Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dazvillain on January 31, 2019, 11:33:49 PM
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Loan with option to buy
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Who is he?
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Let’s have a bit of that
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That's better
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He was good once I think.
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Well that escalated quickly.
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Literally......no idea
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Wait, what?
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Delighted with that.
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I thought he was quite good at Spurs.
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Just popped up on the official site, maybe this was the ‘Fer’ deal all along?
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I hope this isn’t a Doug moment, shopping for Teddy and come back with Tony.
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Only 26, and that's all i know about him. Wait and see I suppose.
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Started at spurs, a few loans then played 66 times for Swansea . Age 26, was England under 21
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https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/01/31/transfer-news-carroll-joins-aston-villa
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Strange one, as in from Fer to Carroll, complete different type of player?
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I’m still waiting for Fer announcement too !!
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He’s better than Fer and Hayden, this is a good signing. Not quite the midfielder we need perhaps.
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Well a quick Wiki says “He plays as a deep-lying creative central midfielder, and is particularly valued for his high passing percentage accuracy and creativity.”
That’s promising.
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Looked a tidy footballer but not sure he's the defensive midfielder we needed.
But welcome
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Carroll? Ding dong merrily on high.
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Worryingly the swansea fans seem happy about this.
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A much better passer of the ball than Hourihane, not much physically though,not sure on this one, would have wanted someone to screen our donkey defence better.
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Welcome to the Greatest Club in the World. If you've bought a return train ticket, there's a bloke called Leroy who is after one.
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All kinds of Villa and ex Villa scoring for Swansea. Carroll gets number 7
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The deal seems to have all the hallmarks of despiration but I’m sure it isn’t.
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I’d have preferred Fer. A lot.
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He’s only just returned to training after hip problems.
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Jack replacement?
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All kinds of Villa and ex Villa scoring for Swansea. Carroll gets number 7
Great! Can't wait til we play Notts County!
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Jack replacement?
The Jacks need a replacement now for sure.
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Jack replacement?
You took the words out of my mouth!
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He’s better than Fer and Hayden, this is a good signing. Not quite the midfielder we need perhaps.
Can't agree I'm afraid. He's small and easily brushed off the ball. I think we've got enough weak midfielders of our own. Not the player we need at all. Had a difficult time at Swansea, and hasn't played since October. Looks like a Bruce type signing, where anybody at all is judged to be better than no signing.
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I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
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Worryingly the swansea fans seem happy about this.
They will be, he's crap.
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Welcome, Tom. You are our next major hope so go easy on the pasta at BH.
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I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
Now into his seventh season as a Premier League regular.
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See that’s what I need positivity. Thank you David.
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I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
Now into his seventh season as a Premier League regular.
It's a fair point, but then Paul McShane could also boast that and he's one of the worst footballers I've ever seen.
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What's the thinking behind this signing then?
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I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
Now into his seventh season as a Premier League regular.
And Bacuna is in his whatever number
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Says loan on the BBC so I guess it's just a case of getting an extra body in with no obligation.
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Now this makes sense in terms of players Smith likes . A smith type midfielder. Something I been talking about and saying
Unfortunately doesn't bring much balance to squad unless some crazy idea to convert him to left back .
He's a left footer, a footballer but light weight.
Has some footy intelligence a very Smith type deep lying but hasn't got any bite like Hayden or Fer.
Underwhelming in as much as he's nothing exciting but fits in as a ball playing midfielder
He's a lightweight for those who wanted a bit of muscle in the middle.
However he is someone who is capable of playing Smith football and has better abilities than a Hayden on the ball .
Off the ball has energy .
Just having a bit of confidence is key. Never saw him as some one who imposes himself but good luck to him.
Hasn't got a magic left foot shot but has a decent enough passing range and movement .
Tackling hit or miss.
Level of Hourihane on that front but has a bit more energy!
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Just been reading about Carroll .Has been out injured since October with hip and groin problems .Great,he will fit in well with the likes of Lansbury and Green.
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I think Westwood might have actually been decent under Smith. Not brilliant, but perfectly adequate. Carroll would seem to be a player who can do the simple things but do so at a greater pace than Whelan or Jedinak. It should free up McGinn to get forward even more often and further add to our goal threat along with Super Jack.
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Smith played 4-2-3-1 at Brentford, right? I guess if he's alongside Wheezer or Jedi then that gives McGinn, Hourihane and (eventually) Grealish a platform to do their thing behind Tammy.
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Swansea fans are reacting with the same sort of delight they displayed when they managed to get rid of Neil Taylor to us.
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That Woods type player. Not the big brute I was hoping for.
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He’s better than Fer and Hayden, this is a good signing. Not quite the midfielder we need perhaps.
Can't agree I'm afraid. He's small and easily brushed off the ball. I think we've got enough weak midfielders of our own. Not the player we need at all. Had a difficult time at Swansea, and hasn't played since October. Looks like a Bruce type signing, where anybody at all is judged to be better than no signing.
I’m hoping he’ll take Hourihane out of the team.
Grealish back and Axel defensive midfield.
With Hause and Mings covering cb/lb. We are in a much stronger position.
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Swansea fans are reacting with the same sort of delight they displayed when they managed to get rid of Neil Taylor to us.
Ok, that’s worrying 😂
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If Hause and Mings are ever A. Match fit and B. Aren't injured for periods of time.
Not impressed with bringing in more footballers with bad injury records or periods of time without proper football.
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Jack replacement?
The Jacks need a replacement now for sure.
I know his play and style .
No chance
Read my post.
He's not that level has a slight creative streak but expect him to be a player who lightweight and just passes and moves.
Tom cleverly with a left foot but perhaps looking to be played at a deep lying midfielder and be a person to control tempo on ball .
I don't know if he's too much like Hourihane in that he shys away from responsibility and takes matches scruff of neck.
It's a sort of move Brentford would do in all honesty not villa!
That said in a Dean Smith team playing his way there is potential .
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If Fer did fail a medical, then he really must be fucked
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Mings is match fit. He's just not been picked this season.
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We were going to announce a double deal from Swansea. Carroll was done and Fer was held up because of the medical. It appears Villa pulled the plug on Fer and completed Carroll just before the deadline.
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That’s a bastard of a drive home this time of night. Pisser!
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On the positive side he looks like Smith’s style of football could suit him very well as a deep lying midfielder but if he’s not up to it we just get rid in the summer and go after Ryan Woods or someone similar.
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On the positive side he looks like Smith’s style of football could suit him very well as a deep lying midfielder but if he’s not up to it we just get rid in the summer and go after Ryan Woods or someone similar.
Graham Potter tries to play attractive, possession based football too. That didn't suit him very well.
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Split between her version of Keep on Movin' and Back to Life. Superb talent, it must be said. Welcome, Carol.
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Can't say I know too much about him so it's hard to comment but I'm happy enough to see what he can do.
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Is TC likely to be the kind of player that can help get us back to playing the good football that we saw when Smith first took over? If not, then I’m not sure what the point of this signing is.
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Is TC likely to be the kind of player that can help get us back to playing the good football that we saw when Smith first took over? If not, then I’m not sure what the point of this signing is.
Only time will tell.......
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I think he will play him in a deeper role with Hourihane in the place of Whelan and then have a number 10 in front of them, it was something he was pleased with against Ipswich. If nothing else he adds a good passer who can keep the game moving, and lets be fair, Whelan can't pass water. It is an underwhelming signing, but then he may well come in a be a cog that helps the midfield function a little better. We clearly have other targets in the summer that are genuine holding players, but Smith likes technical midfielders, Carroll is one. MCeachran and Woods were similar at Brentford, the latter has not set the world alight at Stoke away from the way Smith likes to play, so it may well bring the best out in Carroll.
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I hope he does well but surely there were other options? King going to Derby, for instance. I make this our 6th loan, who misses out when they’re all fit. And will that ever happen? Is TC fit to play this weekend?
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We were going to announce a double deal from Swansea. Carroll was done and Fer was held up because of the medical. It appears Villa pulled the plug on Fer and completed Carroll just before the deadline.
Of course. Toronto, Canada, the hot bed of ITK.
Just as likely;
"Fer doesn't want to come to Villa!? Shite! Who else you got who might come? Carol who? Does she play left back?"
Never mind. I wasn't expecting, or requiring, any success in this window.😂
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In that case you got what you wanted. Well done!
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See what he can do, good luck Tom.
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If it’s the player Swansea signed on loan then he’ll make a difference, but if he’s the player they signed as a permanent signing the following season then he should be 5th or 6th choice of our midfield option.
Only passes the ball sideways, scared of a tackle and the ball casts a bigger shadow on the pitch than him.
Swans fans down here are pissing themselves, they’ve gone from ranting about losing Fer, to organising a carnival to celebrate getting rid of Carroll.
For me, the only good news is it’s just a loan.
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Swansea fans not gutted, which is never a good sign.
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I'm not too pleased with this
I guess he is a Smith type player. A deep lying midfielder along the lines of woods or mceachran etc
But he's another lefty. Are we really gonna play him alongside hourihane and mcginn? Lefties tend to be very one footed
When I've seen him play he also looks powder puff. He's probably a better passer than hourihane for thay deep role. But I wanted more physicality and robustness.
He seems a long way from the other players we were looking for in this position. Not necessarily the clubs fault. There hasn't been many deals. But I wonder if this was one was better to leave alone
Obviously we need to get behind him though
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Very odd signing and a strange window all round. We needed two dedicated full backs , got one and then promptly loaned him back. i suppose the new keeper might come good - as for the rehabilitation of other clubs' crocks, I would much rather we'd bought one left sided cb who could have hit the ground running. At least we can send them back if they don't work out, i suppose.
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My Swansea supporting work colleague - is still laughing!
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"Hi Tom, welcome to Bodymoor Heath - your treatment table is there on the left, in between Kortney and Micah"
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Express and Star saying we pulled out of the Fer deal late on, other journalists hinting at medical reasons. I'm sure somebody mentioned a failed medical in the past?
E&S also stating both Carroll and Mings are fit to play.
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Not sold on this one. From what I've seen of him, he's just Hourihane MkII (maybe not even up to his level).
Happy with Mings - I think he will improve us.... but what we really needed this window was a big, dirty, pitbull bastard sitting in front of the back four. Carroll is not that player.
Apart from maybe McGinn, we have zero strength in that engine room, and stronger teams will just continue to tear us a new one until we find that player.
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I am afraid I hear the sound of the dice rattling at Villa Park again. The more I look at this transfer window the more underwhelmed I become. I had hoped that with the arrival of Dean and the departure of Bruce minds would be focussed on the single objective of automatic promotion to the Premiership. Rebuild the ship from the keel to the masthead. Kalinic, Hause, Mings and Carroll with all the cocktail of lack of match fitness, lack of playing time for lengthy periods, catalogue of injuries and loan insecurities look more like a big bucket of tar and a big brush. Guilbert is the only one, for me, who looks like a good investment but we don't get him this season. I guess I shall have to keep my spirits up watching RHM and D - H playing well at Cam U.
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May be it was like that visit to B&Q when you go to buy a chainsaw but settle for a bastard file instead.
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Or the true story about the Juventus star whose mother sent him out to buy an ironing board and he came back with a racing bike.
Mario Balotelli (sp?)
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Did any championship team have a better window? Tough market
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Agree but only fools no personal rudeness intended ever thought it was not going to be tough getting back into the Premiership. And staying there.
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Seen a bit of Carroll over the past few years and have to say that he has never really be that convincing. Always looked a bit small and not stron enough, but we shall see.
If I remember correctly, he is left footed. which adds to McGinn and Hourihane. One of my little bugbears over the past couple of months is McGinn playing on the right side of central midfield. Think he would be a lot more effective on the left and on his natural foot.
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Let’s see how he does. Not overly bothered about what Swansea fans think tbh. A lot of villa fans were smug when Clark went to Newcastle.
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I don't know anything about Carroll but if some posters are correct in comparing him to Conor Hourihane, I look forward to his goals and assists. As Fer swans fans laughing at us getting Carroll they can't be laughing louder than me at the thought of bacuna, cardiff and premier league in the same sentence. Good luck Tom. UTV
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I am afraid I hear the sound of the dice rattling at Villa Park again. The more I look at this transfer window the more underwhelmed I become. I had hoped that with the arrival of Dean and the departure of Bruce minds would be focussed on the single objective of automatic promotion to the Premiership. Rebuild the ship from the keel to the masthead. Kalinic, Hause, Mings and Carroll with all the cocktail of lack of match fitness, lack of playing time for lengthy periods, catalogue of injuries and loan insecurities look more like a big bucket of tar and a big brush. Guilbert is the only one, for me, who looks like a good investment but we don't get him this season. I guess I shall have to keep my spirits up watching RHM and D - H playing well at Cam U.
Well we clearly cannot throw money around anymore so a January window is going to be difficult. Who is available? Players who are out of favour or coming back from injuries. I think we’ve done ok. This is going to be a long job which will gather pace when many of our players leave this summer when contracts are up.
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Reading about him he seems like a Smith sort of player. Holding midfielder and good passing accuracy, exactly the type that has come to VP in recent years and looked good against us. If it doesn’t work out we just say goodbye in May. I really don’t see the problem.
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Did any championship team have a better window? Tough market
West Brom had a pretty decent window. Holgate, Johansen, Murphy & Monterey. Barns a big loss though.
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Reading about him he seems like a Smith sort of player. Holding midfielder and good passing accuracy, exactly the type that has come to VP in recent years and looked good against us. If it doesn’t work out we just say goodbye in May. I really don’t see the problem.
I think that is the same for the others that have come in on loan. We were never going to rebuild in this transfer window for the simple reason that there aren't the players around or, if there are, you pay well over the top for them.
I think we are seeing a steadying of the ship and a plan for clearing the decks for the future rebuild. Add to this, the issue of FFP and the owners looking to the long term, we were never going to throw money at it at this time.
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Did any championship team have a better window? Tough market
West Brom had a pretty decent window. Holgate, Johansen, Murphy & Monterey. Barns a big loss though.
Not bad players but all loans (now 6 in their squad). Holgate has played 33 games in two and half seasons. Johansen and Murphy a collective 12 games this season.
Suggests the market was much the same for everyone in the league - loans to buy, players who probably aren't fully matchfit.
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The Swansea message board reactions to this transfer is a bit worrying.
I must admit, my initial optimism was based on how he looked when he broke through at Tottenham.
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s been playing in front of the back four for Swansea, which is what we need.
He’s also been injured for most of the championship season, so most of the bad feeling, I imagine, comes from their relegation year.
I’d certainly rather have him than Whelan.
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I agree that he would be the type of player that Smith would want in his team, lets hope that he is brilliant (not just for 1 or 2 games).
It will be interesting to see what team is picked for tomorrow will both Mings and Carroll start? and if they do who will be left out?
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I don't know anything about Carroll but if some posters are correct in comparing him to Conor Hourihane, I look forward to his goals and assists. As Fer swans fans laughing at us getting Carroll they can't be laughing louder than me at the thought of bacuna, cardiff and premier league in the same sentence. Good luck Tom. UTV
if he can control the ball and pass it to another Villa player in a forward motion whilst under moderate pressure he will be an instant upgrade on Hourihane
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I have always quite liked Carroll. Even in the rare opportunities he got at Spurs before they allowed him to leave for Swansea. I was a bit surprised Spurs let him go back then. I'm pretty certain he can do a job at Championship level.
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The Swansea message board reactions to this transfer is a bit worrying.
I must admit, my initial optimism was based on how he looked when he broke through at Tottenham.
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s been playing in front of the back four for Swansea, which is what we need.
He’s also been injured for most of the championship season, so most of the bad feeling, I imagine, comes from their relegation year.
I’d certainly rather have him than Whelan.
Think they feel similar to how we felt about some of the players post relegation. He played 45 games for them last season so has pedigree. If he’s going to get his career back on track then it will be playing for someone like Deano
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I suspect one of the reasons going for him will be fitness - he can run all game so is an upgrade on Whelan. He might only start at home where we need a bit of creativity. If he at least pulls the opposition out of shape due to movement he'll do ok. Can't say I'm overly impressed but it is January.
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Well Swansea are in the same league as us and just one point below so the fact that they are allowing him to move to a close rival shows they don’t think much of him
as for the Swansea fans reaction
I always take more note of fans than other players or managers fans know more
They were spot on about Taylor
looking for positives though he might just be a Smith type of player who he can get a bit out of
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If you want to put the blinkers on and feel good this might help :
Tom Carroll Plays Football (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/explained-tom-carroll-masterclass-inspired-12495593)
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looking for positives though he might just be a Smith type of player who he can get a bit out of
Like he did with Hogan...
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looking for positives though he might just be a Smith type of player who he can get a bit out of
Like he did with Hogan...
he got 12 million for Hogan the mans a genius
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looking for positives though he might just be a Smith type of player who he can get a bit out of
Like he did with Hogan...
he got 12 million for Hogan the mans a genius
He's got shot of him twice now, which can only be a plus mark in terms of judgement.
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
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I'm not sure if others have already said this but I think Smith will see Carroll playing in a similar role that the Ryan Woods did at Brentford - a deep lying playmaker. Smith also got a tune out of Josh Mceachran in that position too, so maybe there is some logic to it. Bizarre how 'out of the blue' it was though!
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
I'd imagine he's looked at Gardner and that's why he hasn't been recalled.
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
No recall option.
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Well Swansea are in the same league as us and just one point below so the fact that they are allowing him to move to a close rival shows they don’t think much of him
I think it's about Swansea reducing their wage bill after relegation. They let a few leave and a couple were due to leave but fell through.
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
I'd imagine he's looked at Gardner and that's why he hasn't been recalled.
Ah ok.
Just felt GG should get a fair go and he could be playing middle field and deep lying for villa but maybe his moment has passed.
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
I'd imagine he's looked at Gardner and that's why he hasn't been recalled.
Ah ok.
Just felt GG should get a fair go and he could be playing middle field and deep lying for villa but maybe his moment has passed.
Long time ago. 26 and playing for Blues. That's when you know your career's on the downhill slope.
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So Tom Carroll in and what about Gary Gardener ?he could have been recalled and Smith have a look at him instead ?!
I'd imagine he's looked at Gardner and that's why he hasn't been recalled.
Ah ok.
Just felt GG should get a fair go and he could be playing middle field and deep lying for villa but maybe his moment has passed.
I'm fairly confident that Gary Gardener will never wear an Aston Villa shirt again. It's one thing going on loan to your club's most hated rivals, but quite another to embrace it in quite the way he has with his constant #KROs on Social media posts, dressing his kids in Blose shirts, etc...
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Yes I remember him being decent at Tottenham. I also remember Richards being decent at Man City, Bolasie being good at Crystal Palace etc
Don't get me wrong I'm not writing him off but personally I'm not hopeful of this one having a big impact. For me, we needed a Jedinak replacement ideally, second choice would have been a new winger being as Bolasie left or third choice a proper option for Grealish. I think this one looks like competition for Hourahane!
The 2 new defenders (Hause and Mings) may do well but I am a little concerned with the injury record, touch wood they'll be ok.
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Worth noting that Tammy struggled at Swansea last year. Playing in a doomed outfit isn't good for you.
Westwood and Lowton may have developed more if they'd have been broken in gently into the side over a year or two rsther than chucked from 4th and 3rd division sides and played the next 100 odd games.
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And Gueye was hit and miss for us during our relegation year, and Everton have just turned down £30 million for him.
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Swansea fans are reacting with the same sort of delight they displayed when they managed to get rid of Neil Taylor to us.
Ok, that’s worrying 😂
Not really, most football fans are fucking idiots. Look at the players our fan base have been glad to get rid of in recent times - Traore, Amavi, Gueye, Veretout, Albrighton. Even people like Robinson and Johnson apparently were not good enough to make it according to some of our lot.
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Swansea fans are reacting with the same sort of delight they displayed when they managed to get rid of Neil Taylor to us.
Ok, that’s worrying 😂
Not really, most football fans are fucking idiots. Look at the players our fan base have been glad to get rid of in recent times - Traore, Amavi, Gueye, Veretout, Albrighton. Even people like Robinson and Johnson apparently were not good enough to make it according to some of our lot.
And Westwood, Lowton, Bannan and Bennet - all doing well.
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Maybe Swansea fans are only saying that because they are on a half decent run of late. If they lose a few games or pick up some injuries, they might start questioning why they let him go.
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Is he fit?
(And I don’t mean in a way that a female friend would ask when you discuss possible BF options😀)
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Not really, most football fans are fucking idiots. Look at the players our fan base have been glad to get rid of in recent times - Traore, Amavi, Gueye, Veretout, Albrighton. Even people like Robinson and Johnson apparently were not good enough to make it according to some of our lot.
To be fair, Traore is still as absolutely wank as he ever was. Ask any dogheads supporter.
Also to be fair, Robinson and Johnson weren't good enough for the PL which is where our thoughts were at the time clearly.
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I think Smith is just having a look really. Not really related to what we need currently, probably more related to maybe replacing others in the summer. Pity we didn't get our DM though :(
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I presume this is a loan with an option to buy? In tune with our moving away from short term thinking to long term solid plans?
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Not really, most football fans are fucking idiots. Look at the players our fan base have been glad to get rid of in recent times - Traore, Amavi, Gueye, Veretout, Albrighton. Even people like Robinson and Johnson apparently were not good enough to make it according to some of our lot.
You know it's not the fans who made the decision to sell those players, right? And I don't recall many people being glad to get rid of Gueye, or Albrighton for that matter. And with Veretout, he clearly didn't want to be here, and none of the managers who had the opportunity decided to pick him. Again, nothing to do with the fans being "fucking idiots". It's also the case that some players just don't suit English football. Better players than Veretout have failed in the Premier League but been a success elsewhere.
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I didn't see this one coming but welcome to Villa Tom.
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I presume this is a loan with an option to buy? In tune with our moving away from short term thinking to long term solid plans?
Correct.
Very much a deep lying playmaker type. Could suit Deano and visa versa
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I presume this is a loan with an option to buy? In tune with our moving away from short term thinking to long term solid plans?
Correct.
Very much a deep lying playmaker type. Could suit Deano and visa versa
Excellent 👍
Will be interesting to see what team Smith puts out tomorrow.
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TC reminds me of Harry Winks. Decent skilful player. Will provide some needed creativity
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Yeah like winks offers little goal threat outside the box and has to be inside 6 yard box to even consider scoring .
I don't see him ,or winks for that matter , as particular skill full either
What I do see is he has footy intelligence and on the ball offers a decent passing range and some energy.
However he can also offer anonymity like Hourihane and Cleverly or Westwood.
I don't know it will be worse level of cowardice that those lot but can't think he one to handle a Villa Park crowd if going gets tough
He's a cog for a Dean Smith machine as likes the team to work as a whole.
In that respect he such a Smith player.
I can see him playing regularly providing he's fit.
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Not really, most football fans are fucking idiots. Look at the players our fan base have been glad to get rid of in recent times - Traore, Amavi, Gueye, Veretout, Albrighton. Even people like Robinson and Johnson apparently were not good enough to make it according to some of our lot.
You know it's not the fans who made the decision to sell those players, right? And I don't recall many people being glad to get rid of Gueye, or Albrighton for that matter. And with Veretout, he clearly didn't want to be here, and none of the managers who had the opportunity decided to pick him. Again, nothing to do with the fans being "fucking idiots". It's also the case that some players just don't suit English football. Better players than Veretout have failed in the Premier League but been a success elsewhere.
You made reference to being worried by what the Swansea fans said. Elsewhere someone said they'd rather hear the fans view as they know more than managers and players.
The counterpoint being made was that sometimes fans views are wrong, or players go on to do very well after being written off by fans at a club. You are right, I cant recall much dissent about Gueye or Albrighton (although quite a few said the latter would never be good enough) but there certainly was against other the examples given and the likes of Westwood, Lowton, Bannan & Bennet.
With that said, jury is out on TC. My fingers are crossed more in hope than expectation.
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I like the idea of the player he can be but he's only shown flashes of it. If he can deliver with any consistency then he'll be a good signing because he'll set the tempo for how we play and the only other player we have who can do that is Grealish but he plays 20-30 yards higher up the pitch.
I actually wouldn't be surprised if Jack ends up taking the left wing spot instead of one of the 3 midfield roles (but tucking in a lot) and us putting Tuanzebe in midfield as well (when he's fit, Jedi will probably come in for now). That gives us the 2 deeper midfielders that Smith likes and means he's not forced to pick between McGinn and Jack.
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
Players haven't been driven out, but some have had endless dogs abuse on here. Westwood was a particular target.
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I stood behind two blokes at Charlton once who were giving Crouchy non stop abuse for most of the game until I turned round and had a go at them. I don't lose my temper very often but they were a pair of whinging arseholes.
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
Players haven't been driven out, but some have had endless dogs abuse on here. Westwood was a particular target.
Yep.
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I think TC could be in direct competition with Conor for next season. Dean knows how Hourihane plays and has had a good look at him since he signed but obviously isn’t sold on his ability to play the ‘quarterback’ role. So if Carroll outperforms Conor in this second half of the season I think we’ll pick up our option to buy and then sell Conor but if he doesn’t play well then we’ll just send him back to Swansea.
Especially seeming as the description I’ve read of TC makes him sound like a ringer for Hourihane.
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Interview with TC.
He also said he hopes he gets a scalextric for Christmas.
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Comes across well. Looks and sounds about twelve
Welcome Tom
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Interview with TC.
He also said he hopes he gets a scalextric for Christmas.
Well after watching that I'd say that there's egg on the face of anyone who said he isn't the hard bastard midfield enforcer that we need. He's like a cross between that Charles Bronson bloke who does the prison workouts and a short Peter Crouch. Terrifying.
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Christ.
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Christ.
What?
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As a side issue, and it's probably not the media guy's fault as it'll be part of the 'brand strategy', but I wish that they wouldn't force every signing to say that we're a 'big club'. It's self evident. To keep restating it kind of makes me think that the people whose policy it is kind of don't believe it themselves.
It puts me in mind of an insecure man constantly seeking reassurance about, you know.
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Christ.
No, I think that's our new Sporting Director.
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As a side issue, and it's probably not the media guy's fault as it'll be part of the 'brand strategy', but I wish that they wouldn't force every signing to say that we're a 'big club'. It's self evident. To keep restating it kind of makes me think that the people whose policy it is kind of don't believe it themselves.
It puts me in mind of an insecure man constantly seeking reassurance about, you know.
The reason why Birmingham International Airport changed its name - if you have to call yourself International, you aren't.
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Agree 110% (copyright Saunders R) Elmdon was a perfect name for Birmingham's airport
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
And yet he came back after a loan spell (with Norwich?) in DOL's first season and looked a player.
Hindsight being 20/20 vision, and all that. But we would have been better persisting with him than bringing in Can't Control.
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
And yet he came back after a loan spell (with Norwich?) in DOL's first season and looked a player.
Hindsight being 20/20 vision, and all that. But we would have been better persisting with him than bringing in Can't Control.
I concur, and unless I am imagining it he got a very good reception from our fans on his first return to VP.
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The only player I can remember really being driven out by the fans was Peter Crouch. As everyone knows, I hate namedroppers but as Sir Graham said to me, "I dropped him because he was getting so much abuse".
And yet he came back after a loan spell (with Norwich?) in DOL's first season and looked a player.
Hindsight being 20/20 vision, and all that. But we would have been better persisting with him than bringing in Can't Control.
I concur, and unless I am imagining it he got a very good reception from our fans on his first return to VP.
He always did when he came back.
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Crouch didn't score at all in Taylor's full season did he?
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Always loved Crouch one of my favourite players
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Good sale that by Dolly - £2m to Southampton was it.
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Christ.
No, I think that's our new Sporting Director.
Haha But good one !
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Always loved Crouch one of my favourite players
I was under the impression he wasn't a successful at Villa ?
And even his own admission said didn't work out
Where do you have John Carew?
I
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Crouch got caught up in one of those daft internicene spats we specialise in. Doug was so unpopular that everything he did must be wrong therefore the manager was useless therefore every player he bought was no good therefore Crouch was shite.
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Always loved Crouch one of my favourite players
I was under the impression he wasn't a successful at Villa ?
And even his own admission said didn't work out
Where do you have John Carew?
I
Sorry I didn’t mean one of my favourite Villa players
your quite right his spell with us was a bit rubbish
I just always liked him,
and also won a bag full of money betting on him to score when he played for England which was nice
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Crouch didn't score at all in Taylor's full season did he?
didn't he score on his home debut?
stooping header at North Stand end?
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Crouch didn't score at all in Taylor's full season did he?
didn't he score on his home debut?
stooping header at North Stand end?
against Chelsea 3 -1 ? against Newcastle ?
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Crouch didn't score at all in Taylor's full season did he?
didn't he score on his home debut?
stooping header at North Stand end?
against Chelsea 3 -1 ? against Newcastle ?
Deary me lads, I said Taylor's FULL season. Taylor replaced Gregory towards the end of the 01/02 season, and bought Crouch just after, and he scored those two goals. The season after, 02/03, was Taylor's FULL season with us, during which Crouch failed to score even once.
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It could be worse.
"I think my heart was in it again this week. Bacuna is a player I really worked hard on, I was determined to get something like that over the line," he said.
"I think he will be a fan favourite here long after I have gone."
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Crouch didn't score at all in Taylor's full season did he?
didn't he score on his home debut?
stooping header at North Stand end?
against Chelsea 3 -1 ? against Newcastle ?
Deary me lads, I said Taylor's FULL season. Taylor replaced Gregory towards the end of the 01/02 season, and bought Crouch just after, and he scored those two goals. The season after, 02/03, was Taylor's FULL season with us, during which Crouch failed to score even once.
well you shouldnt know so much should you ?? ;)
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I’m trying not to be negative but I just keep thinking Ashley Westwood.
Now into his seventh season as a Premier League regular.
Well you say regular, In the 3 seasons at Burnley out of a possible 114 games he's played 49 and this season is the best in terms of apps (21) and Burnley find themselves 17th. So the first time he is a plays regularly in their side is the season they find themselves in a relegation battle.
I don't know anything about Tom Carroll just hope he turns out to be good.
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Always loved Crouch one of my favourite players
Me too. I was pissed off when O'Leary sold him because I thought there was a much better player there than we were being allowed to see. He was written off as a beanpole to lump the ball up to. His height obviously gave him something of an advantage in that department , but as he proven since, he had a lot more to his game than that. I recall a fair bit of the abuse he got seemed to be based on the way he looked, and his actual talent was a secondary consideration. Really pleased that he did well after. Does a great radio show too.
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I too like Crouch, but he scored two goals in a season and a bit for us before he left on loan to Norwich. I remember a game with Sunderland (2-2?) when he was missing chances for fun. Even Taylor who bought him said something about him not taking his chances.
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Westwood joined Burnley 2 years ago yesterday so no idea why you think he could have played 114 games.
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Westwood joined Burnley 2 years ago yesterday so no idea why you think he could have played 114 games.
I make it 90 games he could have played in
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So not 114 then as Stuart claimed.
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Nothing much gets by you! 90 is indeed, different to 114! ;)
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Me is a genius.
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I too like Crouch, but he scored two goals in a season and a bit for us before he left on loan to Norwich. I remember a game with Sunderland (2-2?) when he was missing chances for fun. Even Taylor who bought him said something about him not taking his chances.
Crouchy was physically very weak when he played for us. Nothing ever stuck with him. Centre halfs bullied him mercilessly and he was woeful in the air. I'm pleased for him that he matured into a decent player as you could see his technique was there.
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So not 114 then as Stuart claimed.
You're right let's get him back he was awesome, play him instead of Hourihane because who needs assists and goals when you can have 100% pass completion rate of sideways and backwards passes
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Yes because that's exactly what I said isn't it. Not my fault you don't know the difference between 2 years and 3 years.
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I've just watched the Caroll interview and almost immediately the image that came to mind was Steve Rogers before he underwent the Captain America treatment. I hope they've got one of them machines at Bodymoor.
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Yes because that's exactly what I said isn't it. Not my fault you don't know the difference between 2 years and 3 years.
Ashley Westwood signed for Burnley 31st January 2017 so 2 1/2 seasons, so it seems you don't know the difference either.
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I've just watched the Caroll interview and almost immediately the image that came to mind was Steve Rogers before he underwent the Captain America treatment. I hope they've got one of them machines at Bodymoor.
he had very white teeth
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Yes because that's exactly what I said isn't it. Not my fault you don't know the difference between 2 years and 3 years.
Ashley Westwood signed for Burnley 31st January 2017 so 2 1/2 seasons, so it seems you don't know the difference either.
It's the 1st of Feb 2019, so as I said, 2 years and 1 day. Impressive work Stuart to get it wrong twice.
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Nothing much gets by you! 90 is indeed, different to 114! ;)
Well why are you both forgetting potential games. In the two years Westwood, if he had been any good, should have taken Burnley to two League cup and two FA cup finals and a Europa League final. I think all that adds up to 114. So there.
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Nothing much gets by you! 90 is indeed, different to 114! ;)
Well why are you both forgetting potential games. In the two years Westwood, if he had been any good, should have taken Burnley to two League cup and two FA cup finals and a Europa League final. I think all that adds up to 114. So there.
you forget England call ups
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Nothing much gets by you! 90 is indeed, different to 114! ;)
Well why are you both forgetting potential games. In the two years Westwood, if he had been any good, should have taken Burnley to two League cup and two FA cup finals and a Europa League final. I think all that adds up to 114. So there.
you forget England call ups
You're both ignoring the fact that, if he really cared enough, he'd find a way to make 2 years and a day stretch to 2 and a half years, it's just a lack of effort on his part.
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Mings is match fit. He's just not been picked this season.
He started 2 games in Dec - and was subbed in in 3 more
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Exactly so. Looking forward to seeing him. Chester was falling apart before our eyes.
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What's Carroll playing got to do with Chester?
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I guess he means Mings playing instead of Chester?
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I've just watched the Caroll interview and almost immediately the image that came to mind was Steve Rogers before he underwent the Captain America treatment. I hope they've got one of them machines at Bodymoor.
Hahaha! What a superb observation.
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Yes because that's exactly what I said isn't it. Not my fault you don't know the difference between 2 years and 3 years.
Ashley Westwood signed for Burnley 31st January 2017 so 2 1/2 seasons, so it seems you don't know the difference either.
It's the 1st of Feb 2019, so as I said, 2 years and 1 day. Impressive work Stuart to get it wrong twice.
Westwoods Burnley apps are 9, 19 and this season so far 21. Those 1st 2 don't say a regular do they. The 3rd one does though and surprise surprise Burnley are in a relegation battle.
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Again, that's not what I said. All i've pointed out is how you don't seem to understand how calendars work. I haven't said anything about Westwood beyond how long he's actually been at Burnley.
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Lets get him on the pitch tomorrow. Hope he has had a good training week and surprise`s a few people. The Swansea fans seemed please for him to leave ……….
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Expecting him to start tonight and hope he can show his footy intelligence!
I rather hope he's put in deep lying and can take ball from defence and build though Smith may try him at 10 but maybe more if he came on as sub and we were trailing or looking to get a winner.
Hourihane place to be in jeopardy at this rate only because I think 3 predominantly left footed midfielders is too much.
McGinn may get a rest Wednesday but I think Hourihane should be dropped tonight.
If not he can miss starting berth Wednesday.
But back to Carroll he can really help control tempo of villa game and bring the tempo on - something which been lacking without grealish.
I like to see Carroll starting to provide that impetus and verve in midfield - or at least in theory
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No luck there footy!
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Do we know what’s up with TC ?
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Do we know what’s up with TC ?
PC Dibble has him in custody.
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Looking at him, it's probably past his bedtime.
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"He got a slight strain in training the other day so he’s missed the last few days, he’ll probably be back in 10 days or so.”
10 days !!
I guess if signed earlier in window he could get up to speed as the training work load must have been too much !
Frustrating all round as intrigued if he was going to his role in team v Sheffield utd or at Brentford.
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This season just gets worse! Did Dean strangle a black cat or something
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Do we know what’s up with TC ?
PC Dibble has him in custody.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
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It was interesting hearing Chris Wilder saying Sheffield Utd go "full tilt" all the time in training and if they get injuries then so be it.
I don't follow them closely enough to know what sort of injury record they have, but would like to know how it compares to ours.
Andre came back from Pompey and was injured in training straight away, now this lad has done the same.
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It was interesting hearing Chris Wilder saying Sheffield Utd go "full tilt" all the time in training and if they get injuries then so be it.
I don't follow them closely enough to know what sort of injury record they have, but would like to know how it compares to ours.
Andre came back from Pompey and was injured in training straight away, now this lad has done the same.
The problem is possibly the intensity (or lack of it) of the training under Bruce compared to how Smith wants to train. I know the 2 players concerned came in from other clubs so would not have trained under Bruce but in general, I think the players are struggling to up the ante without the benefit of a pre-season of high intensity.
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Some injuries are down to the professionalism of the player.
As much as the coaching abilities - villa fitness.
Definitely two fold as it were.
And that was Agnew, Clememce and Calderwood as much as it was Bruce.
As well as all the sports science, fitness coaching and fitness monitoring.
Now it's Smith and his coaching team and set up.
So those self inflicted injuries rather than unfortunate incidents or accidents can happen when a player isnt training right or over doing it .
What I saying there is a player who isn't do the required stretching , strength and conditioning can get injured .
A player who makes shortcuts on recovery work, cool downs and /or warm ups.
A coaching system that puts too much on a player .
Players at professional clubs are monitored , distances run are checked and it's been said that rarely players are 100% at optimal fitness (in season).
But they can play to match fitness or play with niggling injuries.
Some more than others.
That's where the individual fitness programmes come in.
It's also the coaching and training being given
When a player comes on and goes off with a hamstring like lansbury he's ultimately responsible in his preparation. There also the situation of how he was trained and levels of being trained.
Similar now to Carroll and how he come into training and perhaps over done it either because of error in judgement by player or coaching staff.
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I see Tom Carroll is still out for the Sandwell match tomorrow .Who ever made the decision to bring him in knowing his injury record should be shot
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I see Tom Carroll is still out for the Sandwell match tomorrow .Who ever made the decision to bring him in knowing his injury record should be shot
I agree. Even fit, he's not the sort of midfielder we desperately need. The fact that he isn't means it's a seriously poor piece of business.
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Injury record? He was hardly Ledley King was he. All players get knocks.
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Injury record? He was hardly Ledley King was he. All players get knocks.
He's nearly 27, and only once has he managed a full season's worth of games. For most of his career so far, he hasn't played more than 20 games a season. He's either injured a lot, or isn't very good.
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He's only signed on loan. Not much lost if it doesn't work out. Rather that than spend big money on a permanent who then is never fit.
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I see Tom Carroll is still out for the Sandwell match tomorrow .Who ever made the decision to bring him in knowing his injury record should be shot
Spot on Pooligan - we may have new owners but we are still making the same stupid mistakes - I read that Smith looks at the characteristics of potential signings - it would be a good idea to look at their injury records first - same goes for Hause - clearly not fit so why waste our time? Maybe the new owners have shares in a private sports fitness clinic and Bodymoor Heath is now the UK centre of excellence
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He's nearly 27, and only once has he managed a full season's worth of games. For most of his career so far, he hasn't played more than 20 games a season. He's either injured a lot, or isn't very good.
Or both
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Thought he looked very decent when he came on and had a zip about him.
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Thought he looked very decent when he came on and had a zip about him.
I reckon we will play with a tighter five across the middle of the park next season. More of a 4-2-3-1 than out and out wingers maybe. Hopefully, Carroll fits in to that quite well.
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I think so too, we will finally have full backs who can offer proper quality from wide areas....hopefully.
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I agree, that's how Smith has setup at Brentford and Walsall and is stops you being so reliant on crosses to create chances, having 2 traditional wingers means you end up with 1 player in the box far too often, bringing them 10-15 yards inside and working with them so they can go in or out is much more effective and means they can easily switch into a genuine front 3.
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I can’t find a thread for him, so apologies for starting a new one.
Anyway, out for the rest of the season after having surgery on a hip problem.
Oh well, it solves our loanee numbers reaching their maximum.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47811679
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Presumably he's gone back then......I had genuinely, and I really mean that, forgotten that we had signed him.
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There is one, you have to go quite far back to find it. I know because he crossed my mind last night, and I was going to bump it just to see if anyone knew where he's hiding.
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Shame for the lad. Let's hope he recovers strong for next season wherever he ends up playing.
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Gone back to Swansea after hip operation
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Oh well, no big loss.
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was never going to push any of our midfielders out at the moment Lothar whelan Matthäus , Andrés McGinn Iniesta and Lionel Grealish Messi .
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It's a shame. He looked good when he came on against Derby. Admittedly it's easy to look good when you're four-nil up. Just another reason to hope to fuck that Grealish stays fit between now and the end of May.
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was never going to push any of our midfielders out at the moment Lothar whelan Matthäus , Andrés McGinn Iniesta and Lionel Grealish Messi .
McGinniesta? I like it!!
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Presumably he's gone back then......I had genuinely, and I really mean that, forgotten that we had signed him.
This.
I never even saw him play. I'm not actually convinced he's real.
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Presumably he's gone back then......I had genuinely, and I really mean that, forgotten that we had signed him.
This.
I never even saw him play. I'm not actually convinced he's real.
My claim to fame is that I saw Ivo Stas play for us in a pre season friendly at Witney Town in 1991. When I tell people I actually saw him play for us they look at me as if I am some weirdo or fantasist who has claimed to have once been abducted by aliens.
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A shame for the lad. When I saw his interview when he signed I thought he might turn out to be the Terry Hurlock figure that we've been missing down the years.
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I was at that game at Witney Town as well .Some one told me it was near Oxford but it seemed anything but near. I also remember one of the goals we scored actually should never have stood as it hit the side of the net and crept through a hole in the net . Nobody believes me about that or that i saw Ivo Stas in fact play.Thanks for your nice words VCTM, shame i have been proved right as he looks decent when he actually plays
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I was at that game at Witney Town as well .Some one told me it was near Oxford but it seemed anything but near.
Strange place Witney
A Cotswold town of just 20 odd thousand people that's basically got a motorway standard bypass
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I was at that game at Witney Town as well .Some one told me it was near Oxford but it seemed anything but near.
Strange place Witney
A Cotswold town of just 20 odd thousand people that's basically got a motorway standard bypass
*cough* pig fucker Cameron was the local MP *cough*
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Witney Town are yet another non league club that no longer exists.
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meh
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We don't get stuck paying his wages til May, do we?
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I see your Ivo Stas and raise you David Unsworth at Wycombe Wanderers.
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I see your Ivo Stas and raise you David Unsworth at Wycombe Wanderers.
I see your David Unsworth and go all in with Mathieu Berson
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
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I saw Bosco Balaban almost score a goal once at Southampton away.
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I saw Bosco Balaban almost score a goal once at Southampton away.
See you’ve gone and ruined it and taken it too far. Nobody saw Balaban nearly score.
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I saw Salifou play.....in the premier league.
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
Did he score the winner with a bicycle kick?
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I guarantee no one on here has seen Andrew Greaves circa 1980 - 82 play
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File Andrew Greaves with Berson. Both myths. Legends even.
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I saw Berson away at Man U. He did alright, in a neat and tidy but ultimately unproductive kind of way.
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I have an Andrew Greaves matchworn shirt. It’s kept in a vault.
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
Did he score the winner with a bicycle kick?
He jogged around the pitch and surprisingly wasn't tackled.
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I saw David Unsworth only game for us at Wycombe Wanderers.
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
Did he score the winner with a bicycle kick?
He jogged around the pitch and surprisingly wasn't tackled.
I have a vague memory of this. Remind me when it was and what it was all about.
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In view of the brevity of his Villa career it is quite fitting that this thread barely mentions Tom Carroll,
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Berson played more than I remembered.
https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18843&season_id=134
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
Did he score the winner with a bicycle kick?
He jogged around the pitch and surprisingly wasn't tackled.
Was Doug carrying two collection buckets by any chance?
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I saw Doug play for us. I win.
Did he score the winner with a bicycle kick?
He jogged around the pitch and surprisingly wasn't tackled.
I have a vague memory of this. Remind me when it was and what it was all about.
It was a Sunday morning, the day after the Bradford fire. There was some sort of game between Villa staff and another team; I don't know who they were and what the occasion was. All I remember is Doug stepping from out of the dugout, taking about ten minutes to warm up and trotting onto the pitch.