, for the club.

Juninio (spelling?) and Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.

And Juninho was a bullet dodged. He did nothing for Boro when he went back there.

But this was from the first time he went to Boro, when he was good?

No, he was with Atletico at the time.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on October 17, 2013, 11:02:32 AM
Every big club is going to miss out on players they could have signed now and again, the rest of the Premier League will be kicking themselves that they didn't sign Benteke from the Belgian league.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 17, 2013, 11:11:49 AM
Every big club is going to miss out on players they could have signed now and again, the rest of the Premier League will be kicking themselves that they didn't sign Benteke from the Belgian league.

Didn't Sheffiled United turn down Maradona?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 17, 2013, 11:17:57 AM
Every big club is going to miss out on players they could have signed now and again, the rest of the Premier League will be kicking themselves that they didn't sign Benteke from the Belgian league.

Didn't Sheffiled United turn down Maradona?

But they ended up with Brian Deane. They can't moan.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: supertom on October 17, 2013, 11:20:25 AM
Was it Bierhoff we turned down back in the early 90's? BFR's era.

We seemed to be linked to Juninho for a good stretch of 2-3 years IIRC. It was one of those that always persisted in the rumour mill but never came off. Bit like Benni McCarthy.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: supertom on October 17, 2013, 11:22:45 AM
Werent we offered Falcao before he left River Plate ?
Well there were a few ITK's on other Villa sights who were quite adament that we were getting Falcao. At that point no one had really that much idea he'd be one of the top strikers in the world so when it turned out to be bollocks I'm not sure too many tears were shed. I recall hoping it would happen but only because the last time we shopped at River Plate we got a player I really liked.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave on October 17, 2013, 11:45:56 AM
Werent we offered Falcao before he left River Plate ?
Well there were a few ITK's on other Villa sights who were quite adament that we were getting Falcao. At that point no one had really that much idea he'd be one of the top strikers in the world so when it turned out to be bollocks I'm not sure too many tears were shed. I recall hoping it would happen but only because the last time we shopped at River Plate we got a player I really liked.
We also probably wouldn't have got a work permit for him at the time as he didn't really play for Colombia at that time.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 17, 2013, 11:47:44 AM
Werent we offered Falcao before he left River Plate ?
Well there were a few ITK's on other Villa sights who were quite adament that we were getting Falcao. At that point no one had really that much idea he'd be one of the top strikers in the world so when it turned out to be bollocks I'm not sure too many tears were shed. I recall hoping it would happen but only because the last time we shopped at River Plate we got a player I really liked.
.    Yes we did . MON . I was told by someone who worked close to MON
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: nigel on October 17, 2013, 11:54:47 AM
Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.
I wonder how long this myth will carry on.

That's why I put 'Apparently'
I know there are 2 stories. One, JG pulled the plug and the other DD not stumping up the extra £500k.
Doug calls himself Mr Ten percent in one of his books, because he always tried to get an extra 10% off transfers.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eastie on October 17, 2013, 12:05:30 PM
Robbie Keane, from Wolves.
Both were apparently lost due to Doug's penny pinching.
I wonder how long this myth will carry on.

That's why I put 'Apparently'
I know there are 2 stories. One, JG pulled the plug and the other DD not stumping up the extra £500k.
Doug calls himself Mr Ten percent in one of his books, because he always tried to get an extra 10% off transfers.

Both Gregory and Ellis have said it was johns decision - I'm not sure why people keep dragging this up as it seems pretty clear cut .
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Concrete John on October 17, 2013, 12:07:44 PM
Gregory even admits he decided not to pay the extra £500k after he left the club, so how can there be any doubt?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 17, 2013, 12:33:39 PM
A few years ago during the MON era we had Steve mandanda on trial, French keeper who'd gone on to be first choice for Marseille and has a few french caps aswell.

Pretty sure Odemwingie was on trial here during the O'dreary years aswell.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 17, 2013, 12:35:13 PM
Werent we offered Falcao before he left River Plate ?
Well there were a few ITK's on other Villa sights who were quite adament that we were getting Falcao. At that point no one had really that much idea he'd be one of the top strikers in the world so when it turned out to be bollocks I'm not sure too many tears were shed. I recall hoping it would happen but only because the last time we shopped at River Plate we got a player I really liked.
.    Yes we did . MON . I was told by someone who worked close to MON

Someone asked MON in a press conference if we were in for Falcao who was still at River Plate then. The idiot predictably said we weren't interested and would be looking closer to home....Harewood and Heskey turned up shortly afterwards.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: FatSam on October 17, 2013, 02:15:34 PM
If we're on this topic again, then Steve Mandana and Gueida Fofana 'slipped through our fingers'.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 17, 2013, 02:19:40 PM
We could have signed Pele as well. But we were having enough trouble staying up at the time as it was.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Isa on October 17, 2013, 05:01:32 PM
Cabeye was all set to join us apparently before we relieved Houllier of his duties.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Pat McMahon on October 17, 2013, 05:14:39 PM
One that left as a youth player was Brian McClair IIRC.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eastie on October 17, 2013, 06:06:32 PM
One that left as a youth player was Brian McClair IIRC.

The poor lad was homesick :)
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: BoskoDjembaSalifou on October 17, 2013, 06:37:19 PM
Missing out on Mandanda still annoys me. We've got Guzan though, so I guess it worked out alright in the end!
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 17, 2013, 07:18:04 PM
Weren't we supposed to sign Oriel Romeu on loan aswell under Houllier before Chelsea signed him but that deal feel through for some reason?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: nigel on October 17, 2013, 07:39:35 PM
Gregory even admits he decided not to pay the extra £500k after he left the club, so how can there be any doubt?

That's fair enough, John, I hadn't heard that.

The one that excited me most was when we had Luc Nillis, he's had been Ruud Van Nistlroy's partner. RVN was also on his way out and had mentioned that Luc was a great strike partner.
Although it was only a dream scenario, there were a few of us that were saying ' I wonder if.....'
When RVN retired he said that throughout his career Luc was the best strike partner he'd had, and he wished he'd come to Villa.
Okay, he didn't say the last bit, but I'm sure he thought it  ;D
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on October 18, 2013, 10:30:27 AM
No mention of Carlton Palmer yet ?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Simon Ward on October 18, 2013, 02:27:08 PM
No mention of Carlton Palmer yet ?

Meh!
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Mister E on October 18, 2013, 04:19:27 PM
The sale of Gary Cahill still annoys me, particularly with what MON subsequently did with the defence.
Cahill could stilll be our lynchpin in defence.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Mister E on October 18, 2013, 04:20:25 PM
And, O'Dreary selling Crouch was a mistake given how much S'ton got from Liverpool for him thereafter.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SirSteveUK on October 18, 2013, 06:00:07 PM
We could have signed Pele as well. But we were having enough trouble staying up at the time as it was.

LOL -  Nice one PWS
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on October 18, 2013, 09:01:41 PM
Didn't Doug used to make sure the local media got fed rumours of big name signings at season ticket renewal time ?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: LeeB on October 19, 2013, 11:34:44 AM
Didn't Doug used to make sure the local media got fed rumours of big name signings at season ticket renewal time ?

Remember 'the list'?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 19, 2013, 01:25:46 PM
Lambert will have him in JANUARY. ;)

Signed 5 year deal at Man U according to Lineker.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eastie on October 19, 2013, 01:26:27 PM
Lambert will have him in JANUARY. ;)

Signed 5 year deal at Man U according to Lineker.
According to the press too - he signed last night .
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Davey B on October 20, 2013, 09:21:16 PM
Every big club is going to miss out on players they could have signed now and again, the rest of the Premier League will be kicking themselves that they didn't sign Benteke from the Belgian league.

Didn't Sheffiled United turn down Maradona?

Apparently so! Got Alex Sabella instead.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Ads on October 21, 2013, 12:09:47 PM
I remember hearing that Albion had Shearer on trial but declared him "too small".

I would love that to be true.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 21, 2013, 12:12:41 PM
Talking of players that slipped through the Albion's fingers, here's a nice story about the most famous example.

And wasn't it Ron Saunders who gave him away?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-24601248

Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 21, 2013, 12:36:04 PM
Talking of players that slipped through the Albion's fingers, here's a nice story about the most famous example.

And wasn't it Ron Saunders who gave him away?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-24601248



£64,000 because his first touch wasn't good enough.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 21, 2013, 12:37:57 PM
Talking of players that slipped through the Albion's fingers, here's a nice story about the most famous example.

And wasn't it Ron Saunders who gave him away?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-24601248



£64,000 because his first touch wasn't good enough.

Ha ha - but his second touch was usually a goal
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on October 21, 2013, 12:57:29 PM
Think Blackburn were close to getting Zidane, but signed someone else instead (maybe Tim Sherwood).
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SO Villa on October 21, 2013, 02:58:41 PM
And, O'Dreary selling Crouch was a mistake given how much S'ton got from Liverpool for him thereafter.

Much as I hate to defend the pug-nosed fool, I don't remember many people complaining at the time about flogging Crouch.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: FatSam on September 24, 2014, 06:40:12 PM
Apologies for dragging up this old thread, but it doesn't justify a new one.

I see that Yacine Brahimi who we were heavily linked with during the 2012 summer transfer window is playing for Porto in the CL, and scored a hatrick (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000548/match=2014313/index.html) last week.

Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: brontebilly on September 24, 2014, 08:20:28 PM
werent we in for Christian Vieri early in his career?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dante Lavelli on September 24, 2014, 08:42:00 PM
werent we in for Christian Vieri early in his career?

Thank you for asking.  I met Christian Vieri just after his move to Inter for a world record fee.  We were on top of the Empire State Building and he confirmed that we had talked to him about a move.  He said he was keen, but for whatever reason it never happened.

The rest of the time I starred, probably for too long, at his girlfriend. 
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Duncan Shaw on September 24, 2014, 09:01:51 PM
It was JG wasn't it going to buy him - I was so excited and he really seemed to want to come here....shame.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eamonn on September 24, 2014, 09:22:28 PM
Did it come off the back of our game against him and Atleti in the Uefa Cup in '98? Gregz habit of trying to buy players who played well against us would have come up trumps with that one.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on September 24, 2014, 09:54:00 PM
I'd have loved to have signed Sturridge when he was just coming through at City and was being linked to us, didn't we have his Dad as a guest at one of the games?

He would've developed well here I reckon rather than rotting on the bench at Chelsea for 18 months and we could've rotated him with Gabby.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: enigma on September 24, 2014, 11:54:07 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Risso on September 24, 2014, 11:57:07 PM
Bullets dodged can work the other way as well.  Wasn't Gregory in for Muzzy Izzett at £8m?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 24, 2014, 11:58:43 PM
We probably dodged one with James Beattie.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on September 25, 2014, 12:01:01 AM
Vieri played for 15 clubs in 18 years, and six of them were at Inter, who bought him when we were after him for £32 million. I don;t think we were ever serious.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on September 25, 2014, 06:43:49 AM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: OCD on September 25, 2014, 02:42:12 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave on September 25, 2014, 03:38:49 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Handsworth Wood Villa on September 25, 2014, 04:49:25 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?

Sturridge must surely already be a contender for the best ever Brummie player?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 25, 2014, 04:52:58 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?

Sturridge must surely already be a contender for the best ever Brummie player?

Like fuck is he.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on September 25, 2014, 05:04:29 PM
Troll alert.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: thick_mike on September 25, 2014, 05:41:27 PM
Didn't we ask Henrik Larsson to play in a trial match against Walsall rather than just sign him? He said stuff that for a game of soldiers.

He went on to score 325 goals in 576 games winning The Champions League and various other honours including an MBE as well as being a pretty good footballer.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: OCD on September 25, 2014, 08:30:27 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Its not like Man City would have been offering a pittance. The likelihood was always that it was far more likely that he wouldn't break into Chelsea's first team as a regular than he would suffer a career ending injury. I just hate seeing young talented players trying to run before they can walk and being given what in most circumstances would be poor career advice.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on September 25, 2014, 08:31:22 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?


Yes, Mr. Troll.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: OCD on September 25, 2014, 08:37:27 PM
Didn't we ask Henrik Larsson to play in a trial match against Walsall rather than just sign him? He said stuff that for a game of soldiers.

He went on to score 325 goals in 576 games winning The Champions League and various other honours including an MBE as well as being a pretty good footballer.

Are we not getting into this territory? http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=49790.15
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: thick_mike on September 25, 2014, 08:50:51 PM
Didn't we ask Henrik Larsson to play in a trial match against Walsall rather than just sign him? He said stuff that for a game of soldiers.

He went on to score 325 goals in 576 games winning The Champions League and various other honours including an MBE as well as being a pretty good footballer.

Are we not getting into this territory? http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=49790.15

I do remember the other Larsen...but I was pretty sure we were linked with the real deal too. I thought we were about to sign him, but wanted him to come over to play in a friendly and he felt it was a bit of a snub. This was a few years before he was at Celtic.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave on September 25, 2014, 08:54:09 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Its not like Man City would have been offering a pittance. The likelihood was always that it was far more likely that he wouldn't break into Chelsea's first team as a regular than he would suffer a career ending injury. I just hate seeing young talented players trying to run before they can walk and being given what in most circumstances would be poor career advice.
And in this case it was perfectly sound career advice.

And let's say he didn't break into Chelsea's first team. Which he didn't.

Then he goes somewhere else and earns a huge amount of money at another club. Which he did.

But probably about £8m richer than had he not followed that bad advice.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on September 25, 2014, 09:03:07 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Given some of the wages we were paying out at time I doubt he'd have been on that much less tbh here.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave on September 25, 2014, 09:10:07 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Given some of the wages we were paying out at time I doubt he'd have been on that much less tbh here.
We don't really enter this conversation. We weren't one of his options.

Man City and Chelsea were.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Handsworth Wood Villa on September 25, 2014, 09:35:04 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?


Yes, Mr. Troll.

How exactly do you pay a 12 year old?

And why would he then join Coventry?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on September 25, 2014, 10:01:58 PM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?


Yes, Mr. Troll.

How exactly do you pay a 12 year old?

And why would he then join Coventry?

With money, to his parents.

Maybe they paid it.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SoccerHQ on September 25, 2014, 10:45:31 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Given some of the wages we were paying out at time I doubt he'd have been on that much less tbh here.
We don't really enter this conversation. We weren't one of his options.

Man City and Chelsea were.

As I said earlier I'm sure I remember reading we invited his Dad as a guest at one of our home games when he was still at City so I reckon we were in the courting stage at least as he did fit the type (Young, English) we were signing at time.

Anyway off the top of my head from in recent season, I'd say Houllier going and the Cabaye deal seemingly falling through would be one that got away.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Grande Pablo on September 25, 2014, 11:41:12 PM
Robbie Keane was an unboubted talent, but I think if JG had signed him from Wolves he'd have flopped for us.  A heavily pregnant Mrs Pablo & I had the 'pleasure' of going into our works box at Wolves when they played Werder Bremen in a pre-season friendly, with JG 2 boxes along.  Wolves & Keane were that shit JG went at half time, & Keane was subbed not long afterwards.

It was that shit Mrs Pablo went into labour the following morning 2 weeks early, & Junior Pablo was born.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on September 26, 2014, 06:40:58 AM
Wasn't Sturridge on our books as a kid? I think we let him go and he joined Coventry. Someone dropped a bollock there.

He was. His Dad wanted a ridiculous amount of money for us to keep him.

When he was 12 years old?


Yes, Mr. Troll.

How exactly do you pay a 12 year old?

And why would he then join Coventry?

With money, to his parents.

Maybe they paid it.

Correct.

They did.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: supertom on September 26, 2014, 10:20:42 AM
Robbie Keane was an unboubted talent, but I think if JG had signed him from Wolves he'd have flopped for us.  A heavily pregnant Mrs Pablo & I had the 'pleasure' of going into our works box at Wolves when they played Werder Bremen in a pre-season friendly, with JG 2 boxes along.  Wolves & Keane were that shit JG went at half time, & Keane was subbed not long afterwards.

It was that shit Mrs Pablo went into labour the following morning 2 weeks early, & Junior Pablo was born.
And indeed Doug seems to often be cited as the reason the Keane deal fell through, but did JG not admit that he was the one who didn't think Keane was worth the extra 500k and pulled the plug?
It's okay though. We got Bosko Balaban.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on September 26, 2014, 11:12:20 AM
Robbie Keane was an unboubted talent, but I think if JG had signed him from Wolves he'd have flopped for us.  A heavily pregnant Mrs Pablo & I had the 'pleasure' of going into our works box at Wolves when they played Werder Bremen in a pre-season friendly, with JG 2 boxes along.  Wolves & Keane were that shit JG went at half time, & Keane was subbed not long afterwards.

It was that shit Mrs Pablo went into labour the following morning 2 weeks early, & Junior Pablo was born.
And indeed Doug seems to often be cited as the reason the Keane deal fell through, but did JG not admit that he was the one who didn't think Keane was worth the extra 500k and pulled the plug?
It's okay though. We got Bosko Balaban.

That's what he says. He also said he believed Sirralix psyched him out of the deal by saying it was a lot of money for a 19 year old, he wouldn't fancy it himself & c.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Duncan Shaw on September 26, 2014, 12:02:28 PM
It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.
That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Its not like Man City would have been offering a pittance. The likelihood was always that it was far more likely that he wouldn't break into Chelsea's first team as a regular than he would suffer a career ending injury. I just hate seeing young talented players trying to run before they can walk and being given what in most circumstances would be poor career advice.
And in this case it was perfectly sound career advice.

And let's say he didn't break into Chelsea's first team. Which he didn't.

Then he goes somewhere else and earns a huge amount of money at another club. Which he did.

But probably about £8m richer than had he not followed that bad advice.

And then became England's main man up front!!
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Handsworth Wood Villa on September 26, 2014, 12:04:50 PM


 :(
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Nelly on September 26, 2014, 07:41:31 PM
There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: ez on September 28, 2014, 09:21:29 PM
Didn't Doug used to make sure the local media got fed rumours of big name signings at season ticket renewal time ?
Under Doug it was always rumours. I remember him saying Villa could compete with anyone in the transfer market. We didn't though. It always grated on me that clubs like Everton and Spurs could make big name signings and we didn't.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: dave.woodhall on September 28, 2014, 09:23:54 PM
What we had off to an art form under Doug was making a bid that was just less than the selling club would settle for, or just after they'd agreed a deal with someone else.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: claretandbeer on September 29, 2014, 12:00:13 PM
A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: danrjfrost on September 29, 2014, 01:30:20 PM
I'm amazed that no one has mentioned how close we were to signing arguably one of the Premier Leagues best ever players Frank Lampard... http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/2211333/villa-confirm-lampard-talks

Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Mellin on September 29, 2014, 04:44:42 PM
Deal to Chelsea was practically done when we made our bid. Think that one was Deadly playing games with us.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: cheltenhamlion on September 29, 2014, 06:01:32 PM
If memory serves, Lampard had already agreed terms by the time we tabled a bid of about 3m less than had been agreed between Chelsea and West Ham.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: SirSteveUK on September 29, 2014, 06:07:11 PM
A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.

Not surprising - as his brother (or cousin?) Aaron played for us
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: LeeB on September 29, 2014, 08:34:01 PM
A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.

Not surprising - as his brother (or cousin?) Aaron played for us

His older brother Aaron never broke through either, and that may have influenced young Joleon to go somewhere shit first, like Wolves.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: KevinGage on September 29, 2014, 09:08:32 PM
Joleon was close to joining us in the summer of 2005 0r 2006. 

But we phucked about and Everton nipped in.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Percy McCarthy on September 30, 2014, 09:21:40 AM
There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.

Agreed.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Villa in Denmark on September 30, 2014, 01:07:38 PM
There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.

Agreed.
I think it's because he comes across as quite grounded and appreciative of what he's got.
Compare and contrast with Ashley "nearly crashed my car" Cole.

Also seems like a generally decent bloke.
Compare and contrast with John "arrogant arsehole" Terry.

Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Handsworth Wood Villa on October 10, 2014, 11:18:04 PM
Dean Sturridge Junior scoring for our U13s.

http://instagram.com/p/t5EulFnNXZ/?modal=true

Let's hope that this Sturridge doesn't get away  :)
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Damo70 on October 11, 2014, 02:48:36 PM
I know Daniel Sturridge's uncle Dave very well. He has always told me Daniel was more interested in playing football as a youngster than actively following any team. Through Dave I have also met Daniel's uncle Derek who is a teacher and Dean who played for Derby, Leicester and Wolves. The other two brothers are Simon who played for Small Heath and Daniel's dad who had a spell at Small Heath as a youngster. The Sturridge brothers also have a sister who is a head teacher who has won awards for turning round problem schools. They are quite a small family but Daniel and his dad seem to be bigger built than the others.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on October 11, 2014, 05:52:53 PM
Dean Sturridge Junior scoring for our U13s.

http://instagram.com/p/t5EulFnNXZ/?modal=true

Let's hope that this Sturridge doesn't get away  :)

I regularly watch the U-13s. He is pretty good for his age, but he is not the best there.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: ez on October 11, 2014, 07:14:44 PM
Which player was it who blanked Doug at the press conference when Doug wanted to shake hands?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Dave P on October 12, 2014, 07:17:38 AM
Which player was it who blanked Doug at the press conference when Doug wanted to shake hands?

Wasn't it Baros and it was more of a not realising who it was than a blanking.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: eamonn on October 12, 2014, 07:11:33 PM
Dean, Derek, Dave and Daniel? Fuck sake, imagine calling that lot in for the big family dinner at Chrstmas.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on October 12, 2014, 07:23:14 PM
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Legion on October 12, 2014, 07:24:01 PM
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Ian. on October 12, 2014, 07:40:30 PM

Is this from a different planet and different gravitational pull to ours?
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2014, 08:20:53 PM
(http://www.sott.net/image/s1/34503/full/aliens.jpg)
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: Ian. on October 12, 2014, 09:17:07 PM
Those are the ones that got away. Not before they brainwashed Randy into signing TSM.
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: simon ward 50 on October 13, 2014, 02:17:22 PM


Looks like it was taken on a mobile phone from quite a distance!
Title: Re: The one that got away
Post by: peter w on October 15, 2014, 12:02:25 PM
That keeper should be ashamed of himself. I hope there were no treats for him in the car on the way home.
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