Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: richardhubbard on January 22, 2013, 11:22:32 PM
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I know his a villa boy but personally he just not good enough . 10 league goals in 75 games and tonight performance I thought was awful .
I would move him on and focus on Weimann as 2nd striker
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Bent and Benteke should be paired together.
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He was poor. Should have gone off when Bent came on. We might at least have kept some sort of shape.
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We're going to single out Gabby now, sheesh they can all go.
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Gabby caused them plenty of problems in the first half. I was Lower North and they were struggling to copy with him and Zog. Second half like everyone else he seemed crap, but it's always hard to judge action at the Holte when you're in the Lower North.
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He has one good game in 10 nowadays and has an Heskey-esque goalscoring record over the last 2 years.
I've defended him in the past as 10/11 he was disrupted by injury but last season he did not step up at all when Bent got injured and carries very little goal threat, basically our Carlton Cole, Ameobi, Anchiebe etc.
A player who lost 10% from his game the minute MON walked.
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I am not singling him out for ffs! He gone so far backwards in 3 years it is shocking.
He a senior player and he in my opinion 2 goals in 15 league games is shit.
And tonight he was run out of the game.
Not good enough
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Weimann is a much better all round player. Gabby's main weapon is pace. Never been his biggest fan but I think he's still occasionally useful in away games (see last Saturday, Sunderland, Man City in the cup), but for home games where his pace is nullified by teams sitting deeper, I think he should be left out.
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A number of times Benteke was chasing down defenders forcing them to give the ball away a d every time Gabby just watched instead of trying to offer support.Lazy twat.
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Weimann's a finisher and he works his arse off for the team. Gabby can do the latter but he doesn't have the instincts of a finisher. There were a number of times where someone would have been gambling on where the ball was going to go and Gabby was never in the right place.
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I would use him as an impact sub.
Play Bent and Benteke with N'Zogbia behind them and use Weimann as the alternative to Bent and Benteke
Gabby has fallen a long way from the heady days under M'ON but he isn't the reason we lost the tie to night; Concrete Ron (ahem), Baker, Clark and co are fucking useless at defending corners and we conceded 4 in 2 games v a 4th division team
The problem is at the back
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In that time that Bent was on for, what did he do?
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In that time that Bent was on for, what did he do?
He did head on for the second,can't remember anything else.
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In that time that Bent was on for, what did he do?
won the header for Weimann's goal. Precious little else.
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I would rather have Weimann playing off Benteke than either Bent or Gabby.
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Bent did sod all but I can't recall us creating anything other than playing diagonal hoofball and hoping for the best
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Get rid he never comes good when we need him to. I'd rather we had my mate Izale Mcleod playing for the Villa least he knows where the net is. Gabby is a waste of space always has been always will be.
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I've long thought Gabby needed a change.. Just in a rut. As a side please sell Ireland Bent Tonne Warnock Hutton and Given by the time I wake up today.
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Planning ahead for the Championship if that's where we end up, I'd be quite happy with andi and gabby up top together. Think they'd tear defences apart at the lower level. Naturally assuming benteke and bent depart.
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Weimann and Benteke woukd be my first choice partnership, unless he's playing for a new contract Gabby just isn't good enough.
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Gabby may be good enough in the championship. I think thats about his level now. He's led a charmed life over the last three seasons.
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Agreed. He's been very poor for 3 years now. Of course he's been playing in a team in decline, but he's one of the experienced heads, we need players like him to be standing up and leading be example, but he doesn't have it in him.
If he wasn't a Villa fan, he'd never have lasted so long.
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Bent set up Ireland who missed and had assist for Weimann's goal.
When he came on its should have been simple Zog and Gabby hug the touchline use pace to get to byline cross balls in for Benteke and Bent instead we had all the strikers huddled together and hit balls straight into box.It was pathetic
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Weimann and Benteke should be upfront together.
I like Bent but I think his time is up.
Loan Gabby to the Blues. He can relegate them.
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Gabby should be the 4th choice striker. Without a doubt. He's past his best. He needs to be sold. Someone ring Martin O'Neill. He'd probably take him off our hands.
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Bent set up Ireland who missed and had assist for Weimann's goal.
When he came on its should have been simple Zog and Gabby hug the touchline use pace to get to byline cross balls in for Benteke and Bent instead we had all the strikers huddled together and hit balls straight into box.It was pathetic
Nail on the head...how hard was it for Lambert to tell someone to stay on the right touchline...he was standing there himsefl!!
Gabby is far from the complete player and needs quality around him to bring out the best. When he has the likes of Milner, Young etc he looks really dangerous and is a serious threat. When he has to try and carry a team like last night he is not up to it.
He shouldn't be vilified though, it's not his fault Randy is bleeding the club dry.
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Gabby caused them plenty of problems in the first half. I was Lower North and they were struggling to copy with him and Zog. Second half like everyone else he seemed crap, but it's always hard to judge action at the Holte when you're in the Lower North.
I wanted to run on the pitch and kick him right up the arse on two occasions of the 1st half. He ran past his defender, knocked the ball back to Lowton who was setting up for a cross and he ambled back on side where it was too late anyway.
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Gabby may be good enough in the championship. I think thats about his level now. He's led a charmed life over the last three seasons.
If he's good enough for the Championship we might have to keep him for next season then....
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[quote author=David_Nab link=topic=48912.msg2240731#msg2240731 date=1358931363
When he came on its should have been simple Zog and Gabby hug the touchline use pace to get to byline cross balls in for Benteke and Bent instead we had all the strikers huddled together and hit balls straight into box.It was pathetic
[/quote]
Yes, it was horrible to watch.
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Gabby was up against a League Two defence last night and didn't exactly terrify them.
His heart's in the right place, but I'm afraid he just lacks the natural football intelligence to succeed at the highest level.
He might benefit from a fresh challenge elsewhere.
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He's been ineffective for a while, but still has more effect on a game than Bent. Third choice striker for me.
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He has lost his one asset, his pace....
For me he is another player, who is too comfortable at Villa
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When Villa are relegated it seems unlikely that the club will be able to keep hold of players with any ambition, or have a market value derived from their Premiership record.
The list of those players must include Gabby, along with Benteke, Bent and Weimann.
It seems unlikely that any of those players will want to play Championship football, if the opportunity for Premiership football is an option.
So we might be wiser to decide which of Bowery, Burke and Delfouneso, is likely to be Villa's main striker, come August.
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He has lost his one asset, his pace....
For me he is another player, who is too comfortable at Villa
Sadly, I have to agree. We see flashes of what he can do, but nothing that merits a nice fat 50k a week contract.
I think we've been in denial about a few things for a while. One is that the academy kids are all going to step up to Premier League football, and the other is that some of our more established players are much better than they actually are.
On the flip side, we could maybe keep hold of Gabby next season, he'll do a job in the championship.
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No home league goals in around 18 months.
We sold Heskey but his spirit lives on in Gabby.
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I think it's a bit of a myth that he works hard for the team too. Many's the time he chases back, but as soon as another Villa player is in close proximity to whoever he's chasing back on, he assumes his job is done and stops, regardless of the situation, often leaving his teammate 1 against 2. He's also got this bad habit of standing gawping flat on his feet or on his heels totally unprepared to receive the ball or make the necessary run. He's one of quite a few academy players (see also Clark, Davis, Whittingham) who have been and sometimes still are massively over rated by some of our fan base.
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He has played 2 games against a 4th division side, and i don't recall him doing anything positive in 180 mins.
In the 2nd half he played like the "goal-hanger", who you used to play with as a kid, doing nothing but trying to take the glory.
He has not developed in the last 3 seasons, his touch is poor at best, he has no movement off the ball, doesn't anticipate, he can only play wide and try to utilise his pace, but if he plays against someone almost as quick as him then he is fucked because he has nothing else.
He is a busted flush, and i don't want to see him, Ireland or Clark in a Villa shirt again.
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When Villa are relegated it seems unlikely that the club will be able to keep hold of players with any ambition, or have a market value derived from their Premiership record.
The list of those players must include Gabby, along with Benteke, Bent and Weimann.
It seems unlikely that any of those players will want to play Championship football, if the opportunity for Premiership football is an option.
So we might be wiser to decide which of Bowery, Burke and Delfouneso, is likely to be Villa's main striker, come August.
I can't see any premier league clubs coming in for Gabby. Benteke, Bent and Weimann yes, but not Gabby.
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I think it's a bit of a myth that he works hard for the team too. Many's the time he chases back, but as soon as another Villa player is in close proximity to whoever he's chasing back on, he assumes his job is done and stops, regardless of the situation, often leaving his teammate 1 against 2. He's also got this bad habit of standing gawping flat on his feet or on his heels totally unprepared to receive the ball or make the necessary run.
Spot on.
As a young player he had pace that made him look a better player than he was. Since MON tried to convert him into a central forward and allowed him to bulk up, he stopped developing. Houllier saw straight away that he was not a good enough goal scorer to play that roll and that he needed to get back to how he was. We then went through about where he should play and I just wonder whether he just wants to play down the middle and does not really put the effort in when asked to play a different role.
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Who'd have thought, Houllier was right.
I know he's got a brummie accent and everything, but so did Vassell. He's still a bit shit. We'll be stuck with him until his contract runs out.
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Wouldn't shock me if he's playing for Sunderland or Stoke next season.
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Get rid he never comes good when we need him to. I'd rather we had my mate Izale Mcleod playing for the Villa least he knows where the net is. Gabby is a waste of space always has been always will be.
Is it true "hard up" Pompey were paying him 5k a week and he's had to take a pay cut to join Franchise?
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Agbonlahor has averaged a shot only every 84 minutes 24 seconds.
http://www.footyplace.com/features/lowton-is-top-tackling-defender-jonas-yet-to-claim-assist/
shocking
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Wouldn't shock me if he's playing for Sunderland or Stoke next season.
I hope he is.
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He needs to be left out. It's almost as if there's nothing he can do to get left out of the side, but he just needs to go. He's like a black hole for our attacks. Passing to him is to automatically slow down our attacks, not speed up as you might think with his pace.
Weimann playing on the right doesn't get as involved as we'd like and is often cutting in and shooting but on his weaker side. I think Weimann needs to come into the team in place of Gabby, start cutting in onto his right and scoring some goals.
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I thought he had a really good game against the Stripeyfilth. He did'nt do a great deal against Bradford though.
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I agree with a lot of the things on here. Now that he hasn't got the extra burst of pace he had his touch is shwoing him up as not good enough. MON getting him to bulk up has turned him from a player who could be very effective in an 'inside forward' role into someone who doesn't really have a position any more. It's a shame as he had a lot of potential but it was ruined by trying to make him something he could never be.
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I would sell him if I were the manager providing I can get affordable replacement. Hope Martin will give us a call very soon.
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I thought he had a really good game against the Stripeyfilth. He did'nt do a great deal against Bradford though.
He had a good 30mnutes - but he has looked a shadow of the player he was under the blessed martin.
Hoping o neill gives up on danny graham and takes gabby.
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I love these Gabby threads. Like night follows day, every time we have one Gabby rams it down your throats.
When will you lot learn?
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Weimann's been the shining light this season, he should play when fit, For me anyway
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I love these Gabby threads. Like night follows day, every time we have one Gabby rams it down your throats.
When will you lot learn?
That been the case maybe 3 or 4 separate ones should be started tonight and for every game for the remainder of the season.
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I love these Gabby threads. Like night follows day, every time we have one Gabby rams it down your throats.
When will you lot learn?
That been the case maybe 3 or 4 separate ones should be started tonight and for every game for the remainder of the season.
Ha! The thought did cross my mind, Bren.
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I love these Gabby threads. Like night follows day, every time we have one Gabby rams it down your throats.
When will you lot learn?
I fucking hope he rams it down my throat. I really hope so.
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Like one or two others have said I would sell Gabby...
I know he's Villa through and through but I think he's to comfortable at Villa Park...
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Murdered Debuchy tonight. No idea if that would've happened if he'd been in from the start but would've been more use than Bent.
That's the thing we have clear talent upfront, I thought n'zogbia was decent tonight and very unlucky not to score as was Weimann so I think we'll have to rely on whichever front trio we put out to have some good games but even then we won't score more than we let in.
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Got himself and N'zogbia some joy when he put himself wide left.
As the half wore on, he drifted inside and saw less of the ball.
I have no idea if he was instructed to do that, but him Benteke and Zog
all seemed to be quite bunched together for the last 20 minutes.
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Got himself and N'zogbia some joy when he put himself wide left.
As the half wore on, he drifted inside and saw less of the ball.
I have no idea if he was instructed to do that, but him Benteke and Zog
all seemed to be quite bunched together for the last 20 minutes.
Like you, I have no idea why he came inside after starting out on the left. He skinned that RB the first time he took him on and then didn't go out on the wing again.
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Got himself and N'zogbia some joy when he put himself wide left.
As the half wore on, he drifted inside and saw less of the ball.
I have no idea if he was instructed to do that, but him Benteke and Zog
all seemed to be quite bunched together for the last 20 minutes.
Like you, I have no idea why he came inside after starting out on the left. He skinned that RB the first time he took him on and then didn't go out on the wing again.
He's a striker and wants to get goals, I think it just naturally happened.
The balls being pumped to Benteke, so Gabby ended up standing right next to him looking
for flick ons.
Frustrating in the extreme, because if he'd been a little bit more disciplined we might have created more chances.
Out wide he was an firstly an out-ball for Baker Clark and Bannan, and secondly he looked dangerous.
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I do not think you can play Gabby and N'Zogbia in the same team. Neither of them like playing out wide.
Gabby's only real attribute now is pace, as he showed in the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half tonight. Once he tires (or loses interest), he drifts out of the game. He is not scoring goals, so his value in the team is diminishing.
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Yeah he's become our Carlton Cole, Ancihebe, Ameobi etc (btw how the hell is that bloke still a premier league player. Was toss when he came on and couldn't hold the ball up at all. Saying that we'll probably target him for our promotion push!)
Minimal goal threat but can be a nuisance on occasions.
I think it's best he moves on whether we stay up or not really. I already have visions of him going to Stoke and Cameron Jermome coming our way.....
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I don't agree with the above comment at all and think he is harshly done to. When we were at the right end of the table gabby's threat was not just his pace but the service he was getting, usually from Ash. he is very good in the air and a lot of his goals came from crosses into the box. Something that we have not had a lot of for nearly two seasons. On top of that Benteke is the person that a crosser is looking for now so Gabby's goal threat has been minimised somewhat.
for the past two seasons Gabby has been deployed out on the flank where he started his Villa career. I think it says a lot for him that he hasn't complained, thrown a strop, or banged on to the press how he wants to play in his favourite position. he has simply got on with it. Some games he has performed well, some not, but I think that is the consequence of putting him out on the left. Could you imagine Bent being asked to do the job? Could you imagine him saying yes?
We bang on about legends in and around the club and the usually fall into two categories. those that have given good service to the club and those that have shown support for the club. Gabby fits into both of these categories and yet isn't applauded more for his efforts. liek Ian taylor he's one of us who has got to play for the club. He's said as much. And I'llw ager that if we do go down he will not think twice about teh new season with us in the Championship.
Its time to big up Gabby again and remember what he does bring to us when he's used properly and playing well. And give him some respect for what he wants to produce for us. That he cares about this football club of ours. That he's one of us.
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I would change the spelling mistakes but can't from work...so decipher as best you can. but I guess you get my drift.
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Does him being a local lad compensate for his lack of output for the last few seasons. Don't get me wrong i think he love the Villa but is he really premier league class?
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Nothing wrong with Gabby at all. Loyalty is a very rare thing these days and should be applauded.
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For poor output you could read doing a job in a position that isn't natural to him. When shoved up front he has more often than not had to do a job with little support or service. Yes, he hasn't been brilliant but look at where he was 2 or 3 years ago and ask your self why he has dipped from the player that we had then? Just down to him and turning bad overnight, or the way he has been used and the team set up?
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
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He's got the pace - ne never lost that. He was best next to Carew and yes, when he was by himself he wasn't creating chances for himself but feeding off crosses.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.
Goodness me dan, have you been on the san miguel already? I agree with clampy ;D
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.
Oh yeah the pace is still there, just not what it was which is a shame. I reckon he'll score us a couple of really important goals before the season's out though.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.
Oh yeah the pace is still there, just not what it was which is a shame. I reckon he'll score us a couple of really important goals before the season's out though.
If he scores the winner at reading and wigan like at west ham a couple of years ago i will be very happy .
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And how did he score that winner against West Ham?
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And how did he score that winner against West Ham?
If you mean the away game, was'nt it a header?
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And how did he score that winner against West Ham?
If you mean the away game, was'nt it a header?
Yes a late glorious header to send eastie into ecstacy.
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And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.
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And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.
Not true, we have sought to replace it, we've just not done a good job of it. Milner was replaced by Ireland, Young was replaced by Nzogbia, Downing was replaced by Albrighton. The first 2 have shown they can create and score in the premier league at other clubs, the latter showed it with us but until nzogbia's mini revival in the last month none of them have provided anything like their best for 2 years.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.
True, then he'd be in one-on-one with the GK and hit the ball right at him.
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If he has lost a yard of pace which I suspect he has then he is no better than Vassell in my view.
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Oh what we'd do for a Darius Vassell or Julian Joachim now etc etc
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I know his a villa boy but personally he just not good enough . 10 league goals in 75 games and tonight performance I thought was awful .
I would move him on and focus on Weimann as 2nd striker
No Richard, i think Weimann and Benteke will both go, that being the case Gabbys about all we`ll have left bless him.
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And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.
Not true, we have sought to replace it, we've just not done a good job of it. Milner was replaced by Ireland, Young was replaced by Nzogbia, Downing was replaced by Albrighton. The first 2 have shown they can create and score in the premier league at other clubs, the latter showed it with us but until nzogbia's mini revival in the last month none of them have provided anything like their best for 2 years.
Albrighton was already here so not a replacement. Nzog isn't a winger whipping the ball in a la Young and ireland is not creating, or plays wide. It is not just the players though, its the system. We try and play through the middle more and so Gabby, and others are starved of service.
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Should we go down I wonder how much in total we would get for Benteke, Bent and Weimann. Gabby is the least valuable in terms of money but could do a job in the championship. If we go down we should keep him.
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Wouldn't play him against City tbh.
As regards the summer, I can see a Stoke or Fulham type club signing him.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
I agree. PW, take a look at when Bent got injured last season and Gabby did play central striker. He really did fail to step up when we needed him to and didn't score a single goal.
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To be honest I'm getting the feeling that this summer will be the last, best chance of cashing in on Gabby. Even then we'd be looking at 5 mill. In his heyday under O Neill we could conceivably have got comfortably over 10 million. Maybe up to 15. But his stock has fallen a lot.
I'm torn though. Benteke's going to go whatever happens. Wiemann may stay. If we go down that's not that likely. I think he'd give us a year or two but I think Randy may want to cash in.
But yes, conceivably we could lose Benteke, Bent and Andy. For me Gabby has to stay. If that's the case he'll probably end up finishing his career here, or just drifting away on a free or for dirt cheap in a couple of years.
I do think however that Gabby given the prime striking spot for us, all season, could score plenty of goals in the Championship. I think he'd be one of the top players in that division in truth, and it may serve him in good stead to get amongst the goals for when/if we come back up.
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The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.
I agree. PW, take a look at when Bent got injured last season and Gabby did play central striker. He really did fail to step up when we needed him to and didn't score a single goal.
And what service did he get. That's his strength when playing through the middle.
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Should we go down I wonder how much in total we would get for Benteke, Bent and Weimann. Gabby is the least valuable in terms of money but could do a job in the championship. If we go down we should keep him.
Absolutely no way would he go for less than Weimann.
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Gabby £7m
Benteke £18m
Bent £10m
Weimann £6m
maybe?..
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Gabby £7m
Benteke £18m
Bent £10m
Weimann £6m
maybe?..
We'd get 7 or 8 for Gabby from O Neill. From anyone else we'd be looking realistically at 5 IMO. His main asset is pace, and he's coming into his late 20's. He's already not as quick as he was 4 years ago, and will get slower. Granted he'll still roast most defenders, but that will be in mind when someone wants to sign him on a 3-4 year contract. He wouldn't move for less IMO.
Weimann I think at his age we can hold out for 8-10. It's high but it's the market.
Benteke. Not a penny under 25 IMO. Again, it's how the market works for others so we shouldn't take less than what we want. Of course it partly depends on the next 11 games and whether he continues his form. He could go cold and people will be put off, because he started slowly too.
Bent could get as much as 15, but we might relent at 10 I guess. Depending on buyers. Arry or Pulis might pay over the odds if they have the cash (and IF QPR are still up).
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10m for Bent is optimistic, 15m is dreamland. For the last 12 months he's either been injured, benched or not in-form. That's a fair chunk of time for your stock to slide.
If we go down we'll be in a weaker position to get decent money for him but I can't see us wanting to pay his wages in the second division or him wanting to play there. 6m-9m regardless if we survive or not.
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If we do get relegated Gabby is exactly the type of player we need
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We are NOT going to go down and he isnt..either way.
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I don't agree with the above comment at all and think he is harshly done to. When we were at the right end of the table gabby's threat was not just his pace but the service he was getting, usually from Ash. he is very good in the air and a lot of his goals came from crosses into the box. Something that we have not had a lot of for nearly two seasons. On top of that Benteke is the person that a crosser is looking for now so Gabby's goal threat has been minimised somewhat.
for the past two seasons Gabby has been deployed out on the flank where he started his Villa career. I think it says a lot for him that he hasn't complained, thrown a strop, or banged on to the press how he wants to play in his favourite position. he has simply got on with it. Some games he has performed well, some not, but I think that is the consequence of putting him out on the left. Could you imagine Bent being asked to do the job? Could you imagine him saying yes?
We bang on about legends in and around the club and the usually fall into two categories. those that have given good service to the club and those that have shown support for the club. Gabby fits into both of these categories and yet isn't applauded more for his efforts. liek Ian taylor he's one of us who has got to play for the club. He's said as much. And I'llw ager that if we do go down he will not think twice about teh new season with us in the Championship.
Its time to big up Gabby again and remember what he does bring to us when he's used properly and playing well. And give him some respect for what he wants to produce for us. That he cares about this football club of ours. That he's one of us.
Absolutely. Couldn't have put it better, well said.
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I love the bloke,wears his colours on his sleeve,proud to play for the club he loves,never does anything off the pitch that embarrases the club,has been a model pro from day 1.
Unfortunatley, he has avoided any serious critisism for poor past performances and continues to get away with murder for all the reasons i've listed above.
We have all been guilty of slating various players over the years that have for one reason or another been unpopular,but Gabby seemed to have an invisible force field around him and never been the one to cop for a hammering however average his performances have been.
I'm not advocating the abusing of our players at all,just pointing out how fickle we as fans can be when it comes to how our club's players are perceived
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I don't agree with the above comment at all and think he is harshly done to. When we were at the right end of the table gabby's threat was not just his pace but the service he was getting, usually from Ash. he is very good in the air and a lot of his goals came from crosses into the box. Something that we have not had a lot of for nearly two seasons. On top of that Benteke is the person that a crosser is looking for now so Gabby's goal threat has been minimised somewhat.
for the past two seasons Gabby has been deployed out on the flank where he started his Villa career. I think it says a lot for him that he hasn't complained, thrown a strop, or banged on to the press how he wants to play in his favourite position. he has simply got on with it. Some games he has performed well, some not, but I think that is the consequence of putting him out on the left. Could you imagine Bent being asked to do the job? Could you imagine him saying yes?
We bang on about legends in and around the club and the usually fall into two categories. those that have given good service to the club and those that have shown support for the club. Gabby fits into both of these categories and yet isn't applauded more for his efforts. liek Ian taylor he's one of us who has got to play for the club. He's said as much. And I'llw ager that if we do go down he will not think twice about teh new season with us in the Championship.
Its time to big up Gabby again and remember what he does bring to us when he's used properly and playing well. And give him some respect for what he wants to produce for us. That he cares about this football club of ours. That he's one of us.
Absolutely. Couldn't have put it better, well said.
Yeah, well said peter.
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I can't believe people still get into Agbonlahor. It's a bit weird actually. A local kid turned player, devastating on his day, has stayed when others left (don't believe for a second he hasn't had other offers)? All of those things and he'd be fucking awesome in the 'championship'.
There are far more deserving candidates, should you need them, for singling out. Darren Bent is one. Charles N'Zogbia is another despite his up turn in form. See also Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland.
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Always been a big fan of Gabby. It's not his fault we sold his supply line. Keep him in the team. He's a big game player, something we'll need in the run in.
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Gabby Agbonlahor insists he’s happy to put Aston Villa’s fight for Premier League survival ahead of his own career.
The former England striker has dropped out of the goal charts and the international rankings since being asked to play out wide by Villa’s last three managers.
But the 26-year-old, who will be in the line-up facing champions Manchester City tomorrow night said: “The only thing that matters at this moment is getting the club out of the relegation zone and staying in this League. There is a mood of determination rather than desperation around the club.
“It’s hard to judge my own form. Three or four years ago I was playing as a striker, and then you get judged on your goals. The last few seasons I have been playing more and more as a winger.
“That’s a reflection of how football has changed, with different tactics, as much as anything.
“Am I as quick as I was? I can’t remember losing a race against any defender this season, and I’d back myself to beat anybody. But there’s a lot more to my game now.
“When I first got in the team I was just a skinny 18-year-old, but I’ve tried to add things and I think my hold-up play is better. If that might have lost me a fraction of pace I don’t know, but I’ve always tried to keep improving.
“Unfortunately I still get judged on goals – but I know I’m doing a different job for the team now.”
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Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
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Absolutely. Not just saying it after today but his experience and pace still warrants a first-team place especially in the formation we play. Fair fucks, delighted for him.
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Still disappointed with his form over the last couple of years. But delighted for him, and us, today. If he can go on a run of form he could help us stay up comfortably.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/gabs_zps5ef7504d.jpg)
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Always pops up with a big goal in a big game.
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Not a great performance and I was all for him being subbed before he got his goal, but it was a critical goal so well done.
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Well done Gabby, I'm chuffed for him tonight.
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Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
^^This^^ Villa Legend, I'll never knock the guy.
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Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
^^This^^ Villa Legend, I'll never knock the guy.
Vital winner and pleased for him tonight.
A villa legend ? Certainly not for me - I prefer to class the likes of McGrath and cowans, little in that bracket.
Gabby has under achieved in the last 3 years , i hope he can chip in with a few goals in the remainder of the season - today's goal may give him that bit of confidence.
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Me too, has had change his game in recent years, no longer plays on the shoulder of the last defender and sometimes spend more time defending our box than attacking the oppositions.
But when it counts, he comes up with the goods.
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Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
^^This^^ Villa Legend, I'll never knock the guy.
Vital winner and pleased for him tonight.
A villa legend ? Certainly not for me - I prefer to class the likes of McGrath and cowans, little in that bracket.
Gabby has massively under achieved in the last 3 years , i hope he can chip in with a few goals in the remainder of the season - today's goal may give him that bit of confidence.
I think he deserves the credit. Local lad, villa through and through, gone on to represent England whilst playing for the club. You know you always get 100% from the guy.
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Great finish from him today. Top drawer.
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Erdington's own special boy
Author of so much Villa joy
A hungry heart, keen to learn
An eye for goal, pace to burn
He'll always be my Villa babby
My one and only super Gabby
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I love him. It makes me laugh some can't see what he brings to the side other than goals.
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:'(
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I love him. It makes me laugh some can't see what he brings to the side other than goals.
Gab's quality. Love him. He works so hard. He is frustrating at times, but people write him off so quickly. He'll still be here next season, and he'll always give his all. I think when it matters too, he just seems to pop up with a key goal or two. He's not been all that bad this season. What is it, 5 goals in all comps? Not brilliant but not terrible having played in midfield. I fancy he'll pop up with a couple more important goals before the season's out. His wide play also isn't as terrible as some make out either.
He's Mr Villa. I'd hate to see him go to be honest. There's little point too. This summer would be the last chance really to get any sort of reasonable fee for him and I think he's got more to offer this club still. There's always that hope too that whoever is in charge next season might just get him back to his best. If that's Lambert, who knows.
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Great goal today but for me he doesn't produce week in week out. 16 gals in 3 seasons isn't enough.
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Great goal today but for me he doesn't produce week in week out. 16 gals in 3 seasons isn't enough.
Certainly isn't much by Gabby's standards. Allegedly.
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I love him. It makes me laugh some can't see what he brings to the side other than goals.
Yep, we're a far better team when he's playing.
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Gabby always seems to get the big goals when they count. That's why he should play every game from now till the season ends.
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Gabby always seems to get the big goals when they count. That's why he should play every game from now till the season ends.
Like he did last season from November onwards?
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Anybody who slags Gabby of is wrong. Told you he would score.
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Anybody who slags Gabby of is wrong. Told you he would score.
There's a difference between slagging him off and stating that he's been ineffective in some games this season, I think everyone on here appreciates his qualities and is willing him to do well.
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More than anything he's been the victim of inconsistency, both his own and the managers of the time. Back with MON we were geared towards counter attack, it suited his pace, Petrov or Freidel would look for the quick release to ashley young or James Milner who'd then stretch the defense, whip in a cross that John Carew would Knock on for Gabby, or he'd steal that foot of space he needed for his finish. Under Houllier he didn't really get a crack of the whip in a 442 like he was used to, played on the wing when he played and pretty much didn't get a look in when Bent arrived as Houllier looked to make him the focal point of attack. Under Macleish it was pretty much the same kind of thing, minus any aspect of attacking football. Now under Lambert, he's been in and out, played on both wings and ignored in favor of Weimann (though to be fair, Andy needed the games and is a better player for it, some great runs, assists and goals) but now is getting his chance again, he's done all of this without speaking out against being dropped or moved around in the media and always tries his best. What more can you ask? Consummate professional.
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Gabby will be vital in the run in. A real Villa man, which is sorely needed.
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Better player away from home than at Villa Park. Didn't think he was anything wonderful today to be honest but justified his inclusion with the goal. Is his hat trick at home to Man City, the only time he has scored more than one goal in a league game for us?
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He is better away from home as teams play deeper when at Villa Park. Think as a team we are more suited to playing away from home at the moment.
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Better player away from home than at Villa Park. Didn't think he was anything wonderful today to be honest but justified his inclusion with the goal. Is his hat trick at home to Man City, the only time he has scored more than one goal in a league game for us?
He scored twice away at Fulham 4 or 5 years ago I think.
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When being marked by Smalling. The first being a header, the type of service he no longer gets.
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He is more of a team player than he used to be IMHO
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:'(
eamonn! Why are you crying? Are you ok?
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:'(
eamonn! Why are you crying? Are you ok?
It was in response to Villadroid's heartfelt eulogy to the Erdington one.
That and someone spilt my pint in the New Cross Inn tonight.
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Better player away from home than at Villa Park. Didn't think he was anything wonderful today to be honest but justified his inclusion with the goal. Is his hat trick at home to Man City, the only time he has scored more than one goal in a league game for us?
He scored twice away at Fulham 4 or 5 years ago I think.
January 2010, 3 years ago. Don't wish your life away, yo.
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Better player away from home than at Villa Park. Didn't think he was anything wonderful today to be honest but justified his inclusion with the goal. Is his hat trick at home to Man City, the only time he has scored more than one goal in a league game for us?
After scoring again yesterday Gabby is now only a brace away from becoming Villa's joint top goalscorer in the premier league, a hattrick against QPR and he overtakes Yorkie. If ever there was a perfect time to hit a hattrick next week is surely it.
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When being marked by Smalling. The first being a header, the type of service he no longer gets.
How true is that. Forgot how good Gabby is at headers.
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Technically Gabby is poor, but has developed his ability to hold the ball better. Fantastic finish yesterday and we will need more of the same to survive .....
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We look better when Gabby's in the side. He seems the only one who'll work the channels and give us an outlet there. He also offers a lot of work which makes up for the occasional lack in quality. And you never know when you'll get that 1 game in 10 when he looks like a world beater.
Long after Benteke and Bent have departed, Gabby will still be here. I don't see him moving ever, unless a manager turfs him out. But can't see that happening till he's well into his 30's. He's the sort of player every club really needs. He represents what we're about and he's Villa through and through.
If we sold him we'd be worse off. It would be harder than some think to replace his quality and nigh on impossible to find anyone who wants to play for this club as much as Gab.
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Gabby hasn't played regularly as a striker since MON left. Until Villa find a player that's quicker, he'll always be used as a wide man.
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Big goal from Mr Villa (again). You have to love Gabby. If you don't, you have problems!
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He's picking a good time start scoring again.
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He's a scorer of important goals.
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Definitely hit a rich vein of form at the right time, standing up to be counted, whatever you want to call it.
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Well done gabby!
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Definitely a big game player. Gets so much unfair stick.
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I love him.
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Good to see him scoring at the business end of the season for once. His equaliser today is probably the most important goal scored at VP in many a year.
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Always there when it counts.
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I thought he played very well indeed today, even without his goal. Some excellent tracking back and harrying, and some useful passes too (one in particular towards the end when he played N'Zogbia out to the wing was a really good example of using possession to relieve pressure).
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Gabby had a great all round game today. He worked his socks off, tracked back and was a constant threat to QPRs defence.
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Big goal from Mr Villa (again). You have to love Gabby. If you don't, you have problems!
I dont therefore I must have problems. However he has played well in the last five games.
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Pleased for Gabby, hope he can step up now consistently and not just burts of 3 good games in every 20.
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Today it was his work in possession that impressed me, he used the ball a lot more intelligently than he has for a season or 2. I think the goal last week has done a lot for his confidence, and following it up with another good one today only helped. Like Benteke and Weimann he had a great 2nd half.
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Such a big game player. So glad he's still at the club!
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I thought he was fucking immense today.
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Great his scored 2 goals but let's not
over play it, first goal at home in over a year!
He been missing in games a lot this season
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Great his scored 2 goals but let's over play it
Okay I will.
Top stuff Gabby!
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Fuck all wrong with Gabby. Said it before, stop giving him a hard time. 2 goals,2 games, fucking lay off him and appreciate his loyalty.
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Get a grip dan he went 29 games without scoring! If I was earning his money I would not give a shit who he supports.
Yes well done for scoring now repeat till end of season!
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Good to see him scoring at the business end of the season for once. His equaliser today is probably the most important goal scored at VP in many a year.
Probably since that last minute winner (?) he scored at West Ham under Houllier
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Get a grip dan he went 29 games without scoring! If I was earning his money I would not give a shit who he supports.
Yes well done for scoring now repeat till end of season!
Hang on a minute. Where would we be without his winner against Reading and his goal today?
Bottom fucking three, that's where. So lay off him. He has been out of position for nearly all of the season FFS.
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Calm it down Dan.
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Calm it down Dan.
Calmed. Ish.
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For once he's having a productive second half of the season.
Other way round in the good old days under MON.
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Gabby played the part of the wizened old pro today, he was magnificent, ran the ball into areas where QPR didn't want it to be, niggled them all the tine, scored a goal.
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For once he's having a productive second half of the season.
Other way round in the good old days under MON.
Did not see anybody bloody moaning then about Gabby !
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For once he's having a productive second half of the season.
Other way round in the good old days under MON.
Did not see anybody bloody moaning then about Gabby !
Seriously Dan, wind it in a bit.
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For once he's having a productive second half of the season.
Other way round in the good old days under MON.
Did not see anybody bloody moaning then about Gabby !
Seriously Dan, wind it in a bit.
Sorry. Wound in now. Did not mean to offend anybody. Just a bit passionate thats all.
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Dan agree re 2 goals but if put more a shift in as a senior pro maybe we be more up mid table, his scoring record not good in last 3 years.
Glad his scoring now , but may be back off slating me for not loving previous 18 games at home and 0 goals for an England forward.
If he scores great and if plays well he deserve his place
But cause a villa fan don't mean he auto gets picked!!
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Dan agree re 2 goals but if put more a shift in as a senior pro maybe we be more up mid table, his scoring record not good in last 3 years.
Glad his scoring now , but may be back off slating me for not loving previous 18 games at home and 0 goals for an England forward.
If he scores great and if plays well he deserve his place
But cause a villa fan don't mean he auto gets picked!!
Tends to deliver in the big games when it matters though. That's why he'd always be in my team.
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I am sounding like a broken record Saunders but when barring blouse in last 3 season has he done that.
The kid looked top draw 4 years ago but he know where near that level now.
He scored against reading and qpr.
I hope he gets a few more but keep in perspective, weinmann now far more important player.
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Maybe today we should just concentrate on giving Gabby, Andi and Christian credit. They are coming good just when we need them to and we have a great forward line. The third goal today typifies this, great work from Andi and the finish from Benteke but if you watch again you see Gabby take out their defender. Great work from all our forwards.
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He scored against reading and qpr
Quite so - he scored against our relegation rivals, the teams we needed him to score against more than anyone else.
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He scored against reading and qpr.
He also got the winner at Sunderland and scored at Everton. He's on the wing most of the time so of course his goalscoring record is not going to be as good as previously. He's vital to us at the moment.
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Gabby played the part of the wizened old pro today, he was magnificent, ran the ball into areas where QPR didn't want it to be, niggled them all the tine, scored a goal.
Couldn't agree more with this. Today was one of the best games I have seen him play. His all round game was superb.
He was the one that kept his head when all the others about were losing theirs (to nearly quote)
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I LOVE when gabby scores, but i don't expect him to do it very often.
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Give Gabby the right service by playing the ball into space ahead of him and he'll do damage to any defence in the league. His pace is his strong point so if its not utilised then he'll attract constant criticism for the weaker parts of his game...unfortunately we've seen far too much of that over the last few seasons, but we see brief glimpses of what he can do when he is used correctly.
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Gabby has been turned into a back to goal type of player over the past few years, which is a massive mistake. He needs to be facing the goal. You'll get more from him.
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I said a while back i could see him scoring a few important goals in the run in and he has. He's worth his place in the team at the moment though.
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I said a while back i could see him scoring a few important goals in the run in and he has. He's worth his place in the team at the moment though.
Yes , he is delivering when it matters , the formation now is good and we are reaping the rewards .
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I LOVE when gabby scores, but i don't expect him to do it very often.
Quite Ger. I expect Gabby to work really hard, often for little reward or acclaim which he does pretty much every time he plays.
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We look more balanced when Gabby plays. He works very hard. He works the channels well. We seem to lack something when he's not playing. Plus his pace is always a great outlet. One thing Gabby never gets enough credit for is the amount of territory he buys you. His pace and running wins us so many throw ins, corners and free kicks up field and normally coming out of nothing. He's very good at that. Compare him to say N'Zogbia who also has the pace to break away quickly and ease pressure we're under, and Charles would be more inclined to hold the ball too long, try to dribble past maybe and run into the defender more often and give the ball straight back (as well as he's played of late). If Gab has to he can knock the ball 10 yards ahead and skin a defender.
8 goals so far this season from wide isn't too shabby either. There's some key games still to play and I'd fancy Gabby to come up with a goal nearly as much as Benteke, because largely, he's scored in important games over the 7 seasons now.
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His goals in the last two games have been very important but over the last 3 years his willingness to get involved when he does not have the ball has deteriorated. He is a player with pace with many of his goals coming from this, as well as his ability to be in the right place to score some great headed goals.
I still, however, see a player who lacks tactical awareness and through greater experience not being able to improve on where he was 4 or 5 years ago. People say that he is not scoring so many because of playing out wide but he rarely seems to score many goals at the far post when the ball comes in from the other side like other wide players.
His performance of late have started to pick up, although in some games for only part of the game. It could well be that he has been down on confidence or struggling with niggly injuries but we need him on top form for the run in. Let's hope he gets another handful of goals before the end of the season.
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As I've said put the ball in the air and gabby will get goals.
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As I've said put the ball in the air and gabby will get goals.
He's fucking brilliant with his nut.
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As I've said put the ball in the air and gabby will get goals.
He's fucking brilliant with his nut.
Yes, very underrated with his head. Has scored some tremendous goals over the years.
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I think there has been a levelling of and a coming together in opinions about Gabby this season
There are people like me who have never rated him to highly thought he had to many deficiencies in his game to ever be really top class,
Then there are those who three or four years ago were predicting he would be England's first choice striker by now.
I don't think anyone believes that now,
but on the other hand although he will never be prolific like Benteke or even Wieman, I now believe he has a important role in the squad and team, he is playing under less pressure because there is other strikers doing the scoring bit more regularly
He does score some very important goals,
he might not get many but the ones he gets really count
His role is better defined now, and he is better for it, and for me even though he is not one of my favourites, there is no better sight than Gabby scoring for Villa, he gives me a warmer glow than any one else including Benteke/Wieman
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Because he's one of us, probably, and you know when he scores for Villa he understands what that means.
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Gabby's been pretty poor for the last couple of years but there were improved performances from January onward and now he seems to be rediscovering the habit of scoring goals on a more regular basis. Gabby-Benteke-Weimann is a cracking front 3, we just need to build up the rest of the squad and get rid of the players who no longer have a place.
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A few months ago, I was questioning whether he was still worth his place. I could never argue about his work rate, but I wasn't sure what else he brought to the side any more.
Recently, though, he's bagged a few important goals and he's back to something like his best. He was excellent on Saturday, showing plenty of "old pro" nous such as winning free kicks to take the pressure off the team. As somebody said earlier, he also showed great awareness by taking the defender out of the game on the 6 yard line for Benteke's goal. Good spot, I hadn't noticed that.
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His fondness of scoring against the pond-dwellers from across the city also earns him a lot of respect from me.
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Dublin was on MOTD and he said he doesn't score many headders, I can remember a few good ones including the one against the Blues at the sty
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Dublin was on MOTD and he said he doesn't score many headders, I can remember a few good ones including the one against the Blues at the sty
I don't think Dion's much of a pundit tbh. I think it was last week he said something like "Villa were hammered 8-0 by Chelsea at Christmas, that's something that you don't want to happen"
No shit, D?
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Hes scored a couple of headers against Utd over the years too.
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He's pissed off over the last few seasons .
but credit to him lately . Important goal he scored Saturday .
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Yeah, was surprised by Dion's comment on MOTD. Gabby has always been more than decent in the air.
Last season he actually started the season on fire, scoring and setting-up brilliant solo efforts against Blackburn and Wigan, and linking really well with Bent especially in the Norwich game. After that he picked-up niggles and never regained his form but now he's more than showing his worth.
I still wish he would temper that habit he has of back to goal, standing his ground and waiting for the defender to make contact with his back in the hope of winning a free as I think the opposition are getting wise to it.
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We look more balanced when Gabby plays. He works very hard. He works the channels well. We seem to lack something when he's not playing. Plus his pace is always a great outlet. One thing Gabby never gets enough credit for is the amount of territory he buys you. His pace and running wins us so many throw ins, corners and free kicks up field and normally coming out of nothing. He's very good at that.
His hold up play is superb too, you rarely see a defender take the ball off him. His contribution is invaluable to the team but when the Football Manager 13 fans only measure him by his goals, it's obvious they're never going to get it. Like Gabby, Stewart Downing in his Player of the Year season with us scored a total of 8 goals. He wasn't playing as a centre forward either.
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We look more balanced when Gabby plays. He works very hard. He works the channels well. We seem to lack something when he's not playing. Plus his pace is always a great outlet. One thing Gabby never gets enough credit for is the amount of territory he buys you. His pace and running wins us so many throw ins, corners and free kicks up field and normally coming out of nothing. He's very good at that.
His hold up play is superb too, you rarely see a defender take the ball off him. His contribution is invaluable to the team but when the Football Manager 13 fans only measure him by his goals, it's obvious they're never going to get it. Like Gabby, Stewart Downing in his Player of the Year season with us scored a total of 8 goals. He wasn't playing as a centre forward either.
to be fair he doesn't even score many on FM13 either. Nevermind...
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You can understand Gabby being pissed off for the last couple of seasons, he loves the club and none of us have enjoyed it much in recent years.
His direct running is his biggest asset. It moves defenders, Gabby running down or cutting in off the wing is an impressive sight, and one that the opposition tend to take notice off. He creates spaces in the middle for others. When motivated he leaves nothing on the pitch. His experience can't be underestimated either.
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Dublin was on MOTD and he said he doesn't score many headders, I can remember a few good ones including the one against the Blues at the sty
Or even the two against the Blues at the Sty.
*wink*
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I was thinking of the flick headder in the 2-1 win
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The one he powered in from Carew's knock-down/headed pass was even better. Best footage I could find:
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I think Gabby is only one goal off equaling Dwight Yorke's goal scoring club record since football began. The winner against Liverpool wouldn't be a bad time to score it.
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The one he powered in from Carew's knock-down/headed pass was even better. Best footage I could find:
The bloke in the white cap had trouble standing up. No drink before the game causes that you know. ;)
And being locked inside the ground for fucking ages after was nice. Shithole.
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He will score the winner against Sunderland.
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The one he powered in from Carew's knock-down/headed pass was even better. Best footage I could find:
Thats the one i like. Carew came on as a sub late on and changed the game. The blues players were crapping it playing against him.
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The one he powered in from Carew's knock-down/headed pass was even better. Best footage I could find:
But let's not forget...
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As much as I have become disappointed with Gabby's goal scoring record, and being played wide for the last couple of years, he has given me some of the best moments over the last decade that I'll never forget.
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Gabby headed a vital winner at Westham the season before last. We were desperate for points to pull away from the drop then.
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That more or less secured our safety if I'm right.
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And a header in our only win at Old Trafford in the last 400 years.
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I loved that goal. It actually made me sick. I was watching in the pub, I couldn't handle my nerves, or my drink, so I had to puke in the urinal.
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The one he powered in from Carew's knock-down/headed pass was even better. Best footage I could find:
But let's not forget...
What an ace team we had too.
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You never hear gabby complaining about not playing upfront anymore. Hopefully he's accepted it and will start developing his game from his new(isn) position.
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Think he's been excellent of late, since the WBA game probably. Always plays well in the derbies mind.
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This deserves to be bumped. gabby has been great of late and a major reason why we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
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This deserves to be bumped. gabby has been great of late and a major reason why we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes I was critical of him early in the season but he has been superb in recent months.
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Having Gabby in the team pulls players out of position, and makes space for Benteke and Weimann which often goes unnoticed. Defenders really hate facing the level of pace gabby gives us.
If he could just get a better goal return then he would be back to his best, which is an asset most Premier league teams would be glad of. The thing I really like about Gabby though is that he does tend to come good in the games that really matter - glad he is back in the team and starting to find form.
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Gabby. Im sorry for doubting you. Hoppo.
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It's noticeable how much his work rate has increased lately. Maybe playing alongside Benteke has made him up his game.
Also, how nice was it to see him finally decide to round the keeper when in a one on one situation. He usually just panics and hits them straight at the keeper. Yes there was no pressure as we were 5-1 up, but it was still great to see.
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It's noticeable how much his work rate has increased lately. Maybe playing alongside Benteke has made him up his game.
Also, how nice was it to see him finally decide to round the keeper when in a one on one situation. He usually just panics and hits them straight at the keeper. Yes there was no pressure as we were 5-1 up, but it was still great to see.
Agreed , i don't normally fancy him in one on ones but he was coolness personified.
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He's done very well recently, as he's done in the past, but the key is whether he can keep it up consistently. I really hope he does, but am not convinced. Time will tell I suppose.
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He was'nt doing it early on in the season and he was lucky to keep his place. He's been fantastic, like someone said since the Stripeyfilth game though. There was a home game a month or so back (it might have been Fulham) where he did'nt play and we missed him badly.
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He seems to have a short spell each season where he gets a bunch of goals, often vital ones, but is largely rather ineffective the rest of the time. I think he's played well recently and put some chances away but he's also missed a couple of sitters against Liverpool and Sunderland. Although he played well generally the other night, and does trouble the opposition with his strength and pace, there were still instances where he had the touch of a pinball node and lacked composure.
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If he picks up next season where he looks like he's going to leave this then I'll be very happy, and it will be another feather in Lambert's cap.
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He seems to have a short spell each season where he gets a bunch of goals, often vital ones, but is largely rather ineffective the rest of the time. I think he's played well recently and put some chances away but he's also missed a couple of sitters against Liverpool and Sunderland. Although he played well generally the other night, and does trouble the opposition with his strength and pace, there were still instances where he had the touch of a pinball node and lacked composure.
I've always felt Gabby would be an excellent impact sub from the bench. Imagine his pace coming on when a games stretched and defenders are tiring? Problem is we've never really had enough forwards better then him where that's a valid option for us. With benteke and Weimann we now have two, so if Bent goes and we get another in who can play wide/deep, then that pool of those 4, plus N'Zog and Bowery, gives us enough options where we could be our super sub.
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Back on course to achieve legend status me thinks.
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He certainly has a habit of getting key goals.
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You can never predict the future in football but I hope this guy stays his whole career at the club. Hits the ton mark, wins a cup or something and impregnates some chick so we can have a mini Gabby playing for us again in about 16 years
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The fact he has stepped up as a senior player in the last few weeks when we desperately needed that is a measure of the man.
A Holte Ender leading on the pitch after 2 seasons of injury and below-par performances while played out of position in shit teams.
Legend
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Not as comfortably as I thought it would be, but as I said, Gabby on form makes us a much much better side.
Still disappointed with his form over the last couple of years. But delighted for him, and us, today. If he can go on a run of form he could help us stay up comfortably.
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I know he has a busy sex schedule usually but I would be happy to let him touch me tonight.
He has been brilliant since Christmas as have all three of the forwards. If we could keep all three and they carried this form in to next season we could really be on to something. It's such a blessed change to have a free scoring Villa side, even if it did have to coincide with our leakiest season at the other end for donkey's years.
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My heart is full of Gabby right now.
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I think we need to change the Gabby song to the one that used to be sung about Andy Gray - "Gabby, You're The Greatest". Such an important player for Aston Villa - I so want him to win a trophy (or two) with Villa.
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Never doubted him.
Just had a quick scan on BBC. Since the Newcastle home game (when Lambert brought Gabby and Weimann on at half-time) that front three have started 10 games together, scoring 20 goals.
Really excited about that trio next year. Really hope Weimann signs on and Benteke stays for anoter year.
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You can never predict the future in football but I hope this guy stays his whole career at the club. Hits the ton mark, wins a cup or something and impregnates some chick so we can have a mini Gabby playing for us again in about 16 years
Knowing Gabby we'll have a whole team
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He certainly has a habit of getting key goals.
He really does.
9 goals from I think 23 league starts is a pretty healthy run from him aswell.
Today was a bit similar to his 90th minute winner away to West Ham in 10/11 which pretty much made us safe even though it wasn't confirmed and today has the same feeling for me.
We really need to keep this attacking group together including N'zogbia imo as they all look such a threat.
Hopefully the momentum will be maintained during the summer and they won't come back in August all impersonating Heskey.
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Never doubted him.
Just had a quick scan on BBC. Since the Newcastle home game (when Lambert brought Gabby and Weimann on at half-time) that front three have started 10 games together, scoring 20 goals.
Really excited about that trio next year. Really hope Weimann signs on and Benteke stays for anoter year.
Did Gabby not start that game? He played really well at West Brom just before that game.
In a funny sort of way even though that result seemed the deathknell of our season at the time (e.g. playing well and still losing) that barnstorming second half we had against Newcastle has really got us going attacking wise and indeed is my turning point of the season although I'm waiting for survival to be confirmed before starting that thread!
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Brilliant today. 2 fantastic goals. He scores in the big games when they matter. Long live Gabby!!
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My heart is full of Gabby right now.
Your heart and other people's willies. That's the kind of effect he has on people I guess.
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As good as his first was, I thought the second was better. A very difficult position to score from
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As good as his first was, I thought the second was better. A very difficult position to score from
The second goal he had very little to aim at. Wonderful pass from Westwood too.
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Agree totally Gabby has stepped up to the oche when needed and finished on a double.
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Line in the Telegraph article about our win yesterday regarding Gabby. Surely this in't correct, is it?
"it is a fact that Villa have not lost a Premier League game in more than three years when Agbonlahor has struck"
Full article
Telegraph Article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10038918/Aston-Villa-winger-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-says-they-have-proved-critics-wrong-who-said-they-lacked-experience.html)
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Agbonlahor: Those goals were for our terrific away following (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3168599,00.html).
Gabby is the man.
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As good as his first was, I thought the second was better. A very difficult position to score from
The second goal he had very little to aim at. Wonderful pass from Westwood too.
The weight of the ball allowed Gabby to let it run to the exact point where he could put it where he liked without taking a touch. Quality ball, and great finish while holding off a guy who I thought had stood up to Benteke as well as anyone all season.
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Line in the Telegraph article about our win yesterday regarding Gabby. Surely this in't correct, is it?
"it is a fact that Villa have not lost a Premier League game in more than three years when Agbonlahor has struck"
Full article
Telegraph Article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10038918/Aston-Villa-winger-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-says-they-have-proved-critics-wrong-who-said-they-lacked-experience.html)
I think it's right, but it highlights more the fact that he's only scored ten or so league goals across the previous two seasons rather than anything more impressive.
Blackburn in September 2009 is the last one I think we lost when he scored.
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Never doubted him.
Just had a quick scan on BBC. Since the Newcastle home game (when Lambert brought Gabby and Weimann on at half-time) that front three have started 10 games together, scoring 20 goals.
Really excited about that trio next year. Really hope Weimann signs on and Benteke stays for anoter year.
Agree. Add a wide forward who can chip in some goals and a forward who can provide cover for Benteke (assuming Bent and N'Zogbia are to be sold) and we will be pretty much set for forward options.
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Line in the Telegraph article about our win yesterday regarding Gabby. Surely this in't correct, is it?
"it is a fact that Villa have not lost a Premier League game in more than three years when Agbonlahor has struck"
Full article
Telegraph Article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10038918/Aston-Villa-winger-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-says-they-have-proved-critics-wrong-who-said-they-lacked-experience.html)
I think it's right, but it highlights more the fact that he's only scored ten or so league goals across the previous two seasons rather than anything more impressive.
Blackburn in September 2009 is the last one I think we lost when he scored.
What it means is that we need to get Gabby take to take every free kick and penalty, and have him goal hang whenever possible. Or maybe this just emphasizes that he does indeed score important goals. One or the other. Take your pick.
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Line in the Telegraph article about our win yesterday regarding Gabby. Surely this in't correct, is it?
"it is a fact that Villa have not lost a Premier League game in more than three years when Agbonlahor has struck"
Full article
Telegraph Article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10038918/Aston-Villa-winger-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-says-they-have-proved-critics-wrong-who-said-they-lacked-experience.html)
I think it's right, but it highlights more the fact that he's only scored ten or so league goals across the previous two seasons rather than anything more impressive.
Considering the crap service he's had over the last few years, the positional change he's had to make, the injuries he's had, I'm surprised he scored so many. See Darren Bent too. A regular 20+ a season goalscorer we managed to reduce to a traffic cone.
Gabby is far more about goals, it's his contribution to the team I really admire. Without him we just don't tick.
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Gabby has always been there when we needed him. Even last season, didn't he score a couple of winners before we went on our terrible run? Those points were crucial as it turned out. I think he scored the winner against Norwich and Blackburn?
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In his match-winning performances against Blackburn, Wigan and Norwich, he did more than any individual to give us the cushion that we just about managed to hold on to at the other end of the season.
People talk about Weimann v Fulham and Keane at Wolves, but there was 9 points he won virtually single-handed.
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I haven't been as excited about our forward line in a long, long while. Gabby gets all the plaudits for his display. But both Weimann and Benteke did their part too. Benteke was bossed by Bassong but still linked well, Weimann was kept quite for the majority of the time but still worked his socks of mind so his effort is never in doubt. Defenders around the country will have much need to be worried next season.
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"Our front three". I enjoy saying that. Particularly if I cast my mind back twelve months to when it seemed like, a lot of the time, we had a front none.
Gabby seems to be loving it again now, almost makes me wish terry was playing Saturday, no better sight than watching that nasty twunt getting the runaround from Erdington's finest.
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"Our front three". I enjoy saying that. Particularly if I cast my mind back twelve months to when it seemed like, a lot of the time, we had a front none.
Gabby seems to be loving it again now, almost makes me wish terry was playing Saturday, no better sight than watching that nasty twunt getting the runaround from Erdington's finest.
He might be. Show Gabby and Chris the Anton Ferdinand footage before the game.
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I have been one of his critics for several seasons and I think I was right , I didnt think he did enough at times and no where score as near as he should .
But last few weeks he has been excellent , full respect to the man ,he has definitely stepped up for the club , a full season of that and he would be worth £30 million .
Lets hope it continues ....
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"Our front three". I enjoy saying that. Particularly if I cast my mind back twelve months to when it seemed like, a lot of the time, we had a front none.
Gabby seems to be loving it again now, almost makes me wish terry was playing Saturday, no better sight than watching that nasty twunt getting the runaround from Erdington's finest.
He might be. Show Gabby and Chris the Anton Ferdinand footage before the game.
I'd pay a clear ton to watch Big Chris flatten that twat as he powers in another header.
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I have been one of his critics for several seasons and I think I was right , I didnt think he did enough at times and no where score as near as he should .
Sorry, JP, you normally call it right but you're well off with the above. Injuries apart, the whole Darren Bent factor must be considered, a partnership that just didn't work mainly due to crap service. It's tough to play off scraps.
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Rudy thats it , up to this season he never looked like he could play with anyone, but he seems to feed very well of the Beast, regardless of the service maybe he is just coming of age.
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Gaby best performance come with playing Benteke and Carew. Must be suited to play off a big man.
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His best years are ahead of him, with the setup we now have.
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Gaby best performance come with playing Benteke and Carew. Must be suited to play off a big man.
He was also really good a few season's back under MON when he was playing as a lone striker.
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Gaby best performance come with playing Benteke and Carew. Must be suited to play off a big man.
He was also really good a few season's back under MON when he was playing as a lone striker.
He was indeed. I remember when we lost Carew and Gabby stepped up like a natural, scoring quite a few, in fact, we were better with Gabby alone than when Carew returned, IIRC.
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What I thought was great by Gabby against Sunderland is that he was one of, if not the first to get to Benteke to congratulate him and really meant it after all 3 goals. It showed to me that he was really happy that Christian had scored each time, no other striker having a sulk syndrome.
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Gaby best performance come with playing Benteke and Carew. Must be suited to play off a big man.
He was also really good a few season's back under MON when he was playing as a lone striker.
I think it's more than he's all about the self belief, when things start going for him he's a top player and one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. GH pushed him out wide and didn't seem to want him, which knocked his confidence massively and ruined him for a season, then TSm came in and wanted him to be a long ball outlet in the team for his workrate and little else so he never got chance to get going. Lambert is giving him a run of games and supporting him to play his own game and the belief has come from it.
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He's just quicker than everyone else Fred!
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Benteke is the first forward that I've seen gabby actually link up with regularly. His relationship with young was different and with Carew pretty weak
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Just checked his stats, 8 goals in the last 11 starts. Phenomenal for a winger/support striker.
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What I thought was great by Gabby against Sunderland is that he was one of, if not the first to get to Benteke to congratulate him and really meant it after all 3 goals. It showed to me that he was really happy that Christian had scored each time, no other striker having a sulk syndrome.
I thought for Benteke's first goal Gabby's celebration, the intense mad yelling, actually scared him a bit.
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He very rarely used to shoot from outside the box Can't remember many until this season (5-1 vs Blues excepted).
Now shots from outside the box have given us two goals in a week.
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Gaby best performance come with playing Benteke and Carew. Must be suited to play off a big man.
He was also really good a few season's back under MON when he was playing as a lone striker.
He was indeed. I remember when we lost Carew and Gabby stepped up like a natural, scoring quite a few, in fact, we were better with Gabby alone than when Carew returned, IIRC.
Gabby was excellent as the lone striker in MON's 4-5-1 and I remember loads of us here calling for that to be our formation and team. Of course MON persisted with a 4-4-2 that was ineffective at home.
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He very rarely used to shoot from outside the box Can't remember many until this season (5-1 vs Blues excepted).
Now shots from outside the box have given us two goals in a week.
Fulham at home with his left peg comes to mind
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He very rarely used to shoot from outside the box Can't remember many until this season (5-1 vs Blues excepted).
Now shots from outside the box have given us two goals in a week.
Fulham at home with his left peg comes to mind
Bristol Rovers away in the cup.
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He very rarely used to shoot from outside the box Can't remember many until this season (5-1 vs Blues excepted).
Now shots from outside the box have given us two goals in a week.
Fulham at home with his left peg comes to mind
Bristol Rovers away in the cup.
Sheff Utd in his first full season. Left peg. Wasn't that outside the box?
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He very rarely used to shoot from outside the box Can't remember many until this season (5-1 vs Blues excepted).
Now shots from outside the box have given us two goals in a week.
Fulham at home with his left peg comes to mind
Bristol Rovers away in the cup.
Sheff Utd in his first full season. Left peg. Wasn't that outside the box?
Inside I think, but definitely still one of his best goals for me (maybe even second to Blackburn if you remove the context of the game and just focus on the goal itself).
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Watched the highlights of that game the other day - just inside.
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Gabby for England.
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Gabby for England.
I don't see why not. Gabby works very hard, has plenty of strength and pace. The 4-4-2 seems dead now, and Gab has proved very useful playing wide in an attacking 3.
If Hodgson does pick on form, then Gabby would be included.
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Gabby for England.
I don't see why not. Gabby works very hard, has plenty of strength and pace. The 4-4-2 seems dead now, and Gab has proved very useful playing wide in an attacking 3.
If Hodgson does pick on form, then Gabby would be included.
On current form who would you prefer in the England set-up, Gabby or Walcott, or even Oxlade-Chamberlain?
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Gabby for England.
I'd be very happy for none of our players to get picked for England again. When it happens on anything like a regular basis, it almost always ends with them fucking off.
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If Gabby manages a consistent run of form then he should get noticed by England.
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Gabby is not really bothered much by England and says as much in his interviews.
Pretty sure Capello called him up for three squads in 2010 and he pulled out injured each time.
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Gabby for England.
I don't see why not. Gabby works very hard, has plenty of strength and pace. The 4-4-2 seems dead now, and Gab has proved very useful playing wide in an attacking 3.
If Hodgson does pick on form, then Gabby would be included.
On current form who would you prefer in the England set-up, Gabby or Walcott, or even Oxlade-Chamberlain?
On current form Gabby or Welbeck?
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Gabby for England.
I don't see why not. Gabby works very hard, has plenty of strength and pace. The 4-4-2 seems dead now, and Gab has proved very useful playing wide in an attacking 3.
If Hodgson does pick on form, then Gabby would be included.
On current form who would you prefer in the England set-up, Gabby or Walcott, or even Oxlade-Chamberlain?
On current form Gabby or Welbeck?
Danny Graham.
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Gabby for England.
I'd be very happy for none of our players to get picked for England again. When it happens on anything like a regular basis, it almost always ends with them fucking off.
True but you'd hope that wouldn't apply to Gabby.
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Gabby for England.
I'd be very happy for none of our players to get picked for England again. When it happens on anything like a regular basis, it almost always ends with them fucking off.
What are the chances of Stephen Ireland locating an English grandparent? Preferably not an imaginary, dead one.
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By this time he could be on to second cousins in Krygyzstan.
That's a long way to go for a funeral.
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By this time he could be on to second cousins in Krygyzstan.
That's a long way to go for a funeral.
I doubt he knows Krygyzstan exists.
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Gabby is not really bothered much by England and says as much in his interviews.
Pretty sure Capello called him up for three squads in 2010 and he pulled out injured each time.
At least twice. I too get the feeling he's not arsed.
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Good. The fewer players we have getting called up for England, the better. It never, ever does us any favours.
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Gabby's really stepped up to the plate recently. He's a wise head in a young team. In this form and with this motivation he's a threat to any team.
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By this time he could be on to second cousins in Krygyzstan.
That's a long way to go for a funeral.
I doubt he knows Krygyzstan exists.
Spelled like that he'd be right...
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By this time he could be on to second cousins in Krygyzstan.
That's a long way to go for a funeral.
I doubt he knows Krygyzstan exists.
Spelled like that he'd be right...
Like he'd be bothered about an extra 'y'. The funeral's the thing!
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maybe not - but this is Heroes & Pedants. Its Kyrgyzstan. He'll never get to the funeral looking for that other place.
Tut.
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It's 'it's'.
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It's 'it's'.
Capital letter for maybe too.
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It's 'it's'.
Capital letter for maybe too.
Capital letter for maybe too?
You joey.
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Gabby left out again. What a surprise! Woy probably thinks he's about 32 because he seems to have been around a long time.
I also suspect Woy was contaminated against Villa by his time at the Tesco bags.
So come on Gabby, a hat-trick on Sunday and prove Woy's a ranker.
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Gabby left out again.
Good
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I've said this before and this doesn't really relate to Gabby as he doesn't seem too bothered, but my fear with players not being selected for England is that they might think being at Villa damages their England prospects. I don't want our players being tapped up, but if they have international ambitions they need to know they can fulfill them with Villa under the current England management.
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History suggests that being a Villa player doesn't harm your chances of playing for England at all.
The general rule seems to be that becoming an England player means that you can soon forget about playing for Villa.
Bollocks to Hodgson, if he had half an idea about producing a successful England side he'd select a few of our players, not just Gabby.
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Their time might come yet. He's bound to be thinking of the World Cup qualifiers but he might also be thinking that if they continue to progress like they have that they might be part of his plans for the Euro qualifiers. If they were to have really great seasons next year one or two of them might even be late candidates for the World Cup squad.
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He's not good enough for England. A handful of decent performances and some people go totally overboard. He may score today, I hope he does. But he may just as easily go on another long barren spell. He's always blown hot and cold.
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Some people still don't get it.
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Wrote a Gabby article last week if anyone's interested - also picked my top 5 Gabby moments, though as I only wrote about games I was actually at I imagine other people might have a few different ones.. Here's a little snippet
http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/10-05-2013/is-gabby-agbonlahor-a-villa-legend/830081
I've always been a huge Gabby fan, and though he will eventually have to win something to become a true club legend we already have enough fond memories to last a long time. He did a piece on the official website talking about his five favourite goals last week; so to sign off here are my personal favourite Gabby memories (criteria: I was there to see them, though actually thinking about these made me realise how many good goals he has scored):
1. Gabby's first goal at the Holte End was a late equaliser against Everton, which came just when we looked like we might be dragged towards trouble. The goal was nothing special, a tap in from a cross/ricochet, but he'd clearly been waiting for the moment and wasted no time ploughing straight into the supporters.
Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/10-05-2013/is-gabby-agbonlahor-a-villa-legend/830081#ixzz2TkiLDmW7
Remember when he went through that stage of jumping into the Holte every time he scored there? Hasn't done it for a while now.
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Was just thinking today, the 60 + goals is actually an even better achievement when you think he's never taken a penalty for us, all his goals have been scored in open play.
Of course it's not a certain goal as penalties can be missed but it's an easy way for a striker to top up his goal tally or if he's having a scoring drought.
We always used to get a stupid amount of penalties between 07-09 so Gabby could've had a few more.
Did he ever used to take penalties for the reserves or youth team?
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Was just thinking today, the 60 + goals is actually an even better achievement when you think he's never taken a penalty for us, all his goals have been scored in open play.
Of course it's not a certain goal as penalties can be missed but it's an easy way for a striker to top up his goal tally or if he's having a scoring drought.
We always used to get a stupid amount of penalties between 07-09 so Gabby could've had a few more.
Did he ever used to take penalties for the reserves or youth team?
I remember he took one against Sunderland in the League Cup. It was saved, but I was happy he hit the target. Can barely think of a player who I'd back less!
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Good half a season from Gabby again, he now has to last a full season of pulling up trees, then he can become a Villa legend until then he is just another Villa Leg end
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Lambert seems to know how to play him now and Gabby is embracing the wide role in the 3 upfront much more than how TSM wanted him to play it (obviously having to track back first).
I reckon he'll start off next season firing unless he picks up a pre season injury which has been the case for the last few summers.
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I think it's not so much Gabby hitting the purple patch, more that Lambert finally managed to get the team shape effective and improve our attacking threat. We look like we could get goals against anyone.
I'm delighted Gabby has had a decent season again though. It was looking bad a year ago, and possibly like the only way for him to get back to his peak was to move on. Some people here felt he should move on. The summer window had a half expectation that we might see him in a Sunderland shirt too. I thought O Neill might have come in for Gab.
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Through the middle next season, in his best position again, who needs Benteke, when a Villa legend is still at the club.
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Through the middle next season, in his best position again, who needs Benteke, when a Villa legend is still at the club.
That's actually not a bad idea if it comes to it.
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Through the middle next season, in his best position again, who needs Benteke, when a Villa legend is still at the club.
That's actually not a bad idea if it comes to it.
It's an option , not sure he has the consistency to play there all season , but he can play the role.
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I think under Lambo, Gabby would certainly hit double figures. I do think he's still best out wide, creating space for Wiemann, who I'd fancy to score 15 odd playing through the middle. Anyway, Shane Long was suggested on the transfer thread. I know Gab would score more than him.
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I think under Lambo, Gabby would certainly hit double figures. I do think he's still best out wide, creating space for Wiemann, who I'd fancy to score 15 odd playing through the middle. Anyway, Shane Long was suggested on the transfer thread. I know Gab would score more than him.
I think Lambert really appreciates him, and he should be hitting his prime years now, still only 26.
The Norwich away game he totally outshone Benteke, who should've been sent off really, and he perhaps showed a sign of things to come if defenders start to needle him more.
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Weimann and Gabby on the flanks worked. Why start messing with other positions when currently there's just one to address.
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Interesting stats from last season http://www.cartilagefreecaptain.com/2013/7/9/4507708/christian-benteke-stats-tottenham-hotspur?
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Weimann and Gabby on the flanks worked. Why start messing with other positions when currently there's just one to address.
Not entirely sure with the Weimann thing. As long as whoever plays wide works their bollocks off we could move Andi in field. I did feel Andi did remarkebly well but still disappeared in some games. I'm not sure it's his preference by any means either. He faded in the last few weeks. Part of that was tiredness but some of the games he just vanished on the flank.
Put him through the middle and you'll double his goal tally from last season I reckon.
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This could be Gabby's season if he steps up to the challenge - he can show Benteke what a real Villa Legend is like!
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Nah keep Gabby out wide attacking and chipping in with goals, that works best as there's less expectation on him to score than when he's leading the line.
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Weimann and Gabby on the flanks worked. Why start messing with other positions when currently there's just one to address.
Not entirely sure with the Weimann thing. As long as whoever plays wide works their bollocks off we could move Andi in field. I did feel Andi did remarkebly well but still disappeared in some games. I'm not sure it's his preference by any means either. He faded in the last few weeks. Part of that was tiredness but some of the games he just vanished on the flank.
Put him through the middle and you'll double his goal tally from last season I reckon.
I haven't seen many people work as hard as Weimann. I agree about his form though but you would expect that for a young lad playing his first full season. Presumably one or more of the new comers will give him competition so we can rest him when needed.
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Weimann will get 15 goals next season I reckon if he stays fit and starts taking the penalties.
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Nah keep Gabby out wide attacking and chipping in with goals, that works best as there's less expectation on him to score than when he's leading the line.
Knocking them into Helenius, Goalllllllllllll to the unstopable Villa. Sounds good that.
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The Benteke nonsense really makes you appreciate him, I've thought a few times over the years that its time for him to move on.
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If Gabby was as good as Benteke then he would probably have left by now. I like Gabby. He'll always be here.
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If Gabby was as good as Benteke then he would probably have left by now. I like Gabby. He'll always be here.
I disagree with that, he's better than Benteke.
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If Gabby was as good as Benteke then he would probably have left by now. I like Gabby. He'll always be here.
I disagree with that, he's better than Benteke.
LOL.
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He isn't but in the right formation he can still be an excellent attacking striker as he showed from January last year.
Dunno if he's had opportunities to leave but many many poorer strikers have changed clubs over the years so yeah I do think he has good loyalty to us.
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I don't see Gabby as ever having wanted a move at all. There's been whispers over the years of people after him. Probably the best club to be linked with Gab was Arsenal, though that was tenuous to say the least, and probably off the back of him giving them a few roastings. Gallas in particular must still have nightmares of Gabby murdering him at the Emirates.
I think the worst Gab has had it was under Houllier. It's the one time a manager here hasn't particularly fancied Gab. I'd guess his mindset would have been to stick it out, rather than try and engineer a move. I don't think many of us expected Houllier to stay for long. In part because he was kind of semi-retired, questionable health and also because we were fighting relegation for most of his time here.
Gab's a class act. As long as we keep hold of him, he'll stay. He may end up out of contract in his early 30's, by which time we'll probably move him on. By which time he'll have passed 100 league goals for us I reckon.
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If Gabby was as good as Benteke then he would probably have left by now. I like Gabby. He'll always be here.
I disagree with that, he's better than Benteke.
He's better in many ways...
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If Gabby was as good as Benteke then he would probably have left by now. I like Gabby. He'll always be here.
I disagree with that, he's better than Benteke.
He's better in many ways...
Procreation being one.
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He is the only Villa layer who has openly said that he would only leave if we want to sell him. Villa through and through.
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I don't doubt that Gabby will earn a testimonial either. I think he'll be here going into his 30's.
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He is the only Villa layer who has openly said that he would only leave if we want to sell him. Villa through and through.
All depends on who he lays, I suppose.
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I don't doubt that Gabby will earn a testimonial either. I think he'll be here going into his 30's.
If Gabby ever has a testimonial you can bet that all money will go to charity, probably Acorns.
The only thing from Gabby I want is he stays fit. The rest he will do himself.
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
I'm sorry but I don't believe that. Certainly not in January, he'd been in poor form for about 12 months by then.
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Gabby has always struck me as being one of a dying breed. A lad who plays for the team he loves in his home city and has never shown any inclination to want to move.
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I wonder if there's a bit of Steve Bull syndrome with Gabby, he rarely looked keen on playing for England either.
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
Nonsense
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I wonder if there's a bit of Steve Bull syndrome with Gabby, he rarely looked keen on playing for England either.
Hmm interesting comparison. Wolves fans rightfully love Bull. He was more prolific for sure but my god Gabby can score some crackers when he wants cant he?
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
Presumably this is based on some sort of ITK?
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
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I just think because he's getting older. If he can carry on the end of last season's form he'll be a real asset
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Villa through and through, plays with his heart on his sleeve, asked to play in a multitude of positions by 4 different managers in as many seasons through the ups and downs and in and outs of being in the starting eleven, he's become our leading scorer of the premier league era, he's never spoken ill of the club or fans, and is pretty much our most senior/longest serving player at the ripe old age of 26. He was more than invaluable in the last part of the season.
You might be able to criticize a performance or dry spell in front of goal, or his fanny rat ways but you can't say he's not the embodiment of the kind of player in terms of attitude, representation, and professionalism that every club wants.
Reading back over that, who's going to be our vice captain this season?
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
I think it was Capello that told him to beef up a bit. I recall Pubehead was completely surprised at the size of Gabby when he came back fo pre-season training.
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Spot on Rudy. O'Neill knew nothing about it, and wasn't sure it was a good idea.
When will this urban myth ever end?
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
Have you seen how muscular some 100m sprinters are?
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
Have you seen how muscular some 100m sprinters are?
That'll be the drugs...
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
Have you seen how muscular some 100m sprinters are?
That'll be the drugs...
Hasn't worked on me.
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
Have you seen how muscular some 100m sprinters are?
That'll be the drugs...
Yeah, maybe not the best day to have said that.
If you compare a completely clean sprinter to a long distance runner, there is quite a difference in physique though.
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
Presumably this is based on some sort of ITK?
Yes
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He just needs to stay fit, he's had more knocks lately than when he first broke into the team. He was never injured then
I wonder if all his time in the gym contributed to that somewhat?
Yes he was told to beef up wasn't he? Didn't do him any good did it? As he has relied on his pace can't see why he would wanted loads of upper body muscle, well not in the footballing sense.
I think it was Capello that told him to beef up a bit. I recall Pubehead was completely surprised at the size of Gabby when he came back fo pre-season training.
It is the way that sprinting is going. I look at 100 metre runners now and they all have bulging biceps, triceps and massive chests. And the men are even bigger, ho ho ho.
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Spurs wanted Gabby in January and again this summer, he refused to even speak to them
Presumably this is based on some sort of ITK?
Incredibly Tenuous Konnection?
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I've always wondered why Tony Daley is revered as much and Gabby not? yes one was a winger and the other a front man. But Gabby has played on the flank for a lot of his career. I'd put him above Dales who has got more England caps as well hasn't he? And he also sported a very Soho-esqu of the night type moustache also. Which was cool in a very shit way.
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Tony Daley accepted my friend request yesterday. That made my day. That might be a bit sad, but fuck it. He's also looking in very good shape indeed. We should re-sign him. He looks ready to hit the Prem again. ;)
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Tony Daley accepted my friend request yesterday. That made my day. That might be a bit sad, but fuck it. He's also looking in very good shape indeed. We should re-sign him. He looks ready to hit the Prem again. ;)
Isn't he fitness coach at wolves or something. Actually with all their manager changes I doubt he is however that's probably why he's in shape. Practising what he preaches. Dunne should become a fitness coach.
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Tony Daley accepted my friend request yesterday. That made my day. That might be a bit sad, but fuck it. He's also looking in very good shape indeed. We should re-sign him. He looks ready to hit the Prem again. ;)
Isn't he fitness coach at wolves or something. Actually with all their manager changes I doubt he is however that's probably why he's in shape. Practising what he preaches. Dunne should become a fitness coach.
According to Wiki he is. I'd be surprised if Daley's been let go to be honest. The guy looks like a machine. He's stayed in good nick throughout his retirement years. He still looks like he could play, so it's weird to think his knees gave out around 20 years ago.
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After all the jiggery pokery from Benteke I think fans showing their gratitude to Gabs this season would be nice. Sure he's never been and never will be the best player in the world and he's incredibly frustrating to watch sometimes but I love the old school mentality that guess what? He actually gives half a shit about his club.
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Gabby is a rare breed these days, as he clearly loves the club and hasn't shown any inclination to leave.
However, I do think his career performance and Villa's performance have always mirrored each other. What I mean by that is, in the MON years he seemed to be getting better and better. He then regressed badly for a number of years, injuries taking their toll etc. Last year saw a marked improvement.
If he had continued in the manner of, say Ashley Young, and one of the Champs League clubs had come calling, he would have been off. Maybe not as quickly as Young or DOwning, but after another year he would.
On the flipside, if Gabby hadn't performed last year, I think he would be getting the Darren Bent treatment from Lambert.
That is just professional football these days.
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Yeah you could be right, it makes me happier to assume he would never leave no matter which clubs come in for him though. I'll keep my head in the sand if that's ok with everyone!
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I wonder if there's a bit of Steve Bull syndrome with Gabby, he rarely looked keen on playing for England either.
Hmm interesting comparison. Wolves fans rightfully love Bull. He was more prolific for sure but my god Gabby can score some crackers when he wants cant he?
Is Gabby the new Steve Bull? Hmm Bully-wooly, But Gabby-wabby. Precocious talent, isn't he? Mmm? Ooh, got it all, you know? Speed, acceleration, all the tricks - the dummy, the drop of the shoulder, the shimmy, nutmeg, jiggery-pokery, hocus pocus, abracadabra, I wanna reach out and grab ya. Steve Miller Band? Spin Doctors? Ooh, very similar
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I liked the story somebody posted on here after they'd seen him watching Man Utd in the pub. Apparently someone sang 'Gabby for Man U' to him and he said 'Nah mate, Villa for life'.
Might not be true, but it beats Benteke's ' I don't think so' Vegas quote hands down.
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I just think because he's getting older. If he can carry on the end of last season's form he'll be a real asset
Yes agree, considering everything. This new season really is tailor made for Gabby to emerge a real Villa hero if he hits good form. It'll be a very interesting and important season for him.
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I couldn't recall if there was an appreciation thread somewhere, but he was utterly superb on Saturday. The burst of speed for the penalty was Usain Bolt-esque and reminiscent of a few years back when he was really coming to the fore. Really excellent, and he is so very strong. He gave Sagna and really whoever tried to mark him a really tough time. He is critical to what we are becoming.
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When on form Gabby is pretty much unplayable. He's at an age now where we need to see more consistency from him. His big fault has been his tendency to have a good two or three months every season and then fade.
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When on form Gabby is in pretty much unplayable. He's at an age now where we need to see more consistency from him. His big fault has been his tendency to have a good two or three months every season and then fade.
Injuries haven't helped but I honestly believe he lost a lot of his desire for the game from late MON and through the TSM era. I think he's a fan like us and has been re-energised like we all have with what Lambert has brought to the club.
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He's done it pretty much every season since he broke through which has been his problem. But imagine Gabby on form for most of a season alongside Benteke? A defenders worst nightmare I reckon.
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That burst of speed was something I didn't think he had anymore. Very few players in Europe have that and yes, alongside the beast, the guile and energy of Weimann and what Tonev and Helenius will bring it is very exciting indeed.
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When I watched it back on MotD as Gabbyripped through the Arsenal central midfield and Arsenal central Defence, I thought "how many other players in the league have the raw pace and power to do that?".
The answer is one; Bale.
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Gabby should be aiming for the World Cup now. Play consistently, as has been mentioned, and just keep cool in the one on ones with the keeper.
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
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Gabby should be aiming for the World Cup now. Play consistently, as has been mentioned, and just keep cool in the one on ones with the keeper.
I think we all feared what might happen at the end of that Sunderland game. He came through with flying colours so hopefully he's been working on that aspect of his play.
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team. It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team. It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.
"It was harder to be dropped from the England squad than it was to be selected for it in the first place." Alan Deakin.
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What I mean by that is, in the MON years he seemed to be getting better and better. He then regressed badly for a number of years, injuries taking their toll etc. Last year saw a marked improvement.
I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. At worst, he was off the boil for a few months in two separate seasons post-MON.
Even under MON he tended to score in spurts. He did ok in his call-ups to England but he never seemed overly bothered about international recognition and I think Capello got fed-up with him pulling out of squads.
He had a tough year with Houllier who wasn't keen on his muscular physique:
He’s shown that in terms of speed and goalscoring he has qualities of a high level,” said Houllier. “Unfortunately for him, his injuries have set him back.
“When you build up too much it affects your joints and muscle. The fact is, I think he should stop, he’s too stocky.
“The Gabby Agbonlahor I saw when I was watching TV in France was different from what I see here. He was thinner, more wiry and wow, quick. So, I’ve told him to lay off the weights.”
Heskey was his golden boy for the big, target-man role. And he also had big John Carew, though he obviously wasn't too keen on him. But Gabby still popped up with some crucial goals that season like the winner at West Ham which effectively sent them down and helped keep us up. He started off the McLeish season blisteringly well - check the season review for his goals and assists against Blackburn and Wigan at the start of the season. A real noticeable change in strength and power to go with the pace.
Long-term I think his bulking-up has paid off - he has a brilliant knack for holding defenders off and drawing a foul from them - he does it at least a handful of times each match. Sometimes it's frustrating as he seems more keen on enticing the defender than concentrating on the ball but it works more often than not. Facing goal he still has that direct, speedy style that's enough for defenders to shit bricks as witnessed on Sat but when the pace goes I think his frame will make him a decent option as a central-striker in his 30's.
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I think GH had it bang on with the comments about his added muscles. The balance is somewhere in between where he is string as an ox, but remains as fuck or something like that...
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team. It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.
The main barrier is the manager. We play 4-4-2 and nothing but that, so I expect Hodgson will pick players that fit that formation, even if they don't do it very well.
As someone mentions above, he's neither the correct player to play in a two up front, or as a full-on winger. If we played 4-3-3 then he'd be nailed on.
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team. It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.
The main barrier is the manager. We play 4-4-2 and nothing but that
It's funny you should say that. Whilst I was half watching the England game last week, I tried to pick an England side based on the same system we play. I couldn't think of 3 decent midfielders in the squad that Hodgson picked that could do a similar job that our boys do.
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Delph, Westwood....
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When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.
His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team. It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.
The main barrier is the manager. We play 4-4-2 and nothing but that
It's funny you should say that. Whilst I was half watching the England game last week, I tried to pick an England side based on the same system we play. I couldn't think of 3 decent midfielders in the squad that Hodgson picked that could do a similar job that our boys do.
That was my biggest complaint about the midfield we picked. It just didn't feel balanced. Hopefully he'll see sense before long, Gabby, Walcott, Sturridge and Welbeck (although I'm still not convinced Welbeck is up to it) all play as 'inside forwards' so you pick them, With Rooney and a central target man (Carroll if he can stay fit and find a bit of form). You then have Wilshere, Lampard, Delph, Westwood, Gerrard, Cleverley, Oxlade-Chamberlain and few others to pick from to build a midfield and you start to get a decent side together.
A lot of the names above are based on the squads he's picked rather than my personal choices, I wouldn't take Gerrard for example, he's not the player he was and has never really settled as a regular performer internationally, despite getting fuck loads of caps.
The defence is messy but hopefully a few central defenders will stand up this season, I'm a big fan of Phil Jones if Man U start giving him some time as a central defender rather than using him as a utility defender.
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You know with Gabby he gets a lot of criticism as being a player who can't pass a ball, can't control, not a great finisher. For me he has these abilities. What he sometimes lacks is a bit of composure or just some concentration at times. I've re-watched Gabby's 63 premier league goals vid on AVTV. What you see is a striker who scores with his right foot, left foot, his head. Inside the box, outside the box. He's got frightening pace, he's strong. He can run at defenders. If anyone thinks Gabby Agbonlahor can't control a ball, they should re-watch his goal against Everton in 07-08. Remember? Carsons goal kick, Gabby controlled it perfectly out the air and then finished brilliantly. I mean it was almost Bergkampesque.
Now I'm not saying he's got Bergkamps touch, but I do think people sometimes underestimate just how much ability he has. People debate whether he can play wide. I think he's shown more than enough to suggest he can play wide.
He was getting a bit stagnant here in Houllier and McLeish's time. He had injuries of course, that didn't help. Also when the team is doing well, Gabby generally does well. I mean lets face it, under TSM in the second half of the season when Gabby had to take the mantle with Bent injured, along with Petrov and Dunne out too, he wasn't great, but almost everyone else, to a man was woeful too. It was shame because Gabby actually started that season very well. He set up a lot of goals for Benty, and he'd scored half a dozen too. We were so horrifically negative after jan though that he tailed off along with everyone else.
Since Lambert took over though, Gab has had a renewed hunger. The club feels positive. Even when we had our awful run last season, everything remained remarkably bright from the club to be fair. We never reached the doom and gloom levels of the previous year. Players were still adamant that we'd come good, and we did. Now we're set up in a way to utilize Gabby's strengths. We're an attacking side now. We can play quick tempo passing football and Gab isn't out of place either. He can actually link play very well and holds the ball up well. I think he's probably laid off the weights too. He seems to be picking up less injuries than 18-24 months ago. He's regained a yard or two of pace he'd seemingly lost.
Gab is a senior statesmen now. It's the time to have more consistency from him. We want him to frighten teams in every match. When we're against it he wins us so many free-kicks, or corners, or throws around the oppositions box. He gains us back a lot of territory and at key times when we're struggling to get a grip in a game. That first pen came at a time we were just easing into the game, without really managing to break through Arsenal. Gabby blasted into top gear and just ripped them apart.
Looking at him in pre-season too, he's looked really fired up. Possibly more so than I remember him looking for years. For the club on a whole it feels like a turning point. For Gabby, I think this is where he'll lead by example and help us push up the league. People say Gab could never play for a top 4 club. How many times has he mugged off top four clubs in matches over the years? Plenty. Ask Arsene Wenger if he wouldn't mind having Agbonlahor in his side right now. Gabby's solo goal against Crewe (I think) in pre season was brilliant. It proved a taster of how confident and up for it he is right now. Playing off Benteke has really given him a lot of fire back in his belly. To be fair to Gab, he loved playing with Carew. Part of the reason Gabby perhaps wasn't as frighteningly consistent as he could have been was that Carew sometimes struggled to play two games in a week. He was injured regularly, and had his own consistency issues. Tekkers is even better and fitter than Big John and it's part of the reason Gabbaldinho is flourishing.
He scores in big games. He's scored against all the top teams in this league. He scores in the local derbies. He scores when it matters. If he plays 30 games this season in the league, he'll hit double figures.
Over the MON years I'd always talk to rival fans, be it Arsenal, Chelski, Liverpool, Utd, Spurs. In most cases when discussing the players they'd want to cherry pick from our club (and felt would happily come, the wankers), the name that came up the most wasn't Ashley Young, wasn't Gareth Barry, it was Gabby Agbonlahor. At times he seemed to get more appreciation for being a top quality player from outside the club than from the Villa fans.
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am gona read war and peace next !
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am gona read war and peace next !
If you want a summation:
Gabby is the mutts nuts.
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am gona read war and peace next !
Or the bible :o
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What I mean by that is, in the MON years he seemed to be getting better and better. He then regressed badly for a number of years, injuries taking their toll etc. Last year saw a marked improvement.
I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. At worst, he was off the boil for a few months in two separate seasons post-MON.
Even under MON he tended to score in spurts. He did ok in his call-ups to England but he never seemed overly bothered about international recognition and I think Capello got fed-up with him pulling out of squads.
He had a tough year with Houllier who wasn't keen on his muscular physique:
He’s shown that in terms of speed and goalscoring he has qualities of a high level,” said Houllier. “Unfortunately for him, his injuries have set him back.
“When you build up too much it affects your joints and muscle. The fact is, I think he should stop, he’s too stocky.
“The Gabby Agbonlahor I saw when I was watching TV in France was different from what I see here. He was thinner, more wiry and wow, quick. So, I’ve told him to lay off the weights.”
Heskey was his golden boy for the big, target-man role. And he also had big John Carew, though he obviously wasn't too keen on him. But Gabby still popped up with some crucial goals that season like the winner at West Ham which effectively sent them down and helped keep us up. He started off the McLeish season blisteringly well - check the season review for his goals and assists against Blackburn and Wigan at the start of the season. A real noticeable change in strength and power to go with the pace.
Long-term I think his bulking-up has paid off - he has a brilliant knack for holding defenders off and drawing a foul from them - he does it at least a handful of times each match. Sometimes it's frustrating as he seems more keen on enticing the defender than concentrating on the ball but it works more often than not. Facing goal he still has that direct, speedy style that's enough for defenders to shit bricks as witnessed on Sat but when the pace goes I think his frame will make him a decent option as a central-striker in his 30's.
Eamonn, that's a great post.
And Houllier was right to a degree, he looks a different person to the one first playing under O'Neill, but long term that work's probably going to extend his career at the top level a lot longer.
For me, I think he's added aspects to his game every season and is starting to look the complete player, I think his best years are in front of him.
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And Supertom, that's a great post too.
His moustache is also ace.
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and loyal.
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Gabby is a different player now than he has ever been before in my opinion, last season was his best, and this season could be better,
even when he had his best scoring year, about 13 goals, he wasn't as good as he is now, the fit with Benteke and Wieman is one of those fusions of perfection, Gray-Withe, Toshack-Keegan Yorke-Cole only there is 3 of them
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Gray-Little-Deehan. Now that was a three.
Don't recall Gray-Withe (wink).
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Gray-Little-Deehan.
Don't recall Gray-Withe (wink).
sorry brain freeze obviously meant Shaw- Withe
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I've never been over-keen on Gabby and I'm not sure he's suddenly developed extra ability in terms of touch or technique. What I think is that Lambert is playing to his strengths in getting him to run from deep directly at attackers to make things happen, and as you saw on Saturday, the defenders are freaked out by it. He also seems to have learned to make those runs across defenders to pick up pace and beat the offside trap, a la Bent, and his confidence seems high from the belief shown in him by Lambert. He's a much improved player and looks more effective than at any time I can remember.
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am gona read war and peace next !
Or the bible :o
"And yay I say unto thee, Gabby is the hound's testacles"
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
in 100% agreement - it was more than a tad disappointing
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I had no problem with Gabby applauding the ref for making a correct decision against Arsenal, i think he was applauding him mostly for not taking any crap of little ear whisperer Jack Wilshire, every second he was in the refs face.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Spot on, other than that he was superb on Saturday.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Good guys don't win much. I'm happy to see us develop our gamesmanship and start influencing refs decisions.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Good guys don't win much. I'm happy to see us develop our gamesmanship and start influencing refs decisions.
The decision had already been made. It's a lack of class.
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It was up there with Ian Taylor's reaction to Shearer getting sent off...
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Good guys don't win much. I'm happy to see us develop our gamesmanship and start influencing refs decisions.
The decision had already been made. It's a lack of class.
His cupping of the ear when he scores, to opposition fans too.
If he stays fit, he will be a big asset this season.
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It wasn't only the clapping at the red card, Gabby was in the refs ear all the game. I noticed it early on and thought it unusual for Gabby but he continued to chip away about things all the match. Perhaps as elder statesman in the team he thinks he should be the one giving the ref earache nowadays.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Good guys don't win much. I'm happy to see us develop our gamesmanship and start influencing refs decisions.
yeah, but acting like a knob isn't gamesmanship, its acting like a knob
I hate it when I see other teams players do it, so its the same when ours do
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I loved him clapping the ref, and Koscienly had nearly cut him in half a couple of minutes before.
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I loved him clapping the ref, and Koscienly had nearly cut him in half a couple of minutes before.
no you don't, you have to agree with me,
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Good guys don't win much. I'm happy to see us develop our gamesmanship and start influencing refs decisions.
The decision had already been made. It's a lack of class.
I agree, I don't expect our players to be whiter than white but i don't like to see players applauding the ref for sending someone off , I used to hate the way young started diving and cheating too .
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
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I think it was all gamesmanship with Arsenal. The getting in the ref's ear and the clapping. It was all done to get under Arsenals skin and get them to lose their heads, giving us the mental edge. That, unfortunately is a factor top level sport.
It was discussed in the Benteke thread that teams will try to combat his ability by using underhand tactics, to put him off his game, as if they played fairly with him, due to his size and ability, he'd steamroller everything in front of him.
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One of the things I like most about him is his ability to wind players up. If he played for someone else I would hate him, but he doesn't, so I don't.
I don't want people to like us, usually that means we not a threat.
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Arsenal are such a whiny bunch that it doesn't bother me to be honest. They've been known for influencing the ref in the same way as Manure and Chelski have a bad rep. And honestly, am I the only one who really wants to punch Jack Wiltshires whiny little face? He spent almost the whole game looking like a toddler who couldn't have his milky bar before dinner.
It's also so rare that decisions go our war on the turf of one of the big 5 clubs that in all honesty I'd have been applauding the ref too if I was stood on the pitch.
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I loved him clapping the ref, and Koscienly had nearly cut him in half a couple of minutes before.
I'm tired of us being soft and just taking it up the rear from the refs and from the so called big teams. I want our players to have a bit of nastiness to them and gamesmanship. I'm not saying we need the likes of Joey Barton or the prick Savage, but we do need to get into the heads of our opponents. Much of the game is about gaining a mental advantage and we've seen over the years how our players have wilted. It's time we turned the tables and showed some spirit and fight. Lambert is instilling that and I'm loving it.
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Gabby walks up to the ref, tells him its his second yellow, referee duly hands out the second yellow card and Gabby applauds it.
Good lad.
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Going back in recent years all the big players/managers have tried to ref the games they were involved in.
Shearer, Keane, Henry, Ferdinand, Rooney, Gerrard, Terry....
Its not great to see, but its a fact of life that it does go on and it has worked against us enough times.
(E.g) Fergie time.
If Gabby has any sort of clout and influence, then he'd be daft not to use it to our advantage.
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as long as you all have the same fair minded view if Delph gets sent off tomorow and John Terry stands there aplauding the ref.
i'm sure you will all see the sportsmanship in that
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as long as you all have the same fair minded view if Delph gets sent off tomorow and John Terry stands there aplauding the ref.
i'm sure you will all see the sportsmanship in that
If Delph is sent off for snapping John Terry in half, then I will boo the fact that the odious ****** still has the physical capability to clap his hands.
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as long as you all have the same fair minded view if Delph gets sent off tomorrow and John Terry stands there aplauding the ref.
i'm sure you will all see the sportsmanship in that
Not if it's Terry. He's just the most slimy, weasily, irksome piece of crap who's plying his trade in top flight football. I'd sooner buy Joey Barton a pint.
If say a Fulham player did it to one of ours, it would be a little annoying but it wouldn't bother me that much. I'd quickly forget it.
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those imaginary cards that players hold up , winds me up the most.
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Gabby walks up to the ref, tells him its his second yellow, referee duly hands out the second yellow card and Gabby applauds it.
Good lad.
Yep, no law against clapping.
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as long as you all have the same fair minded view if Delph gets sent off tomorrow and John Terry stands there aplauding the ref.
i'm sure you will all see the sportsmanship in that
Not if it's Terry. He's just the most slimy, weasily, irksome piece of crap who's plying his trade in top flight football. I'd sooner buy Joey Barton a pint.
If say a Fulham player did it to one of ours, it would be a little annoying but it wouldn't bother me that much. I'd quickly forget it.
I thought that about Jay Rodriguez last season, I didn't even know who he was, I hate him now though the cheating low life
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those imaginary cards that players hold up , winds me up the most.
Neymar seemed to spend Brazil's games this summer perfecting that art in readiness for the World Cup. He can do it whilst standing still, whilst running towards the ref and even whilst on the ground.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
No, I actually mean what I said.
Those sophisticated cultured gooners have enough shitbags in their team so as to render any cries of foul play or injustice null and void.
See also Nani's sending off last season, when the Madrid player did a full pirourette before flopping to the ground. In most instances, that sort of behavior would be disagreeable. But because it happened to one of the biggest cheats in the game, he and Ol'Beetroot features didn't have a leg to stand on.
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as long as you all have the same fair minded view if Delph gets sent off tomorow and John Terry stands there aplauding the ref.
i'm sure you will all see the sportsmanship in that
Exactly
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
i put money on it being Wilshire.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
It's what you expect from arsenal and Chelsea players among others , a part of the game i dislike .
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I don't like it either but at the same time I don't want to be ones not doing it if the refs are buying it. If the refs weren't influenced by it then fine, but they are. It might be shit to see our players do it, but being passive gets you nowhere.
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This would have been an interesting subject to mention to Paul lambert during his question and answer session recently.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
i put money on it being Wilshire.
Probably on the occasion which actually made me smile as he clearly said "how many f***in times ref?". It was great to see we had got him so riled.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
i put money on it being Wilshire.
It might as well have been, he didn't do a fat lot else. Am I the person on the planet who thinks he's overated?
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
i put money on it being Wilshire.
It might as well have been, he didn't do a fat lot else. Am I the person on the planet who thinks he's overated?
Nope, I've been saying it for ages, he looks nice and neat and tidy but he doesn't actually have much effect on the game. Those players are needed, but to hype him up as the best young player in England on the back of it is just silly. He's also a nasty little shit which makes it hard to not want him to fall flat on his face a few times.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Must admit, I felt a bit uneasy about it when I saw it back on Saturday night. Mind you, i'm dead sure I saw an Arsenal player ask the ref for a card for one of our players during the second half.
i put money on it being Wilshire.
It might as well have been, he didn't do a fat lot else. Am I the person on the planet who thinks he's overated?
Nope, I've been saying it for ages, he looks nice and neat and tidy but he doesn't actually have much effect on the game. Those players are needed, but to hype him up as the best young player in England on the back of it is just silly. He's also a nasty little shit which makes it hard to not want him to fall flat on his face a few times.
Wiltshires best attribute is moaning.
He's a good player but I think injuries have held him back. He's certainly not the saviour of the England team by any stretch. He's not fit to tie the laces of a Lampard or Gerrard yet.
One problem Arsenal had on saturday was that Wiltshire and Ramsey were both doing exactly the same job. Sat deep, getting the ball and playing it simply. Nothing particularly penetrative. No really bursts into the box. Tidy players. The sort you only need one of in your side. Wiltshire is better than Ramsey. But by much? Not entirely sure. I see Westwood as having as much potential as Wiltshire, with a better attitude with it.
Wiltshire certainly does have one of the most punch worthy faces in the premier league right now.
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Isn't this all a little precious?
When you're getting kicked, pushed and pulled all game it's only natural that you're going to show your approval when the ref starts to do something about it.
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I've spoken to people who saw Arsenal play and said everything good they did came through Wilshire. Maybe he is that good but Villa stopped him playing, to their credit?
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I've spoken to people who saw Arsenal play and said everything good they did came through Wilshire. Maybe he is that good but Villa stopped him playing, to their credit?
I thought personally most of Arsenal's good play came through Rosicky.
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I've spoken to people who saw Arsenal play and said everything good they did came through Wilshire. Maybe he is that good but Villa stopped him playing, to their credit?
I thought personally most of Arsenal's good play came through Rosicky.
Yeah me too. He seemed like the only one really trying to drive the team forward at high gear. When Arsenal upped the tempo and were a bit more direct, they were harder to handle.
Also in fairness to Rosicky, I give him credit for staying on his feet when he was slipped through 1 on 1 against Guzman. He got nicked and could have dropped looking for a pen but he stayed on his feet. You could say he was too honest for his own good.
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I've spoken to people who saw Arsenal play and said everything good they did came through Wilshire. Maybe he is that good but Villa stopped him playing, to their credit?
I thought personally most of Arsenal's good play came through Rosicky.
Me too. I thought he was their best player by a mile.
Is he due a contract extension or something, because he normally mopes about ineffectively like a moody teenage girl?
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
No, I actually mean what I said.
Those sophisticated cultured gooners have enough shitbags in their team so as to render any cries of foul play or injustice null and void.
See also Nani's sending off last season, when the Madrid player did a full pirourette before flopping to the ground. In most instances, that sort of behavior would be disagreeable. But because it happened to one of the biggest cheats in the game, he and Ol'Beetroot features didn't have a leg to stand on.
no you meant exactly what I said you meant,
that applauding the ref is acceptable depending on who its against, the rules of your opinion changes from person to person from team to team, its whats known as hypocrisy, when you say one thing but do another when it affects you
I dont agree with clapping the ref, I dont agree with showing fake red cards, I dont agree with diving, if someone says its all part of the game and accepts it when it goes against them, that's fine,
but I dont agree with it whether its our players or theirs
Armstrong said he took drugs because everyone else was doing it, its no excuse
we should be better than the rest, not falling to the lowest kind of behaviour on the pitch because everybody else does it
and all that stuff about being nasty is just bullshit (I know you didn't say that) but clapping a ref when he's sent someone off is not being nasty, its just being a twat
and I say that whether its Gabby or Terry or Suarez
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
No, I actually mean what I said.
Those sophisticated cultured gooners have enough shitbags in their team so as to render any cries of foul play or injustice null and void.
See also Nani's sending off last season, when the Madrid player did a full pirourette before flopping to the ground. In most instances, that sort of behavior would be disagreeable. But because it happened to one of the biggest cheats in the game, he and Ol'Beetroot features didn't have a leg to stand on.
no you meant exactly what I said you meant,
that applauding the ref is acceptable depending on who its against, the rules of your opinion changes from person to person from team to team, its whats known as hypocrisy, when you say one thing but do another when it affects you
I dont agree with clapping the ref, I dont agree with showing fake red cards, I dont agree with diving, if someone says its all part of the game and accepts it when it goes against them, that's fine,
but I dont agree with it whether its our players or theirs
Armstrong said he took drugs because everyone else was doing it, its no excuse
we should be better than the rest, not falling to the lowest kind of behaviour on the pitch because everybody else does it
and all that stuff about being nasty is just bullshit (I know you didn't say that) but clapping a ref when he's sent someone off is not being nasty, its just being a twat
and I say that whether its Gabby or Terry or Suarez
Why does showing your approval when the ref gets something right make you a twat? All this after you Claude stuff is bollocks.
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I don't get the difference between waving an imaginary card, clapping the ref, or just going up to the ref and telling him to send someone off. The first two are generally despised, yet everyone does the last one and nobody says a thing.
I remember one of Gabby's first games under MON - the 2-0 win over Chelsea - where he made one tackle, and Terry was straight at the ref (Rob Styles?) and he got booked. This is just the way all teams are now, and if you aren't at the ref you might lose an advantage. Not that I think this is the best way to play or behave, its just the way it is.
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Not bothered a jot about showing lack of class against the tarquins. I want more players to not be overawed, accept shit homer decisions and walk round predominantly quiet all game accepting our fate.
I want to see us piss the opposing fans off, wind the players up, get in their faces, be in the refs ears and win. I wont be remembering any particular matches where we acted like gents and then got beat in years to come and gamesmanship is a big factor in top level football, like it or not.
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Just before the ref gave the second yellow and red, Gabby gave the ref the'V's, I guess to let him know it was the second offence or card. One thing about Gabby is he always plays 'fair play' and with a smile on his face. He really seems to enjoy playing. I'd imagine Gabby was a bit tired of watching that Arsenal donkey run around the pitch all day kicking lumps out of him and his teammates.
By applauding, he probably thought "about bloody time".
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
No, I actually mean what I said.
Those sophisticated cultured gooners have enough shitbags in their team so as to render any cries of foul play or injustice null and void.
See also Nani's sending off last season, when the Madrid player did a full pirourette before flopping to the ground. In most instances, that sort of behavior would be disagreeable. But because it happened to one of the biggest cheats in the game, he and Ol'Beetroot features didn't have a leg to stand on.
no you meant exactly what I said you meant,
that applauding the ref is acceptable depending on who its against, the rules of your opinion changes from person to person from team to team, its whats known as hypocrisy, when you say one thing but do another when it affects you
I dont agree with clapping the ref, I dont agree with showing fake red cards, I dont agree with diving, if someone says its all part of the game and accepts it when it goes against them, that's fine,
but I dont agree with it whether its our players or theirs
Armstrong said he took drugs because everyone else was doing it, its no excuse
we should be better than the rest, not falling to the lowest kind of behaviour on the pitch because everybody else does it
and all that stuff about being nasty is just bullshit (I know you didn't say that) but clapping a ref when he's sent someone off is not being nasty, its just being a twat
and I say that whether its Gabby or Terry or Suarez
Well I am a hypocrite, amongst many other endearing qualities.
I don't see how it's hypocrisy if I'm happy to see Arsenal suffer a nice dose of karma regardless of opposition though. Stoke City as an outfit have virtually no redeeming features whatsoever. But I always enjoyed how they got under Wenger's skin and made him bleat about the unfairness of it all.
Please advise me why I would feel this way - or whether I actually feel that way at all. As you seem to know better than I do.
I'm not in your league when it comes to mind reading, I'll admit. I'm probably not brimming with Corinthian spirit to the same extent you are either. I do know that any comparison between Gabby's antics on Saturday and Armstrong's fraudulent career are ludicrous, mind.
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I thought he was outstanding on Saturday, however I was disappointed to see him applauding the referee upon the red card being shown to the Arsenal defender, we're better than that.
Normally I'd agree.
But the other way to look at it was he wasn't overawed by the occasion, or fearful of the response. Arsenal like to portray themselves as a class above. But they have plenty of irritating little shits who like to moan at the ref when the opposition have the audacity to tackle them.
A smug sense of entitlement seems to run through that club.
when you say 'normally i'd agree' you mean when its everyone elses players, but because its one of ours I will make an exeption
No, I actually mean what I said.
Those sophisticated cultured gooners have enough shitbags in their team so as to render any cries of foul play or injustice null and void.
See also Nani's sending off last season, when the Madrid player did a full pirourette before flopping to the ground. In most instances, that sort of behavior would be disagreeable. But because it happened to one of the biggest cheats in the game, he and Ol'Beetroot features didn't have a leg to stand on.
no you meant exactly what I said you meant,
that applauding the ref is acceptable depending on who its against, the rules of your opinion changes from person to person from team to team, its whats known as hypocrisy, when you say one thing but do another when it affects you
I dont agree with clapping the ref, I dont agree with showing fake red cards, I dont agree with diving, if someone says its all part of the game and accepts it when it goes against them, that's fine,
but I dont agree with it whether its our players or theirs
Armstrong said he took drugs because everyone else was doing it, its no excuse
we should be better than the rest, not falling to the lowest kind of behaviour on the pitch because everybody else does it
and all that stuff about being nasty is just bullshit (I know you didn't say that) but clapping a ref when he's sent someone off is not being nasty, its just being a twat
and I say that whether its Gabby or Terry or Suarez
Well I am a hypocrite, amongst many other endearing qualities.
I don't see how it's hypocrisy if I'm happy to see Arsenal suffer a nice dose of karma regardless of opposition though. Stoke City as an outfit have virtually no redeeming features whatsoever. But I always enjoyed how they got under Wenger's skin and made him bleat about the unfairness of it all.
Please advise me why I would feel this way - or whether I actually feel that way at all. As you seem to know better than I do.
I'm not in your league when it comes to mind reading, I'll admit. I'm probably not brimming with Corinthian spirit to the same extent you are either. I do know that any comparison between Gabby's antics on Saturday and Armstrong's fraudulent career are ludicrous, mind.
OK, i'm gona leave it there for two reasons
1, the subject is not that important, Gabby clapping right or wrong doesn't really matter
2, I don't want to get into a slagging match with a good poster who I enjoy reading
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It's true that Gabby smiles a lot when a foul is given against him. It's a nice reaction rather than Jack Wilshere, brow-furrowed, effing and blinding.
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personally i don't have a problem with players clapping the ref and I think its different than showing a fake card, which I disagree with. One is applauding a ref's decision which you agree with and the other is telling the ref what he should do which is unacceptable.
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Plus, rather than gaining any advantage, if an opposition player signals to the ref that a second yellow card should get brandished quite often it could have the opposite effect.
In the flow of the game, a ref might have forgotten he's carded the player before, and thinks the challenge is worthy of a yellow. He acts on instinct, and it might only be when he gets the book out that his memory is jogged. By then, he might be too far along to go back on his initial response, and so he goes through with the red.
Whereas if he has an opposition player telling him 'that's a second yellow,' he might pull back and think, bad challenge, but not bad enough to make a match altering decision.
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He is gonna score tonight. The winner or the equaliser.
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Plus, rather than gaining any advantage, if an opposition player signals to the ref that a second yellow card should get brandished quite often it could have the opposite effect.
In the flow of the game, a ref might have forgotten he's carded the player before, and thinks the challenge is worthy of a yellow. He acts on instinct, and it might only be when he gets the book out that his memory is jogged. By then, he might be too far along to go back on his initial response, and so he goes through with the red.
Whereas if he has an opposition player telling him 'that's a second yellow,' he might pull back and think, bad challenge, but not bad enough to make a match altering decision.
Interesting point.
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How is Gabby applauding the ref for sending Koscielny off any worse or 'less classy' than all our supporters cheering and celebrating when the red card was shown? All our players are going to be pleased about it after all.
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How is Gabby applauding the ref for sending Koscielny off any worse or 'less classy' than all our supporters cheering and celebrating when the red card was shown? All our players are going to be pleased about it after all.
I was going to make this point. Gabby is a fan afterall.
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First two or three seasons Gabby was great for us (maybe one of the best strikers in the league) since then he has become very Jekyll and Hyde. Start of this season he has found his feet using his pace very well and really having a big impact on our two games so far.
If he gets around ten goals (adding to the twenty which Benteke is expected to score) and can win some more pens, and create openings throughout the season then that is a good season.
Also if he puts a few more good performances in I think he deserves a call up for England what with their lack of striking options. He has actually done pretty well whenever he has played for England.
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His work for the goal last night was outstanding.
He made mincemeat of one the leagues best defenders, had time to look up and pick out his man because he'd beaten him so badly.
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My only worry is that if he get's injured, we haven't really got anyone else with pace to take his place. His pace is a big factor of our game going forward. That wide role suits him down to the ground although i'd like to see him move inside a bit more like he did against Arsenal.
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It'll be interesting to see how we shape up when we are playing a side at Villa Park who are happy to leave with a point. So far we've played two sides away who expect to beat us and i'd say Liverpool will turn up thinking the same. I don't think the formation, and Gabby in his current role will be as effective when the onus is on us to do the pressing. In my opinion, this is when we'll see Tonev or Bacuna come into contention and Gabby moved up alongside Benteke with a central midfielder making way.