Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: pauliewalnuts on January 20, 2026, 07:32:05 PM
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As this one seems almost done, time for a thread, I think.
*popcorn*
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Aaaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhh
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haha superb. Heads will be spinning
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We all know what PW is doing and fingers crossed.
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You going to set some folk off doing this!
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Loan or permanent?
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9 goals and 0 assists in all comps by season's end, interminable debates on here about whether he 'does enough other than scoring', hopefully resolved by nobody giving a shit as a deft sidefooter from 8 yards seals us the Europa League final.
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Thought Besiktas were still moving the goalposts and playing silly buggers with this deal??
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Loan or permanent?
Permanent. As part of the deal we’re sending Watkins to Istanbul.
Apparently they love assists over there.
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Come on Tammy sign now. PW with his hate on for Tammy will have the reverse black magic affect and he will join us and score 50 goals.
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Come on Tammy sign now. PW with his hate on for Tammy will have the reverse black magic affect and he will join us and score 50 goals.
I’d settle for 10 or 11.
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Paulie 😡😡😡
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Forest have put in an offer of £25m.
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Forest have put in an offer of £25m.
Don’t be silly surely Forest have about as much PSR room as we do??
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Blues have bid 30m.
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Forest have put in an offer of £25m.
Don’t be silly surely Forest have about as much PSR room as we do??
;)
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Blues have bid 30m.
That I can believe. To go with that £25m stunner Lisa.
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Paulie 😡😡😡
Trust me, it is for the best.
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PW I preferred it when you were a Mod as you didn't do anything irresponsible like this.
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I was nervous until I saw it wasn’t TV that started it.
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TV couldn't start..a cat.
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I was nervous until I saw it wasn’t TV that started it.
The great TV delivered you Emery, Watkins, Onana, Martinez, Konsa, Rashford and Kamara to name just a few. You’re all welcome. Smirker the Watkins hater gave you Guessand. Speak to him.
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Emery was when it was announced on the official club Twitter. I can't be arsed to check the others, but absolutely no problem with announcing completed transfers where they belong. Until then, it's speculation and we have a thread for that.
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Emery was when it was announced on the official club Twitter. I can't be arsed to check the others, but absolutely no problem with announcing completed transfers where they belong. Until then, it's speculation and we have a thread for that.
Yeh you might want to sit this out. You started a thread on Jadon Sancho before it was completed. At least I quoted Percy and Townley. You went with Romano.
Seems pretty done.
https://bsky.app/profile/fabrizioromano.yopro20.com/post/3lxrb4eo7xu2s
Not sure about this, has a reputation as trouble. Still, only a loan with no obligation to buy according to various accounts and undoubtedly in a position of need.
Please prove the doubters, including me, wrong, and be brilliant.
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With Tammy returning I'd be moving Watkins to his original position and all of a sudden we could be cooking again.
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Yeh you might want to sit this out. You started a thread on Jadon Sancho before it was completed.
I was trying to fuck the deal up, though. Unfortunately, my powers are clearly not as great as yours so it didn't work.
I'll PM you next time we are linked with someone I think is rubbish so you can jinx it for us. 🙂
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Erm, hasn’t Tammy already got a thread?
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Yeh you might want to sit this out. You started a thread on Jadon Sancho before it was completed.
I was trying to fuck the deal up, though. Unfortunately, my powers are clearly not as great as yours so it didn't work.
I'll PM you next time we are linked with someone I think is rubbish so you can jinx it for us. 🙂
(https://media.tenor.com/HRDBoO3GPagAAAAM/unai-emery-thinking.gif)
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With Tammy returning I'd be moving Watkins to his original position and all of a sudden we could be cooking again.
what's his original position?
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With Tammy returning I'd be moving Watkins to his original position and all of a sudden we could be cooking again.
what's his original position?
Wide of a front 3 I think. Considering his workrate has fallen off a cliff last 18 months, putting him out wide would be a nightmare.
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His “original position” meaning years ago prior to Premier League. For all of the arguments against him he is a proven, successful, central forward player in the top flight. He absolutely is not a wide forward, and should definitely not play there.
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I can't wait until we get this over the line we really need numbers coming in.
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Erm, hasn’t Tammy already got a thread?
There is, but apparently it means NOTHING to some people.
It’s here: https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=58926.0
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Erm, hasn’t Tammy already got a thread?
There is, but apparently it means NOTHING to some people.
It’s here: https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=58926.0
I spent ages looking for it the other day! Didn't realise it was in other football now.
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Blues have bid 30m.
Have it on good authority that he would happily play for Birmingham City for nothing because it's a much bigger club then the Vile, plus they have more chimney pots,we are doomed
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I seem to remember he scored quite a few goals.
But also missed loads of chances.
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He can take a penalty too which is a bonus if we ever get one again.
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And good at tap ins.
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The one he took against the Albion in the play offs I’m sure it glanced off johnstones boot. Never had such a trouser filling moment.
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For all of the arguments against him he is a proven, successful, central forward player in the top flight.
Is he though? Genuine question.
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For all of the arguments against him he is a proven, successful, central forward player in the top flight.
Is he though? Genuine question.
Yeah, I'd say so. 8 in 39 for Swansea as a 19 year old. 18 in 47 and 12 in 32 for Chelsea (all competitions, but the ratio for just league games in those seasons is basically the same).
Those are perfectly decent numbers to be considered "proven" and "successful" I'd say.
There are arguments that he might not play ahead of Watkins enough to get those numbers for us, or that his injuries and time abroad might have diminished him, but his record up to now of playing in the Premier League is solid enough.
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For all of the arguments against him he is a proven, successful, central forward player in the top flight.
Is he though? Genuine question.
Sorry I was referring to Ollie in the context of the idea to shove him out wide.
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The one he took against the Albion in the play offs I’m sure it glanced off johnstones boot. Never had such a trouser filling moment.
Yeah I think it did, he went down the middle and Johnstone nearly kept it out with his trailing legs as he dived.
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I seem to remember he scored quite a few goals.
But also missed loads of chances.
Like all strikers do.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
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My memory of Abraham is that he was an effective Championship CF who we would've liked to retain for the PL but he wanted to play for Chelsea / Chelsea wanted him to stay there. I have no idea whatsoever whether he is better now, slower now etc. I would still retain complete confidence in Emery's judgement, despite Guessand and Elliot (Sancho is OK, just underwhelming), and if he wants Abraham that's good enough for me.
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My memory of Abraham is that he was an effective Championship CF who we would've liked to retain for the PL but he wanted to play for Chelsea / Chelsea wanted him to stay there. I have no idea whatsoever whether he is better now, slower now etc. I would still retain complete confidence in Emery's judgement, despite Guessand and Elliot (Sancho is OK, just underwhelming), and if he wants Abraham that's good enough for me.
Tammy scored a bucket load for us, and has scored goals wherever he's been. Not what you'd call 'prolific', but fairly consistently, at all levels. 15 in the premier league for Chelsea in our first season back up, 27 at Roma in his first season there. But his scoring rate is definitely lower since his injury. He was about 1 in 3, he's about 1 in 4 since the injury. Maybe enough to be a 10+ goal a season player, but not very likely to be 20+.
The benefit he brings is low-ish risk (if he's genuinely fit again). He knows the premier league, he knows the club, he's scored regularly here before. He will miss chances, of course, but he will also get the poacher-style goals that we don't seem to pick up very often.
All that said, I've not seen him play (beyond highlights of matches he's been in) since his injury, so I don't know if he's the same type of player or something altogether different these days?
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He looks more of a physical presence than he was 6 years ago - which is something we don't have up front.
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Physical presence….. love it. Saying he’s fat would not be appropriate I guess🤔
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
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My memory of Abraham is that he was an effective Championship CF who we would've liked to retain for the PL but he wanted to play for Chelsea / Chelsea wanted him to stay there. I have no idea whatsoever whether he is better now, slower now etc. I would still retain complete confidence in Emery's judgement, despite Guessand and Elliot (Sancho is OK, just underwhelming), and if he wants Abraham that's good enough for me.
Tammy scored a bucket load for us, and has scored goals wherever he's been. Not what you'd call 'prolific', but fairly consistently, at all levels. 15 in the premier league for Chelsea in our first season back up, 27 at Roma in his first season there. But his scoring rate is definitely lower since his injury. He was about 1 in 3, he's about 1 in 4 since the injury. Maybe enough to be a 10+ goal a season player, but not very likely to be 20+.
The benefit he brings is low-ish risk (if he's genuinely fit again). He knows the premier league, he knows the club, he's scored regularly here before. He will miss chances, of course, but he will also get the poacher-style goals that we don't seem to pick up very often.
All that said, I've not seen him play (beyond highlights of matches he's been in) since his injury, so I don't know if he's the same type of player or something altogether different these days?
Not to put a pin in Tammy stats but 4 of his goals this season came against St Pats. Guessand would probably bundle in a couple against them. More importantly for Tammy is that he has proven his fitness this season.
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
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So what’s the escalation from “almost”? Is it nearly, just about, practically, virtually, more or less, all but, as good as, nigh on, bordering on, verging on, pretty much etc etc?
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So what’s the escalation from “almost”? Is it nearly, just about, practically, virtually, more or less, all but, as good as, nigh on, bordering on, verging on, pretty much etc etc?
Cadging a lift back to blighty from Turkey, perhaps?
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
We have created loads this year but nobody is ever in the box to convert then so they dont count as XG because the are just a loose ball waiting to be tapped in. I can thing of about 9 since the start of December without thinking to hard.
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Physical presence….. love it. Saying he’s fat would not be appropriate I guess🤔
;D
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
Yep, it's one of the reasons why I'm not keen.
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We do, however, get into a lot of crossing positions and end up recycling the ball as there isn't a striker in front of goal. Just saying.
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
Yep, it's one of the reasons why I'm not keen.
Watkins has managed 35 shots on goal so far this season, one and what a beauty from outside the box. Even Malen managed 16 in the few minutes he played. The chances will continue to come, it's up to Tammy to take them.
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
We're going to Istanbul to pick him up.
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
We're going to Istanbul to pick him up.
I guess due to the cost of travel nowadays it will affect our PSR, so we’re walking there and back, hence the delay.
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We do, however, get into a lot of crossing positions and end up recycling the ball as there isn't a striker in front of goal. Just saying.
We do a lot of getting into the traditional crossing position then, rather than knocking into the 'danger area' the full backs pull the ball back for a player who has effectively stood still to create space for themselves. Quite rare we play a % ball in.
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
Obviously, if PW says it is.
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
We're going to Istanbul to pick him up.
Dr Tony went to Roma in a Ford Mondeo
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
We're going to Istanbul to pick him up.
Dr Tony went to Roma in a Ford Mondeo
In Matalan shoes.
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
Yep, it's one of the reasons why I'm not keen.
Watkins has managed 35 shots on goal so far this season, one and what a beauty from outside the box. Even Malen managed 16 in the few minutes he played. The chances will continue to come, it's up to Tammy to take them.
But he's a different player to those two and less likely to create those sort of chances. We could bring Sterling in and say the same but it wouldn't be because some players rely on cutbacks from the byline and having really good positional awareness.
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Was watching his highlight reel for us last night and have to admit, I'd completely forgotten how good he was at those poacher style goals.
We could really do with that sort of conviction given how limp we look inside the box at times.
We don’t really create the chances for poachers though.
Yep, it's one of the reasons why I'm not keen.
Watkins has managed 35 shots on goal so far this season, one and what a beauty from outside the box. Even Malen managed 16 in the few minutes he played. The chances will continue to come, it's up to Tammy to take them.
But he's a different player to those two and less likely to create those sort of chances. We could bring Sterling in and say the same but it wouldn't be because some players rely on cutbacks from the byline and having really good positional awareness.
In the majority of opportunities both Watkins and Malen relied on our midfield supplying those chances. Why would it be any different for Tammy (other than we're struggling right now to put a midfield together)?
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
This made me LOL
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
Has a nice ring to it.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
Has a nice ring to it.
Scraping the bottom here.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
Has a nice ring to it.
Scraping the bottom here.
He good do a good job in the hole.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
Has a nice ring to it.
Scraping the bottom here.
He good do a good job in the hole.
Think you've hit a bum note there, SE
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So not quite almost done?
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So not quite almost done?
Almost done is getting close to its expiry date.
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Is Tammy a near done deal then?
Obviously, if PW says it is.
He said “almost” which is also “not quite”. So he’s covered.
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Indeed, but some can control a pass.
My memory of Tammy is that he wasn’t particularly adept at this either.
Same. It's not a good idea IMAO.
In your arsehole's opinion?
Has a nice ring to it.
Scraping the bottom here.
He good do a good job in the hole.
Think you've hit a bum note there, SE
At least he had a crack at it.
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We do, however, get into a lot of crossing positions and end up recycling the ball as there isn't a striker in front of goal. Just saying.
We do a lot of getting into the traditional crossing position then, rather than knocking into the 'danger area' the full backs pull the ball back for a player who has effectively stood still to create space for themselves. Quite rare we play a % ball in.
Yes. So if there was a target man it would give us the opportunity to cross rather than recycle the possession, putting further doubt into the defenders.
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The way this thread is going, he'll be due a testimonial soon.
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Old Harry Rednapp used to rock up at ten to midnight, deadline day, do the deal, fax the paperwork and the player is stretching the shirt by breakfast.
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Perhaps we will sign him before the game and ask Fener if we can “parade” him in front of the away fans at half time?
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Looks like it’s happening.
Separately I see Ozscan’s signing with us as one of the most irritating PSR style transfers in recent years.
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🚨🟣🔵 Tammy Abraham to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in principle with Besiktas after personal terms done days ago.
€21m plus add-ons, Yasin Özcan will be also included as part of the agreement.
#AVFC in Turkey now with their directors to formally seal the deal.
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Welcome home Tammy.
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My preference over Mateta this.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Yes I agree I think Tammy has more to his came where Mateta is an intermittent battering ram
( note if we sign him too my opinion will change )
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It's been Here We Go'd.
Can he play on Sunday?
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My preference over Mateta this.
I'm the opposite, so I guess all is right with the world!
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Looks like it’s happening.
Separately I see Ozscan’s signing with us as one of the most irritating PSR style transfers in recent years.
All those deals are pony.
You look forward to seeing a promising young player take his first baby steps with the Villa (Ned, Illing Junior, the Baron in Portugal, and this lad) and they’re all farmed out in no time.
With seemingly no intention of them ever being first team candidates for us.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Agreed. I'm also pleased for PW, vindication at last.
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Welcome back Tammy!
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Happy enough with Tammy. Has some weaknesses compared to Malen, can't really play wide. But some strengths too, better playing lone forward and better attacking/defending set pieces.
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Try not to be shit.
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I'm not sure on him but he's definitely a better fit for us that Mateta.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Agreed. I'm also pleased for PW, vindication at last.
I believe he was trying to jinx it, though.
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Can do a job protecting Martinez on corners too.
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🚨🟣🔵 Tammy Abraham to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in principle with Besiktas after personal terms done days ago.
€21m plus add-ons, Yasin Özcan will be also included as part of the agreement.
#AVFC in Turkey now with their directors to formally seal the deal.
Thank you for quoting rather than linking.
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Will finish the season with more goals for us than The Sacred Cow I reckon 8)
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Looks like it’s happening.
Separately I see Ozscan’s signing with us as one of the most irritating PSR style transfers in recent years.
All those deals are pony.
You look forward to seeing a promising young player take his first baby steps with the Villa (Ned, Illing Junior, the Baron in Portugal, and this lad) and they’re all farmed out in no time.
With seemingly no intention of them ever being first team candidates for us.
Agreed. I really liked the idea of a manboy Turkish international and a young Argentinian hitman in our team; crafted by Emery and the management team.
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I'm optimistic about Tammy. I'm not sure why, I've just got a good feeling about it all.
Looks like it’s happening.
Separately I see Ozscan’s signing with us as one of the most irritating PSR style transfers in recent years.
All those deals are pony.
You look forward to seeing a promising young player take his first baby steps with the Villa (Ned, Illing Junior, the Baron in Portugal, and this lad) and they’re all farmed out in no time.
With seemingly no intention of them ever being first team candidates for us.
Would you rather us play players who clearly aren't good enough? ???
We're a team that certainly has Champions League aspirations and arguably isn't massively off the pace for winning the league aspirations. Maybe not this season, maybe not next, but that's the direction we're heading in. By it's very nature we're trying to sign the top 1% of the top 1% of players - it's going to be difficult to sign players at that level even if we had unlimited funds (hence why IMO we've got a significant proportion of the squad left over from the Dean Smith era ... there simply aren't that many players who are better.
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Delighted to have him back. In the squad for Newcastle let's hope.
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He's a goalscorer. He would have helped himself to a couple last night I reckon. Pleased with this one.
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Can do a job protecting Martinez on corners too.
You mean we're selling him to Inter already?
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🚨🟣🔵 Tammy Abraham to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in principle with Besiktas after personal terms done days ago.
€21m plus add-ons, Yasin Özcan will be also included as part of the agreement.
#AVFC in Turkey now with their directors to formally seal the deal.
Will Özcan be a loan or permanent?
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I think this is a good move
And don’t forget Unai’s ability to improve players
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Not a lot of money for a striker in this day and age, looking forward to seeing him bang a few in.
Ollie never seems to like competition for his place, so it will be interesting to see how that pans out.
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€21m plus Yasin Özcan, or he makes up part of that figure?
He cost us a fair few pennies (cents) didn't he?
I'm pleased with this, I'll feel much more comfortable bringing Tammy on if we need a goal that I am Evan, bless him.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Agreed. I'm also pleased for PW, vindication at last.
I believe he was trying to jinx it, though.
Yeah, I thought that was the gag which is why I have been confused by some telling him off.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Agreed. I'm also pleased for PW, vindication at last.
I believe he was trying to jinx it, though.
We all know that only TV has that power.
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Just him and Snap!
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€21m plus Yasin Özcan, or he makes up part of that figure?
He cost us a fair few pennies (cents) didn't he?
I'm pleased with this, I'll feel much more comfortable bringing Tammy on if we need a goal that I am Evan, bless him.
Cost us £5/6m So if they've got £18m+ Ozcan that's a ridiculously good deal for them doubling their money in such a small period. However, in the grand scheme of things it's not that much to us especially if he scores 5 or so between now and the end of the season.
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We've been had in negotiations, it seems. Besiktas have flipped a player and almost doubled their money on him plus got one of our young lads chucked in. All for a striker who seemingly peaked before a serious injury.
Ashley Young's nondescript return cured me of my nostalgia for old players.
I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
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My preference over Mateta this.
Agreed. I'm also pleased for PW, vindication at last.
I believe he was trying to jinx it, though.
We all know that only TV has that power.
BV, I have the power to bring joy and happiness. In fact most of the first are MY signings. I got rid of Joe Bryant for you through my magic and Conor Gallagher the London loving wanker. I take all credit for our great form and CL appearance. Smirker gave us Guessand. And finally CDs signing Sancho showed up yesterday. Took a while.
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Will finish the season with more goals for us than The Sacred Cow I reckon 8)
I don't think that's out of the realms of possibility to be honest and think he'll start quite a few games too (hides behind couch again...)
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
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Will finish the season with more goals for us than The Sacred Cow I reckon 8)
I don't think that's out of the realms of possibility to be honest and think he'll start quite a few games too (hides behind couch again...)
He's need to get, what, eight, on top of anything else Watkins gets in the next four months?
Hope he does it. Means we'll probably have won a couple of trophies and Tammy will probably be going to the World Cup if he does.
I'd be surprised though.
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
There is no doubt Ollie needs pushing. Be it the injury or just his overall form he’s looked out of sorts all season. If this makes him shoot more accurately then we all win. I’m a Tammy fan, not just because of the past but because he’s actually got a very decent record at Chelsea and Roma. The injury slowed things down obviously. But he’s a good player and I think he will help us.
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We've been had in negotiations, it seems. Besiktas have flipped a player and almost doubled their money on him plus got one of our young lads chucked in. All for a striker who seemingly peaked before a serious injury.
Ashley Young's nondescript return cured me of my nostalgia for old players.
I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
Sid Cowans did ok?
We could and should have got Tammy in for a lot less in the summer but Malen would have been harder to shift then too. Tammy knocks in 6 or 7 goals, we qualify for CL again and there won't be too many quibbles about a few million paid over the odds.
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Is 12pm still the cut off for transfers for the weekend’s matches?
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It's later for Sunday matches I think.
Edit: though a few sources suggesting he won't be signing until next week so no chance for this weekend anyway.
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We've been had in negotiations, it seems. Besiktas have flipped a player and almost doubled their money on him plus got one of our young lads chucked in.
And Boro got 5-10 times what they paid for Morgz within 6 months. When will we ever learn? :(
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
There is no doubt Ollie needs pushing. Be it the injury or just his overall form he’s looked out of sorts all season. If this makes him shoot more accurately then we all win. I’m a Tammy fan, not just because of the past but because he’s actually got a very decent record at Chelsea and Roma. The injury slowed things down obviously. But he’s a good player and I think he will help us.
There will be a lot of focus on Ollie for the WC squad, this could work in Tammy’s favour as eyes will be on our attacking prowess. Should Tammy hit it off from the off who knows where it could take him to.
My worry is that he’s no better than where he was when he departed last time.
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Based on nothing more than gut feel, I think Tammy is going to be brilliant for us.
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Will finish the season with more goals for us than The Sacred Cow I reckon 8)
I predict that he'll be back in Istanbul before the end of the season.
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
There is no doubt Ollie needs pushing. Be it the injury or just his overall form he’s looked out of sorts all season. If this makes him shoot more accurately then we all win. I’m a Tammy fan, not just because of the past but because he’s actually got a very decent record at Chelsea and Roma. The injury slowed things down obviously. But he’s a good player and I think he will help us.
I've come round to thinking he'll be fine especially given our financial situation with SCR. I'd have preferred a loan with an option to buy, sell Watkins for a nice price in the summer after his great second half of the season and bring in a top striker. That plan is now pretty much in the bin.
I'm really interested to see how Tammy has developed in Italy, even from his spell at Milan where he didn't have much luck. I'm hoping his all round game will now improve us and whilst technically he's always been pretty decent, fingers crossed that's also gone up a level. If he can add goals too, something we've been lacking despite creating chances, it will be a good short-medium term fix.
As much as Unai loves Watkins I doubt he's going to let his emotions get in the way of his ambition. If Watkins can deliver this season, great, it will help us qualify for the CL and hopefully a trophy whilst pushing up his value for the summer. Ideally we want Unai to have a massive headache with two high performing centre forwards to choose from.
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It's later for Sunday matches I think.
Edit: though a few sources suggesting he won't be signing until next week so no chance for this weekend anyway.
12pm on the last working day before the match.
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
There is no doubt Ollie needs pushing. Be it the injury or just his overall form he’s looked out of sorts all season. If this makes him shoot more accurately then we all win. I’m a Tammy fan, not just because of the past but because he’s actually got a very decent record at Chelsea and Roma. The injury slowed things down obviously. But he’s a good player and I think he will help us.
There will be a lot of focus on Ollie for the WC squad, this could work in Tammy’s favour as eyes will be on our attacking prowess. Should Tammy hit it off from the off who knows where it could take him to.
My worry is that he’s no better than where he was when he departed last time.
At the end of the day he's better than what we currently have as a backup/competing striker, which is fuck all (or Guessand). So fuck all.
In the way we play, I think he's better suited than Malen, who I did like.
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Will finish the season with more goals for us than The Sacred Cow I reckon 8)
I predict that he'll be back in Istanbul before the end of the season.
If he can get a winner there while he's at it he's worth every penny.
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Hope he’s good, but if I’m being honest it’s reasonably underwhelming. Nevertheless hopefully Unai will turn him into a Premier League relentless goal scorer.
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He'll probably get 5 goals between now and May and we'll act grateful.
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Are we moving from almost done to nearly there?
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I'm going to predict that Tammy goes to the World Cup based on what he does for us until the end of the season.
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this is taking longer than that Sky Sports New live broadcast of the Nigel Reo-Coker signing press conference
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I wonder who we'll loan him to in August.
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Are we moving from almost done to nearly there?
inching closer
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I wonder who we'll loan him to in August.
Birmingham City - they'll need a striker for their season in the Premier League
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Tammy Abraham is travelling to England to complete a permanent transfer to Aston Villa from Besiktas.
The striker is set for a medical with the Premier League side on Saturday after the clubs agreed a fee of €21million (£18.1m; $24.7m), with Villa defender Yasin Ozcan moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
Abraham, 28, is set to sign a four-and-a-half-year deal with Villa.
From the Athletic
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_XT1-FWkAE4-UU?format=jpg&name=small)
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that's a long deal
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assuming that's so we can spread the cost for fiancial reporting?
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🚨 Aston Villa will receive more for Donyell Malen than spent on Tammy Abraham — he also accepted a significant financial sacrifice to join.
@David_Ornstein
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I hope it we bagged £15M for Ozcan. He’s rare talent🙄
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Basing Oscan’s talent on..? I feel I might be alone in being happy with this bit of business. I liked Malen but he basically offered the same as Ollie without the ability to hold the ball up. Tammy gives us a different attacking edge, something that will prove more useful when playing teams that are sitting deep and not allowing room behind the back 4.
Even Sancho managed to put a header away from 6 yards yesterday, imagine what an actual striker could do with a few crosses?
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that's a long deal
That's a cracking deal.. for Besiktas. £18.2m in the bank plus a young experienced Turkish player who less that 12 months ago cost us £7m, all that for just sending a cheque to Roma for £9.5m.
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Apparently Ozcan only on loan to Bestikas.
Changes the temperature of the deal for me. Would be semi good business if so.
Just seen comments above and not sure what people expect? We're a PL side, of course were paying more?
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Its a gpod deal for Tammy.
I hope.in mid April the conversation is who should be picked as Kanes deputy for World Cup bearing in mind the form both Villa's main strikers are in.
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I hope it we bagged £15M for Ozcan. He’s rare talent🙄
loan apparently
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All time top scoring Englishmen in Serie A .
Gerry Hitchens 59
David Platt 31
Tammy Abraham 29
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Apparently Ozcan only on loan to Bestikas.
Changes the temperature of the deal for me. Would be semi good business if so.
Yeah, that sounds much better, especially as Ozcan wasn't getting much of a look-in at Anderlecht.
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All time top scoring Englishmen in Serie A .
Gerry Hitchens 59
David Platt 31
Tammy Abraham 29
Shows how badly English players tend to do in Italy.
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All time top scoring Englishmen in Serie A .
Gerry Hitchens 59
David Platt 31
Tammy Abraham 29
Shows how badly English players tend to do in Italy.
Ex-Villains excepted.
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
Yes - Gerry Hitchens
My first Villa hero
I remember being devastated when we sold him
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
Yes - Gerry Hitchens
My first Villa hero
I remember being devastated when we sold him
Fuck me Clive you are old! My old man probably knew you!
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
Yes - Gerry Hitchens
My first Villa hero
I remember being devastated when we sold him
Fuck me Clive you are old! My old man probably knew you!
Thanks JW
I’m 76 but still sweat’n and swearing as my dear old Nan used to say
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Not sure about Tammy, not the player he was and in fact should be better than his early days, if the fee is correct its way to much, that said if he's been transferred in as cover for Ollie all well and good because Ollie needs a rest.
Morgan Whittaker, Boro would be very worth a look at.
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
Yes - Gerry Hitchens
My first Villa hero
I remember being devastated when we sold him
Fuck me Clive you are old! My old man probably knew you!
Thanks JW
I’m 76 but still sweat’n and swearing as my dear old Nan used to say
❤️ ı know you are not allowed emoticons on here but you deserve that heart
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
Yes - Gerry Hitchens
My first Villa hero
I remember being devastated when we sold him
Fuck me Clive you are old! My old man probably knew you!
Thanks JW
I’m 76 but still sweat’n and swearing as my dear old Nan used to say
❤️ ı know you are not allowed emoticons on here but you deserve that heart
Cheers mate
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Not sure about Tammy, not the player he was and in fact should be better than his early days, if the fee is correct its way to much, that said if he's been transferred in as cover for Ollie all well and good because Ollie needs a rest.
Morgan Whittaker, Boro would be very worth a look at.
I think opposite. I think under unai he will thrive and under good players like r0gers spraying balls for him
I cant wait to shik back in our favour claret and blue
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
After Peter McParland he was my favourite player when I was younger
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My old man used to rave about Hitchens. Apparently the first English player to go and served the longest time iirc
After Peter McParland he was my favourite player when I was younger
What’s your first memory of supporting the Villa Oldtimernow?
Maybe we should transfer this to another thread
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Apparently Ozcan only on loan to Bestikas.
Changes the temperature of the deal for me. Would be semi good business if so.
Yeah, that sounds much better, especially as Ozcan wasn't getting much of a look-in at Anderlecht.
Same here plus the lad was almost in tears of joy when he signed for us. His mother cried with pride. I just want to see him given a chance, he looked a great prospect when we signed him.
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I'm 77 and the heroes of '57 were mine back then, then along came Peter Mac and Gerry Hitchens, Gerry broke my heart when he left, i couldn't understand why he would want to go.
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Did any of you help build Stonehenge?
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He’s a different player now, older and hopefully wiser but here’s hoping he will still find the net as often second time around.
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For all my doubts, I'm looking forward to see what Emery can do with him. Watkins needs a genuine challenger.
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Welcome home bigman. Feel he can form a lovely partnership with Rodgers and also Sancho! He will be great for the dressing room too
Will be nice have a traditional CF option for what feels like an age
Taken a pay cut to join us, was only interested in coming back to Villa - all the right minerals if you ask me
Debut goal v Brentford - bank on it
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Can he play against Red Bull on Thursday?
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I’m okay with the signing but not exactly excited. It feels like a holding position.
My worry is we’ll chuck a war chest at another striker in the summer and be left with both Tammy and Ollie stagnating as reserves. I suppose the glass half full alternative, is Tammy and Ollie share the load and we dont need to find £50m for a striker for a few years.
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🚨 Aston Villa will receive more for Donyell Malen than spent on Tammy Abraham — he also accepted a significant financial sacrifice to join.
@David_Ornstein
Fair play to him.
I know they're still filthy rich but it's nice to know someone has come to us because they want us and not because of money.
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Did any of you help build Stonehenge?
I knew the foreman.
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Can he play against Red Bull on Thursday?
I think he can only play after this round (assuming we register him).
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Can he play against Red Bull on Thursday?
No, neither can Bailey or anyone else not named in the squad we named for UEFA competition in Sept. However for the R16 in March he can play assuming we don't buy 10 other players between now and Jan 31st, three of which we decide to add in his stead.
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If we could have signed this lad when we got promoted we would not have been biting our collective fingernails at the end of that season.
Probably wouldn’t have signed Ollie either.
Welcome back Tammy and good luck.
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Welcome home bigman. Feel he can form a lovely partnership with Rodgers and also Sancho! He will be great for the dressing room too
Will be nice have a traditional CF option for what feels like an age
Taken a pay cut to join us, was only interested in coming back to Villa - all the right minerals if you ask me
Debut goal v Brentford - bank on it
This is an important point, and it's worth remembering he worked his nuts off in a Villa shirt last time as a kid with no real attachment to us, and not just when everything turned up rosy in the run in, he was putting it in when we were struggling, never hiding and putting others to shame
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He’s a different player now, older and hopefully wiser but here’s hoping he will still find the net as often second time around.
Nice reminder, the penalty box was his friend. Also championship defending is scandalous but enough of that. Going to get some cheer when he scores his first at Villa Park. Delighted for him.
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And didn't he have a January option of going to Wolves but turned them down to stay with us?
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Shrewd deal in my view.
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Did any of you help build Stonehenge?
I knew the foreman.
I knew the bloke who first put sticks in the ground aligning the stars. Then he sat there and watched. And when he died, he passed it on, and on, and on.
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Did any of you help build Stonehenge?
It had already been built
Now…let me tell you about those cave paintings in the Dordogne
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He’s a different player now, older and hopefully wiser but here’s hoping he will still find the net as often second time around.
Nice reminder, the penalty box was his friend. Also championship defending is scandalous but enough of that. Going to get some cheer when he scores his first at Villa Park. Delighted for him.
Fucking hell, that brought back memories! And, capricious twat that I am, it's made me optimistic. He has that instinct for where the easiest poke is going to land, and we haven't had that for ages. He also could've fucked us off for Wulfs that winter. And he did a lovely rendition of that Boyz II Men song for his initiation.
Welcome back, Tammy Abraham!
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I had entirely forgotten about Yannick Bolasie!
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Bolasie was weird in that the fitter he got the worse he played.
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Yeah, oddly given I’d forgotten him, I remember being quite enthused when we signed him.
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I'm still convinced Bolasie will come good, as will Hadji.
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Watching that compilation of his goals he’s got that striker’s instinct and he gets us. I’m sure Unai will get the best out of him.
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Crikey, I’d forgotten how good a striker he was.
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Did any of you help build Stonehenge?
It had already been built
Now…let me tell you about those cave paintings in the Dordogne
Oh yes, The Dordogne….where Jack in the Boxes come from.
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And didn't he have a January option of going to Wolves but turned them down to stay with us?
Correct
Jack played a massive part as well. Despite knowing he was out for months after hobbling off at the hawthorns, jacks on record as saying he kept telling Tammy he was back soon and we could push on and go on a run and achieve something.
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Jack played a massive part as well. Despite knowing he was out for months after hobbling off at the hawthorns, jacks on record as saying he kept telling Tammy he was back soon and we could push on and go on a run and achieve something.
He'll be photographed in full Villa kit at Heathrow after flying back from Istanbul in late May.
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Who’s left from his last time at villa? J Mc and Big Tyrone?
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Who would have chosen Wolves over us? They're Blose, now and then regardless of division. Scruffy HiTech Spring-Summer '91 range ragamuffins.
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Who’s left from his last time at villa? J Mc and Big Tyrone?
Cole Ramsey
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Who’s left from his last time at villa? J Mc and Big Tyrone?
Cole Ramsey
Surly he was in nappies
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All his PL goals for Swansea and Chelsea.
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If we could have signed this lad when we got promoted we would not have been biting our collective fingernails at the end of that season.
Probably wouldn’t have signed Ollie either.
Welcome back Tammy and good luck.
Massive assumption and pretty unfair on all the contributions Watkins HAS actually made in his time with us.
Rather than seeing Abrahams as competition to Watkins, I'd prefer to see this addition as providing a complementary alternative: one player starts and wears down the oppo, for the other to come on and punish them later in the game; and, sometimes, we will have the option of 2 strikers playing to stretch opposing defences. Because we also know that both can play wide left, it gives us tactical / positional options.
Without spending oodles, we are substantially increasing our attacking opportunities.
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Is Abraham bringing Martin and John with him, as we need some midfield cover? Would also give us a better song than
....Ollie Watkins Du Du Du Du.....
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Agree. Watkins is 30 now and should welcome a player to share the workload.
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
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Wouldn’t have guessed we’d finish this season with even more Dean Smith era players than we started with.
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I'd love it if we could get them in the same side. If we ever get a fully fit squad I think something like this could have a lot of fun.
4-2-2-2
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Maatsen
Kamara. Tielemans
McGinn. Rogers. .
Watkins. Abraham
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
Yes, that’s my thinking as well.
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Comparing recent goalscoring records there’s also no comparison really. Would prefer to have kept Malen but this is clearly a financial decision.
I am feeling slightly more upbeat about him now though.
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Assume he won't be signed in time to be on the bench tomorrow?
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Comparing recent goalscoring records there’s also no comparison really. Would prefer to have kept Malen but this is clearly a financial decision.
I am feeling slightly more upbeat about him now though.
I'm not sure it is entirely financial, obviously we've had to stick to a budget but I think it's driven by thinking those wages and fee are more use on an outright centre forward than a Malen type.
Tanswell in that Athletic said Emery wants the tactical option of playing both Watkins and Abraham together.
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ooooooo, a penalty taker, we haven't had one of them since El Ghazi.
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ooooooo, a penalty taker, we haven't had one of them since El Ghazi.
Getting awarded one would be a start.
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I hope Tammy does well but doubt he'll be any improvement on Malen.
We don't need him to be an improvement for Malen, when used he needs to be an improvement on Watkins. He's like for like on that score. I'm fully expecting Watkins to now turn on the turbo chargers, that place in the England squad is still his to lose.
Watkins won't though will he, every time he's had competition he's sulked look at him whenever he was subbed for Malen, he should have used that as motivation to not happen again but he didn't.
If Tammy comes in and only scores 12 to 15 goals but does it consistently accross the whole season that will be more valuable to us than Watkins scoring 19 in 2 spells that add up to around 19 games.
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Well you could argue that - equally he went on an excellent goal scoring run towards the end of the year, so maybe it motivated him fine.
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
If he is much improved, then he probably wouldn’t be in turkey. Let’s see, hope he’s amazing
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
If he is much improved, then he probably wouldn’t be in turkey. Let’s see, hope he’s amazing
Duran's better than both of them and he's in Turkey.
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Ollie has been largely anonymous this season and I wouldn’t be surprised that Abrahams will hit the ground running and quickly make the position his. This will not be good for Watkins’s morale or his England chances I’m afraid. I’m definitely no ‘Smirker’ but I’m of the opinion that Watkins is done with us and will be moved on in the summer.
Another striker will be needed for next season……
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
If he is much improved, then he probably wouldn’t be in turkey. Let’s see, hope he’s amazing
Or equally you could argue that he will have much better players around him this time…..He didn’t do too bad last time he was here.
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
If he is much improved, then he probably wouldn’t be in turkey. Let’s see, hope he’s amazing
Or equally you could argue that he will have much better players around him this time…..He didn’t do too bad last time he was here.
It was his finishing that frustrated me, he needed 2-3 openings for a goal (it felt that way). We do not create lots of opportunities. It’s nice to see old faces, I get the sentiment of it all. My lads chuffed.
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There is lot of revisionism here. Tammy is decent but a championship player in England who probably did no more than OK in Serie A. He is nowhere near Ollie level. He has very limited PL performance stats or experience. Roma have been farming him out for the last couple of seasons for a reason. He replaces a regular Champions League performer, Malen. So it's a massive gamble at this stage
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According to Wiki, 58 appearances for Chelsea, 21 goals. Its not bad really.
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Yeah, it's a long old time since he played well in the PL. I don't have high expectations, I think he'll just do OK which may not be enough to make a material difference to where we're trying to get to.
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Comparing recent goalscoring records there’s also no comparison really. Would prefer to have kept Malen but this is clearly a financial decision.
I am feeling slightly more upbeat about him now though.
I'm not sure it is entirely financial, obviously we've had to stick to a budget but I think it's driven by thinking those wages and fee are more use on an outright centre forward than a Malen type.
Tanswell in that Athletic said Emery wants the tactical option of playing both Watkins and Abraham together.
Maybe, but he said the latter about Watkins and Duran and never got it close to working, before completely giving up on it. Hope it does though.
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There is lot of revisionism here. Tammy is decent but a championship player in England who probably did no more than OK in Serie A. He is nowhere near Ollie level. He has very limited PL performance stats or experience. Roma have been farming him out for the last couple of seasons for a reason. He replaces a regular Champions League performer, Malen. So it's a massive gamble at this stage
The same regular CL performer we didn't even put in our CL squad a week after signing him?
Let's not rewrite history when it comes to Malen's impact with us. There's a reason Emery was happy to let him go.
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Ollie Watkins is a much better player than Tammy IMO. If you get frustrated watching Ollie play, then your memory of Tammy is definitely faded.
Dont get me wrong, he’ll be a very useful option and will score. We’ll just need to increase our supply significantly.
If you're only judging Abraham on his time with us, at the same age Watkins was in the 4th division.
If he is much improved, then he probably wouldn’t be in turkey. Let’s see, hope he’s amazing
Duran's better than both of them and he's in Turkey.
He wasn't any good on Thursday....
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I think we got the best of Durán. His form since has been erratic at best, despite generally playing against far inferior competition.
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According to Wiki, 58 appearances for Chelsea, 21 goals. Its not bad really.
In and out over 4 seasons and they sent him away.
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There is lot of revisionism here. Tammy is decent but a championship player in England who probably did no more than OK in Serie A. He is nowhere near Ollie level. He has very limited PL performance stats or experience. Roma have been farming him out for the last couple of seasons for a reason. He replaces a regular Champions League performer, Malen. So it's a massive gamble at this stage
The same regular CL performer we didn't even put in our CL squad a week after signing him?
Let's not rewrite history when it comes to Malen's impact with us. There's a reason Emery was happy to let him go.
He didn’t because we had Asensio and Rashford. And it’s a bit rich to say Unai “was happy” probably similar happy to when we lost Jacob.
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I think we got the best of Durán. His form since has been erratic at best, despite generally playing against far inferior competition.
Agreed, he's a phenomenal talent. In that hot streak he had with us his goals were unbelievable. But talent alone isn't enough.
He was a ready made replacement for Watkins though, we are still looking for that. Not the only club considering what the likes of Arsenal and Man United spent last summer on far inferior forwards.
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Duran was always better as an impact player . I don’t think he will ever be a team man who links up play
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Duran will end up as a bit of a journeyman, similar to Abraham, but for different reasons.
I wish we'd somehow had kept Duran, but with him acting up at times and Watkins sulking it was never going to be possible.
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Duran will be a player that fans at every club he ever plays for will love because of what he can do, and they'll all say he could have been a great. And he'll have a lot of clubs, I wouldn't be surprised if he never does 3 years at one club.
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Duran will end up as a bit of a journeyman, similar to Abraham, but for different reasons.
I wish we'd somehow had kept Duran, but with him acting up at times and Watkins sulking it was never going to be possible.
I agree with that. If Duran had stayed, he would improved under Emery. On Thursday, he drifted offside, wasn't on the same wavelength as his team mates, marked out of the game for long spells and lost his rag when things went against him. After being nervous about him before kick, he hardly worried me at all during the match.
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Comparing recent goalscoring records there’s also no comparison really. Would prefer to have kept Malen but this is clearly a financial decision.
I am feeling slightly more upbeat about him now though.
I'm not sure it is entirely financial, obviously we've had to stick to a budget but I think it's driven by thinking those wages and fee are more use on an outright centre forward than a Malen type.
Tanswell in that Athletic said Emery wants the tactical option of playing both Watkins and Abraham together.
Maybe, but he said the latter about Watkins and Duran and never got it close to working, before completely giving up on it. Hope it does though.
Duran, for me, wasn’t a team player.
Yes, he was great but he was certainly frustrating
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Duran will end up as a bit of a journeyman, similar to Abraham, but for different reasons.
I wish we'd somehow had kept Duran, but with him acting up at times and Watkins sulking it was never going to be possible.
I agree with that. If Duran had stayed, he would improved under Emery. On Thursday, he drifted offside, wasn't on the same wavelength as his team mates, marked out of the game for long spells and lost his rag when things went against him. After being nervous about him before kick, he hardly worried me at all during the match.
I don’t think they were compatible after he refused to follow instructions in Monaco!
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I loved Duran when he was with us
but also knew he was bonkers and would never fulfill his potential he will earn a lot of money but won’t become the great he could have been
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Would still have him back under the right conditions.
Pretty sure Emery wouldn't be interested at all, though.
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We got something like £65M from the sale of Duran, and around £47M in profit. No other club in his future will pay as much or make as much as we did. As much as it was shit she we sold him it’s been proven very right. All the talent in the world he was in the right place to maximize it and he chose money. He’ll still have a good career but not the one in football terms he could have had.
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Duran, l loved him
Duran, I’m not sure his teammates and manager would agree 😂
That is my impression of the situation, anyway. Did you see Morgan trying to get his shirt (it’s hilarious) at full time?
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Duran will end up as a bit of a journeyman, similar to Abraham, but for different reasons.
I wish we'd somehow had kept Duran, but with him acting up at times and Watkins sulking it was never going to be possible.
I agree with that. If Duran had stayed, he would improved under Emery. On Thursday, he drifted offside, wasn't on the same wavelength as his team mates, marked out of the game for long spells and lost his rag when things went against him. After being nervous about him before kick, he hardly worried me at all during the match.
I don’t think they were compatible after he refused to follow instructions in Monaco!
That was surreal in Monaco. Tammy and Ollie will be occupying the same space too so don't think two up top is going to be an option.
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According to Wiki, 58 appearances for Chelsea, 21 goals. Its not bad really.
30 goals in all competitions.
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Some really nice finishes in that vid. I can’t remember him being so composed. More excited than I was so thanks for posting it.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
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We bank Malen's fee all at once. We pay for Abraham over the length of the contract (as far as SCR is concerned).
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Ollie has been largely anonymous this season and I wouldn’t be surprised that Abrahams will hit the ground running and quickly make the position his. This will not be good for Watkins’s morale or his England chances I’m afraid. I’m definitely no ‘Smirker’ but I’m of the opinion that Watkins is done with us and will be moved on in the summer.
Another striker will be needed for next season……
It wouldn’t surprise me if we seriously look at Nicolas Jackson.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Isn’t it that we couldn’t sign Tammy, without selling Malen?
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We bank Malen's fee all at once.
As long as Roma qualify for Europe.
Also, the fee for Tammy was less than we got/will get for Donny, and he’s on less money.
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Was the stipulation that Roma qualify for Europe or that they qualify for Champions League/Europa League?
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Was the stipulation that Roma qualify for Europe or that they qualify for Champions League/Europa League?
I read/heard ‘Europe’.
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Ta. Almost certain, in that case.
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We bank Malen's fee all at once. We pay for Abraham over the length of the contract (as far as SCR is concerned).
Ish. UEFA’s SCR spreads revenue from transfer fees over 3 years.
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Regardless of the actual contract length?
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Was the stipulation that Roma qualify for Europe or that they qualify for Champions League/Europa League?
I read/heard ‘Europe’.
Yes, “any European competition” - so also Conference.
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Ta, both. He's gone then.
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Medical tomorrow signing announced all things going well on Monday. Can’t play before Brentford.
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We bank Malen's fee all at once. We pay for Abraham over the length of the contract (as far as SCR is concerned).
Ish. UEFA’s SCR spreads revenue from transfer fees over 3 years.
I thought they limited it to 5 years after the 90 year contract shenanigans at Chelsea.
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Medical tomorrow signing announced all things going well on Monday. Can’t play before Brentford.
Time for PW to change the thread title from "almost done" to "it's on Monday".
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Medical tomorrow signing announced all things going well on Monday. Can’t play before Brentford.
Time for PW to change the thread title from "almost done" to "it's on Monday".
Then on Monday morning he can change it to 'Imminent'.
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Get un
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We bank Malen's fee all at once. We pay for Abraham over the length of the contract (as far as SCR is concerned).
Ish. UEFA’s SCR spreads revenue from transfer fees over 3 years.
I thought they limited it to 5 years after the 90 year contract shenanigans at Chelsea.
That’s for transfer fees PAID, and that’s under PL PSR rules. Under UEFA SCR transfer fees RECEIVED are spread over three years.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
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I'd love it if we could get them in the same side. If we ever get a fully fit squad I think something like this could have a lot of fun.
4-2-2-2
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Maatsen
Kamara. Tielemans
McGinn. Rogers. .
Watkins. Abraham
That formation is screaming out for wingbacks
Martinez
Konsa Torres
Cash Maatsen
Kamara. Tielemans
McGinn. Rogers. .
Watkins. Abraham
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
Sometimes the manager must put his foot down and tell the club who’s the boss. I suspect that’s why Monchi shuffled off
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It's an odd one.
But Emery must have seen summat in training or in the very few games he has played for us and felt he can't make it work.
I'd be inclined to give Elliott an extended run with McGinn out for a while, sooner than throw big money at Reuben Loftus Cheek. Who's been more miss than hit at his most recent clubs and at 30, isn't going to improve a whole pile.
But what do I know.
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It's an odd one.
But Emery must have seen summat in training or in the very few games he has played for us and felt he can't make it work.
I'd be inclined to give Elliott an extended run with McGinn out for a while, sooner than throw big money at Reuben Loftus Cheek. Who's been more miss than hit at his most recent clubs and at 30, isn't going to improve a whole pile.
But what do I know.
Agree, unless their is something about him perhaps overly aggressive around the team, can't see that myself, it is odd, Liverpool got rid of him when the fans loved him, can't see anyway Unai has been able to see enough of him after such a short period of playing time, he's got 4 or 5 games before triggering anything, I would play him, would hate to have that Morgan Rogers scenario, Boro thing and see him develop into an England star in the near future yet we couldn't see it.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
Oh my...I wish someone would be cruel enough to give me £150K per week.
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Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
Fuck knows how the poor lamb will survive from the millions we've paid him. "cruelty" fucking hell.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
Oh my...I wish someone would be cruel enough to give me £150K per week.
Think you will find he would much prefer to be playing than sitting around on his arse, as for the wage it is what it is, that's what footballers get paid and a lot more, in a few days the window closes, which could mean he will be redundant for a whole season, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't choose that, money or not.
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So if we had to let Malen go for financial reasons. How can we then buy Tammy?
Go further than that, so we can afford Tammy, we sign a 16 year old that nobody will see for seasons, I believe 10ML?, yet we can't complete the Elliot deal who has been treated appallingly, bordering on cruelty, plus Elliot is proven, not an injury risk young with probably a great sell on fee for the future if we want that. How does that work.
Re Madjo: Anybody who doesn’t go into the first team squad of 25 won’t count towards UEFA SCR.
Re Elliott: Emery doesn’t want to spend £35m on somebody he obviously doesn’t rate.
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We're worse than Putin and Trump.
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Not sure why we are paying Elliot 150k a week when he was supposedlyh on about 40-50k at Liverpool and we haven't given him a different contract. Still not "cruel" though. And Liverpool could always take him back and haven't either.
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Most places had him on 65k a week when I looked earlier in the season. When you consider what actually is cruel in this shithole of a world a young man missing a year of football while earning millions is nowhere near it.
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I'd love it if we could get them in the same side. If we ever get a fully fit squad I think something like this could have a lot of fun.
4-2-2-2
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Maatsen
Kamara. Tielemans
McGinn. Rogers. .
Watkins. Abraham
That formation is screaming out for wingbacks
Martinez
Konsa Torres
Cash Maatsen
Kamara. Tielemans
McGinn. Rogers. .
Watkins. Abraham
Sos the squad
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We've been interested in him a few times since Unai has been her is rumours are to be believed.
Im looking forward to seeing what Unai can do with him. Hes performed well in top leagues and hes now working for the best coach in the world so it could be really exciting.
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If given a choice i would rather a Watkins /Malen 2 up front than a Watkins /Tammy.
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In an idea world we'd have all 3 as they're 3 different types of players. Tammy should be better as a striker than Malen though which gives the option of resting Ollie more, only question is if Tammy can adapt to being a Villa striker rather than the sniffer type he's always struck me as.
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Not sure why we are paying Elliot 150k a week when he was supposedlyh on about 40-50k at Liverpool and we haven't given him a different contract. Still not "cruel" though. And Liverpool could always take him back and haven't either.
It was just a guess but 150 or 65, I'll be happy to sit on my arse for ither amount.
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Tammys a cunning bit of business . 18m is nothing these days. He shouldnt in thwory take long to settle either. He knows the club fans just needs ti get use to emerys style of football
From what i remember about tammy as well he did drop in depp at times to help with the defensive work. Thats welcome
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If this gets done how long is the contract rumoured to be?
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If this gets done how long is the contract rumoured to be?
4.5 years is the rumours
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Wrong post
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Well you could argue that - equally he went on an excellent goal scoring run towards the end of the year, so maybe it motivated him fine.
You mean the 5 goals he scored in 3 games.
In the premier league Watkins has played 22 games and scored 7, 5 of them in 3 games so in 19 games he's scored a massive 2 goals. So what's happening this season is just standard Watkins. Score 7 go missing for ages then go on a run again. I'd prefer a striker that scores less but scores more consistently across the season.
I would like to say though I don't dislike Watkins but the problem is he thinks he's a striker when he isn't. Imagine Tammy up front with Watkins played in a free role just behind him, there isn't a defence that wouldn't be scared of that imo
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.
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Watkins does not have the technique to play as a 10.
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.
That’s a good point 😉
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By the end of Feb (once bedded in), Tammy will be starting up front alone and Watkins will be on the bench
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By the end of Feb (once bedded in), Tammy will be starting up front alone and Watkins will be on the bench
Maybe for the occasional game, but not consistently.
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Imagine Tammy up front with Watkins played in a free role just behind him, there isn't a defence that wouldn't be scared of that imo
Watkins is all about runs into spaces in and behind the defensive channels, not behind another striker.
I can see him and Tammy playing in the same side but not in that way.
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Abraham, Mings and Onana in the same side, I bet Austin McPhee is licking his lips!
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By the end of Feb (once bedded in), Tammy will be starting up front alone and Watkins will be on the bench
I have a feeling this will be the case too.
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Why is it taking so long?
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Could be an inspired signing, if we can get a “golden” 12-18 months out of Tammy.
If we don’t, we will at least have some reasonable backup for Ollie without having compromised the next transfer window,
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Why is it taking so long?
He had a season out with an ACL so I would imagine we would be double checking at the medical. Maybe we have someone else lined up and they will announce both? Can't register till Monday so no rush and he cannot play on Thursday
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Why is it taking so long?
I expect Villa would rather not announce a new signing on a match day. Tomorrow would be my guess.
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Why is it taking so long?
I expect Villa would rather not announce a new signing on a match day. Tomorrow would be my guess.
Shirt stretching tomorrow and perhaps a pre-match or half-time appearance on Thursday
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Why is it taking so long?
It's not really. We only agreed the deal on Friday. He's meant to be having his medical today. Villa are playing so even if it was all done it won;t be announced. If all goes well I suppose it could later today, but with all the social media/pics/videos and other shit that goes with a signing I imagine tomorrow at some point. He can't play until Brentford anyway.
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I have been waiting outside my doctor's surgery in case Tammy arrives there for a medical. I will post as soon as he appears.
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Besiktas have just announced that they've permanently signed him from Roma for €13m.
So I guess as that hadn't been done until now, they couldn't sell him to us.
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Besiktas have just announced that they've permanently signed him from Roma for €13m.
So I guess as that hadn't been done until now, they couldn't sell him to us.
Yep hence why I mentioned the sweetener a few days ago!
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By the end of Feb (once bedded in), Tammy will be starting up front alone and Watkins will be on the bench
Two of his goals have come from the bench this season, he'll most likely should he get in the England squad be coming off the bench, so it wouldn't be the end of the world for him if that were the case though I expect Unai to play horses for courses with the two.
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https://sportwitness.co.uk/official-announcement-ahead-of-transfer-to-aston-villa-press-release-issued-by-club/
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Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham
Who knew!
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We've got a striker called Kevin
He's sure to go to heaven
Always spotless, clean and neat
He's bloody brilliant with his feet.
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Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham
Who knew!
Didnt we want a Kevin
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https://sportwitness.co.uk/official-announcement-ahead-of-transfer-to-aston-villa-press-release-issued-by-club/
BBC News - Aston Villa: Besiktas pay £11.2m for Abraham - to sell him to Villa - BBC Sport
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c301ry162d4o
Looks like this is the precursor to Tammy signing for us - tomorrow? Or Wednesday?
He can't play against RB Salzburg.
Cue complaints about Beskitas pulling our pants down.
Answer:
Roma valued him at £11.8m and were happy to do a deal at that price. Beskitas saw value in the deal and signed on that basis.
Tammy's done well for them and is now worth more. Chapeau to Beskitas and Tammy.
We think £18m is a fair price for the player he's become. End of argument.
Had Beskitas paid cash on the nail last summer there wouldn't even be a discussion about the £11.8m fee.
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Last time Tammy played for Villa was in 2018. Before Unai and his staff. Is it just a coincidence that Villa are after him now or have McGinn and Mings had a word in the bosses ear?
Just a thought.
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Last time he played for us was 27th May 2019. The date a colossal wrong was put right.
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Last time he played for us was 27th May 2019. The date a colossal wrong was put right.
Sorry yes, the 2018-2019 season. Same season McGinn and Mings joined.
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Want it done. Need a midfielder more
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Last time Tammy played for Villa was in 2018. Before Unai and his staff. Is it just a coincidence that Villa are after him now or have McGinn and Mings had a word in the bosses ear?
Just a thought.
Can’t have hurt. I’m sure we were strongly linked after his good season in Italy. So maybe Emery has been a fan for a while.
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Last time Tammy played for Villa was in 2018. Before Unai and his staff. Is it just a coincidence that Villa are after him now or have McGinn and Mings had a word in the bosses ear?
Just a thought.
Can’t have hurt. I’m sure we were strongly linked after his good season in Italy. So maybe Emery has been a fan for a while.
We had more or less agreed a deal when he did his ACL.
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Had we?
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Had we?
So I hear.
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Last time Tammy played for Villa was in 2018. Before Unai and his staff. Is it just a coincidence that Villa are after him now or have McGinn and Mings had a word in the bosses ear?
Just a thought.
Can’t have hurt. I’m sure we were strongly linked after his good season in Italy. So maybe Emery has been a fan for a while.
We had more or less agreed a deal when he did his ACL.
I remember hearing we were very close back then.
I'm not surprised he's coming back at all, it makes a lot of sense.
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Uncle Unai has been a long term fan.
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He’s just posted himself holding the playoff trophy on Instagram.
Must be done and dusted
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Is he walking from Turkey?
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Is he walking from Turkey?
Yes
He's almost gone full Tyrone Mings and trekked across Europe, on foot, in full Villa kit minus train travel.
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Is he walking from Turkey?
This is two transfers, rather than just one. Therefore, I suspect that the fax machines have run out of paper
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Is he walking from Turkey?
This is two transfers, rather than just one. Therefore, I suspect that the fax machines have run out of paper
Or they are using the same line for the franking machine.
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He’s just posted himself holding the playoff trophy on Instagram.
Must be done and dusted
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_rg66EWMAImYPO?format=jpg&name=small)
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Is he walking from Turkey?
Yes
He's almost gone full Tyrone Mings and trekked across Europe, on foot, in full Villa kit minus train travel.
Wasn't that Bournemouth train station? What a guy.
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Is he walking from Turkey?
This is two transfers, rather than just one. Therefore, I suspect that the fax machines have run out of paper
Or they are using the same line for the franking machine.
"Sorry.....you can't use the phone line, I've logged into CompuServe. It's going to take another hour to download this photo of Jennie Garth"
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I knew who had made the last post before reading the name. 🙂
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Signed.
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Welcome back big man!
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_r9MkzWUAAIK4Q?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Sky saying it’s done
…… the signing of Tammy that is, not my mid-90s Jennie Garth download
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https://xcancel.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2016201536582586777#m
https://xcancel.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2016202045259149630#m
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BOSH
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bloody hell. Could that photo get any bigger?
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Summit is up with that photo Tuscans. It’s fecking gigantic on my iPad
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Welcome home, now be great again
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Happy with this. Welcome home Tammy, help us win the Title.
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Big photo, Big player.
In yer face Olabe.
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Party like it’s 2019
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Welcome back Tammy - 10 league goals please.
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Looks like this has been done for a while but the official announcement had to wait until Besiktas had made their stock exchange mandated notification. Probably after close of trading
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Little video on Villa X
https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2016203298492080431?s=20
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Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak next please.
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As this one seems almost done, time for a thread, I think.
*popcorn*
Just a week early.
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Update needed for thread title.
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I’m excited to see if this works. I think it’s a good signing, particularly for the price.
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Thanks Paulie. Never in doubt after you started the thread.
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Welcome home Tammy. I had the pleasure to see you score at VP. Swansea i think (1_0 victory)
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Roberto Olabe just popped in to tie up the details before he’s off to see Noasis
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So can he play Sunday?
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Welcome home Tammy. I had the pleasure to see you score at VP. Swansea i think (1_0 victory)
Same. Was Delano’s first game wasn’t it? And a minute to remember Doug Ellis?
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How Aston Villa signed Tammy Abraham: Unai Emery’s role, Plan B options and the striker waiving money
Jacob Tanswell
Aston Villa did not want to wait any longer.
Director of football operations Damian Vidagany and sporting director Roberto Olabe were due to travel to Istanbul last Wednesday, ahead of the Europa League game against Fenerbahce there the following night. The pair were due to hold talks with another of the Turkish city’s sides, Besiktas, over striker Tammy Abraham but, keen to thrash out an agreement sooner, they chose to fly to Turkey 48 hours ahead of schedule, on Monday morning.
They touched down four hours later and travelled to Besiktas’ Tupras Stadium. They watched the hosts beat Kayserispor 1-0 in a league fixture that night but, more importantly, saw the reason why they had come early. Abraham was taken off in the final minute of the 90, waving to and applauding a fanbase who had begun to adore their English loanee.
That evening, Villa’s delegation attempted to negotiate with Besiktas, setting out the framework of a potential agreement. The Super Lig side had already met the terms to trigger their €13million (£11.3m/$15.5m at the current rates) obligation to buy Abraham from his Italian parent club Roma, having initially borrowed him for the season last summer. Arranging an exit so soon after, without a replacement lined up, therefore, was not welcomed.
In accordance with Villa’s usual approach to transfers, Vidagany and Olabe were following the wishes of Unai Emery, the club’s manager and omnipotent footballing decision-maker. It was Emery who drove the deal and Villa’s interest in Abraham. After weeks of protracted negotiations over the phone, the Premier League side’s resolve was being tested.
Yet, as a prominent sporting director — speaking on the condition of anonymity, like others in this piece — recently told The Athletic, “A deal is always negotiated more easily face to face.”
The necessity of recruiting a striker following Donyell Malen’s departure in this same window — on loan to Roma, ironically — was laid bare in the 1-0 home defeat against Everton two days before Vidagany and Olabe made their trip to Turkey. Temporary fixes were assessed, including utilising winger Evann Guessand as a No 9, but Emery felt they needed to add a traditional centre-forward.
In Malen’s case, this had become a key sticking point. The 26-year-old Netherlands international was seeking more minutes as the line-leading centre-forward, but Emery viewed him in the second-striker role. Villa sources insisted Malen wanted more game time as a No 9 but Emery was unconvinced he could play there, noting how he struggled when without Ollie Watkins as a partner. In Emery’s system, it was explained, Villa required a striker who could operate on his own, sometimes with his back to goal and who would carry a greater presence.
But Villa had to sell in order to buy — and Malen’s exit (Roma have an obligation to make the move permanent when the loan ends in the summer) created a gap.
While there was an argument to suggest they could have waited until after the Everton match to part with Malen, the player was already keen to leave.
In a complex deal from the outset, Villa could take comfort in knowing Abraham wanted to join them,
The 28-year-old held fond memories from his season-long loan from Chelsea in the 2018-19 season, scoring 25 league goals to help win Premier League promotion via the play-offs. He was also popular with team-mates from that side who are still in the squad today.
Emery was interested in signing Abraham in 2023, at the end of his first season in charge at Villa, with preliminary discussions taking place before the 11-cap England international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in Roma’s final match of the campaign that May.
This time, Abraham decided his future would either be staying at Besiktas or returning to Villa. There was an appetite on his end to come back to the Premier League, having initially joined Roma from Chelsea in summer 2021, and possibly make a late dash for a World Cup spot, but out of respect to Besiktas, he did not wish to agitate for a move.
During the weeks of impasse, Abraham made it clear to other interested Premier League clubs who enquired about his availability that he only intended to join Villa if he left Besiktas.
Increasingly, though, this felt more unlikely to materialise.
At one stage, a Villa figure described the mooted move for Abraham as “impossible”, despite persistent speculation that a deal had been finalised. Indeed, the only agreement was on personal terms and the player’s desire to join. Finding a resolution with Besiktas within Villa’s limited financial scope was arduous. Other staff at the club believed Abraham would arrive eventually, but were unsure exactly how it would happen.
Speculation surrounding Guessand being used as a makeweight in the transfer less than six months after his €30million summer arrival from France’s Nice was strongly denied by several sources. Besiktas wanted a replacement for Abraham if they were to allow him to go, but Guessand’s representatives held talks with Villa upon his return from playing for Ivory Coast at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and the impression one person in the meeting took away from it was that all parties wanted the 24-year-old to stay.
Evan Guessand was mooted as a possible centre-forward option for Villa – and later as a potential makeweight in a deal for Abraham (Burak Basturk/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
After Vidagany and Olabe met Besiktas officials on January 19, the next few days saw the deal for Abraham hang in limbo. Sources who had spoken to the player admitted there was a concern the move would collapse, with Villa exploring alternative forward options.
Villa had been in dialogue with Crystal Palace regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is the same age as Abraham and boasts similar attacking qualities. To add intrigue, Palace’s long-standing interest in Guessand raised the question of his exit once more.
By the time Emery and his squad arrived in Turkey for Thursday’s match, Villa were still assessing alternative options. Reports of targeting Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos were misplaced, yet them happening to be in Istanbul for a game was extremely useful in that there were agents on the ground who were involved with both Fenerbahce and Villa.
They proposed Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri, whose own negotiations with Juventus over a move to Italy had hit a roadblock, with preliminary talks held at Villa’s team hotel, two and a half miles away from Fenerbahce’s stadium and where club delegates from the home club were also staying.
Conversations were taking place late on Wednesday night, with mutual intermediaries working out potential parameters.
But those talks only served as contingencies to Abraham, who remained Emery’s main target. While Villa were closing out their 1-0 victory against Fenerbahce, the idea of a fee for the Englishman, as well as Villa’s 19-year-old Turkish defender Yasin Ozcan, who has been on loan to Anderlecht of Belgium this season, moving in the opposite direction came onto the table.
The decisive breakthrough happened on Friday, with Abraham saying his goodbyes to his team-mates in the morning and a final agreement reached in the afternoon. Villa had struck a deal for €21million plus Ozcan with Besiktas. Abraham flew to England to have a medical the following day, also completing paperwork on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
As it transpired, Villa received more for Malen (that deal is worth €27million overall) than they spent on his replacement.
Although a high earner at Besiktas, Abraham has made a significant financial sacrifice to clinch this move, waiving money to join Villa.
The plan is for him to serve as an alternative to Watkins but also, when the situation necessitates, for them to play together. This could work when Villa aim to go more direct, often in the final quarter of an hour in matches.
As an archetypal centre-forward, Abraham ranks in the top 17 per cent of strikers from Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition penalty area. This season, only one of his seven league goals (from 18 appearances) has come outside the box, and that was heavily deflected.
This was an Emery acquisition, driven by him.
Nevertheless, the broader impression of Abraham is that he has started putting up attacking numbers which illustrate a return to his pre-ACL injury form. More precisely, to his 2021-22 season, when he scored 27 all-competitions goals for a Jose Mourinho-coached Roma side, helping them win the inaugural UEFA Conference League.
Abraham’s playing time has increased this term — he has already spent more minutes on the pitch than he did in 2024-25 for Roma and Milan (where he spent much of the campaign on loan), despite 19 fewer appearances. His profile as a player is the type that Emery believes can plug in and play, adapting immediately to Villa’s system.
There would have been a strong sense of satisfaction by the time Vidagany and Olabe returned from Istanbul. Abraham was in situ and the challenge of filling this transfer window’s priority position, which had brought so much turbulence, had been met.
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So can he play Sunday?
I believe so, yes.
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Pleased with this. He knows where the net is.
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Welcome home Tammy. I had the pleasure to see you score at VP. Swansea i think (1_0 victory)
Did he get two v QPR once? My son’s second game that was.
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The Tanswell piece is fascinating
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Tanswell piece implies to me that the Malen/Abraham swap means we have the space within the UEFA sanctions to register Luiz & Bailey.
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The addition of Ozcan makes the deal a financial straight swap for Malen. Disappointing it's not just a loan but needs must.
Our best new players have been the ones Unai really wants, let's hope Tammy lives up to Unai's admiration.
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Delighted to have him back.
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That's a good article from Jacob T, around £18m for a striker is a fairly small fee nowadays for a striker with Premier league attributes.
Hope we can get a midfielder in or two.
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Tanswell is a big liar. He flew into England on Friday, not Saturday.
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Tanswell is a big liar. He flew into England on Friday, not Saturday.
that is why his pants were on fire
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That's a good article from Jacob T, around £18m for a striker is a fairly small fee nowadays for a striker with Premier league attributes.
Hope we can get a midfielder in or two.
£18m plus our young Turk. Wonder if we've put a sell-on clause in him.
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That's a good article from Jacob T, around £18m for a striker is a fairly small fee nowadays for a striker with Premier league attributes.
Hope we can get a midfielder in or two.
£18m plus our young Turk. Wonder if we've put a sell-on clause in him.
It's being reported as circa £18m with Ozcan "as part of the deal".
I've seen nothing that specifies whether it's £18m plus Ozcan, or £18m, with Ozcan's value forming part of the £18m.
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Tanswell is a big liar. He flew into England on Friday, not Saturday.
Shameful stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if Tanswell claimed next that they flew in on British Airways.
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Welcome back, Tammy! :)
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Welcome Tammy, we need you.
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Welcome back, Kevin. Score loads.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_sCI7UWoAAVtcV?format=jpg&name=small)
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Glad to have you back Tammy. Score loads and stay away from treatment room, ‘tis full up!
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Really pleased for this, welcome home, Tammy. Be ace again!!
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Tanswell is a big liar. He flew into England on Friday, not Saturday.
Shameful stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if Tanswell claimed next that they flew in on British Airways.
Absolutely. Look, some of us like to deal in facts. I can’t see a single mention that he had the lamb option on the flight.
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Welcome back, Tammy. Looking forward to watching you bang the goals in again!
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His first goal is going to be a great moment.
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That's a good article from Jacob T, around £18m for a striker is a fairly small fee nowadays for a striker with Premier league attributes.
Hope we can get a midfielder in or two.
£18m plus our young Turk. Wonder if we've put a sell-on clause in him.
It's being reported as circa £18m with Ozcan "as part of the deal".
I've seen nothing that specifies whether it's £18m plus Ozcan, or £18m, with Ozcan's value forming part of the £18m.
Tanswell thinks "€21million plus Ozcan", for what that's worth.
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Welcome Tammy, it's lovely to see you back wearing the claret and blue of Aston Villa. With you, Ollie (our premier league record goalscorer), Morgan and Emi Buendia (on this season's form) we have a potent strikeforce. Exciting times! UTV!
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_sCI7UWoAAVtcV?format=jpg&name=large)(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_sCI7UWoAAVtcV?format=jpg&name=large)
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His first goal is going to be a great moment.
Have a feeling it will be a penalty
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His first goal is going to be a great moment.
Have a feeling it will be a penalty
Nah, DL has that. And it'll be one of those annoying, stuttery ones that are Really Bad unless there's a Villa goal at the end of it.
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Loved Tammy and a big welcome back.
Assuming Dougie also joins us that’s 2 in and 4 down/out.
We could use Harvey for a handful of games to cover one of the returns unless his restriction is lifted.
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His first goal is going to be a great moment.
Have a feeling it will be a penalty
Nah, DL has that. And it'll be one of those annoying, stuttery ones that are Really Bad unless there's a Villa goal at the end of it.
Ah of course! Funny really as I haven’t actually wanted us to get a pen in the last few months, just couldn’t face the stress. Bring it on now
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Loved Tammy and a big welcome back.
Assuming Dougie also joins us that’s 2 in and 4 down/out.
We could use Harvey for a handful of games to cover one of the returns unless his restriction is lifted.
if you're cuting it like that then you have to include Bailey for 3 and Alysson shouldn't be completely discounted either.
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Welcome back, Thomas. I think this could be great.
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This is a really useful addition and gives us extra height in both boxes with Tammy, Onana and Tyrone Mings. Welcome back Tammy.
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Welcome back Tammy - please be good.
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Welcome back Tammy!
Be brilliant!
Please.
UTV!
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In the same way I wanted Ollie to break the waster's PL goalscoring record, I will want Tammy (or any future striker) to break Ollie's (who obviously is still knocking them in).
Based on Ollie's current 83 goals and the 4.5 year contract Abrahams has signed, Tammy will need to be scoring at least 18 or 19 goals per season (9 or 10 for the remaining half season) to get anywhere near Ollie's total. Ollie has set the bar high and we need it to be high for our strikers, in order to be successful as a club (along with other obvious contributary factors).
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Welcome back Tammy.
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Taking my lad to his 2nd ever game on Sunday. I’m very excited about this and really hope to see Dougie get a run out too.
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Taking my lad to his 2nd ever game on Sunday. I’m very excited about this and really hope to see Dougie get a run out too.
I just hope it's not another Keith Andrews masterclass.
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Taking my lad to his 2nd ever game on Sunday. I’m very excited about this and really hope to see Dougie get a run out too.
I just hope it's not another Keith Andrews masterclass.
Well his first game was Ipswich at home last season so I’ve told him he has to do better this time.
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Taking my lad to his 2nd ever game on Sunday. I’m very excited about this and really hope to see Dougie get a run out too.
I just hope it's not another Keith Andrews masterclass.
Well his first game was Ipswich at home last season so I’ve told him he has to do better this time.
My daughter's doing her second ever league game on Sunday - the first was the 3-0 Palace game in August.
So between them I'm sure they've got this wrapped up.
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Taking my lad to his 2nd ever game on Sunday. I’m very excited about this and really hope to see Dougie get a run out too.
I just hope it's not another Keith Andrews masterclass.
Well his first game was Ipswich at home last season so I’ve told him he has to do better this time.
My daughter's doing her second ever league game on Sunday - the first was the 3-0 Palace game in August.
So between them I'm sure they've got this wrapped up.
Ahh we are fucked, aren’t we.
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Tyrone Mings is confident that Tammy Abraham will make an immediate impact upon his return to Villa
"Another 20 goals would be nice, wouldn't it! Tammy is a bright guy, as well as a great footballer - he will be a great addition to the squad."
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Great news this done. I loved tammy when he was here. He will really add something. Ollie can also be rotated when needed. Giving him a breather and not a smuch pressure on him
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Villa confirming that Ozcan on loan to Besiktas.
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Villa confirming that Ozcan on loan to Besiktas.
Hopefully he impresses and we can get some back off them after paying 18m for tammy
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Villa confirming that Ozcan on loan to Besiktas.
Hopefully he impresses and we can get some back off them after paying 18m for tammy
Cheers TV, glad it's confirmed that it's not a permanent move.
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Villa confirming that Ozcan on loan to Besiktas.
Pleased to hear he's only gone on loan as he arrived at Villa very highly rated.
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No mention of a option to buy so it must be a straight loan only
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Villa confirming that Ozcan on loan to Besiktas.
Hopefully he impresses and we can get some back off them after paying 18m for tammy
Cheers TV, glad it's confirmed that it's not a permanent move.
Same.
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The OS piece says there is an obligation to buy for Ozcan.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/january/28/signing-ozcan-joins-besiktas-in-loan-deal/
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So is the quoted fee including the fee they are obliged to give us? If so, they've had a pretty profitable couple of days.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_2xIylWcAAMZt_?format=jpg&name=360x360)
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Lovely coat.
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Dreadful jacket.
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The duality of man.
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Nice haircut.
Welcome back Tammy!
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Thrown straight in on Sunday now.
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I'd like the old doo back if possible please, Tammy.
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Not sure he touched the ball in their half for the last forty minutes.
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Probably not unless he got a bit on that chance that came his way early on?
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Could see how frustrated he was getting by the lack of service when late on, he dropped as deep as the halfway line just to initiate a move and get a few touches.
A relief to see his knack for movement around the 6 yard box is still intact.
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Could see how frustrated he was getting by the lack of service when late on, he dropped as deep as the halfway line just to initiate a move and get a few touches.
But without wanting to turn it into *that* argument, it show the sort of thing that Watkins gives us even in his quieter games.
While accepting he's had a few invisible showings himself.
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Yup whatever your view of Watkins finishing it’s unarguable (or you would think) that generally speaking his all round play is more impactful/influential than many forwards.
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Your strikers are only as good as the opportunities you create for them - unfortunately tammy was guven virtually nothing. 1st half was one of the rare chances when he went through and keeper made a fine save.
Gutted for him he was robbed of a debut goal
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Not sure he touched the ball in their half for the last forty minutes.
The way we play I'm not convinced he's going to score a huge amount for us.
Was on the disallowed goal quickly which is how he scored so many for us in the championship and then plenty for Chelsea in prem and CL.
He's a box striker so I don't think the elaborate build up is going to suit him. Eventually in last 15 minutes we realised we needed to start sending low crosses across the box but pretty much all of them were woeful efforts straight into Kelleher's arms.
I think the plan is Ollie will continue to be first choice in prem as long as his fitness holds up and Tammy will get majority of Europa games we have (and also Newcastle in the cup).
When you weigh up the respective goalscoring records that is logical.
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Tammy is going to be very useful for us in the next year or so. I suspect in the summer, we will buy a top class striker. Watkins will be sold and Tammy will be the one who comes on in the 70th minute to replace our main striker.
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Tammy is going to be very useful for us in the next year or so. I suspect in the summer, we will buy a top class striker. Watkins will be sold and Tammy will be the one who comes on in the 70th minute to replace our main striker.
Yes that has to be the plan in the long run.
He is pretty much in the Malen role now so hopefully chips in with 6-7 goals in the run in and then double figures next season.
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The thread title makes it sound as if he's finished and washed-up :(
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You can't judge him against a team camped in their own box. First half he was bright, looked good and generally sharp.
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You can't judge him against a team camped in their own box. First half he was bright, looked good and generally sharp.
And when virtually nothing was created for him
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From the Athletic:
"Villa received more for Malen (a deal worth €27million) than what they spent on his replacement. A high earner at Besiktas, Abraham made a significant financial sacrifice, in the many millions, to clinch this move, waiving money to ensure he could join Villa"
I know they earn shitloads, but you have to tip your hat to that, and the fact he'd told everyone else over here they could do one as he's only coming to us.
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He's a good one
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Whilst I imagine he’s on enough to pay the bills and get some food this week, I love it he went for a lower financial reward to come back here.
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Whilst I imagine he’s on enough to pay the bills and get some food this week, I love it he went for a lower financial reward to come back here.
It's definitely A Good Thing, but it's more to do with Turkish tax rates than anything else.
Süper Lig footballers pay a flat 20% of their income, so those millions that he's sacrificing are more to do with the 45% he's now giving to HMRC. What we're paying him probably isn't any different to what he was getting there.
Could even be a higher wage and he'd still making a financial sacrifice to join us.
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Oh I see !!
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Is Tammy an upgrade D Malan I’m not sure.
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Different player. Would have liked both, but only 3-4 clubs are allowed more than a couple of decent forwards.
I think he will score quite a few once we understand how to feed him. He looked a million times sharper than Watkins as a striker, but like with Malen, might be more effective in a 2 with Ollie
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Is he an upgrade is probably the wrong question. "Is Tammy a better option than Malen to rotate with Ollie in our system?" is the question to consider because that's the problem we were trying to solve.
and for clarity the answer is a very obvious yes.
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And Sunday was exactly the situation 2nd half where having both of them on the pitch would've improved our chances.
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Sunday would've been the perfect game to have Malen for in my opinion, which is frustrating and I'm absolutely certain that without PSR restrictions we'd have kept Malen and added Tammy but that just wasn't an option for us.
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And Sunday was exactly the situation 2nd half where having both of them on the pitch would've improved our chances.
With Brentford sitting in I'm not sure Malen had much success against those types of defences. Granted having two forwards might have given us the option of taking off a centre back or full back late on.
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It’s all ifs and buts, some days like the weekend and against Everton it just doesn’t happen. Another day, Tammy’s goal counts, or someone beats the low block with a bit of magic. We’re not and nor is every side going to get all their fair share of luck and will also have bad days at the office.
One things for sure, the injuries we’re facing would really hamper every team in the world.
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And Sunday was exactly the situation 2nd half where having both of them on the pitch would've improved our chances.
With Brentford sitting in I'm not sure Malen had much success against those types of defences. Granted having two forwards might have given us the option of taking off a centre back or full back late on.
I meant Ollie and Tammy together, in a 'fuck our luck' way.
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And Sunday was exactly the situation 2nd half where having both of them on the pitch would've improved our chances.
With Brentford sitting in I'm not sure Malen had much success against those types of defences. Granted having two forwards might have given us the option of taking off a centre back or full back late on.
I meant Ollie and Tammy together, in a 'fuck our luck' way.
Fair enough, don't see those two working together if I'm honest where to be fair Malen did have joy down the inside right channel at times.
Small margins really. Tammy scores one of his chances, expected him to score from the Sancho cross before half time. Or Bailey scores his chance like he should have and we are lauding how patient we were in breaking them down.
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I knew you meant those 2, I just thought one of the problems after the disallowed goal was that we had 2 wingers and 2 10s and they were all in the same spaces. Malen pushing right onto the defence and trying to create a gap to turn in behind might have given us more options.
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I think he will score quite a few once we understand how to feed him. He looked a million times sharper than Watkins as a striker, but like with Malen, might be more effective in a 2 with Ollie
I think he’ll get a few as well but he’ll suffer the same problems that Ollie does maybe even more so in that he won’t get loads of chances and his work rate and working defenders may not be as on point as Watkins.
I didn’t really see much evidence on Sunday to suggest he looked sharper than Watkins. He got to the rebound for the disallowed goal but missed a 1 on 1 as Watkins does and didn’t really get involved.
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I expect we will see Ollie start this weekend and Tammy off the bench. Hopefully Onana back in too so Doug can get further forward.
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Good energy from Tammy when he came on. Looked like he wanted it. Got upset with the ref's decisions. Infectious.
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Will be lift off when he get's his first goal back in C&B, particularly if it's infront of the Holte End.
Providing whatever drooling sycophant they have manning VAR that week doesn't chalk it off for an infringement 10 minutes previous, ofc.
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Well if it is this weekend, I don't think there is VAR.
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Good energy from Tammy when he came on. Looked like he wanted it. Got upset with the ref's decisions. Infectious.
Thought he was shite tbh
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Looked like he might make something happen, which putting it politely, we were struggling to do elsewhere.
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Don't recall him touching the ball
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I’m not sure he did touch the ball either. Just thought his energy was good and he got in the ref’s face a bit - something we don’t do enough of at times.
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He didn’t do much, but he did show some energy which we needed. Still not really sure how a two handed shove to the chest isn’t a foul though.
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Good energy from Tammy when he came on. Looked like he wanted it. Got upset with the ref's decisions. Infectious.
Thought he was shite tbh
Apart from the potential penalty shout before the corner we scored from I can’t remember him doing anything, so difficult to judge either way.
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It’s a tough role, especially the way we’re playing at present. Ollie had some good touches and being typical Ollie had some terrible ones. It’s a thankless role playing up front for Villa at the moment. Feeding off scraps.
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He panicked their backline more in 5 mins than Watkins did in 65.
I'm a fan of Ollie but think this summer will see a mutual parting of the ways.
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It’s a tough role, especially the way we’re playing at present. Ollie had some good touches and being typical Ollie had some terrible ones. It’s a thankless role playing up front for Villa at the moment. Feeding off scraps.
Correct, it’s not as if our strikers are missing bucket loads of chances which piles the pressure on and increases criticism when they (or Watkins) miss chances. I think Ollie is struggling to give us the other parts to his game that we used to take for granted and Tammy hasn’t had the opportunity, yet, to show us what he can do.
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He panicked their backline more in 5 mins than Watkins did in 65.
I'm a fan of Ollie but think this summer will see a mutual parting of the ways.
Well but without wishing to oversimplify, it’s a lot easier to come out and empty the tank if you have a few minutes on the pitch against a tiring defence. That’s not a criticism of Tammy, it’s the role he had today. But had the roles been reversed you probably would have seen similar from Watkins.
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I think all Ollie has suffered (and Tammy will suffer) from our weakness in the final third - we dont seem to create many chances for strikers - hence the number of worldies - and the fact we have scored significantly less goals then our peers.
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Yeah I’d agree, there’s a lack of spark at times. But in fairness, without Pau and Tielemans our quality on the ball always massively drops.
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0 in 3. His average strike rate so lump on him on Saturday.
You’re all welcome.
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Don't recall him touching the ball
First touch, controlled the ball and laid it off, something we'd struggled to do until then.
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0 in 3. His average strike rate so lump on him on Saturday.
Do you think he’ll start?
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0 shots, 1 tackle, 3 passes with 2 successful.
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0 in 3. His average strike rate so lump on him on Saturday.
Do you think he’ll start?
I bloody hope so but then I thought he'd start tonight, what with Watkins playing 85 minutes at the weekend.
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0 in 3. His average strike rate so lump on him on Saturday.
Do you think he’ll start?
I bloody hope so but then I thought he'd start tonight, what with Watkins playing 85 minutes at the weekend.
Hard to call but with a weeks rest after the Newcastle game it wouldn’t surprise me if Watkins started again although it’s a great opportunity to give Abraham a run out.
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Good energy from Tammy when he came on. Looked like he wanted it. Got upset with the ref's decisions. Infectious.
Thought he was shite tbh
Apart from the potential penalty shout before the corner we scored from I can’t remember him doing anything, so difficult to judge either way.
Playing in front of a beaten midfield isn't easy but at least come short and make yourself a useful focal point. Whenever Tammy came short he lost the ball and/or whinged to the referee.
If he starts at the weekend in the cup we need a lot more from him.
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The foul on him was yet another example of just dreadful refereeing. How that’s not been given a penalty after review beggars belief.
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In his appearance so far he is a bit lost out there on the pitch. Not able to assert himself in anyway whatsoever. Whilst Ollie appears wasted Tammy is not the saviour.
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He's scored and won a penalty in one and two bits of games, but been robbed by officials. I also saw him trap a ball last night, which is an upgrade.
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All Tammy has shown so far is anger and flustration.
Probably stems from sitting on the bench and seeing the recent performances that Watkins has put in.
We need to start Tammy in next match.
He has the bit between the teeth.
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I have no doubt he will start vs Newcastle. If he takes that opportunity then Ollie might have a proper battle on his hands. Ollie presses and chases down which even when he’s not scoring or assisting adds great value. Tammy won’t do that to the same extent so we will need to play to his strengths.
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Yup - hopefully Tammy does well when he gets his chance. I never really understand the antipathy towards Ollie though, I’d quite like them both doing well.
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0 in 3. His average strike rate so lump on him on Saturday.
Youre all welcome.
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Thought his recent cameos were poor but very lively today. Taken off early to rest him for Leeds I reckon. Goal was fortunate but just what he needed.
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Glad he got his goal today, hopefully another 9 or so this season.
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Needs to start games going forward.
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On the Beeb....
Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham said: "Like I said many times, it feels like a dream to come back and play for this club again. I'm happy to be here and bring extra energy.
"I had to sniff around the box, be alert, be ready. Luckily for us, I got the goal.
"These things are important in football. Set pieces have been one of the key factors in football. We were hungry. Well done to Ezri [Konsa] for the first contact and I was there for the second contact. It was in front of some of the best supporters in the world."
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He needs to be our starting striker now and there is absolutely no reason for that not to be the case.
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Well done Tammy.
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On the Beeb....
Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham said: "Like I said many times, it feels like a dream to come back and play for this club again. I'm happy to be here and bring extra energy.
"I had to sniff around the box, be alert, be ready. Luckily for us, I got the goal.
"These things are important in football. Set pieces have been one of the key factors in football. We were hungry. Well done to Ezri [Konsa] for the first contact and I was there for the second contact. It was in front of some of the best supporters in the world."
Good PR there from Tammy.
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This as well
Tammy Abraham on Ollie Watkins: "We know he is a top striker and he has been here for a few years and scored many goals, so is fantastic competition to have."
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This as well
Tammy Abraham on Ollie Watkins: "We know he is a top striker and he has been here for a few years and scored many goals, so is fantastic competition to have."
Love tammys attitude. He has been a snip for 18m. Just ashame we had to sell malen to make the move happen.
Malen and tammy in same team would ahve been great
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Did he mean to knee it? The only way he could have scored was with that spin. The slow-mo of the ball evading Calvert-Lewin's jump and nestling in the net just below the bar looked artistic AF.
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Tammy Abraham on playing with Ollie Watkins: "We spoke about it a few times in training, and luckily we were able to grab the goal so the gaffer can see that it can work."
I like the idea of Tammy through the middle, Ollie and Rogers just playing behind him. Using Tammy’s strength to attack through the middle and outside. Which means it won’t happen of course.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
If he did, we weren't third in the PL at the time. The two things are probably connected.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
If he did, we weren't third in the PL at the time. The two things are probably connected.
Correct we were a newly promoted side
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I know Ollie isn’t what he was. He’s just struggling as a front line lone striker. But I still think he has value over many of the alternatives. As I said I don’t think it happens but it would be interesting to see how we can still use his pressing and work rate to help bring other players into the game even if he’s not the goalscoring threat he once was. Players as they age need to evolve and it’s clear to see he’s just not the forward we are accustomed to seeing.
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McGinn playing "wide" right and Rogers left would give us a good chance to play bith through the middle, as we can collapse the shape out of possession, particularly if the pin the back four or one sode of the back four as pair and stop the full backs.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
If he did, we weren't third in the PL at the time. The two things are probably connected.
Correct we were a newly promoted side
That’s a no then. He didn’t play for us when we were newly promoted.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
If he did, we weren't third in the PL at the time. The two things are probably connected.
Correct we were a newly promoted side
That’s a no then. He didn’t play for us when we were newly promoted.
Erm 2 seasons isnt a newly promoted side 😂😂😂
So thats a yes then and your wrong.
Being in premier league for 2 seasons is not a long time percy. Thats the reason fir the wording if you want to be pedantic.
And lets put that to the side for a moment are you saying ollie never played out wide for deano?
Jesus Christ
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No, 2nd season in is not a newly promoted side.
It's not a matter of opinion.
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People keep mentioning this Jesus Christ bloke; seriously, his entourage would just be a distraction.
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I'm struggling to see how moving Watkins away from the one position where he's adequate to playing a role that relies on touch, technique and vision is going to do us many favours. If he plays, it ought to be as an Abraham replacement or not at all.
Didnt deano play ollie out wide a few times? I think he did ok back then. But this version of ollie i think you might be right and he will struggle
If he did, we weren't third in the PL at the time. The two things are probably connected.
Correct we were a newly promoted side
That’s a no then. He didn’t play for us when we were newly promoted.
Erm 2 seasons isnt a newly promoted side 😂😂😂
So thats a yes then and your wrong.
Being in premier league for 2 seasons is not a long time percy. Thats the reason fir the wording if you want to be pedantic.
And lets put that to the side for a moment are you saying ollie never played out wide for deano?
Jesus Christ
I think he played wide left for Deano at Brentford. But I don’t think you meant that.
There are three newly-promoted teams each season. This season they are Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley. No-one (except you) is including Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton in that group.
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I was suprised he didnt start and he should have come on earlier. He's had the ball in the net three times in the short time he's been back. Hopefully he starts next week.
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People keep mentioning this Jesus Christ bloke; seriously, his entourage would just be a distraction.
Can JC play in midfield?
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Jesus has given me a double post................Bless you and in Tammy we trust my children
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I was suprised he didnt start and he should have come on earlier. He's had the ball in the net three times in the short time he's been back. Hopefully he starts next week.
That's where I am at the moment too. For whatever reason Watkins' form at the moment is terrible. Maybe he just needs a rest and some time out of the spotlight. I can see him leaving in the summer anyway.
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I wasn’t overly sold on Tammy coming back, but is this starting to look like an outlay on another player the manager doesn’t really rate?
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I wasn’t overly sold on Tammy coming back, but is this starting to look like an outlay on another player the manager doesn’t really rate?
I just dont get it
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Smacks to me of "well, we've got to get someone in".
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From the Unai thread
Didn't bring Tammy on until 70 mins v Wolves, when we'd gone behind.
Tonight on 72 mins, when 4-1 down.
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Smacks to me of "well, we've got to get someone in".
Which would be totally weird, when we didn't have to send out Malen in the first place.
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What does Tammy have to do in order to get a start?
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I thought Malen wanted to leave and with him going we could sign a player who wants to be here, as in Abraham.
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Problem is Malen offered different ways to play - and was being quite successful. Tammy is a specific type of player.
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Emery apparently wanted him before though, so obviously likes him.
Watkins must have compromising photos of Emery, it's the only reasonable conclusion.
I wish we'd just kept Malen.
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Smacks to me of "well, we've got to get someone in".
Emery does rate him, tried to sigh him before. I was more pissed off we didn't start Tammy v Wolves or bring him on at half time v Leeds. Everyone will focus on the missed chances but Ollie was much better tonight.
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Yes although those missed chances are kind of key. The one thing I will say for Ollie - that was absent in a lot of his team mates he did put a shift in and try to compete.
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Problem is Malen offered different ways to play - and was being quite successful. Tammy is a specific type of player.
Still chewing the cud over that Paul.
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Tammy isn't going to chase the way Watkins does and Emery has such faith in the latter with Abraham seen as more likely to nick a goal late on.
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Yes although those missed chances are kind of key. The one thing I will say for Ollie - that was absent in a lot of his team mates he did put a shift in and try to compete.
Agreed, did well for Luiz goal too. Rogers is the one who flunked it for his offside goal. Less said about the chance to make it 2-3 the better maybe. The narrative post game about the tale of two centre forwards is a false one. We were a tactical rabble tonight.
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Smacks to me of "well, we've got to get someone in".
Emery does rate him, tried to sigh him before. I was more pissed off we didn't start Tammy v Wolves or bring him on at half time v Leeds. Everyone will focus on the missed chances but Ollie was much better tonight.
Sorry but missed chances are Ollie’s stock in trade these days. He’s absolutely shot.
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I thought Malen wanted to leave and with him going we could sign a player who wants to be here, as in Abraham.
Players always want to leave, it's up to the club to tell the contracted player if and when it suits the club. He wasn't begging to leave and no doubt would have accepted staying until the summer. I've mentioned before, Porto have a history of telling players when they can move to suit their needs and give them time to find a suitable replacement.
Watching the extended highlights of the Roma-Juventus game the other night, Roma would be more than happy to pay an extra €10m but it appears we were in a rush to sell him. Thankfully our form since he left has been..oh yeah..shite.
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Malen was an odd fit. When he was given chances to replace Watkins like at Chelsea earlier this season he was beyond useless. An useful option for sure but given how light we are in midfield, playing two up top was never going to be an option. Tammy or Malen, think we are quibbling over minor details. Good for Malen that Roma is going well but we have bigger issues.
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Yes although those missed chances are kind of key. The one thing I will say for Ollie - that was absent in a lot of his team mates he did put a shift in and try to compete.
Agreed, did well for Luiz goal too. Rogers is the one who flunked it for his offside goal. Less said about the chance to make it 2-3 the better maybe. The narrative post game about the tale of two centre forwards is a false one. We were a tactical rabble tonight.
Agree with you.
Despite the easy analysis of Watkins was shit, Bailey was shit etc, the issues are much bigger. In terms of effort and in the first half in particular some really good forward play, Watkins along with Dougie was probably our best player and easily his best performance in ages.
The issues tonight in part stem from the Mings Konsa partnership and the midfield, in which Beundia should never of started.
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What was 'odd' was not trying to fit him in somehow. See his goal the other night and tell me he's an 'odd fit'. Roma are laughing all the way to the bank and probably the Champions League.
The only thing odd about Malen, much like João Pedro, is he's bloody clinical. I miss clinical.
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What was 'odd' was not trying to fit him in somehow. See his goal the other night and tell me he's an 'odd fit'. Roma are laughing all the way to the bank and probably the Champions League.
The only thing odd about Malen, much like João Pedro, is he's bloody clinical. I miss clinical.
Where do you fit Malen in with us somehow? We wouldn't get away with playing two up top even with our first choice midfield bar likes of Burnley and Leeds. He never impressed when he got the chance to lead the line in the PL. Maybe he should have got more of a chance but hard to argue against a team that were maybe second when he left.
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Has to start now. Watkins is cooked.
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Poor Tammy must wonder what the fuck is going on. At the moment it seems a wasted signing. I just don't understand what Unai is thinking...
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Getting really silly now. I get it Unai, Watkins offers more then just goals and you value loyalty, but it's not working. Doesn't matter how much he stretches the defense or works the space, we're not winning football matches whilst you pray he comes good.
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Poor Tammy must wonder what the fuck is going on. At the moment it seems a wasted signing. I just don't understand what Unai is thinking...
Getting the malen treatment. Just dont get it
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Getting really silly now. I get it Unai, Watkins offers more then just goals and you value loyalty, but it's not working. Doesn't matter how much he stretches the defense or works the space, we're not winning football matches whilst you pray he comes good.
There's loyalty and there's blind loyalty. Even Ollie himself must be wondering how he's getting a start when he is missing so many good chances. Would a spell on the bench actually help Ollie at this point? I think it might. Bringing him on as an impact sub when defenders are starting to tire could be a good move and possibly resurrect his flagging season. Unai's running out of time to find out.
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Getting really silly now. I get it Unai, Watkins offers more then just goals and you value loyalty, but it's not working. Doesn't matter how much he stretches the defense or works the space, we're not winning football matches whilst you pray he comes good.
There's loyalty and there's blind loyalty. Even Ollie himself must be wondering how he's getting a start when he is missing so many good chances. Would a spell on the bench actually help Ollie at this point? I think it might. Bringing him on as an impact sub when defenders are starting to tire could be a good move and possibly resurrect his flagging season. Unai's running out of time to find out.
The one time he did it this season Ollie came off the bench and scored twice.
I'm loathe to criticise Emery but it seems his unrelenting faith in Watkins is testing me, and I don't think it's doing Ollie any favours either.
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But I think last night attacking options were correct with what we have available. Ollie could have netted 2 of his 3 chances. So from that angle Unai was correct in starting with ollie.
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Ollie can't finish his breakfast. There's no point playing him for his ability to get in the right position if his finishing is Blues as usual.
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I imagine he went with Ollie because he destroyed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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I imagine he went with Ollie because he destroyed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Thought his movement and hold up play were miles better than last night. Granted Chelsea are very soft defensively especially on the counter. But Ollie did really test. But he didn't half butcher than chance to make it 2-3, any hope went out the window then.
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We're in that aggressive cycle with him all over again now. He looked sharper then he has in weeks last night, but because he was marginally offside fir his goal and we got battered, it's a total reset on his confidence.
Not saying he didn't have his fair share of other chances, the one to make it 2-3 was criminal, but if he get's a goal it's at least something we can use to build on.
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We had a grest view of Ollie's chance for 2-3 in L6 and it played out in slow motion in front of our very eyes, like a car crash. I still don't know how he managed not to score there.
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Tammy has to have a run in the team now surely?
He may not turn out to be the long term solution but Ollie is just awful at the moment.
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I don’t think Tammy’s the solution but neither is Ollie, maybe we should just try to play without strikers, teams have done it before, this may seem radical. If you refuse to play Tammy from the start you have to try something different.