Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: supertom on May 07, 2012, 03:40:01 PM

Title: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: supertom on May 07, 2012, 03:40:01 PM
I'm hoping we keep hold of him. The guy is an international with CL experience and has played at big clubs. I know he hardly set the world alight here (in all his 8 games, which is hardly a chance), but I think McLeish bished by getting rid of him, given how small our squad was.
We've really, really struggled in CM and could have done with him in retrospect.

Hopefully next season, with McLeish gone and a decent manager in, we might see the best of Jean. The was enough to suggest a decent footballer. We're so short of quality we can't afford to just write him off IMO.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: PaulWinch again on May 07, 2012, 03:41:20 PM
He can pass therefore if the moron is still in charge he's gone. For Christ's sake he thought Delph was a better option.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: cdbearsfan on May 07, 2012, 03:41:50 PM
I'd like to see him given a chance. He was decent, without standing out particularly. If he's good enough for Lyon though, he's more than good enough for us to at least try him. Our midfield has been woefully lacking experience this year, especially since Petrov's illness.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 03:43:58 PM
Skillfull and tidy player that can't tackle. Give me Herd every day of the week.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Clampy on May 07, 2012, 03:45:07 PM
Players like Makoun need a season and probably a pre-season to adjust to the prem. He got 7 games before he was shipped off elsewhere. It was shoddy management and maybe the first signs of what was in store with Mcleish.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Chipsticks on May 07, 2012, 03:45:38 PM
My god how we've cried out for someone like him in midfield as of late; a dynamic midfielder who can both tackle and pass to a decent standard. I heard he had a leg break or something and that's why he's fallen off the face of the Earth recently, we need him next season.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: garyshawsknee on May 07, 2012, 03:51:50 PM
It should've been a sign of things to come when he was let go during the summer. Crazy to judge him after a few games,we need someone who can keep calm and keep the ball ticking over now Petrov can no longer play. Could work well with Ireland ahead of him and Herd next to him.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Holte L2 on May 07, 2012, 03:53:23 PM
He's got a twitter page and is always banging on about Villa. Maybe he was freed as a cost cutting excercise with the idea to bring him back next season? He would be like a new signing. He was at the game yesterday
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Irish villain on May 07, 2012, 03:55:01 PM
Sending him on loan only made sense from a wage bill cutting point of view. It now means he will be even more rusty when it comes to the PL than he already was, it means we were left very light in midfield in what was a season of real struggle and it means his potential transfer value is probably reduced.

That loan was a baffling decision. I reckon he will be sold. I just can't see him in a villa squad which is a shame.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: martin o`who?? on May 07, 2012, 03:59:47 PM
Makoun, Makoun Hmmm, i know that name from somewhere.......
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: levico on May 07, 2012, 04:00:16 PM
I think he will be sold too. Just my opinion but he didn't look good enough for the PL and I think AM agrees ...... But if he goes, who knows.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: supertom on May 07, 2012, 04:09:36 PM
It'd be such a waste of money to sell him though. He cost 7 million-ish, and we'll be lucky to get 2 mill for him now. Letting him go and getting in Jermaine Jenas was insane.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: eamonn on May 07, 2012, 04:14:57 PM
He's got a twitter page and is always banging on about Villa. Maybe he was freed as a cost cutting excercise with the idea to bring him back next season? He would be like a new signing. He was at the game yesterday

Oh really? Was he wearing one of his funky jumpers?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: luke25 on May 07, 2012, 04:16:43 PM
If McLeish stays then Makoun will be one of the first ones to go, if we get a manager in that wants to play football then he'll be a good midfielder for us.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Ads on May 07, 2012, 04:25:51 PM
Surely it is easier to teach a player to tackle and set him up a gym programme to add a few KG's than it is to get one to have good passing, movement and vision?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Legion on May 07, 2012, 04:31:32 PM
Where did he go?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
Surely it is easier to teach a player to tackle and set him up a gym programme to add a few KG's than it is to get one to have good passing, movement and vision?

You would think and hope so. Didn't we try something similar with Delph who loves a tackle but never quite mastered the art? Makoun has no idea how to tackle but as a gifted footballer you'd expect him to soon learn, without it he's no use to anybody in the PL, especially if he's expected to play as a defensive midfielder.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Holte L2 on May 07, 2012, 04:37:07 PM
He's got a twitter page and is always banging on about Villa. Maybe he was freed as a cost cutting excercise with the idea to bring him back next season? He would be like a new signing. He was at the game yesterday

Oh really? Was he wearing one of his funky jumpers?

There's a back catalogue of them. Some worn with very "trendy" beads and accessories.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: luke25 on May 07, 2012, 04:39:43 PM
He's from the same mould as Cabaye, any half decent manager could utilise him properly.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: ozzjim on May 07, 2012, 04:44:05 PM
I think he and Herd together would be a pretty good pair, with Ireland in front. I think the centre of midfield is a huge problem area, but one that can be solved. Guthrie on a free would I feel be a bloody good solid addition, then I would be after a true competition for Herd. Someone like De Jong, but younger and cheaper. Not the most exciting, but Gardner, Makoun, Herd, Guthrie, ANother would at least give us some options in there without looking like we are playing 8 defenders!
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Risso on May 07, 2012, 04:47:16 PM
Very average player.  A "defensive midfielder" who can't tackle.  No thanks, he isn't as good as any of the kids we have.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Matt Collins on May 07, 2012, 04:56:34 PM
I've just seen nowhere near enough to know. What I did see of him he played very badly though!

Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: TopDeck113 on May 07, 2012, 05:06:48 PM
I thought he looked ok. 
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Legion on May 07, 2012, 05:07:50 PM
Better than that American. Sorry, can't remember his name.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: spangley1812 on May 07, 2012, 05:13:17 PM
Better than that American. Sorry, can't remember his name.

Michael Bradley who has been outstanding in Serie A this season...........
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Legion on May 07, 2012, 05:14:00 PM
That's the one.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Monty on May 07, 2012, 05:15:53 PM
The only way Makoun is returning is if he passes McLeish in the door going the other way.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rip Van We Go Again on May 07, 2012, 05:25:14 PM
I still think he's got something to offer and I don't see how we can just write off £6m now Blandy has cut back on funds, a new Manager may also get the best out of N'Zogbia.
McLeish is like a flesh eating virus when it comes to creative players.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: N'Zimidy on May 07, 2012, 05:25:56 PM
Makoun is exactly what we need. Someone that can link the defence and midfield. Someone who is always open for a pass and will find someone in space with a quick one or two touches.

He doesn't need to be a defensive midfield destroyer. We already have that in Herd. Makoun should be playing in the Petrov role. Sitting back, helping switch the play then getting forward to dictate the tempo on the attack.

Makoun, Herd and Ireland, with Gardner, Guthrie and Bannan would be a very well balanced central midfield, with enough bite and creativity to match most teams in this league.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: phantom limb on May 07, 2012, 06:20:11 PM
Shipping Makoun out and bringing Jenas in was an astoundingly stupid move.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: mikeb1982 on May 07, 2012, 06:36:24 PM
I'd like to see him given more time, him, Ireland and Herd could work well. Assuming we pass through our midfield next season instead of bypassing it
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Summers on May 07, 2012, 06:39:16 PM
Cracking player. Travesty we sent him on loan and brought in Jenas.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: paul_e on May 07, 2012, 06:41:47 PM
Makoun never adjusted to the pace of the league, but the debate is, how many players have looked the business after that many games in this league, particularly after coming from France.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Legion on May 07, 2012, 06:43:22 PM
I'd forgotten about Jenas.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 07, 2012, 06:46:04 PM
Better than that American. Sorry, can't remember his name.

Michael Bradley who has been outstanding in Serie A this season...........

In fairness to Bradley, he played about 110 minutes total for us, most of which was at City in the cup debacle where pretty much every player was crap. Bit hard to judge a player over that little time.
Especially when people are still banging on how Bannan, Albrighton, Fonz etc all need more time and chances.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: spangley1812 on May 07, 2012, 06:48:54 PM
Better than that American. Sorry, can't remember his name.

Michael Bradley who has been outstanding in Serie A this season...........

In fairness to Bradley, he played about 110 minutes total for us, most of which was at City in the cup debacle where pretty much every player was crap. Bit hard to judge a player over that little time.
Especially when people are still banging on how Bannan, Albrighton, Fonz etc all need more time and chances.

I agree mate he wasnt given time I am afraid if he had all the chances Marc has had he would have proved to be a very decent player as he has done in the German and Italian leagues........
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: ktvillan on May 07, 2012, 06:54:25 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 

Very good footballer, good vision, good passer,  has the vision and technique to thread a through pass, would work well in tandem with Ireland.  He was outstanding at Old Trafford last season, and played very well at home to Newcastle. Not given a proper chance and there is no way we should have let him go out on loan.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 07:30:29 PM
I'm pretty certain that if we'd stuck with him and not bothered with Jenas then we would have been mathematically safe earlier than yesterday.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Monty on May 07, 2012, 07:35:55 PM
I'm pretty certain that if we'd stuck with him and not bothered with Jenas then we would have been mathematically safe earlier than yesterday.

I agree with this, simplistic as it seems, there are games where his calm on the ball might have earned us one or two more points than we ended up getting. Mind you, one calm player amidst the sea of chaos McLeish creates through his small-minded fear might not have made all the difference.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on May 07, 2012, 07:41:02 PM
I liked him, but can't help thinking that Houllier and then Macalister not picking him may be telling.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: PeterWithe on May 07, 2012, 07:45:50 PM
I thought he was a cracking player but maybe having Herd and/or Clarke in there gave us more height and presence when defending set pieces?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Clampy on May 07, 2012, 07:56:31 PM
I liked him, but can't help thinking that Houllier and then Macalister not picking him may be telling.

Did'nt he pick up an injury towards the end of the season?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 07:58:16 PM
With Bent, we basically need to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 (which are basically the same thing).

Our next manager just needs to work out a middle three that work well together. I still think that any of Herd, Clark, Ireland, Gardner, Makoun, Delph or our brilliant new signing COULD be in there and could work well.

I'll just take someone better than us lot to work out who should be in there, who will complement each other and how they should play. But there is definitely something there that could work because all the above are good players. It's just a case of somebody finding the right combination.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: eric woolban woolban on May 07, 2012, 08:04:36 PM
He is the Matthieu Berson of the 10's
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: hartman_1982 on May 07, 2012, 08:08:15 PM
It'd be such a waste of money to sell him though. He cost 7 million-ish, and we'll be lucky to get 2 mill for him now. Letting him go and getting in Jermaine Jenas was insane.
He cost less than 5million euros according to Mr Houllier.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 08:29:39 PM
The figure that was confirmed around the time was 5m euros. So I guess it depends on what the exchange was at the time. But presumably you're talking about £4.5m or so.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: gervilla on May 07, 2012, 08:37:31 PM
I think he deserves another shot with us. Discarded way too early.
Keep him, give him a chance to settle and if by the end of next season , if he isn't up to the job then get rid.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 08:41:17 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 

That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 08:43:19 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

By the way, it's "maths".
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: PaulTheVillan on May 07, 2012, 08:46:59 PM
Makoun looked very good against Man Utd away, but United sat back and let us have the ball, knowing we wernt going to do much with it.

When we played Stoke at home Makoun was terrible and went off.

I think he'll be off.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 08:47:28 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Clampy on May 07, 2012, 08:50:26 PM
If you're going to write off a player over one tackle then we might as well not bother signing anyone else.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: PaulWinch again on May 07, 2012, 08:52:13 PM
Correct I think it's madness writing him off, he played 7 games that is nowhere near enough. We seem prepared to write him off based on a tackle against Blackpool, but ignore his good display at Old Trafford.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Clampy on May 07, 2012, 08:55:28 PM
Correct I think it's madness writing him off, he played 7 games that is nowhere near enough. We seem prepared to write him off based on a tackle against Blackpool, but ignore his good display at Old Trafford.

He was superb up at Old Trafford, from memory i don't remember him giving the ball away.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 08:56:34 PM
If you're going to write off a player over one tackle then we might as well not bother signing anyone else.

That's just silly unless you accept we play a defensive midfielder (assuming that's where you want to play him) that doesn't tackle. He has many other talents but from what he's shown in a Villa shirt, tackling isn't one of them.

Edit: Just to confirm the source (apart from watching the games) was the Guardian's Chalkboard stats.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: TheSandman on May 07, 2012, 09:00:27 PM
If it's wrong to assume that Makoun isn't good enough for us based on the limited chances that he has had why is it right to assume that he is the magic bullet to solve our problems as quite a few on this thread seemed to have done?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 09:00:59 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Unless you can come up with something pretty conclusive to back that up then I'm going to assume that it's a silly statement like "Heskey always falls over" or "Collins always hoofs it".

e.g something that isn't true.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Clampy on May 07, 2012, 09:04:49 PM
I think that most agree that he should have been given longer to settle before being carted off to Greece. If McLeish is still here next season then we'll no doubt see Jenas back, who's not exactly renowned for his tackling either.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 09:06:15 PM
He was superb up at Old Trafford, from memory i don't remember him giving the ball away.

Indeed. Strangley he then went to Greece and sat on the bench for 3 months, a change of manager didn't help but from what he did show on a rare trip off the bench was enough to have the Olympiacos fans wanting to see him start. Apparently before his injury there was an agreement to sell him at the end of the season for 3m euros.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 07, 2012, 09:09:41 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Unless you can come up with something pretty conclusive to back that up then I'm going to assume that it's a silly statement like "Heskey always falls over" or "Collins always hoofs it".

For the hard of reading: The Guardian's Chalkboard stats. How silly they are I've no idea.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Risso on May 07, 2012, 09:12:02 PM
What's happened to the Guardian Chalkboards as a matter of interest?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 09:17:10 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Unless you can come up with something pretty conclusive to back that up then I'm going to assume that it's a silly statement like "Heskey always falls over" or "Collins always hoofs it".

For the hard of reading: The Guardian's Chalkboard stats. How silly they are I've no idea.
There's no need for the pissy attitude - I can't help if you're going to edit your posts after I've posted mine.

And as they don't really exist anymore, I'm guessing the rather outlandish claim that a central midfielder only attempted one tackle in 700 or so minutes of football is something that's exaggerated.

I'd expect Darren Bent will have attempted more tackles in that time on a pitch. I'm not saying that Makoun is Roy Keane, but let's be serious.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Matt C on May 07, 2012, 09:17:35 PM
Would like to see more of him but doubt we will - I'd put that down to him just not settling though rather than any notions that its because he can pass a ball! I think when the vast majority of the French contingent left VP he never really integrated.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Aston Manor on May 07, 2012, 09:23:32 PM
I know things are or have been bad this season but Makoun simply isn't good enough.Rubbish at tackling, passing not as good as our misty memories wish it to be, and can't go forward. Average at best.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: eamonn on May 07, 2012, 09:32:55 PM
Makoun looked very good against Man Utd away, but United sat back and let us have the ball, knowing we wernt going to do much with it.

When we played Stoke at home Makoun was terrible and went off.

I think he'll be off.

I remember him playing defence-splitting through balls to Ashley against Wolves and he hit the bar (we lost 1-0 and it was the closest Houllier got to feeling the treatment Big'Eck got after Bolton) and again at home to Newcastle when he played Bent through with the same type of pass. I think Bent scored but it was ruled-out for offside. I think he's worth another whirl.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: VILLA MOLE on May 07, 2012, 09:38:17 PM
Makoun is our player . he has ability,  we have a shortage of players and money so lets utilise him
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 09:38:43 PM
I know things are or have been bad this season but Makoun simply isn't good enough.
Three years ago I'd have agreed.

But now it's not like we have a plethora of international central midfielders who have played more Champions League games than the rest of our squad put together that we can just throw out instead.

So we might as well play the one that we have got a bit more than the half dozen or so games we've bothered to try him for.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: enigma on May 07, 2012, 09:54:32 PM
Lucas at Liverpool, Song at Arsenal, Ramires at Chelsea. Just a few midfielders off the top of my head that were derided at first but came good and are now considered hugely important for their respective teams.

Makoun may or may not not be as good as them but it's crazy to write him off totally after less than ten games. It's not like he was abysmal every time he played. He showed some good stuff at times. Worth giving him till January at the very least.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: SoccerHQ on May 07, 2012, 09:59:54 PM
Shipping Makoun out and bringing Jenas in was an astoundingly stupid move.

It really was.

As was thinking Fabian Delph was going to be a saviour of our season after a couple of half decent games in August.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Aston Manor on May 07, 2012, 10:05:15 PM
I know things are or have been bad this season but Makoun simply isn't good enough.
Three years ago I'd have agreed.

But now it's not like we have a plethora of international central midfielders who have played more Champions League games than the rest of our squad put together that we can just throw out instead.

So we might as well play the one that we have got a bit more than the half dozen or so games we've bothered to try him for.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on May 07, 2012, 10:19:18 PM
Clampy: even when they were all fit, the manager who bought him (and his assistant) prefered Petrov and NRC. Like I said, I like him, I like neat and tidy footballers, but I think that's pretty damning, and I'm willing to accept that maybe he's not as good as I thought he was after that Man U game.

BTW it's clearly bollocks that he only attempted one tackle. What about the penalty at Everton?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: ktvillan on May 07, 2012, 10:20:24 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Unless you can come up with something pretty conclusive to back that up then I'm going to assume that it's a silly statement like "Heskey always falls over" or "Collins always hoofs it".

For the hard of reading: The Guardian's Chalkboard stats. How silly they are I've no idea.
There's no need for the pissy attitude - I can't help if you're going to edit your posts after I've posted mine.

And as they don't really exist anymore, I'm guessing the rather outlandish claim that a central midfielder only attempted one tackle in 700 or so minutes of football is something that's exaggerated.

I'd expect Darren Bent will have attempted more tackles in that time on a pitch. I'm not saying that Makoun is Roy Keane, but let's be serious.

I'm afraid I also find it very hard to believe he only attempted to make 1 tackle in 7 games.  And in any case, if you want to be pedantic about it, it's invalid to draw a conclusion like "he can't tackle" based on a single example.  You might have a case for  "he doesn't tackle" assuming those dubious sounding stats are accurate.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Martyn Smith on May 07, 2012, 11:07:49 PM
I'd forgotten all about him, and thought he'd left for good...and I'd forgotten we'd had JJ for a while earlier this season...and about Michael Bradley...
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Villafirst on May 08, 2012, 12:09:20 AM
If McLeish stays then Makoun will be one of the first ones to go, if we get a manager in that wants to play football then he'll be a good midfielder for us.

Those words ''If McLeish stays'' fill me with horror - Lerner would be mad to keep him on, but anything is possible as he seems to have a talent for picking the wrong man for the job. It still amazes me that Lerner gets a relatively easy ride on these message forums - the bloke is a complete muppet.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Louzie0 on May 08, 2012, 12:14:19 AM
Please let us keep him.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: paul_e on May 08, 2012, 12:45:48 AM
Clampy: even when they were all fit, the manager who bought him (and his assistant) prefered Petrov and NRC. Like I said, I like him, I like neat and tidy footballers, but I think that's pretty damning, and I'm willing to accept that maybe he's not as good as I thought he was after that Man U game.

BTW it's clearly bollocks that he only attempted one tackle. What about the penalty at Everton?

Most signings from abroad made in January tend to need a few months to settle in to the league.  It really hard to judge a player like him on the timespan we saw.  Man U was enough for me to think him, Ireland and a holding player (Herd/Clark/New signing) could form a very strong 3, with makoun and ireland well capable of setting the tempo and getting the team playing exciting football.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: eamonn on May 08, 2012, 01:09:51 AM
Please let us keep him.

You're begging for Emile to stay on the other thread...do you want a squad of countless shiny, happy footballers? ;)
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Louzie0 on May 08, 2012, 01:19:19 AM
Please let us keep him.

You're begging for Emile to stay on the other thread...do you want a squad of countless shiny, happy footballers? ;)


I just want players who work for the Villa to stay.  Like Emile! He gets the ball and holds it up, or heads it on.  He is superb.

And I don't think that Jean was given a fair crack of the whip before being loaned out.  I loved him when he was in the team. (Like against Man Utd)  He is a little cracker, and he deserves another run-out or at least, several.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: tomd2103 on May 08, 2012, 01:31:44 AM
Needs to be given an opportunity and if he isn't up to it then can be moved on in January.  I just don't think we can afford to write off players with that kind of pedigree at the moment without having a real look first.  It was pretty clear that McLeish wasn't having him from the off, so I think he will definitely be gone if he stays.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 08, 2012, 04:36:26 PM
Wow it got to the fourth post before spurious "can't tackle" fallacy was wheeled out again.  Bases, once again, no doubt, on one bad challenge that got him red carded at Blackpool.  And nothing else. 
That tackle at Blackpool was his only tackle in a Villa shirt. You do the math.
Hyperbole is a wonderful linguistic tool but it doesn't really help this particular argument.

No hyperbole at all, it's a fact. He made (or attempted to make) one tackle.
Unless you can come up with something pretty conclusive to back that up then I'm going to assume that it's a silly statement like "Heskey always falls over" or "Collins always hoofs it".

For the hard of reading: The Guardian's Chalkboard stats. How silly they are I've no idea.
There's no need for the pissy attitude - I can't help if you're going to edit your posts after I've posted mine.

And as they don't really exist anymore, I'm guessing the rather outlandish claim that a central midfielder only attempted one tackle in 700 or so minutes of football is something that's exaggerated.

I'd expect Darren Bent will have attempted more tackles in that time on a pitch. I'm not saying that Makoun is Roy Keane, but let's be serious.

I'm afraid I also find it very hard to believe he only attempted to make 1 tackle in 7 games.  And in any case, if you want to be pedantic about it, it's invalid to draw a conclusion like "he can't tackle" based on a single example.  You might have a case for  "he doesn't tackle" assuming those dubious sounding stats are accurate.

You're right on that point, I should have said he "doesn't tackle" rather than "he can't", ignoring his one tackle that saw him sent off. He prefers to track the player with the ball rather than stick a foot in. Dubious or as outlandish as the stat may appear, it was there in black and white, it's not the kind of stat you forget.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, Makoun has plenty of other talents to compensate his non-tackling approach but the question is could be have afforded such a luxury this season? I'd like to think he'll be given a new clean slate by the incoming manager, whoever he will be. Makoun is a technically gifted footballer and the type of player we should be looking to accomodate. There's also the option of working on his tackling, something I'm sure he would have developed given more game time.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on May 08, 2012, 04:42:15 PM
There's no need for the pissy attitude - I can't help if you're going to edit your posts after I've posted mine.

I get get pissy with no man, Dave. The stats don't lie. You posted after my edit. It's there in black and white. The fact is was 4 seconds later is neither here nor there. *winky*
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Concrete John on May 08, 2012, 04:47:04 PM
Makoun comes from a school of football where tackling is becoming outdated and rather you cover runs and limit the man in possession's passing options as a holding player.  In order to win the ball back, you read and intercept rather than force the issue. 

I genuinely feel he's been taught that way.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Risso on May 08, 2012, 04:51:14 PM
Please let us keep him.

You're begging for Emile to stay on the other thread...do you want a squad of countless shiny, happy footballers? ;)


I just want players who work for the Villa to stay.  Like Emile! He gets the ball and holds it up, or heads it on.  He is superb.


Bloody hell, can I have some of those drugs?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: nick harper on May 08, 2012, 05:04:30 PM
The last thing we needed this season was a midfield player who passed to his own team mates and helped us keep the ball.

All those second halves at Villa Park this season where I've watched the opposition camped in our half and we can't lay a foot on the ball - even Stoke having better posession stats.

No-one will convince me that a technically gifted ball playing midfield player was not worth perservering with. The decision got worse as the season went on particularly after we lost Petrov.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on May 08, 2012, 05:50:38 PM
Just maybe the club officials forgot that we still hold his contract ..nothing surprises me at B6 these days.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: l_mckay on May 08, 2012, 05:54:54 PM
be a shame if he leaves without having a fair chance,surely a player with champions league experience must have some quality!
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: rutski on May 08, 2012, 06:03:29 PM
The last thing we needed this season was a midfield player who passed to his own team mates and helped us keep the ball.

All those second halves at Villa Park this season where I've watched the opposition camped in our half and we can't lay a foot on the ball - even Stoke having better posession stats.

No-one will convince me that a technically gifted ball playing midfield player was not worth perservering with. The decision got worse as the season went on particularly after we lost Petrov.
a good post! Makoun is a good player and someone who retains and passes the ball well!
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Dave on May 08, 2012, 07:14:00 PM
The last thing we needed this season was a midfield player who passed to his own team mates and helped us keep the ball.

All those second halves at Villa Park this season where I've watched the opposition camped in our half and we can't lay a foot on the ball - even Stoke having better posession stats.

No-one will convince me that a technically gifted ball playing midfield player was not worth perservering with. The decision got worse as the season went on particularly after we lost Petrov.
a good post! Makoun is a good player and someone who retains and passes the ball well!
Very much so.

I don't think anyone on here is claiming that he is going to be the new Gordon Cowans. Or the next James Milner.

Or even the next Nigel Reo-Coker.

But surely anyone would have to agree that having this player who MIGHT turn out to be pretty good is better than having to put Stephen Warnock in central midfield?
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: eamonn on May 08, 2012, 07:17:19 PM
He had a better passing range than Milner if not the same all-round game.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Vanilla on May 08, 2012, 07:36:35 PM
Can't see him coming back under the current manager, and if he does he won't be played.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on May 08, 2012, 08:10:45 PM
Can't see him coming back under the current manager, and if he does he won't be played.
I am assuming he is on a decent wage, and if keeping wages down is our priority these days, he won't be kept on.

I always thought he looked promising.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rip Van We Go Again on May 08, 2012, 08:29:29 PM
Ireland was given a second chance under a new Manager, i'd like to see the same thing happen for Makoun.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: James on May 08, 2012, 08:41:18 PM
Did the Greeks get a 'buy' option in the loan deal? If that's the case and they want him, we may no longer have the option of deciding his future!
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: ktvillan on May 08, 2012, 08:43:32 PM

BTW it's clearly bollocks that he only attempted one tackle. What about the penalty at Everton?

The one where Makoun stopped short of a challenge and Jagielka dived and simultaneously deliberately stuck his leg out and raked it against Makoun to claim "there was contact"?  No tackle and certainly not a penalty, the ref was conned / gutless.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: SoccerHQ on May 08, 2012, 09:00:48 PM
Clampy: even when they were all fit, the manager who bought him (and his assistant) prefered Petrov and NRC. Like I said, I like him, I like neat and tidy footballers, but I think that's pretty damning, and I'm willing to accept that maybe he's not as good as I thought he was after that Man U game.

BTW it's clearly bollocks that he only attempted one tackle. What about the penalty at Everton?

Most signings from abroad made in January tend to need a few months to settle in to the league.  It really hard to judge a player like him on the timespan we saw.  Man U was enough for me to think him, Ireland and a holding player (Herd/Clark/New signing) could form a very strong 3, with makoun and ireland well capable of setting the tempo and getting the team playing exciting football.

Bit of a myth anyway....Makoun started 8 of the first 9 games he was available for. Only started to disappear from the first team in the middle of April and I think he had some family problems back in the Cameroon anyway.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: The Left Side on May 09, 2012, 03:47:11 AM
I think he needs another shot FWIW
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rigadon on May 09, 2012, 06:58:11 AM
Anybody considered the possibility that Makoun didn't fancy here?  Like others have said, he might be worth another look but the last two managers didn't fancy playing him very much and that could be down to something we don't know about.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Mazrim on May 09, 2012, 10:06:31 AM
Makoun is ideal in a team that keeps the ball and keeps things ticking over.
Houllier was heading tha way with his Villa team but McLeish is like dropping a big fucking ugly stone in that millpond so I'm not suprised he was considered surplus. If we get a manager in who likes playing to Makouns strengths, then by all means lets get him back.
If we keep McLeish or get another dour manager who plays horrible attritional football then he's useless to us and we may as well cash in.

I'm hoping we get a manager in who wants to entertain and keep the ball though AND THIS TIME STICK WITH THAT PLAN, in which case, Makoun would be a useful squad player.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Concrete John on May 09, 2012, 10:12:58 AM
If we do get a new manager, then I'd imagine he'd want to make his own mind up on all the players.  I think Makoun was heading for the door, but if the new guy wants to use him then great.  And if he doesn't, we need to back him and let him mold his own Villa team.

Despite what I said in the Transfer thread yesterday, the same goes for Delph.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Mazrim on May 09, 2012, 10:22:34 AM
Agreed. I really hope Delph gets a season free from injury to show what he can do. He really has had no luck and no chance to play consistently as a result.
He was one of the best teenage players I've seen in a long time. That hasn't just disappeared.

One more season, in a hopefully decent Villa team that plays a passing game (his strength).
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Risso on May 09, 2012, 11:14:36 AM
Agreed. I really hope Delph gets a season free from injury to show what he can do. He really has had no luck and no chance to play consistently as a result.
He was one of the best teenage players I've seen in a long time. That hasn't just disappeared.

One more season, in a hopefully decent Villa team that plays a passing game (his strength).

He looked OK in League 1.  I don't think he's as good as the young players we already had, and Gardner already looks a much better bet.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Rip Van We Go Again on May 09, 2012, 11:18:11 AM
I think the slate needs to be wiped clean for everybody on the books, I have serious doubts about Delph but he needs a chance to impress under a proper Manager, not somebody who couldn't organise a two car funeral.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: N'ZMAV on May 10, 2012, 08:37:43 AM
Herd and Gardner are light years ahead
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: London Villan on May 10, 2012, 09:47:11 AM
Thing is though some of these players have failed to impress 5 managers (MON, KM, GH, GMc, AM)
Delph, Warnock, Beye, Cuellar, Delfonso...
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Concrete John on May 10, 2012, 10:01:21 AM
Thing is though some of these players have failed to impress 5 managers (MON, KM, GH, GMc, AM)
Delph, Warnock, Beye, Cuellar, Delfonso...

Warnock and Cuellar were regulars under MON, plus fairly regular starters for AM.  And Delph was never expected to make an instant impact given his age and stepping up two divisions and then injuries have held him back somewhat.

I think that although he dropped him, GH was expecting Makoun to play a big part this season, but then he left and AM didn't fancy him.

I think it's a similar story with both Makoun and Delph - there's a decent player in there somewhere, but haven't really shown it for us, so it's up to the (hopefully new) manager to evaluate them and decide if they're worth keeping or not.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: London Villan on May 10, 2012, 10:16:08 PM
Cuellar was played at right back under MON, rarely in his "best" position... all but his Curlyhairdness has had problems with Warnock.

I hope Delph and Makoun both perform for us. For various reasons I don't think either of them will though.
Title: Re: Makoun. Next season.
Post by: Matt Collins on May 10, 2012, 10:32:18 PM
I think the slate needs to be wiped clean for everybody on the books, I have serious doubts about Delph but he needs a chance to impress under a proper Manager, not somebody who couldn't organise a two car funeral.

To be honest, I've not seen Gardner play as well as Delph did at Arsenal last year, or at home against Blackburn this year, nor against Man U a couple of years ago (1-1 draw, Nani sent off game)
SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal