Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: TimTheVillain on July 20, 2011, 02:26:16 PM
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This is THE big one for Delphy.
He's 21, so should be able to step up now and really compete in the Petrov area.
Face it, he's not going to last a whole season again.....
If we aren't signing a new, experienced midfielder like Parker, I think he'll get a damn good run and hopefully more than justify the reported £6 mill he cost.
Delphy, take the task on, show us your Yorkshire grit ( not too much of it mind!).
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If he stays fit he'll be a massive asset. He hasn't played enough for anyone to make a proper judgement on how good he is or could be. We've seen flashes, but we've also seen some errors that one has to expect from a player as young as he is. He's got a lot of raw talent. I think we'd all like to see him and some of the other young kids start to impose themselves a little more.
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Seems very lightweight, needs to bulk up a little bit. Should be a valuable asset, box-to-box, better going forward than Reo-Coker was. Although, that wasn't difficult.
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I think its a big season for most of the "kids" this season.Albrighton, Delph, Clark, Delfunso, Licjah, Hogg, Herd, all need to be assessed this season, and either be 1st teamers by the end of the season, or moved on.
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It's going to have to be.
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Yer for me he has to replace Reo Coker in the box to box role and Makoun steps into the Petrov role, deep lying sitting role, keeping the play ticking over. Bannan and Ireland for me are skillful and lightweight and should battle for the 3rd (attacking) slot in the middle, presuming we play a 3, or for a narrow wide role in a 4 (at least as a rotation option with Albrighton and the new wide man). If Makoun and Delph don't step up Petrov is on standby, but otherwise we only have Herd, Hogg and Gardner to fall back on. The fact that Makoun cost us £6mill and Delph, Ireland and Petrov £8mill each we should really be giving them a chance (at least till Jan) to prove their worth, if they don't step up they should be replaced, but sell first then buy replacements as numbers wise we are well stocked.
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lots of young players are going to have to step up to the plate, and tbh, i think they did last year...
it was the fringe and first teamers that let them down on most occasions...
hopefully, that wont happen again, and the kids can do themselves proud again, and the first teamers and fringe players, can support them properly...
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Plenty of the young guns were 'bloodied in' last season, so it shouldn't be a huge shock to them.
In fairness, I don't think they struggled too much last season. Only Nathan Baker vrs Wolves springs to mind, but he was playing out of position.
The future could be very bright at Villa Park.
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This is my major concern. Delph, Bannan, Makoun are all potentially very good players but all realatively untested at this level. If they perform as we hope/expect that we've got some real talent in central midfield. Then we add in Ireland who has shown that he can do it but hasn't for around 2 years. If those 4 produce then we'll be fine but there are no guarantees.
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This is my major concern. Delph, Bannan, Makoun are all potentially very good players but all realatively untested at this level. If they perform as we hope/expect that we've got some real talent in central midfield. Then we add in Ireland who has shown that he can do it but hasn't for around 2 years. If those 4 produce then we'll be fine but there are no guarantees.
It's a huge risk going into the season without adding a new, experienced central midfield player.
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As the squad stands, presuming N'Zogbia does join, then central midfield is a big potential weakness for us. So as someone said this season is big for Delph and us as we NEED him to produce.
I'd still feel securer with him alongside someone like Parker.
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The thing is if we get the likes of Delph having a break through year, Ireland getting his head right and rediscovering his form, Dunne in the form of his first season and Warnock playing like he was pre Carling cup final, together with the youngsters stepping up. Then all will be rosy in the garden next year.
Sadly I can't see many of those thinsg happening
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The thing is if we get the likes of Delph having a break through year, Ireland getting his head right and rediscovering his form, Dunne in the form of his first season and Warnock playing like he was pre Carling cup final, together with the youngsters stepping up. Then all will be rosy in the garden next year.
Sadly I can't see many of those thinsg happening
Nor me.
And to have a chance of a top 6 placing, we'd need the perfect storm of all those things happening.
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Delph will have a big season I can feel it in my water he has the potential to be a top top player he just needs to stay clear of injuries and play more then it's all systems go.
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Needs to learn to rein in/channel his aggression too otherwise he'll spend half the season suspended. Definitely a good player in there somewhere though.
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The ability for us to capture Scott Parker would be massive not only for the club, but also for the young players that need an excellent player and leader.
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Delph will have an above-average season and then fuck off to Man City.
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He's obviously got the talent,he's got vision,touch on ther ball,like others have said he needs to know when to stay on his feet and when to dive in,and he needs to get physically bigger,but that'll come.
But because he's still young,he won't have the consistancy,and this worries me with the news that we won't be getting anyone else in,as Petrov only last 55 minutes,Makoun is still unknown in the premier,and we don't know if Ireland will turn out like Blackadder goes forth,with a pair of pants on his head,and two pencils up his nose.
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any news why fabian delph not played during festive period
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He's shit
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Get rid.
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Unfortunately, I don't think he's good enough.
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It's probably something daft like if he starts 10 league games he gets a triple your money pay deal.
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Herd and Clark have been decent in the defensive role recently. He was pretty poor when he played there earlier. Nothing to see hear.
I'd like to see him go out on loan to a higher championship team in order to regain his confidence. At the moment it's completely shot. He's shit scared to do anything when he steps out onto the pitch and like that he's of no use to us.
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I'd loan him out, I wouldn't give up on him yet.
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I'd send him back to Leeds on loan for the rest of the season. Needs to rebuild form and confidence, neither of which we can afford to accommodate at the moment.
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I'd flog him while he's still worth a couple of million. It's clear now that he's not the hot young property we were led to believe, and he's lost his place to the likes of Clark and Herd who aren't even natural midfielders. Petrov, Ireland, Clark, Herd, Bannan and now even Gary Gardener appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Herd and Clark have been decent in the defensive role recently. He was pretty poor when he played there earlier. Nothing to see hear.
I'd like to see him go out on loan to a higher championship team in order to regain his confidence. At the moment it's completely shot. He's shit scared to do anything when he steps out onto the pitch and like that he's of no use to us.
A lot of our players look shit scared at the moment, not a good place to be
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I've been completely underwhelmed with his performances with a while now. His stepping up to Premier League level doesn't seem to be happening.
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To be honest I've stopped even thinking of him as a Villa player.
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To be honest I've stopped even thinking of him as a Villa player.
Any particular reason Dave?
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I'm still willing to give him a chance. God knows I hadn't completely give up on Ireland either( Yes, I know one great performance doesn't mean he has finally delivered).
While a player is on our books I have to hope that one day he will finally come good, although for some (Beye, Heskey) I won't b holding too much hope.
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To be honest I've stopped even thinking of him as a Villa player.
Any particular reason Dave?
When I think of potential line-ups I never think of him. I can't remember a player who cost so much and has made so little impression on our conscious. He's not shite, he's not Balabanesque, he's just off the radar.
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Yeah I guess that's true, I do think he has talent I'm just not sure what is wrong with his mentality. I do think he needs a loan.
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at the moment I'd try him at left back
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He always struck me as more of an attacking midfielder who doesn't mind getting in when he was at Leeds. I just don't think the holding role suits him at all. Or maybe his injury has had an effect. Or maybe, at the end of the day, he's just a bit shit.
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He's another example of O'Neill paying totally over the odds for a player from the British leagues. He's not a £6-£8m player in a million years.
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We paid for potential.
When he was at Leeds they thought he was the mutts nutts and were convinced he'd make it big in the Prem. We've all seen players like that - sometimes they do, but very often they don't. That's why it's a risk paying a big sum of money for them. If he doesn't break through this year, and the signs are that he won't, then I think he's had it and we need to offload him in the summer.
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Unfortunately Dave is perfectly right, he's just off the radar, the umpteenth overplayed player that MON left in heritage to the club.
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Disagree. He's just being completely used wrong. Houllier had likened him to our Wilshere and was rated extremely highly here. This is houllier who had a summer of Oriol, Nacho and Cabaye lined up for us (infinitely better than what we have now).
Delph can make it but he needs proper management and to be played in his correct position.
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Delph looked every bit an outstanding prospect when he first joined. He seems to have gone backwards. To be fair to him he's had a big injury, has been played out of position and the coaching he received when he first got here would not have helped him.
I'd be tempted to play him on the left hand side when N'Zog needs a rest/kick up the arse. I'd rather Delph be given chance to turn things around before scrapping him.
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He'll end up going to Sunderland or Everton and making a huge impact imo. Play him at left back if needs be.
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I'm still willing to give him a chance. God knows I hadn't completely give up on Ireland either( Yes, I know one great performance doesn't mean he has finally delivered).
While a player is on our books I have to hope that one day he will finally come good, although for some (Beye, Heskey) I won't b holding too much hope.
Ireland did do it once thou , yes a long time ago but theres a player there .
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Disagree. He's just being completely used wrong. Houllier had likened him to our Wilshere and was rated extremely highly here. This is houllier who had a summer of Oriol, Nacho and Cabaye lined up for us (infinitely better than what we have now).
Delph can make it but he needs proper management and to be played in his correct position.
How should he be used? Do you mean as a more attacking midfielder and if so would you put him ahead of Ireland or bannan?
Personally I'd send him out on loan and see whether he can discover some form.
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I watched Luke Moore play almost a full game the other day. The special comments guy was singing his praises the first half for the way he lead the line but as the second half progressed he started pointing out his flaws. Even now with the ball at his feet you can see the talent but Christ he is lacking in desparation. To me Delph is in the same category, has talent but his defficiancies are just too much.
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I really wanted him to succeed, not just because he cost a lot of money, but because we needed a player just like him. However as time has gone by he’s just turned into Curtis Davis Mark II. A player full of potential, but simply not going to realise any of it. Watching him play a few weeks ago, you could just see that he wasn’t going to make it and that before this season is out he’ll be in the Championship. I’m afraid no season long loan is going to rectify this one and it will just be another example of more money spunked away by MON.
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i am not sure he will make it as a top midfielder but surprisingly last season i thought he looked pretty good at left back!
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Given the right environment I suspect Delph woulld / could have made it. The circumstances that would have helped him? - either in a team that got proomoted from the Championship, having got some competitive 'mileage' on the clock; or, in a ManUre context, where he could have been given a more gradual introduction to the Premiership.
When he's played for us he has ben expected to carry the full weight of playing responsibility as well as the pricetag; probably didn't get enough mentorship from us 'cos of the managerial merry-go-round and the poor on-pitch play.
Is he a LB? - possibly, although he's always got a mistake and a cheap foul in him. So, no better than the current options.
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Petrov
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Agbonlahor
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Given
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Gordon Cowans.
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Given
Yes, that'd be invaluable for Delph.......
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Given
Yes, that'd be invaluable for Delph.......
yeah its good init
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Agbonlahor
Seriously? What is a midfielder going to learn from Gabby? Petrov , hmmmm...yes but Gabby errr nope!
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Agbonlahor
Seriously? What is a midfielder going to learn from Gabby? Petrov , hmmmm...yes but Gabby errr nope!
[/quote}
Attitude? Work rate?
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He lacks basic technique, the ability to controll the ball quickly, you can get away with pooor first touch in the Championship not at this level.
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Delph would be a very good player for a club like Wigan, West Brom, Blackburn etc. I'd cut my losses on him I think, he's never done anything but look like getting sent off in a Villa shirt. Gardner must be ahead of him in the pecking order or somethings wrong.
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Thats the problem with all our kids, who are they going to learn off? is there any senior player in the team right now that you could point to and say watch him son and learn from him.
Agbonlahor
Seriously? What is a midfielder going to learn from Gabby? Petrov , hmmmm...yes but Gabby errr nope!
[/quote}
Attitude? Work rate?
His work rate has been good so i wouldnt comment on that. Attitude? I dont think his attitude is out of line either. Its to do with the ability on the ball in the central midfield role which is where he can learn his trade from the likes of Petrov and his decision making and passing.
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I would imagine the senior pro he looks up to most is Hutton. I feel the need to close my eyes and cross my fingers when either of them are about to make a tackle.
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I'm willing to give him time. I'd much rather see him in the team than Heskey.
There's a player in there with the right coaching. Look how long it took Bale to make an impact at Spurs...
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I'd much rather see him in the team than Heskey.
Apologies for going off topic completely, but i discovered today that Emile Heskey has scored more headed goals (28), than any other player still plying there trade in the premiership. A stat i thought remarkable. Just thought I'd share that.
Anyway.... Fabian Delph.....
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I like delph. I think there's a very good player in there. The problem is he got a bad injury at the wrong time and since he came back the club has been really unsettled. Add to that when he has come into the side for a run of games we, as a team, were shit so he was just part of some pretty poor performances. The player he should be looking up to is Makoun but seeing as Makoun has been abandoned without any chance to get a pre-season in that's not going to happen. I can see him filling a role for us as I'd love for us to be in a position of being able to rotate the squad around without losing anything.
1 of the biggest problems we've had since Randy came in (thanks MON) is that we've had a first 11 and backups rather than 18-19 players who all deserve to play and you can rotate around. That is inexcusable given the money we've spent and the lauding that the academy has received.
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Sadly as much as I've love him to I don't think Delph can make it. Sell now & use the cash wisely.
Swap for Adam Lallana at Southampton.
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McLeish raved about him for the first few weeks, he obviously holds him in high regard or has done very recently so I wouldn't write him off just yet. I wonder if he'll be part of O'Neill's inevitably ''Villa Swoop'' this month/next summer.
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god i hope MON does swoop for him. Even a couple of million for someone who doesn't offer much more than osbourne did would be something. Done up like a kipper we were - no wonder Leeds praised us for the way we handled the transfer - must have been pissing themselves
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Can anyone remember the breakdown in payment to Leeds or was that made public? He's not stuck on 24 league appearances is he?
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it was a lot of money for a div2 player. 6m? if there was add-ons we must have got well and truly shafted.
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god i hope MON does swoop for him. Even a couple of million for someone who doesn't offer much more than osbourne did would be something. Done up like a kipper we were - no wonder Leeds praised us for the way we handled the transfer - must have been pissing themselves
I seem to remember that Man Citeh's involvement was the reason for the praise, and also contributed to the inflated price. Sperms were interested as well, according to the article below.
ToryGraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/5967238/Aston-Villa-agree-fee-for-Leeds-midfielder-Fabian-Delph.html)
Delph, 19, will now discuss personal terms with the Midlands club and, depending on an agreement being reached, undergo a medical at the club this afternoon. Neither the terms nor medical are expected to prove problematic.
Signing Delph is something of a coup for Villa, who have made no secret of the need to make a number of signings before the start of the season.
Martin O’Neill has followed Delph’s progress for some time, but was initially put off by Leeds’ valuation. However, when City and Tottenham registered their interest last week, O’Neill was compelled to order that Villa’s bid be increased.
It is understood that the way in which negotiations were conducted played a decisive role in the decision of Leeds to accept Villa’s bid. In a thinly veiled dig at City, who have alienated a number of clubs this summer, Leeds praised the “honourable manner” in which Villa made their approach.
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Dunno. Way i see it herd, clark, bannon look miles more comfortable in midfield than delpth ever has and none of them are anyway near the finished article yet'. As i said at the time, Leeds sold him and got promoted the next season. Doesn't appear they missed him much to me.
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Delph needs some time.
That's all I'm saying. I think he's a very promising young player. I want him to have more oportunities to shine.
*Tin hat on*
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Delph needs some time.
That's all I'm saying. I think he's a very promising young player. I want him to have more oportunities to shine.
*Tin hat on*
Don't worry, I agree.
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I think he's lost his confidence. If he gets it back I think he could be a good player. I'd like to see him played further foward, in the kind of areas Ireland and Bannan operate, as I think he has an eye for a cheeky pass.
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Delph needs some time.
That's all I'm saying. I think he's a very promising young player. I want him to have more oportunities to shine.
*Tin hat on*
If he'd come through the Villa youth team, most people would probably be of the opinion that the likes of Bannan and Clark were leaving him behind. But because he cost £6m, it's almost like he HAS to come good, even though the evidence to date is that he isn't that special.
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I think he's lost his confidence. If he gets it back I think he could be a good player. I'd like to see him played further foward, in the kind of areas Ireland and Bannan operate, as I think he has an eye for a cheeky pass.
He wasn't even the best player in the Leeds team the time we signed him. Terrible waste of cash (one MO'N deal that was wrong).
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ONE!?
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ONE!?
The others weren't as much - £6m was a huge fee.
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My prospective son-in-law, Leeds fan and mod on a fanzine, tells me that Delph to Leeds on loan is very close to a done deal - according to Peter Lorimer .
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I maintain he's talented. A good spell of football may be what he needs, though we're very light in central midfield especially of petrov is entering one of his tired phases (ie the second half of the season!)
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Delph is a good player, he just doesn't have a role at the minute. Herd, Petrov & Ireland is our best suited centre midfield.
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My prospective son-in-law, Leeds fan and mod on a fanzine, tells me that Delph to Leeds on loan is very close to a done deal - according to Peter Lorimer .
Indeed my sources tell me this should happen.
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ONE!?
The others weren't as much - £6m was a huge fee.
Curtis Davies £10m, Steve Sidwell £5m...
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yeah gone on loan to leeds today.
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ONE!?
The others weren't as much - £6m was a huge fee.
Curtis Davies £10m, Steve Sidwell £5m...
£6m for Sidwell?
Not sure about Delph not being the best player at Leeds when we signed him though. I do remember the general opinion in the football world (in England) was that Villa had pulled off a coup by signing him. And in his early performances this seemed to be confirmed. I still believe if he was handled correctly he could still offer something.
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Good luck Fab, I hope you find what we paid all that money for.
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I do remember the general opinion in the football world (in England) was that Villa had pulled off a coup by signing him. And in his early performances this seemed to be confirmed. I still believe if he was handled correctly he could still offer something.
I don't doubt his ability, but he was always one to develop, so never going to feature much in that first season under MON. After which he's been brought into a struggling team, which can't be easy. I think he'll come good eventually, although maybe not for us now.
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We all knew & I'm sure he did too, that this was a big season for Delph. I think he's been trying too hard to impress when in the team and hasn't really progressed over the last 6 months or so like we'd all hoped for. I know he has the ability, what may lack is the physical strength to play in center midfield and experience of playing there. Hopefully this loan will give him the chance to start again.
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He needs confidence and game time. He wasn't (and shouldn't have been) getting game time here but hopefully he will get it at Leeds otherwise it will be a vicious circle of ever lowering confidence and little game time.
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Can't see him making it here tbh, if someone offers 3m for him in the summer, I'd move him on.
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I maintain he's talented. A good spell of football may be what he needs, though we're very light in central midfield especially of petrov is entering one of his tired phases (ie the second half of the season!)
Whilst Delph has had his opportunity in the first team this season, he never was and never will be a defensive midfielder. Like Bannan, he's far more suited to and advanced midfield role and it was ridiculous for Petrov to be the one of the two defensive midfielders to go walk about. Obviously Clark it much more comfortable sitting in front of the back four but I think we never got to see the best of Delph as he was asked to sit too deep.
Hopefully at Leeds they'll get him back to his best, a true box to box midfielder.
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I agree Mark, I think Delph's future is very much as an attacking midfielder and hopefully his confidence will return.
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With Delph, I just can't see that he's particularly good at any area of the game. He runs around energetically, but his tackling is normally misjudged, his passing isn't spectacular, and as a supposed attacking player, I can't say that I've noticed him making good runs or having a particularly effective shot on him. Of course he's still young, but he does seem a bit of a jack of all trades utility player rather than being a first choice for being excellent at a particular style.
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Some interesting quotes from the lad in this article, lifted from Sporting Life:
Fabian Delph is hoping to stay with Leeds for the remainder of the season after joining on loan from Aston Villa.
Delph made his second debut for the Whites in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old's initial deal is due to expire on 25th February, although Leeds want to retain Delph for the remainder of the season.
The Bradford-born midfielder also wants to stay at Elland Road until the summer and do his best to help Leeds win promotion.
"That would be an absolute dream for me I get the nod to stay till the end of the season. If that happens, I'd be delighted," said Delph.
"These things don't come around quickly, you've got to build.
"Hopefully if we can keep going and the fans can stick behind us then we might end up in the Premier League.
"That's the sprit that we've got, the fans were all very vocal today and we just pushed on and kept going. We've got a never-say-die attitude, that's what came across (against Ipswich) and we just carried on going.
"I would like to be playing football and if I can play here I'll be delighted, because this is my home club and this is where I've always been happiest."
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With Delph, I just can't see that he's particularly good at any area of the game. He runs around energetically, but his tackling is normally misjudged, his passing isn't spectacular, and as a supposed attacking player, I can't say that I've noticed him making good runs or having a particularly effective shot on him. Of course he's still young, but he does seem a bit of a jack of all trades utility player rather than being a first choice for being excellent at a particular style.
I've seen a fair bit of promise from him, but you're right about his tackling being frequently misjudged (that's putting it lightly).
At some point, I think the question with younger players stops being "will he make it?" (ie is he good enough to be a top flight player) and becomes "will he make it here?" (is he good enough, and is he going to get the chance to prove it here?).
It's hard to see Delph getting much of a chance with us, so i think sending him out on a decent loan is a good idea. He'll either grow as a player for it and come back to us a better option, or he'll do well enough for someone to refund us some of a pretty hefty fee we paid for him.
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My thoughts on Delph.
- His passing range is brilliant if he does make the odd howler.
- He is very tenacious and needs to learn some restraint but I admire his spirit and I'd rather try and calm somebody down than motivate a lazy jackass.
- He is still very young with plenty to come if handled well.
- Injuries have coast him the chance to show consistency. There's no doubt he was coming into his own before that horrendous ACL injury.
All in all there's a really good play there if he can get a run. Maybe going back to Leeds is for the best in that regard as he has some kinks to iron out.
He was our best player in the first matches of this season I would say and the guy that was the best player on the pitch against Internazionale a couple of years ago is still there somewhere.
But he's not a specialist defensive or attacking midfielder, he's a box to box player who can play in a few other positions at need. I still have hope he will become the player he promised to be.
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As much as i would love Delph to be a first choice regular, i just get the feeling he has missed the boat. His most effective position has still not been established and when given a run of games still do not think he has been consistent enough and even became a liability with rash challenges and reckless decision making tackles .....
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Like Mazrim, i was a big Delph fan.Against Ure 2 years ago, he was the best player on the pitch, and that includes Rooney.But i think that injury severely affected him.For me his touch has gone,and then his confidence.Every game i have seen him this year his 2nd touch is a tackle.
IF he rediscovers his touch/form at Leeds, then he is a very very good player, who has a pass, good acceleration, likes a tackle and a shot.Overall a potentially very good midfielder, but needs to rediscover his pre-injury form/potential.
Should'nt give up on him yet tbh.
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How did he do on Saturday?
The centre of midfield is getting crowded with options now. The emergence of Gardner and Herd, Ireland's resurrection and Clark finally being played in his best position has meant that Delph and Bananaman are now missing out having looked the lads most likely back in August. And I reckon McLeish will be in the market for a proven midfield dynamo in the summer, regardless if Petrov stays or not because all the above young-gun midfielders (as well as Ireland) can't be relied-upon to give consistent performances week-in week-out just yet.
Can't see Makoun coming back but some sort of upgrade to Reo-choker is still missing. Delph's time may have passed but McLeish is certainly a fan so if he does well at Leeds, who knows? Alternatively he could help get them promoted and we could sell him back for half of what we paid them.
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I know it was only in division 3 but this shows what he capable of doing. Probably best to have the sound muted!
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Could he develop into the next former Leeds allround player for us?
People used to say that a certain James Milner wasn't a defensive midfielder/attacking midfielder (delete as necessary) but he wasn't a bad allround player.
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Whilst Delph has had his opportunity in the first team this season, he never was and never will be a defensive midfielder. Like Bannan, he's far more suited to and advanced midfield role and it was ridiculous for Petrov to be the one of the two defensive midfielders to go walk about.
It depends how you play your defensive midfielders. Modric plays defensive midfield (positionally) for spurs and I'd say he has many qualities that our Bannan has. One day I'd like to see Bannan or Delph playing as this quarter back position as I think they'd be great for the transition between defence and midfield. I doubt it would work now but after a few years experience I think it's a change that could make Villa a much more dynamic team.
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I've always rated Delph and I think the disruption of the injury combined with a little bit of over-exposure and managers not deciding his best position have all conspired to blunt his talent. If he can re-find his mojo at Leeds he will provide healthy competition for MF places in next season's XI.
However, AMcL may just decide to cash in over the summer and concentrate his efforts on the MF players he currently has in the squad.
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Bloody hell, just watched that youtube clip of his goals and he's scored some right belters. Pity he could never score any like that for us
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Bloody hell, just watched that youtube clip of his goals and he's scored some right belters. Pity he could never score any like that for us
In much the same way as we said about Alan Thompson and Sasa Curcic come to think of it...
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Correct about muting that clip, it improved it ten fold. I couldn't recognise that player to that one I've seen in a Villa shirt. Hell probably be the next Gary Cahill
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Correct about muting that clip, it improved it ten fold. I couldn't recognise that player to that one I've seen in a Villa shirt. Hell probably be the next Gary Cahill
Is that good or bad? Bad until two weeks ago when the ''if he's that good why is he still at Bolton?'' line meant we didn't have to feel bad about selling him.
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All well taken goals, showing he has good vision and placement. In all bar one, he's been in heaps of space, allowing the time to measure the shot - something he needs to do tenfold, when playing premiership opposition, create his own space.
If he cracks that and plays a more advanced role, then great. If not, lower league beckons.
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I know it was only in division 3 but this shows what he capable of doing. Probably best to have the sound muted!
Some great goals in there!
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Are we doing something wrong by Delph? He looks quality back then.
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Are we doing something wrong by Delph? He looks quality back then.
Different level in my opinion, another waste of money by a certain sunderland manager
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Are we doing something wrong by Delph? He looks quality back then.
Different level in my opinion, another waste of money by a certain sunderland manager
Exactly. I'm sure you could take all of the League 1 and 2 top scorers from the last few seasons, and put together an exciting Youtube montage of their goals. Doesn't mean that they'd cut it in the Premier League though.
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There's clearly talent there but the injury was a major setback and he's not recaptured the form he showed prior to that. Let's hope that the loan period enables him to get back to his best and that we are the beneficiaries.
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Doesn't matter who you are or how good you are, if you don't get games you won't make the grade. If the manager doesn't trust you or isn't prepared to stick with you then the only option is to move on.
I think his time will come again, I could see Delph playing in the role that Rameres does for Chelsea.
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Are we doing something wrong by Delph? He looks quality back then.
Different level in my opinion, another waste of money by a certain sunderland manager
Exactly. I'm sure you could take all of the League 1 and 2 top scorers from the last few seasons, and put together an exciting Youtube montage of their goals. Doesn't mean that they'd cut it in the Premier League though.
Jermaine Beckford springs to mind. Another Leeds player who looked a class above but once he got in to the Prem he couldn't do it.
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There's clearly talent there but the injury was a major setback and he's not recaptured the form he showed prior to that. Let's hope that the loan period enables him to get back to his best and that we are the beneficiaries.
I think he's had his chance and him being allowed to move on loan with our limited midfield options is a clear sign AM doesn't rate him. He's been put in the shop window in the hope someone will offer us a decent sum for him in the summer on the back of his performances IMO. If we got offerred 1 or 2m i think we'd take it
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Out for the rest of the season according to Matt Kendrick
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Not having much luck with injuries. Could be a career defining one. These are the sort of things that could see his contract not renewed. Next season will be a massive one for Delph, again...
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I'd forgotten Fabian Delph existed before seeing the title of this thread. Unlucky or whatever I don't think his Villa career can be seen as anything other than a failure.
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I'd forgotten Fabian Delph existed before seeing the title of this thread. Unlucky or whatever I don't think his Villa career can be seen as anything other than a failure.
A pretty expensive failure?
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I'd forgotten Fabian Delph existed before seeing the title of this thread. Unlucky or whatever I don't think his Villa career can be seen as anything other than a failure.
A pretty expensive failure?
Sums up a good few of MON's signings
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TBF we paid the going rate for promising teens from lower divisions in England. Look at how much Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walker cost.
The issue with Delph is two fold.
One, he is not a defensive midfielder which is how he has been asked to be played recently. He then had his run of poor form culminating in the loan.
Two, his tackling is reckless and is a danger to himself more then the opposition. MON mentioned it soon after he bought him but he didn't bother to/ didn't have the ability to re-coach him correctly.
I still remember some of the performances he was putting in soon after we signed him. Was it Juventus we played in a friendly where there coach raved about him? Also the Manure home match and his goal in the FA cup were also stand out moments. But the injuries have took a toll on him and his development.
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One of the worst players ive seen in a villa shirt in my opinion. Could never see why people raved about him.
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One of the worst players ive seen in a villa shirt in my opinion. Could never see why people raved about him.
You can't have been watching Villa that long in that case
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TBF we paid the going rate for promising teens from lower divisions in England. Look at how much Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walker cost.
The issue with Delph is two fold.
One, he is not a defensive midfielder which is how he has been asked to be played recently. He then had his run of poor form culminating in the loan.
Two, his tackling is reckless and is a danger to himself more then the opposition. MON mentioned it soon after he bought him but he didn't bother to/ didn't have the ability to re-coach him correctly.
I still remember some of the performances he was putting in soon after we signed him. Was it Juventus we played in a friendly where there coach raved about him? Also the Manure home match and his goal in the FA cup were also stand out moments. But the injuries have took a toll on him and his development.
Undoubtedly a talent, but sometimes things don't work out for a player at a club.
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I think it was Fiorentina where he was excellent, Man U also. I remember his early appearances he had a knack of swinging the ball wide to Ash Young, ala Barry, and looked really promisisng. I fear he may go the way of Curtis Davies though.
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Let's remember we paid £6m for Delph, not £16m or something hugely inflated. The fee was fine. As shown on some of the video clips, the lad's got plenty of talent.
It's a shame the way things are panning out for him - mostly for the player himself. Whenever he's looked like getting into a run of form, he's had an injury, and serious ones at that. He just can't seem to get going. Let's hope he's ready for pre-season, and gets a fresh start - he's 22 years old and given our midfield options, shouldn't be writing him off just yet. He can be a ball-playing midfielder, he's got a nice touch and decent vision.
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Looked full of promise when we signed him but injury didn't help. We also seem to have coached the talent out of him during his stay at the Villa. Taken under Sid's wing he could still prove to be a quality player.
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I'd forgotten Fabian Delph existed before seeing the title of this thread. Unlucky or whatever I don't think his Villa career can be seen as anything other than a failure.
A pretty expensive failure?
He's probably cost well over £10mil with wages and transfer fee, and medical bills by now...
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Never good enough to be a Premier midfielder i'm afraid.
Rather than just write off the massive investement, why not try him in a different position like left back?
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Rather than just write off the massive investement, why not try him in a different position like left back?
I've heard worse ideas than that (like playing him at CB!)
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Looked a liability when he played, wasn't near anything like good enough when he played, injury prone (little wonder the way he went in for tackles), couldn't pass and terrible first touch. We will get no return on our investment. A disaster, a complete disaster.
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Well we paid £6m with an additional £2m to be paid I expect under the usual appearances terms. Delph was given an improved and extended contact by Houllier last season, keeping the lad here until summer 2015. Let's hope he fully recovers and when he returns he's given another opportunity to prove himself, preferably as a box to box midfielder, not as a defensive midfielder where he looked for obvious reasons, lost.
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It's not worked out (yet) but I'm not going to hang MON for that particular signing. I think these are the sort of players we need to be looking at, hoping they achieve their potential rather than signing too many 30 year old (because you can't be bothered to coach).
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It doesn't matter what position he plays if his first touch bounces away from him or if he tackles like he has shown or if he keeps giving the ball away as often as he has shown. He would have to improve these aspects of his game drastically to even be considered in the future. They're basic elements to the game at any level and more so at prem level.
You might say he's trying too hard to impress. That might be the case to some extent but I can't say that I remember seeing him have anything like a half decent game when he did play.
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It's not worked out (yet) but I'm not going to hang MON for that particular signing. I think these are the sort of players we need to be looking at, hoping they achieve their potential rather than signing too many 30 year old (because you can't be bothered to coach).
I agree. He was an expensive youngster with bags of potential. A calculated gamble. Just like Young was. One came off, the other does not appear to have done so. I don't think MON can be criticised too harshly.
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It's not worked out (yet) but I'm not going to hang MON for that particular signing. I think these are the sort of players we need to be looking at, hoping they achieve their potential rather than signing too many 30 year old (because you can't be bothered to coach).
I agree. He was an expensive youngster with bags of potential. A calculated gamble. Just like Young was. One came off, the other does not appear to have done so. I don't think MON can be criticised too harshly.
...on this occasion.
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There's plenty to of things MON did that he deserves stick for. Signing Delph isn't one of them.
Having said that, overall i've been disappointed with Delph, although injuries and being played as a defensive midfielder probably didn't help.
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http://blogs.birminghammail.net/astonvilla/2012/02/fabian-delph-faces-a-critical.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BirminghamMail-AstonVilla+%28Birmingham+Mail+-+Aston+Villa%29
Nice piece.
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Looked a liability when he played, wasn't near anything like good enough when he played, injury prone (little wonder the way he went in for tackles), couldn't pass and terrible first touch. We will get no return on our investment. A disaster, a complete disaster.
I don't see that at all.
I remember his debut v Fiorentina, when he was the best player on the pitch. Taking their players on, good eye for a pass and not afraid of the physical stuff either. Even their manager commented on his performance after the match "We knew about Ashley Young, we didn't know about Delph," or words to that effect.
Against Man U at home in the league in his first season he was our man of the match and definitely looked the real deal. Since then, he's had a potentially career threatening injury and a stint at the back end of last season when he was more involved (and we played some of our best football of the campaign).
This season he started okay, but from about Oct/ Nov onwards he looked badly out of touch and low on confidence. He's still young enough so I'm not going to write him off just yet. I do think he may have benefited from starting wide on the left though - his positioning lets him down at times, knowing when to hang back or when to attack. Out wide might provide the opportunity to see him integrated into the first team without leaving us exposed. Though not a winger in the true sense, he can take players on and beat them and his distribution is usually better than what we witnessed earlier in the campaign. Then - with more awareness and more experience- he can move back towards the centre when he's say 24/25 (he's only recently turned 22 remember). Gareth Barry only started looking comfortable there at the age of 26.
I'm not going to discount the possibility of him being a failure - and a lot will depend on the player himself. If he wants out (and he did talk about wanting to make his loan move back to Leeds permanent) that's a different story. But like Maidstonevillian, I'm not going to blame MON for signing him. This and the Curtis Davies deal were the type of deals we as a club should go for - promising young England players (seemingly) on the up. The competition we had to fend off to land both would indicate it was a reasonable gamble to take. Unlike stupid money at Sidwell, Heskey, Beye and co.
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I really can't see it working out for him here.
I think I'd move him out in the summer if we get a bid of 3-4m.
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http://blogs.birminghammail.net/astonvilla/2012/02/fabian-delph-faces-a-critical.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BirminghamMail-AstonVilla+%28Birmingham+Mail+-+Aston+Villa%29
Nice piece.
Indeed. I'd say he's called it absolutely spot on. The problem is how we get him to rediscover his confidence and form once he's back fit as he has been trapped in a vicious cycle. He loses confidence, tries too hard and loses more confidence. Too much pressure, too many injuries and too little confidence.
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Flavour of the month syndrome perhaps, but I wonder what someone like Brendan Rodgers would do with the likes of Delph, Albrighton, Bannan, Gardner and Ireland to build a midfield around.
Both Delph and Albrighton have struggled for us this year, but I think they are comfortably a notch or two up on the quality of player Swansea possess.
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Not even Rogers but even Martinez would've done better I'd say.
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Very good article by Kendrick, pretty much summed everything up.
McLeish was noticeably waxing lyrical about Delph pre-season and it was no surprise he got a run in the team at the start of the season. I think he suffered from being given the job as anchor-man while Petrov was left off the leash a bit (in fairness to Stan he proved his worth there with his goals this season).
I think Delph is better going forward, that over-zealousness in the tackle always had me watching through my fingers. If he is successful with his rehab, (and as the article alludes to, he could probably do with some psychological mentoring aswell) hopefully he'll get one more shot at shining for us.
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Don't think it was any coincidence that some of his best form for the club was during Gary McAllister's stint as caretaker manager.
Not saying I'd want him back, but a manager who actually wants to have a go at the opposition (rather than one who sends sides out to keep the score down) would benefit most of our attack minded players I'd have thought.
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I'd be amazed if anyone offered us anything like 3-4 Million this summer after the way things have for him here. He definitely has potential but the longer it goes undeveloped the less likely it will ever come good for him.
It was a big money move and a big step up too and either of those factors can crush a players confidence (See Torres/Carrol) let alone both. Really hope it works out for him here and if it doesn't it wont be due to a lack of effort.
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I dont think he is good enough, he lacks basic technique.
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He may be another case of YouTube making a player look like a world-beater or it may be that his body simply isn't cut out to perform at the level you need to in the top flight. Either way I agree with a number of people on here that can definitely see why the lad was brought in. It'd be a real shame if he doesn't cut it.
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http://blogs.birminghammail.net/astonvilla/2012/02/fabian-delph-faces-a-critical.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BirminghamMail-AstonVilla+%28Birmingham+Mail+-+Aston+Villa%29
Nice piece.
Indeed. I'd say he's called it absolutely spot on. The problem is how we get him to rediscover his confidence and form once he's back fit as he has been trapped in a vicious cycle. He loses confidence, tries too hard and loses more confidence. Too much pressure, too many injuries and too little confidence.
Agreed, and the confusion over his best role in the team needed to be resolved.
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My piece for ESPN on Delph's latest setback...
http://tiny.cc/zq1ah
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now i know why i keep spelling his name wrong. I'm thinking of pottery you see on the likes of Dickinson's Real Deal. Why i've confused the extremely expensive fragile pottery bought by rich idiots who never use it, to a footballer i'll never know.