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 Ł25m 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 Ł25m 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.
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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?
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.
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...and young Aiden Boreland on his way to Swindon for the rest of the season.
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Dobbin again ole ole!
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Sil Swinkels has gone on loan to Chesterfield.
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Following the Hitzlsperger path.
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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.