Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Ivo Stas on December 30, 2015, 11:25:12 PM
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Players half-season report grades:
KEEPERS
Brad Guzan: I'm less critical of him than some. His strength is in dominating his box in the air, claiming crosses and not being bullied by oppostion forwards in the manner Given could be. However, since the Spurs game, his shot-stopping has all but disappeared. I'm getting sick of seeing him nearly save shots. I do think that he is a bit of a sitting duck with our defence however. As for his distribution, he did actually complete those passes to Amavi and Lescott that cost us goals, however he should stick to simply kicking the ball straight up the pitch (or out of play), which he seems to have been told to do by Garde. I'm grading him a C minus.
Mark Bunn: The one time I saw him, in the League Cup, he let in three and should have been sent off. Not enough games to grade.
DEFENDERS
Micah Richards: Obviously a very talented (and strong) footballer. It would solve so many problems if he played right back. That he doesn't either reflects badly on the manager or, more likely, on him (and his contract). I'm grading him a slightly generous B minus.
Jores Okore: Lacks positional awareness but, in our back four, who doesn't (and this can be forgiven somewhat in a young defender). On the ball, there is about a 50% chance of him passing to the opposition. However, he is strong and steady and is probably our next best defender to Richards, its a shame they both play in the exact same right centre-back spot. I'll give him a B minus.
Ciaran Clark: is this the same player we saw last season? Didn't Pulis offer £3 million for him in the summer? In hindsight, that was a deal begging to be made. Was directly at fault for goals against Sunderland, Palace, Watford and Spurs. Against Norwich he got caught on the ball as last man in the same exact way he did years ago at home against Man City! Whenever I see Clarke, I'm reminded of a post I saw here a couple of years ago which when something like "please remember, Ciaran, we are not at home to Mr Cock Up today!". Utter fail, this season, he has made me pine for Nathan Baker, I'm giving him an F:
Joleon Lescott: it didn't take long to see why Pulis was happy to sell him to us. He has improved slightly recently under Garde but has been a major disappointment. Not quite sure why he hasn't been tried at left-back (where he once shone for Everton). I'm giving him an E:
Alan Hutton: he is fit as a fiddle, that is the best I can say for him. Shame that he can't cross when running forward, nor tackle when running back. Michael Cox, on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, named him as the worst player in the Premier League (since Nathan Baker went off on loan). I'll give him no worse than a D on the basis that at least he tries his limited best each week.
Jordan Amavi: probably the player we could least afford to lose to a long-term injury. Defensive weakness far outweighed by his excellent dribbling and crossing. Created two of Rudy's goals. I'm grading him a B.
Jose Angel Crespo: signed as a squad player and used as one. Not looked anything too special in the two appearances he has made. I'm grading him a D because he doesn't look like he could improve a poor defence.
Leandro Bacuna: controversially, I quite like him. But not at left-back. Nor right-back. Nor defensive midfield (Mr Sherwood). But on the right-side of midfield, I think he would whip in quality crosses (for Rudy) and score a few goals. It also confused me why Weimann got in at right midfield/wing ahead of him, now it puzzles me how Sinclair does. However, as he has played out of position like a headless chicken, its an E for me.
MIDFIELDERS
Idrissa Gueye: very much a poor man's Delph. Watching the Norwich game, I was struck by how many long forward diagonal passes went straight to Ryan Bennett. For the money we paid, a disappointment to me. Like Hutton, he is fit and covers the ground. His shooting reminds me of Tonev. I'm giving him a D.
Ashley Westwood: someone posed the question: has a worse player reached 100 games for Villa? After checking how many Ian Ormondroyd managed (56), I might have to say no. Reo-Coker managed 102 games but I think we'd all prefer him to Westwood. He does 'look after the ball' so if we could somehow maybe put him into a blender with Sanchez, we might have a player. I'm giving him a D.
Jordan Veretout: started slowly, but Garde obviously fancies him much more than Sherwood. Has been given the lightweight, creative player role at the expense of Gil and Grealish who might actually both be better at it. There was a game (against Notts County in the cup) when Veretout, Gil, Grealish and Adama all played. We let in 3 and scored 5. Sometimes I think it might make for a more entertaining second half of the season to start all four each game. No doubt we'd keep losing but perhaps in more style. I'm giving Veretout a C+.
Kieran Richardson: sigh. An F because a right winger is preferred to him at left-back. Not that he is really a left back anyway but he sucks in midfield too.
Carlos Sanchez: I remember in the World Cup when Colombia played Brazil and were fancied to cause an upset. Then Brazil scored from a corner because a Colombian lost his man - guess who that Colombian was..?!?! Every time we concede from a corner, Sanchez is not far from the scene of the crime. Aside from that bug bear of mine, and the fact that he takes about seven touches before carefully passing the ball straight to an opponent (or once sideways, blind, behind Hutton putting an opponent through on goal), he is our only physical defensive presence. (Why did Sherwood send our other 'bully boys' Baker and Cissokho off on loan, leaving us with all the pushovers at the back?). We do look a better side with Sanchez in it. However, nothing would probably improve us quicker than replacing him with a defensive midfielder who could start off attacks. I'm giving him a D. (By the way, does anyone else think that Yacouba Sylla might do a job in our lightweight midfield? He couldn't pass either but he did add something.)
Carles Gil: one of these guys who got better with every game he didn't play. However, when he does get games, he appears to be too lightweight (or is it lazy) to track back and cover Hutton effectively. For me, he should play up off the striker (Ayew) as a number 10 with minimum defensive duties (other than to drop back onto the opponents defensive midfielder when we don't have the ball). He is a quality player searching for a position. We seem to have quite a few players who don't seem to fit any role (Sinclair, for instance). I'm going to give him a C+ for the goal he scored against Leicester. We don't have many midfielders scoring.
Charles N'Zogbia: came in for a couple of games just to remind us what a poor signing he was (although one I cheered at the time!). He gets a D.
Jack Grealish: he is having a Weimann (or a Lowton) style second season. Clearly he is a fantastic player in the making though no doubt he will achieve his full potential at Chelsea after Garde sells him to someone like Everton. (Can you tell I'm still bitter about O'Neill selling Cahill?). Now that we are effectively relegated, can we start playing Grealish again please Mr Garde? I'm giving him a D but he is one of a very few players I would want to keep hold of for next season.
Scott Sinclair: after a couple of early (or pre) season hat-tricks, has been a massive disappointment. Where exactly is his position? Where (and what) did he do at Swansea to get Man City interested? All he seems to do for us it attempt to dribble hopelessly into overwhelming numbers of defenders. Also gets pushed off the ball too easily. I suspect Garde likes him because (unlike Gil, Grealish, Adama) he does run back to help out his full back. I was going to give him an E but he is our top scorer with 6 so I'll give him a D.
Adama Traore: can't pass, doesn't track back, still should start every game because he is our only player that frightens opponents. As soon as he comes on, immediately, the opposition have a problem to deal with. I'm giving him a B just for his pace, power and directness.
Gabriel Agbonlahor: I knew his days were numbered as soon as Garde was hired because I don't buy the "Remi Garde is the new Arsene Wenger" hype. For me, Remi Garde is Gerrard Houllier II. And first thing Houllier told him is 'get rid of Gabby'. I'm struggling to think of anything good Gabby has done this season (an assist against Swansea perhaps). I'd given up expecting goals from Gabby but we used to get the odd game where he was unplayable. I expect he'll be sold to West Brom or Sunderland in January and be immediately rehabiliated by Pulis/Allardyce. For me, an E. I'll always have a soft spot for him though.
Jordan Ayew: I owe him an apology because by September I thought we'd made an expensive mistake signing him. Now, I think he is our best signing since... Benteke? I love how he got booked against Norwich, even though it was last minute and means a suspension. It shows he was as fucked off with losing that game as I felt. He gets a B+ from me (which is my highest mark awarded to anyone this season). If only he had some team mates with his quality and desire.
Libor Kozak: I was at the game against Notts County when he came on and I saw him trapping and controlling long balls belted up to him. This is a skill that eludes Gestede. I can only assume that a deal has already been done to sell him to Celtic, hence he isn't being given a chance. Not enough game time to mark.
Rudy Gestede: possibly the worst striker since... Jordan Bowery? I feel for Rudy because he needs crosses to attack and those dried up when Amavi got injured. If picking Rudy, I would also pick Bacuna (on the right) so at least someone might whip something in for him to attack. That headed goal against Liverpool was one of the greatest I've ever seen, so there is something there. On the deck or outside the box, however, just awful. I'm old enough to remember Tony Cascarino and I'd pick him over Gestede any day. For me a D.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
Short and to the point. Spot on.
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All fucking expelled except Amavi, Veretout and Ayew.
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Wow, how did you have the time type out all of that.
But a very good analysis, my only changes an F for Nzogbia and Rudy is worse than you marked.
Our challenge is to get some new blood, winners, into the team during Jan
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
Short and to the point. Spot on.
I'd go with this though it is a pity about Amavi.
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Class detention
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Players half-season report grades:
Very good, Ivo, and depressingly accurate
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Best I can say is they've looked ok at times, but mostly shit. Too many schoolboy mistakes and toothless in front of goal. Like quite a few on here I was excited by our summer signings- what a fucking let down though. Another massive clearout required in the summer. Decent championship players, to get us out of that league first time of asking. Shit, Villa.
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Have to fail the entire group I'm afraid. They will be made to stay back next season as punishment, except the persistent recidivists who will be expelled in the meantime.
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I'd assess all of them including Remi Garde as, 'working towards' their Premier League level.
I'd assign some new learning mentors in January.
I would expect such targeted new influences to have an impact on overall performance.
Oh, and restrict access to the playground until each lad has shown that he can play and perform effectively, individually and collectively.
Finally, some significant group collaborative skills work is needed.
Perhaps at Bodymoor Heath?
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We need to go and find a couple of school bullies, if we are going to continue with the educational theme, to assist them with having their pants pulled over their heads every game.
In proper language, go out and find a couple of players who have the heart and desire for a relegation scrap. We have our list of desires, defo a striker for one, but so much more needed is for a central defender and a centre mid with some bollocks.
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collective report for aston villa 1st team
this team are very rarely here
but when they are
they learn and do absolutely nothing
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Excellent post Ivo. Hard to disagree with much of it. Possibly I'd be a it more generous on Hutton; while limited, he tries and cares which puts him ahead of most of 'em.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
10 out of 10. Please can you apply for the next vacancy on the board as you seem to see what is wrong with the squad and hence can guide them?
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They'll all in the special studies class next season
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Other than Ayew, Amavi and Veretout it's basically been an utter disaster.
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I agree with Ivo's extended version but think there are one or two more F's in there.
I also like the Shitter than Shit for the defence as it sums it up. The number of preventable goals due to the most basic fuckwittery, demonstrated twice v Naaarwich has really killed us. Eliminate even half of the crappy mistakes and we'd be at least on a par with Sunderland.
Clark and Richardson wouldn't get into Walsall's current team.
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Don't see the Veretout love-in myself. Even I'd stand out in that rank midfield, so I think its just he's the average best of a very, very bad bunch.
Ayew, Amavi good for a quarter of the season each.
Comes to something when our most conistent player has actually been....
Alan Hutton.
No wonder we've gone.
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I go with the Paulie report. I give your very readable analysis a B ivo on the grounds that you spare the rod on players who you obviously like, Guzan, Gabby and Bacuna whom I personally would mark much lower. Paulie gets an A for brevity and acuity.
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Could and should do better. D-.
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Attendance: A+
Punctuality: F
Target: To turn up!
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I agree with Paulie.
I have to exception to the Guardian write mentioned in Ivo's opening post though, as Alan Hutton is nowhere near to being the worst player in the Villa team, so can't be the worst player in the Premier League. That honour surely goes to:
Rudy Gestede. What's the grade equivalent of Absolute Zero? A truly hopeless, desperately poor footballer.
Special mentions on the crapometer for Guzan, Lescott, Sanchez, Agbonlahor and Richards. As our most experienced players, they should hang their collective heads in shame.
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Attendance: A+
Punctuality: F
Target: To turn up!
It's clearly a failing establishment Rob, they need to be put in OFSTED special measures.
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Nail on head Riss. Our senior (hollow laugh) players bear by far the most responsibility for our situation.
As for Gestede, his awfulness is bottomless. At Norwich with Traore finally on and us hammering away for an equaliser Traore skins his two markers plays the ball to Gestede for a simple one two, Traore with the after burners ignited through on goal. Gestede passes to the Norwich defender.
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Yep, it was hardly Messi and Neymar as far as one-twos go
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They've been on weekly, nay, daily report on here since the start of term. Not good enough. Six o' the best for every one. Punishment to be carried out by Ayew who is named boy who has shown most progress during term.
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They've been on weekly, nay, daily report on here since the start of term. Not good enough. Six o' the best for every one. Punishment to be carried out by Ayew who is named boy who has shown most progress during term.
I think we should reward them all instead.
3 minutes each with one of Britain's most successful sportsman in his preferred arena. Joe Calzaghe.
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A D for N'Zog?
Barely earns an F for me.
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A D for N'Zog?
Barely earns an F for me.
Epitomises the post MON era. Shit.
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The only players who don't deserve to be boiled down for glue are Veretout, Ayew and Amavi.
The rest can fuck off. They're expelled, or excluded, or whatever the fuck it's called these days.
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Guzan U - bag of shit
Bacuna F - tries but is a bag of shit
Hutton D - runs around all day, mostly out of position when it comes to defending, cannot cross
Clark F - weak
Okore C - maybe because he hasn't looked as bad as the others
Lescott E - based on 2 decent games and 1 goal, apart from that shambolic
Richards E - terrible all season positionally
Amavi C - needs to learn how to defend and not bottle tackles
Richardson U - bag of shit
Gueye D - started ok but has slowly turned to shit
Veretout C - some signs he can play football
Sanchez E - cannot pass a football
Westwood F - bag of shit
Grealish F - terrible this season
Gil E - too lightweight and does all his work miles from goal
Traore E - trick pony? who knows, hasn't seen enough game time
Nzogbia U - appalling
Ayew B - player of the season so far, some great goals, doing his best, a winner with a bunch of losers
Gestede E - early goals but doesn't look a footballer
Gabby U - bag of shit
Sinclair F - early goals but has been anonymous for about 3 months
If there's anyone I've forgotten they must be truly terrible and get a U as well.
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We've got more bags of shit than Barnes Hill dogs home
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Bacuna F - tries but is a bag of shit
At (either) full-back yes. But I'd like to see him play right midfield. After all, if players like Westwood can get played out there. I still remember Bacuna's through-ball against Everton that set up the Cleverley goal. He has got assists in him. Who else does..?
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After Norwich I would prefer never to see Bacuna play at all. The look on his face alone makes me reach for the Stanley Blades. Totally vacuuous.
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Good read that, thank you. I would have graded our defence far wose than you have. Is Sylla still with us then?
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Is Sylla still with us then?
Sylla was out on loan in Turkey but we have now sold him to Rennes for £1 million (recouping half of the £2million we paid for him).
I'm getting the figures from http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer (http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer).
There was an end of season home game against Chelsea I attended which we were winning until Benteke got sent off very harshly for a high foot (he attempted to bring high ball down on his toe and caught a Chelsea player on the chest with his boot whilst looking the other way over his shoulder at the dropping ball) that Sylla looked class in. If I remember correctly, after Benteke went, we lost 2-1 with Lampard achieving some Chelsea goal milestone. Anyhow, my point is at that game, after a good few months with us, I thought Sylla was coming on nicely but, as has been the story with so many young Villa players recently (Clarke, Bannan, Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, etc) I was just projecting my hopes onto them and actually they were shit.
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Guzan U - bag of shit
Bacuna F - tries but is a bag of shit
Hutton D - runs around all day, mostly out of position when it comes to defending, cannot cross
Clark F - weak
Okore C - maybe because he hasn't looked as bad as the others
Lescott E - based on 2 decent games and 1 goal, apart from that shambolic
Richards E - terrible all season positionally
Amavi C - needs to learn how to defend and not bottle tackles
Richardson U - bag of shit
Gueye D - started ok but has slowly turned to shit
Veretout C - some signs he can play football
Sanchez E - cannot pass a football
Westwood F - bag of shit
Grealish F - terrible this season
Gil E - too lightweight and does all his work miles from goal
Traore E - trick pony? who knows, hasn't seen enough game time
Nzogbia U - appalling
Ayew B - player of the season so far, some great goals, doing his best, a winner with a bunch of losers
Gestede E - early goals but doesn't look a footballer
Gabby U - bag of shit
Sinclair F - early goals but has been anonymous for about 3 months
If there's anyone I've forgotten they must be truly terrible and get a U as well.
Excellent, made me smile for all the wrong reasons. You read this and understand wny we probably won't win another game all season
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Is Sylla still with us then?
Sylla was out on loan in Turkey but we have now sold him to Rennes for £1 million (recouping half of the £2million we paid for him).
I'm getting the figures from http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer (http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer).
There was an end of season home game against Chelsea I attended which we were winning until Benteke got sent off very harshly for a high foot (he attempted to bring high ball down on his toe and caught a Chelsea player on the chest with his boot whilst looking the other way over his shoulder at the dropping ball) that Sylla looked class in. If I remember correctly, after Benteke went, we lost 2-1 with Lampard achieving some Chelsea goal milestone. Anyhow, my point is at that game, after a good few months with us, I thought Sylla was coming on nicely but, as has been the story with so many young Villa players recently (Clarke, Bannan, Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, etc) I was just projecting my hopes onto them and actually they were shit.
I would argue it wasn't them that was shit but the coaching they received, which meant promising players never improved.
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The coaching at the academy is awful.
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Legion. Is the coaching awful throughout age groups?
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From what I have seen, heard and been told by following Cam since has been playing there, most definitely.
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Rudy Gestede is the Tony Cascarino of the modern age.
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Guzan U - bag of shit
Bacuna F - tries but is a bag of shit
Hutton D - runs around all day, mostly out of position when it comes to defending, cannot cross
Clark F - weak
Okore C - maybe because he hasn't looked as bad as the others
Lescott E - based on 2 decent games and 1 goal, apart from that shambolic
Richards E - terrible all season positionally
Amavi C - needs to learn how to defend and not bottle tackles
Richardson U - bag of shit
Gueye D - started ok but has slowly turned to shit
Veretout C - some signs he can play football
Sanchez E - cannot pass a football
Westwood F - bag of shit
Grealish F - terrible this season
Gil E - too lightweight and does all his work miles from goal
Traore E - trick pony? who knows, hasn't seen enough game time
Nzogbia U - appalling
Ayew B - player of the season so far, some great goals, doing his best, a winner with a bunch of losers
Gestede E - early goals but doesn't look a footballer
Gabby U - bag of shit
Sinclair F - early goals but has been anonymous for about 3 months
If there's anyone I've forgotten they must be truly terrible and get a U as well.
Whilst I concur 100% with the writer; a bag of shit we could sell these jokers are stuck with us.
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From what I have seen, heard and been told by following Cam since has been playing there, most definitely.
Bloody Hell.
Really sorry about that.
Continued Good Luck with Cam though. UTV
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Is Sylla still with us then?
Sylla was out on loan in Turkey but we have now sold him to Rennes for £1 million (recouping half of the £2million we paid for him).
I'm getting the figures from http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer (http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer).
There was an end of season home game against Chelsea I attended which we were winning until Benteke got sent off very harshly for a high foot (he attempted to bring high ball down on his toe and caught a Chelsea player on the chest with his boot whilst looking the other way over his shoulder at the dropping ball) that Sylla looked class in. If I remember correctly, after Benteke went, we lost 2-1 with Lampard achieving some Chelsea goal milestone. Anyhow, my point is at that game, after a good few months with us, I thought Sylla was coming on nicely but, as has been the story with so many young Villa players recently (Clarke, Bannan, Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, etc) I was just projecting my hopes onto them and actually they were shit.
I remember that Chelsea game. I'm sure it was Terry that was caught by Benteke? And I wholeheartedly agree with your other statement about projecting hopes onto promising players. This is why I can't get carried away by Grealish. I'm sure he has a lot of potential but until he actually does something, well, what's the point?
And it's gutting to hear that about the academy. That was sort of the one hope I had for our future. To allow that to also degenerate is equally criminal for me. Sigh.
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From what I have seen, heard and been told by following Cam since has been playing there, most definitely.
Bloody Hell.
Really sorry about that.
Continued Good Luck with Cam though. UTV
Thanks. He has just captained the West Midlands U14s representative side in a 4-1 win against Lancashire, scoring 1 and setting up 2.
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U ungraded
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I like Veretout, Ayew and the absent Kozak. Grealish and Gil have ability but we still not seen the best of it. Bunn has played one game so unfair to judge him. Hutton has the right spirit and occasionally looks half decent as does Sanchez. The rest I think are a lily livered lot who aren't fit to wear the shirt.
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The only players who don't deserve to be boiled down for glue are Veretout, Ayew and Amavi.
The rest can fuck off. They're expelled, or excluded, or whatever the fuck it's called these days.
Even those three have a hell of a lot of improving to do.
Worst player?
Gabby, Sinclair or Lescott?
Gabby for me
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That's great Legion. I'm not sure so best to ask. Is he signed up by Villa?
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Yes. Striker for the U14s.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
Short and to the point. Spot on.
Ill go even shorter and and give the overall squad a 'W' for wank. Apart from the Jordans anyway.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
That's about the size of it.
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
That's about the size of it.
I'd go for Defenders: Shit except Amavi
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If your name is Jordan stand up and you can go others you all have to stay behind for lots of extra work.
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I see Matt Kendrick has now got in on my act. His half term report card here:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-half-term-report-10674452
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Here's mine.
Keeper: Shit
Defenders: Shitter than Shit
Midfielders: Shit except Veretout
Strikers: Shit except Ayew.
That's about the size of it.
I'd go for Defenders: Shit except Amavi
Even he cost us games with errors. Another case where he becomes better through his absence.
The whole club has been shite.
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I see Matt Kendrick has now got in on my act. His half term report card here:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-half-term-report-10674452
Could you copy and paste it, please? I flatly refuse to clink on links to that rag.
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Not sure why people are saying stuff like "defence shit except for Amavi." Obviously he's got a long term injury but his only stand out performance to my mind was the one where he cost us a point at Palace.
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Could you copy and paste it, please? I flatly refuse to clink on links to that rag.
As requested (and I've even copied and pasted the one comment on the article too!)
Aston Villa's half term report: At the mid point of the season, Mat Kendrick rates the players
Birmingham Mail football editor Mat Kendrick gives his verdict on the claret and blues after 19 Premier League games
GOALKEEPER
Brad Guzan 4
Appearances: 19 starts
Perhaps it is the stress of being one of the busiest goalkeepers in the Premier League, but Guzan has creaked this season. Errors have crept into his game with his kicking and he now punches crosses he would previously collect. He can still make top draw saves, but not as many as he used to. Several of the goals Villa have conceded have prompted the question 'could the American have done better?'.
DEFENDERS
Alan Hutton 4
Appearances: 15 starts, 1 sub
Aggression and fighting spirit in abundance. Hutton shows a willingness to get forward and at least try to raise the tempo. Sadly his efforts going forward are often undermined by costly lapses that have resulted in Villa conceding soft goals.
Micah Richards 5
Appearances: 14 starts
He certainly doesn't lack passion. However he seems to be lacking the cool head Villa require to lead them out of this rut. Prone to excitable bursts rather than the calm and composed guidance the struggling team requires. Sometimes his positional sense and awareness let him down and he might be better employed at right-back.
Leandro Bacuna 4.5
Appearances: 12 starts, 2 subs
The Dutch utility player is an interesting one. He deserves to be cut some slack for constantly being played out of position, although three years into his Villa career it is still not clear what his best position is. One moment he will impress with a bit of quality, the next he will waste a cross, lose concentration or fail to show quite enough desire.
Joleon Lescott 4.5
Appearances: 11 starts
Thank goodness he has improved! Calling Lescott a heavy-legged liability in his first few appearances would be harsh, but he certainly wobbled when he arrived on the scene. In the winter of his Premier career, he obviously lacks pace and mobility, but after a nervy beginning he is showing more signs of solidity and using his quality and experience.
Jordan Amavi 6
Appearances: 10 starts
Until his season was cruelly cut short by a serious knee problem, Amavi was arguably the most impressive of the summer signings. He impressed with his pace and energy getting up and down the left-flank. His attacking ability was undermined slightly by occasional defensive lapses such as the one that proved costly in the defeat at Crystal Palace.
Ciaran Clark 4.5
Appearances: 9 starts
It's been a frustrating first half of the season for Clark. Last season he really started to come of age and he was hoping to carry on where he left off, only to lose his place to Lescott. This term it has been a mixed bag. Fans never know whether they will see Clark switch off and concede needlessly, or come crunching in with a last ditch tackle. Needs to show more consistency.
Kieran Richardson 3
Appearances: 6 starts, 2 subs
Just doesn't seem to be up to the required standard, either at left-back or further forward. It's an extreme example but the runaround he was given by Everton's Gerard Deulofeu summed up his struggles. On numerous occasions his lack of communication and/or awareness has left Villa in deep defensive trouble, while they must surely boast better left midfield options?
Jores Okore 5
Appearances: 4 starts
Steady, if not spectacular return to first team duty for Okore whose knee problems have never allowed him to really build up any momentum at Villa. Hasn't looked 100 per cent right since coming back in last month and needs a run of games to get physically and mentally sharp, but his desire is always there.
Jose Angel Crespo 3
Appearances: 1 start
Did okay on his one and only performance - the home defeat to Stoke - but has been hampered by injuries. The fact he has not made it onto the pitch since then says much about his form and fitness on the training ground.
MIDFIELDERS
Idrissa Gana 4
Appearances: 16 starts
Something of a nearly man so far. Gets about the pitch without ever really making a telling impact. He is mobile enough, does the basics and his passing is mostly accurate. But with holding midfielders alongside him there is an onus on Gana to get forward to create and score goals and to date he has been able to deliver in that area.
Ashley Westwood 4.5
Appearances: 14 starts, 1 sub
Continues to split opinion more often than he splits defences. One of the few survivors of Paul Lambert's signings he tries to receive the ball off his defence as often as possible to start things off. Would like to see him doing more in advanced areas when the opportunity allows - and his setpiece deliveries have room for improvement - but it is difficult when there is little forward movement ahead of him.
Carlos Sanchez 4
Appearances: 12 starts, 3 subs
Yet to work this fella out. His party piece seems to be playing one-twos with the opposition by getting the ball off them and then giving it back to them. If his passing was as good as his knack of disrupting opponents then Villa would have a cracking player. It's not, so they have a defensive midfielder that blows hot and cold.
Jordan Veretout 5
Veretout (11 starts, 2 subs)
A slow starter, but Veretout has been the pick of Villa's centre-of-the-park options in recent weeks. His deadball deliveries have created a series of chances and, in a No.10 type role, he has taken up more advanced positions lately. Has obvious quality and has started to add tenacity to his game as he adapts to the Premier League.
Jack Grealish 3.5
After playing a part in Villa's survival during his first team breakthrough late last season, much was expected of Grealish in 2015-16. So far he has attracted attention for the wrong reasons. There have been glimpses of his ability to influence games (most notably his first senior goal at Leicester) but they have been too fleeting.
Appearances: 8 starts, 3 subs
Carles Gil 4
How the claret and blue faithful are willing this bloke's clever feet to work some magic. He is aesthetically pleasing on the ball, but he continues to lack that end product, probably because no sooner has he got a feel for being in the first team he is hauled back out again.
Appearances: 7 starts, 5 subs
Charles N'Zogbia 1
Appearances: 2 subs
In his own hashtag words, Charles N'Zogbia continues to enjoy the Premier League #lifestyle without ever consistently earning it on the pitch. It says much that Remi Garde binned the French winger almost as quickly as he recalled him after two uneventful cameos from the substitutes bench. Not to worry, he'll be gone soon.
FORWARDS
Scott Sinclair 4
Appearances: 14 starts
Had high hopes for Sinclair after his scoring spree in pre season and at the start of the campaign, but he just doesn't do enough to make an impact on games. Without confidence he is a peripheral figure at best. He doesn't seem to have enough pace, power, nous or desire to hurt opponents.
Jordan Ayew 7
Appearances: 12 starts, 3 subs
Won over his dubious critics in recent months. There have been too many flat collective performances to dwell on, but even when his team-mates are anonymous, Ayew does something to come to the fore. Of his five goals, many have been cracking efforts conjured from nowhere, while his workrate and desire to drive forward has also been impressive.
Rudy Gestede 4
Appearances: 9 starts, 10 subs
Needs to work harder, needs to show more aggression, needs to be more mobile. Whether or not he has sufficient quality to shine in the Premier League, time will tell. But there is nothing to stop him grafting and scaring opponents with his physique. Needs a goal since his early season scoring streak dried up before it really got going.
Gabby Agbonlahor 2.5
Appearances: 7 starts, 1 sub
Whether Agbonlahor is judged as a striker or a wide player nowadays, the conclusion is still the same - he is not doing enough. Since his last start at Tottenham - when his inactivity was mocked by pundits - the long-serving Brummie has played just eight minutes of football and the message from Remi Garde is simple - do more, or there's the door.
Adama Traore 4.5
Appearances: 8 subs
Depending on who you believe, Adama is either the super-charged saviour who can rescue Villa with his speed, strength and step-overs or a selfish showboater not responsible enough to be a team-player. The reality is probably somewhere in between, but with Villa lacking match-winners I would like to see more of him.
Comments (1)
fussybeggar
Kendrick you joker. Sanchez deserves the same rating as gana? Guzan deserves 4 yet crespo gets 3 for one appearance where he easily gave an above average performance And showed clear signs of getting the ball forward? As for the others you got one right. Gabby. And your working in sports as a football editor?
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Cheers.
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Jesus. For once I agree with Kendrick.
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Sanchez deserves a higher mark if anything. Yes he makes mistakes, yes he is miles away from perfect BUT when he doesn't play, we massively miss him. Under Garde we have generally looked much more solid than we did earlier in the season and conceded less goals aside from during three games - Everton, Norwich and Sunderland. Sanchez didn't play in any of them.
Unless we buy a better replacement, then Sanchez should be one of the first names on the team sheet.
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4 for Gestede?
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4 for Gestede?
Four goals including two winners when we have only won three games all season in all competitions. Christian Who?
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I think that's generous to be quite honest. Can't believe there's not more 2's and 3's.
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Reads like the charge-sheet of someone on their way to the gallows.
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Whether Agbonlahor is judged as a striker or a wide player nowadays, the conclusion is still the same -
Definitely a wide player nowadays