Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on June 21, 2025, 10:26:36 PM
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All new.
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It's our Louie's 22nd birthday today. Wonder where he'll be come August
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Josh Feeney has gone to Huddersfield for the season.
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It's our Louie's 22nd birthday today. Wonder where he'll be come August
I'd like to see him properly involved in our pre season. It may well depend on whether we end up keeping Asensio/Rashford or if Malen is seen as a striker.
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I wonder what is planned for Rory Wilson?
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I wonder what is planned for Rory Wilson?
he signed a new deal didnt he ?
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Yep.
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^^ Only two years though.
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Cork City FC are delighted to announce the signing of Charlie Lutz until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old attacker joins from Aston Villa’s Under 21 side.
https://x.com/CorkCityFC/status/1938182973620183162
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I believe Lutz was recently released by the club, so he's ex-Villa rather than going on loan.
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Shame. Lutz and Swinkels were our partners in crime.
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Shame. Lutz and Swinkels were our partners in crime.
Sounds like a dubstep duo from the early 2000's.
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Tommi O’Reilly has joined Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan.
https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1945083511448252927
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Aston Villa can confirm that Finley Munroe has joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan.
The versatile left-footed player spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Real Unión in Spain, making 24 appearances, registering one goal and three assists.
He joined the Villa Academy from Chelsea in July 2021, signing his first professional contract a year later.
Munroe penned a new deal in April 2024 before making his senior debut a month later, coming off the bench against Olympiacos in a UEFA Conference League semi-final, then making his Premier League bow against Crystal Palace.
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Munroe is Rice's cousin, right? I remember thinking he looked alright in the few games I saw him play.
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Swinkels gone to Exeter for the season.
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Crewe Alexandra 4-0 Birmingham City
37th minute, Tommi O'Reilly on debut for Alex got clattered by Jack Quirk who was booked. Tommi limped off and was subbed.
Post match, Alex's manager said they feared the worst when they saw the challenge, but hope it isn't too bad
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Never mind, wrong thread.
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I like that we're securing nice early deals for these players. Get them settled in and ready for the season. It's almost like we have a plan.
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Aston Villa can confirm that goalkeeper Sam Lewis has joined National League North side Oxford City on a one-month youth loan.
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Kerr Smith gone to Barrow on season loan.
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Tommi O'Reilly scored for Crewe as they won 1-0, and maintained their 100% record.
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Tommi O'Reilly scored for Crewe as they won 1-0, and maintained their 100% record.
Good goal.
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Pleased for him, especially as last season's loan to Shrewsbury was a complete waste of everyone's time.
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Looks like he had a good game v Fleetwood at the weekend. Worth watching for his highlights plus some comedy goalkeeping.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBu28p60dk&pp=ygURY3Jhd2xleSAwIGNyZXdlIDE%3D
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Tommi O'Reilly scored for Crewe as they won 1-0, and maintained their 100% record.
Good goal.
My Crewe mate is raving about him so far
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Dobbin has galloped to Preston on loan.
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Ned was an unused substitute in Leipzig's 6-0 defeat to Bayern. So was former target Geertruida.
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What would the score have been had they played?
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What would the score have been had they played?
I reckon they’d have nicked it 4-0.
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Reports in Poland that Olieier Zych and Villa are not happy with his lack of game time. He's bern on thd bench for 9 games at so far.
Villa considering termibating his loan. Presumably to put him elsewhere?
However, Raków Częstochowa who are currently 12th in Poland's top league want to keep him.
Might get messy with lawyers invoked
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Clean sheet for Gauci at some dump.
Goal for Dobbin on his Preston debut.
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Just seen Dobbin's goal, it was really good. First touch out of his feet, second a curler into the top corner from just inside the box. No idea how he played overall, but that was a really good goal. A nice Archer-style loan there would be really good for the lad (and us).
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As long as he turns out better than Iroegbunam....
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Clean sheet for Gauci at some dump.
Goal for Dobbin on his Preston debut.
Agent Gauci was so good that he didn't have to make a single save.
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I was told that Dobbin was injured and had to go off. I have no details.
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I was told that Dobbin was injured and had to go off. I have no details.
Yes, he was subbed at 46 minutes.
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Has SIJ been loaned out?
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Ewan Simpson starting for Accies. On BBC Alba/iPlayer at half five.
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With the transfer window shut this seems to be the full list of players out on loan (are you Chelsea in disguise), all until end of season unless stated:
GK Joe Gauci - Port Vale
GK Oliver Zych - Rakow Częstochowa
DF Josh Feeney - Huddersfield
DF Thierry Katsukunya - Real Unión
DF Finley Munroe - Swindon
DF Kosta Nedeljkoviç - RB Leipzig
DF Yasin Özcan - Anderlecht
DF Triston Rowe - Annecy
DF Kerr Smith - Barrow
DF Sil Swinkels - Exeter
MF Enzo Barrenechea - Benfica
MF Ilani Edwards - Hereford (until 31st December)
MF Tommi O'Reilly - Crewe
MF Charlie Pavey - Bromsgrove Sporting (no expiry stated)
MF Ewan Simpson - Hamilton Accies
FW Leon Bailey - Roma
FW Louie Barry - Sheffield Utd
FW Lewis Dobbin - Preston
FW Samuel Iling-Junior - West Brom
FW Zepiqueno Redmond - Huddersfield
Positions lifted from Wikipedia and not checked.
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With the transfer window shut this seems to be the full list of players out on loan (are you Chelsea in disguise), all until end of season unless stated:
GK Joe Gauci - Port Vale
GK Oliver Zych - Rakow Częstochowa
DF Josh Feeney - Huddersfield
DF Thierry Katsukunya - Real Unión
DF Finley Munroe - Swindon
DF Kosta Nedeljkoviç - RB Leipzig
DF Yasin Özcan - Anderlecht
DF Triston Rowe - Annecy
DF Kerr Smith - Barrow
DF Sil Swinkels - Exeter
MF Enzo Barrenechea - Benfica
MF Ilani Edwards - Hereford (until 31st December)
MF Tommi O'Reilly - Crewe
MF Ewan Simpson - Hamilton Accies
FW Leon Bailey - Roma
FW Louie Barry - Sheffield Utd
FW Lewis Dobbin - Preston
FW Samuel Iling-Junior - West Brom
FW Zepiqueno Redmond - Huddersfield
Positions lifted from Wikipedia and not checked.
1 short of a full matchday squad, I'm not sure i approve but given most of them are kids I'll grudgingly accept it. Limits on the number of players side can have out on loan are probably needed though.
Complaints out of the way I hope most of them get a real chance to play and build some experience because there's some serious potential on that list.
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A mate of mine recently saw Barrow play at Harrogate. When Kerr Smith came on, he said that he was a cut above the other players by some distance; very comfortable on the ball and clever with it.
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Not many are playing at decent levels really, are they?
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Not many are playing at decent levels really, are they?
No, not many, and mainly the ones with options/ obligations to buy.
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Charlie Pavey > Bromsgrove Sporting.
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Dobbin, Redmond both scored today, the latter with his first touch in English football.
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Charlie Pavey > Bromsgrove Sporting.
At least he hasn't joined a toxic club that gets twatted nearly every game.
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Tommi O’Reilly scores again. Think he’s gonna be valuable to us one way or another. My money’s on money.
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No surprise he's scored with those initials. Seems to have been a whole month of Villa players scoring in matches so long as they're not playing for Villa at the time! 😄
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Dobbin wins Championship goal of the day on Sky. Similar goal to a couple of Philogene’s last night. Nice stepover and smashed it in.
Poacher’s goal for Redmond. Haven’t seen O’Reilly’s yet.
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Here is his goal
https://x.com/SkyBetLeagueTwo/status/1966936536739704954?t=KniY-A4uzfUithFna1v3LA&s=19
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Another clean sheet for Joe Gauci for Port Vale.
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Here is his goal
https://x.com/SkyBetLeagueTwo/status/1966936536739704954?t=KniY-A4uzfUithFna1v3LA&s=19
Excellent.
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Redmond got the sort of scrappy goal Watkins could do with!
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Not much from our on-loan players today. Gauci keeping a clean sheet, assists for Dobbin and Munroe is all I’ve heard about so far.
Edit: Gauci has dirtied his sheet.
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Louie Barry did the square root of fuck all when he came on today too.
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Chrissy Wilder already regretting the third time?
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Feeney and Redmond getting a nice run-out, both starting against Man City.
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Good work from SIJ for West Brom’s goal tonight.
Anyone pay much heed to Enzo v Chelsea last night?
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Iling Jr is sucking diesel now. We'll have a £25m player to sell by the end of the season at this rate.
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Is sucking diesel... good?
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Very good! Didn't yer man Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty introduce it to a British audience?
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Ta. I think I've only seen the first series and don't remember that line. I mean to get around to the rest of them at some point, but I already have about 93,206 partially-watched series that I know I'll never finish.
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Iling Jr is sucking diesel now. We'll have a £25m player to sell by the end of the season at this rate.
It’s a sad reflection on me and modern football that that is most of the reason I want these lads to shine on loan.
Nedelkovic, Zych, O’Reilly, Munroe, Barrenechea, Barry, Cisse, Ozcan, Gauci, Bailey, Dobbin, Smith, Feeney, Simpson, Swinkels, Iling Junior, Redmond, Katsukunya and Edwards could solve a few problems for us should they do well.
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Is sucking diesel... good?
Sounds like a Fast and Furious film.
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Is sucking diesel... good?
Sounds like a Fast and Furious film.
The Porn version?
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It’s a sad reflection on me and modern football that that is most of the reason I want these lads to shine on loan.
Nedelkovic, Zych, O’Reilly, Munroe, Barrenechea, Barry, Cisse, Ozcan, Gauci, Bailey, Dobbin, Smith, Feeney, Simpson, Swinkels, Iling Junior, Redmond, Katsukunya and Edwards could solve a few problems for us should they do well.
Ozcan has played no games for Anderlecht yet - do we know whether he's injured?
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It’s a sad reflection on me and modern football that that is most of the reason I want these lads to shine on loan.
Nedelkovic, Zych, O’Reilly, Munroe, Barrenechea, Barry, Cisse, Ozcan, Gauci, Bailey, Dobbin, Smith, Feeney, Simpson, Swinkels, Iling Junior, Redmond, Katsukunya and Edwards could solve a few problems for us should they do well.
Ozcan has played no games for Anderlecht yet - do we know whether he's injured?
Not sure.
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Appears he played some minutes in the Conference qualifiers and a couple of full matches in the U23 team in the second division. Only been an unused sub in the main league though.
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Fin Munroe with an assist for Swindon.
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Well done, him.
He's already had plenty of those this season.
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he is no misfit
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Got excited hearing about Kaden Young scoring a hat-trick for Carlisle, but when I found the footage it looked like a reserve game.
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Grr! *To quote Dogtanian
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Louie Barry was pretty anonymous again for Sheffield United playing on the left.
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Tristran Rowe joining the goal of the month club:
https://x.com/academyavfc/status/1980250616635986304?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA
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Just watched the extended highlights of Swindon 2 Notts County 2. Excellent performance from Munroe again.
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Bailey on the bench for Roma tonight.
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Came on for the final "quarter". Roma lost at home, they're even more frustrating to follow than the Villa.
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Lovely finish from Dobbin
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He's a real thoroughbred
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Our Lovely Horse
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Two assists for Tommi O’Reilly so far for Crewe.
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Can Joe Gauci do it on a wet night in Stoke? Edit: no.
If this rain keeps up I can see it being abandoned. Visible surface water already.
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Don’t think Leon is pulling up trees yet at Roma. He came on for the injured Ferguson after 7 minutes last night, then was subbed off himself after 46. No mention of an injury, but as he’s coming back from one himself, it might have been the same scenario as Sancho’s substitution on Sunday.
All this is gleaned from the BBC sport website on the match, where I also noticed that Roma had 14 players on the bench. I wonder if that will come in here in the PL?
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Ozcan, Ned and Redmond getting hardly any minutes at Anderlecht, RB Leipzig and Huddersfield respectively. Maybe they’d be better off with us?
Also, given we paid decent money for the first two, are they Monchi mistakes? Or Unai?
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Dobbin scores for Preston. Doing well there.
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Yeah, hopefully we can recoup the "paper fee" we paid for him.
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Another assist for Tommi O’Reilly for Crewe. His two the other week were proper ‘laid on a plate’ assists.
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Ozcan, Ned and Redmond getting hardly any minutes at Anderlecht, RB Leipzig and Huddersfield respectively. Maybe they’d be better off with us?
Also, given we paid decent money for the first two, are they Monchi mistakes? Or Unai?
yeah, we certainly need to find better loan-locations for them at the very least (particularly Ozcan who came to us with such good plaudits).
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Dobbs scored today.
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Dobbs scored today.
4 goals and (I think) 2 assists so far.
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Ozcan, Ned and Redmond getting hardly any minutes at Anderlecht, RB Leipzig and Huddersfield respectively. Maybe they’d be better off with us?
Also, given we paid decent money for the first two, are they Monchi mistakes? Or Unai?
Ned is injured.
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Ozcan, Ned and Redmond getting hardly any minutes at Anderlecht, RB Leipzig and Huddersfield respectively. Maybe they’d be better off with us?
Also, given we paid decent money for the first two, are they Monchi mistakes? Or Unai?
Ned is injured.
Ah, that explains it then. Ta.
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Enzo played the whole game for Benfica as they won 3-0 at our partner club Vitoria.
He’s played 19 games for them, not sure when the clause kicks in.
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Enzo played the whole game for Benfica as they won 3-0 at our partner club Vitoria.
He’s played 19 games for them, not sure when the clause kicks in.
I read it already has. Anyone else recall this?
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Was it not 15?
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^^ Maybe, but he’s only played 9 in the league, 3 in CL, 4 in CL qualifying, the odd one or two in cups. So I’m not sure if the criteria has been met.
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Josh Feeney scores Huddersfield's 2nd against Mansfield.
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Louie Barry also scored for Sheff Utd… reserves.
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Having just come back from an injury our Leon is out again. There is no way Roma will be keeping him.
https://x.com/total_villa/status/1986386837586243841?s=46
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Did his hammy on his debut for us while scoring a thundercvnt too, didn't he? Spent a lot of last season rolling around on the ground, West Ham FA Cup springs to mind. Wonder if his heart is in it anymore.
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That was where I was with him last season. Think he's lost the hunger.
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The season he was phenomenal for us, the last month or so he was running on empty and going through the pain barrier. I wonder if that's whats left him so done in now?
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Tommi O'Reilly has scored for Crewe.
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Not much to watch out for today. SIJ on the bench for WBA. Barry not in Sheff Utd squad. Munroe starts for Swindon, Feeney starts for Huddersfield (no sign of Redmond).
Gauci in goal for Port Vale at Bolton.
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Is Redmond injured? Scored early on in the Season and haven't noticed him playing since.
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Fin Munroe scores in the 93rd minute. 2-1 Swindon.
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The Death of Bunny Munro, a six-parter based on the book by Nick Cave, starts next week on Sky. And it's LIVE!
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Fin Munroe scores in the 93rd minute. 2-1 Swindon.
Nicely done.
https://x.com/jiff1967/status/1987202158492852528 (https://x.com/jiff1967/status/1987202158492852528)
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Tommie O'Reilly scored today, is he still our player? Scored against the Shrews I think.
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Tommie O'Reilly scored today, is he still our player? Scored against the Shrews I think.
Yep.
Loaned to Crewe after stints at Shrewsbury and Milton Keynes.
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Both Munroe and O’Reilly doing really well on their loans.
Enzo playing for Benfica tonight. Seems a fixture in their team, permanent transfer triggered soon?
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Is Redmond injured? Scored early on in the Season and haven't noticed him playing since.
I heard he'd got a significant knee injury (done his ACL?).
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Both Munroe and O’Reilly doing really well on their loans.
Enzo playing for Benfica tonight. Seems a fixture in their team, permanent transfer triggered soon?
Enzo subbed on 46 minutes, when they were 1 up. Went to 2-0, ended 2-2. Jose not pulling up trees.
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Is Redmond injured? Scored early on in the Season and haven't noticed him playing since.
I heard he'd got a significant knee injury (done his ACL?).
Thanks. That's a shame, but it's the Villa way.
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Highlights reel of one of our lads:
https://x.com/senegalcomps/status/1983225367461531930?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA
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Another assist for Munroe for Swindon last night.
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I think Barry will be recalled/sent back in January. Playing in the stiffs for Sheffield United now. Turned out to be a bad move for the lad, recruited to play under Selles, in his system, and just hasn't done anything, or even been selected in the squad for First Team duty of late.
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I think Barry will be recalled/sent back in January. Playing in the stiffs for Sheffield United now. Turned out to be a bad move for the lad, recruited to play under Selles, in his system, and just hasn't done anything, or even been selected in the squad for First Team duty of late.
He's too small to play for Wilder and his neanderthal style.
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I think Barry will be recalled/sent back in January. Playing in the stiffs for Sheffield United now. Turned out to be a bad move for the lad, recruited to play under Selles, in his system, and just hasn't done anything, or even been selected in the squad for First Team duty of late.
He's too small to play for Wilder and his neanderthal style.
He probably sounds too French for Wilder's liking.
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Ajax 0 Benfica 2. Over 20 appearances for Enzo this season, no Elliott-clause vibes to that deal.
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Is he officially leaving permanently, now? I need to know whether I can remove him from my Fotmob alerts.
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Is he officially leaving permanently, now? I need to know whether I can remove him from my Fotmob alerts.
Think so but not certain.
Assist for Dobbin.
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Ta.
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If what everyone said were the thresholds for him to leave are correct (and there's no reason to think they're not) then he's already done enough to make it official.
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Ajax 0 Benfica 2. Over 20 appearances for Enzo this season, no Elliott-clause vibes to that deal.
Good player. Missed opportunity for me. Ah well.
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Ajax 0 Benfica 2. Over 20 appearances for Enzo this season, no Elliott-clause vibes to that deal.
Good player. Missed opportunity for me. Ah well.
Maybe, but it seems that we decided to give time to Bogarde instead and I don't think we can argue much with that.
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If what everyone said were the thresholds for him to leave are correct (and there's no reason to think they're not) then he's already done enough to make it official.
Ta. I've unfollowed him. That'll teach him.
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We've perfectly brilliant midfielders already.
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If what everyone said were the thresholds for him to leave are correct (and there's no reason to think they're not) then he's already done enough to make it official.
Does that mean the fee has triggered straight away then and goes into this season's books (a la the reason why we apparently aren't playing Elliott)?
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If what everyone said were the thresholds for him to leave are correct (and there's no reason to think they're not) then he's already done enough to make it official.
Does that mean the fee has triggered straight away then and goes into this season's books (a la the reason why we apparently aren't playing Elliott)?
I would assume so, but our issue in the summer was still the "positive transfer balance" thing (as well as a general try-to-reduce-the-wage-bill-for-future-seasons-with-lower-revenue aim), so I don't think it really moves the dial much.
As discussed elsewhere, I still think that being the reason we're not playing Elliott is nonsense though.
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We've perfectly brilliant midfielders already.
It's definitely our strongest area. Given we've lost Onana and Tielemens (two of Belgium's first-choice midfield) for periods this season, and it hasn't really impacted us too much in the middle, shows the depth we have there. With Bodgarde's upward trajectory, our central midfield options look as good as anyone in the league right now.
I'm all for having as many good players as possible at your disposal, but I'm not sure Enzo would have had much of a look-in this season, except perhaps to take Bogarde's minutes. I think he's going to have a very solid career, and might come back to haunt us a little, but I also don't blame the club for cashing in when he wasn't going to be a big part of the first team this year while financial constraints were so tight.
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Bailey came off the bench to set up Roma's late winner against Midtjylland
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Bailey came off the bench to set up Roma's late winner against Midtjylland
Good lad. Can we recall him?
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Fin Munroe scores for Swindon.
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Lewis Dobbin scores for Preston.
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Tommi O’Reilley with an assist for Crewe, who go 1-0 up.
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Lewis Dobbin scores for Preston.
And now an assist.
Has amfy seen much of them this season?
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Fin Munroe sent off for Swindon, second bookable offence.
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Munroe always seems in the thick of things.
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Lewis Dobbin scores for Preston.
And now an assist.
Has amfy seen much of them this season?
Has a season ticket, but wasn't at Hillsborough.
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Went to see Chesterfield v Swindon today.
Good headed goal from Monroe, who really pushed up a lot. He has a good left foot which reminded me a bit of Steve Staunton, though not quite in that class.
Finlay was horribly unlucky with the red card. Two fifty-fifty tackles and the first one didn't merit a yellow card.(Chezza fans agreed with this).
Spoke with a couple of Swindon fans in the Derby Tup afterwards and they said he was one of their best players this season. I pointed out the possibility of him being recalled in January and maybe being sent out to a League One club, as he appears to be too good for the fourth tier.
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Are Chesterfield really referred to as "Chezza"?! Met a "celebrity" fan of theirs recently whose happiest memory of the club was winning the Anglo-Scottish cup in the 1980. He was at the height of his fame and disinterested/couldn't recall their 1997 run to the FA Cup semi-final.
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Louie Barry coming back and going out somewhere else.
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Eamon, some of the locals refer to Chesterfield s Chez Vegas (Christ knows why, as it's yet another example of a place that the Tory (and Labour) Austerity policies have forgotten.
Chesterfield do indeed fondly recall the Anglo-Scottish Cup win. I believe they beat Rangers in the semi-final. Alan Birch (brother of the lamented Paul) played for that team who were managed by the egregious Arthur Cox.
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Swinkels on the bench for Exeter at Bradford! Will surely be sold in January?
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He hasn't played much recently, so I don't know who would buy him.
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He hasn't played much recently, so I don't know who would buy him.
West Ham for 30M?
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...as a down-payment while we get down to some serious negotiations...
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Assist for Tommi O’Reilley for Crewe.
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Bailey scores the fourth for Roma.
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Bailey scores the fourth for Roma.
No he didn't.
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Well, he still might.
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Can we get him back?
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The loan might re-invigorate Bailey like it has done for Buendia.
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The loan might re-invigorate Bailey like it has done for Buendia.
I was thinking/hoping for that too
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He did well for the goal, made it all himself but he was offside at the beginning of the move. Celtic though, what a rabble...
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Samuel Iling-Junior on the bench for WBA tonight.
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Assist for Fin Munroe. Swindon winning 3-0.
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Assist for Tommi O’Reilly, Crewe leading 1-0.
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Assist for Tommi O’Reilly, Crewe leading 1-0.
Make that two assists. 2-0.
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And a goal. He's scored Crewe's 4th.
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And a goal. He's scored Crewe's 4th.
Masterclass.
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And a goal. He's scored Crewe's 4th.
Masterclass.
As soon as he starts spelling his first name with a 'y', he'll be ready for our first team.
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I reckon there's a very good chance that O'reilly gets recalled in Jan and we look for a club a level or 2 up from Crewe, Same with Munroe as well.
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Where's he from, Carrickfergus?
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The loan might re-invigorate Bailey like it has done for Buendia.
I was thinking/hoping for that too
Ditto.
Although I think the omnipresent concern about PSR/ FFP makes it difficult to bring him back just to potter about.
He got a fat new contract on the back of his upturn in form in Autumn/Winter 2023.
If he delivers anywhere close to that output it's a no brainer. But if he's doing his dying swan routine 2/3 times a match and delivering no goals or assists as per last season that's a substantial wage allocation chewed up which could be better utilised elsewhere.
I have a feeling that's why the club were open to Martinez going last summer n'all. One of the highest earners, but consistent signs he had lost some of his lustre.
We can't afford to carry high earners out of form for extended periods of time. Yanited and some of the other shitebag clubs prob can.
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In some ways, it’s an obvious solution to the winger problem, assuming he maintains form and fitness, that we have a recall option and Eliot can be sent back.
Which would of course be a gigantic repudiation of our summer business.
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Some weird pining for Bailey here. He's started 1 game and been mostly ineffective every time he's played. He's not going to come back with a spring in his step and be the player we had 2 seasons ago. If he can find some form in the 2nd half of the season then maybe this is a conversation for the summer but right now cancelling his loan would be an incredibly stupid idea and he'd be nowhere near ready to step in and offer us anything.
I like the guy and his best is easily good enough for what we need but he's been out of form and/or fitness for 18months and we've managed to puh his potential rehab onto someone else, lets just wait and see if it works.
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Don't really disagree with that, Paul. It's certainly a very unlikely scenario. We do need something like him, though, think we can all agree on that.
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Yommi O'Reilly. Hmmm
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Yommi O'Reilly. Hmmm
Is that his brother? 😀
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Yommi O'Reilly. Hmmm
tasty player
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And a goal. He's scored Crewe's 4th.
Masterclass.
As soon as he starts spelling his first name with a 'y', he'll be ready for our first team.
Should have quoted this...
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I don't think anybody is pining for Bailey, Paul, just wishfully hoping for a Buendia like re emergence that would give our team the pacy directness on the right wing it craves.
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Forgotten man, Modou Kéba Cissé, the summer pre-contract signing has remained at LASK for the season before joining us next summer seems to be doing more than okay. LASK currently second in the league, just 3 points behind RB Salzburg. Last season he broke through but this season he's a regular. Shame he never got selected for the Senegal Afcon squad, maybe a bit young at 20.
He reminds me of a mix between Pau Torres and Konsa. Great distribution and comfortable with the ball at his feet combined with a take no prisoners, never say die attitude in defending. Looks very comfortable at right back too.
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I posted his highlights reel a few pages back. Looks very assured, quick and strong.
Zych is doing brilliantly on his loan to Rakow as well. Unbeaten in the conference league, with plenty of clean sheets.
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Some weird pining for Bailey here. He's started 1 game and been mostly ineffective every time he's played. He's not going to come back with a spring in his step and be the player we had 2 seasons ago. If he can find some form in the 2nd half of the season then maybe this is a conversation for the summer but right now cancelling his loan would be an incredibly stupid idea and he'd be nowhere near ready to step in and offer us anything.
I like the guy and his best is easily good enough for what we need but he's been out of form and/or fitness for 18months and we've managed to puh his potential rehab onto someone else, lets just wait and see if it works.
Don’t disagree with any of that but then you think that he’d be competing or replacing Guessand. Who’d you think would give more or have a greater impact.
It’s not going to happen but Bailey would struggle to be as poor as our major summer signing.
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There are so many shit internet pages these days that I have no idea, but is there any truth on the rumour they might send him back?
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There are so many shit internet pages these days that I have no idea, but is there any truth on the rumour they might send him back?
Him? Do you mean Bailey?
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I hope so. Bring him home.
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There are so many shit internet pages these days that I have no idea, but is there any truth on the rumour they might send him back?
Him? Do you mean Bailey?
Yes.
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I posted his highlights reel a few pages back. Looks very assured, quick and strong.
You're a man of taste, Percy. Football is moving on, he looks one from the future. He may be young but he looks the real deal.
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There are so many shit internet pages these days that I have no idea, but is there any truth on the rumour they might send him back?
Him? Do you mean Bailey?
Yes.
Despite us being in third place currently, I can’t see Bailey being any worse than Sancho or Guessand.
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Ozcan is now getting games for Anderlecht's Academy team, RSCA Futures ...
... is this a good use of our talent, I wonder.
Feeney is getting lots of games with 'udders: I hope he comes back ready to compete for the first team - he'll be 21 next May so time to step up.
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There are so many shit internet pages these days that I have no idea, but is there any truth on the rumour they might send him back?
Him? Do you mean Bailey?
Yes.
Despite us being in third place currently, I can’t see Bailey being any worse than Sancho or Guessand.
Agreed. Could be a Buendia-like redemption arc.
That said, I still think Sancho shows a bit of promise. But I’d love to see 23/24 Bailey sharing that right-wing role with SJM.
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Munroe wins a pen for Swindon, scored. 1-0.
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Leon subbed on 53 minutes, subbed off 74 minutes. Not sure if injured, but probably.
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He's fucking hopeless.
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Not exactly enhancing his transfer value so far is he
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Ozcan came on as sub for a rare first-team appearance for Anderlecht on Sunday.
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Sounds like Roma are fucked-off with the PL trio they've loaned and no doubt the premium salaries they're paying them...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/22/juventus-creep-into-title-race-while-ferguson-struggles-to-convince-gasperini
"I am not convinced,” was the review of Evan Ferguson’s performance from Gian Piero Gasperini after Roma suffered yet another defeat in the head-to-head clashes. “It’s not just him.” Gasperini cast the net of disappointment over fellow summer loan signings Leon Bailey and Kostas Tsimikas. All three arrived from the Premier League and have intermittently featured, Gasperini repeatedly hinting they weren’t doing enough in training to convince him they were worth a shot. When Bailey did come on against Juve, he lasted 20 minutes before limping off with his umpteenth muscular injury. We are constantly told the Premier League sides train so much harder and with such commitment, yet these three have failed to impress Roma staff.
"If I had to choose between Paulo Dybala and Ferguson, I’d choose Dybala all day, every day,” reiterated Gasperini. “You need more to be a centre-forward than being tall. It’s not just about technique, he hasn’t settled into the spirit of this team.” Roma might save money by cutting short the Ferguson loan from Brighton, Bailey’s from Aston Villa, and Tsimikas’s from Liverpool, to then bring in the correct ingredients for Gasp’s tactical recipe. It’s a little disconcerting they are looking to the Premier League again for their replacements, above all Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United, though at least he already has experience of Serie A from Bologna and Parma.
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Sounds like Roma are fucked-off with the PL trio they've loaned and no doubt the premium salaries they're paying them...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/22/juventus-creep-into-title-race-while-ferguson-struggles-to-convince-gasperini
"I am not convinced,” was the review of Evan Ferguson’s performance from Gian Piero Gasperini after Roma suffered yet another defeat in the head-to-head clashes. “It’s not just him.” Gasperini cast the net of disappointment over fellow summer loan signings Leon Bailey and Kostas Tsimikas. All three arrived from the Premier League and have intermittently featured, Gasperini repeatedly hinting they weren’t doing enough in training to convince him they were worth a shot. When Bailey did come on against Juve, he lasted 20 minutes before limping off with his umpteenth muscular injury. We are constantly told the Premier League sides train so much harder and with such commitment, yet these three have failed to impress Roma staff.
"If I had to choose between Paulo Dybala and Ferguson, I’d choose Dybala all day, every day,” reiterated Gasperini. “You need more to be a centre-forward than being tall. It’s not just about technique, he hasn’t settled into the spirit of this team.” Roma might save money by cutting short the Ferguson loan from Brighton, Bailey’s from Aston Villa, and Tsimikas’s from Liverpool, to then bring in the correct ingredients for Gasp’s tactical recipe. It’s a little disconcerting they are looking to the Premier League again for their replacements, above all Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United, though at least he already has experience of Serie A from Bologna and Parma.
I thought Bailey's loan had an obligation to buy?
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Funny that they're not happy with those 3 but then want Zirkzee.
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Funny that they're not happy with those 3 but then want Zirkzee.
He’s not hacked it in the premier league although it could be argued he’s not featured that much but he’s got previous Serie A experience, where he did well.
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And he’s been in the bin fire at Mold Trafford. He’d probably be fine at a sane club.
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Regular Fin Munroe update: assist, 1-0.
-
Sounds like Roma are fucked-off with the PL trio they've loaned and no doubt the premium salaries they're paying them...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/22/juventus-creep-into-title-race-while-ferguson-struggles-to-convince-gasperini
"I am not convinced,” was the review of Evan Ferguson’s performance from Gian Piero Gasperini after Roma suffered yet another defeat in the head-to-head clashes. “It’s not just him.” Gasperini cast the net of disappointment over fellow summer loan signings Leon Bailey and Kostas Tsimikas. All three arrived from the Premier League and have intermittently featured, Gasperini repeatedly hinting they weren’t doing enough in training to convince him they were worth a shot. When Bailey did come on against Juve, he lasted 20 minutes before limping off with his umpteenth muscular injury. We are constantly told the Premier League sides train so much harder and with such commitment, yet these three have failed to impress Roma staff.
"If I had to choose between Paulo Dybala and Ferguson, I’d choose Dybala all day, every day,” reiterated Gasperini. “You need more to be a centre-forward than being tall. It’s not just about technique, he hasn’t settled into the spirit of this team.” Roma might save money by cutting short the Ferguson loan from Brighton, Bailey’s from Aston Villa, and Tsimikas’s from Liverpool, to then bring in the correct ingredients for Gasp’s tactical recipe. It’s a little disconcerting they are looking to the Premier League again for their replacements, above all Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United, though at least he already has experience of Serie A from Bologna and Parma.
I thought Bailey's loan had an obligation to buy?
An option I think. Even if it’s an obligation with a trigger point like Elliott, I doubt he’ll hit it, like Elliott.
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Dobbin scores for PNE. Nice finish.
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Dobbin scores for PNE. Nice finish.
It was indeed.
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Louie Barry on his way back from loan at Sheff Utd.
-
...and young Aiden Boreland on his way to Swindon for the rest of the season.
-
Dobbin again ole ole!
-
Sil Swinkels has gone on loan to Chesterfield.
-
Following the Hitzlsperger path.
-
Chesterfield once had a cool independent music shop called Planet X, run by Henry Normal who would later go on to be a successful TV comedy writer (The Royle Family, Mrs Merton) before founding the TV production company Baby Cow with Steve Coogan which is now mainly owned by BBC Worldwide.
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Louie Barry on his way back from loan at Sheff Utd.
what a sad figure he cuts now, after 2-3 crap loans and injuries
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The Stockport loan was a revelation, far from crap. He's had injuries at both Hull and Sheff Utd. Needs to get back playing regularly. Maybe send him back to Spain where things are less physical.
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The Stockport loan was a revelation, far from crap. He's had injuries at both Hull and Sheff Utd. Needs to get back playing regularly. Maybe send him back to Spain where things are less physical.
True but he still had his injury problems up there.
Your idea of Spain is a good one.
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Was at Bristol City earlier, long story, but can confirm Dobbin was excellent for PNE, smart goal and a genuine threat all afternoon. Looks much better than Guessand sadly.
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...and young Aiden Boreland on his way to Swindon for the rest of the season.
Good; needs some senior game time: looks a real prospect.
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Might make some money on Dobbin after all.
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The Stockport loan was a revelation, far from crap. He's had injuries at both Hull and Sheff Utd. Needs to get back playing regularly. Maybe send him back to Spain where things are less physical.
Think at this stage he’s unlikely to make it with us, so it’s just a case of maximising his transfer fee now. Not sure a loan to Spain would achieve anything in that regard.
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Barry is 23 in the summer and is yet to do anything at a higher level than div 3. We're unlikely to get a lot for him.
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Way behind here, but Tommi O’Reilly has scored today for Crewe. 5 goals, 8 assists in 26 games this season.
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Rock on, Tommi!
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Thank you for these updates Percy. I like having a handle on what loanees are doing so I appreciate your efforts.
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Percy H&Ver of the year 2025, if we still handed out accolades.
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No problem lads, thanks. I enjoy checking in on their games.
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Barrenechea on the bench for Benfica yesterday. Hopefully he triggered the clause before they’ve gone off him. Could have been resting him of course, he’s played nearly every game up to now.
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Percy, what are his stats this season? Are they likely to purchase him?
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Percy, what are his stats this season? Are they likely to purchase him?
The clause was believed to be 15 appearances, so he's triggered the obligation already (29 including cups and Europe).
What we want now, is for him to be a star and we get 30% (max €10M) of any fee when he moves to Spain.
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^^ Spot on.
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Percy, what are his stats this season? Are they likely to purchase him?
The clause was believed to be 15 appearances, so he's triggered the obligation already (29 including cups and Europe).
What we want now, is for him to be a star and we get 30% (max €10M) of any fee when he moves to Spain.
Hypothetically, if he continues to improve and Kamara is stolen from us… we also have a 10m negotiation chip with benfica to buy him back.
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Ben Broggio heading to Falkirk for the rest of the season.
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Samuel Iling-Junior being recalled from West Brom and loaned to Pisa. Jameel Jimoh-Aloba will go to the Hawthorns, he turned down Preston.
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So he opted to be kicked in the left testicle. Interesting.
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Jamal confirmed at WBA.
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Louie Barry heads back to Stockport - good for him; a place where he found friends and confidence.
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Ben Broggio came on in the 67th minute for Falkirk in their 2-1 win at Livingston last night. They were already winning 2-1 at that point.
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From Jacob Tanswell.
Rory Wilson has joined Sturm Graz on loan. Agreement finalised today with 20yo signing for the Austrian club on a straight loan.
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Hope he mashes up Rapid Wien on all our behalves.
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But not Andi.
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Tommi O'Reilly scores the winner for Crewe at Creepy Crawley.
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Jimoh-Aloba started for the Tesco Bags today.
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Kaden Young on loan at Reading didn't even make their bench.
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Jimoh-Aloba started for the Tesco Bags today.
Played well apparently.
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Tommi O'Reilly scores the winner for Crewe at Creepy Crawley.
Cheers cd, missed that. Decided to sleep through the 3 o’clock kick-offs yesterday as we weren’t on the telly.
Go on Tommi.
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Ummm not seen the highlights, but the Graun seems to think that Evann got himself an assist after coming off the bench today.
Maybe this one will be moving to the ex-player thread after all...
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Broggio starts for Falkirk at Stenhousemuir in the cup at half seven. On BBC Scotland/iPlayer.
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Ummm not seen the highlights, but the Graun seems to think that Evann got himself an assist after coming off the bench today.
Maybe this one will be moving to the ex-player thread after all...
Just saw a tweet from a Palace fan: “trigger that clause now. What a player”.
Yes please! Although, maybe we’ll want him back if he keeps it up.
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Tommi O'Reilly scores the winner for Crewe at Creepy Crawley.
Cheers cd, missed that. Decided to sleep through the 3 o’clock kick-offs yesterday as we weren’t on the telly.
Go on Tommi.
Just seen the goal, really good first-time finish on the volley.
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From the highlights he was much more central, playing more in the role Rogers has for us and he looked much more comfortable than being right on the wing.
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Ummm not seen the highlights, but the Graun seems to think that Evann got himself an assist after coming off the bench today.
Maybe this one will be moving to the ex-player thread after all...
Just saw a tweet from a Palace fan: “trigger that clause now. What a player”.
Yes please! Although, maybe we’ll want him back if he keeps it up.
Dolly says we're fickle.
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Malen starts for Roma tonight. They need to qualify for Europe for the obligation to buy to be triggered. They’re quite comfortably in the right place in the league at present.
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And he scores! 1-0.
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https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/serie-a/2025-2026/some-finish-donyell-malen-puts-roma-in-front-in-serie-a-clash-against-cagliari-with-delightful-lob_vid60054105/video.shtml
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And he scores! 1-0.
Lovely finish.
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And a second. 2-0.
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Shame he had to go.
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Guessand gets a start for Palace at home to Burnley.
Go and make yourself a massive fan favourite and provoke riots if they don’t buy you.
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Falkirk 1-0 Dundee
Ben Broggio 55'
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Guessand gets a start for Palace at home to Burnley.
Go and make yourself a massive fan favourite and provoke riots if they don’t buy you.
He went off on 60 mins. I wonder what their view is now. Strange match though as until the Palace chance in stoppage time, all shots on target in the first half was scored for both teams.
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Travis Patterson has joined FC Annecy on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 season.
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Doesn't he play up-front for Blink-182 ?
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Doesn't he play up-front for Blink-182 ?
Drums innit?
Married to the prettiest Kardashian sister. God she’s gorgeous.
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Joins Triston Rowe then. Was it ever confirmed that Annecy were joining V Sports?
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Yes, reported in L'Equipe a few weeks ago.
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Thanks, I assumed iot had completed but I'd never spotted that. They seem like a decent fit for us to send some of the promising youngsters, we're building a decent network of clubs to loan out to now.
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Barrenechea back in for Benfica. Think he’s been out for a couple of games. They’re winning 2-0 away by the way, still in the first half.
He’s played over 30 games for them now.
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Kadan Young starts for Reading v Wycombe. Winning 2-0 at half-time.
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Kadan Young starts for Reading v Wycombe. Winning 2-0 at half-time.
Cheers.
That game is on Sky Sports. I have been watching Burton v Wet Spam Reserves, which is frankly execrable.
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Dobbin scores for Amfy’s boys. 1-0.
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And Broggio for Falkirk, again.
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Nicely slotted home:
https://x.com/AVFCStatto/status/2022702043299823932 (https://x.com/AVFCStatto/status/2022702043299823932)
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And Broggio for Falkirk, again.
Nice one!
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Barrenechea back in for Benfica. Think he’s been out for a couple of games. They’re winning 2-0 away by the way, still in the first half.
He’s played over 30 games for them now.
They won 1-2. I think it was his first game back after suffering a a traumatic subluxation in the right shoulder - that's a dislocated shoulder to you and me. From the match report I read he was only recalled because Aursnes, the Norwegian international got injured in training a couple of days before the match and Enzo is still not fully recovered. As I'm sure Dr Paul_e will detail, unless you allow this type of shoulder injury to fully heal it's likely to reappear.
Despite being missing since the beginning of the year, he's still played more minutes in the league than any other midfielder and started 29 of 31 games for them before the injury. Mourinho obviously loves him.
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Subluxation is also the name of African Car Reverser's B-Sides collection. The vinyl edition goes for a fortune on Discogs.
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Barrenechea back in for Benfica. Think he’s been out for a couple of games. They’re winning 2-0 away by the way, still in the first half.
He’s played over 30 games for them now.
They won 1-2. I think it was his first game back after suffering a a traumatic subluxation in the right shoulder - that's a dislocated shoulder to you and me. From the match report I read he was only recalled because Aursnes, the Norwegian international got injured in training a couple of days before the match and Enzo is still not fully recovered. As I'm sure Dr Paul_e will detail, unless you allow this type of shoulder injury to fully heal it's likely to reappear.
Despite being missing since the beginning of the year, he's still played more minutes in the league than any other midfielder and started 29 of 31 games for them before the injury. Mourinho obviously loves him.
Shoulders are all about the rotator cuff. The dislocation itself isn't really a big deal but you have to do a lot of physio to re-strengthen the ligaments because if there's any imbalance in there it sets you up to have on-going problems. Not something you can rush really because you have to wait for any damage to heal first and then it's weeks of work to get things right. That said it's the sort of injury where coming back early comes with an increased risk of further injury rather than a risk of setbacks for the same injury so it's something you often see people decide to 'give it a go' with.
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Posted it on his thread in Other Football but he's technically on-loan so it's worth mentioning that Malen has scored 5 goals in his first 5 league games for Roma - first player to do that since Batistuta in 2000.
Fabrizio Romano says the loan fee was €2m and the obligation to buy is €25m in the summer. Roma qualifying for Europe (non-Conference cos it pays blose), and Malen appearing in 50% of the games from Jan to May triggers it.
He also says that we've retained a 10% sell-on clause.
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I'm happy enough for Malen, he wasn't going to do it consistently at Premier League level in an Emery team. He definitely will score elsewhere as he is proving and he's a good player but sometimes you just have to do the deal at the right time.
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Agree. £60 million for Watkins was exactly the deal we should have done last Jan, hey ho.
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Agree. £60 million for Watkins was exactly the deal we should have done last Jan, hey ho.
I don’t think that existed.
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The Arse only went as high as £45m, didn't they?
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The Arse only went as high as £45m, didn't they?
I don't recall seeing anything above £40m which at the time was insulting.
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Enzo has scored for the definitely-not-racist-because-they-had-a-black-player-in-the-sixties Benfica.
Winning 3-0.
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Good lad. And Mourinho's comments this week about Vinicius were lamentable.
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I was at the Bernabeu last night. My first time there. What a stadium! Enzo came on with about 5 mins left. I don’t think I saw him touch the ball. The game was lost by then.
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Two assists for Tommi O’Reilley for Crewe as they comeback to lead v Tranmere, and an assist for Broggio as Falkirk lead 5-1.
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Two assists for Tommi O’Reilley for Crewe as they comeback to lead v Tranmere...
I noticed he's 22: is he going to make it for Villa? - it seems to be now or never...
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Two assists for Tommi O’Reilley for Crewe as they comeback to lead v Tranmere...
I noticed he's 22: is he going to make it for Villa? - it seems to be now or never...
I wouldn’t have thought so.
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Two assists for Tommi O’Reilley for Crewe as they comeback to lead v Tranmere...
I noticed he's 22: is he going to make it for Villa? - it seems to be now or never...
I wouldn’t have thought so.
With the greatest will in the world you’d hope not. I wish him all the success, but if he makes it here I suspect it means we’ve dropped back a fair bit.
-
Ben Broggio’s Falkirk into the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Despite the thread title, I didn’t watch. Forgot it was on.
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But you never watched, you just report, right? Not a dig, life's too short for this shit.
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Watched it on BBC Scotland.
Ben got about 65 minutes.
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But you never watched, you just report, right? Not a dig, life's too short for this shit.
Not usually, but I probably would have if I remembered it was on. I was skipping between the games involving Wolves & Preston (hoping to see Dobbin score) til it was time for work.
-
Charlie Pavey scores for Stourbridge.
-
Congrats to Joe Gauci, on-loan at Port Vale and kept a clean sheet to help knock Sunderland out of the FA Cup. At least one of our players is successful in this competition...
-
Watched it on BBC Scotland.
Ben got about 65 minutes.
Seems a very level headed lad
https://x.com/falkirkfc/status/2021736922960605675?s=61&t=5gNHKFDBiIG50p8ei1L0Vg
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Yes, he comes across as a mature young lad.
-
Josh Feeney has scored.......an own goal for Lincoln.
-
Rowe in demand after impressing in France - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c20qw80qr5wo
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Good, I like Rowe, looks a very good prospect. If we have higher level loan offers or the potential for him to push for the first team next season then great.
-
Was this bit common knowledge:
"V Sports, Villa's ownership group, has been in talks with Annecy over taking a 30% stake in the club and are expected to continue to send players to them on loan next season, with Rowe the first deal between the clubs."
Also, do we now have our own designated Beeb reporter? All the big clubs do and this is a bit of a niche story.
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Was this bit common knowledge:
"V Sports, Villa's ownership group, has been in talks with Annecy over taking a 30% stake in the club and are expected to continue to send players to them on loan next season, with Rowe the first deal between the clubs."
Also, do we now have our own designated Beeb reporter? All the big clubs do and this is a bit of a niche story.
Reported at least a couple of months ago on The Athletic / NYT....which is behind a Paywall
Here's a Yahoo article from around the same time
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/aston-villa-owners-discussions-acquire-215800202.html
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I used to live down the road from Annecy. It's absolutely gorgeous.
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Also, do we now have our own designated Beeb reporter? All the big clubs do and this is a bit of a niche story.
Mashiter is "midlands" reporter and covers us, Forest and Wolves. I expect they all have to be more off-beat on stories to fill in during this extended time of International and then FA cup weekend.
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Rowe in demand after impressing in France - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c20qw80qr5wo
Further positive comment on Rowe.
(I posted this on the Reserves/Acasmdemy pages before remembering that there's a specific Loan page)
From a Guardian article:
Back on form: six England-based players who are doing well on loan in Europe
TRISTON ROWE (ASTON VILLA/ANNECY)
Seeking a development opportunity is always a fine balancing act, especially for a teenager. The right-back Rowe wanted first-team football last summer and took the chance of moving to Ligue 2, a bold choice for the then 18-year-old. It has paid off. The England youth international’s progress was shown in February when he was nominated for the league’s player of the month award. He has played 83% of the minutes available to him and is attracting interest across Europe. Rowe has eyes on challenging Matty Cash at Villa but, equally, could go on loan again to help continue the progress he has made in France
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^^ Excellent, good luck to him.
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That’s encouraging. I was beginning to lose interest in our youth development with so few stepping up A story like this gives hope.
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That’s encouraging. I was beginning to lose interest in our youth development with so few stepping up A story like this gives hope.
It will be even better when we sell him for £2m. Pure profit, don’t you know.
-
Kane Taylor scored for Oldham today. His first goal in senior football.
-
Just come back from Rome and can confirm Malen is the second most popular name on the many fake Roma shirts hanging up in the souvenir shops, behind Dybala. They seem to like him.
-
Kane Taylor scored for Oldham today. His first goal in senior football.
Well done Kane. I think people at the club were excited about him a couple of years ago, then I didn’t hear much about him.
-
Just come back from Rome and can confirm Malen is the second most popular name on the many fake Roma shirts hanging up in the souvenir shops, behind Dybala. They seem to like him.
isn't Malen sold already? - not chance he's coming back, is he?
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He leaves if they qualify for the Champions League or Europa League. They aren't obliged to sign him otherwise though may choose to do so. You'd imagine they would be keen unless the lack of top two tier European competition means they could no longer afford him.
-
Ben Broggio scores for Falkirk!
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Beat me to it 🙂
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Beat me to it 🙂
I was excited! If Rangers manage to throw their game away I might watch Sportscene tonight.
Edit: booo! YouTube highlights it is then.
-
Gauci doesn't look very good with his feet; a bit of a fundamental in today's game.
-
Chelsea can fuck off. Gauci fouled for the 5th goal.
-
not given as a foul, very surprised
-
Someone clearly likes Chelsea with the cup draws they always get. Watch them pull Southampton out of the bag and set-up a 'dream' cup final between Man City and Chelsea.
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Someone clearly likes Chelsea with the cup draws they always get. Watch them pull Southampton out of the bag and set-up a 'dream' cup final between Man City and Chelsea.
A journalist could earn some kudus by shining a light on their collective cheating.
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Chelsea didn't get Southampton did they?
-
No, but same end result of it probably being a Man City-Chelsea final.
-
Or, the odds that Man City would draw Chelsea (or vice versa) was 33% if one of them was drawn first, which is what happened. Or if Southampton/Leeds were drawn first it was 67% chance they would draw one of Chelsea/Man City.
-
Louie Barry just come on as an 83rd minute sub in Stockport's (currently) 2-2 playoff clash away at Bolton
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Louie Barry just come on as an 83rd minute sub in Stockport's (currently) 2-2 playoff clash away at Bolton
Blimey. Did well to get booked twice.
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And got sent off for two yellows! Great comeback!
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No, but same end result of it probably being a Man City-Chelsea final.
There is no fixture in football more uninteresting that Man City - Chelsea.
-
The Asterisks Final.
-
What did Louie do?
-
What did Louie do?
Didn’t see the first booking but the second one was for dissent. One of those where he bounced the ball in annoyance with a decision.
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Hat-trick for Malen tonight.
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Fuck sake
-
Dodged a bullet there - you just know those goals would have been against us if Roma had beaten Bologna in the last round.
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Dobbin. 1 goal. 1 assist.
-
Tommi O’Reilley scored a pen for Crewe.
-
EFL Final at Wembley tomorrow for Stockport. Seen a fan site claiming that Barry's ban doesn't apply to that game but can't see it anywhere official.
-
Bunny Broggio slaying the forces of evil (Rangers) for Falkirk.
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Bunny Broggio slaying the forces of evil (Rangers) for Falkirk.
Decent scoring record up there. What position, and Is he highly rated?
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^^ He plays on the right-wing, cutting in on his stronger (left) foot as is the way now, he’s scored four goals and is highly-rated (AFAIK) at Villa.
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Sadly, Falkirk have collapsed.
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EFL Final at Wembley tomorrow for Stockport. Seen a fan site claiming that Barry's ban doesn't apply to that game but can't see it anywhere official.
On the bench.
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Broggio, Burrowes, Rowe (Triston), McGrath and KY: in theory, we're well served on our right side for next season, which should mean offloading Bailey and sending Sancho back to the RedMancs.
Now need to assess, Hemmings, Borland, O'Reilly and JJA for MF options and Routh, Mosquera, Oczan and RJ Carroll in defence.
That should reduce the average age of the squad!
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How many of them are ready to play first team football for the tenth best team in Europe though?
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How many of them are ready to play first team football for the tenth best team in Europe though?
That's the crux of it.
To play in our first team you need to be seriously good, or have serious potential. If we can get 1 or 2 out of that group into our first team squad over the next couple of years, we'll have done incredibly well. 1 per year is way above average.
More realistically (and very unfortunately), none of them will likely become first-team regulars for us, and instead they'll be sold, where four or five sales will pay for a first-team player.
That's not to say these players aren't talented, or won't have good careers even in the top flight - but this is the Aston Villa of 2026. Unai's Aston Villa. Regular European competitors, Aston Villa. So you can be a decent enough Premier League player and STILL not be good enough for us. Which is a huge shame, and I say this as someone who absolutely loves the prospect of a youth player making it into our side and doing well.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games with 6-7/10 performances. Even if they don't make it as regulars, if we can get 20-30 performances out of a few of them over the next few years then that's great and gives us the chance to rest players and deal with injuries a little better without having the bloat the squad with 2 internationals in every position. I'd love it if we could do the latter but without a big bump in revenue the wages offered by the teams above us or the option to be a star player somewhere a little lower (with the wages to match) is hard to match.
Finding the next Grealish is hard but finding the next Bogarde is what we need.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games..
Indeed, we had this discussion a few months back but maybe it needs repeating, we can only judge the youngsters in the first team when they are slotted in not 'oh let's play the kids in the League Cup early rounds'. Bogarde was given his chance and overall been a great success. Found his feet and nobody now questions him coming off the bench or even starting a game or two. Conor Gallagher could have done the same but would have cost us £35m plus £7m in agent fees and that's before we start talking about the ridiculous wages we'd have to pay.
There's no hiding the fact we have to address the wages paid at the club and the only real way is to bring through the talent from the Academy. It's a shame Bailey got sent back from Roma (even though it was a rare case of them covering his wages until the end of the season), I'd have loved to have seen Kadan Young given more minutes this season. With Sanchos injuries/illnesses Young may have started a few games too.
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^^^ completely agree. One of the blessings of the Europa/Conference league is you have 10-15 games where you can test [Bogarde]. That luxury disappears in the CL, so you’re left having to throw them into the less forgiving environment of the PL
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^^^ completely agree. One of the blessings of the Europa/Conference league is you have 10-15 games where you can test [Bogarde]. That luxury disappears in the CL, so you’re left having to throw them into the less forgiving environment of the PL
Or you play them in whatever the League Cup is called these days and people go mad for not taking it seriously enough.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games with 6-7/10 performances. Even if they don't make it as regulars, if we can get 20-30 performances out of a few of them over the next few years then that's great and gives us the chance to rest players and deal with injuries a little better without having the bloat the squad with 2 internationals in every position. I'd love it if we could do the latter but without a big bump in revenue the wages offered by the teams above us or the option to be a star player somewhere a little lower (with the wages to match) is hard to match.
Finding the next Grealish is hard but finding the next Bogarde is what we need.
Exactly. Arsenal playing a16 yr old, Liverpool and Rio - 2 current examples of youngsters getting game time.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games with 6-7/10 performances. Even if they don't make it as regulars, if we can get 20-30 performances out of a few of them over the next few years then that's great and gives us the chance to rest players and deal with injuries a little better without having the bloat the squad with 2 internationals in every position. I'd love it if we could do the latter but without a big bump in revenue the wages offered by the teams above us or the option to be a star player somewhere a little lower (with the wages to match) is hard to match.
Finding the next Grealish is hard but finding the next Bogarde is what we need.
Exactly. Arsenal playing a16 yr old, Liverpool and Rio - 2 current examples of youngsters getting game time.
You have picked two players there who are seen as tremendous talents of their generation and good enough to play top level and could well be full England regulars whilst still in their teens. Better examples are Miles-Skelly, Lewis, O'Reily and Bradley back in the day. Several of those have been getting caught out now though at those levels.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games with 6-7/10 performances. Even if they don't make it as regulars, if we can get 20-30 performances out of a few of them over the next few years then that's great and gives us the chance to rest players and deal with injuries a little better without having the bloat the squad with 2 internationals in every position. I'd love it if we could do the latter but without a big bump in revenue the wages offered by the teams above us or the option to be a star player somewhere a little lower (with the wages to match) is hard to match.
Finding the next Grealish is hard but finding the next Bogarde is what we need.
Exactly. Arsenal playing a16 yr old, Liverpool and Rio - 2 current examples of youngsters getting game time.
You have picked two players there who are seen as tremendous talents of their generation and good enough to play top level and could well be full England regulars whilst still in their teens. Better examples are Miles-Skelly, Lewis, O'Reily and Bradley back in the day. Several of those have been getting caught out now though at those levels.
Yep, but all of them have played a significant number of games and will make a decent profit for the clubs when sold on as 23-24 year olds to the likes of West Ham or Everton. That's what I'd like to see, a handful of the kids kept around for a few more years and used as squad filler for a while and the ones that aren't regularly playing by 23-24 can leave a few years later but with 40-50 appearances to their name. I think we've got a little too focused on the all or nothing version of dumping people if they aren't a key player in the first team at 21. Aside from anything else I'd just like to see us able to name a 25 man a list UEFA squad.
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[...] I think we've got a little too focused on the all or nothing version of dumping people if they aren't a key player in the first team at 21. Aside from anything else I'd just like to see us able to name a 25 man a list UEFA squad.
Fair, but over the last three years there's hardly been a moment where we haven't been clinging on to our league aspirations... every game feels vital, and I don't really blame the manager prioritising wins over development - as much as I'd also like to see what you suggest.
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With the different financial rules I think it’s sensible to shift to the policy paul e has described. Recently we’ve tended to sell players at 21 yrs old (because we’ve needed the ‘pure profit’). Only really Ramsey and Bogarde have broken that age barrier. However now the financial rules are more focused on wage ratios so a few more of that vintage will help. They’re likely to be sold at a higher price too.
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They don't need to be. They need to be able to step in, whilst surrounded by players who are, and do a job for a few games with 6-7/10 performances. Even if they don't make it as regulars, if we can get 20-30 performances out of a few of them over the next few years then that's great and gives us the chance to rest players and deal with injuries a little better without having the bloat the squad with 2 internationals in every position. I'd love it if we could do the latter but without a big bump in revenue the wages offered by the teams above us or the option to be a star player somewhere a little lower (with the wages to match) is hard to match.
Finding the next Grealish is hard but finding the next Bogarde is what we need.
Exactly. Arsenal playing a16 yr old, Liverpool and Rio - 2 current examples of youngsters getting game time.
You have picked two players there who are seen as tremendous talents of their generation and good enough to play top level and could well be full England regulars whilst still in their teens. Better examples are Miles-Skelly, Lewis, O'Reily and Bradley back in the day. Several of those have been getting caught out now though at those levels.
Of course I did. But the very fact you have highlighted that is partly the point: as the second-city stars, why are we not producing such talent?! Furthermore, of the players you list O'Reilly and Bradley would be our first-pick fullbacks if fit, and M-S would be a very decent alternative at LB. Lewis was a regular pick for Citeh until his injury.
Timing the introduction of youngsters into the first team is difficult but giving them 20-25 minutes in a game surrounded by regular first-teamers has to be the right way. Also, particularly with wingers - who will stretch fullbacks - there's little risk as long as they're good enough and worthy of a place in the matchday squad.
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In addition, they could hardly do any worse than the players we've bought to fill the RHS position, though Alysson looks promising if he can stay fit.
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Broggio playing for Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi, on iplayer if anyone wants to see how da yoot is getting on.
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Anybody know what's happened to Jimoh at West Brom, not even in the squad today?
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Louie Barry hat-trick.
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Dobbin scores for Preston.
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Anybody know what's happened to Jimoh at West Brom, not even in the squad today?
Perhaps he’s had an injury, he was an unused sub today.
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Went to see the Sil Swinkells/Tommi O'Reilly derby clash at Chesterfield today.
Both played well. Tommi was taken off with a small injury just after the hour.
Fun fact: both players wore the number 26 shirt.
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Went to see the Sil Swinkells/Tommi O'Reilly derby clash at Chesterfield today.
Both played well. Tommi was taken off with a small injury just after the hour.
Fun fact: both players wore the number 26 shirt.
Both 22 yrs-old. Are they ever likely to be in the first-team squad?
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Louie Barry hat-trick.
Three really nice finishes. He’s TEMU Robben from the other side.
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Went to see the Sil Swinkells/Tommi O'Reilly derby clash at Chesterfield today.
Both played well. Tommi was taken off with a small injury just after the hour.
Fun fact: both players wore the number 26 shirt.
Both 22 yrs-old. Are they ever likely to be in the first-team squad?
Very much doubt it. I think you need to be doing what Azaz is doing but much younger, and even then you might be sold.
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We are saying that Martinez could well move on and reduce the wage bill. Don’t think our second keeper will be used as No 1, so someone will have to be bought. Isn’t it strange that the keeper at a big club like Celtic was ours till we got rid for just a few quid.
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Isn’t it strange that the keeper at a big club like Celtic was ours till we got rid for just a few quid.
Not especially, because you don't have to be particularly good to play in goal for Celtic.
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Louie Barry hat-trick.
Three really nice finishes. He’s TEMU Robben from the other side.
Surely he'd do better than Bailey
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Could we get Dobbin back for the last four league games? He couldn't be any worse than the Sancho/Bailey option.
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Louie Barry hat-trick.
Three really nice finishes. He’s TEMU Robben from the other side.
Surely he'd do better than Bailey
Probably worthy of debate for Barry, Broggio and Dobbin.
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...and Jimoh-Aloba and Burrowes!!
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Isn’t it strange that the keeper at a big club like Celtic was ours till we got rid for just a few quid.
Not especially, because you don't have to be particularly good to play in goal for Celtic.
I was going to reply "No, because Scottish football is shite" but of course Dave managed to say as much in a much more reasonable manner.
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Speaking of Celtic goalies, If my surname were Bonner I'd have picked a much less controversial version of Patrick as my first name.
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Speaking of Celtic goalies, If my surname were Bonner I'd have picked a much less controversial version of Patrick as my first name.
They were different times
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They shouldn't have let him advise on the name of the Dambusters' dog, either.
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Speaking of Celtic goalies, If my surname were Bonner I'd have picked a much less controversial version of Patrick as my first name.
They were different times
Yeah, Letterkenny has changed a lot.
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The gene pool needed deepening in fairness.
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Tommy O'Reilly voted Crewe's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season.
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Rightly so, he's had an excellent season. Probably not one that will make it with us but I hope when he does go we don't repeat the mistake with Azaz and let him leave for well below he's realistic value.
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Tommy O'Reilly voted Crewe's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season.
My mate who is Crewe Alex season ticket holder messaged me about this yesterday saying it scuppers their chances of having him back next season. He probably needs a Championship club now.
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We signed John McGinn when he was 23. Not saying Tommy is that good but it’s not a given that by not breaking through at his age he never will.
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We signed John McGinn when he was 23. Not saying Tommy is that good but it’s not a given that by not breaking through at his age he never will.
No I agree and I think far too often we write players off too quickly, that's why I said probably and mentioned Azaz who will likely be a premier league player next season. I just think statistically speaking the chances are he's not going to break-through with us given we also have players coming through behind him in similar positions who have been around or first team squad a lot recently (Jimoh-Aloba being top of the list).
I'd love him to make it though, frankly I'd love to have half the squad be academy graduates (whilst still challenging for trophies) and to have a global reputation for being the best place for youngsters to play, that's the sort of long-term sustainable success I think thge sport desperately needs to shift towards away from the buying of trinkets we've seen recently.
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We signed John McGinn when he was 23. Not saying Tommy is that good but it’s not a given that by not breaking through at his age he never will.
No I agree and I think far too often we write players off too quickly, that's why I said probably and mentioned Azaz who will likely be a premier league player next season. I just think statistically speaking the chances are he's not going to break-through with us given we also have players coming through behind him in similar positions who have been around or first team squad a lot recently (Jimoh-Aloba being top of the list).
I'd love him to make it though, frankly I'd love to have half the squad be academy graduates (whilst still challenging for trophies) and to have a global reputation for being the best place for youngsters to play, that's the sort of long-term sustainable success I think thge sport desperately needs to shift towards away from the buying of trinkets we've seen recently.
I agree. Sadly, I think we must be near the bottom of the list for bringing talent through to our own first team. One of the factors that now gives us such an aging squad.
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Worth remembering that it was much easier to take a punt on a kid from Hibs when we were a mid-table Championship outfit.
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Yes, just about to post that we signed McGinn for the Championship and didn't expect him to:-
a: Be a premier league player within 12 months.
b: Still be a playing for Villa after the Gerrard/Mings debacle. Most thought he would be gone that season and were happy when he was dropped.
c: To have been so swayed by Emery into improving that he is now a key player in a top 4/Champions League playing team and turned into Milner on the way he approaches all aspects of life on and off the pitch.
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I agree. Sadly, I think we must be near the bottom of the list for bringing talent through to our own first team. One of the factors that now gives us such an aging squad.
Let's not over-think the aging squad part (yet). I'd be worried if we were signing players in the 29/30 age bracket as that is money we would never get back. Our older players, McGinn, Mings, Digne, Martinez and Watkins, are investments that are paying dividends and a factor in our relatively low transfer spend.
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We barely bring youth through but the main issue there is we don't have good enough youth to come through for the PL as a whole. Whether that is a training thing, a problem with initial recruitment or even a self-fulfilling legacy that the better youth don't come to Villa as they know we don't promote much from within.
I can name two players in this millenia who have been at the top of the game after coming through our youth then leaving us and that is Grealish and Cahil. I suppose Barry as well although he wasn't initially with us and we thought Standing would be better and needed someone to help him settle. Jacob Ramsey might be another although he has dropped back since. I think we only have three graduates playing in the Prem league for other teams as of now although I stand to be corrected.
Hopefully a legacy of Emery is that we start training them better or better youth players start coming to us as a regular top 6 side and we see some more come through, but unfortunately I doubt it.
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I can name two players in this millenia who have been at the top of the game after coming through our youth then leaving us and that is Grealish and Cahil. I suppose Barry as well although he wasn't initially with us and we thought Standing would be better and needed someone to help him settle. Jacob Ramsey might be another although he has dropped back since. I think we only have three graduates playing in the Prem league for other teams as of now although I stand to be corrected.
I think that's right - Iroegbunam, Ramsey and Grealish. But I guess it depends on context - widen the parameters a bit and you can add one of the top scorers in Serie A this season and a regular starter for the second biggest team in Germany.
I don't know how that compares to others at a similar level to us - I think Man City and Chelsea have probably got four or five times as many as that they can point to, but they've been doing the whole academy production line thing for fifteen or more years, it takes time to catch up.
Not saying that we *will* catch up, but at first glance I reckon we're probably holding our own against most of the league.
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I was thinking of including Chukky but I thought the was one we only had from 18 to 20 but now realise he was here from a lot longer. And you are correct that it isn't just us in that regard as most of the rest of the prem is in the same boat. I would add Arse, Liverpool and Manure as other acadamies with a large percentage of players at the top level and they all do have the fact they are consistent top 6 in common which is why I'm hoping it spreads to us.
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It will be interesting how we compare to other Prem clubs bringing their Youth in % wise
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It will be interesting how we compare to other Prem clubs bringing their Youth in % wise
Not the same thing, but I think we’re second or third (after Chelsea and, I would guess, Man City) in terms of money raised through academy sales.
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Another assist for Ben Broggio as Falkirk beat Motherwell 1-0 in whatever they call the Scottish Premiership bunfight.
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Goal for Dobbin.
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Goal for Dobbin.
one to be moved on this summer - seems a mid-table, average Championship player. A couple of million at max expected.
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Goal for Dobbin.
one to be moved on this summer - seems a mid-table, average Championship player. A couple of million at max expected.
To be fair he’s got as many goals this season as Lisa Stansfield at the Sty in far fewer minutes, and he cost them up to £20 million. Dobbin might not be a world beater, but the going rate for 23 year old strikers with double figure returns in the Championship is likely to be a fair bit more than a couple of million
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Ben Broggio
Another assist today Falkirk 1-0 Motherwell
Scottish Premiershio Top Six
Oliwier Zych - lost in the Polish Cup semi-final today
Gornik Zabrze 2-0 Rastow Czestochowa
He's been first choice keeper there for several months, 4th in the Polish Ekstraklasa, 4 matches left. Occupying a Conference League position.
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Oliwier Zych - lost in the Polish Cup semi-final today
You can take the boy out of Villa…
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Goal for Dobbin.
one to be moved on this summer - seems a mid-table, average Championship player. A couple of million at max expected.
To be fair he’s got as many goals this season as Lisa Stansfield at the Sty in far fewer minutes, and he cost them up to £20 million. Dobbin might not be a world beater, but the going rate for 23 year old strikers with double figure returns in the Championship is likely to be a fair bit more than a couple of million
Absolutely. Considering people were adamant we'd be looking at £10m+ for Louie Barry based on what he'd done in League One, ten goals and eight assists this season for a mediocre Preston team is very solid indeed.
Not quite getting all our money back from our dodgy PSR shenanigans territory, but not far away.
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Lisa Stansfield ;D
But yeah, fair play Dobbin, he's come alive in recent months. Maybe he'd fetch £7m?
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Goal for Dobbin.
one to be moved on this summer - seems a mid-table, average Championship player. A couple of million at max expected.
To be fair he’s got as many goals this season as Lisa Stansfield at the Sty in far fewer minutes, and he cost them up to £20 million. Dobbin might not be a world beater, but the going rate for 23 year old strikers with double figure returns in the Championship is likely to be a fair bit more than a couple of million
Absolutely. Considering people were adamant we'd be looking at £10m+ for Louie Barry based on what he'd done in League One, ten goals and eight assists this season for a mediocre Preston team is very solid indeed.
Not quite getting all our money back from our dodgy PSR shenanigans territory, but not far away.
Yep, he's had a perfectly reasonable season at Preston. Not Cam Archer levels, but also not a million miles off it. 18 goal involvements for the season is a solid return. There are only 5 players in the whole championship with 20+ goal involvements, so he's done fine, without being spectacular.
Not sure we'll get our money back, but we might get close.
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23 years old, double figures and plenty of assists, he might be six months away from being a £20m player. We should ask for more or send him on loan again as £7m* doesn’t move the dial enough.
*sell on clauses might be a sensible compromise.
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We paid £10m if I recall, two years ago. Assuming he was on a 5-year contract, his book value will be £6m now. So we may be close to the sweet spot.
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We paid £10m if I recall, two years ago. Assuming he was on a 5-year contract, his book value will be £6m now. So we may be close to the sweet spot.
"Paid" is stretching it a bit :-) I think it was a swap with Iroegbunam, who were both "valued" at £9m for FFP purposes? At the time, both were a bit overvalued.
Iroegbunam has become a Premier League regular at Everton, if unspectacular. No Reason Dobbin couldn't do the same, even if not with us.
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Harder for a striker to break through in the Prem and be off the radar/unspectacular like Iroegbunam in midfield.
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We paid £10m if I recall, two years ago. Assuming he was on a 5-year contract, his book value will be £6m now. So we may be close to the sweet spot.
"Paid" is stretching it a bit :-) I think it was a swap with Iroegbunam, who were both "valued" at £9m for FFP purposes? At the time, both were a bit overvalued.
Iroegbunam has become a Premier League regular at Everton, if unspectacular. No Reason Dobbin couldn't do the same, even if not with us.
Absolutely. My point was that we are at a point where there may be no accounting loss, which makes it easier for us to let him go.
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I presume the coaching staff want to see all these guys back in preseason and assess how they’ve developed. Some go out again, others are moved on and, hopefully, one or two join the first team squad.
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Tommi O'Reilly wins POTS and PPOTS awards for Crewe. Well done, him.
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2 for Malen again at the weekend, in 2-3 win.
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2 for Malen again at the weekend, in 2-3 win.
One of them a 101st minute winning penalty.
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2 for Malen again at the weekend, in 2-3 win.
One of them a 101st minute winning penalty.
He is 100% on penalties with that being his 5th or 6th of the season.
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2 for Malen again at the weekend, in 2-3 win.
One of them a 101st minute winning penalty.
He is 100% on penalties with that being his 5th or 6th of the season.
He's joint 2nd in the Serie A top scorer charts, despite only joining in January. Only Martinez at Inter has scored more league goals than him (4 more), all season.
Regardless of where Roma finish, there is zero chance that they're not buying him at the price we agreed in Jan. Shame.
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Can we not swap him back for Tammy...
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Fifth goal in ten appearances for Ben Broggio yesterday. Good goal as well.
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Fifth goal in ten appearances for Ben Broggio yesterday. Good goal as well.
Yeah, it was a tidy finish. Hopefully he gets a hat-trick on Weds. night.
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You want Celtic to win the league again with him in charge? Have a Heart.
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Donyell Malen joining Roma on loan from Aston Villa has arguably been the best January signing since Fiorentina borrowed Mohamed Salah from Chelsea a little over a decade ago.
He is a late contender for Serie A MVP and has a slim chance of being Capocannoniere (Serie A’s top scorer) despite being in the league for less than four months.
For context, no one has been as prolific as Malen in the history of midwinter transfers: not even Mario Balotelli when he left Manchester City for Milan in 2013.
Unreal to let him go.
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Serie A defenders ain't what they used to be.
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Louie Barry scored in last night's Stockport win; next, Wembley.
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Great run and finish too. Let out a lot of frustration in his celebrarion, it's been a difficult period for him with injuries.
Weirdly, though he struggled with his Ch'ship loan at Hull, Stockport might now be in that division next season and he could thrive as he seems to be at a club that suits him. Another year-loan, hoping he does well and then we sell him for good with a sell-on clause?
County's record transfer is about £1m and he's got to be worth more than that.
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He's 23 in the summer, I hope we let him go now for something reasonable so he can settle somewhere. He can't have long left on his contract, either.
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BBC article on him:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3r24pg1jvjo (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3r24pg1jvjo)