Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Rip Van We Go Again on June 08, 2011, 12:05:24 PM
-
sportinglife.com
Aston Villa are resigned to losing Ashley Young to Manchester United but the deal may not be finalised until after the winger's wedding this weekend, Press Association Sport understands.
Villa are expected to double the £9 million they paid Watford for Young four-and-a-half years ago.
United and Villa have been in talks to try and complete a deal for the England player.
But it is understood the finer points have still to be thrashed out and that may mean the transfer not going through until after Young has tied the knot in his native Hertfordshire on Saturday.
Young indicated after England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland on Saturday that he wants to play Champions League football.
He has only 12 months left of his current deal at Villa.
Villa - and the then manager Gerard Houllier - had been braced for the possibility of losing Young after he shelved talks about any possible new contract.
His departure follows on from the loss of other leading players in Gareth Barry and James Milner to Manchester City.
Of more concern to Villa - in addition to appointing a new manager - is trying to ensure they keep hold of their other star winger in Stewart Downing.
He has two years left of his contract but has also shelved talks of a new deal and has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
-
£18 million in.
£12 million out - N'Zogbia.
£6 million nett profit from these two deals.
Too simple at Villa I guess !
-
If Henderson is going to Liverpool for a reported £20 million then Ash has to be sold for at least £20 million as well.
-
If Henderson is going to Liverpool for a reported £20 million then Ash has to be sold for at least £20 million as well.
Depends how many years Jordan has left on his contact with Sunderland.
£16-18m for AY with only 12 months left ain't a bad deal for Villa.
-
Anything over £15m is good business for us.
I think it'll also be delayed until we apoint a new manager.
-
"But it is understood the finer points have still to be thrashed out and that may mean the transfer not going through until after Young has tied the knot in his native Hertfordshire on Saturday"
Coming from a hotbed of support for Manure it is only understandable he wants to join them.
Huge loss for us forget the "profit" it is a huge loss
-
Can we have Berbatov please and some cash. We can get Young's replacement with the cash.
Who may as well be Chamberlain.
-
Let's just sell the fuckin ponce and move on.
-
£18 million in.
£12 million out - N'Zogbia.
£6 million nett profit from these two deals.
Too simple at Villa I guess !
Would be acceptable if only we had a manager to make that decision!
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
Villa fans ( in general) rate Young more than other club's fans !
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
From Ian McGarry's Twitter:
For those asking about Ashley Young: Player to meet both #LFC and #MUFC before making decision. (met one already).
-
Is he marrying the bird he showed his cock to on the internet?
-
Is he marrying the bird he showed his cock to on the internet?
Her mum I think
She was in the bedroom at the same time doing a bit of dusting....
-
how many days away ?
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
From Ian McGarry's Twitter:
For those asking about Ashley Young: Player to meet both #LFC and #MUFC before making decision. (met one already).
I can believe that
I still reckon it will be Liverpool
-
Is he marrying the bird he showed his cock to on the internet?
I assume so.
Only a man deeply in love could make such a romantic gesture.
-
good luck to him. He's at a point in his career where he wants to win things and we're not exactly Man U right now. Our job as a club is to build ourselves into a position where top players want to stay because they have a chance to win things with us right now. Hire the right manager, get in the right players, and we'll be in that position in 2-3 years.
For those people slagging Ash for this decision, ask yourselves what you'd do in your own careers if you had a chance to achieve your ambitions elsewhere because you current employer couldn't offer you what you are looking for? He's looking after himself as any of us would, and it's only hard for us to stomach because as football fans of a specific club we don't see things without bias or emotion.
We're going to miss him, and we'll see him do so very good things up there because he'll be around even better players. Our job is now to use the money wisely and build again, much like Spurs have done in the past few seasons.
-
Manure I could understand. Liverpoo on the other hand, sorry but you'll be waiting around for honours at that club almost as long as you wuld be at Villa
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
From Ian McGarry's Twitter:
For those asking about Ashley Young: Player to meet both #LFC and #MUFC before making decision. (met one already).
I can believe that
I still reckon it will be Liverpool
Any reason why? Is there an inside line on that? Or just guessing?
-
Sounds like a fairly general article to me and nothing we haven't heard already. He's been joining in "a few days" for about 3 weeks now"
I work with a manure fan and he reckons on their forums they are not overly fussed and that Ferguson will no way go over 15 million.
At least it will still be quicker than the Milner saga
From Ian McGarry's Twitter:
For those asking about Ashley Young: Player to meet both #LFC and #MUFC before making decision. (met one already).
I can believe that
I still reckon it will be Liverpool
Any reason why? Is there an inside line on that? Or just guessing?
Just my own gut feeling
Knowing what a tight arse bacon face is I reckon he would rather pass up AY than pay a decent fee for a player with a year left.
-
We can get Young's replacement with the cash.Who may as well be Chamberlain.
We'd get £18m and peace in our time.
-
United are signing Jones, Sanchez and Nasri not Young. Liverpool are signing Henderson and Adam not Young.
-
How about him going to Spuds as a wilcard
-
Arsenal is far more likely. Spurs are no higher a level than we are unless he has a burning ambition to play in the Europa. No champions league, no chance of winning the league, why bother?
Same reason he won't sign for Liverpool either.
I think he's nailed on for Man Utd to be honest with Arsenal as an outside bet.
-
Do you reckon Wenger would spend that sort of money??
-
Are Watford entitled to a cut ?
If so, it may reduce any profit.
-
Do you reckon Wenger would spend that sort of money??
Maybe. He certainly could if he wanted to. They're going to have to spend sooner or later.
-
good luck to him. He's at a point in his career where he wants to win things and we're not exactly Man U right now. Our job as a club is to build ourselves into a position where top players want to stay because they have a chance to win things with us right now. Hire the right manager, get in the right players, and we'll be in that position in 2-3 years.
For those people slagging Ash for this decision, ask yourselves what you'd do in your own careers if you had a chance to achieve your ambitions elsewhere because you current employer couldn't offer you what you are looking for? He's looking after himself as any of us would, and it's only hard for us to stomach because as football fans of a specific club we don't see things without bias or emotion.
We're going to miss him, and we'll see him do so very good things up there because he'll be around even better players. Our job is now to use the money wisely and build again, much like Spurs have done in the past few seasons.
Bang on.
-
Will be glad when he has bloody well gone. Like just about every other villa player to make the England team he has become Billy Big Boots and could'nt a toss about the Villa
-
Will be glad when he has bloody well gone. Like just about every other villa player to make the England team he has become Billy Big Boots and could'nt a toss about the Villa
I just don't think that's true.I believe he would love to have achieved his goals here but sadly it wasn't to be.I reserve the right to retract this if he signs for Liverpool however
-
I can't see him going to Liverpool or Spurs. I think he was an Arsenal fan as a kid but it looks like Man U. If we can screw the best part of 20 million out of them for a player with a year left on his contract and who wants to go then we've done a good deal.
-
To be fair, I have these feelings on it.
1. I honestly don't think we will miss him that much - I believe Marcy Marc is already 95% of the player Ash is - and given a run , will be a far better player - to me Ash is a cross between Tony Daley and Dalian Atkinson. I honestly think Marcy is similar to a young David Beckham - only time will tell if he realises his potential - but if he does - Ash will not be missed
2. This was always gonna happen so by going to Man U , it doesn't particularly affect us in the way that he is joining a competitor (be more concerned if he went to Spurs of Liverpool
3. For a guy out of contract in a year, I think 16m is a good price to get
4. However, saying 3, if Jordan Henderson is worth 20m - then what should we ask for Ash - thats an absolutely stupid price , and together with the 35m for Carroll backs up what I said the day Dalglish was appointed - he will spend an absolute fortune on quite average players. But I digress.
Cheers Ash, gave us some great memories, but the fact is, probably the best one was the Everton moment, and that is now a long time ago - which I think proves something. (and if you do read this, I honestly can't see why Man U want you, as you are nowhere near the player of Nani or Valencia - so I am a bit flummexed by the deal)
-
He is easily better than Nani or Valencia.
-
So Ashley Young - who was not Villa's player of the year is better than a team who won the league and CL finalists player of the year.
Sorry, don't agree !
-
To be fair, I have these feelings on it.
1. I honestly don't think we will miss him that much - I believe Marcy Marc is already 95% of the player Ash is
I can't take that comment seriously. Albrighton has potential but he is nothing like as influential as Young has been in the Villa side over the last few years.
Young may not have always reached his own high standards in the last 12 months but he is leaving a huge gap that will take an awful lot of filling, much like Milner last season. People who think he won't be missed and we're better of without him are, in my opinion, deluded.
-
4. However, saying 3, if Jordan Henderson is worth 20m - then what should we ask for Ash - thats an absolutely stupid price , and together with the 35m for Carroll backs up what I said the day Dalglish was appointed - he will spend an absolute fortune on quite average players. But I digress.
Well you say that but £24m for Bent raised a few eyebrows as well.
-
So Ashley Young - who was not Villa's player of the year is better than a team who won the league and CL finalists player of the year.
Sorry, don't agree !
Then why would they buy him if they already think they have better players?
Nani is the sort of the flash in the pan player that impresses people like you but there's a reason why Ferguson rarely starts him in important games. Valencia is a better player than Nani but he's less creative than Ash more a steady reliable type.
Albrighton has a long way to go to be classed at the same level.
-
So Ashley Young - who was not Villa's player of the year is better than a team who won the league and CL finalists player of the year.
Sorry, don't agree !
You do know that it's possible for him to be better than some members of a PL winning team, don't you?
-
Let's just sell the fuckin ponce and move on.
110% spot on.
-
So Ashley Young - who was not Villa's player of the year is better than a team who won the league and CL finalists player of the year.
Sorry, don't agree !
Yes. Young is better than Nani and Valencia. Has been consistently for years.
Why do you think Fergie is after him?
-
4. However, saying 3, if Jordan Henderson is worth 20m - then what should we ask for Ash - thats an absolutely stupid price , and together with the 35m for Carroll backs up what I said the day Dalglish was appointed - he will spend an absolute fortune on quite average players. But I digress.
Well you say that but £24m for Bent raised a few eyebrows as well.
Well, £18m and to be fair, Bent has proven himself for years.
Sorry mate but £20m for that kid is a joke.
-
4. However, saying 3, if Jordan Henderson is worth 20m - then what should we ask for Ash - thats an absolutely stupid price , and together with the 35m for Carroll backs up what I said the day Dalglish was appointed - he will spend an absolute fortune on quite average players. But I digress.
Well you say that but £24m for Bent raised a few eyebrows as well.
Well, £18m and to be fair, Bent has proven himself for years.
Sorry mate but £20m for that kid is a joke.
Bent - £18m or £24m?
Hendo - £16m or £20m?
Either way, I agree - it's a lot of money but potential costs.
Bent guarantees goals but you know he isn't going to get any better.
Plus, if Henderson will earn the reported £60,000 a week and Bent is on £70,000, that's £2.5m less over 5 years. And after those 5 years, Bent will be 31 with little resale value.
-
Except that a chunk of that is for Ngog (why?). Dalglish has a pretty good transfer track record over the years.
-
Ashley to Man Utd, Liverpool have tapped up Downing after they realised they had no chance with Young.
Ashley was a great player for us for the first two years but then teams started doubling up on him and his form obviously went downhill. Last season he was a loose cannon with his best perfomances being in an England shirt. He's still a great player but needs a strong manager to bring some discipline to his game. Ferguson will do that.
-
Gutted but good luck to him, whenever I've bumped into him in my local town ( Stevenage ) he's always taken time to chat and sign an autograph.
Top bloke imo.
-
Except that a chunk of that is for Ngog (why?). Dalglish has a pretty good transfer track record over the years.
I think it's one of those deliberately ambiguous transfers where nobody is sure of the fee. Both clubs want to make it seem like they're getting the best deal.
I've read a straight £20m.
I've read £13m + N'gog.
And I've read a straight £16m with the N'gog deal happening separately.
God knows which it is.
-
Last season he was a loose cannon with his best perfomances being in an England shirt. He's still a great player but needs a strong manager to bring some discipline to his game. Ferguson will do that.
Fully agree with that. He'll be a better player for them than we've seen of late.
-
I've read a straight £20m.
I've read £13m + N'gog.
And I've read a straight £16m with the N'gog deal happening separately.
God knows which it is.
It would make more sense if it was a straight £13 million or £20 million and Sunderland had to take Ngog as well.
-
i dont think we will be buying players without a manager, we are still paying Irelands wages
-
I know the deal will happen soon and I think it will be Manure as his destination I think we have already got a replacement in Marc Albrighton so I'm not too worried about him going.
-
As mentioned earlier I think a percantage of the transfer fee will go to Watford, what percentage I don't know!
-
Ash, if your reading this, best of luck with the wedding. And just renew your contract here where you know it makes sense. It could be you that makes us a Champions league team, and wouldnt that just be something to tell your grandkids, and the fact you have made it into the top ten Villa legends. Go on....
-
To be fair, I have these feelings on it.
1. I honestly don't think we will miss him that much - I believe Marcy Marc is already 95% of the player Ash is - and given a run , will be a far better player - to me Ash is a cross between Tony Daley and Dalian Atkinson. I honestly think Marcy is similar to a young David Beckham - only time will tell if he realises his potential - but if he does - Ash will not be missed.
Albrighton is nowhere near the player that Young is yet. And i'll be shot down by others on here, but I don't think he ever will be. Just my opinion of course.
Redman,
Eyebrows raised at £24m for Bent? I think he proves his worth by scoring more goals than Carroll and Torres after their respective moves and cost far less.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing I suppose.
Good luck to Young, wherever he ends up. In some ways i'll be sorry to see him go, in some I won't.
-
As mentioned earlier I think a percantage of the transfer fee will go to Watford, what percentage I don't know!
think its 15% but i've seen 25% mentioned! Whoever wrote that one in deserves a kicking.
-
Redman,
Eyebrows raised at £24m for Bent? I think he proves his worth by scoring more goals than Carroll and Torres after their respective moves and cost far less.
Still early days though.
Bent was good business but it isn't just the transfer fee that determines value.
At £18-24m and £80,000 a week, you're paying a lot of money for a player who doesn't do much except score goals. His goals make him worth it but when he isn't scoring, that's a lot of money to paying him. Similar to Torres for the past 2 years.
Plus in 4-5 years, you'll need to buy a new Darren Bent.
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
Plus he won't need replacing for 10 years and if we decide to replace him sooner, he'll be young enough to fetch a decent fee.
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
-
Bent's already paid for himself by keeping us up.
-
Redman,
Eyebrows raised at £24m for Bent? I think he proves his worth by scoring more goals than Carroll and Torres after their respective moves and cost far less.
Still early days though.
Bent was good business but it isn't just the transfer fee that determines value.
At £18-24m and £80,000 a week, you're paying a lot of money for a player who doesn't do much except score goals. His goals make him worth it but when he isn't scoring, that's a lot of money to paying him. Similar to Torres for the past 2 years.
Plus in 4-5 years, you'll need to buy a new Darren Bent.
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I'll doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
Plus he won't need replacing for 10 years and if we decide to replace him sooner, he'll be young enough to fetch a decent fee.
I can not see in what world you can argue that Carroll is better value. If you watch Darren Bent instead of listening to ill informed members of the press, you will see that he offers so much more than goals. He is, without doubt, the best striker in the league at playing on the last man. A man that is serially "just onside". He stretches play with his his runs into the channels, something that Carroll has never, and will never be able to do because of his lack of pace. There is a reason why Darren Bent is England's number 9 and Andy Carroll isn't.
You also have to look at character. Darren Bent works tirelessly and always has. Andy Carroll could quite easily end up in prison after another night on the tiles. I know who I would want in my team and I know who is better value, of the latter there can be very little arguement.
-
Carroll has enormous potential both as a goal scorer and target man. My only doubts over the fee is that he's still young and can still lose his way and with that big frame might be rather injury prone.
If he comes off I think he'll be a monster.
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
and for our respective clubs?
-
6 apps 2 goals int it?
-
As mentioned earlier I think a percantage of the transfer fee will go to Watford, what percentage I don't know!
think its 15% but i've seen 25% mentioned! Whoever wrote that one in deserves a kicking.
We paid £8m for him that rose to £9.65m with the add-ons. Not sure Watford get any percentage of sale.
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
and for our respective clubs?
I don't know but clearly Bent has done better. But then he was fully fit the whole season.
The point is, determining the value of a striker isn't as simple as dividing the transfer fee by the number of goals.
-
As mentioned earlier I think a percantage of the transfer fee will go to Watford, what percentage I don't know!
think its 15% but i've seen 25% mentioned! Whoever wrote that one in deserves a kicking.
We paid £8m for him that rose to £9.65m with the add-ons. Not sure Watford get any percentage of sale.
I am pretty sure it is 25% of any profit on the deal. So assuming we paid 9mill and recieve 15mill for him. Watford would get a 1.5mill chunk.
-
As mentioned earlier I think a percantage of the transfer fee will go to Watford, what percentage I don't know!
think its 15% but i've seen 25% mentioned! Whoever wrote that one in deserves a kicking.
We paid £8m for him that rose to £9.65m with the add-ons. Not sure Watford get any percentage of sale.
pretty sure they do. think its 15-25% of anything over 10m. So we're probably looking at a profit on him of barely 4m
-
If your going on statistics, the signing of Bent kept us up with his goals whereas Torres and Carroll combined wouldn't have. I also think if Rafa is our new manager Sir Alex of chewingumdom might have to pay a bit extra to oil the wheels of the deal!
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
and for our respective clubs?
I don't know but clearly Bent has done better. But then he was fully fit the whole season.
The point is, determining the value of a striker isn't as simple as dividing the transfer fee by the number of goals.
depends what you want i guess. Rush wasn't much more than a goalscorer but he fired you to god knows how many titles.
-
Andy Caroll more rounded?! He's basically Mark Hateley. Even my scouse mate concedes you got well and truly ripped off
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
and for our respective clubs?
I don't know but clearly Bent has done better. But then he was fully fit the whole season.
The point is, determining the value of a striker isn't as simple as dividing the transfer fee by the number of goals.
depends what you want i guess. Rush wasn't much more than a goalscorer but he fired you to god knows how many titles.
Absolutely. There's nothing wrong with an out-and-out goalscorer.
Rafa is a big fan of Bent, by the way. I'm pretty sure he was second-choice if we couldn't get Torres.
-
Get Nzogbia in and take a chance on alex Chamberlain too. He probably has the potential to be another Ash Young.
-
It will be interesting to see if the move to Liverpool solves Carroll's 'off-field' problems.
-
It will be interesting to see if the move to Liverpool solves Carroll's 'off-field' problems.
Have you seen who his chaperone is in Barbados?!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2000978/Wayne-Rooney-Andy-Carroll-enjoy-holiday-Barbados.html?ito=feeds-newsxml (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2000978/Wayne-Rooney-Andy-Carroll-enjoy-holiday-Barbados.html?ito=feeds-newsxml)
-
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
More well-rounded? In what respect? He looks a bit one dimensional and strikes me as a bit of a moron judging by his court appearances and assaulting team mates. Granted he probably appears well rounded compared to Joey Barton but he strikes me as a ponytailed Duncan Ferguson.
-
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
More well-rounded? In what respect? He looks a bit one dimensional and strikes me as a bit of a moron judging by his court appearances and assaulting team mates. Granted he probably appears well rounded compared to Joey Barton but he strikes me as a ponytailed Duncan Ferguson.
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
-
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
More well-rounded? In what respect? He looks a bit one dimensional and strikes me as a bit of a moron judging by his court appearances and assaulting team mates. Granted he probably appears well rounded compared to Joey Barton but he strikes me as a ponytailed Duncan Ferguson.
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
Bent has done it for several seasons in the top flight, Carroll has only had a season and a half. I struggle to understand why the press mocked Villa for spending £18 million on Darren Bent and yet £35 million on Andy Carroll is a great signing?
-
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
More well-rounded? In what respect? He looks a bit one dimensional and strikes me as a bit of a moron judging by his court appearances and assaulting team mates. Granted he probably appears well rounded compared to Joey Barton but he strikes me as a ponytailed Duncan Ferguson.
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
Bent has done it for several seasons in the top flight, Carroll has only had a season and a half. I struggle to understand why the press mocked Villa for spending £18 million on Darren Bent and yet £35 million on Andy Carroll is a great signing?
because they are full of knobs like oliver Holt
-
McAllister, Rooney and Carroll together in Barbados...blimey, I think Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad's trip to Benidorm has been out-weirded.
-
[quote author=gregnash link=topic=43753.msg1799054#msg1799054 date=1307552401
depends what you want i guess. Rush wasn't much more than a goalscorer but he fired you to god knows how many titles.
[/quote]
Not sure I agree with that. The finest British player I ever saw play live was Kenny Dalglish, and Dalglish and Rush were an item.
-
[quote author=gregnash link=topic=43753.msg1799054#msg1799054 date=1307552401
depends what you want i guess. Rush wasn't much more than a goalscorer but he fired you to god knows how many titles.
[/quote]
Not sure I agree with that. The finest British player I ever saw play live was Kenny Dalglish, and Dalglish and Rush were an item.
-
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
More well-rounded? In what respect? He looks a bit one dimensional and strikes me as a bit of a moron judging by his court appearances and assaulting team mates. Granted he probably appears well rounded compared to Joey Barton but he strikes me as a ponytailed Duncan Ferguson.
Darren Bent: 17 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances.
Bent has done it for several seasons in the top flight, Carroll has only had a season and a half. I struggle to understand why the press mocked Villa for spending £18 million on Darren Bent and yet £35 million on Andy Carroll is a great signing?
The press deal in quotes, headlines and soundbites. Analysis doesn't sell because most people aren't interested. Most people are happy to have their opinions spoon-fed to them.
The fact of the matter is, both Bent and Carroll will prove to be worth their respective fees if they do what they were bought to do.
-
"and Dalglish and Rush were an item."
eh?
???
-
Its just an unfortunate turn of phrase. What he meant to say was that they were homosexual lovers and probably married by some evil druid priest.
-
Redman,
Eyebrows raised at £24m for Bent? I think he proves his worth by scoring more goals than Carroll and Torres after their respective moves and cost far less.
Still early days though.
Bent was good business but it isn't just the transfer fee that determines value.
At £18-24m and £80,000 a week, you're paying a lot of money for a player who doesn't do much except score goals. His goals make him worth it but when he isn't scoring, that's a lot of money to paying him. Similar to Torres for the past 2 years.
Plus in 4-5 years, you'll need to buy a new Darren Bent.
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
Plus he won't need replacing for 10 years and if we decide to replace him sooner, he'll be young enough to fetch a decent fee.
£80,000 ? An hour an a half before you made this post claiming 80K you were claiming 70K which is it? Or does it change according to which argument you are trying to make.
Consistency I see is not a trait with Liverpoo or its fans
-
Redman,
Eyebrows raised at £24m for Bent? I think he proves his worth by scoring more goals than Carroll and Torres after their respective moves and cost far less.
Still early days though.
Bent was good business but it isn't just the transfer fee that determines value.
At £18-24m and £80,000 a week, you're paying a lot of money for a player who doesn't do much except score goals. His goals make him worth it but when he isn't scoring, that's a lot of money to paying him. Similar to Torres for the past 2 years.
Plus in 4-5 years, you'll need to buy a new Darren Bent.
Andy Carroll cost £35m and earns £85,000 a week I think. I doubt he'll ever be as prolific as Bent but he is more well-rounded and will earn his salary every week with his hold-up play, lay-offs and knock-downs.
Plus he won't need replacing for 10 years and if we decide to replace him sooner, he'll be young enough to fetch a decent fee.
£80,000 ? An hour an a half before you made this post claiming 80K you were claiming 70K which is it? Or does it change according to which argument you are trying to make.
Consistency I see is not a trait with Liverpoo or its fans
No it changes according to whether I make a mistake or not. Would you like an apology?
£70,000 or £80,000 - whatever. The point stands.
-
some of the bickering on here is a bit tedious
-
bye bye ash !!!
-
I forgot I was in the Ashley Young thread there for a minute
-
Its a great opportunity for him and the time is right for him to go for it. I wish him well.
-
Thanks douna , coz I have just read pages 4 , 5 and 6 on a thread about Ashley Young, and your post was the first time I saw him mentioned !!
-
"and Dalglish and Rush were an item."
eh?
???
I thought it was Dalgish and Beardsley that were the item. That's why they sold him to Newcastle. Very messy.
-
some of the bickering on here is a bit tedious
No it's not.
-
Redman, do you expect Carroll to ever be justify his price tag? Surely he'd have to become one of the best strikers in Europe to do that, I just can't see it.
-
Redman, do you expect Carroll to ever be justify his price tag? Surely he'd have to become one of the best strikers in Europe to do that, I just can't see it.
Apologies in advance. This is off-topic (although Young does get a mention)
He'll definitely have to become one of the best strikers in Europe which is why it's essential we buy players to provide him with top quality service.
You'll remember how many goals Martin Laursen scored a few years ago with Young whipping those corners and free-kicks directly onto his forehead - he was unplayable.
I'm guessing it's the same threat that prompted Comolli and Kenny to pay so much because the one area where Carroll is unrivalled is in the air. That's how he can become one of the best strikers in Europe. And that's probably why Young and Downing are transfer targets (sorry about that).
But the most important thing about the Carroll signing was the psychological effect. It turned that transfer window from a defeat into a victory. Even though he barely kicked a ball for us due to injury, the lift the club got just from being decisive enough to replace Torres immediately spurred us on to finish the season strongly. You probably experienced a similar effect with Bent.
-
Is Young's transfer still just "days away". It's like Groundhog Day.
-
I can never do the quote thingy but in relation to the Carroll thing, I had a freebie corporate ticket to the Liverpool - Man City game and he (aside from the goal) was unplayable. It has to be said that Man City were shit that night but Kompany, who he often found himself against was not.
Not the finished article by a country mile and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up a bit of a 'Carew' - when he is good he's unplayable, when he's not he's distinctly average. Jury's out but the signs might be promising.
Back to Young, he needs to go for the right fee and I hope that happens soon to enable a better replacement to be sourced.
-
I think Liverpool overpaid for Caroll but don't doubt he will be a more than decent player for them.
-
SSN-Youngs reps talking to ManU, today just gets better and better :'(
-
I understand Mr Lerner cancelled a proposed meeting with Ashley after an internet backlash.
-
18m-20m. Brilliant price. However, if it's remotely true, why bother hiring a manager if we're going to continue to sell players without one.
-
Good, let's get the friggin deal done and move on. He's been gone for months now so the sooner it's over with and the money is ready to spend on an alternative the better.
I honestly don't blame him one bit though.
-
Carroll will weigh in with goals alright. I've seen that one coming for years now. I'm not sure he'll score enough to justify that pricetag but he'll be troubling the top scorers for a while to come.
I'd have paid £20m for him without blinking, put it that way.
Bent will score more though.
-
Hes been gone since the Everton game
-
If Phil Jones is worth £17m, Ash is worth more.
-
If Phil Jones is worth £17m, Ash is worth more.
Not if he's playing centre half.
-
Phil Jones had a lot more time left on his contract.
-
Phil Jones had a lot more time left on his contract.
And arguably his career too.
-
Funny how he has had 3 or 4 good games for England and all of a sudden he's a world class player!
Let him go to Man Utd for £18m, good business. See how long he lasts playing for fergie when he keeps throwing is arms in the air when he plays a shit ball and hitting corners out for throw ins!
Villa fans will agree that the last 2 years he has been a shadow of his former self and to double our investment must be a good thing.
You cant knock a player for moving to Utd and good luck to him. I just hope he remembers how we have helped is career.
-
See how long he lasts playing for fergie when he keeps throwing is arms in the air when he plays a shit ball and hitting corners out for throw ins!
Presumably you've not seen much of Nani?
-
I think he'll be a great player for united. He'll be kept on a much tighter leash then here. Fergie will bring out the best in him and he won't be able to walk around the place like the Billy big bollocks he can here. Fergie will make him raise his game and i think he will. He'll be a brilliant signing for them. I think we pandered to is every whim too much here and it effected him in a negative way. He wont have the luxury at united.
Good luck to him. Ash has given us some fond memories over the years. I will be sad to see him go but the best for both the club and the player he needs to move on.
-
Let's just sell the fuckin ponce and move on.
Could well have been a quote lifted from the Minutes of the last Villa Board Meeting :)
-
Apparently Ashley's getting married this weekend, in Hertfordshire. Neither here nor there regarding the move, but thought it's just about worth mentioning.
-
Nothing but thanks to Ash for all of his work here, we loved him and he repaid us with some magic moments. However I wish they would get a fcuking move on and get him gone so we can start spending the money (as and when we get the manager sorted of course)
-
Funny how he has had 3 or 4 good games for England and all of a sudden he's a world class player!
Let him go to Man Utd for £18m, good business. See how long he lasts playing for fergie when he keeps throwing is arms in the air when he plays a shit ball and hitting corners out for throw ins!
Villa fans will agree that the last 2 years he has been a shadow of his former self and to double our investment must be a good thing.
Or more likely, he'll continue the good form he has shown for us and, as a consequence of playing for one of the sky 4, media pundits will be falling over themselves to laud him and Fergie's judgement in buying him.
-
So on the day that the Wigan owner says how good it is to deal with Aston Villa as we do things the right way, the nations premier sports TV channel reports Man u are talking to A Y's representatives.
No comment has been made how this is against the rules, no discussion on how many points they should be deducted or how much we can sue Man U for.
-
I'm assuming a fee has been agreed then if Young's representitives are speaking to Man Utd?
-
Not necessarily.
We can give permission for someone to speak to our players without agreeing a fee beforehand. As I assume will have happened here.
-
Really. Why have a contract then. We can 'force' him to stay in theory untill we are compensated. Or compensation/transfer fee has been agreed. We had this issue with Barry and Liverpool before I cant believe we'd fall for it again.
-
Really. Why have a contract then.
Because he still can't move there until we agree a fee.
But if we give him permission to go and decide personal terms before agreeing the fee what's the harm? It hardly matters which way round it's done as long as we're happy with that. We've done several times before in the past.
-
I
Really. Why have a contract then.
Because he still can't move there until we agree a fee.
But if we give him permission to go and decide personal terms before agreeing the fee what's the harm? It hardly matters which way round it's done as long as we're happy with that. We've done several times before in the past.
Mmmm ok, didn't realise that.
-
With one year left in his contract anything over 15m is good business. If he had 2-3 years left we could get at least 22m, so what is important here is to renew the contracts of Downing and probably Collins who has been great for us since he came.
-
You never know our Ash might not be happy with the wages Fergie offers, or indeed the lack of guaranteed first team selection. There would still be Liverpool waiting in the wings so it's unlikely he'd ultimately stay but y' never know.
It's a funny ol' game.
-
Looks like he's gone..for £20m according to the Sun:
Ashley takes Utd's spree up to £55m
ALEX FERGUSON snapped up Ashley Young in a £20million swoop last night.
It took Manchester United's summer spending to a whopping £55m - leaving their title rivals in the shade.
The arrival of Aston Villa's England star Young completes an astonishing hat-trick of Fergsuon buys worth £55m as he begins to build a new dynasty.
Liverpool have shown their intent by splashing out £20m on Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson while Arsenal boss Aesene Wenger has forked out a measly £1m for Charlton defender Carl Jenkinson.
More surprisingly, traditional money-bags clubs Chelsea and Manchester City have yet to spend a penny since the end of the season.
Young, 25, passed a medical at the club's Carrington Training Ground yesterday and put pen to paper on a four-year contract.
He now joins Phil Jones who moved on Wednesday from Blackburn to Old Trafford in a £16.5m transfer.
And a deal has also been agreed for Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea to move from Atletico Madrid to United for £18.5million.
Ferguson always likes to get his business done early in the summer but this is quick moving even by his own standards with the season finishing less than a fortnight ago.
Despite winning the title and the Champions League Ferguson knew he needed to breath new life into his squad.
Last season's poor away record and stuttering start worried him and Ferguson told the club's owners the Glazers midway through the season that big spending would be needed.
Ferguson snatched both Jones from under the noses of rivals Liverpool and Kop boss Kenny Dalglish was also keen on Young.
Young can play as a winger or second striker and is a major addition to United's already huge attacking threat.
Young made his name at Watford before an £8m transfer to Aston Villa in January 2007.
He went on to make 193 appearances scoring 39 goals but it is his assists statistics of 54 in that time which help to make him such a valuable asset.
His move could leave Nani's future in question.
The Portuguese winger was a candidate for player of the year after his first-half to last season but he tailed off amid rumours that he was looking for a new challenge.
www.thesun.co.uk
-
The Sun are reporting that Ash signed a 4 year deal Man U last night.
-
The Sun are reporting that Ash signed a 4 year deal Man U last night.
You don't say? (winky)
-
If we've got anywhere close to £20 million for a player in the last year of his contract then hats off to all concerned.
I'd far rather have the player, mind. Won't be right seeing him in their colours.
-
Had no idea that Man U won the Chumpions League though. That was a shock when I read the article. Hats off to them.
-
So, he's finally gone/going then? As inevitable as it has seemed for the past 6-9 months, it's still quite sad to see it come to pass. The last jewel in the crown of the fearless, ''world is our oyster'' team of 2007/08 onwards now gone. While I don't wish him luck, I certainly have more respect for him than Milner and Barry.
-
The Sun are reporting that Ash signed a 4 year deal Man U last night.
You don't say? (winky)
that's weird. When I posted mine yours wasn't up. Must have been simultaneous, or something. Too late for big words.
I was just in Lisbon. You've got a bit of a graffiti problem in the city there Mark. What's up with that?
-
Isn't the Sun part of the News Corp group who in turn own a huge chunk of Man United. Winning the chumps league is just a minor re-writing of history.
20m! I suppose we should thank Young for those good England performances as his Villa performances suggested a fee in the region of 12-15m.
-
Thanks for the memories Ash.
I'm much happier we sell to the Mancs rather tha Spurs, 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' or Citeh.
If true, 20mill for a player with 12 months left on their contract is very good too.
-
On a related note, the sun is also saying he has cancelled his wedding this weekend!
-
So, he's finally gone/going then? As inevitable as it has seemed for the past 6-9 months, it's still quite sad to see it come to pass. The last jewel in the crown of the fearless, ''world is our oyster'' team of 2007/08 onwards now gone. While I don't wish him luck, I certainly have more respect for him than Milner and Barry.
Summed up perfectly for me. Will be sadly missed, and anyone claiming he was an average, diving and moaning winger is just bitter. Great player for us and i wish him all the best (just not against us).
-
Fair play to him, cant begrudge him the move.
-
Young set for 130k+ salary....so a wedding cancelled costs about 0ne and a half weeks wage for a footballer for anyone else it's about a years salary.....that's the disconnect and the reason why we will never have a chance of competing with the sky/chumps league cabal.
Take your ball and play somewhere else and leave us a proper game
-
Told you so. Cheers Ash and thanks for some great memories. If it's 20 million then we got a good deal.
-
I agree. It's right for all parties that Ash moves on now, We'll never get as much money for him, he's not gonig to sign a new deal. Keeping Downing and developing Albrighton is crucial. If we fail on this then this sale could backfire on us. But, there's nothing we can really do to stop him leaving anyway.
-
I'll miss him, he's annoyed the fuck out of me at times but he's given us 5 good years imo.
Bye and hope you don't get splinters in your arse warming the bench
-
Bye and hope you don't get splinters in your arse warming the bench
I do.
-
A very symbolic sale
Bye Ash thanks for the memories and the time you were here the hope that we could once again compete at the top. Your sale is the final nail in that coffin
-
A very symbolic sale
Bye Ash thanks for the memories and the time you were here the hope that we could once again compete at the top. Your sale is the final nail in that coffin
Along with the appointment of Martinez
-
A very symbolic sale
Bye Ash thanks for the memories and the time you were here the hope that we could once again compete at the top. Your sale is the final nail in that coffin
Yes and three years running....who next year Downing or Bent??
The only consolation would be that a few years ago Spurs sold their best players (Carrick, Berbatov, Keane) to bigger clubs and managed to improve. Can we do the same? Only if money is reinvested with more on top.
-
A very symbolic sale
Bye Ash thanks for the memories and the time you were here the hope that we could once again compete at the top. Your sale is the final nail in that coffin
who next year Downing or Bent??
Or both
-
Agreed personal terms on SSN now will complete when back from hols.All the best Ash
-
I wouldn't mind agreeing £130k a week either.
-
Just wanna wish Ashley Young all the best for the future. He has given decent years service in an era where players jump ship at the click of a finger. Not sure if he will be a big hit at Manure but only time will tell.
-
I wouldn't mind agreeing £130k a week either.
Nor would I ! :)
-
Fair play to him. He's gone for genuine 'play at the highest level/win things' reasons rather than for wallet-padding and I think he'll become a top quality player under Ferguson's guidance. I don't begrudge him his move at all - he's always given 100% and despite his idiosyncrasies over the last couple of years he was the one player who gave a real buzz when he was on the ball. Think we'll miss him big-time.
-
Bit different to the reaction when Yorke went to manure. Uproar then as at that time I think Villa fans felt we could catch them. In the time since then they have moved to a different level altogether and a classic example of what we need if we are to match them. Mega money which under lerner we will never have.
Also rans is what we are , a feeder club
-
I think Yorkie was a bit more cynical - once he knew Manure were sniffing he stopped playing. Ash has always given 100%
-
Good luck to him. When he's at his best he is the best player I've seen in my 15 years watching Villa and I think he'll go on to do very well at Manchester United. I'm pleased he's signed for the best and not Man City/Spurs/Liverpool. We really are starting to see huge holes appearing in our squad though. The new manqger has an enormous rebuilding task on his hands, we really can't afford to sell Downing now.
-
Yep, diver he may be, but he always tried hard and was a good player for us.
Can see why he wants to play for Manky Scum.
-
I hope his career nose dives likes Milner's.
-
Though not as good as Dwight Yorke, he's going to a club that will win things we no longer even dream about. Good luck to him. He always tried his best with us (one of his plus points) and played very well for us. There's not been many players we've had in the past where they pick up the ball and you expect something good to come of it.
As a club who will never win the league, I think it's nice to see a good player develop into a player capable of playing for a team like Man Utd and move onto greater things.
However, his first dive back at Villa Park will not be met graciously. Much like when he did it for us!
-
We'll miss him, but as with any player who leaves the club, I hope he fails.
-
I don't begrudge him going to Man Utd to be honest, he's put in a decent amount of service to Villa. As long as we got a good fee I'm ok with it.
-
Good riddance from me, sick of his diving all over the place.
-
Ill miss him. Class, pace, skill, and want-to-win at all costs. Usually the sort of traits you complain about a footballer not having, and he had it all. The first player I can think of that I dont automatically detest for playing for that bunch of scum, including Yorke. And in better news at least that moaning twat that sits infront of me will have to find someone else to bitch about.
-
Its almost like he's going to slip away unoticed with all the manager shenanigens going on.
-
Fair play ash. Always gave us everything, gave us some amazing moments like everton away and thouroughly deserves his chance. I think a few people in here need to remember how short the career of a footballer is....I'm villa till I die and would do exactly the same thing. Genuinely wish him all the best, hope he wins the trophies he seeks and more than anything I hope he gets a good reception when he comes back....
-
Its almost like he's going to slip away unoticed with all the manager shenanigens going on.
What a day to bury bad news.
-
He's a young, rich footballer with a WAG
If he is thinking of anything other than what he will do to his new missus tomorrow night - he needs shooting !
-
All the best Ash. Unless you are playing against us.
I reckon I'm going to hate him before long, mind.
-
We will miss him because at his best he is very good, capable of some killer balls, but I can;t say I'm devastated as he frustrates the hell out of me with his diving, whining and wasting of good possession and dead balls. If Fergie can get him to choose the right option more often and increase his consistency he'll be a very good player.
-
Despite him being one of our best players over the last few years, never really warmed to him.
I think he will do o.k. at Man Utd, no more than that. His problem is consistency and that was in a team where he was playing 90 mins week in, week out. How is he going to discover that only playing 50 % of games or so?
Definitely not going to be the difference if Fergie is seriously hoping to bridge the gap between them and Barca.
-
Thanks for the memories, let's hope everything you do now is immediately forgettable.
-
Think he will fit in perfectly up there among all the other overpaid whinging gits!
-
Who's that winger running down the right,
Is it Shaun Wright-Phillips no he's shite,
And it isn't Aaron Lennon,
So someone better tell em,
It's Ashley Young he's fuckin' dynamite!
Singin' bye bye Ashley Ashley Young,
Singin' bye bye Ashley Ashley Young,
Singin' bye bye Ashley, bye bye Ashley, bye bye Ashley Ashley Young. :(
-
We will miss him though!
-
Fair play to him. He's gone for genuine 'play at the highest level/win things' reasons rather than for wallet-padding and I think he'll become a top quality player under Ferguson's guidance. I don't begrudge him his move at all - he's always given 100% and despite his idiosyncrasies over the last couple of years he was the one player who gave a real buzz when he was on the ball. Think we'll miss him big-time.
He will trouser 27million over the next 4 years and we'll get around 6 million profit on him.
Such is the reality of a genuine world class performer and perhaps the real reason for his need to move...anyway it'll be coming out of the pockets of Manure supporters so every cloud has a silver lining.
I really can't believe it when I see what some of the press have said about his performances this year but hey ho they build em up then they'll knock him down
Just be careful about any dinner dates with Ryan Giggs, wouldn't invite him to the wedding for sure
-
Good luck Ash, remember the good times, and forget the frustrating ones (quite a few)
-
We will miss him though!
Hugely. He is a work horse, just like Milner was. Both were inspired signings from the oft-derided Mr. O'Neill.
That said, the board sanctioned both of those signings and so there is no reason to suspect they won't do it again. We just need the right manager to spot the talent and take us forward. Maybe we should start a thread about it........ ::)
-
We will miss him though!
Hugely. He is a work horse, just like Milner was. Both were inspired signings from the oft-derided Mr. O'Neill.
[/quote]
Sorry I thought he was supposed to be our thoroughbred?
By workhorse did you mean the one who took all the corners that failed to deliver, the freekicks that missed by miles, even the ones from our own half?
Of course he was useful at times but not that many of them over the last couple of seasons methinks.
-
i have just asked a question to the general about this.
Ashley going is a given, I dont think anyone on here would have a go at the board about it - I think we all know the situation. But it being done when (from the outside) we haven't ran this past our new manager seems worrying. 2nd year running we have sold (and last year we bought) players without the input of a manager.
To me, that tells an incoming manager he has no say in the incomings and outgoings. Now, I have no issue with Faulkner arranging contracts, but selecting players is a managers job.
I don't think it would have made any difference and I am certain Young would still go, but I just think it should be at the managers say so.
(but, then again, maybe we do know who the manager will be and it has already been cleared through them - who knows)
-
i have just asked a question to the general about this.
Ashley going is a given, I dont think anyone on here would have a go at the board about it - I think we all know the situation. But it being done when (from the outside) we haven't ran this past our new manager seems worrying. 2nd year running we have sold (and last year we bought) players without the input of a manager.
To me, that tells an incoming manager he has no say in the incomings and outgoings. Now, I have no issue with Faulkner arranging contracts, but selecting players is a managers job.
I don't think it would have made any difference and I am certain Young would still go, but I just think it should be at the managers say so.
(but, then again, maybe we do know who the manager will be and it has already been cleared through them - who knows)
Ashley hasn't actually signed yet and apparently won't until he comes back from honeymoon in 2 weeks.Maybe Randy has asked him to wait til new manager appointed.Not that I think whoever it is could persuade him to stay mind
-
We will miss him though!
Hugely. He is a work horse, just like Milner was. Both were inspired signings from the oft-derided Mr. O'Neill.
Sorry I thought he was supposed to be our thoroughbred?
By workhorse did you mean the one who took all the corners that failed to deliver, the freekicks that missed by miles, even the ones from our own half?
Of course he was useful at times but not that many of them over the last couple of seasons methinks.
[/quote]
Err....What?
I'm struggling to see the connection between running you bollocks off and always giving 100%, and taking dodgy set-pieces. I am not talking about his technical ability, I'm talking about his work rate, two totally different things. He was a so frustrating to watch sometimes but his effort cannot be questioned IMO. If anything, he needed to stop trying to be involved all over the pitch and concentrate on his own position, whatever that was.
-
Well at least the inevitable appears to have been dealt with promptly and with a satisfactory outcome in terms of the fee realised for a player with 12 months left on his contract. (How much do we pass on to Watford?)
Of the three recent high-profile departures, I'll be most interested in how Young develops over the next season or so. Barry and Milner were by-and-large playing at the top of their game right up until their departure. Ashley, on the other hand, has rather flattered to deceive for the last two seasons. If all of a sudden he returns to delivering week-in, week-out the form of 2006-07 and the first half of the following season, it will be rather a kick in the teeth for Villa fans and testament to the fact that kowtowing to your "star" player's every whim is counter-productive.
For what it is worth, I think we're going to be hacked off. I can see that the conter-attacking way that Man Utd play, coupled with Fergie's no-nonsense, suffer no piss-takers, management style, will see Ashley playing better than he has in a long while. His ability to run into outstretched legs and harangue referees will also reap far greater dividends than they ever did whilst playing for the Villa.
-
Whilst I think everyone would have liked to keep him, this is the second best scenario - We got five good years out of him and we're looking at a 5m to 10m profit.
I trust randy to let the new man re-invest the cash, I just hope the new manger can spot decent young players.
-
Just an observation but Milner + Young = (roughly) 25m profit. This demonstrates that we're better off signing young 20-23 year olds rather than 27 - 30 year olds.
-
I wish him all the best but not against us.
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
-
I wish him all the best but not against us.
I don't wish him the best in any way, shape or form. He's going to Man U for christ's sake. Having said which, no hard feelings Ash, thanks for the memories, particularly SHA 5-1 & Goodison 2008 but I really hope your career goes down the toilet from now (unless you come back of course)
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
Being an old romantic, I bloody hope not, whether the manager of your local McDonalds , Alex ferguson, or Barak Obama have offerred you a job, your wedding day is the most important day in a womans life.
If Ash has cancelled it to sign a contract at Man U - which could have been done anytime (I really don't think Ferguson would think he was less a player for getting married) it would only go to show what a self centred, selfish prima donna he really is.
I would hope, for the girls sake, it is what someone said in answer to me, he will go on honeymoon, we would have appointed a manager in this time, and he can then go, the correct way - with the new managers blessing.
-
Good luck Ash Young until I see you on MOTD with your big fooking headfones and your manure tie and jacket on , when I will probably throw the remote at the TV ...
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
Being an old romantic, I bloody hope not, whether the manager of your local McDonalds , Alex ferguson, or Barak Obama have offerred you a job, your wedding day is the most important day in a womans life.
If Ash has cancelled it to sign a contract at Man U - which could have been done anytime (I really don't think Ferguson would think he was less a player for getting married) it would only go to show what a self centred, selfish prima donna he really is.
I would hope, for the girls sake, it is what someone said in answer to me, he will go on honeymoon, we would have appointed a manager in this time, and he can then go, the correct way - with the new managers blessing.
Can't believe his wedding date would have any affect on signing a contract or vice-versa, especially so early in the close season. Reckon they've had a domestic
-
Can't believe his wedding date would have any affect on signing a contract or vice-versa, especially so early in the close season. Reckon they've had a domestic
Maybe his better half reckons that he's going up there as Giggs' replacement in more ways than one...
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
Being an old romantic, I bloody hope not, whether the manager of your local McDonalds , Alex ferguson, or Barak Obama have offerred you a job, your wedding day is the most important day in a womans life.
If Ash has cancelled it to sign a contract at Man U - which could have been done anytime (I really don't think Ferguson would think he was less a player for getting married) it would only go to show what a self centred, selfish prima donna he really is.
I would hope, for the girls sake, it is what someone said in answer to me, he will go on honeymoon, we would have appointed a manager in this time, and he can then go, the correct way - with the new managers blessing.
Can't believe his wedding date would have any affect on signing a contract or vice-versa, especially so early in the close season. Reckon they've had a domestic
I'm more inclined to believe it's a domestic. Such is my view of premiership footballers, I struggle to view them as caring about anyone else's happiness other than their own. I don't believe a wedding day is the best day of a woman's life, but that's just my view.
In real life, I know someone who had a job offer withdrawn because he wanted to go on his honeymoon - it was a high powered, highly paid job.
-
We'll miss him more than we think.
-
Maybe he will wait until he's been at Man U for a season then get OK Magazine to pay for it?
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off ...
Typical Ash. All fancy preparation and no end product.
-
Probably called off so that he can at a later date have his new higher profile team mates and wags present, after seeing her photo though at least he wont have Giggs trying to give one.
Still I wish him the best of luck as he has always tried his best for Villa, I still think he will struggle to be a regular at ManU though.
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
If this is true it just shows what a selfish, self-centred arse hole he really is and the girl he is about to marry should tell him to piss off (unless she is after his money then she just says 'Okay' and accepts it)!
-
I am hoping it's a domestic and his girlfriend wants to stay close to Randy!
-
There is no honeymoon as the wedding scheduled for today has been called off however he is still going on holiday.
If this is true it just shows what a selfish, self-centred arse hole he really is and the girl he is about to marry should tell him to piss off (unless she is after his money then she just says 'Okay' and accepts it)!
Wouldn't be surprised if some tawdry publication has offered them a shed load of dosh to postpone it until after he has signed for Man Ure so the exclusive photos are worth more.
-
Which, should you need any more proof, would tell you all you need to know about the money-obsessed world in which top flight footballers live.
-
I've heard something interesting, and potentially libellous. Watch this space...
-
I've heard something interesting, and potentially libellous. Watch this space...
So have I.
-
bloody hell boys.
You can't say something like that and just leave it !!
C'mon, lets be having it
-
I've heard something interesting, and potentially libellous. Watch this space...
Just been posted in the ITK forum!
-
Didnt even know there was a ITK forum - where is that
-
Didnt even know there was a ITK forum - where is that
Golden Muppets.
-
??
-
The naughty boy.
-
??
Donate here (http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?page=page1136) button.
-
Quite.
-
I didn't know he'd cancelled his wedding.
Or was it cancelled for him ?
-
Am I to take it that one of the Sunday tabloids was about to seriously spoil the honeymoon?
-
I preume that means there is a thread called ITK that you have to pay for.
Forget it !
-
I preume that means there is a thread called ITK that you have to pay for.
Forget it !
There's a whole forum there holtepaul.
The ITK thread
The slagging off holtepaul thread
...and many more!
-
I preume that means there is a thread called ITK that you have to pay for.
Forget it !
There's a whole forum there holtepaul.
The ITK thread
The slagging off holtepaul thread
...and many more!
:) :)
-
I don't think you need to be ITK to work out what's happened. Must be something in the Manchester waters.
-
It's nothing to do with Manchester as far as I know.
-
The voluntary payment goes towards the running costs of this site. The GM status is a little way of saying 'Thank you'.
-
Bridesmaid
ex Villa players
girlfriend
best mates
I like those words
-
News of the World now he is Man U or just Sunday Mercury as he still Villa ?
-
It seems we have a habit of selling players to Man Utd and around the time of them signing they are splashed over the papers for the wrong reasons.
-
He's young, rich and black... what's he doing marrying that whale?
-
I preume that means there is a thread called ITK that you have to pay for.
Forget it !
That's a relief! ;)
-
I doubt if it will, but do you think this will put the move to Man U in jeoppardy ?
A lot of managers look at off the field exploits - mind you, I dont think Fergie is one of them bearing in mind he bought Cantona
-
He's young, rich and black... what's he doing marrying that whale?
...especially with the, totally untrue, rumours about him shagging Ridgewell's missus going about.
-
He's young, rich and black... what's he doing marrying that whale?
In the tone of your question, I will reply thus: ''Apparently he got her up the duff after a night on the piss and was promptly saddled for life''.
Your namesake would be crestfallen if he were to suffer a similar fate.
-
Great player for us, never ever said a bad word about us, and let's get real, if you get the chance to play for Man United you should take it, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get a game and is happy to take the money, but he doesn't seem that sort of player.
-
Just donated but not upgraded to GM. Does it take a wee while to update?
-
Just donated but not upgraded to GM. Does it take a wee while to update?
Have you PM'd Martin@Ardenley with the name you donated under?
-
Just donated but not upgraded to GM. Does it take a wee while to update?
Have you PM'd Martin@Ardenley with the name you donated under?
No, that would probably be why then. Will do. Tar.
-
According to Gabbys FB, Ash is meeting him in Vegas tomorrow. Also he is definitely off by the sounds of it.
-
If the rumors are true he'll get on like a house on fire with Giggs
-
He's young, rich and black... what's he doing marrying that whale?
She appears to have seen better days. And smaller lingerie.
-
well thanks for the good times ashley, but beware you will have to up your workrate at utd, or expect the hair dryer treatment off fergie, dont mind you going but downing must stay at least another year
-
well thanks for the good times ashley, but beware you will have to up your workrate at utd, or expect the hair dryer treatment off fergie, dont mind you going but downing must stay at least another year
Whether you rate him or not, it's hard to imagine how he could improve his workrate! I'd imagine it's one of the qualities that makes him so appealing to them!
-
His workrate has never been in question, his petulance has!
-
Yes, workrate good, consistant end product questionable.
-
This move has been on the cards for months, he's a very good player but certainly not irreplaceable. I don't think he's hit the form of 2 years ago or maybe teams have caught on how to play him?
I seriously don't think he'll cut it at OT at the highest level. His best England performances was against Wales.
-
Just had a look and I can't see the comments in the ITK thread. Been removed?
-
I would be keeping an eye on Nathan Dyer from Swansea as a possible replacement. Blinding pace, looks to take people on and in a very similar situation to AY when he got promoted with Watford.
-
He's number 44. Coincidence?
-
well thanks for the good times ashley, but beware you will have to up your workrate at utd, or expect the hair dryer treatment off fergie, dont mind you going but downing must stay at least another year
You have to wonder if some of the people on here actually watch the same players!
-
well thanks for the good times ashley, but beware you will have to up your workrate at utd, or expect the hair dryer treatment off fergie, dont mind you going but downing must stay at least another year
I think, Sir Paul, you may have yourself mixed up with Ashley. Paul Merson was such a lazy git, great player mind, but so lazy. Ashley Young goes to Man Utd because he has the workrate to go with the talent.
-
I would be keeping an eye on Nathan Dyer from Swansea as a possible replacement. Blinding pace, looks to take people on and in a very similar situation to AY when he got promoted with Watford.
Reminds me of a young Tony Daley. Could be one for the future.
-
I would be keeping an eye on Nathan Dyer from Swansea as a possible replacement. Blinding pace, looks to take people on and in a very similar situation to AY when he got promoted with Watford.
Reminds me of a young Tony Daley. Could be one for the future.
You mean pace to burn but can't cross? :D
-
According to Gabbys FB, Ash is meeting him in Vegas tomorrow. Also he is definitely off by the sounds of it.
That Facebook account may not be real, Gabby was in Vegas last week with his brother and they've just come back.
To be sure though ask @cariz_utv on twitter, that's Gabby's brother.
Gabby's brother tweeted this when VitalVilla asked him if he was on Facebook.
"RT @cariz_utv: @VitalVilla he's not on Facebook bruv <><><> there you go @Avillafan he isn't on FB. the one u have is a fake!"
-
Ashley Young really took the whole "something borrowed, something blue" to heart didn't he?
-
Reminds me of a young Tony Daley. Could be one for the future.
You mean pace to burn but can't cross? :D
You took the words right out of my mouth!
-
I would be keeping an eye on Nathan Dyer from Swansea as a possible replacement. Blinding pace, looks to take people on and in a very similar situation to AY when he got promoted with Watford.
Reminds me of a young Tony Daley. Could be one for the future.
You mean pace to burn but can't cross? :D
Ok,you have a point!! I mean TD during 89/90 season!
-
According to Gabbys FB, Ash is meeting him in Vegas tomorrow. Also he is definitely off by the sounds of it.
That Facebook account may not be real, Gabby was in Vegas last week with his brother and they've just come back.
To be sure though ask @cariz_utv on twitter, that's Gabby's brother.
Gabby's brother tweeted this when VitalVilla asked him if he was on Facebook.
"RT @cariz_utv: @VitalVilla he's not on Facebook bruv <><><> there you go @Avillafan he isn't on FB. the one u have is a fake!"
Thats the point, mind you its a bit specific, I would be amazed if somebody didn't come in for Gabby with the focus on homegrown talent this window.
-
He's young, rich and black... what's he doing marrying that whale?
...especially with the, totally untrue, rumours about him shagging Ridgewell's missus going about.
I'm absolutely sure this is just an unhappy coincidence but agent R has called off his wedding too according to the Mirror
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/News-Liam-Ridgewell-of-Birmingham-City-joins-Manchester-United-target-Ashley-Young-in-cancelling-wedding-article746462.html#ixzz1P6Pn7rL0
Really must learn how to do short links
-
170 grand for a wedding Ridgewell. What did you spend it on ?
-
170 grand for a wedding Ridgewell. What did you spend it on ?
Hot tubs for everyone.
But seriously, as that is about 3 months money to him, I think he could get the best food and plonk in,(plus Tim Westwood as DJ for some silly reason).
-
A few more tattoes?
-
Why would he want spuds at his wedding? (winky)
-
Thought I read in the press that he'd cancelled his wedding.
Come on Ashley, hurry up and make an honest woman of the slapper and fuck off.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The future's not bright, it's ginger and sweaty.
-
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/6/13/1307961601535/Ashley-Young-Gallery-006.jpg)
-
Has our ashley actually joined man utd yet?
-
Has our ashley actually joined man utd yet?
Was just thinking that. He was days away, well, days ago wasn't he.
I predict he's days away.
-
Bloody Hell, Villa. We can't even get rid of our star player now. Pull your collective fingers out.
-
Bloody Hell, Villa. We can't even get rid of our star player now. Pull your collective fingers out.
Come on now Legion. It takes days to sell your best player and it's merely days away. There's no patience anymore and you're just another example of the want-it-now culture.
-
Fuck me, is he still here?
-
i think ash will stay as look at the advancement in england careers for ecks blosers team.! What an incentive
-
Well if he was thinking about it, he's just stopped thinkng about it.
-
Its a hell of a lot clearer now why he wants to leave after talking with Lerner, join the queue!
-
He's off, end of.
the worry is who else will jump ship??
-
Guess who was sitting on the next table to me in Nandos last night?
Ash and Gabby!
Both are nice lads, good friends it seems. I'm sure Gabby will miss Ash when he's off to United I can't even remember the last night time I felt upset but at the same time pleased for a player leaving Villa to go onto greater things. Ash is pure class, we'll miss him next season :(
-
Just arrived in Manchester for his medical
-
Just arrived in Manchester for his medical
Hope he doesn't fall over in front of the medical folk then.
-
^^^ I'm gutted :(
It was probably his Last Supper in Nando's last night.
Still, if we can get £20 million for him when he's only got 1 year left on his contract that's great buisness.
I will always love you Ash (no homo)
-
Good player, sorry he's going. The substitutes seats do look comfy in Old Trafford....
-
Best of luck to him, no hard feelings. I feel more confident (or worried!) that he will make a success of it at United than I was, say, in the case of Milner at Man City. Though it could go either way, one can never tell for sure! Stand by now for the media completely reinventing him as a Man Utd legend and airbrushing any association with Villa out of the equation. As happened with Dwight. Any skills he demonstrates forthwith will only have been learned at United of course...
-
Ash leaves with my blessing, unfortunately he's outgrown us now and needs to be playing Champions League and we're a way from even challenging for that.
Never asked for a move despite all the years of speculation, kept his head down and 100% every Saturday. Ash and Gab were great galloping down the left side together in 2008/09, just a shame we never saw that challenge through.
Cracking player who we'll miss more than Barry or Jimmy IMO.
-
Absolutely spot on JJ-AV - my feelings exactly
-
I don't have a problem with Ashley leaving, he's going to the champions that is fair enough.
-
Inevitable.
-
Go on Legion, dig out that video on elast time of old times sake!
-
This one...?
-
That's the badger!
I'd like to thank Ashley Young from the bottom of my heart for that goal. One minute I was chucking a water bottle and kicking the wooden seats, imagining doing something murderous to the Scouse hordes. The next I was embraced in the biggest man hug/fall over the seats style celebration ever.
Pure joy.
-
I went and kicked a toilet door in and missed it.
-
I don't have a problem with Ashley leaving, he's going to the champions that is fair enough.
Agreed.You can't begrudge him that and it seems we are going to get a decent fee too.
-
Yeah the Everton goal is one of a very decent number of good memories he leaves me with. He did flatter to decieve quite a lot, but then how hard he worked was often over looked as well.
Always disappointing to loose a good player, but this has been inevitable for months and it's just the way things are.
-
I went and kicked a toilet door in and missed it.
You are either Marlon Harewood or Emile Heskey and I claim my £10.
-
Ash leaves with my blessing, unfortunately he's outgrown us now and needs to be playing Champions League and we're a way from even challenging for that.
Never asked for a move despite all the years of speculation, kept his head down and 100% every Saturday. Ash and Gab were great galloping down the left side together in 2008/09, just a shame we never saw that challenge through.
Cracking player who we'll miss more than Barry or Jimmy IMO.
Well said. A great player who deserves to play for a bigger club. Best of luck to him.
-
I was in the 'office', watching it on the internet. Everton equalised and I had my head in my hands. Mrs. Legion came in and said someone has just scored again. I replied that I already bloody well knew then watched the time-delayed proceedings. I'm still apologising to the neighbours for my exuberant outburst.
-
My feelings are indifferent towards him.
-
Guess who was sitting on the next table to me in Nandos last night?
Ash and Gabby!
Both are nice lads, good friends it seems. I'm sure Gabby will miss Ash when he's off to United I can't even remember the last night time I felt upset but at the same time pleased for a player leaving Villa to go onto greater things. Ash is pure class, we'll miss him next season :(
Defining moment this, Ash has provided some great times at the club, and just for a short time this duo being him and Gabby where a delight to watch, and wasn't it fantastic looking at after match comments from other Prem managers commenting when you have players like Ash and Gabby you have a top quality players to deal with, most of all we came that close to making the break through.
As someone else commented, hope this isn't the start of us losing others valuable players
-
Like Barry and Milner?
-
Cant blame Ashley Young for this. He is going for the right sort of reasons.
One half of Manchester you go to for the money, another half you go to for the trophies (and money too of course).
-
Always gave 100%, if anything over the last 18 months he was probably trying too hard. If he can find the type of form he had around Xmas 2009, the price will be a bargain. I have no doubt Fergie will bring some discipline back to his game and the talent will shine through again.
As long as he doesn't score against us, I'll wish him well. After all the injury free time he's had with us, he'll probably need it.
-
Pretty much sums it up for me too. Very good servant to the club, always worked very hard and never was a problem demanding this that and the other. Moving for understandable reasons and best of luck. I just hope he also shows the same respect to Villa after leaving and when he comes back to VP with Man U - I actually think he will. None of the Dwight Yorke badge kissing bollocks please Ash.
-
All the best for the future Ashley, except against the Villa!
-
How much is the fee?
-
The current bun is saying 16m and the mirror 20m so it could be anything, what great journalism.
-
I wonder how much we could get Milner back for? 12mil or so? Another loan?
-
I see its 17 million on the BBC,which aint too bad with only a year left on his contract. Good luck to him,at times he was frustrating,at other times he was the most exciting player weve seen at Villa for years,its a shame he's out grown us.
-
Let's face it, great deal for us, with only a year left on his contract. I just hope we get to spend it on an equally exciting player.
-
I wonder how much we could get Milner back for? 12mil or so? Another loan?
Yes please!
-
A talented, hard working player who will realise his full potential at Man Utd. Of course, it helps that he's a diving shit as well.
-
Hopefully no badge kissing from him when he eventually scores against us a la Yorkie.
Best of luck to him, he owes us nothing, 10 outta 10 for the effort he put in on the pitch and left us with some good memories.
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
Are you serious? Last 12 months of a contract, £6M profit - its a fantastic deal......oh forget it.....zzzzzzzzzzzz
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
Behave yourself will you. With 1 year left on his contract £15-£20 million is decent business. As was getting Bent for £18 odd million when Carroll was sold for £35 million or something equally ridiculous.
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
You're a real glass half-empty mate, that kind of money for a player in the final year of his contract is fantastic
-
All the best Ash. Rather it didn't go through on Friday as it's my birthday and although expected, would still be a kick in the teeth. Will be strange seeing him in a Man Utd shirt.
Aswell as that memory against Everton, the delivery for Gabby's winner at OT still sticks in my mind. Those don't come around often.
-
All the best to him. A hard-working lad that has never let us down, really. Not quite a top-level performer but that may change given his destination. Getting a more than fair price for him softens the blow. I believe we can replace him for any of the amounts quoted.
-
Ash leaves with my blessing, unfortunately he's outgrown us now and needs to be playing Champions League and we're a way from even challenging for that.
Never asked for a move despite all the years of speculation, kept his head down and 100% every Saturday. Ash and Gab were great galloping down the left side together in 2008/09, just a shame we never saw that challenge through.
Cracking player who we'll miss more than Barry or Jimmy IMO.
This.
It's inevitable he will leave us this season.
-
Ash leaves with my blessing, unfortunately he's outgrown us now and needs to be playing Champions League and we're a way from even challenging for that.
Never asked for a move despite all the years of speculation, kept his head down and 100% every Saturday. Ash and Gab were great galloping down the left side together in 2008/09, just a shame we never saw that challenge through.
Cracking player who we'll miss more than Barry or Jimmy IMO.
This.
Never shown a lack of commitment and despite having dips in form would always works hard, definitely been one of my favourite players to put on the shirt.
Good luck Ash, you'll get the success you deserve now.
-
Bye Ash. Over the past couple of years you've pissed me off more than you've delighted me.
Your goal celebration v Wigan & watching you at Sheffield United & seeing you acting like a spoilt little twat are a couple of things that have really put me off you.
The 'world class' comment went to your head.
-
Done well for us but I think his ego took over in the end. In playing terms he will be missed though.
I think he will be a masive hit for them though as he works hard and old red nosed one will improve him as a player.
-
Done well for us but I think his ego took over in the end. In playing terms he will be missed though.
I think he will be a masive hit for them though as he works hard and old red nosed one will improve him as a player.
I completely agree. I think this move is the best for all concerned. Ashley Young will improve at Man Utd and will have to rein in his ego a bit, Man United will get a fantastic player on his day and a hard worker, and Villa get £15m+ and the whole team will not be dominated by a single ego.
-
They alreay have Nani, who is a ball greedy egotistical bastard. Can't see both playing in the same team. They'll be bitching over who can blast the next free kick over the bar.
-
Bye Ash. Over the past couple of years you've pissed me off more than you've delighted me.
Your goal celebration v Wigan & watching you at Sheffield United & seeing you acting like a spoilt little twat are a couple of things that have really put me off you.
The 'world class' comment went to your head.
Just appreciate him for the player he was. We got 4 & 1/2 good years out of him for £9.5m! Despite rumoured interest from abroad he never handed in a transfer request, signed a new deal with us and his presence on the pitch alone allowed other players to become more prominent as he was being double/triple marked.
Not world class agreed, but was a quality player and will fit right in at old trafford.
-
Personally, I'd rather have Valencia & Giggs on the wing. With Rooney dropping deep behind Hernandez. Not sure exactly where he's going to fit in.
-
Bye Ash. Over the past couple of years you've pissed me off more than you've delighted me.
Your goal celebration v Wigan & watching you at Sheffield United & seeing you acting like a spoilt little twat are a couple of things that have really put me off you.
The 'world class' comment went to your head.
Struggling to remember that one ? Can you enlighten me ?
-
MON to him on the pitch after the late winner at Everton.
-
He's talking about his celebration against Wigan.
-
Ye. What was it ? i cant remember. Everton deserved all the celebration it got imo but i cant remember anything at wigan :/
-
He's been fantastic for us at times, but equally frustrating. He's always worked hard though and I wish him all the best coming to terms with being a little fish in a big pond.
-
Bye Ash. Over the past couple of years you've pissed me off more than you've delighted me.
Your goal celebration v Wigan & watching you at Sheffield United & seeing you acting like a spoilt little twat are a couple of things that have really put me off you.
The 'world class' comment went to your head.
Agree
-
I'll be interested to see what tier of the Stretford end he manages to put his free kicks into
-
They alreay have Nani, who is a ball greedy egotistical bastard. Can't see both playing in the same team. They'll be bitching over who can blast the next free kick over the bar.
He is either, to retire from football and join a cabaret troupe as their Michael Jackson impersonator or going to try his luck in Spain.
-
As frustrating as Ash can be, and as infuriating he can be, he has also been magnificent for us.
I have been resigned to him leaving since mid last season, but hearing the confirmation on the news today that he has had his medical brought it home that he is leaving, and it was a little bit gut wrenching.
Good luck Ash, thanks for the memories.
-
I've had the best part of a year to prepare myself for Young's transfer so the blow seems softened. I'll miss him massively. He's given us some great moments over his four and a half years - even through the perceived 'drops in form' he's still been, for me, our most dangerous attacking player. Won't be easy to replace him. Most exciting player I've seen at Villa for years.
Despite the fact he's leaving us, I find myself wishing him all the best. I'm actually quite pleased he's going to be playing Champions League football, and playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.
-
It's been hard watching the 08-10 team being broken up. One of the best we;ve had in a long time.
08/09 will be remembered very fondly by me. he likes of Friedal, Laursen, Barry, Milner, Young, Gabby, Carew played so well for us. I'll miss Young, he defined that whole era for me. I still think villa fans had become a little bit too critical of his performance and we will miss him.
Here's hoping we'll be able to build a strong side around Bent, Downing, Gabby and some new signings.
-
Most exciting player I've seen at Villa
Totally agree Merv. For me the best since Yorke. I also think he'll be as successful up there as Yorke was. Hope he gets a good reception when he retuns though, as at least he went about his move in the right way.
-
Mellberg and Bouma were class as well, we had far more likeable and better players 3 years ago than we have now. Stick Bent in that team and we would have finished top 4 I have no doubt. Just wished M'ON/ Randy had done that deal 2/3 years ago.
-
Merson pushes him close, but I agree the best player we have had since Yorke.
-
It's been hard watching the 08-10 team being broken up. One of the best we;ve had in a long time.
08/09 will be remembered very fondly by me. he likes of Friedal, Laursen, Barry, Milner, Young, Gabby, Carew played so well for us. I'll miss Young, he defined that whole era for me. I still think villa fans had become a little bit too critical of his performance and we will miss him.
Completely agree with this. I honestly think Ash would stay if we were still knocking on CL door. I think he has a genuine affection for the club from those great times. Unfortunately like the rest of us he sees which way the club's going and that's down. A sad day
-
Pity we couldn't get an auction going but i guess 17m minus the money we have to give to Watford should leave us about 15m. Fairplay to him really, was mostly good during his time here and hasn't caused a lot of hassle. I'm not sure he'll nail down a 1st team place there but on 100k a week he probably won't care.
-
Great bit of business for Villa for an overrated player. I'll give him six games as a regular starter for Manure before he is relegated to the bench...within two years he will be sold on.
-
Great bit of business for Villa for an overrated player. I'll give him six games as a regular starter for Manure before he is relegated to the bench...within two years he will be sold on.
I'd put money on you being wrong but there you go.
-
Great bit of business for Villa for an overrated player. I'll give him six games as a regular starter for Manure before he is relegated to the bench...within two years he will be sold on.
How cynical !
Could be right though....
-
I've had the best part of a year to prepare myself for Young's transfer so the blow seems softened. I'll miss him massively. He's given us some great moments over his four and a half years - even through the perceived 'drops in form' he's still been, for me, our most dangerous attacking player. Won't be easy to replace him. Most exciting player I've seen at Villa for years.
Despite the fact he's leaving us, I find myself wishing him all the best. I'm actually quite pleased he's going to be playing Champions League football, and playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.
My feelings exactly. If he was going to leave us - as we all knew he would sooner or later - then I'd rather he went to Utd than anywhere. For one thing, if there any additional payments in the deal to us in future for appearances, goals and trophies, then he's more likely to achieve them there than anywhere else. The sight of Barry and Milner joining City for the cash has made me sick in the last couple of years and at least Ash is going to one of the biggest and best clubs in the world.
Good luck son and thanks for being one of the best players we've had - you've been a credit to the club and we'll miss you.
-
I'd put money on that being wrong too.
it's just what he needs at the moment, he'll step up and be a great player for them, just like he did when he joined us.
I wish him all the best, I'm glad he's going there above any other English club, because it shows that he is genuinely leaving us to better himself (OK and more money) and he will under Fergie.
Much as it hurts, we are along way behind now, I too think he would be staying if we were still up there challenging.
-
I think he'll flourish at United, personally. As for being a regular starter, Ferguson tends to start his first choice back five most games, rotate and refresh his midfield and strikers almost every other game. I think Young will get a lot of game time.
-
I don't blame him for going and feel we have had the best out of him. I can't see either how he is going to improve the Man U team as I think Nani is equally as good if not better going forward maybe Young's overall game is better in terms of work rate. It will be interesting to see how many goals he chips in with as I can't see him getting any set pieces after the first few land in ZZ.
-
I dont think he ever sold us short and I hope he shines at utd
-
I can see why the mancs have gone for him. He'll add some depth to their squad and maybe Ferguson figures he can improve his end product. Also at 17m its a comparitely cheap option compared to the barmy prices for the likes of Henderson
-
I'm not going to wish him luck, purely on the basis that I don't want any of our opponents to have luck.
The only comfort I take from his departure is that he takes his petulance and diving with him. When we are so viciferous in our criticism of others it was particularly unpleasant to see one of our own indulge in such antics.
When Yorke left I was convinced that he would continue to be a success, I'm not so sure with Young.
-
Undoubtably a very good and exciting player when he wanted to be
UInfortunately he became a parody of himself - the effort never waned but the melodramatics afetr every single falling over became a pain in the arse
pity its to "them" but in fairness to him he will end up with more throphies in the cabinet than any other team soon.
Makes me wish that we never get another player playing for England though - everyone we seem to get ends up leaving :-[
-
I don't blame him for going and feel we have had the best out of him. I can't see either how he is going to improve the Man U team as I think Nani is equally as good if not better going forward maybe Young's overall game is better in terms of work rate. It will be interesting to see how many goals he chips in with as I can't see him getting any set pieces after the first few land in ZZ.
Nani? Seriously? He's terrible most of the time. He wont be at Man Ure next year.
-
Good riddance.
-
I hope he's absolute shite for them and they drop into the relegation zone and stay there for ever and ever.
-
I say good riddance to.
-
Good player but they come and go.
I have my doubts if he will be consistent enough to play week in week out for them, tbh I didn't think he deserved to wear our shirt for about half of the games he played last season as at time he was useless although maybe we didn't have a lot of options to make a difference if he hadn't of played.
I wish in ill though, good luck Ashley Young you will need it.
-
Gutted to see him go. I fear we will miss him a lot more than we realise.
Good return on him though, 7.5m profit (less Watfords share) and 4 and a half solid years
Hope he does well, for England more so than United, but I suspect to get my wish He will need to be! Hope he doesnt get stick when he returns, after all, he gave us much more time than Milner.
-
As previously posted I'm sorry to see him go. Also he hasn't badmouthed us and hopfully won't so fair play to him for treating us with a bit of respect in that regard. I'm a little alarmed at how many people are "pleased" to see him go to play for that bunch of c***. presided over by the biggest c*** going. I hope they lose every single one of their matches next season and Ashley breaks Fergie's nose with a misdirected free kick.
-
Sad to see him go, but he's really not good enough for Man Utd.
-
Sad to see him go, but he's really not good enough for Man Utd.
Agreed.
However, since we're not really in competition with Man Utd, its better that he's gone there. It would have been far worse if he'd have gone to Liverpool or Spurs, because those are two clubs that we are in competition with (hopefully)
-
Sad to see him go, but he's really not good enough for Man Utd.
He'll be playing with better players where he won't be asked to be everything to the team as he often was with us. He'll be more disciplined on the pitch because he'll want to keep his starting place up there. On the "is he good enough?" question, is John O'Shea or Carrick, or Nani or Valencia good enough? As wingers, I'd put Ash above the latter two for sure. They play as a unit of very good players, with one or two real superstars. Very much good enough for England, and as shown vs Barcelona not enough superstars to be the best in Europe. But I do think he's good enough for them.
-
I'm a little alarmed at how many people are "pleased" to see him go to play for that bunch of c***.
I'll clarify my thoughts, for what it's worth. I'm not pleased to see him go as in 'great, he's off - good riddance' like some; but I'm happier he's genuinely leaving us to take a step up - to the current champions and the best club in the country over the last 15 years - rather than giving it a load of flannel about wanting a bigger challenge and then sloping off to Spurs, or City. Or f**** Liverpool.
-
I wish him the very best and think he will be a huge success for United and England next season.
He was the most exciting player at Villa since Yorke and I'll always hold him in high regard.
Pretty obvious he was tapped up earlier in the season and his attitude at times wasnt great. But down the final stretch he came up with critical goals and assists that helped us stay up too.
He is in need of the move, needs a new environment. Sad that Villa cant provide that to someone like Young at this stage of his career but he goes with all my best wishes anyway.
-
Done deal as expected offically on united web site http://t.co/THiENqP
-
I've just received a text message from Villa confirming the deal has gone through.
-
"You're just a shit Christiano, shit Christiano"
-
Its on the villa site
-
Sky reporting Watford celebrating a nice sell on fee from ashleys sale , how much have we had to give to Watford?
-
5 year deal. £130k a week is reported.
-
Has he gone yet? Hopefully he will struggle next season.
-
he's gone
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13882802.stm
-
I hope he doesn't come to terrorise us next season.
All the best Ash! Lets just hope you keep the bench warm :P
-
Has he gone yet? Hopefully he will struggle next season.
fuck me, why? He's always given his all to us, yet you've posted a few times so far nothing but ill will against him. I really don't get some people. If he'd been a prick, and there's lots of players that have passed through the club you could pick out, then fair enough. He worked his bollocks off for the club every single game. We put him on a pedestal because of what he'd done and what we knew he was capable of which ultimately frustrated us at times. But he was always dedicated and has never, ever had a bad word to say about the club or the fans.
Every day on here gives birth to another whining, miseryarse. Makes my piss boil.
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
-
Haven't seen any confirmation of what the actual fee is.
-
5 year deal. £130k a week is reported.
That sounds high, even for A Young. Modern football wages, eh?
-
Haven't seen any confirmation of what the actual fee is.
I think it will be something like 16-17 up front rising to around 20. Or using the Bent rule, only applies to Darren Bent when discussing transfer fees, then it's 20.
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
Damn right brother! I would love to see him throw a strop and pick up the ball and do all his petulant actions at United. As I said previously, good bye and good riddance.
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
Damn right brother! I would love to see him throw a strop and pick up the ball and do all his petulant actions at United. As I said previously, good bye and good riddance.
Unbelievable. One of the best players I've seen down the Villa and such an important player to us. The team will miss him badly this coming season.
I wish him well, always tried hard, always looked a threat provided loads of goals and scored quite a few as well. We'll miss his pace and vision, not to mention the free-kicks he won.
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
Damn right brother! I would love to see him throw a strop and pick up the ball and do all his petulant actions at United. As I said previously, good bye and good riddance.
That's right because he never did anything for Villa that's worth talking about did he? What a load of shit.
-
I wish him the best of luck...except when he plays us!
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
Damn right brother! I would love to see him throw a strop and pick up the ball and do all his petulant actions at United. As I said previously, good bye and good riddance.
Unbelievable. One of the best players I've seen down the Villa and such an important player to us. The team will miss him badly this coming season.
I wish him well, always tried hard, always looked a threat provided loads of goals and scored quite a few as well. We'll miss his pace and vision, not to mention the free-kicks he won.
Ashley Young believed his own hype.
Always tried, terrible from set pieces, a good player but not in the same class as Sid, God, laursen; merson
-
He is going to have to learn another trick quickly - oh and get used to being one of the squad not the guy who take the kick off the corners the free kicks the throw ins and plays where he wants to ...
Damn right brother! I would love to see him throw a strop and pick up the ball and do all his petulant actions at United. As I said previously, good bye and good riddance.
Unbelievable. One of the best players I've seen down the Villa and such an important player to us. The team will miss him badly this coming season.
I wish him well, always tried hard, always looked a threat provided loads of goals and scored quite a few as well. We'll miss his pace and vision, not to mention the free-kicks he won.
Good entertaining player, but best position on the wing. I didn't agree with it when he seemed to start picking where he thought he should play. Not as effective as a front player.
-
Anyone know what the sell on percentage is to Watford as sky are reporting they are celebrating a nice chunk of the transfer fee ?
I wish him well, he always gave 100% although I don't think his loss will affect us as much as milners departure- James was the engine of the team and badly missed, we have albrighton and downing as wide options to replace ash and gabby in the middle plus any new signing,Milner though was never really replaced and left a huge void in the side.
-
I'm a little alarmed at how many people are "pleased" to see him go to play for that bunch of c***.
I'll clarify my thoughts, for what it's worth. I'm not pleased to see him go as in 'great, he's off - good riddance' like some; but I'm happier he's genuinely leaving us to take a step up - to the current champions and the best club in the country over the last 15 years - rather than giving it a load of flannel about wanting a bigger challenge and then sloping off to Spurs, or City. Or f**** Liverpool.
Or even worse Middlesbrough! Fair comment, I just loathe and detest that club (Man U not M'boro) so much that I can't wish anything but ill will even though, like you, I'm a fan of his and sorry to see him go.
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
You're a real glass half-empty mate, that kind of money for a player in the final year of his contract is fantastic
I like that...Paul Merson....glass half-empty...
-
He worked his bollocks off for the club every single game. We put him on a pedestal because of what he'd done and what we knew he was capable of which ultimately frustrated us at times. But he was always dedicated and has never, ever had a bad word to say about the club or the fans.
Well said.
PS Meanwood Villa - M'Boro! Don't get me started on Southgate! Yep, I dislike 'Man Yoo' too - should be horrified Young's ended up there. But I'm not, weirdly.
-
An interesting blog from the guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jun/23/ashley-young-manchester-united
They have already applied some pressure on Young to deliver at Manure.
-
Anyone know what the sell on percentage is to Watford as sky are reporting they are celebrating a nice chunk of the transfer fee ?
Whatever the percentage 0.005% to 10% it will be seen as Lerner being crap to some on here.
-
The Watford observer are saying it is between £800k - £1.5m
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/9103268.Watford_set_to_land_between___800_000_and___1_5m_from_Young_sale/?ref=rss
-
not happy to see him go, but thanks for all your effort at the Villa Ashley
and now time for Mark to make his.....erm....mark as a winger and take not only his place at the Villa but in time at full international level too.
UTV
The Doc
-
All the best Ash.
Always thought, not quite as good as you think you are.
UTV
-
Iago - out of curiosity, why are you so delighted to get rid of a player who has played 190 games, scored 38 and set up another 57?
-
good luck to him. hope he continues to progress and becomes a star for england.
looking forward to seeing the kids stepping up to the plate to fill a big gap next season.
-
Watford have confirmed they receive 15% of the Ashley young transfer fee .
-
Today goes down with the day Yorke left us, the day Barry left us and the Milner left us. A sad sad day for me personally. I hope the next era in Aston Villa's history brings as many happy memories as the 06-'10 period did. You don't know what you have until its gone.
-
I hope thats 15% of the profit and not the entire fee.
-
Yesterdays Milner and young are tomorrows Gardner and albrighton-players will always come and go but we have a very good supply coming through and the future is still rosy.
-
Yesterdays Milner and young are tomorrows Gardner and albrighton-players will always come and go but we have a very good supply coming through and the future is still rosy.
Fingers crossed, following villa is a rollercoaster and I'm sure we'll be on a few highs over the next few years as well as a few more lows.
-
Iago - out of curiosity, why are you so delighted to get rid of a player who has played 190 games, scored 38 and set up another 57?
My thoughts precisely, but then I get the distinct feeling that Iago falls into the category where anyone who leaves us is 'a bloody traitor'
All the best Ash, at times you were really one of the best I have ever seen down VP.
-
sky sports news said 15 million if this is true what the hell is learner doing, sunderland sold their star player for 20m and he only just got into the England set up ffs, ashley is on top form for England , another villa screw up
Are you serious? Last 12 months of a contract, £6M profit - its a fantastic deal......oh forget it.....zzzzzzzzzzzz
Actually, with my newly acquired knowledge of Amortisation (heh, heh) it's really a £12.5 million profit, after his initial £9.5M fee is written down over 3 years. Looks like even better business now, plus BBC are reporting £17M.
He'll be difficult to replace though, and it will be very interesting to see how much of this will be reinvested in the squad.
-
I have mixed feelings about this one....perhaps he's one of those we won't miss until he is gone, but at the moment, I can't bring myself to be too upset.
I also find it a little strange from their perspective. He doesn't seem to fit the mould of Utd signings and I can't see him getting ahead of Nani or Valencia as a winger. I wonder if he has been purchased as an expensive squad player?
-
You can only say fair enough, he gave us good service, was the hardest-working player in every game he played even in the last season, and he does seem to have as much genuine affinity for our club as any modern player seems to be able to have. Unlike Barry and Milner, he hasn't taken the fast buck and the possibility of competing for success, but has gone to genuinely one of the top 3 clubs in the world where he's almost guaranteed success - and by the looks of things, may well be a key player for United's new team. Fair enough, thanks for everything and good luck, Ash.
-
Never. He is better than both of their current wingers. A brilliant footballer and I hope he reaches his potential at United. I just hope he shows us the respect we deserve when he returns.
-
The Watford observer are saying it is between £800k - £1.5m
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/9103268.Watford_set_to_land_between___800_000_and___1_5m_from_Young_sale/?ref=rss
They've simply done two sums based on £15M (the lowest reported fee) and £20M (the highest reported fee). Then they've subtracted £9.5M (roughly what we paid for him) and worked out 15% of each figure.
This would have been a collaborative effort from everyone on the Sports Desk over a period of 3 days and even then, they'd have sent it to the Financial Desk to have the sum checked...and corrected.
This is because: Sports Jounalist is to Football Accounting as Fish is to Bicycle.
-
we will miss the original AY but not necessarily the reproduction one of the past 18 months in my opinion
-
You can only say fair enough, he gave us good service, was the hardest-working player in every game he played even in the last season, and he does seem to have as much genuine affinity for our club as any modern player seems to be able to have. Unlike Barry and Milner, he hasn't taken the fast buck and the possibility of competing for success, but has gone to genuinely one of the top 3 clubs in the world where he's almost guaranteed success - and by the looks of things, may well be a key player for United's new team. Fair enough, thanks for everything and good luck, Ash.
And if Man U hadn't wanted him and City had, do you think he wouldn't have gone there?
The reality is that Young would have gone to any of the so called big six to get away from us.
-
Best of luck to him. On the whole he did very well for us and left without any fuss or bitterness.
As for us, I think £17M (if that's correct) is an excellent deal. Needs to be spent though, and spent wisely. That's quite a few goals and assists to replace.
-
As for us, I think £17M (if that's correct) is an excellent deal. Needs to be spent though, and spent wisely. That's quite a few goals and assists to replace.
Could be replaced at a stroke by N'Zogbia.
Still think he's Newcastle bound though.
-
I just hope he shows us the respect we deserve when he returns.
And I hope we show him the respect he deserves when he returns, although I doubt it.
Quality player on his day and we'll probably miss him more than we care to believe. I think he'll be a fantastic addition to their squad and he'll get his fair share of games and as others have said at least he has gone to one of the biggest clubs where he stands a good chance of winning a pot or two as well as increasing his already considerable bank balance.
Good luck Ashley Young.
-
Could be replaced at a stroke by N'Zogbia.
Still think he's Newcastle bound though.
I think Albrighton will be good for goals and assists but I don't think we can expect a full season from him. N'Zogbia is a good player but he'd be expensive and I'm not sure how much we'd see of young Marc if we bought him.
-
Not since Yorke left have I been this gutted about a player leaving. Not just because of his playing ability but he was pretty much the first of the bright young (excuse the pun) thing signings we made when the Bright Future seemed to be on our doorstep.
-
Good luck Ash.
Overall he has been superb for us. Never gave less than 100%.
Think we have been good for him too.
He will get a good ovation from me when he plays against us.
Think we need to make a good signing to soften the blow.
-
Yes, a signal that the end of the Bright Future dream is now in sight. A player that was bought to elevate us to top 4 status, has moved on, as we have moved backwards.
In fairness to Ash, he has followed a very good career path, that a lot of younger players would be well advised to follow.
Watford - Villa -England - Manu is a steady progression, i hope he does well, he gave his all for us, and never moaned (only at referees).
Good luck Ash, you will be missed, as we head towards the future with Alex McLeish.
-
Another good luck to Ash post.
We have made a profit on his sale, he played well for us, and has got a dream move to a club habitually winning honours. Nothing to knock there.
As others have said, it is the end of the Dream (Barry/Milner/Young) and I bemoan that.
Its notable that there is little hostility from fans on here, just an understanding that he would probaby have opted for Stcokport County rather than play for McLeish.
-
If some people had a problem with Ash for the petulance, and diving, and taking all of the set pieces, and wasting them, I don't get how the general opinion is that Nzogbia would be an ideal replacement/improvement.
-
As for us, I think £17M (if that's correct) is an excellent deal. Needs to be spent though, and spent wisely. That's quite a few goals and assists to replace.
Could be replaced at a stroke by N'Zogbia.
Still think he's Newcastle bound though.
Different kind of players. N'Zog is more direct and won't create as much, but I hope it's a deal we do nonetheless. Albrighton as the genuine out and out winger with excellent delivery, Adam (or similar) sliding balls through to Bent and N'Zog pulling teams apart from out wide. You might contain one. It would be difficult to stop all three.
Reports are that he's available for a knockdown fee as he's in the last year of his contract. B-lose had a bid in the region of £10 million accepted last season. He could be going for as little as £6-8 million.
-
Its notable that there is little hostility from fans on here, just an understanding that he would probaby have opted for Stcokport County rather than play for McLeish.
What on Earth are you on about, what understanding?
Ash has been off to Man Utd for at least a season, he wasn't going to sign a new contract whoever was manager, this has fuck all to do with bringing in McLeish and all to do with Ashley wanting to play for Manchester United in the Champions League.
-
Good luck to him in his future career. At least he never bitched and moaned, or led us all on a merry dance up the garden path before leaving, unlike some.
-
My favourite player since he joined just because of his ability and how he could get you off your seat with one of those runs down the wing. I'll miss him but we've had a long time to get used to his pending departure. His failure to open contract renewal negotiations last autumn was the tell-tale sign. And to be honest, with Villa in a state of flux over the past 12 months and Ashley at the perfect age to step-up a gear, a move away has long had an inevitable ring to it. I'm just glad he's gone to the best club in the country and second best in Europe (not quite what I thought when Dwight made a similar move 13 years ago...but then I thought that we could still possibly compete with United then). Milner and Barry's moves left a sour taste. I mean Young has gone for the money as much as them I'm sure, but at least footballing reasons are also a sound motive too.
I don't think I can wish him luck (I'm sure he'll be crestfallen at that), simply because I don't really care about any team other than Villa, so it makes no odds to me how they or their individual players do. On a positive note, Ashley dictating most of our attacking play with more than a hint of him acting like he was the star player all the time (certainly moreso post-MON), was not a healthy thing. I hope the likes of Albrighton, Delph and Bannan, and any potential signings can now shine and collectively let their attacking talents make-up for the loss of Young.
Finally, good to see as with Barry and Milner, we've got a good deal and haven't been mugged at all (well, apart from the Ireland bit of the Milner deal but that could yet have a happy ending).
-
Another player outgrown us.
Fair play to Ash he always gave 100% and genuinely set your heart racing when he
was on the ball.One of the best players I have seen at Villa park and will be missed greatly.
Singing bye bye Ashley........
-
What on Earth are you on about, what understanding?
Ash has been off to Man Utd for at least a season, he wasn't going to sign a new contract whoever was manager, this has fuck all to do with bringing in McLeish and all to do with Ashley wanting to play for Manchester United in the Champions League.
What a bizarre post. Did I say that he wasn't destined for a move (probably to man U) for at least a season?No. Did I say that he was likely to sign a new contract? No.
Might we reflect that he might have preferred to play under Ray Mathias than F'ing Ecks brand of football? Yes.
-
sorry but the last thing I will wish him is good luck, he's had that to get his 100k salary based on his more recent performances for the Villa.
In fact I wish him and his new club atrocious misfortune, may they sit well together.
The only shirt worth pulling on after a Villa shirt is your national one.
-
Good Luck Ash and thanks for the memories and there have been a fair few. We've been good for each other and I hope his move works out well (but not at our expense).
-
Many great memories of ash but the stand out ones for me were his goal at everton in injury time and the lovely curler in the semi v Blackburn- good luck ash !
-
What on Earth are you on about, what understanding?
Ash has been off to Man Utd for at least a season, he wasn't going to sign a new contract whoever was manager, this has fuck all to do with bringing in McLeish and all to do with Ashley wanting to play for Manchester United in the Champions League.
What a bizarre post. Did I say that he wasn't destined for a move (probably to man U) for at least a season?No. Did I say that he was likely to sign a new contract? No.
Might we reflect that he might have preferred to play under Ray Mathias than F'ing Ecks brand of football? Yes.
And I'm saying that even if we had persuaded Mourinho to come here Ash would still have opted to play for the champions of England in the Champions League.
You just used it to have another tedious pop at our new manager.
-
I was angry at Barry when he left. When Milner left I was disappointed at I player I had grown to really like left on the cusp of becoming a great player for us, but I understood. Now, even though I knew it was coming, thinking back over the great moments Ash gave us I feel more sad than anything.
-
Ash was great, but needed a move like this. Milner upset me much more, and Downing will anger me cause the little bitch owes us big time!
-
You can only say fair enough, he gave us good service, was the hardest-working player in every game he played even in the last season, and he does seem to have as much genuine affinity for our club as any modern player seems to be able to have. Unlike Barry and Milner, he hasn't taken the fast buck and the possibility of competing for success, but has gone to genuinely one of the top 3 clubs in the world where he's almost guaranteed success - and by the looks of things, may well be a key player for United's new team. Fair enough, thanks for everything and good luck, Ash.
Well i'd just like to say had Man U not been interested he'd have gone somewhere else anyway.The difference between him Barry and Milner is that it was United and not City that wanted him.Had it have been liverpool or Spurs he'd have gone as long as they were offering him big money.So goodbye thanks for the service and i couldn't give a flying fcuk if he's shit for his new club.
-
All the best Ash and thanks for the effort you put in (Everton, Blackburn, 2 goals in the 5-1 etc)
Now maybe we can get back to someone more effective at free kicks/corners and better suited for playing "in the hole." As much as I was an admirer of Ash he was bloody frustrating at times. Still, we move onwards and upwards.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash but honestly im not fussed I thought he was good but not all that. Did get fed up of numerous falling over antics and his corners were terrible him and Nani will be competing for who can rollover the most.
Still he did have his moments and I will never forget his goal against Everton thanks Ash for your time at the Villa but wont wish you well in your new job
-
Taraa Ash, I don't wish you best of luck cos I can't stand Man U, but no malice.
You gave your best and for 2 years were bamboozled the best, the last couple of years although you've tried your heart out it hasn't always come off. I hope we don't miss you but have a horrible feeling we will, massively.
See ya!
-
Prior to Young's last booking, when was the last time that Villa fans cheered when one of our players was booked?
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
I don't think he'll signficantly improve them either - just add depth. Same with Jones.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
-
That makes it three summers in a row losing our best player :-(
Huge fan of Ash, had some unfair criticism at times. Providing Downing stays I'd not bother reinvesting in a winger just go with him and Albrighton down the flanks.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
You might not replace what he brought to the team but you can surely replace what he brought with something else. Good players leave clubs all the time, the impact is absorbed and the character of the team changes - often for the better.
It's a matter of opinion but I don't think he's a better or more effective player than either Nani or Valencia. He's their equal at best.
-
duplicate
-
there will be alot on here who will realise finally what we have lost!
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
I personally think he will be sensational for them and shine!
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
I know you wont agree but i think Bent is our best player purely because you dont get many strikers that score that many goals and we should make sure we dont lose him soon.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
You might not replace what he brought to the team but you can surely replace what he brought with something else. Good players leave clubs all the time, the impact is absorbed and the character of the team changes - often for the better.
It's a matter of opinion but I don't think he's a better or more effective player than either Nani or Valencia. He's their equal at best.
yeah agree totally was just posting a similar comment when you posted this
-
I've really enjoyed watching Ashley Young over the last four and a half seasons, but lately the quality of his performances has begun to drift. This move gives him the chance to reach for the next level (first team and England regular) or fade away to squad player status (League Cup and EPL starts against the lesser teams). Personally I hope it's the former; it'll be a tough challenge, and probably what he needs at this stage in his career. Good luck Ash!
-
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
-
Alright Dave, he was only being nice.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
Valencia and Nani are both very good players, but Young is better than either.
He's certainly more versatile than either, he's more disciplined and works harder than Nani, he's better with the ball at his feet and more unpredictable than Valencia.
Valencia has a better cross and Nani has a better shot - but in terms of the overall package and what they bring to the team, Young tops either of them. Which he'll prove next season.
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
He's probably quit because he is going to a bigger club to win trophies.
-
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
Yep I agree harsh but true
-
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
if you read the statement it says may, i feel it had a big part!
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
Valencia and Nani are both very good players, but Young is better than either.
He's certainly more versatile than either, he's more disciplined and works harder than Nani, he's better with the ball at his feet and more unpredictable than Valencia.
Valencia has a better cross and Nani has a better shot - but in terms of the overall package and what they bring to the team, Young tops either of them. Which he'll prove next season.
I reckon the three of them are pretty much interchangeable.
For arguments sake, even if Young is the best of the bunch, I wouldn't say he's significantly better.
As a Liverpool supporter, I'm quite pleased with the Mancs' transfer business so far this summer. In De Gea, Jones and Young, they've spent the best part of £50m on players who I don't think are better than what they've got. The scary ones for me are the likes of Sanchez, Sneijder and Modric.
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
He's probably quit because he is going to a bigger club to win trophies.
I'd even argue Dave that he hasn't even quit. Rather he's done what any one of us would do if our careers spanned only 10-15 years at most. He wants to achieve as much as he can and he's fortunate that the very best team in England have offered him that chance. He'll now be on the biggest stage available and he'll have to produce which he'll be very much aware of. He's given us some very good years and memories, and why anyone would be bitter is beyond me. He's always said the right things about the fans and club.
When Stewart Downing goes, even if it might be for a similar reason, it will be different because he'd hardly given us everything, especially with regard to what we paid and how we helped him. I expect he'll the full treatment and rightly so.
-
They've not signed De Gea yet.
The problem is that they're buying their team for the next five years and signing the young players who are the best in their position i.e Jones and Young.
Unfortunately Liverpool seem to be paying more money for players who aren't as good.
-
Greedy? Disloyal? How did we get him in the first place?
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
Are you suggesting he should have stayed at Watford then?
-
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
if you read the statement it says may, i feel it had a big part!
Why does he overhit all the free kicks, get albrighton to take them, he takes all the frigging corners, diving bastard is an embarrasment, lazy fucker doesnt track back, get the selfesh bastard on the wing, he aint no good as second striker!
i may have heard all these comments once or twice!
-
there will be alot on here who will realise finally what we have lost!
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
I personally think he will be sensational for them and shine!
Spot on.
Some of the abuse he was getting on here was quite baffling. He was our best player. I don't think some people actually realise how big of a loss he'll be. Bigger than Barry and Milner. He needs to be replaced with quality unlike we did with Milner.
After Fabregas he made the most assists.
The trend of selling our best players has got to stop though. We look like a joke. Three of our best players gone in three seasons, if we have European ambitions again it needs to stop.
-
They've not signed De Gea yet.
The problem is that they're buying their team for the next five years and signing the young players who are the best in their position i.e Jones and Young.
Unfortunately Liverpool seem to be paying more money for players who aren't as good.
Yep i agree Jones looks a really good buy, bit pricey but him and smalling will form a really good partnership eventually. very impressed with both of them, but Henderson Ive watched him quite a lot and i cant see it Id be laughing if i got £5m for him
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
Valencia and Nani are both very good players, but Young is better than either.
He's certainly more versatile than either, he's more disciplined and works harder than Nani, he's better with the ball at his feet and more unpredictable than Valencia.
Valencia has a better cross and Nani has a better shot - but in terms of the overall package and what they bring to the team, Young tops either of them. Which he'll prove next season.
As a Liverpool supporter, I'm quite pleased with the Mancs' transfer business so far this summer. In De Gea, Jones and Young, they've spent the best part of £50m on players who I don't think are better than what they've got. The scary ones for me are the likes of Sanchez, Sneijder and Modric.
Ironic considering you spent £35 million, yes I repeat, £35 million on Andy Carroll and £20 million, yes I repeat, £20 million on Jordan Henderson. What were you thinking? It's £30 million minimum for Downing if you want him.
I must admit though i'm also quite confused by spending £15 million on Phil Jones, a player I've only heard of in recent months and looked really clumsy when I watched him on a couple of occasions. The transfer fees are getting ridiculous.
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
Are you suggesting he should have stayed at Watford then?
I think hes just pointing out thats what the modern day footballer really is Greedy and disloyal at the end of the day. I pay a lot of money to watch them every year i dont like it but thats the way it is
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
Valencia and Nani are both very good players, but Young is better than either.
He's certainly more versatile than either, he's more disciplined and works harder than Nani, he's better with the ball at his feet and more unpredictable than Valencia.
Valencia has a better cross and Nani has a better shot - but in terms of the overall package and what they bring to the team, Young tops either of them. Which he'll prove next season.
As a Liverpool supporter, I'm quite pleased with the Mancs' transfer business so far this summer. In De Gea, Jones and Young, they've spent the best part of £50m on players who I don't think are better than what they've got. The scary ones for me are the likes of Sanchez, Sneijder and Modric.
Ironic considering you spent £35 million, yes I repeat, £35 million on Andy Carroll and £20 million, yes I repeat, £20 million on Jordan Henderson. What were you thinking? It's £30 million minimum for Downing if you want him.
I must admit though i'm also quite confused by spending £15 million on Phil Jones, a player I've only heard of in recent months and looked really clumsy when I watched him on a couple of occasions. The transfer fees are getting ridiculous.
Honestly mate Jones looks decent he reminds me of john Terry but quicker he will be a good buy even at that price
-
I've really enjoyed watching Ashley Young over the last four and a half seasons, but lately the quality of his performances has begun to drift. This move gives him the chance to reach for the next level (first team and England regular) or fade away to squad player status (League Cup and EPL starts against the lesser teams). Personally I hope it's the former; it'll be a tough challenge, and probably what he needs at this stage in his career. Good luck Ash!
Agree completely Cal...Ash has been great to watch and develop as a player over the last 4 years, but he does seem to have had a bit of an indifferent season for us, sometimes because I think he's tried too hard, trying to do everything instead of letting other players take the responsibility they should (Downing prime example). Some of Ash's dead ball stuff has been really poor at times but in open play he's been much better. I think we'll miss him but that's not saying he can't be replaced by someone who can be just as effective but in a different way/role for the team. N'Zogbia's been mentioned loads on this site. Any other suggestions?
-
They've not signed De Gea yet.
The problem is that they're buying their team for the next five years and signing the young players who are the best in their position i.e Jones and Young.
Unfortunately Liverpool seem to be paying more money for players who aren't as good.
De Gea is as much of a formality as Young was.
I'm looking at this in terms of closing the gap. I look at De Gea and don't see an improvement on Van Der Sar, Jones isn't an improvement on Vidic and Young isn't an improvement on Nani or Valencia.
I don't see a team building to improve as much as one building to maintain it's level. The squad is getting deeper but the quality isn't getting better.
Whatever you think of Suarez, Carroll and Henderson, they are all significantly better than the players they they've replaced (considering Torres was a write-off at that point).
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
Are you suggesting he should have stayed at Watford then?
I think hes just pointing out thats what the modern day footballer really is Greedy and disloyal at the end of the day. I pay a lot of money to watch them every year i dont like it but thats the way it is
Presumably you think clubs should display the same loyalty?
And that we should have offered new contracts to Osborne, Salifou and Harewood?
Why should players commit themselves to clubs for their careers if that's not going to be reciprocated?
-
It's their job. They move on. We all do.
-
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
That's not fair in my view; he's left because he's going to a bigger club where he will get the chance to play with better players and win trophies. It's called career progression.
-
The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.
In the past this was no doubt helped by having more funds available than any of his rivals. But the core of the 1995 lot were homegrown and post 2003 (nevermind 2008+ with Citeh) he wouldn't be even close to matching Chelsea's resources. Jones never looked particularly outstanding to me any time I've seen him, I must admit. Ditto Smalling. But if he thinks that pair, plus Hernandez up top are the future they must have a bit about them. He's had a few 'mares too, of course (Djemba twins, Kleberson, Alan Smith) proving that no one is untouchable.
I'm not sure Ash is genuinely good enough to be one of their big players for years to come though. But he does bring a fair bit of Prem and international experience at still a relatively young age. And aside from his creativity he also grafts, so that'll appeal to Fergie.
A real pisser that we're selling our best player again but I suppose it's better than losing our best players to Boro. We must have been close to the right path with the amount of quality players that have been sought by other clubs in recent years.
-
Ash was great, but needed a move like this. Milner upset me much more, and Downing will anger me cause the little bitch owes us big time!
I agree Ashley needed to move but, likewise, I do feel we needed to get rid. It's good business all round and, in many ways, it simply represents a dismantling of the O'Neill team and era (which is no bad thing) as things had become more than a little stale.
Obviously, the key to all of this is that we replace Ashley (and Carew, Fiedel, Reo etc.) with genuine quality. It's going to be very interesting.
-
there will be a lot on here who will realise finally what we have lost!
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
I personally think he will be sensational for them and shine!
I am not going to sleep tonight because of this enlightening post. Where was the abuse towards him? He was worshipped like Milner-Barry-O'Neill; I was disgusted by AY's attitude against WBA, but forgave him because he played for us. He joined us for himself and left for himself, nobody influences his decision making.
We have lost an average to good winger, I know what we have lost! I owe him no tenderness or goodwill for the future.
-
Whatever you think of Suarez, Carroll and Henderson, they are all significantly better than the players they they've replaced (considering Torres was a write-off at that point).
I agree with Carroll and Suarez but not Henderson, I just hope we go for Nzogbia being as he was linked with Mcleish before you would think he would be the ideal replacement if we can get him
-
Ash was great, but needed a move like this. Milner upset me much more, and Downing will anger me cause the little bitch owes us big time!
I agree Ashley needed to move but, likewise, I do feel we needed to get rid. It's good business all round and, in many ways, it simply represents a dismantling of the O'Neill team and era (which is no bad thing) as things had become more than a little stale.
Obviously, the key to all of this is that we replace Ashley (and Carew, Fiedel, Reo etc.) with genuine quality. It's going to be very interesting.
Can't help but think that rather than being interesting, it will be a disappointment.
-
Ive got loads of Man utd armchair fans taunting me about ash
That sort of thing is their raison d'être.
I agree with you - Young is a good player but hardly irreplaceable.
He's our best player by a distance and it will be have to be something pretty impressive transfer-wise to replace what he brought to our team.
And he's better than any winger currently on their books, so I'm pretty sure that he'll do more than 'add depth'.
Again Because Valencia just does the basics really well like getting good crosses in the box and a lot of tracking back a lot of people dont rate him, hes not flash but i think hes a really good player so i wouldnt say is better than him about the same, but their different kind of wingers.
Valencia and Nani are both very good players, but Young is better than either.
He's certainly more versatile than either, he's more disciplined and works harder than Nani, he's better with the ball at his feet and more unpredictable than Valencia.
Valencia has a better cross and Nani has a better shot - but in terms of the overall package and what they bring to the team, Young tops either of them. Which he'll prove next season.
As a Liverpool supporter, I'm quite pleased with the Mancs' transfer business so far this summer. In De Gea, Jones and Young, they've spent the best part of £50m on players who I don't think are better than what they've got. The scary ones for me are the likes of Sanchez, Sneijder and Modric.
Ironic considering you spent £35 million, yes I repeat, £35 million on Andy Carroll and £20 million, yes I repeat, £20 million on Jordan Henderson. What were you thinking? It's £30 million minimum for Downing if you want him.
I must admit though i'm also quite confused by spending £15 million on Phil Jones, a player I've only heard of in recent months and looked really clumsy when I watched him on a couple of occasions. The transfer fees are getting ridiculous.
Except it wasn't £20m. It was £16m rising to £19.25m or something.
Still a lot of money, sure. What were they thinking? I'll tell you. They were thinking about age, potential, amortization, resale value as well as the transfer fee and salary.
When you factor in all the above, the risk is offset and the Henderson deal is of potentially better value to Liverpool than a deal for Downing for the same fee.
In the most simple terms, you can say Downing is a better player right now therefore he is worth more. And if it is that simple, you can expect that £30m offer any day now.
-
Though it perhaps doesn't seem like it now, there could be a benefit in being stung again. English players are always in demand and at a premium with the upcoming legislation coming in. It might force us to broaden our horizons and not limit ourselves to largely home based players. In the past this might have been seen as a good policy, and it would generally be seen as a healthy state of affairs if you had a few current England internationals on the books.
But there are some pretty ordinary current internationals in the England set up, and I do wonder just how attractive Barry, Milner, Downing or even Ash may have been to rival clubs had they not been English.
Maybe it'll mean that from now on we don't put all our eggs in one basket and if our better players are foreign, there may be less likelyhood that we have to face this scenario every bastard summer.
-
Personally I wish him all the best he was a good and exciting player, yes he was frustrating at times but he won't be easy to replace. We've lost some good players I hope we can get a couple of marquee signings in. We must have slashed the wage bill
-
there will be a lot on here who will realise finally what we have lost!
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
I personally think he will be sensational for them and shine!
I am not going to sleep tonight because of this enlightening post. Where was the abuse towards him? He was worshipped like Milner-Barry-O'Neill; I was disgusted by AY's attitude against WBA, but forgave him because he played for us. He joined us for himself and left for himself, nobody influences his decision making.
We have lost an average to good winger, I know what we have lost! I owe him no tenderness or goodwill for the future.
i aint bothered by your lack of sleep but you are exactley the person(div) that sits by me and comes out with the shit comments, the one who wanted change, the one with the banner!
You now got change, you got new managers you can carry on slagging off players!
-
there will be a lot on here who will realise finally what we have lost!
Constant whingeing and slagging off of our best and most creative player may have contributed to him going?
I personally think he will be sensational for them and shine!
I am not going to sleep tonight because of this enlightening post. Where was the abuse towards him? He was worshipped like Milner-Barry-O'Neill; I was disgusted by AY's attitude against WBA, but forgave him because he played for us. He joined us for himself and left for himself, nobody influences his decision making.
We have lost an average to good winger, I know what we have lost! I owe him no tenderness or goodwill for the future.
i aint bothered by your lack of sleep but you are exactley the person(div) that sits by me and comes out with the shit comments, the one who wanted change, the one with the banner!
You now got change, you got new managers you can carry on slagging off players!
Nonsense. You are making a lot of incorrect assumptions about me. Let me clarify my position; all I simply want is individuals committed to the Aston Villa cause.
I can assure you that Ashley Young did not leave here because of fan criticism.
-
Hope he plays against us at Villa Park in December.
I can have a go at him properly for diving and hopping about on one leg whenever someone puts a proper tackle in on him.
-
Personal opinion ... i think Young Marc will be better than Ash ever was
Ash never disrespected us as fans ok he had a tendency to moan if things werent going his way and I honestly would get frustrated with him at times.
Did well for us tho and I wish him well for the future 8)
-
Albrighton is better now than Ash was at his age and will go on to be a top player in this league. I always saw it in him.
Purely as a winger though, I think Ash is more versatile.
I havent read anything from Man United player Young yet. Did he mention Villa at all?
-
Yes. In his interview he praised our club and the fans.
-
When Barry jumped ship I was angry, when Milner left I was disappointed, now Ash has gone I feel nothing really; we cannot at this stage offer our best players Champions League football and seem a long way off breaking into the elite again so I fully understand his decision to leave
Here's hoping we're not saying goodbye to our best player again in another 12 months...
Oh and good luck for the future Ash;
-
Oh and good luck for the future Ash;
Here, here. Manchester United, can't blame the boy. Oh well good and bad days, more the first. We will bounce back from this loss and spend big big big.....?!
-
Good luck and well played kid.
-
The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.
That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.
-
The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.
That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.
Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.
-
Good luck Ash. Respectful comments about us too.
I think he is potentially a much better player than we saw. He probably won't be a dribble past the whole team winger, like he threatened to be when he first joined, but his technique is superb, especially as far as British players go (whenever he received a pass, I was always confident the ball would stick, no matter how tight the space). Under Fergie's guidance he could really push on.
-
I thought his comments about us were respectful too. I remember seeing him interviewed on SSN once about the fact he was at school with Lewis Hamilton. The SSN reporter was encouraging him to say they were best mates, and Ash said something about knowing him but having different interests. He wasn't trying to be a smart arse or point scoring, just politely telling it like it was.
-
Siralex will turn him into the great player he has the talent to become
-
The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.
That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.
Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.
Point is, they've spent far less than the sides they are directly competing with. That's been the case since at least 2003. Even during GH's years the bindippers often outspent them.
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
Since the Glazers took over they haven't exactly gone to town in the transfer market either.
I hate the red faced miserable barsteward as much as anyone, but credit where it's due.
-
&feature=related
Cheers Ash.
-
Good bit of business for Villa - I'd love to see what Albrighton is capable of given the opportunity. I think he is a ready made replacement, so the funds can be invested in other positions.
Diving, wayward set pieces and petulance aside, AY has been immence in terms of creativity and assists. It's invaluable having someone so adept at running at defenders as well as drawing defenders in, which made life easier for the rest of the team. Albrighton can potentially fill that role just as well, and as a pure winger, can deliver a better final ball than AY.
Good bit of business for Villa, although I can't help but wonder what a midfield of Downing, Barry, Milner and Young could have achieved had we held on to them all.
-
I m kinda sad to see him go but for me the time is right. It's a great deal for someone in the last year of a contract.
I will have some fond memories of him but I will always remember him as a one good game in three kind of player. I think he thinks he is better than he is but for years of giving us his all I wish him well. In the end his petulance , whining, diving and awful free kicks undermined the good things he did. But maybe AF will sort this out and he will become a top international that spurs England to something good.
I will always remember Everton away .....
-
Yes. In his interview he praised our club and the fans.
yes patronising little git.
-
Unfortunately Liverpool seem to be paying more money for players who aren't as good.
Fortunately!
-
The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.
That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.
Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.
Point is, they've spent far less than the sides they are directly competing with. That's been the case since at least 2003. Even during GH's years the bindippers often outspent them.
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
Since the Glazers took over they haven't exactly gone to town in the transfer market either.
I hate the red faced miserable barsteward as much as anyone, but credit where it's due.
I won't deny him credit but at the same time, let's not pretend circumstances didn't conspire heavily in his favour.
When Liverpool's dominance ended, they left a power vacuum that the Mancs were best-placed to fill because at that time, they were the biggest spenders. That coincided with a golden generation of young players, the inception of the premier league and Sky money, and a highly successful floatation.
They've been the best managed football club for the past 20 years and their manager, to his credit, has made the most of the competitive advantages he's been afforded. He may not have spent as much as his rivals but he hasn't had to. The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources. Instead, he's had the luxury of cherry-picking players to supplement it.
-
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).
---
I've no problem with Ashley leaving. He has done his best here and leaves for a better club. The Milner and possible Downing transfer is more disquieting -- players leaving after a single good season. We coped well after selling Barry, not so well after selling Milner. Cashing in on a good player might be a good piece of business sometimes, but selling our best player every season isn't a recipe for success. It's a trend that can't go on.
-
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).
He's broken the British transfer record 3 times. Which isn't unreasonable considering how long he's been there. But to put it into perspective, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and City have each broken it once since he's been at Old Trafford.
-
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).
He's broken the British transfer record 3 times. Which isn't unreasonable considering how long he's been there. But to put it into perspective, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and City have each broken it once since he's been at Old Trafford.
If you're talking purely British records so have Blackburn, Rangers and Leeds.
-
I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then- it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.
They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).
He's broken the British transfer record 3 times. Which isn't unreasonable considering how long he's been there. But to put it into perspective, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and City have each broken it once since he's been at Old Trafford.
If you're talking purely British records so have Blackburn, Rangers and Leeds.
Have they?
-
Chris Sutton, Duncan Ferguson (that one surprised me as well) and Rio Ferdinand.
-
Chris Sutton, Duncan Ferguson (that one surprised me as well) and Rio Ferdinand.
Ah, fair dos. I was looking at wikipedia where they include the Gazza/Platt transfers to Italy and the Anelka transfer to Madrid.
-
I was worried you had all that knowledge in your head Redman!
-
I won't deny him credit but at the same time, let's not pretend circumstances didn't conspire heavily in his favour.
When Liverpool's dominance ended, they left a power vacuum that the Mancs were best-placed to fill because at that time, they were the biggest spenders. That coincided with a golden generation of young players, the inception of the premier league and Sky money, and a highly successful floatation.
They've been the best managed football club for the past 20 years and their manager, to his credit, has made the most of the competitive advantages he's been afforded. He may not have spent as much as his rivals but he hasn't had to. The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources. Instead, he's had the luxury of cherry-picking players to supplement it.
They spent a fair whack early 90's, it's true. But then so did Leeds, ourselves and Blackburn. In fact I'm pretty certain that Blackburn outspent them and only had the one league title to show for it. Liverpool weren't exactly reluctant to spend back then either; £5 million combined for Mark Wright and Dean Saunders, £2.5 million on Paul Stewart, £1.5 mill on McWalters, near enough the same again on Michael Thomas et.c. Can't remember how much Nigel Clough was in 1993, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't cheap either.
Cantona was United's pivotal signing lets not forget, and he was signed for something ridiculous like £1.2 million in 1992. From the mid 90's onwards the core of their side came through the ranks, supplemented with purchases like Berg, Ronny Johnson, Solskjaer and Sheringham signed for modest fees and the odd big deal like Andy Cole, Stam and Dwight Yorke.
You would think that as a PLC and with the revenue the were brining in back then they'd be able to sign pretty much whoever they wanted, But Fergiescum was often bleating on about restrictions forced on him and how the club wouldn't stump up the wages on a par with other similar sized clubs on the continent.
FF to today and the squad they had available for the CL final contained the likes of Van Der Saar, Park, the young Brazillian fullbacks, Owen and Hernandez; players either signed for modest fees or for nothing at all.
The point being that yes, he has signed players for big money in the past (and indeed at present) but at no stage has he been able to play fantasy football and assemble a full squad that way, like many of his rivals can and have done.
-
The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources.
As far as I'm aware, and please forgive me if this is wrong, but that core of the Beckham/Scholes genration didn't 'fall into his lap'. People forget that SAF was an Man Utd for (I think) 4-5 years before their first title, so would have set up and overseen that youth set up that produced these players.
I remember seeing Bobby Charlton on tele a few years ago and he said how SAF was always telling him to come along and see the young players. He did once and was impressed by one winger who just kept picking the ball up, beating people and scoring. He was then told that they had just signed him up and that his name was Ryan Giggs.
No, SAF built that youth set up so has every right to claim credit for the success they brought.
-
As much as i'd like to i can't fault Ferguson.Where he differs from the other top managers of the past 25yrs is his ability to be ruthless.Generally he signs replacements a good season or so before he needs them.Young has been signed to replace Giggs and in Jones and Smalling he's got the replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic.In comparison Dalglish allowed that great liverpool side of the 80s to get old together which resulted in Souness buying a stack of players in one go, unfortunately for Liverpool those players weren't of the standard required and the decline of Liverpool began.He sold Ince and Hughes who still had plenty to offer due to the faith he had in the kids, that took bottle and nous.
-
We will miss Young. We have known the move was on the cards for some time. Not being allowed the freedom to do as he wishes, and considering the quality of his new colleagues, this move can only improve his game.
-
I won't deny him credit but at the same time, let's not pretend circumstances didn't conspire heavily in his favour.
When Liverpool's dominance ended, they left a power vacuum that the Mancs were best-placed to fill because at that time, they were the biggest spenders. That coincided with a golden generation of young players, the inception of the premier league and Sky money, and a highly successful floatation.
They've been the best managed football club for the past 20 years and their manager, to his credit, has made the most of the competitive advantages he's been afforded. He may not have spent as much as his rivals but he hasn't had to. The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources. Instead, he's had the luxury of cherry-picking players to supplement it.
They spent a fair whack early 90's, it's true. But then so did Leeds, ourselves and Blackburn. In fact I'm pretty certain that Blackburn outspent them and only had the one league title to show for it. Liverpool weren't exactly reluctant to spend back then either; £5 million combined for Mark Wright and Dean Saunders, £2.5 million on Paul Stewart, £1.5 mill on McWalters, near enough the same again on Michael Thomas et.c. Can't remember how much Nigel Clough was in 1993, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't cheap either.
Cantona was United's pivotal signing lets not forget, and he was signed for something ridiculous like £1.2 million in 1992. From the mid 90's onwards the core of their side came through the ranks, supplemented with purchases like Berg, Ronny Johnson, Solskjaer and Sheringham signed for modest fees and the odd big deal like Andy Cole, Stam and Dwight Yorke.
You would think that as a PLC and with the revenue the were brining in back then they'd be able to sign pretty much whoever they wanted, But Fergiescum was often bleating on about restrictions forced on him and how the club wouldn't stump up the wages on a par with other similar sized clubs on the continent.
FF to today and the squad they had available for the CL final contained the likes of Van Der Saar, Park, the young Brazillian fullbacks, Owen and Hernandez; players either signed for modest fees or for nothing at all.
The point being that yes, he has signed players for big money in the past (and indeed at present) but at no stage has he been able to play fantasy football and assemble a full squad that way, like many of his rivals can and have done.
When the Mancs signed Cantona, he was already the best player in the league having just inspired Leeds to the title at their expense. That was when the power really shifted. While Souness was busy dismantling Liverpool and Arsenal were losing ground, Ferguson took his other rival out of the equation by nicking their best player.
You have to give the Mancs credit for their transfer strategy. They've always spent big and broken the transfer record more times than any other English club. But they've done so over a longer period of time. The Blackburns and Newcastles went on post-promotion splurges and success proved unsustainable. It wasn't until Wenger arrived that anybody started to challenge them. In the Premier League's formative years, the Mancs had it easy.
So while I agree Ferguson hasn't ever done the fantasy football thing, I maintain that he hasn't ever had to. After filling the power vacuum, he's always been able to build from a position of strength.
-
Oh and good luck for the future Ash;
Here, here. Manchester United, can't blame the boy. Oh well good and bad days, more the first. We will bounce back from this loss and spend big big big.....?!
I don't wish him luck at all. I doubt he gave me or any other Villa fan a second's thought before deciding to chase the money up the M6. Why would I want it to go well for him? I hope it goes really badly, like it pretty much did for Milner & Barry, and then the next one queueing at the exit door (probably Downing) might actually pause for thought, that getting paid shedloads more money might not be worth turning into a bench-warmer and losing your England place.
We are told that footballers have big egos. Really? Why then do they not choose to stay at a club where they're first choice? Where teams are built around them? Where they can carve a name for themselves, drag the team up with them and be worshipped from the stands?
Why? Cos they're not motivated by all that. They're motivated by money.
Big egos? To my way of thinking, their egos are not big enough.
-
The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources.
As far as I'm aware, and please forgive me if this is wrong, but that core of the Beckham/Scholes genration didn't 'fall into his lap'. People forget that SAF was an Man Utd for (I think) 4-5 years before their first title, so would have set up and overseen that youth set up that produced these players.
I remember seeing Bobby Charlton on tele a few years ago and he said how SAF was always telling him to come along and see the young players. He did once and was impressed by one winger who just kept picking the ball up, beating people and scoring. He was then told that they had just signed him up and that his name was Ryan Giggs.
No, SAF built that youth set up so has every right to claim credit for the success they brought.
Not every credit, surely? That youth setup hasn't produced anything near the same quality since. If the talent isn't there, there's nothing to develop.
Alan Hansen famously said "you won't win anything with kids" and he was proven wrong. But he shouldn't have been. It shouldn't be possible to win league titles with any group of kids however talented. It was indicative of how weak English football was at that time. That generation had the unique opportunity to establish itself unchallenged.
-
But that's where the brilliance of Ferguson shines through though isn't it Redman,building from a position of strength? It takes a lot of bottle to flog Ince who at the time was around 27 and one of England's best midfielders and replace him with a youth team product.Also have to disagree with you when you say that Cantona was the best player in the league when man U signed him.I believe he'd only played something like 13 games for Leeds when Utd signed him and wasn't evena first team regular.I might have a bit of fuzzy memory here but as i remember the Leeds side that had just won the title had done it with a front two of Chapman and Wallace with Cantona coming in at the end of the season and making mainly sub appearances.
-
Whatever you think of Suarez, Carroll and Henderson, they are all significantly better than the players they they've replaced (considering Torres was a write-off at that point).
Whats the feeling on Merseyside regarding Torres loss of form since his move, was he looking ropey for you lot before the move
-
Can you remember another rival for the title in those days Redman?
And I'm with my brother on this one. I thank Young for his efforts and will remember him fondly but as for hoping it goes well at United. I hope it goes as smoothly and by the numbers as the Hindenburg's last landing.
Fuck Manchester United.
-
This popped up on my yahoo home page today. Good article, and in my opinion very true about both Ashley and Bent. One of the few pieces I've seen that hasn't gone on about 'panic buy' and 'over-the-odds'. Well done that man.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/early-doors/article/338674/
-
This popped up on my yahoo home page today. Good article, and in my opinion very true about both Ashley and Bent. One of the few pieces I've seen that hasn't gone on about 'panic buy' and 'over-the-odds'. Well done that man.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/early-doors/article/338674/
Good article. One thing about Young going to Man U, you can't really critisise him for it. Unlike Barry and Milner, Young is going to play for the best club in the counrty, one of the best in Europe.
-
But that's where the brilliance of Ferguson shines through though isn't it Redman,building from a position of strength? It takes a lot of bottle to flog Ince who at the time was around 27 and one of England's best midfielders and replace him with a youth team product.Also have to disagree with you when you say that Cantona was the best player in the league when man U signed him.I believe he'd only played something like 13 games for Leeds when Utd signed him and wasn't evena first team regular.I might have a bit of fuzzy memory here but as i remember the Leeds side that had just won the title had done it with a front two of Chapman and Wallace with Cantona coming in at the end of the season and making mainly sub appearances.
That's probably fair. Ferguson has kept the Mancs at the top for an awful long time (and I'm bitter about it). But I wouldn't say he's had to do it the hard way - at least not in the most part.
As for Cantona, he was always going to the best player in the league. His ability was never in question - just his discipline. As I remember, he was the inspiration that carried that Leeds side over the line.
-
Yeah and Lee Chapman who scored a few goals in between giving Leslie Ash a pair of Irish sunglasses.
-
Yeah and Lee Chapman who scored a few goals in between giving Leslie Ash a pair of Irish sunglasses.
Not to mention giving her a thick lip.
-
So to summarise, a player who gave us 4 and a half years of really good service and has thanked us in his first interview with his new club. And we got a good fee for him.
Should mean a cauldron of hate awaiting him at VP next season!
-
In comparison Dalglish allowed that great liverpool side of the 80s to get old together
I've heard this before but it isn't really true. The average age of the last team Kenny selected was 27. And it didn't include the youngsters Redknapp or McManaman.
The only players over 30 in that squad were Grobelaar (33 and a goalie), Hansen (35), Hysen (31), Gillespie (30) and Beardsley (30).
Sorry for straying off-topic.
-
Thanks for the memories Ash. Class player on his day.
-
I admire him as a player, and wish him the best of luck at United.
He's a good player and, especially after this season, deserves a lot better.
He's gone from a good club to an even better club and I hope he gets the medals he wants.
--
Thanks for the Everton goal 2 seasons ago. One that will live in my memory for many years to come.
-
So to summarise, a player who gave us 4 and a half years of really good service and has thanked us in his first interview with his new club. And we got a good fee for him.
Should mean a cauldron of hate awaiting him at VP next season!
Are you talking to the majority or the more discerning supporter?
-
I certainly wouldn't boo him. As I've said previously he's given us good service, we've got a good fee for him and he's gone to the champions can't really argue with that. Plus he was complimentary about us when he spoke about us. Good luck to him.
-
I agree, I definately wouldnt boo Young. He deserves a good reception from the villa faithful imo as he has given his all to the club over the past 4.5yrs and he has gone to the 2nd best team in the world. Atleast he didnt do a Milner & Barry and go to City just for the £££££
-
So to summarise, a player who gave us 4 and a half years of really good service and has thanked us in his first interview with his new club. And we got a good fee for him.
Should mean a cauldron of hate awaiting him at VP next season!
Are you talking to the majority or the more discerning supporter?
He should get a respectful welcome back to Villa Park when he comes out and his name is read out. He should be booed resoundingly during the game. After the game when he salutes the fans as he departs he should get a very good reception. Hopefully by that point Man U have lost and he's not bagged a brace against us.
-
I'll only boo him if he takes a swan dive on the edge of our box and then sprints 40 yards after the ref calling him a wanker
-
Thanks for the memories Ash. Class player on his day.
Legion, it's time for that video..
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
He's probably quit because he is going to a bigger club to win trophies.
I am not listening. I refuse to believe that there is a bigger club out there other than us and I don't care how it looks to everyone else...SO THERE
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
He's probably quit because he is going to a bigger club to win trophies.
I am not listening. I refuse to believe that there is a bigger club out there other than us and I don't care how it looks to everyone else...SO THERE
No sense of loyalty? Didn't he just spend 4.5yrs with us, gave us near enough 100% every game and for what? 2 trips to wembley and 0 Trophies! At least he has gone to Man Utd who are the best club in england and he has more chance of being successful there than at Villa. Plus he didn't hold us to ransom for a new contract. We made him an offer and he said no as he wanted to apply his trade in the Champions league. Fair play to him. Shows he has ambition
-
Thanks for the memories Ash. Class player on his day.
Legion, it's time for that video..
Again? Good-oh...
Goodbye and thank you, Ashley Young (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbAiaIqOMHo)
-
I genuinly think he loved it here but when Man United come calling theres not alot we can do, fuck me think of the amount of penalties he's gonna win for them.
-
Rubbish. He has not been influenced by any bad treatment handed out to him at VP in fact opposite is the case. He has quit because he is a modern greedy footballer with no sense of loyalty.
He's probably quit because he is going to a bigger club to win trophies.
I am not listening. I refuse to believe that there is a bigger club out there other than us and I don't care how it looks to everyone else...SO THERE
No sense of loyalty? Didn't he just spend 4.5yrs with us, gave us near enough 100% every game and for what? 2 trips to wembley and 0 Trophies! At least he has gone to Man Utd who are the best club in england and he has more chance of being successful there than at Villa. Plus he didn't hold us to ransom for a new contract. We made him an offer and he said no as he wanted to apply his trade in the Champions league. Fair play to him. Shows he has ambition
Spot on.
Ash is a great player, it's only understanable he wants to play for the biggest club in England.
I don't have any qualms that he's leaving. Yea, i'm upset, would love to see him stay but he's been totally professional. Hasn't acted like a twat and ran to the papers bitching and moaning. He hasn't disappointed me unlike Barry and Milner.
-
Overall he was brilliant for us, frustrating at times but he dragged us through more than his fair share of games almost single handed and we're going to miss him dearly - now we've got to find the next Ashley Young and sign him.
-
Overall he was brilliant for us, frustrating at times but he dragged us through more than his fair share of games almost single handed and we're going to miss him dearly - now we've got to find the next Ashley Young and sign him.
Im sure that we have to sign another ashley, we have Mark Albrighton who can easily become the next ashley young or better! Just needs more coaching and he will do well.
-
I genuinely feel that the nearest we can get to replacing Ash is buying N'Zogbia.
We didn't replace Milner and we really did suffer, I cannot even imagine how much we'll suffer if we don't replace Ash.
-
I do not get this loyalty issue? Ashley Young has not been "loyal" in any real sense of the word. Loyalty does not exist in the modern game, and it is a great shame.
What he can be commended on - is his discreet conduct over his future. He did not disrespect the club in that regard and deserve great praise for his behaviour. However, I do not want him to succeed at United at all.
-
But Barry was replaced by Milner, who turned out to be every inch as good a player. I think we may not have to look too far for Ash's replacement, I think Albrighton is a perfect replacement. We will need a 3rd wideman to provide competition but I'm happy for most of the Ash money to be spent elsewhere. I think Bannan and Ireland could be effective drifting in from wide areas too if we get some a good attacking full back in, like Walker.
-
Is there a link to the interview where Young talks about Villa?
-
But that's where the brilliance of Ferguson shines through though isn't it Redman,building from a position of strength? It takes a lot of bottle to flog Ince who at the time was around 27 and one of England's best midfielders and replace him with a youth team product.Also have to disagree with you when you say that Cantona was the best player in the league when man U signed him.I believe he'd only played something like 13 games for Leeds when Utd signed him and wasn't evena first team regular.I might have a bit of fuzzy memory here but as i remember the Leeds side that had just won the title had done it with a front two of Chapman and Wallace with Cantona coming in at the end of the season and making mainly sub appearances.
Fergie isn't brilliant. He's simply been a solid cheque book manager reaping the rewards that should follow from his financial advantages .
If he was the managerial genius that some suggest he is, he would have had a plan to deal with Barcelona, yet all he could do was sit there shaking like a drunk on a park bench.
-
But that's where the brilliance of Ferguson shines through though isn't it Redman,building from a position of strength? It takes a lot of bottle to flog Ince who at the time was around 27 and one of England's best midfielders and replace him with a youth team product.Also have to disagree with you when you say that Cantona was the best player in the league when man U signed him.I believe he'd only played something like 13 games for Leeds when Utd signed him and wasn't evena first team regular.I might have a bit of fuzzy memory here but as i remember the Leeds side that had just won the title had done it with a front two of Chapman and Wallace with Cantona coming in at the end of the season and making mainly sub appearances.
Fergie isn't brilliant. He's simply been a solid cheque book manager reaping the rewards that should follow from his financial advantages .
If he was the managerial genius that some suggest he is, he would have had a plan to deal with Barcelona, yet all he could do was sit there shaking like a drunk on a park bench.
Will you be my friend? :)
-
To be fair to Ash, he could quite easily have left last season at the first sniff of a sinking ship. Even O Neills last couple of months, with all the Milner business, had an ominous smell about it. He gave us the benefit of another season, so all credit to him.
I also think for his own benefit he needs a move to freshen him up and he needs to improve his game. He'd peaked here and was in danger of going stale. We'll struggle a lot to replace the assists and chances he creates, but we'll have to adapt perhaps.
Good luck to him. This will either show Martin O Neill to be right, or it'll show Ash to be one of English footballs also-rans. I would like to see him develop into a top class player. A few spells on a bench will do him good. If he irons out a few attitude kinks, he'll do well. In terms of effort, he's never ever, found wanting.
-
No sense of loyalty? Didn't he just spend 4.5yrs with us, gave us near enough 100% every game and for what? 2 trips to wembley and 0 Trophies! At least he has gone to Man Utd who are the best club in england and he has more chance of being successful there than at Villa. Plus he didn't hold us to ransom for a new contract. We made him an offer and he said no as he wanted to apply his trade in the Champions league. Fair play to him. Shows he has ambition
Once again some fans have a myopic vision when it comes to Mr Young.
4 years is NOT loyalty. Gave 100% when it suited him and most of the time acted like a spoilt brat on the pitch. 2 trips to Wembley and FAILED to perform for us. Can any one remember anything worthwhile from him in the two matches? He held us to a negative ransom on contract as he could have signed a 4 year deal and still gone and earned us another £5/10M. We made him an offer and he refused leading the Club into an impossible position where we have no choice but to sell him. Ambition? bollocks more like greed greed and greed.
Some people need to take their rose tinted glasses off when it comes to this man.
-
No sense of loyalty? Didn't he just spend 4.5yrs with us, gave us near enough 100% every game and for what? 2 trips to wembley and 0 Trophies! At least he has gone to Man Utd who are the best club in england and he has more chance of being successful there than at Villa. Plus he didn't hold us to ransom for a new contract. We made him an offer and he said no as he wanted to apply his trade in the Champions league. Fair play to him. Shows he has ambition
Once again some fans have a myopic vision when it comes to Mr Young.
4 years is NOT loyalty. Gave 100% when it suited him and most of the time acted like a spoilt brat on the pitch. 2 trips to Wembley and FAILED to perform for us. Can any one remember anything worthwhile from him in the two matches? He held us to a negative ransom on contract as he could have signed a 4 year deal and still gone and earned us another £5/10M. We made him an offer and he refused leading the Club into an impossible position where we have no choice but to sell him. Ambition? bollocks more like greed greed and greed.
Some people need to take their rose tinted glasses off when it comes to this man.
It seems you just have some irrational personal problem with him.
He's done well for us, tried hard every game, been our best player since he joined and at this stage of his career moving to United seems right if he wants to compete for Champions League's and Premier League titles. He hasn't ever moaned or complained, it's his personal career, why should he tie himself down to a club where we aren't challenging for the highest honours? How can you blame him for wanting him to leave to play for Man United? It's a dream for every young and talented player to be playing for them because they know they can achieve lots of success there.
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
-
Some people need to get realistic. In most jobs throughout the country if an offer comes in from a bigger and better employer with more money you take it. End of. Loyalty extends so far but in an industry where you get a 3 or 4 year contract what binds you to that club? F*ck all is the answer. He doesn't support Villa, it was his job for a while and now it isn't. So what? He did well for us, I think he'll do well for United (largely because instead of sticking two players on Ash the opposition have other players to consider and can't do that) and I wish him well.
And for those of you who think we gave him his big chance and he 'owes' us for that. If we hadn't, someone else would have. We did and have made a good few million quid out of it.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
Please stop nit-picking at my posts.
You didn't have a problem with all my post but you just had to pick out a little bit just for the sake of it.
If you've got a personal problem with me, drop me a PM, please don't try and disrupt this thread. Thanks.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
Please stop nit-picking at my posts.
You didn't have a problem with all my post but you just had to pick out a little bit just for the sake of it.
If you've got a personal problem with me, drop me a PM, please don't try and disrupt this thread. Thanks.
I don't have a personal problem with you, I'm just pointing out the sheer irony of the above.
-
Whilst Mr 8/10 has said some funny things at times and I agree telling people to grow up isn't helpful, the points he makes in this thread seem pretty accurate. I think digging things from past posts up to diminish his argument in this isn't necessarily ideal.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
Please stop nit-picking at my posts.
You didn't have a problem with all my post but you just had to pick out a little bit just for the sake of it.
If you've got a personal problem with me, drop me a PM, please don't try and disrupt this thread. Thanks.
I don't have a personal problem with you, I'm just pointing out the sheer irony of the above.
You obviously do, don't hide it brah.
Grow up? Says the man who's probably in his late-forties having nearly 25,000 posts on a internet forum.
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Works out 5 days a week in gym - check
Still young and not even in his prime - check
Is charming with the ladies - check
Alpha? Check
You started this, remember.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
Please stop nit-picking at my posts.
You didn't have a problem with all my post but you just had to pick out a little bit just for the sake of it.
If you've got a personal problem with me, drop me a PM, please don't try and disrupt this thread. Thanks.
I don't have a personal problem with you, I'm just pointing out the sheer irony of the above.
You obviously do, don't hide it brah.
Grow up? Says the man who's probably in his late-forties having over 20,000 posts on a internet forum.
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Works out 5 days a week in gym - check
Is charming with the ladies - check
Alpha? Check
You started this, remember.
You're beyond parody.
-
The Situation - you know when you are 'siding'with someone and then they come out with something that makes you wonder why you bothered.....
-
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Is that an updated version of a fuzzbox?
-
I don't wish Ash luck at all. I doubt he gave me or any other Villa fan a second's thought before deciding to chase the money up the M6. Why would I want it to go well for him? I hope it goes really badly, like it pretty much did for Milner & Barry, and then the next one queueing at the exit door (probably Downing) might actually pause for thought, that getting paid shedloads more money might not be worth turning into a bench-warmer and losing your England place.
We are told that footballers have big egos. Really? Why then do they not choose to stay at a club where they're first choice? Where teams are built around them? Where they can carve a name for themselves, drag the team up with them and be worshipped from the stands?
Why? Cos they're not motivated by all that. They're motivated by money.
Big egos? To my way of thinking, their egos are not big enough.
-
The Situation - you know when you are 'siding'with someone and then they come out with something that makes you wonder why you bothered.....
I also can say that, were I a pistol packing, gym bashing, alpha male, there's no way I'd be on an internet forum at just gone midnight on a Saturday night.
-
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Works out 5 days a week in gym - check
Still young and not even in his prime - check
Is charming with the ladies - check
Alpha? Check
Where can I run and hide?
-
Mazrimsbruv - it's a job. I don't think they do give a shit about the fans anymore no. As for whether he loses his England place and whether it's worth trading clubs and getting paid more to sit on the bench, his choice, his career. I undesrtand why you don't wish him luck. I do (not against us mind). He feels he is furthering his career (and I would argue he definitely is) and that is a choice that every employee in the country may have to make at some stage. If that makes him disloyal so be it, he would argue he has provided Villa fans with some great moments while he has been here.
-
The Situation - you know when you are 'siding'with someone and then they come out with something that makes you wonder why you bothered.....
Tbh, I genuinely didn't see your post before I made another response. I know, I probably shouldn't, making him realise that it's even bigger irony that he thinks it ironic for me to tell someone to grow up despite being in his late forties and having nearly 25,000 posts on a internet forum. I probably shouldn't of gone on, but did.
Thanks for siding with me, you're right using previous posts by trying to diminish someone's argument is just poor. I'd rather Paulie actually responded to my post rather than nit-picking at my last line trying to take it off-topic. If I didn't post that he would of stayed well away and wouldn't of even noticed I posted. I guess when you're in your late-forties, bored and it's past mid-night, you trawl around forums looking to start an argument :S
I will ignore his futile attempts next time.
Night Night.
-
I don't blame Ashley for going. I'd have done the same, to be honest. I don't wish him any ill for moving on.
I don't want him to succeed, though. Once he leaves here, he's just any other player in the league.
-
Paulie, good point. I too am a pistol packing, gym bashing, alpha male but I have the kids this weekend so am at home.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
The irony of you, Mr "I've got a Glock under my bed and I only do 8 out of tens" telling anyone to grow up is staggering.
Please stop nit-picking at my posts.
You didn't have a problem with all my post but you just had to pick out a little bit just for the sake of it.
If you've got a personal problem with me, drop me a PM, please don't try and disrupt this thread. Thanks.
I don't have a personal problem with you, I'm just pointing out the sheer irony of the above.
You obviously do, don't hide it brah.
Grow up? Says the man who's probably in his late-forties having nearly 25,000 posts on a internet forum.
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Works out 5 days a week in gym - check
Still young and not even in his prime - check
Is charming with the ladies - check
Alpha? Check
You started this, remember.
fucking sweet. So glad we're back on your manliness. Ok,ok, I want to play this.
Has a massive inferiority complex so has to keep making stuff up about himself on an internet message board - check
-
Time for bed already?
-
Only when Movies for men has properly finished
-
Hm, this thread's becoming a bit Top Gun. Maybe a bit more on topic is needed now we've established who the leader of the pack is.
I can't say I don't want Ash to do well for England, not least because he's a sort of player England's needed for maybe a decade now. I do feel like he's kind of earned it, and certainly his defection to United is less annoying than Milner and Barry going to City because we're far further away from United now than we were from City at those times (you might say that being as far from City as we are now vindicates Milner and Barry, but some part of that is surely down to their departures, especially Milner). In short, g'luck Ash, go and win a World Cup.
-
Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Is that an updated version of a fuzzbox?
It's his pet name for his mom's strap on.
You still benching 300lbs Situ?
Keep eating that alphabeti spaghetti, playa.
-
[Glock 19 and not afraid to use it - check
Works out 5 days a week in gym - check
Still young and not even in his prime - check
Is charming with the ladies - check
Wouldn't know which end of a gun to point at the baddie but has read a couple of Andy McNabb novels - check
Reads Men's Fitness magazine but stopped going to the gym after getting aroused by the sweaty, muscled blokes - check
Still not old enough to grow more than a wispy bit of arse fluff on his chin - check
Is still a virgin (remember, your dog doesn't count) - check
I love the internet, you can be whatever you want to be!
-
Is Steven Seagal - check
ooh... I hope so... in that chammy leather jacket with fringes and beads fighting for the miners in south virginia...when the bomb goes off and the church catches fire. He's my hero. He can come around and repair my front porch anytime.
-
But that's where the brilliance of Ferguson shines through though isn't it Redman,building from a position of strength? It takes a lot of bottle to flog Ince who at the time was around 27 and one of England's best midfielders and replace him with a youth team product.Also have to disagree with you when you say that Cantona was the best player in the league when man U signed him.I believe he'd only played something like 13 games for Leeds when Utd signed him and wasn't evena first team regular.I might have a bit of fuzzy memory here but as i remember the Leeds side that had just won the title had done it with a front two of Chapman and Wallace with Cantona coming in at the end of the season and making mainly sub appearances.
Fergie isn't brilliant. He's simply been a solid cheque book manager reaping the rewards that should follow from his financial advantages .
If he was the managerial genius that some suggest he is, he would have had a plan to deal with Barcelona, yet all he could do was sit there shaking like a drunk on a park bench.
Well that's one way to sum up the most successful manager in British football.Don't get me wrong I don't like the bloke and I hate Man Utd more than any other club but to dismiss him as a solid cheque book manager? Strewth.As for the Barcelona game I put that down to the fact they've got the best team in the world.Nowt scientific, just brilliance.
-
Please grow up and stop talking such silly nonsense.
Oh OK i will do that ...now that you have told me!
I am sorry for being out of line here as I should realise the Mr Young is the greatest player ever and far far too good for us. We were so lucky that he stopped here on his way to greatness and now of course he is, where he belongs, at the greatest most wonderful football club in the Universe and yes I forgot that it is a dream of every boy who ever kicked a ball to play for that mother of all football clubs.
Sorry for my mis-understanding previously but now I am fully aligned!
-
I was directed to the Manchester United web site and some of the things of that page made me feel very sick.
Here are two of them - "Just because he was playing for Aston Villa doesn’t mean it’s not a big signing. Great player to have.” - Their arrogance is irritating.
And this is the other - "Welcome to the Theatre of Dreams, the holy citadel of pure football. I think we have signed a great player who will become a legend at Old Trafford. Welcome, Ashley Young: your life starts here. A word of advice... the first thing you will need is a large cabinet to put your medals in." - I hope they fail big next year.
-
were those comments from chris in devon and patrick from ireland?
-
I was directed to the Manchester United web site and some of the things of that page made me feel very sick.
Here are two of them - "Just because he was playing for Aston Villa doesn’t mean it’s not a big signing. Great player to have.” - Their arrogance is irritating.
And this is the other - "Welcome to the Theatre of Dreams, the holy citadel of pure football. I think we have signed a great player who will become a legend at Old Trafford. Welcome, Ashley Young: your life starts here. A word of advice... the first thing you will need is a large cabinet to put your medals in." - I hope they fail big next year.
I think I'll just go and watch the Champions' League final on repeat until I've calmed down.
-
were those comments from chris in devon and patrick from ireland?
No Raj from Croydon .
-
I don't blame Ashley for going. I'd have done the same, to be honest. I don't wish him any ill for moving on.
I don't want him to succeed, though. Once he leaves here, he's just any other player in the league.
I nearly agree, but when they play us I want him to fail miserably. More than any I want any of his team mates to do.
I honestly don't like him. Never have done. He's the best Villa player I've ever disliked, if that makes sense.
-
I never liked his attitude.
-
Not sure whether I wish him ill or well. I suppose, on balance, bearing in mind the club he's chosen, the former.
What is of more concern is the parallel with Yorke. Over a decade on, they continue to be the club you want to join; we continue to be the club you use as the stepping stone.
Not that we're alone there; Spurs are grappling with the same issues over Modric and Bale. They just seem more intent on fighting to hold on to their stars than we are.
-
Not that we're alone there; Spurs are grappling with the same issues over Modric and Bale. They just seem more intent on fighting to hold on to their stars than we are.
If and when Modric and Bale turn down a new contracts and they've only got 12 months to run, Spurs will do what we have.
-
Not sure whether I wish him ill or well. I suppose, on balance, bearing in mind the club he's chosen, the former.
What is of more concern is the parallel with Yorke. Over a decade on, they continue to be the club you want to join; we continue to be the club you use as the stepping stone.
Not that we're alone there; Spurs are grappling with the same issues over Modric and Bale. They just seem more intent on fighting to hold on to their stars than we are.
I think the difference with Spurs is they have just had Champions league football where we've had 36 games of a relegation battle.It hasn't been that long since we managed to keep hold of Barry when Liverpoo came sniffing.I think if Spurs miss out on Cl again this season then their ability to retain their stars will diminish further.
-
Thanks very much for this Ash.
-
were those comments from chris in devon and patrick from ireland?
No Raj from Croydon.
No Raj from Kuala Lumpur.
-
Not sure whether I wish him ill or well. I suppose, on balance, bearing in mind the club he's chosen, the former.
What is of more concern is the parallel with Yorke. Over a decade on, they continue to be the club you want to join; we continue to be the club you use as the stepping stone.
Not that we're alone there; Spurs are grappling with the same issues over Modric and Bale. They just seem more intent on fighting to hold on to their stars than we are.
I think the difference with Spurs is they have just had Champions league football where we've had 36 games of a relegation battle.It hasn't been that long since we managed to keep hold of Barry when Liverpoo came sniffing.I think if Spurs miss out on Cl again this season then their ability to retain their stars will diminish further.
I think you'd also find that if Modric and/or Bale only had 12-months left on their contracts they'd be out the door faster than 'arry could pocket a brown paper bag loaded with used £50 notes.
-
As soon as Spurs get the offer they want, they'll be on it like white on rice. Redknapp's praise of him on SSN may as well have been a Powerpoint presentation on his sales benefits.
Modric is completely overrated. Lightweight and no goal threat. Most of his value is based on hype.
A good passer, that's it. If they got £25m for him they could probably buy two more effective players. Or at least one much better.
-
I think you're selling him a little short there Maz - great player IMO and vital to the way they play. Yes, he'll go for a lot more than he's worth (whatever that word means these days), but he'll be a big miss for them.
-
What will they miss John? His occasional goal? The odd ball to release monkey boy? His girly little body being brushed aside?
All they need to do is get a good passer in who can score a few goals and tackle and they've improved on him and for £25m that's a piece of piss, surely?
Sorry, dont see the fuss.
-
Fair enough - not gonna spend time arguing the merits of another club's player who we ain't gonna be signing!
-
Apologies if I I've missed it, but anything from Young regarding thanking the club or the Villa fans?
-
Apologies if I I've missed it, but anything from Young regarding thanking the club or the Villa fans?
I've been looking out for that but so far nothing.
-
It was in the papers on Friday, certainly saw it online in the Guardian and Torygraph, he thanked the fans first and the rest of the club too.
I genuinely think he loved it here, but let's face it, as a career opportunity, they don't come much bigger do they?
-
Yeah I heard him in interview say he'd miss the fans and the club.
-
Apologies if I I've missed it, but anything from Young regarding thanking the club or the Villa fans?
To be fair I'm not expecting him to say thanks to me, as I'm usually shouting something rude at him.
-
Sorry - still haven't learned how to do short links but that interview with Young is here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/united-complete-young-signing-but-miss-out-on-varane-to-real-2301888.html
-
I don't think Ferguson is just a chequebook manager but Man Utd have used their financial muscle as much if not more than anyone else.
Ferdinand, Veron, Berbatov, Rooney, Anderson, Van Nistelrooy, Carrick, Nani and Hargreaves are all in the top 30 prices ever paid by an English club.
They've been happily paying top dollar ever since I can remember.
-
Not sure whether I wish him ill or well. I suppose, on balance, bearing in mind the club he's chosen, the former.
What is of more concern is the parallel with Yorke. Over a decade on, they continue to be the club you want to join; we continue to be the club you use as the stepping stone.
That's true, to a degree.
Compare and contrast the attitude supporters now and then though. Back then, we felt we weren't a million miles behind United and Yorke's departure felt like betrayal. Ditto Staunton's move back to Liverpool.
Now we have supporters virtually applauding him for getting his dream move. Different times.
-
Winning things, qualifying for things etc allow them to pay over the odds. We'll be there one day, promise...!
-
Not sure whether I wish him ill or well. I suppose, on balance, bearing in mind the club he's chosen, the former.
What is of more concern is the parallel with Yorke. Over a decade on, they continue to be the club you want to join; we continue to be the club you use as the stepping stone.
That's true, to a degree.
Compare and contrast the attitude supporters now and then though. Back then, we felt we weren't a million miles behind United and Yorke's departure felt like betrayal. Ditto Staunton's move back to Liverpool.
Now we have supporters virtually applauding him for getting his dream move. Different times.
Interesting comparison. I actually think it's up to the club to show players that Villa is somewhere worth being long-term but that is nigh on impossible when you're not in the champions league - something that wasn't the case in the mid to late nineties. Players and fans know it which is why you can't have a metaphorical swing at the likes of Young in quite the same way as Yorke. It used to be that a player might have to leave to further their chances of playing for England, not the case now of course.