Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on June 13, 2013, 04:21:42 PM
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Confirmed.
Jores Okore is ready to take responsibility to be a leader in Paul Lambert's young and emerging Villa team having completed a move from FC Nordsjaelland, last season's runners-up in Denmark's top-flight Superliga.
The 20-year-old defender underwent a medical today and agreed a four-year deal which will run to 2017.
Manager Lambert believes the Danish international has the potential to "make a huge impact" in the Barclays Premier League in coming seasons and Okore is thrilled to be part of Villa's hungry, aspirational team which he is determined to help propel towards "a higher level of performance [and] into a new era".
"We're a young team and we played some really good football over the second half of last season which is something we want to build on now as players, as a team and as a club," Okore said.
"I know there is great potential in the team. I have watched many of our games because the Premier League is very popular back in Denmark.
"I know also that we have a good coach and this is a really good club. This is the right club for me, I feel it straight away.
"We have a lot to show and we have a long way to go. We want to get to an even higher level of performance and show people who we are, that we can be a really good team. The manager is determined to develop us and to help us become better players, proving to people that we can become a top team. We can get some exciting things going here.
"I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to seeing my new teammates and getting together with them to train and get prepared to play some Premier League games.
"I'm happy to be wearing the shirt and I feel like I'm looking really good in it - it feels very comfortable. I'm looking forward to us going out next season, performing as a team and showing our potential.
"We have good players all around. It's going to be tough but I really hope I can go in and show myself and be a big part of the team. I want to bring something new to our game and really help the team into a new era. That's what I hope to do.
"If I was to describe myself, I think I'm a big, strong defender with good pace. Obviously, my priority is to be a really good defensive player but I think I can bring something to our game offensively, too, and maybe start some attacks. But the foremost thing will be to defend well and after that think about whatever else I may be able to contribute.
"We have players who have experience of the Premier League and hopefully I can also bring something from my experience in the Champions League. I'm looking forward to playing with my new team-mates.
"It's going to be exciting to play in a stadium like Villa Park and I'm looking forward to that. The atmosphere, I can tell, is incredible and I know the fans here are very passionate. This is an historic football club and I'm delighted to be a part of it now.
"It was really nice to hear some very nice comments from [former Villa and Danish international defender] Martin Laursen. It means a lot. I hope I can bring what he brought to the team and some of my own style as well. Martin was a great player for this club and I don't want to build it up too much. I have to come in and work hard and that's what I intend to do. I have a really good coach who will help me to perform my role, to be a leader in the squad, to take responsibility and perform well."
Okore has been an integral part of FC Nordsjaelland's unprecedented success over the past three seasons, winning their first Superliga title in 2011-12 and the Danish Cup in 2010-11.
He made his only appearance of the 2009-10 campaign in the Danish Cup and has played 71 times since then, including five appearances in the 2012-13 Champions League.
Okore made his debut for the Danish national team in November 2011.
He has played seven times for his country and was part of the squad that travelled to Ukraine for Euro 2012, though he did not play in the tournament.
He was named to the Danish League XI, a team made up of the best players from the Danish Superliga that plays during the league's winter break, in both 2012 and 2013 and in 2012 was named the under-21 player of the year by the Danish FA.
Lambert believes that Okore's acquisition will bolster his central defensive unit and imbue real competition for places, which he wants to engender throughout the team.
"He's only 20 years of age and that's good but he's also an international player at a really young age and he's played Champions League football as well, which is testament to his potential," Lambert said.
"Jores has played in big games but he's a very humble lad and he will be a really good addition to our team and to our squad. I'm pleased that we've signed a player of his stature, for he is someone who can come in and make a huge impact.
"There's a great opportunity for him here and the competition for places is something that's really important. You want to try to have that throughout the team."
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3208897,00.html
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Get in, welcome Jores and good work dan.
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Has signed! On the official website (http://)!
This month has been amazing so far! I'm uncharacteristically enthused by all this.
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On the OS now.
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I am genuinely excited by this kid.
I don't know a great deal beyond the Chelsea game, but I liked a lot of what I saw.
The fact he looks so big and fast is a massive bonus, considering the lumbering plonker that was Dunne.
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Delighted with this signing, we are building something exciting here and it could be a very enjoyable time in the next few seasons - okore seems a huge player and looks good and everything is looking very promising.
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My head's in a spin! Where's my text messages?!
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Brilliant stuff. Considering who he was linked to earlier in the season, this is a coup of sorts. One of the most promising CBs in Europe.
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Fucking superb. Just superb!!
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Any pictures?
I am afraid to click on the Villa website, as it will blast sound through my dictation machine and I am, you know, erm, meant to be working.
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Don't know a thing about him but welcome to VP.
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I really am getting fuck all done at work today:)
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Any pictures?
I am afraid to click on the Villa website, as it will blast sound through my dictation machine and I am, you know, erm, meant to be working.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/80/34/0,,10265~12006528,00.jpg)
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Welcome Jores Okore 8)
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Awesome, this transfer window is making me very excited. There's no pissing about, and I like it.
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Fuck me he is spitting image of the guy 2 doors down.
Welcome.
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Brilliant signing. Love how we are getting our business done so early. can't wait for the season to start now!
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Any pictures?
I am afraid to click on the Villa website, as it will blast sound through my dictation machine and I am, you know, erm, meant to be working.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/80/34/0,,10265~12006528,00.jpg)
What you talkin' 'bout Willis!
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Edit:beaten to it!
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What is even better is that all the transfer activity is being done under the radar, quietly and efficiently. I renewed our season tickets today and feeling very positive about the new season. A young, energetic squad that can gel together over the next couple of months, awesome.
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Any pictures?
I am afraid to click on the Villa website, as it will blast sound through my dictation machine and I am, you know, erm, meant to be working.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/80/34/0,,10265~12006528,00.jpg)
What you talkin' 'bout Willis!
That's who i thought he looked like when i first saw him.
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Get in my son!
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The national media are all about the Sky 4's transfers, hardly a mention of Villa who are quietly build a really promising squad. The future is starting to look bright after the false dawns ;D ;D ;D
UTV
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Welcome, Jaws!
Hopefully you'll bring a bit of bite to our defence.
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Welcome, Jaws!
We've signed a shark now?! What position does it play?!
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Fantastic.
Does that mean we can now get down to the serious business of squabbling and in-fighting?
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This could turn out to be a superb signing. Highly rated youngster, Scandinavian defender, strong and - from the clips I've seen - frighteningly fast.
He might just be a centre-back version of Benteke. Looks like another fine piece of business by Lambert. He sure knows how to get value for money.
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I love the amount of 'we' and 'our' in his press release. It's as though he has been waiting six months for the opportunity to sign for us.
I have a tendency to moan but today I'm genuinely wondering if we are the coming force in English football? With all the transition taking place I feel we are so well poised to make a big impact and buying players like this shows our clear intention.
I can't stop smiling!
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"I know also that we have a good coach and this is a really good club. This is the right club for me, I feel it straight away"
I like it
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A ready made song..
Jores, Jores will tear you apart again..
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Decent young players in with good attitudes and a genuine appreciation and desire to be playing at this great club. It's so refreshing to have a squad that's likeable. The days over overpaid, overrated and in some cases total toss pots, are thankfully over.
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A ready made song..
Jores, Jores will tear you apart again..
The song on the transfer thread to the tune of amore yesterday was superb!
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This is a quality signing. A ball playing CB, something we have been crying out for. I'm chuffed as a weasel's pink parts.
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@JoresOkore: Yea its official i'm now an Aston villa player!! Looking forward to it!! http://t.co/fozcyqGbxD
@JoresOkore: Thanks for the welcoming villa fans looking forward to play for u guys thanks a lot #avfc
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Obligatory shirt stretching time.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/ok1_zps987c5c06.jpg)
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The new kit looks even better there in those pics too.
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He must be magic, he can make a ball float in the air.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/okore1_zps9e4c96cd.jpg)
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/80/34/0,,10265~12006528,00.jpg)
They had him stretching the new Villa shirt for the press but he ripped three of them to shreds before they decided it was best to have him holding a ball whilst leaning on the goalpost.
Could turn out to be our best signing of the summer. Absolutely delighted.
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Fantastic signing, one of the most highly rated defenders in europe who has been linked with a fair number of champions league sides.
On top of that the press release makes great reading, I don't remember seeing new signing interview full of 'we' and 'our' before.
On Okore, he's obviously quick and strong, but he's a good passer, he stays on his feet and he's got very good technique. Really happy about this one.
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Reluctant as I am to compare any centre back to God, his composure and downright cheek on the ball in that Chelsea video was McGrath-esque at times.
He's still young, so -the hope is- if he tries some of that and gets caught in possession, he doesn't completely stop doing it. It's a fine balance, of course. Clark attempted similar against Man Citeh and for Ireland against Austria, and made a fool of himself. I guess having the cojones to do it and actually being able to do it are two different things. Lesson being, If you are Ciaran Clark, you probably shouldn't try in the first place.
With this lad and Vlaar picking passes from the back, it makes us harder to contain. Some sides in the topflight have one centre back who is decent on the ball. Not many have two.
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Well this is what a Danish mate of mine had to say about Okore:
Okore is quick and strong. Hard to say how we he will do. He was really good in the Champions League games and of course on of the better players in the Danish Super League. But Premier League is quite a step up.
He didn't perform too good against Armenia (they got stuffed 4-0 the other day), but no-one did. And he is very new/substitute on national team
But he was very important for Nordsjælland to get the danish championship previous season and to finish 2nd this year
And he's still young - might be a good buy
One of the most expensive players from Danish Super League as well
Looking forward to see him play there
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Really excited by this signing.
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How much did we pay?
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Welcome Jores.
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I remember making that thread about our last pacy centre-back. Great to see we have one again.
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There's a picture of Okore stood next to the goal, the training pitch looks a little brown around the edges. Erm...Jonathan Calderwood OUT!
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How much did we pay?
Reportedly about £4m
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Ta
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Well this is what a Danish mate of mine had to say about Okore:
Okore is quick and strong. Hard to say how we he will do. He was really good in the Champions League games and of course on of the better players in the Danish Super League. But Premier League is quite a step up.
He didn't perform too good against Armenia (they got stuffed 4-0 the other day), but no-one did. And he is very new/substitute on national team
But he was very important for Nordsjælland to get the danish championship previous season and to finish 2nd this year
And he's still young - might be a good buy
One of the most expensive players from Danish Super League as well
Looking forward to see him play there
I didn't think he started the Armernia game. He's currently the third choice CB for Denmark
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Ta
so in reality £2m given the history of our previous deals under Lambert
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This was just on my Facebook page, has there ever been a more perfect set up for a reply?
**** Willis · Friends with ***********
he looks like Arnold from 'Different Strokes' (young people would need to google that)
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A ready made song..
Jores, Jores will tear you apart again..
What about singing the Jaws (Jores) theme music every time he's closing in on a quivering opposition striker for a tackle or header? Might put a fair few off their game...
Great signing.
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The most important signing the club will make for the coming season.
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This was just on my Facebook page, has there ever been a more perfect set up for a reply?
**** Willis · Friends with ***********
he looks like Arnold from 'Different Strokes' (young people would need to google that)
Drummond will be thrilled then ;)
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This was just on my Facebook page, has there ever been a more perfect set up for a reply?
**** Willis · Friends with ***********
he looks like Arnold from 'Different Strokes' (young people would need to google that)
Drummond will be thrilled then ;)
Arf!
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Who will win the tug of war for the right to wear the shirt?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/ok2_zps7e7d93a9.jpg)
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Welcome Jores, I think this is a player that could well become another Villa legend.
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Looks a big mean unit. Doesn't look like he'll take too many prisoners.
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
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Really excited by this signing. I've not seen much of him (but what I have seen looks phenomenal). But he's extremely highly rated and he's brilliant on FM. So that'll do for me.
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
I would recommend anyone who hasn't watched that clip to do so. Better than the usual montages, it's just a clip of him from one game.
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
I would recommend anyone who hasn't watched that clip to do so. Better than the usual montages, it's just a clip of him from one game.
I did . Better to get the tissues . Looked bloody good.
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Are you feelin` the luuurve yet fella?....
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Welcome, Jaws!
Hopefully you'll bring a bit of bite to our defence.
It will be like a wild life programme when he is up against Squarez !!
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
Based on that we could have just bought this year's Benteke.
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Just watched that highlights video and he looks bloody good. The only thing I didn't really see is whether he is any good at defending corners and in aerial challenges against big/tall players, which is where we are weakest.
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This is the player I wanted out of all those mentioned....A great signing for the Villa.
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I'm bloody excited about next season.
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To turn down Chelsea because he did not want to sit on the bench. Tells you everything about his desire to want to play. Fantastic interview on AVTV. He said "I feel that Aston Villa is the right club for me" I have a great feeling about this player and it will be up to Vlaar to up his game as I think Okore will be the number one CB choice come the start of the season ......
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From the clips I've seen he reminds me of a young Sol Campbell, and if he ends up at that level it would be fantastic.
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Well done to everybody involved in getting these young bloods down to the Villa
Exciting times ahead methinks
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
Based on that we could have just bought this year's Benteke.
Just watched this clip, if he can play ANYTHING like that every week............
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
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For all us Football Manager fans out there!
Aston Villa Transfer News: “Football Manager” Legend Jores Okore Signs
June 13, 2013
Matt Holmes
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of promising young Danish defender Jores Okore for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old, who has signed from Denmark’s domestic runner-up last season FC Nordsjaelland, will be a familiar name to many football fans in England, not least for his impressive performances in the Champions League against Chelsea last season, but because of his stats and abilities on the Football Manager 2013 pc game.
Okore is well known to be one of the best young signings you can make on the game and over time grows into a monster centre-half and one of the best players in the world with his aggressive strength and pace.
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
Exciting signing but too soon to be comparing him to the likes of McGrath - although he showed some nice touches against Chelsea I believe they did score 10 goals in the 2 games against the Danes .
I'm expected and delighted to have okore here but he will need time to settle in as did Vlaar .
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
Exciting signing but too soon to be comparing him to the likes of McGrath - although he showed some nice touches against Chelsea I believe they did score 10 goals in the 2 games against the Danes .
I'm expected and delighted to have okore here but he will need time to settle in as did Vlaar .
Okore didn't play in the 6-1 game at the Bridge.
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
Exciting signing but too soon to be comparing him to the likes of McGrath - although he showed some nice touches against Chelsea I believe they did score 10 goals in the 2 games against the Danes .
I'm expected and delighted to have okore here but he will need time to settle in as did Vlaar .
Okore didn't play in the 6-1 game at the Bridge.
Fair enough pws, I'm delighted with him but I hope people don't expect too much too soon - once he settles in he will be a great signing.
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Welcome Jores!
Looks like he's gonna be a good 'un to me!
Roll on August 17th!
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
Yeah. Because saying his composure on the ball in some of those clips was reminiscent of McGrath is obviously saying he's as good as God.
Just like Lowton's Van Basten-esque shot against Stoke means he's as good as Marco Van Basten. ::)
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I didn't think he started the Armernia game. He's currently the third choice CB for Denmark
What third choice in a defence that leaked 4 to Armenia? They really need to play some proper defenders!
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Everton were planning to hijack this deal. I wonder how that's working out for them
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Who will win the tug of war for the right to wear the shirt?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/ok2_zps7e7d93a9.jpg)
Who's the other kid?
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I am so happy.
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Who will win the tug of war for the right to wear the shirt?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/ok2_zps7e7d93a9.jpg)
Who's the other kid?
Bacuna.
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Bill Kenwtight was going to snatch him for 8 pence as soon as he leaves Drury Lane tonight but....
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Love a good Danish centre half!
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The most exciting signing of the summer so far.
But this thread is hilarious - compare and contrast to most match threads in terms of positivity / negativity. Are people who've never seen him play really comparing him to Paul McGrath?
Yeah. Because saying his composure on the ball in some of those clips was reminiscent of McGrath is obviously saying he's as good as God.
Just like Lowton's Van Basten-esque shot against Stoke means he's as good as Marco Van Basten. ::)
It's not the composure on the ball that reminds me of McGrath, it's the nicking the ball off the toe/head when you think they're about to score etc.
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I didn't think he started the Armernia game. He's currently the third choice CB for Denmark
What third choice in a defence that leaked 4 to Armenia? They really need to play some proper defenders!
they could have done with him from the start! I'm sure if he does the business for us in the PL he'll be their first before long.
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Tonev, Okore, Bacuna. They just sound like proper footballers, don't they?
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he look like a cross between god and Marcel Desailly. I love the look of him on the video but I don't know how good is he in the air against the like of Drogba. Can he score goals like Martin Laursen from corners and free kicks.
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That will be the acid test.
He seems comfortable against forwards with good movement, but players like Andy Carroll, Lukaku and even dross like Holt will present a different challenge.
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he look like a cross between god and Marcel Desailly. I love the look of him on the video but I don't know how good is he in the air against the like of Drogba. Can he score goals like Martin Laursen from corners and free kicks.
Think his strongest points are his speed and passing. Mentioned Marcel Desailly as someone he looked up to when he was younger ......
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I was just telling my mate in the pub about our signings Tonev, Bacuna and Jores Okore.
I said 'Tonev is a winger and Bacuna a midfielder'.
'What's Jores?'
'Mine's a double Vodka and Red Bull' I said. 'Ta very much'.
Then I got my coat.
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I asked for a Viking the other week and it looks like we're getting two. Good stuff.
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Awesome signing - he is so fast and skilful. Would we leave vlaar to win the headers and then give it to okore to provide the passes? I'm sure he can adapt to the likes of Carroll as he's big enough.
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I like the look of him in the video looks a really good player welcome to Aston Villa Jores.
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That will be the acid test.
He seems comfortable against forwards with good movement, but players like Andy Carroll, Lukaku and even dross like Holt will present a different challenge.
Once finished with the likes of Holt. Okore will use his femur as a tooth pick.
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I like the look of him in the video looks a really good player welcome to Aston Villa Jores.
Nail. On. Head.
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Do people think he'll go straight into the team or back up ?
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Tonev, Okore, Bacuna. They just sound like proper footballers, don't they?
" Villa have been much the better team all afternoon despite being 1-0 down. The Old Trafford crowd is showing lot of anxiety. That was a great tip over by de Gea to deny Bacuna his 5th goal of the season so far. Tonev now to take the corner. It's a short one to Bacuna he moves inside plays it back to Tonev. Tonev whips in a the cross...OKORE ....okore makes it 1-1 with an great diving header...no more than Villa deserved"
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Just for Eastie;
When he goes through your back,
With a fucking great hack,
That's OKORE...
To the tune of That's Amore. The song must be organised!
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Do people think he'll go straight into the team or back up ?
I reckon he's got more about him than Clark and Baker.
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He's hardly likely to have turned down the opportunity to be a Chelski bench warmer to come here and be one.
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I am genuinely excited by this kid.
I don't know a great deal beyond the Chelsea game, but I liked a lot of what I saw.
The fact he looks so big and fast is a massive bonus, considering the lumbering plonker that was Dunne.
Dunne was not slow, he might have turned like a tank, but once going he was no slouch.
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Tonev, Okore, Bacuna. They just sound like proper footballers, don't they?
" Villa have been much the better team all afternoon despite being 1-0 down. The Old Trafford crowd is showing lot of anxiety. That was a great tip over by de Gea to deny Bacuna his 5th goal of the season so far. Tonev now to take the corner. It's a short one to Bacuna he moves inside plays it back to Tonev. Tonev whips in a the cross...OKORE ....okore makes it 1-1 with an great diving header...no more than Villa deserved"
If everyone on H&V sticks twenty quid on this we could bankrupt Ladbrokes.
Let's do it, to a rousing chorus of Bacuna Matata... anyone?
Oh, is that my coat, Percy?! Thank you...
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Aaaaand... this is the Okore thread. Ahem. Damn you, multiple-signing, many-tabs-open-all-day, super-exciting June bit of the transfer window.
As you were.
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On that video clip he is referred to as "Liverpool target Okore". Ha ha never mind.
This is a very exciting signing -
- Looks pure quality in that Chelsea video, like the new McGrath (despite my scepticism of youtube clips)
- Was being chased by Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool (that we know of)
- Speaks glowingly of the club, in perfect English
- 20 years old, 7 caps already
- Fills the position that most needed filling
What's not to like?
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From the clips I've seen he reminds me of a young Sol Campbell, and if he ends up at that level it would be fantastic.
I had the same thought when I saw it.
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Yeah really excited by the prospect of signing a 20 year old in a problem position who has pace, awareness and strength. The fact he's a full international already is particularly encouraging. Nice 4 year deal. I hope he's rated at 30 million and poised to sign a year extension next summer like a certain Belgian striker.
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Great signing.
Welcome to Villa!
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It is brilliant to have a fast centre half as well, our back line definitely lacked pace last year. He could be a fantastic signing.
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He must be magic, he can make a ball float in the air.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/okore1_zps9e4c96cd.jpg)
Don't like the look of those clouds.
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I'm sorry but I'm going to put a downer on it. The claret is all wrong in those pics, too pinky purple.
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Welcome to Villa Jores.
I've just watched that video of the game against Chelsea. The lad seems to have it all - great tackler, can pick out a pass, very quick and as brave as a lion. Great interception when it looked certain that Moses would score.
I am hugely impressed by the business being done in this transfer window. Can't believe we've signed 4 players already.
Roll on next season.
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He must be magic, he can make a ball float in the air.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/okore1_zps9e4c96cd.jpg)
Don't like the look of those clouds.
Looking grim over Bill's Mother's
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What height is he ? Looks a bit short in some of those pics
Hopefully he's above 6"
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Just over according to the stats on the web which have him as 1.83m
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I like the way he can take front position in a contest without fouling. Good combination of strength and agility to do that without dropping a shoulder or wrapping arms around his man.
He looks to have good vision too, and enough confidence to hit the pass as soon as he sees an option.
Does anyone know how threatening he is at set-pieces?
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I like the way he can take front position in a contest without fouling. Good combination of strength and agility to do that without dropping a shoulder or wrapping arms around his man.
He looks to have good vision too, and enough confidence to hit the pass as soon as he sees an option.
Does anyone know how threatening he is at set-pieces?
He once told an indirect free kick to fuck off or he'd give him a slap.
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Again i'm going by web stats but according to them he scored 5 in 65 league games. Not bad for a defender.
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The thing which strikes me most about him is his pace. Given how bad our defensive positioning was last season, a defender with the speed to recover and cover for others strikes me as an altogether agreeable option.
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The thing which strikes me most about him is his pace. Given how bad our defensive positioning was last season, a defender with the speed to recover and cover for others strikes me as an altogether agreeable option.
Agree Monty and as someone else pointed out in an earlier post, raw pace is something that our other defenders don't really possess.
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They don't even possess cooked pace. Raw slowness is what they possess, Vlaarker. Unbridled turgidity.
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Looks awesome in this clip No wonder Chelsea wanted him. Fast, strong, brave and can pass it too
http://vimeo.com/53073475
I would recommend anyone who hasn't watched that clip to do so. Better than the usual montages, it's just a clip of him from one game.
He looks fantastic and still only 20. This is an utterly brilliant signing, Lambert has certainly surprised me in a very postive way. Very, very impressed about the way Villa have gone about these signings.
It reminds me of those long forgotten days of my youth when I really looked forward to opening my presents on Christmas Day... its certainly coming early this year!
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If we do all our business this early, that means we can spend the rest of the summer just, err, relaxing, as we've finished already.
OMG what the fuck are we going to argue about? what will we do?
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Don't worry Paulie. I'm sure other clubs will be signing, I don't know, Jermaine Beckford or Steven Taylor, and some on here will be saying that they 'could've done a job for us'. And there's always NRC.
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How is Vancouver Whitecaps working out for him?
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I like the look of him in the video looks a really good player welcome to Aston Villa Jores.
Me too.
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How is Vancouver Whitecaps working out for him?
He's found his level. King of the team huddle.
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If we do all our business this early, that means we can spend the rest of the summer just, err, relaxing, as we've finished already.
OMG what the fuck are we going to argue about? what will we do?
There's always the new kit, MON and Doug.
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If we do all our business this early, that means we can spend the rest of the summer just, err, relaxing, as we've finished already.
OMG what the fuck are we going to argue about? what will we do?
There's always the new kit, MON and Doug.
I'd go for MON every time, because we don't have enough threads about him.
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Great signing this by the sounds of it, hope he is another Laursen.
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How is Vancouver Whitecaps working out for him?
Captain now, DeMerrit got injured first game of the season. Definitely found his level, still crap!! Lot's of pointing & shouting, huffing & puffing not much else in a league where Andy O'Brien's like Bobby Moore!
Cracking signings today, over the moon, well done AVFC.
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Okore sounds like a cracking signing, I hope he hits the ground running and I think he's capable of that. IMO some in here are a bit too harsh on NRC, he's not the worst player but a very limited one from the bygone-era.
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Great signing this by the sounds of it, hope he is another Laursen.
I hope he's another McGrath.
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a combination of the best bits of both would be out of this world
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Has anyone on here watched him regulary or are we just judging him on a Youtube clip from 1 game?
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The thing which strikes me most about him is his pace. Given how bad our defensive positioning was last season, a defender with the speed to recover and cover for others strikes me as an altogether agreeable option.
Sounds like a younger version of Micah Richards?
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Well Im shocked. Like many I thought we were going to buy Titus Bramble, the greatest player of his generation, but it was not to be.
I shall pen a letter of complaint to Lambert without delay.
When I can afford a stamp that is.
Training should be entertaining when Okore clashes with Benteke. There will be tremors as far away as Shrewsbury.
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https://twitter.com/JoresOkore Is this his Twitter?
And where's the Youtube vid?
Cheers x
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Has anyone on here watched him regulary or are we just judging him on a Youtube clip from 1 game?
That & reports from around the net.
The fact Chelsea wanted him, and he rejected them, says volumes too.
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I was reading the comments about this lad on the Sky Sports website last night and there were a good few remarks fro fans of other clubs saying that we had got ourselves a good player and a bargain to boot. Chelski fans were particularly complimentary wishing him well and sorry that he hadn't signed for them but he had chosen the right club instead.
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I was reading the comments about this lad on the Sky Sports website last night and there were a good few remarks fro fans of other clubs saying that we had got ourselves a good player and a bargain to boot. Chelski fans were particularly complimentary wishing him well and sorry that he hadn't signed for them but he had chosen the right club instead.
Actually some good comments on that page.
No prizes for guessing who this one supports though.
steven says June 13, 2013 6:24pm
defo down next season..
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I think he was just thinking out loud about his own Ragged Arsed Rovers team from Small-Time Heath.
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I was reading the comments about this lad on the Sky Sports website last night and there were a good few remarks fro fans of other clubs saying that we had got ourselves a good player and a bargain to boot. Chelski fans were particularly complimentary wishing him well and sorry that he hadn't signed for them but he had chosen the right club instead.
That doesn't sound like chelsea fans. Are you sure it wasn't said sarcastically, or while they were wearing white cloaks and hoods?
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Clock in and have a look yourself Ger. I've got a built-in sarc-o-meter and it didn't register. All seemed pretty genuine to me.
How's things btw? Any chance of a loan ;)
How's things in that there Galway? Mrs S has just this minute said to me we must go to Galway soon.
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All good with me dave, actually working in Dublin at the moment, nice for a change (plus once the season starts getting over to the villa will be less of a ballache than normal). Going to the game against rovers in august?
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One bloody night off Heroes and Villains and i am 10 pages behind.
Welcome to the best football club in the world Jores Okore,enjoy the ride. UTV.
;)
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All good with me dave, actually working in Dublin at the moment, nice for a change (plus once the season starts getting over to the villa will be less of a ballache than normal). Going to the game against rovers in august?
Definitely as it stands Ger. keep me informed of your plans and hope to see you there.
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All good with me dave, actually working in Dublin at the moment, nice for a change (plus once the season starts getting over to the villa will be less of a ballache than normal). Going to the game against rovers in august?
cracking place Dublin, although changed a lot since I lived there.
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I saw the best fight I have ever seen in the Burger King on O'Connell Street in Dublin. It was majestic.
Its on Youtube I believe and you can see my shoes at some point.
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Fight? O'Connell Street? Fast food outlet? Yep, that sounds about right!
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One bloody night off Heroes and Villains and i am 10 pages behind.
Welcome to the best football club in the world Jores Okore,enjoy the ride. UTV.
;)
Same here!
I have high hopes for this one.
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Speaks excellent English as well, always a big plus in a new country.
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Looks like he's turned down Chelski again to sign for us.
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I read a quote today stating that he was impressed with our relegation fight, how the team fought back and our overall performance in the second half of the season, having taken a shine to us as a result. If true, I like this guy even more.
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Fight? O'Connell Street? Fast food outlet? Yep, that sounds about right!
Defo.
Was trying to think of an exact opposite. Bewley's on Grafton Street? That would raise eyebrows!
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Looks like he's turned down Chelski again to sign for us.
I think our method of actually playing young players and allowing them to make a name for themselves is giving us a huge advantage in negotiations.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
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When The Ball Hits His Head and It Lands In Row Z - That's Okore!
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Enjoy it! Staying east side this weekend so won't be about to meet for a pint.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
Stab city is an unfair nickname for limerick, shootings are much more popular there these days.....
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
Stab city is an unfair nickname for limerick, shootings are much more popular there these days.....
'Ride-by' shootings.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
Stab city is an unfair nickname for limerick, shootings are much more popular there these days.....
Ah, glad to see things have moved on a bit. You never want a society to be using antiquated weaponry.
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For those who like this sort of thing - an interesting article on Okore
http://blog.squawka.com/2013/06/14/scouting-jores-okore-aston-villas-latest-transfer/2013061410854 (http://blog.squawka.com/2013/06/14/scouting-jores-okore-aston-villas-latest-transfer/2013061410854)
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Looks like he's turned down Chelski again to sign for us.
I think our method of actually playing young players and allowing them to make a name for themselves is giving us a huge advantage in negotiations.
This for me. Well said Chipsticks.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
Stab city is an unfair nickname for limerick, shootings are much more popular there these days.....
I got sent out to Limerick for a week to fit the phone systems in the PC World/Currys axis of evil in 03.
The lad I worked with who was born in Ireland informed me of it's moniker the day before I flew out. I have to say it seemed unfair, I had a great time out there.
The job was a bit of a pig, mainly due to the utter uselessness of Eirecom, but I saved the site manager's arse a few times with a bit of quick thinking, including meeting a reel of cable off a train 30 miles away at midnight.
He subsequently fell in love with me and took me out on the piss with the other lads who'd been there months on the building side, and one of the chippies was a fella from Castle Vale who was sound, I forget his name but he was built like a power lifter, a big Villa fan and although he lived out there, he was heading back specifically for the game against the shit at Villa Park which was a couple of weeks away, as he intended to be heavily involved on the battlefront.
Anyway, I like Limerick, and it felt like a proper Irish town.
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There's regular knife fights near the book of kells in trinity college.....
Believe it or not, I am heading to Galway this weekend for a fellow villa fan's stag!
Take a trip down the road to Stab City while you're at it. Just make sure you are packing some heat.
Stab city is an unfair nickname for limerick, shootings are much more popular there these days.....
I got sent out to Limerick for a week to fit the phone systems in the PC World/Currys axis of evil in 03.
The lad I worked with who was born in Ireland informed me of it's moniker the day before I flew out. I have to say it seemed unfair, I had a great time out there.
The job was a bit of a pig, mainly due to the utter uselessness of Eirecom, but I saved the site manager's arse a few times with a bit of quick thinking, including meeting a reel of cable off a train 30 miles away at midnight.
He subsequently fell in love with me and took me out on the piss with the other lads who'd been there months on the building side, and one of the chippies was a fella from Castle Vale who was sound, I forget his name but he was built like a power lifter, a big Villa fan and although he lived out there, he was heading back specifically for the game against the shit at Villa Park which was a couple of weeks away, as he intended to be heavily involved on the battlefront.
Anyway, I like Limerick, and it felt like a proper Irish town.
Cracking tale.
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Fight? O'Connell Street? Fast food outlet? Yep, that sounds about right!
Defo.
Was trying to think of an exact opposite. Bewley's on Grafton Street? That would raise eyebrows!
I saw a vicious confrontation over a scone in there once.
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Finally watched that video and am officially in awe.
If we were sorted in defence, he'd make a terrific midfielder too.
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Defender Jores Okore believes he was right to snub Chelsea for Villa – even though his Premier League idol is a former Stamford Bridge star.
Okore was a target for the Stamford Bridge outfit in January after impressing against them for FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League group stages.
But the 20-year-old Denmark international decided against joining Chelsea because he feared that his first team opportunities would be severely limited.
Instead Okore has joined Villa in a £4 million deal to boost his chances of regular football in the English top flight.
“I have a good feeling it was the right decision to turn down Chelsea,” said Okore.
“I feel that I have arrived at a club that believes in me.
“The manager has said all the right things and that has caught my attention. This is going to be good.”
Jores Okore
Okore revealed former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly was one of his boyhood heroes and he would love to emulate the French centre-half’s success.
“I really looked up to Marcel Desailly when I was young and I still do,” he said.
“He was my favourite player and hopefully I can play like him and bring a lot into the Premier League like he did.”
Okore reckons his brief Champions League adventure for FC Nordsjaelland, including his experiences against Chelsea, will equip him for the challenge of the Premier League.
“It has helped me a lot,” he said. “It made me a better player because I got the chance to play against some really, really good strikers and at the same time you really learn from the other defensive players.
“It really taught me a lot,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to developing.
“I’m still young and I have a lot of things to work on but I still think I can bring some of those things I learnt in the Champions League into the Premier League and it will help me very much in that area.”
Okore is also hoping his move to Villa will help him further his international ambitions with Denmark.
He was a half-time substitute in Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat to Armenia which left their World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
“We’ve still got a little bit of a chance to make it to the World Cup,” he added.
“But I’m just hoping I can play a lot of games for the national team and hopefully Villa will help me to develop my game so I can be a part of the starting line-up for Denmark and hopefully also for Villa so I can go and really develop my skill set.
“The national team is something everybody dreams of and I have been trying a lot for a 20-year-old player, soon to be 21.
He went on: “Hopefully the experience from the Champions League and the national games I’ve played, I can bring that into this team and help them.”
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He is similar to Michah Richards, but more astute at defending.
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Sensible decision for a 20-something to turn down a move to a more fashionable club where he wouldn't be guaranteed first team football, in return for being an important player in a young team where he can properly learn his trade.
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Important thing for me is this lad looks quite pacey for a CB.
Lambert clearly wants to play a higher defensive line reflected in the full backs we're signed but Vlaar and Clark were both slow on the turn which chased us some trouble with goals when we pushed up (I thinking the WBA goal at VP, Hernandez 1st and a couple Southampton scored as evidence) so yeah him in will hopefully settle Ron down for next year.
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Fell asleep during the MRI portion of his medical with us. I can say from experience lying still listening to music in an MRI is the most relaxing feeling ever. The best snooze ever.
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Fell asleep during the MRI portion of his medical with us. I can say from experience lying still listening to music in an MRI is the most relaxing feeling ever. The best snooze ever.
I always love a good MRI
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I like having my hair washed. After all, nobody washes your hair, then sits you down with a serious face and tells you you're going to die shortly
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I like having my hair washed. After all, nobody washes your hair, then sits you down with a serious face and tells you you're going to die shortly
I had an MRI on my knee for a tear. The doc told me ambitions of playing for England were over along with those of getting a supremely hot WAG. You're right, I was devastated.
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Let`s just hope he doesn`t go to sleep during a match like some of his new colleagues were prone to doing last season.
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I like having my hair washed. After all, nobody washes your hair, then sits you down with a serious face and tells you you're going to die shortly
I'm not so sure with some of the hair dressers I've seen around Brum
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Fell asleep during the MRI portion of his medical with us. I can say from experience lying still listening to music in an MRI is the most relaxing feeling ever. The best snooze ever.
I've had a couple. The first one, I barely stayed awake. The second one, I fought it but lost the battle and before I knew it, the lights came on and the nurse told me I could go.
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Jores Okore has revealed how a positive telephone pep-talk from Paul Lambert has cranked up his excitement about reporting for Villa pre-season training next week.
Okore will get to meet his fellow new boys and the rest of his team-mates when most of the first-team squad return to Bodymoor Heath a week today (June 24).
And the Danish international defender, one of five signings so far this summer, admits a phone chat with Lambert has whet his appetite for getting started at Villa.
Chief executive Paul Faulkner welcomed Okore to the club 11 days ago, while the manager took time out of his holidays to speak to the 20-year-old centre-half.
“We met Villa director Paul Faulkner in his office and he told me about the club, the vision and ambitions. I just sat quietly and listened,” said Okore.
“Villa manager Paul Lambert was on holiday so we phoned him up.
“I talked to him for some time. He is happy to have me on board. He told me he is looking forward to working with me. He believes in me.
“He told me I don’t have to change my style and that I am looking at plenty of minutes in the season to come. It is a nice conversation that convinces me that I have made a good move.
Okore, who has joined on a four-year contract from FC Nordsjaelland for a reported £4 million fee, is relishing training at Bodymoor Heath.
“I got the grand tour of the Villa premises,” he added.
“The place is huge – almost like a mini-maze.
“It’s a great ground with many pitches all in top condition.”
Okore has received a glowing reference from fellow newcomer Nicklas Helenius, who is looking forward to linking up with his compatriot.
The pair were rivals at FC Nordsjaelland and Aalborg in the Danish Superliga and were also team-mates at Denmark under-21 level.
“He is very strong – I can’t beat him all the time in matches!” smiled Helenius.
“He is fast and very strong and he is very good with the ball.
“He just shows he has lots of confidence every time.
“He is a good man for this club and I think he will grab his chance. He is a very good player.
“It is fantastic to have another Danish player here. I know him and we have played together around ten times for the U21 team in Denmark.
“We know each other and we know what we are good at and we are not so good at
“So we can help each other.”
Meanwhile, Brett Holman has thanked Villa despite the final two years of his contract being cancelled by mutual consent allowing him to join Dubai club Al-Nasr on a free transfer.
Holman, who was signed by – but never played for – Alex McLeish, fell out of favour with Lambert in the second half of last season and has committed himself to the UAE Pro-League club until the summer of 2015.
“It is a move you have to put a lot of thought into,” said Holman.
“It’s a big step.
“The Premier League is a fantastic competition and I was at a great club, Aston Villa.
“They treated me really well, but it wasn’t meant to be there.
“I have a lot of ambition and so does this club, Al-Nasr.”
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Nice quotes all-round. Respectful men.
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I like having my hair washed. After all, nobody washes your hair, then sits you down with a serious face and tells you you're going to die shortly
I find having my hair washed and cut is one of life's more relaxing experiences!
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I've got no hair.
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Got a bit of a potty mouth on him, judging by his latest tweet !
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Got a bit of a potty mouth on him, judging by his latest tweet !
For the benefit of those who cannot be arsed with twitter?
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"Wild for the Season, fuck bring polite!"
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"Wild for the Season, fuck bring polite!"
If I doubted it before, I'm now certain that those eloquent, informed and "on message" interviews were written by the club and not the players.
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What makes it worse is the fact he's quoting an awful song.
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Sell him.
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Lambert and Okore out !!!!!
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There's a picture of Okore stood next to the goal, the training pitch looks a little brown around the edges. Erm...Jonathan Calderwood OUT!
This boy looks to be a great signing .... Jon calderwood left a while ago ! He's been head hunted and gone to PSG
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Nah, if you watch his interviews on avtv he is a humble lil' Coleman. I blame Fabian Delph. He makes a point of teaching the new recruits all the rude words first followed by Yorkshireisms.
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"Wild for the Season, fuck bring polite!"
If I doubted it before, I'm now certain that those eloquent, informed and "on message" interviews were written by the club and not the players.
"Fuck" doesn't have quite the shock factor over here - to the extent that there's a documentary series on DR1 (equivalent of BBC1) called So Fucking Special that airs at about 8pm on a week night when it's on.
Bit difficult bringing up kids to not use it when it's in at least 1 in 3 radio tracks. regardless of station.
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I had no idea that the Danish for "fuck" is "fuck".
Fancy stealing our swear words, well they can just "pis af".
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I don't recall ''fuck''coming up in Forbrydelsen or Borgen.
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He has a funny head.
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He has a funny head.
Is it because he looks as if he has a short neck?
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(http://troll.me/images/gary-coleman/dont-give-a-fuck-thumb.jpg)
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Okore has the centrespread interview in yesterdays sports supplement of BT I noticed in town yesterday.
Decent article article apart from one glaring error
Found the online version here (http://www.bt.dk/fodbold/okore-flaeskede-aston-villas-stoerste-stjerne).
Translation
Okore clattered Aston Villas biggest star
Jores Okore kan make his debut for Aston Villa on Saturday.
It's a story you can't help but smile about
According to the story, Jores Okore's agent, Nicola Juric, came up to him before his first training session with Aston Villa with some well intentioned advice, which must have been said with a twinkle in the eye.
- Find the squads biggest star and clatter him, said Juric
Okore was paying attention, and when he got a chance in a tussle, Aston Villas biggest star name, forward Christian Benteke, ended on the deck.
Afterwards Okore also put countryman, Niklas Helenius down, and so Okore was "clocked in" at the Birmingham club.
The Danish international defender laughs out loud when asked about the story and is quick to point out that it's maybe become a little exaggerated with repeated telling.
"It wasn't so bad. Nicola said to me that I should make an impression (literally "saw straight through!") and gain some respect, and then there was a battle with Benteke, where I went in hard on him. I think he was surprised that I was so strong. There wasn't any risk that I could have injured him. I just did it to show that I was here, " said Jores Okore.
Okore hasn't wasted any time in convincing team mates, manager Paul Lambert, experts and fans that he is a good buy in the transfer window. Villa legend Stan Collymore has said on Twitter that out of all the clubs summer purchases, he has the highest expectations for Okore, and the fans are impressed after a solid game against Malaga.
Today Okore is in contention for a place in the starting line-up against Arsenal at the Emirates no less. Jores Okore admits, that just like his first training day at the club, for him it's about playing hard and to the limits when he makes his debut in the Premier League.
It's about earning respect. If you go in extra hard on a forward at the start of a game, then he knows I'm there. That was also why I did what I did that first training day, to win respect quickly. In football you can't afford to be withdrawn and humble. Otherwise it takes even longer to settle in somewhere new, " Okore explains.
A hamstring injury has interfered with Okore's start after the transfer from FCN, but despite this he has recovered sufficiently well, that there is realistic talk about a debut against Arsenal today, where star striker Olivier Giroud plays.
"It would be fantastic to make my Premier League debut against Arsenal. It would be more than just a debut at a full Emirates. If I play, I'm pretty sure that there'll be a few nerves and butterflies in the stomach. but as soon as the game begins, then it's just football, like I've played a million times before," says Okore.
He's not worried that he'll fail when he's opposite some of the worlds best forwards in the course of the season such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez or whomever.
"I'll just see it as a challenge to play against these players, that we've all seen so much of on TV. Van Persie is probably the one I'm most looking forward to playing against. But it will be a big test for me to play against so many high class forwards, and it's a way to test myself every weekend. I can only become a better player for it," says Okore who cost Aston Villa 35M kroner in transfer fee.
He feels that he has settled in well at Aston Villa despite the injury problems that have irritated him.
"It was really unlucky to get injured at the point, where i should have been playing in the team and getting to know team mates. But on the flip side, it's better that it happens now instead of in the middle of the season. Personally, I feel that I'm back in top form and think it went really well in the game aganist Malaga, despite scoring a bit of a silly own goal. But I got praised anyway after the game and also felt good myself," continues Okore
Away from the pitch Okore also feels that he has settled in well into the environment at the Premier League club.
"The first day was a bit like starting in a new school class. I didn't really know anyone, where I should sit, but it was an advantage for me that Niklas Helenius had already been there a few days by that point. We are getting on fine together, but I also think that we're accepted into the dressing room and the community. But it's always an added bonus to have another Dane at the club," according to the strong as a horse Okore
Okore has also adapted to the switch in driving sides quickly, despite the fact that it nearly had a dramatic end, the first time he tried it.
"I was still getting used to driving on the opposite side. On one of the first days it nearly went wrong. It was at a time of day where there weren't any other cars about, and so suddenly I driving in the wrong lane. Suddenly there was car coming straight towards me, and I thought why is he driving on the wrong side until I realised that it was me that was wrong and managed to pull into the side," finishes Okore, who is himself grinning about the comical situation.
Tonight, Okore might be grinning again, if he gets a perfect start to life in the Premier League.
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If yesterday's sub shows lambert's thinking then looks like he isn't keen pairing Vlaar and Okore so looks like we won't see him until Ron picks up an injury or has a shite run of games, both of which are quite likely.
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If yesterday's sub shows lambert's thinking then looks like he isn't keen pairing Vlaar and Okore so looks like we won't see him until Ron picks up an injury or has a shite run of games, both of which are quite likely.
I don't think you can come to that conclusion after only one game, and after a pre season where he really didn't play much at all.
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What's the glaring error?
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What's the glaring error?
Villa Legend Stan Collymore
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What's the glaring error?
Villa Legend Stan Collymore
lol well spotted.
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worlds best forwards such as Wayne Rooney,
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worlds best forwards such as Wayne Rooney,
It's not just back in blighty that the golden rule has been forgotten.....
"Don't believe the hype" - copyright Public Enemy 1988:)
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I like how Stanley Victor is so effusive in his praise for us on Twitter and in the media these days. I wonder though, as a player (and I know he head his mental problems at the time) did we mean as much to him.
Could he have stayed at Liverpool in '97? He was still getting a fair amount of games there, as far as I can recall.
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I believe it was his "dream move" and he was the final piece in our attacking jigsaw.
Shame it panned out like it did. He does have a genuine affection for the club.
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Didnt stop him predicting a 15th place finish and stating that we would finish below the Albion last week.
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Stan does seem to have discovered a new found fondness for us. The sceptical side of me wonders whether its part of a deliberate attempt to create a fan persona as part of his media role. Or perhaps he has really got into watching football as part of the job and recovered his passion
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I have a great deal of respect for SVC.
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I have a great deal of frustration about his time at Villa. I was so excited when we signed him, really thought he'd become a legend in the villa tradition and I went to that pre-season match at the hawthorns when he scored down the other end - very good goal.
Read his autobiography last year too, and for one reason or another its sad it didn't work out for him. I think it's mostly down to him, but Gregory handled him very poorly if reports are to be believed.
Crying shame and huge waste of talent.
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I've read snippets of his book and the way it came across to me from what I read was that he seemed to point the finger at a lot of people for his troubles rather than himself. I do like the bloke though, I think he's one of the better broadcasters on TalkSport.
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I hope Okore plays against Chelsea on Wednesday night. After all, he was impressive against them for his former club in the Champions League. We will need his extra power and pace. Mind you, Terry and Cahill look slow at the back for them - our front three should go at them from the start.
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I've read snippets of his book and the way it came across to me from what I read was that he seemed to point the finger at a lot of people for his troubles rather than himself. I do like the bloke though, I think he's one of the better broadcasters on TalkSport.
I think this is what you could call damining someone with faint praise
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Stan does seem to have discovered a new found fondness for us. The sceptical side of me wonders whether its part of a deliberate attempt to create a fan persona as part of his media role. Or perhaps he has really got into watching football as part of the job and recovered his passion
I genuinely think he loves the Villa and doesn't care that people view him that way. The game where he went mental just allowed him to make it very public and he has rolled with it thereafter. As much as he loves MON I think he has really bought into what the club is doing. He's like most Villa fans, worried, sceptical and becoming happier.
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I think he loves the Villa.
I remember somebody playing a clip on here of him practically shooting his bat at Stamford Bridge when we scored what turned out to be a later winner (Stan getting our 2nd in a 3-1 win). You cannot fake that kind of spontaneous explosion of sheer joy.
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How can you not love Stan after this?
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Stan does seem to have discovered a new found fondness for us. The sceptical side of me wonders whether its part of a deliberate attempt to create a fan persona as part of his media role. Or perhaps he has really got into watching football as part of the job and recovered his passion
He's always been a Villa fan.
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Not sure what it has to do with Okore but my understanding of the SVC situation was tat he was struggling with depression so he spoke to Gregory who told him to get over himself and get on with it. Not a particularly enlightened attitude, but I know plenty of people who would think how can a professional footballer with loads of money and very hot girlfriend be depressed.
I like the guy and I wish he'd had more support to make a success of it when he was with us, he could've been a special player for Villa and England if he'd got the help he needed.
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I don't think Okore is injured, as others have said he didn't get much of a preseason so he'll take time to get up to speed.
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For a Villa fan he didn't do a lot to help Sir Brian...
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Did he injured himself trying to stop the beast ?
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For a Villa fan he didn't do a lot to help Sir Brian...
doesn't make him any less a Villa fan though. I'm sure he looks back on his time at the club with a lot of regret. It wasa dream come true for him but there were son many reasons as to why it didn't work out, or at least could have been so much better. I actually think he's finding some peace now shouting from the rooftops about loving the club because he couldn't do it enough on the pitch.
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Should this thread be re-named?
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All my fault for pointing out that BT (Danish newspaper, not half arsed UK telecoms provider ) had referred to SVC as a Villa legend in an interview with Jores.
Villa fan he may be. Legend he most definitely is not.
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For a Villa fan he certainly enjoyed goading the Holte End. For that he will always be a prick in my eyes.
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For a Villa fan he certainly enjoyed goading the Holte End. For that he will always be a prick in my eyes.
You poor little flower.
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I thought Jores looked very good last night; although unfortunate for Clark, 50 minutes was perfect for Jores to start to bed into the team. I think he'll be a star for us - great physique and pace at only 21 years old. Can't believe we got him so cheap at £4M, which is peanuts these days. The Beast Mark 2!!
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I really liked the look of him last night. It's early days and he'll have the odd dodgy game but i think we may have found ourselves another bargain.
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I thought he looks a bit dodgy when he came on last night, made a few sloppy mistakes looked like he needed to warm into the game which he did,
he did OK but no more
i'm sure he'll be fine when he finds his feet
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He's really, really fast.
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He is a class player. Looking forward to seeing more of him.
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Defence was our weakest area last year, if we defend like that again we will struggle. Hopefully the likes of Luna and Okore are going to improve things. I see him and Vlaar as our long term centre back pairing.
Think I heard something about Pat Nervin prising Okore last night, he must be good then...
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I thought he looks a bit dodgy when he came on last night, made a few sloppy mistakes looked like he needed to warm into the game which he did,
he did OK but no more
i'm sure he'll be fine when he finds his feet
and he is still a kid and that was a big game to enter into last night.
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For a Villa fan he certainly enjoyed goading the Holte End. For that he will always be a prick in my eyes.
You poor little flower.
Nah you're right, I should love someone who goaded us when he scored against us.
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As for Okore, for a lad who has just turned 21 making his debut in one of the toughest matches of the season, it would seem he did well. I think he will become a very good player.
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For a Villa fan he certainly enjoyed goading the Holte End. For that he will always be a prick in my eyes.
You poor little flower.
Nah you're right, I should love someone who goaded us when he scored against us.
I get fed up with the amount of times our Stan tell us he has supported the claret and blue boys since he wore his Gary Shaw shirt at 8 years old !!!
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Hugely impressed last night with okore. Strong , solid and comfortable on the ball - looks a class act .
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If yesterday's sub shows lambert's thinking then looks like he isn't keen pairing Vlaar and Okore so looks like we won't see him until Ron picks up an injury or has a shite run of games, both of which are quite likely.
I don't think you can come to that conclusion after only one game, and after a pre season where he really didn't play much at all.
.. and they both played very well there in the 2nd half. Think that I would prefer to give it a chance
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Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
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Jores looks the real deal, under the circumstances that was a very good performance last night. Didn't look like a 21 year old debutant to me.
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Jores looks the real deal, under the circumstances that was a very good performance last night. Didn't look like a 21 year old debutant to me.
Doesn't even look 21 to me. I'm certain that him and Benteke are lying about their ages!
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It's hard enough making your debut at Stamford Bridge, and harder still to do it as a sub.
Even at my crap level, I used to struggle a bit coming off the bench. It's not always easy to get straight into the pace of the game.
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Ha I got that one wrong.
This type of player is what we've missed in central defence in a long time, someone who's physical and also quick.
Hopefully he'll keep Sturridge quiet at the weekend.
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Favourite moment was when he tackled Mata by the touchline having made up 3 or 4 yards in a "hard but fair" manner, then retrieved the ball before it went out and picked out a 20 yard pass to Karin in midfield.
All while Mata was still lying on the floor wandering what the f&%k had just hit him.
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Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
OK, I'm not gay or 'awt, but the amount of man love I am feeling for Mr. Lambert is beginning to worry me.
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We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth.
Mixed metaphor or no, I like it.
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Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
OK, I'm not gay or 'awt, but the amount of man love I am feeling for Mr. Lambert is beginning to worry me.
I have already said I will leave the wife for him :-\
-
Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
OK, I'm not gay or 'awt, but the amount of man love I am feeling for Mr. Lambert is beginning to worry me.
I have already said I will leave the wife for him :-\
We're all gay here, we just don't know it yet
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Lambert has that effect. All women want him, and all men want him.
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Lambert has that effect. All women want him, and all men want him.
Erm... he is not really my type? Does that make me a bad person?
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Lambert has that effect. All women want him, and all men want him.
I think there is a 'to be' missing from the last part of that, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
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Lambert has that effect. All women want him, and all men want him.
Erm... he is not really my type? Does that make me a bad person?
First stage is denial.......
-
Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
OK, I'm not gay or 'awt, but the amount of man love I am feeling for Mr. Lambert is beginning to worry me.
I have already said I will leave the wife for him :-\
If I nip round on Sat'dy night could you leave her out for me?
;-)
-
Paul Lambert on squad.
Paul Lambert had told his newboys "I trust all of you" after hailing Jores Okore's impressive debut at Stamford Bridge.
Okore was given the ominous task of coming on against Chelsea in his first competitive match in claret and blue.
But the 21-year-old brute performed brilliantly, keeping the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of the action-packed game.
Lambert said afterwards that he had no qualms about bringing on the Dane - because he has total faith in every member of his squad.
He said: "We are playing really well so I haven't needed to change things too much.
"Antonio has been excellent since he's come in.
"Jores was excellent when he came into his first game. The lad has not had much game-time. To come into that magnitude of match he was different-class! I thought he was terrific. I was really pleased with him.
"Aleksandar came on and looked lively.
"They are a brilliant group to work with. Any one of them I can bring on or start with. I trust them.
"The ones here last year have grown into it. They know what the league is like. The new ones will grow into it.
"But as a group they have come a really long way in a short space of time.
"We've got Christian who is still only 22 - a young lad. He's getting better with every passing game.
"His goal at Chelsea was one touch and then it was in the net. He's a handful.
"Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. You've got Weimann in that excellent front three too.
"Delph was outstanding last night, fabulous. Fabian grew into the game and became excellent for us. He was up and down and doing everything a midfielder does.
"Karim is playing now the way I saw him at Feyenoord. He's playing really, really well and they're really complementing each other.
"The midfield three has been brilliant for us.
"We are emerging. They all have the bit between their teeth."
OK, I'm not gay or 'awt, but the amount of man love I am feeling for Mr. Lambert is beginning to worry me.
I have already said I will leave the wife for him :-\
If I nip round on Sat'dy night could you leave her out for me?
;-)
(http://www.lofg.com/specialstuff/images/characters/lazza.JPG)
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Lambert has that effect. All women want him, and all men want him.
Erm... he is not really my type? Does that make me a bad person?
First stage is denial.......
I think he might be a witch
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"... the 21-year-old brute..."? Brute?
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"... the 21-year-old brute..."? Brute?
He lurks in the woods with his hoodie on, waiting to kick the shit out of random passers by??
That is a really strange way to describe a player, particularly one of our own. Ha ha.
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"... the 21-year-old brute..."? Brute?
He lurks in the woods with his hoodie on, waiting to kick the shit out of random passers by??
That is a really strange way to describe a player, particularly one of our own. Ha ha.
`..the 21-year old badass..'
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Played very well tonight.
Passing was a bit overambitious at times but otherwise he was quick and strong in his duels with Sturridge and decent in the air. For someone who's what 20 he looks to have immense potential and all the attributes needed to be a good premier league centre half.
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Was sloppy early on, especially with his passing, but grew as the game went on. I think another star is about to be born.
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Very impressed with him. He appears to have a very good sense of what is happening around him and speed of thought to be in the right position.
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First look at him today. He is going to be great and another one we will have huge transfer speculation to deal with come end of the season.
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Class player. Another one for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manure to bid for at the end of the season.
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Liverpool created next to nothing, how much of that was down him I dont know. He has all the ability to be a top player though.
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Class player. Another one for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manure to bid for at the end of the season.
They have been in for him already, but he turned them down as he wanted to play and not be on the bench / out the first team all the time. So yes, a good first season of constant displays and the big boys will be bidding.
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Liverpool created next to nothing, how much of that was down him I dont know. He has all the ability to be a top player though.
Through a combination of a trapped nerve causing left leg weakness and being at my dad's wifi-less house, I was following the match on the Shy Sports app and their text commentary. Every other minute, it seemed to consist of easily intercepted by Okore, great block from Okore, taken away from the attacker by Okore. So I reckon he could mean a defensive signing might be off the table.
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I'm pretty sure it is off the table. Though he looked good, one dodgy header back apart. I think that was a penalty wasn't it? Tho Sturridge didn't really appeal
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Nope, Brad pushed the ball wide of Sturridges path and then he went down ( fairly). The bigger Pen shout was Benteke with th epush from Toure although I would be surprised if given.
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I thought Sturridge nudged it wide. Anyway it doesn't really matter does it
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I thought he looked class yesterday - so calm and composed, on and off the ball. Best of the three new boys who started.
It's obviously early days but on that showing I can see him being better than Vlaar.
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Alan smith was blaming him for the goal, saying he'd tracked Sturridge wide and then let him wonder into the box without tracking him. I don't agree though, I think you'd generally expect to get back into shape and the nearest man should pick him up.
I think it was just a brilliant goal.
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I thought he looked class yesterday - so calm and composed, on and off the ball. Best of the three new boys who started.
It's obviously early days but on that showing I can see him being better than Vlaar.
Indeed, delighted with him so far.
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I think in 135 minutes he has already shown he is a better player than Vlaar. He is a gem of a player, and a little like Benteke, I think he will be here a certain amount of time before going for big money. For any centre back to come in and look that sure and composed is impressive. To do it as his age is incredible.
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I think it should be noted that Vlaar has looked a lot better in the last couple of games. He along with KEA seem to be turning their fortunes around in the same way that Stan did and hopefully will go on to be like two new signings this season.
Have been very encouraged by the relative improvement defensively since Chelsea.
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When you talk about building a spine to a team; Guzan, Okore, Delph and Benteke isn't a bad start.
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A base of a team, Brad, Luna, Okore, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke, is a good base.
Okore gave me, for the 1st time as a Villa fan since Lord Paul McGrath, confidence.Confidence that we have a solid defender, with pace, who does'nt make many mistakes, and does'nt get caught out very often.He and Vlaar played well together imho.
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When you talk about building a spine to a team; Guzan, Okore, Delph and Benteke isn't a bad start.
Add in Westwood too, who although I have been critical of him this season so far is too good a player not to get back into form. Then put Gabby, Lowton and Luna around it, and I thinking there is the basis now of a very decent side.
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Okore gave me, for the 1st time as a Villa fan since Lord Paul McGrath, confidence.Confidence that we have a solid defender, with pace, who does'nt make many mistakes, and does'nt get caught out very often.He and Vlaar played well together imho.
So Southgate, Ehiogu, Laursen and Mellberg didn't give you confidence? In fairness, defence has always tended to be a villa strength, just not last season.
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The real test is when we play a side that actually geta into our box and chucks in a few crosses.
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I think Okore,from what we have seen so far, is going to be as good as we hoped he would.
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Alan smith was blaming him for the goal, saying he'd tracked Sturridge wide and then let him wonder into the box without tracking him. I don't agree though, I think you'd generally expect to get back into shape and the nearest man should pick him up.
I think it was just a brilliant goal.
Some papers blaming him for losing Sturridge as well. Like you, I disagree with that as he forced Sturridge back and then got back into shape. If anyone let him go it was Delph.
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I though Vlaar was sold a dummy completely by coutinho thus pulling him out of the position that Sturridge went into personally. He was left centre backs issue by the time he got the ball and Vlaar was ball missing/ watching!
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They might have done better, but I think it's one of those goals that, if we'd scored it, we wouldn't be saying 'thank god for their defensive mistake' - we'd be going on about how great a goal it was.
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Alan smith was blaming him for the goal, saying he'd tracked Sturridge wide and then let him wonder into the box without tracking him. I don't agree though, I think you'd generally expect to get back into shape and the nearest man should pick him up.
I think it was just a brilliant goal.
Some papers blaming him for losing Sturridge as well. Like you, I disagree with that as he forced Sturridge back and then got back into shape. If anyone let him go it was Delph.
I agree with the criticism, he turned his back on Sturidge so he had no idea what was going on as he was facing the wrong way, it was a moments lapse of concentration but it did cost us the match.
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They might have done better, but I think it's one of those goals that, if we'd scored it, we wouldn't be saying 'thank god for their defensive mistake' - we'd be going on about how great a goal it was.
Exactly my take on it.
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I though Vlaar was sold a dummy completely by coutinho thus pulling him out of the position that Sturridge went into personally. He was left centre backs issue by the time he got the ball and Vlaar was ball missing/ watching!
I think that's a bit harsh Ozz. It was a goal scored by two excellent footballers combining in a very tight space and very skillfully. Sometimes it's just better to acknowledge that. I would say so far, having played three teams that will all be top six by the end or close enough, we've not embarrassed ourselves at all defensively.
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I would say so far, having played three teams that will all be top six by the end or close enough, we've not embarrassed ourselves at all defensively.
Exactly.
At the start of the season if anyone had offered me a goal difference of zero after three matches I'd have snapped their hand off.
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I thought he looked class yesterday - so calm and composed, on and off the ball. Best of the three new boys who started.
It's obviously early days but on that showing I can see him being better than Vlaar.
Agreed. Without doubt the best signing of the summer based on his performances to date. As you say, the composure and calmness he has in incredible for such a young player. We really have an absolute talent on our hands. I'm sure he'll be the best defender we've had since McGrath, I rate him that highly.
I'd say the the right side centre half role is now his. The left sided centre half shirt is for Vlaar, Baker and Clark to fight over. Vlaar may have looked better yesterday alongside Jores but I'm guessing so would have Baker or Clark.
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I think he's going to be really, really good. He's confident for a young lad, and his defending is aggressive - he seems to spot the threat early and look to deal with it proactively. then when he gets it, his distribution from the back is excellent and he's not afraid to carry the ball into midfield.
He'll be the next Laursen, no doubt about it.
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Really happy with Okore. I am not a great Vlaar fan but he looked a lot better with Okore next to him. There is certain confidence with Okore being back there that I have not felt for a long time. His interview on AVTV shows how calm but focused he is on his views ......
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They might have done better, but I think it's one of those goals that, if we'd scored it, we wouldn't be saying 'thank god for their defensive mistake' - we'd be going on about how great a goal it was.
+1
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Has lent strength to a weak defence. Just the ticket. Yesterday was the most comfortable I have felt with our back 4 in a goodly while. I know it's now 2 defeats from 3 but onwards and upwards.
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I thought he looked class yesterday - so calm and composed, on and off the ball. Best of the three new boys who started.
It's obviously early days but on that showing I can see him being better than Vlaar.
Agreed. Without doubt the best signing of the summer based on his performances to date. As you say, the composure and calmness he has in incredible for such a young player. We really have an absolute talent on our hands. I'm sure he'll be the best defender we've had since McGrath, I rate him that highly.
I'd say the the right side centre half role is now his. The left sided centre half shirt is for Vlaar, Baker and Clark to fight over. Vlaar may have looked better yesterday alongside Jores but I'm guessing so would have Baker or Clark.
You might be right, FCNs defence has gone to ratshit sinve he left.
I think the defence has generally looked more composed so far this year, there looks to be more cohesion and trust in the back 4.
I think some of Vlaars improvement may be down to trusting his partner more and not keeping half an eye on Bennett at the same time so he's just concentrating on his own game more. It looked to me that there were signs of improvement with Ron last season as Bennett's defensive form started to improve.
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Re the goal
I don't think you can blame Okore, he's done his job, shepherding Sturridge away from goal and then dropped back into position so that the back line retained it's shape.
I'm not sure Vlarr had much choice but to step out to Coutinho. How much shit would he have got if he'd given him time to tee up a shot into the top corner by standing off.
Sturridge ran from midfield so he should have been tracked from here, unless Luna had no-one outside of him so he could have come across.
All of this also neglects how much work Sturridge still had to do to get a shot off and put it in the one spot no-one could do anything about.
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All of this also neglects how much work Sturridge still had to do to get a shot off and put it in the one spot no-one could do anything about.
I've been thinking that since MOTD last night. Even after the ball ran past Vlaar, he had to get it past Tony twice and then Guzan qwho is great coming off his line. His finish was tremendous as well as more in the centre of goal or lower risked it being blocked and he was also off balance and leaning away from goal when he took it.
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He's the next Dessailly. I say offer him a 10 year contract now.
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Okore will get better as he will build understanding with our back 4 and Guzan, get used to playing in premier league and facing more quality players week in and out.
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I though Vlaar was sold a dummy completely by coutinho thus pulling him out of the position that Sturridge went into personally. He was left centre backs issue by the time he got the ball and Vlaar was ball missing/ watching!
Is Vlaar going to be this year's Bennett / Bannan? Coutinho's dummy was class (apart from that we played him very well). Sometimes you just need to acknowledge a great goal. And it was a great goal.
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All of this also neglects how much work Sturridge still had to do to get a shot off and put it in the one spot no-one could do anything about.
I've been thinking that since MOTD last night. Even after the ball ran past Vlaar, he had to get it past Tony twice and then Guzan qwho is great coming off his line. His finish was tremendous as well as more in the centre of goal or lower risked it being blocked and he was also off balance and leaning away from goal when he took it.
When Sturridge went round Brad I wasn't at all worried as I could see we had 2 men getting back onto the goal line and he had taken it wide of the goal thus diminishing his angle. If he had hit it with his right foot I would have been correct - the problem was he very cleverly swapped his feet and lifted it up into the roof of the net with the outside of his left foot. To me it was a brilliant piece of finishing.
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All of this also neglects how much work Sturridge still had to do to get a shot off and put it in the one spot no-one could do anything about.
I've been thinking that since MOTD last night. Even after the ball ran past Vlaar, he had to get it past Tony twice and then Guzan qwho is great coming off his line. His finish was tremendous as well as more in the centre of goal or lower risked it being blocked and he was also off balance and leaning away from goal when he took it.
When Sturridge went round Brad I wasn't at all worried as I could see we had 2 men getting back onto the goal line and he had taken it wide of the goal thus diminishing his angle. If he had hit it with his right foot I would have been correct - the problem was he very cleverly swapped his feet and lifted it up into the roof of the net with the outside of his left foot. To me it was a brilliant piece of finishing.
I like Sturridge. That was in fairness a quality piece of play. We could have got the ball away before that point and defended better, but he had a lot to do to stick that in and he did.
He's my preferred choice up front for the national side. I think Woy needs to give Sturridge a good run. If Rooney can get back to his best, and play just off him, then that's quite a front line.
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Fair play to Liverpool for stopping us from scoring. Quite a task these days.
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Well they did play 9 in defence 2nd half.
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All of this also neglects how much work Sturridge still had to do to get a shot off and put it in the one spot no-one could do anything about.
I've been thinking that since MOTD last night. Even after the ball ran past Vlaar, he had to get it past Tony twice and then Guzan qwho is great coming off his line. His finish was tremendous as well as more in the centre of goal or lower risked it being blocked and he was also off balance and leaning away from goal when he took it.
When Sturridge went round Brad I wasn't at all worried as I could see we had 2 men getting back onto the goal line and he had taken it wide of the goal thus diminishing his angle. If he had hit it with his right foot I would have been correct - the problem was he very cleverly swapped his feet and lifted it up into the roof of the net with the outside of his left foot. To me it was a brilliant piece of finishing.
I like Sturridge. That was in fairness a quality piece of play. We could have got the ball away before that point and defended better, but he had a lot to do to stick that in and he did.
He's my preferred choice up front for the national side. I think Woy needs to give Sturridge a good run. If Rooney can get back to his best, and play just off him, then that's quite a front line.
I agree re the national side, Sturridge is the most gifted forward we have I think, and now he is playing regularly he is showing his quality. Him up, with Rooney and Walcott either side would be quite interesting and then 3 in the centre. Walcott has to play for me, his pace is too useful to not use.
Roy will just play Rooney and 19 midfielder behind him though. Probably with Not So Cleverly behind him stinking out the place because he plays for United.
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I though Vlaar was sold a dummy completely by coutinho thus pulling him out of the position that Sturridge went into personally. He was left centre backs issue by the time he got the ball and Vlaar was ball missing/ watching!
Is Vlaar going to be this year's Bennett / Bannan? Coutinho's dummy was class (apart from that we played him very well). Sometimes you just need to acknowledge a great goal. And it was a great goal.
After seeing the goal a few more times I would agree with this. Really clever from Coutinho and a great finish from Sturridge.
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For a Villa fan he certainly enjoyed goading the Holte End. For that he will always be a prick in my eyes.
You poor little flower.
Nah you're right, I should love someone who goaded us when he scored against us.
Do you feel like he goaded you personally?
You might try a more reasonable response; something between loving him and him being a prick. I'd expect you to feel much better if you could.
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
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Apart from a couple of very slack passes Okore was excellent again.
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FC Nordsjælland have definitely missed him so far this season. They've been awful at the back without him.
If you look at the template Lambert seems to be using for finding players, then in hindsight he was a pretty good bet.
Over and above his physical attributes he's been at a club that has invested heavily in youth and their development through a blueprint installed by the manager (Kasper Hjulmand) where all the teams regardless of level are coached to be technically proficient and play open attacking football. (Sound familiar?)
This approach has led to some criticism of their "exploits" in Europe as their open approach has led to some heavy defeats and they are yet to win game in either Champions League or Europa league in their last 12 games.
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Looking at it from the other angle to players goading fans after they score, i'm always amused when opposition fans stick their finger up/make the wanker sign at a player who has just scored.
What effect do people think this will have on the player? Do they expect him to be so emotionally crippled by this event that they'll never dare to score against them again?
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Apart from a couple of very slack passes Okore was excellent again.
Yes he was sound defensively but his passing generally tonight was pretty woeful.
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Composed with the ball. Pace and power and always looks like he has another gear. You can see that Vlaar feels very comfortable with him covering ......
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
I don't think that he goaded me. Even if he did, it was nearly a decade ago.
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
I don't think that he goaded me. Even if he did, it was nearly a decade ago.
It was over a decade ago. Hodge was over 20 years ago and I still think he's a ******.
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It isn't much of a sample of matches to go on, but Vlaar seems to look more comfortable alongside Okore.
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It isn't much of a sample of matches to go on, but Vlaar seems to look more comfortable alongside Okore.
Taking the opposition into account I thought Vlaar looked really good.
Okore was solid except for his passing forward which was a bit shit.
I think he's gonna be really good for us.
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In the Maily Dail write-up of the Roth'm match:
" Star of the Future: Jores Okore — the Villa ace, 22, is very strong and quick"
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
I don't think that he goaded me. Even if he did, it was nearly a decade ago.
It was over a decade ago. Hodge was over 20 years ago and I still think he's a c***.
What a horrible way to live.
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I said last night that with the with the Okore signing, its like we have got 2 players.
Okore who just immense and will go onto be a Villa legend.
And Vlaar. He's been given a new lease of life and looks a totally different player. A bit more composed, and a bit more relaxed.
I think there could be a real partnership developing.
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
I don't think that he goaded me. Even if he did, it was nearly a decade ago.
It was over a decade ago. Hodge was over 20 years ago and I still think he's a c***.
What a horrible way to live.
Get a room.
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
So Gabby is a prick when he does the finger to the lips bit when he scores????
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
So Gabby is a prick when he does the finger to the lips bit when he scores????
Does he do it to the fans of the club he claims he supports?
And plenty of fans of other clubs think he is.
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Nah, he's just a prick. He goaded all of us but if you're happy with that knock yourself out.
I don't think that he goaded me. Even if he did, it was nearly a decade ago.
It was over a decade ago. Hodge was over 20 years ago and I still think he's a c***.
What a horrible way to live.
I'm gutted that a random stranger on the internet thinks that.
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His pace will help whoever he plays by.
If you've not got that level of McGrath positional know how, then being very quick will get you out of a lot of jams. McGrath had both and was a genius. This kid certainly has all the physical attributes and is very comfortable on the ball too, so its down to him really.
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Having a centre half with pace is absolutely vital for any team.
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Easily could be this season's "Benteke", he's been good in both games and can see him keeping the spot in the starting eleven even when Clark and Baker will be back in full fitness.
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Easily could be this season's "Benteke", he's been good in both games and can see him keeping the spot in the starting eleven even when Clark and Baker will be back in full fitness.
I said to Legion during the game last night that Okore was like having a Benteke in defence. There is just something about him that instils confidence.
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There was at least one occasion where Vlaar took too long on the ball and Okore got him out of trouble. Vlaar's looked better so far and part of that might be having a partner who has the anticipation and pace to get him out of trouble.
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But for a few wayward passes (which a better team might have punished us for) I thought he had a cracking game and looks the business.
Still looks a tiny bit shaky but the extra game time will have helped and I would have thought he'd be one of the first names on Mr Lambert's team sheet.
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Not a good defender,not a very good defender but simply a great defender already.What a signing.Defensive frailties,so last season. I now expect/demand that Lambert signs a world class midfielder .
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But for a few wayward passes (which a better team might have punished us for) I thought he had a cracking game and looks the business.
Still looks a tiny bit shaky but the extra game time will have helped and I would have thought he'd be one of the first names on Mr Lambert's team sheet.
Didn't see the game on Wednesday so did not see the wayward passes however from that youtube complilation of Okore (v Chelsea) it was his passing that impressed me most. I certinaly wouldn't want to discourage him trying to pass. Hopefully it's just a case of the midfield getting used to his vision and anticipating where to move accordingly. I can certainly see Westwood and Delph getting very used to dropping deep to pick up his passes as they're both comfortable picking up passes in tight situations (meaning there must be space elsewhere).
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I think Vlaar and Okore will be a lot better partnership. Okore is a much more natural defender, but Vlaar offers leadership to the side which is really important.
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Vlaar has been better now that he doesn't feel the need to look over his shoulder all the time.
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If it's true he's done his cruciate we are in serious trouble. Not only does he look like our best centre half by a distance, he also makes Vlaar better when he plays next to him. A sustained period of Clark or Baker and we're in big trouble. Baker is also made of glass in any case.
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If it's true he's done his cruciate we are in serious trouble. Not only does he look like our best centre half by a distance, he also makes Vlaar better when he plays next to him. A sustained period of Clark or Baker and we're in big trouble. Baker is also made of glass in any case.
Completely agree - one lets the oppositon score whilst the other scores for the opposition.
Are there any free agents worth looking at?
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If it's true he's done his cruciate we are in serious trouble. Not only does he look like our best centre half by a distance, he also makes Vlaar better when he plays next to him. A sustained period of Clark or Baker and we're in big trouble. Baker is also made of glass in any case.
Completely agree - one lets the oppositon score whilst the other scores for the opposition.
Are there any free agents worth looking at?
Lambert fucked up bit style not strengthening the defence adequately. Two centre backs should have been signed, at least. If we go into the next few months with just Vlaar and Clark/Baker at the back we could well be in deep trouble again.
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If it's true he's done his cruciate we are in serious trouble. Not only does he look like our best centre half by a distance, he also makes Vlaar better when he plays next to him. A sustained period of Clark or Baker and we're in big trouble. Baker is also made of glass in any case.
Completely agree - one lets the oppositon score whilst the other scores for the opposition.
Are there any free agents worth looking at?
Lambert fucked up bit style not strengthening the defence adequately. Two centre backs should have been signed, at least. If we go into the next few months with just Vlaar and Clark/Baker at the back we could well be in deep trouble again.
A cruciate ligament injury to the best signing is really unlucky though. If any of the other defenders gets that injury it doesn't look so bad, but Okore getting it is bad luck.
However, it's debatable whether he should have spent that £7m on the defence or the midfield. What's not debatable is that he's wasted it on a big man striker when that really was the lowest priority in the team.
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If it's true he's done his cruciate we are in serious trouble. Not only does he look like our best centre half by a distance, he also makes Vlaar better when he plays next to him. A sustained period of Clark or Baker and we're in big trouble. Baker is also made of glass in any case.
Completely agree - one lets the oppositon score whilst the other scores for the opposition.
Are there any free agents worth looking at?
Lambert fucked up bit style not strengthening the defence adequately. Two centre backs should have been signed, at least. If we go into the next few months with just Vlaar and Clark/Baker at the back we could well be in deep trouble again.
A cruciate ligament injury to the best signing is really unlucky though. If any of the other defenders gets that injury it doesn't look so bad, but Okore getting it is bad luck.
However, it's debatable whether he should have spent that £7m on the defence or the midfield. What's not debatable is that he's wasted it on a big man striker when that really was the lowest priority in the team.
Don't know why he has so much faith in our defence considering how many times they fucked up last season, so I find it just bizarre why he spent £7m on a striker when he could have shored up the shoddy back 4 or spent it on a midfield playmaker. I just don't understand Paul Lambert.
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Where is it reported he's done his cruciate?
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With Lowton struggling for form a bit too, it makes not signing a right sided centre back that could play right back too a very big miss.
6 months out for Okore would be about as big a blow as I could imagine after losing Benteke.
Very, very unlucky though Lambert so far this season. Should have got points at Chelsea, and then to lost Okore would be a horror show. Got his tactics really woefully wrong on Saturday. Frustrating times. It all looked so rosy after the Arsenal game too!
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I think it's a clear as day that our defence isn't up to it and should have had major changes, no clean sheets in 26 league games is a pretty good indicator. I know that's not solely down to the defence, but it's a major part of it. That £7 million should have been used either on the defence or an attacking midfielder, ideally we should have paid out for both.
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we still need 3/4 players . He should have bought another CB , another midfielder like Barry on loan and a play maker . not a striker
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Is Baker still injured as well? If not I'd have expected him on the bench on Sat ahead of Clark as as had seemed to have moved above him in the pecking order for centre half, he's also a better left back than him too.
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Have we changed our style of play this season? I've watched the first 3 games online and went to the Newcastle game and I haven't seen us hoof it to Benteke so much. So is that under Lamberts orders for the defense to get rid quick so they don't cock up with it and get closed down like last season and cost us some really soft goals.
Okore looks a good player I think although before the injury he looked shaky. It's Vlaar and both full backs I worry about. Lowton was dreadful against Newcastle, probably Liverpool too. He is so slow and a bit of a wuss when it comes to putting in a tackle. Luna seems scared to get stuck in as well....backs off til the player gets into the box for a shot.
Ok the midfield needs to fill in gaps, Fabian does and tries his best to set up an attack...but I still don't see what Westwood offers? Backwards and side passes, doesn't tackle and doesn't score....poor mans Joe Allan?
So far we have the second worse defense and the worst form after 4 games. I have to admit my optimism has dropped but it is a marathon afterwards....
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The style of play certainly changed for the Newcastle game.
We may have lost to Liverpool and Chelsea, but at least in the former case, we dominated for 55 minutes and faced a well organised defence and in the later we were cheated.
Saturday was incredibly poor, with half the side way below par, with too many long balls, not enough width and no pentetration from the midfield.
We need to change shape and bring in the likes of Tonev at home to do something a bit different with the ball.
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News here. No real news, seems like speculation, but worrying all the same.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jores-okore-knee-scan-amid-6028516
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Okore looks like a top player, but this potential injury highlights where we may have gone wrong this summer(I stress may as I'm not judging our other signings yet). He is the only one of our signings who's obviously better than what we already had. The other signings might add competition and develop in time, but we needed players to immediately improve the first 11. That coupled with the fact that we haven't added what we desperately needed, another defender and a creative midfielder, means we're potentially in some trouble.
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I'm no medical expert, but Okore seemed to be clutching the outside of his knee which would suggest a medial collateral ligament problem; the cruciate ligaments (Posterior and Anterior) are in the centre of the knee. Although bad, just hope it's the medial ligament!
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If he'd have done his cruciate, would have been able to walk up the half-way line and back on at a light jog before walking off? I remember when Davies did it at Arsenal and he was in agony and was carried off.
I know the guy is a beast, but he's not a painless bond villain.
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I'm no medical expert, but Okore seemed to be clutching the outside of his knee which would suggest a medial collateral ligament problem; the cruciate ligaments (Posterior and Anterior) are in the centre of the knee. Although bad, just hope it's the medial ligament!
I don't think you get any pain from the ligament damage itself. The pain from a ligament injury is more likely to be from swelling or damage to the associated muscles caused by the over extension of the joint. Lets hope the injury is a muscular strain rather than ligament damage which is far harder to deal with.
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he did go back on for about two minutes
just cross our fingers I think
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If he'd have done his cruciate, would have been able to walk up the half-way line and back on at a light jog before walking off? I remember when Davies did it at Arsenal and he was in agony and was carried off.
I know the guy is a beast, but he's not a painless bond villain.
I thought Davies did his Achilles at ARsenal?
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Hope for the best. Some players go down in pain others can carry on playing for a while before they feel somethings not right. Lets hope he's OK 6-9 months out would be a nightmare for a young developing player.
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If he'd have done his cruciate, would have been able to walk up the half-way line and back on at a light jog before walking off? I remember when Davies did it at Arsenal and he was in agony and was carried off.
I know the guy is a beast, but he's not a painless bond villain.
I thought Davies did his Achilles at ARsenal?
He did. The tendon tore. When that happens, it sounds like a gun going off and all the players around him would have known.
As he felt well enough to come back onto the pitch, he's probably just strained the ligaments which would probably mean a couple of weeks out.
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been posted over on VT
'He has ruptured his ACL, as well as some other damage to the knee. Still too swollen to operate on but he is not expected to play again this season. Massive blow for us'
Obviously not verified.
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been posted over on VT
'He has ruptured his ACL, as well as some other damage to the knee. Still too swollen to operate on but he is not expected to play again this season. Massive blow for us'
Obviously not verified.
If that's true it's a complete disaster.
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Be a real shame for the lad, and a nightmare for us if it's true. When exactly are we going to have some luck with injuries? We seem cursed the last 3 or 4 years.
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I really hope that is some Bluenose shister on a wind-up....if he is really out then this is going to be another long and painful season.
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The guy posting it seems legit.
If true, it really is a kick in the bollocks for Jores and the club.
He was rapidly becoming my favourite player and I think we were all expecting him to be immense for us.
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Let's hope it's not too serious. His presence has coincided with Vlaar looking like a capable PL defender.
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Oh Christ no.
That is all we need.
Stand by for Benteke to break his leg next week
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Terrible news! The early season optimism is disappearing fast!!
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Out for 6 months I'm hearing.
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A guy on twitter was at the squads team photo today. He said Okore was 'happy' and standing up for the photo fine. Seems positive
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Hopefully well and good, we're going to need him. One of the few bright spots this season so far.
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He's even posted a photo standing next to him!
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Surely if he was out for up to 6 months he wouldn't on his feet having his photo taken today??
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When I read that Lambert had signed another centre forward as cover for Benteke my mind turned idly to the notion that perhaps Helenius was being lined up to do an Allan Evans and get remodelled as a centre back. It was, as I say an idle thought but we just cannot get through another season with Polystyrene Ron, Baker and Clark forming the backbone of our side.
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Bad news, no doubt about that. The tackle where he got injured demonstrated how good he is. He must've made up 5m on Cisse (?) who was effectively clean through.
The only silver lining I can think of is that once he's back we should know with reasonable certainty which of the other three are best suited to partner Okore. Furthermore whether any of the three need to be sold.
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Confirmed by Mat Kendrick he is out for 9 months ...
What is it with Danish CB's and Villa ..
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Collymore tweeting he's out for 9 months also
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What a sickener.
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Hmm that's a massive blow because he was looking a decent centre half and such a shame for him as well.
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that's a shit sandwich news and no mistake
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Fuck.
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bollocks.
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Horrendous news. The bloke looked to have the lot and to lose him for an entire season is terrible news.
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Oh dear.
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Bollocks. He looked real quality. Fuck fuck fuck.
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Fucking bollocks.
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Fookin hell. Well, it will be at least another 26 league games before our next clean sheet...
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Goes from bad to worse. Gutted, our best defender out for pretty much the whole season. Worried face thingy!
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Lambert is easily one of the unluckiest football managers around. This is a real fuck. Feel awful for the lad, and worry about the Villa this season now I really do. Defensively no better than last season at all without him, and with Weimann totally out of form, we are going to have a tough few months I fear.
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This is not so good. Was this our first game since the transfer window closed? That would be typical.
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What shit news,just starting to look good aswell
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Its a good job we weren't planning on keeping clean sheets this season anyway. How bloody frustrating for all concerned. I feel really gutted for the guy too.
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Awful news
http://mobile.avfc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=3460414
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Confirmed on SSN - up to 9 months out and requiring surgery
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From the OS
Following clinical examination and the results of an MRI scan, the Club can confirm that Jores Okore sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee in the game against Newcastle on Saturday.
Jores will undergo surgery in due course and he could be sidelined for a period of up to nine months.
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Has any club ever had a run of injuries like we have the last 3 or 4 years?
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ACL reconstruction, what a pisser. Good Luck Jores
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So so unlucky. Our defence is back to being completely pish this season then.
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Gutted!! What is it with us and Danish defenders.
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Gutted!! What is it with us and Danish defenders.
True, and their knees.
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With Baker being as injury prone as he is as well, it'll be interesting to see what Lambert does. Not sure if there are any out of contract defenders available but it might mean a step up for Donacien to the bench at some point.
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With Baker being as injury prone as he is as well, it'll be interesting to see what Lambert does. Not sure if there are any out of contract defenders available but it might mean a step up for Donacien to the bench at some point.
I liked what I saw of DonkeyKong in the pre-season games.
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I hope the injury doesn't seee him lose his pace.
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Fear not, PL will probably buy a forward in January to replace him.
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Fear not, PL will probably buy a forward in January to replace him.
Or another goalkeeper.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
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It would be quite difficult to overstate what a massive blow this news is. Torpedo amidships is the maritime metaphor which springs to mind.
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There goes all hope for a clean sheet this season :(
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Watch us get a clean sheet at Norwich now.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
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Watch us get a clean sheet at Norwich now.
You know what, I was just thinking the same thing.
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As if our weekend could not have got any worse! Good luck in a speedy rehabilitation Jores
Time for Clarky and Baker to step up.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
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Can only wish a swift and full recovery to one of the best defenders we have seen in the last 5 years...
On a personal note can I just say £(&^%$$>?@N*&*^%%$ with double bollocks!
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Can only wish a swift and full recovery to one of the best defenders we have seen in the last 5 years...
On a personal note can I just say £(&^%$$>?@N*&*^%%$ with double bollocks!
I think it's a bit early to refer to him as that, although I agree completely with your sentiment.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
Early days, I know, but we've already got the second worse defence in the league. It's folly to think its any better than last season. We had the whole summer to overhaul the defence yet we're still stuck with the nightmare that is Vlaar, Clark and Baker.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
He didn't play at Arsenal don't forget, so that better defending isn't all just down to him. We've conceded soft goals with him on the pitch (Chelsea's second, Newcastle's first) and while has been off it. If people like Lowton are going to have a rank game, then there isn't mcuh he can do about it all on his own.
I am not belittling the guy, I think he is a good player and a fantastic talent, but the decent form in those three games wasn't built around good defending. We're not going to defend our way to points with or without him in the side.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
Early days, I know, but we've already got the second worse defence in the league. It's folly to think its any better than last season. We had the whole summer to overhaul the defence yet we're still stuck with the nightmare that is Vlaar, Clark and Baker.
We've probably had a harder opening 4 games than anyone else as well. But you are right, conceding 8 less than the same games last season means it is as bad.
As I said it's far from where I want it to be but it has showed signs of being better than last season.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
Early days, I know, but we've already got the second worse defence in the league. It's folly to think its any better than last season. We had the whole summer to overhaul the defence yet we're still stuck with the nightmare that is Vlaar, Clark and Baker.
In mitigation, we have played three of the top six sides. Newcastle was the only piss poor performance thus far.
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Fair play to him for walking off the pitch with that injury, Good Luck Jores.
The guy must be absolute nails. He had convinced the physio that he could run it off. Lets hope he's back in training before the season is out.
It is a terrible blow for us this, but then its not like he has been propping up good form or stout defending thus far.
While our defending still has a way to go it's better than last season. Arse and Chavski away, 3 conceded, Racists and Jawdess home, 3 conceded. Total 6. In the same games last season we conceded 14.
Early days, I know, but we've already got the second worse defence in the league. It's folly to think its any better than last season. We had the whole summer to overhaul the defence yet we're still stuck with the nightmare that is Vlaar, Clark and Baker.
In mitigation, we have played three of the top six sides. Newcastle was the only piss poor performance thus far.
But we concede goals against practically every team we play, so I don't see any kind of improvement really.
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
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Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea score goals against practically everybody they play against and will do it all season, its why two of them will qualify for the Champions league, maybe even win the entire show, and the other will be top six.
We played really poorly against Newcastle and conceded two soft goals, but if you look at the number of chances we've allowed other teams to have, they're really limited. Chelsea had two attempts on goal, Liverpool had one. Granted, in the end its all they needed, but by and large, I don't think we look as fragile.
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Absolutely gutted for him and us, get well soon Jores and I hope you come back stronger and have many successful years with Villa.
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Oh, fuckity-bollocks.
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Seriously, is there like a curse on Aston Villa?
Awful, awful news.
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Post-O'Neill, since training became more than a five-a-side followed by 9-a-side, we have taken more casualties than the British Army on the first day of the Somme.
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Gutted. Now leaves us relying on Baker and Clark, and desperately hoping one of them will step up to the plate. Clarky has done well this season thus far thankfully. But Okore was looking like a very good prospect indeed. Losing his pace at the back could leave us very exposed.
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Gutted. Now leaves us relying on Baker and Clark, and desperately hoping one of them will step up to the plate. Clarky has done well this season thus far thankfully. But Okore was looking like a very good prospect indeed. Losing his pace at the back could leave us very exposed.
When Clacker came on against Arsenal I thought "bugger" but he has been fine thus far.
The problem is that both Baker is a walking concussion and Vlaar doesn't have a great injury record either.
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Absolutely gutted for him and us, get well soon Jores and I hope you come back stronger and have many successful years with Villa.
Says it all , awful news .
A really shit afternoon on Saturday just got even shitter :(
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Gutted. Now leaves us relying on Baker and Clark, and desperately hoping one of them will step up to the plate. Clarky has done well this season thus far thankfully. But Okore was looking like a very good prospect indeed. Losing his pace at the back could leave us very exposed.
When Clacker came on against Arsenal I thought "bugger" but he has been fine thus far.
The problem is that both Baker is a walking concussion and Vlaar doesn't have a great injury record either.
Exactly. And Clacker has had his problems over the years too. My only possible thought is that Donacien did look good in pre-season, but I still think its a year too early for him. I'd honestly be tempted to throw him into a league cup game, if we get a nice draw should we overcome Spurs. Either than or get the lad out on loan for a couple of months in case he's needed later on this season. I think Herd really struggles at center back.
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
No not really. It's like sayingtake 5 steps backwards then 2 steps forwards then call it progress. It isn't, and our defence so far looks just as bad as last season's.
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
No not really. It's like sayingtake 5 steps backwards then 2 steps forwards then call it progress. It isn't, and our defence so far looks just as bad as last season's.
Bollocks! Okore and Vlaar together had looked pretty assured and much more solid than last season when Vlaar played with baker or Clark.
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Clark is a better player than he was this time last year. In my opinion of course. Baker probably will be too.
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
So not getting dicked 8-0 at Chelsea is something to shout about now?
At least we're not B-lose/ Leeds/ insert your own faint praise
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
No not really. It's like sayingtake 5 steps backwards then 2 steps forwards then call it progress. It isn't, and our defence so far looks just as bad as last season's.
Bollocks! Okore and Vlaar together had looked pretty assured and much more solid than last season when Vlaar played with baker or Clark.
Yet we've conceded in every league game so far, as usual. If you think that's progress, good luck to you.
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Conceded 8 less and scored more than in the same 4 games last season and 3 points better off - yes that is progress.
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whats Gallas up to ?
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Conceded 8 less and scored more than in the same 4 games last season and 3 points better off - yes that is progress.
Oh great, we didn't get humiliated 8-0 at Chelsea again. Now that what I call progress!
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PL will need to buy or loan a defender in the January window. Really gutted for him. Get well soon Jores.
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Conceded 8 less and scored more than in the same 4 games last season and 3 points better off - yes that is progress.
Oh great, we didn't get humiliated 8-0 at Chelsea again. Now that what I call progress!
Of course it's progress. Would you have preferred us to lose by more?
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So gutted following Saturdays result and with this news to follow I am on the floor, terrible for Okore and and I wish him well, we pick ourselves up and go again.
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Conceded 8 less and scored more than in the same 4 games last season and 3 points better off - yes that is progress.
Oh great, we didn't get humiliated 8-0 at Chelsea again. Now that what I call progress!
Of course it's progress. Would you have preferred us to lose by more?
No. Would you have still called it progress if we had lost 7-0 this season?
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I think the defence has looked more solid than last season so far. We are still conceding but bearing in mind who we've played, that was always likely. Saturday was disappointing though.
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I think the defence has looked more solid than last season so far. We are still conceding but bearing in mind who we've played, that was always likely. Saturday was disappointing though.
Exactly.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
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What an unduly harsh blow. Damn and blast. None of the other 3 has a great injury record either. Anyone foresee Herd and Lowton at centre back for some midwinter fixtures?!
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Can only wish a swift and full recovery to one of the best defenders we have seen in the last 5 years...
On a personal note can I just say £(&^%$$>?@N*&*^%%$ with double bollocks!
I think it's a bit early to refer to him as that, although I agree completely with your sentiment.
True enough MB - missed out the "potentially" - my writing goes to pot when I am distressed.
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Shitsticks.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
I know how the game went, I saw it as well. I also saw us lose to Newcastle at home just like we did last season.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough. Why on earth Lambert signed 2 strikers when the defence was the number 1 priority is anyone's guess. Vlaar, Clark and Baker were an absolute horror show last season and I can't believe they're still getting games in a Villa shirt.
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What an unduly harsh blow. Damn and blast. None of the other 3 has a great injury record either. Anyone foresee Herd and Lowton at centre back for some midwinter fixtures?!
Sadly i fear our fragile defence of last winter may be repeated- okore has really impressed me and the thought of Vlaar with either baker or Clark doesn't fill me with hope.
Okore will be a huge loss.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough.
He signed Luna as well and Bacuna who can play at right back.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
I know how the game went, I saw it as well. I also saw us lose to Newcastle at home just like we did last season.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough. Why on earth Lambert signed 2 strikers when the defence was the number 1 priority is anyone's guess. Vlaar, Clark and Baker were an absolute horror show last season and I can't believe they're still getting games in a Villa shirt.
He signed a centre half and a left back - hardly neglecting the defence.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough.
He signed Luna as well and Bacuna who can play at right back.
I'm talking about centre backs.
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I hope he can come back stronger like Laursen did. And Fabian Delph.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough.
He signed Luna as well and Bacuna who can play at right back.
I'm talking about centre backs.
He had okore , Vlaar, baker, and Clark plus Lowton and herd as cover - how many central defenders would you like?
It's not lamberts fault that okore is injured - you weren't coming out with all this stuff last week - in fact on the post Chelsea match thread you were waxing lyrical about how good we were .
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Oh for fucks sake! That's terrible news for him and for the team.
We may be no better off defensively than we were last year as a result. Probably a bit, with Clark likely to be in better form and Luna possibly an upgrade on Bennett
But certainly short of numbers.
Bollocks. Poor bloke.
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It's very easy in hindsight to complain about not having enough defenders when we've just lost one for 9 months.
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Oh for fucks sake! That's terrible news for him and for the team.
We may be no better off defensively than we were last year as a result. Probably a bit, with Clark likely to be in better form and Luna possibly an upgrade on Bennett
But certainly short of numbers.
Bollocks. Poor bloke.
Luna - nah - he is good going forward - defensively no better than Bennett. Okore gonna be a massive loss.....i imagine Clarke will come in he seems to be ahead of Baker at this moment in time.
Is it our pitch to blame - with all these long term injuries we get what % of them happen on our pitch....i ain't got a clue but we seem to get more than other clubs!!
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough.
He signed Luna as well and Bacuna who can play at right back.
I'm talking about centre backs.
He had okore , Vlaar, baker, and Clark plus Lowton and herd as cover - how many central defenders would you like?
It's not lamberts fault that okore is injured - you weren't coming out with all this stuff last week - in fact on the post Chelsea match thread you were waxing lyrical about how good we were .
A couple of decent centre backs would be nice. I shudder when I see Clark, Baker and even Vlaar's name on the team sheet. Yes we played well at Arsenal and Chelsea, but sadly the next 2 games saw the Villa of last season, and last season's Villa were downright awful. You must be very easily pleased if you are happy with our defence.
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Not at all. We narrowly lost 2-1 and could (should) quite easily have drawn if a red card had been given to their second goal-scorer for the forearm smash on Benteke and/or Terry had been penalised for his blatant hand-ball.
My point is that Lambert neglected to strengthen the defence adequately. Okore looks decent but just one new recruit just wasn't enough.
He signed Luna as well and Bacuna who can play at right back.
I'm talking about centre backs.
He had okore , Vlaar, baker, and Clark plus Lowton and herd as cover - how many central defenders would you like?
It's not lamberts fault that okore is injured - you weren't coming out with all this stuff last week - in fact on the post Chelsea match thread you were waxing lyrical about how good we were .
A couple of decent centre backs would be nice. I shudder when I see Clark, Baker and even Vlaar's name on the team sheet. Yes we played well at Arsenal and Chelsea, but sadly the next 2 games saw the Villa of last season, and last season's Villa were downright awful. You must be very easily pleased if you are happy with our defence.
If I'm honest, it's Clark who makes me shit bricks.
The other two are fine, but he's got to get Sylla back into midfield, he covered the back line superbly at the back end of the season.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
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Another poster summed it up for me two days ago when he wrote that Lambert is a rookie manager learning the job at the top level. My sentiments exactly. Lambert shows flashes of brilliance with things like his activity early in the transfer window but they have to be set against what appears to be total denial that we have a defence problem and that we have a shocking and unaddressed home record. I cannot work out his substitution tactics and things like bringing on Tonev in the 87th minute against Newcastle are at best bizarre and at worst stupid.
This disaster which has befallen poor Jores leaves me convinced that the season ahead will be more of the same namely unexpected wins here and there (almost certainly away) and the embedded inability to put back to back victories together.
I am no more depressed than I have been for some years now but I had hoped for more and I should not have been so foolish.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
And I'm arguing that Clark and Baker are not PL class and shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. And Vlaar is very lucky to be still at our club.
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It's like people who are complaining that he went out and signed two strikers. If he'd just brought Helanius in and Benteke picks up a lengthy injury, then it would be 'he should have brought in someone else with more experience because Helanius is unproven'.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
And I'm arguing that Clark and Baker are not PL class and shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. And Vlaar is very lucky to be still at our club.
Players aren't born 'Premiership players'. They can develop into them if you let them.
And Baker and Vlaar are better than you're giving them credit for, in my opinion.
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It's like people who are complaining that he went out and signed two strikers. If he'd just brought Helanius in and Benteke picks up a lengthy injury, then it would be 'he should have brought in someone else with more experience because Helanius is unproven'.
But we have Agbonlahor, Weimann and Helainius already at the club, yet he thought it a good idea to sign yet another striker for £7m. I'd say the priority would have been a centre back or midfielder.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
And I'm arguing that Clark and Baker are not PL class and shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. And Vlaar is very lucky to be still at our club.
Players aren't born 'Premiership players'. They can develop into them if you let them.
And Baker and Vlaar are better than you're giving them credit for, in my opinion.
It's all about opinions of course but 26 games without a clean sheet tells us everything you need to know about our centre backs in reality.
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It's like people who are complaining that he went out and signed two strikers. If he'd just brought Helanius in and Benteke picks up a lengthy injury, then it would be 'he should have brought in someone else with more experience because Helanius is unproven'.
But we have Agbonlahor, Weimann and Helainius already at the club, yet he thought it a good idea to sign yet another striker for £7m. I'd say the priority would have been a centre back or midfielder.
I agree with that.
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It's like people who are complaining that he went out and signed two strikers. If he'd just brought Helanius in and Benteke picks up a lengthy injury, then it would be 'he should have brought in someone else with more experience because Helanius is unproven'.
But we have Agbonlahor, Weimann and Helainius already at the club, yet he thought it a good idea to sign yet another striker for £7m. I'd say the priority would have been a centre back or midfielder.
I think personally another wide midfielder would have been a good idea but he's been chasing this Kozak for a while so let's how he does.
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It would be quite difficult to overstate what a massive blow this news is. Torpedo amidships is the maritime metaphor which springs to mind.
Indeed. It wouldn't be so bad if we trusted Lambert to sort the defence out but I just can't see it happening. We're in for a very rough time until January and even then he may not be able to bring in the quality needed.
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This is probably, Benteke apart, the one player whose absence would hurt the most.
Unless Vlaar, Baker and Clark have miraculously turned into competent defenders then we're in a spot of bother until January at the least (although Lambert is probably looking all over Europe for another target man)
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
And I'm arguing that Clark and Baker are not PL class and shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. And Vlaar is very lucky to be still at our club.
Players aren't born 'Premiership players'. They can develop into them if you let them.
And Baker and Vlaar are better than you're giving them credit for, in my opinion.
It's all about opinions of course but 26 games without a clean sheet tells us everything you need to know about our centre backs in reality.
It's not just them though, the team had to defend better as a whole. I thought they were once Sylla got going, so I'm a bit baffled as to why he hasn't played yet.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
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Sickening news.
Didn't have him over the end of last season though, or for all the games so far. Clark is better IMO than he gets credit for.
Perhaps Sylla and young Gardner can return to beef up midfield, as well.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Come on he might not have been brilliant but "lucky to be still at the club"? It makes it sound like he's got some disciplinary issues which he hasn't. Anyway we sure as hell need him now.
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Lee had it right the first time he said it. Its not just the midfield that needs Sylla, its the back four. If you have somebody who is physically dominating and quick screening you, winning the ball 15 to 20 yards higher up the pitch it gives you a better chance. It also gives Delph more licence to bomb on.
Like Lee, I think we need him in and we will see him back at Carrow Road.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Give it a rest, 1 season in a new league where he did ok in the main (he put in 3-4 really poor performances but was competent the rest of the time), there are worse defenders than him who've been given a hell of a lot more time to settle.
I'm not really sure what you're problem is, every time things aren't going well your post rates increases massively whilst you glorify in calling as many of the squad as you can completely shit.
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Perhaps Bowery could be converted to a centre half? Clutching at straws I know but it worked with Allan Evans and Dick Edwards and Dion Dublin.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Come on he might not have been brilliant but "lucky to be still at the club"? It makes it sound like he's got some disciplinary issues which he hasn't. Anyway we sure as hell need him now.
Disciplinary issues? I've never suggested anything of the sort. Yes we need him now, I agree with you on that. He's still damn lucky to be still at our club though. He's been an incredible disappointment since he signed. Concrete Ron, my arse.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Give it a rest, 1 season in a new league where he did ok in the main (he put in 3-4 really poor performances but was competent the rest of the time), there are worse defenders than him who've been given a hell of a lot more time to settle.
I'm not really sure what you're problem is, every time things aren't going well your post rates increases massively whilst you glorify in calling as many of the squad as you can completely shit.
Let's not make things personal, eh? When I post has nothing to do with anything and its no business of yours either. I've been posting on here since 2000 through good and bad times. I don't need to justify anything to you.
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I didnt say i was happy with our defence , i argued the point that we have looked better with okore in defence and had improved and made progress .
And I'm arguing that Clark and Baker are not PL class and shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. And Vlaar is very lucky to be still at our club.
Players aren't born 'Premiership players'. They can develop into them if you let them.
And Baker and Vlaar are better than you're giving them credit for, in my opinion.
It's all about opinions of course but 26 games without a clean sheet tells us everything you need to know about our centre backs in reality.
It's not just them though, the team had to defend better as a whole. I thought they were once Sylla got going, so I'm a bit baffled as to why he hasn't played yet.
Same here. We need some protection for the CBs and Sylla's the only one who can provide it at the moment.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Give it a rest, 1 season in a new league where he did ok in the main (he put in 3-4 really poor performances but was competent the rest of the time), there are worse defenders than him who've been given a hell of a lot more time to settle.
I'm not really sure what you're problem is, every time things aren't going well your post rates increases massively whilst you glorify in calling as many of the squad as you can completely shit.
Let's not make things personnel, eh? When I post has nothing to do with anything and its no business of yours either. I've been posting on here since 2000 through good and bad times. I don't need to justify anything to you.
Let's also not fall out.
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So you really don't think conceding 8 less isn't an improvement?
So not getting dicked 8-0 at Chelsea is something to shout about now?
At least we're not B-lose/ Leeds/ insert your own faint praise
Is that what I said? If anyone is daft enough not to think that conceding 8 less than we did in the corresponding fixtures last season isn't an improvement then it's a bit hard to have a logical debate with them.
Every single bit of logic dictates that getting more points, scoring more goals and conceding less is a sign that there has been an improvement.
Same as scoring less, getting less points and conceding more would show that we are worse. It's hardly rocket science.
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In the last January window we were faced with the same problem. Our defence was shipping goals by the bucketful and we had a troublemaker and a hospital patient as our principal centre backs. Groundhog Day has rolled around again and here we are without adequate defensive cover.
I remember watching the Cup of Nations and all the young, big, athletic, african central defenders and thinking that there must be available players out there to do a job for us.
At times like this those on the Villa payroll scouting for talent have to get their arses in gear and find an unattached central defender or preferably two.
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Fear not, PL will probably buy a forward in January to replace him.
Or another goalkeeper.
Cynicism is not appropriate just now.
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You never know that through this crises we find a golden nugget in young Donacien.
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We're not conceding goals by the bucket load.
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And while I am stating that we showed signs of improvement I will repeat yet again, there is still a way to go before I am satisfied with our defence. Sylla in MF would be a start as he provides more cover for the back line.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
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I guess if your starting point is so low, and you are desperate to latch on to any sort of crumb of comfort then, aye, not getting beaten 8-0 represents improvement. If you can honestly look at that defence and think it looks more secure than last season then good luck to you.
Yes, Chelsea and even Newcastle have the ability and individual talent to score at least two goals against most sides in this division. They won't do that in every game, but the way we play increases the likelyhood that it will occur against us.
If we continue to ship an average of two goals per game or our defensive record this campaign mirrors the last one, we'll be in the shit again.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
I think Vlaar IS very lucky to be still at the club considering how poor he was last season.
Give it a rest, 1 season in a new league where he did ok in the main (he put in 3-4 really poor performances but was competent the rest of the time), there are worse defenders than him who've been given a hell of a lot more time to settle.
I'm not really sure what you're problem is, every time things aren't going well your post rates increases massively whilst you glorify in calling as many of the squad as you can completely shit.
Let's not make things personal, eh? When I post has nothing to do with anything and its no business of yours either. I've been posting on here since 2000 through good and bad times. I don't need to justify anything to you.
Of course it's business of mine, and everyone else on here as soon as you've posted it. I apologise for the 2nd paragraph but I've seen a hell of a lot of posts from you in the last 3 days and I don't recall seeing anything remotely positive in them which is an attitude I just can't understand. As for how long you've been posting on here or needing to justify things I don't really see any relevance to either of those comments, I'm not asking you to justify anything to me and I've been a member of the site for just as long as you have (in it's various formats).
This particular post from you pushed me over the edge because it's just silly, in no way is Vlaar lucky to be at the club still, he had a couple of poor games, as did alomst everyone but he certainly wasn't poor enough that we should've been dumping him this summer. Yes the defence is a worry, of course it is, but that's not solved by buying a new one every window until it clicks, Vlaar did enough to have a 2nd season, Baker and Clark both did enough to stay around the squad, but probably shouldn't have been starting regularly, and wouldn't have been but for some terrible misfortune for Okore.
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I guess if your starting point is so low, and you are desperate to latch on to any sort of crumb of comfort then, aye, not getting beaten 8-0 represents improvement. If you can honestly look at that defence and think it looks more secure than last season then good luck to you.
Yes, Chelsea and even Newcastle have the ability and individual talent to score at least two goals against most sides in this division. They won't do that in every game, but the way we play increases the likelyhood that it will occur against us.
If we continue to ship an average of two goals per game or our defensive record this campaign mirrors the last one, we'll be in the shit again.
My starting point isn't low, it is you assuming that. We aren't conceding 2 a game. We aren't mirroring last season. Hence, yet again, more goals, more points, less conceded. Otherwise, good post ;)
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I guess if your starting point is so low, and you are desperate to latch on to any sort of crumb of comfort then, aye, not getting beaten 8-0 represents improvement. If you can honestly look at that defence and think it looks more secure than last season then good luck to you.
It might not look more secure but it looks a bit more organised. I think back to the first game down at Arsenal and the number of chances they had, Rosicky in particular. A year ago we'd have lost that. We defended bloody well that day and Arsenal haven't lost a game since.
There was a lot of praise on here for us after the Chelsea game. It was a massive improvement after last season's debacle down there but I guess there's just no pleasing some people.
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Really, I'm gutted for the person as much as the player. He seems such a pleasant young man and a very promising talent. He will be devastated by this. I wish him nothing but the best on his recovery. We'll need to get by without him and as galling is might appear every other player will need to step up and be counted.
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Really, I'm gutted for the person as much as the player. He seems such a pleasant young man and a very promising talent. He will be devastated by this. I wish him nothing but the best on his recovery. We'll need to get by without him and as galling is might appear every other player will need to step up and be counted.
I'd like to applaud this post and echo the sentiment. Get well soon, Jores.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
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Really, I'm gutted for the person as much as the player. He seems such a pleasant young man and a very promising talent. He will be devastated by this. I wish him nothing but the best on his recovery. We'll need to get by without him and as galling is might appear every other player will need to step up and be counted.
I'd like to applaud this post and echo the sentiment. Get well soon, Jores.
Too right.
Great chance for either Clark or Baker to step up. They've both played well, maybe even exceptionally well on brief occasions last year, and most their mistakes are arguably borne from inexperience. If this thread is anything to go by, I'm probably on my own here, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they get on. I think one of them will overtake Vlaar as Okore's partner for next season.
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I reckon it's time to go 5 at the back with Sylla in there.
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I reckon it's time to go 5 at the back with Sylla in there.
You are John Gregory and I claim my £5.
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I think we should play 8 defenders in the team just to make sure our defence improves.
And before you say it PWS, no I'm not Alex McLeish. ;)
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I think we should play 8 defenders in the team just to make sure our defence improves.
And before you say it PWS, no I'm not Alex McLeish. ;)
Arf!
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I think we should play 8 defenders in the team just to make sure our defence improves.
And before you say it PWS, no I'm not Alex McLeish. ;)
Arf!
Whats even funnier is that McLeish had the gift to be able to play 7-8 defenders in a game and still concede piss poor goals.
Okay maybe that's not funny...in fact I still have nightmares about it...
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I reckon it's time to go 5 at the back with Sylla in there.
You are John Gregory and I claim my £5.
It's got to be worth a try,lets face it the full backs are better going forward than defending.
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Fuck me. We really do have no luck whatsoever do we. What the hell have we done to piss off fate so badly?
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I think we should play 8 defenders in the team just to make sure our defence improves.
And before you say it PWS, no I'm not Alex McLeish. ;)
Arf!
Whats even funnier is that McLeish had the gift to be able to play 7-8 defenders in a game and still concede piss poor goals.
Okay maybe that's not funny...in fact I still have nightmares about it...
Benteke could be the ball playing dominant defender we are crying out for.......
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
You think it has legs?
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
You think it has legs?
It does. Shame about the knees though.
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I think we should play 8 defenders in the team just to make sure our defence improves.
And before you say it PWS, no I'm not Alex McLeish. ;)
Arf!
Whats even funnier is that McLeish had the gift to be able to play 7-8 defenders in a game and still concede piss poor goals.
Okay maybe that's not funny...in fact I still have nightmares about it...
Benteke could be the ball playing dominant defender we are crying out for.......
Maybe we can clone him and have 11 Benteke's on the pitch. I'd settle for nine Bentekes with Guzan and Delph keeping their starting spots.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
If they did the rowing surely they'd be over here, not in Denmark?
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
You think it has legs?
It does. Shame about the knees though.
Quality from a man called 'shin'.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
If they did the rowing surely they'd be over here, not in Denmark?
We'll maybe they rowed all the way to the Ivory Coast. That would explain how we could link it back to Jores, as he was born and raised there until he was 3.
And that would leave your knees bollocksed.
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Gutted about this, what is it with Danish defenders joining the Villa and getting a bad knee injury.
Possibly a Viking thing. All those years, sitting rowing, could have compromised their knees genetically, over time.
Granted, there are not many historical accounts of fierce horned helmeted raiders leaping on to the beach and hobbling up the promenade, but still.
Just a theory.
I like the theory. I like it a lot.
If they did the rowing surely they'd be over here, not in Denmark?
We'll maybe they rowed all the way to the Ivory Coast. That would explain how we could link it back to Jores, as he was born and raised there until he was 3.
And that would leave your knees bollocksed.
Either way, it's knackered the knees, I agree. My theory is looking good.
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ShitBuggerArseholeCackBumFart!
4 games, 1 win, 3 hard luck stories.
Bollux!
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ShitBuggerArseholeCackBumFart!
4 games, 1 win, 3 hard luck stories.
Bollux!
Probably what the Vikings said when they got back home to the Ivory Coast.
And the response.
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FFS. Here we go again.
The path of Aston Villa seems perpetually strewn with cow pats from the devil's own satanic herd.
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How do AC Ligaments go anyway? If it was a nothing challenge then does it suggest that our old habit of doing crap medicals has returned again? Just curious if it is something that can suddenly happen.
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We know Okore had MRI's as he fell asleep during them. The MRI would have shown up anything if he had a problem before he signed. If I remember correctly, he slid in so I assume his leg must have got stuck somehow, possibly under himself.
Ironically I was talking to a lad this morning who tore his ACL in April whilst playing football. He wasn't put in a cast at any point and was just on crutches for the first couple of weeks. He's not playing football yet but he's got an appointment coming up where he's expecting to be given the all-clear. A professional footballer will get more attention than someone like him so 9 months seems rather excessive for a ACL. PCL's (Posterior Cruciate Ligaments) are normally that sort of timescale.
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I've just had a look at possible free agents we can get in:
Anton Ferdinand, William Gallas, Titus Bramble...
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More likely to see Donacien promoted.
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FFS. Here we go again.
The path of Aston Villa seems perpetually strewn with cow pats from the devil's own satanic herd.
Recognise this. Quote from that famous Viking, Leif Eriksson.
Not the explorer but the rancher on the 'High Chaparral', BBC 1967 - 71. God, these Vikings get around.
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Gallas would not be the worst option in the world on a 12 month deal. Experience, leader and actually a decent defender. Might even organise Vlaar a bit.
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Vlaar IS a competent defender.
next to Okore , yes .
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This is exactly why I thought we should have signed another centre half (and a playmaker). Sorry, none of our other options are particularly convincing. What shocking luck.
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I have it on good authority that problem is due to overeating of streaky Danish bacon and drinking Carlsberg. This combination results in probably the most vulnerable knees in the world!
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I have it on good authority that problem is due to overeating of streaky Danish bacon and drinking Carlsberg. This combination results in probably the most vulnerable knees in the world!
'Well dodgy' is the clinical diagnosis, and you should know, Olaf.
Respect.
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What rubbish news.
Some bloke sitting near me was giving Okore loads of abuse when he went down - "Oh, get up you wuss" etc, etc. I hope he feels suitably ashamed now.
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In Sweden we have corrected the problem of course by not drinking Carlsberg. Kopperberg is so much better along with a tin of surströmming for knee conditioning!
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In Sweden we have corrected the problem of course by not drinking Carlsberg. Kopperberg is so much better along with a tin of surströmming for knee conditioning!
Always the treatment of choice in Castle Brom as well. Just hope young Okore isn't too far from The Green.
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Really bad news and terrible timing seeing as we can't bring any more players in on permanent and loan deals until January. Back four looking a bit weak again now and I would be looking at CBs who are currently out of contract and could be offered a contract until the end of the season.
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I have it on good authority that problem is due to overeating of streaky Danish bacon and drinking Carlsberg. This combination results in probably the most vulnerable knees in the world!
Stepping barefoot on Lego doesn't help either.
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gutted, really looking forward to seeing him this year. Bloody bad luck. Part of me thought he was rushed into the team after his pre-season, although its unfair to blame that injury on Lambert.
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Gallas would be ok on a temporary basis, particularly with the other CB's injury records Definitely need 'experienced' cover.
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I think we should do what it takes to get Gallas in, I'd feel much more confident with him in the side.
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The only luck we have is bad.
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Feel really sorry for the lad, and for the club.
Are Denmark likely to qualify for the world cup finals ?
If so, I guess this will bollock up any chances of him going there as well?
Here's wishing Jores a speedy recovery.
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Feel really sorry for the lad, and for the club.
Are Denmark likely to qualify for the world cup finals ?
If so, I guess this will bollock up any chances of him going there as well?
Here's wishing Jores a speedy recovery.
Echo those thoughts. At best he would get back in about 6/7 months, but more likely he'll be fit by mid-June 14.
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Really, I'm gutted for the person as much as the player. He seems such a pleasant young man and a very promising talent. He will be devastated by this. I wish him nothing but the best on his recovery. We'll need to get by without him and as galling is might appear every other player will need to step up and be counted.
Well said Toronto. Good luck with the recovery Jores.
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
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In the words of the old blues song: if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no luck at all.
From a selfish point of view, it's devastating for the team and starts sowing the seeds of doubt that we may not have such a good season as much of the media is predicting. From a human point of view - it's equally devastating for a 21-year-old young man, making his impressive way in the game, to go to a new country, a new culture, a new club, and then to be struck down like this. I know footballers are pampered and overpaid, but this is a cruel blow and must also be a long-term worry for him as well. I wish him all the best for a speedy return.
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
No, Ads, he can't do that. But they are highly trained sports doctors, not magic-sponge merchants these days. Like I said, I'm not looking to have a go but if it's a cruciate I'd expect the doctor to know the signs and err on the side of caution.
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Get well soon Jores, we know you are going to be a key player in years to come and you will have the support of the whole Villa family behind you in the meantime
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
No, Ads, he can't do that. But they are highly trained sports doctors, not magic-sponge merchants these days. Like I said, I'm not looking to have a go but if it's a cruciate I'd expect the doctor to know the signs and err on the side of caution.
Given the injury that's reported the simple answer is no it won't have had any effect for him to carry on for a few minutes, it definitely won't have changed it from a few weeks out to the 6-9months we're looking at. Someone mentioned before it's actually not that painful when you do it (the swelling you get is sore but it's only uncomfortable). The swelling actually masks the injury somewhat, as it goes down you realise more that you've done something more serious, it took me 5 days (I think, it was 16 years ago) to go to the hospital because of that.
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
No, Ads, he can't do that. But they are highly trained sports doctors, not magic-sponge merchants these days. Like I said, I'm not looking to have a go but if it's a cruciate I'd expect the doctor to know the signs and err on the side of caution.
Given the injury that's reported the simple answer is no it won't have had any effect for him to carry on for a few minutes, it definitely won't have changed it from a few weeks out to the 6-9months we're looking at. Someone mentioned before it's actually not that painful when you do it (the swelling you get is sore but it's only uncomfortable). The swelling actually masks the injury somewhat, as it goes down you realise more that you've done something more serious, it took me 5 days (I think, it was 16 years ago) to go to the hospital because of that.
Fair enough then. It's a real shame for the kid, hope he comes back the same player.
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Nasty injury for the lad and a big blow for the team.
Get better soon Jores, we sort of need you you know.
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
They need to buy one of these from eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Star-Trek-Mark-X-Medical-Science-Tricorder-electronics-Optional-Hand-Scanner-/261170571934)
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Please stop suggesting we sign Gallas. It'll never happen and also, he's not very good.
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I don't think the knee necessarily gives way completely straight away. I seem to remember Gazza playing on in the cup final. Not for long though, admittedly.
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This is exactly why I thought we should have signed another centre half (and a playmaker). Sorry, none of our other options are particularly convincing. What shocking luck.
Said the same myself. I was actually dumbfounded that after last years struggles, that we would still be in a position where Ciaran Clark is first choice CB. Baker is better for me, but is more injury prone. I was hoping that Okore would develop into the real deal and shore us up.
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Same here, I was convinced another experienced defender would have been signed, ah well.
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I can'#t think of any decent centre-halves that are available, but how about Chris Baird as general defensive cover ?
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My biggest reason for going for Gallas would be the fragility of Vlaar and Baker. Either, or both are injury concerns. Getting another in would be wise IMO.
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My biggest reason for going for Gallas would be the fragility of Vlaar and Baker. Either, or both are injury concerns. Getting another in would be wise IMO.
The problem though at 36 Gallas might well pick up his fair share of injuries as well. I agree though, another centre half coming in would be the sensible thing to do.
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Terrible news about Okore no question he will be badly missed. Maybe someone has already mentioned it but he wasn't actually playing in the one game we've won so far this season. So maybe the other guys aren't as crap as some are making out?
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One thing that just occurred to me, didn't he try and 'run it off' on Saturday? Not looking for a stick to beat the club with here, but couldn't that have made things worse?
The physio cannot run on with an MRI scanner can he? If the guy is such a beast that he thinks he can run it off and tells the physio to give him five, then what is he supposed to do?
No, Ads, he can't do that. But they are highly trained sports doctors, not magic-sponge merchants these days. Like I said, I'm not looking to have a go but if it's a cruciate I'd expect the doctor to know the signs and err on the side of caution.
Given the injury that's reported the simple answer is no it won't have had any effect for him to carry on for a few minutes, it definitely won't have changed it from a few weeks out to the 6-9months we're looking at. Someone mentioned before it's actually not that painful when you do it (the swelling you get is sore but it's only uncomfortable). The swelling actually masks the injury somewhat, as it goes down you realise more that you've done something more serious, it took me 5 days (I think, it was 16 years ago) to go to the hospital because of that.
He looked in a lot of pain when it happened. He immediately clutched his knee and did that spinny-finger substitution sign above his head while lying on the floor. At that point I thought he might have done his cruciates but when he came back on after a dab of the magic sponge I thought it may not have been so bad. However he managed to run from the sideline to the centre circle, pass the ball to Vlaar, and then crumpled down in a heap again. Not good.
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My biggest reason for going for Gallas would be the fragility of Vlaar and Baker. Either, or both are injury concerns. Getting another in would be wise IMO.
The problem though at 36 Gallas might well pick up his fair share of injuries as well. I agree though, another centre half coming in would be the sensible thing to do.
Big American lad Onewenyi? is it? Is a free agent training with Metz to keep fit. Had knee issues in the past at Milan, but is just looking for a game now.
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Can we actually bring anyone else in, even free agents? Isn't the 25-man squad full...?
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Can we actually bring anyone else in, even free agents? Isn't the 25-man squad full...?
If Given was sent out on loan, that would free up a spot.
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The curse of the new signing. It keeps happening, year after year.
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It's a big blow he will be out for a long time get well soon Jores.
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Can we actually bring anyone else in, even free agents? Isn't the 25-man squad full...?
If Given was sent out on loan, that would free up a spot.
Once the squad is registered i thought nobody could be added until the next transfer window?
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There would have to be special dispensation for free signings otherwise it would be contravening EU law i.e. restraint of trade.
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There would have to be special dispensation for free signings otherwise it would be contravening EU law i.e. restraint of trade.
I doubt lambert would look at gallas but more likely some European defender free agent who we have no knowledge of .
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Desperate, desperate news
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My biggest reason for going for Gallas would be the fragility of Vlaar and Baker. Either, or both are injury concerns. Getting another in would be wise IMO.
I fel during the summer we were one CB light, a Calderwood or Ronny Johnsen type who wouldn't cost the earth but who would bring invaluable experience.
I suppose with four already on the books, there was a reasonable argument that we had enough. But with question marks ovr three of them, a bit of extra security in that regard wouldn't have gone amiss.
Not sure about Gallas, but we probably do need to look at the out of contract marke now. And there isn't a huge amount out there. He might be the best of a limited pool of talent.
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Lambert doesn't do experience. He goes for youth, potential and value for money.
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Lambert doesn't do experience. He goes for youth, potential and value for money.
Quite. Cheap, old and good players are as rare as rocking horse shit.
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Gallas don't convince me either, injury prone himself and a bit of a mercenary.
Any other centre halfs out of work?
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Get well soon Jores.
I was genuinely excited by his first few performances for us.
He looked the classiest and most assured centre back we have had since God himself.
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Mellberg? Laursen?
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Mellberg & Laursen were both superb for us, no doubt but there was definitely something I saw in Okores few appearances that reminded me of McGrath.
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Was Alpay cultured?
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Mellberg & Laursen were both superb for us, no doubt but there was definitely something I saw in Okores few appearances that reminded me of McGrath.
Maybe the Irish/Ivorian connection rather than the Vikings.
Perhaps Jores' knee was knackered by an over enthusiastic rendition of 'Riverdance' in the canteen during lunchtime at Bodymoor Heath. Exacerbated by a huge helping of spuds.
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Are you on craic?
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Mellberg & Laursen were both superb for us, no doubt but there was definitely something I saw in Okores few appearances that reminded me of McGrath.
Maybe the Irish/Ivorian connection rather than the Vikings.
Perhaps Jores' knee was knackered by an over enthusiastic rendition of 'Riverdance' in the canteen during lunchtime at Bodymoor Heath. Exacerbated by a huge helping of spuds.
Excellent ;D
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He held out till Saturday but then the extra pressure in defence took its toll.
There's a gap in the chorus line for a CB with nifty footwork in the West End or Broadway whenever he's ready.
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Are you on craic?
Excellent!
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Further bad news for Jores, that puts even his injury into perspective.
Famous footballers friend killed in stabbing (http://www.dr.dk/sporten/Fodbold/2013/09/24/090752)
The 18 year old man killed in a stabbing incident on Monday afternoon was a friend of international footballer Jores Okore.
The footballer wrote on Twitter,
" Just got the sad news about a friend of mine... R.I.P. My brother! U in a better place now..."
19 year old arrested
Køres Okore's 18 year old friend was stabbed in the chest with a knife by Forum Metro Station I. Copenhagen. A friend drove the victim to the national hospital, where he was immediately transferred to an operating theatre, but a few hours later, doctors were forced to give up.
According to murder detective Jens Møller, a 19 year old man rang to police om Monday evening saying that he had done something stupid.
"He rang to us shortly before 7 o'clock and said he had been involved with the stabbing," the murder detective said.
The 19 year old year old appeared before magistrates on Thursday afternoon, where he was charged with manslaughter.
According to Ritzau, (Danish news agency - equivalent of Reuters) he pleaded not guilty.
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Sooooooo he has played 30 mins for Denmark and 90 mins for Denmark U21 in the last few days. Excellent news that he came through unscathed and we now have 3 decent CB's to choose from going forward. Plus with Vlaar/Senderos in good form we don't need to panic and rush him back in.
Big thumbs up from me!
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im wondering , who will play more games for us, J O or JOE cole.
and to liken him to Paul Mcgrath, and his hardly kicked a ball for us, is high praise indeed.
I reserve judgement.
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I hope he sticks with those 2 for now. Let's be honest Okore is likely to have to come in for vlaar at some stage so it would be good to help senderos carry on his form and get Okore eased back in slowly.
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Good news, hopefully we won't have Baker on the bench soon.
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Vlaar is an injury doubt so we could see him sooner rather than later
If rather vlaar were fit for the next run of games though
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It would be nice to have him on the bench in preference to Baker or Clark, but the Vlaar/Senderos partnership needs to be kept together if Vlaar is fit as they have looked a good combination.
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Will Okore ever be fit to play ?
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Will Okore ever be fit to play ?
He's been on the bench during the last few games, so i would say yes.
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On the bench for Liverpool when Baker shined, & also on the bench for the Arse when Clark came in. Poor bloke will be getting a complex.
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Will Okore ever be fit to play ?
I thought he played a couple of internationals in the last few weeks.
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Might be reading too much into it, but for those who got a match programme on Saturday, look at the expression on his face in the team picture in the middle spread. >:(
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He's only really been fit the last couple of weeks hasn't he? Perhaps Lambert just didn't want to chuck him in against Liverpool or Arsenal. I suspect he'll be similarly inclined for the next couple of games. Whilst we may not particularly rate Baker and Clark, both have played over 50 games at this level which gives them an experience advantage on Jores, if not a talent one.
His time will come though. He's had his most memorable game ever against Chelsea, for his previous club, so I dunno, that may be in Lamberts thoughts and he may be tempted to put him in, but I doubt it. If Baker still isn't fit though, can Lambo really stick with Clark after such a poor showing?
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He's only really been fit the last couple of weeks hasn't he? Perhaps Lambert just didn't want to chuck him in against Liverpool or Arsenal. I suspect he'll be similarly inclined for the next couple of games. Whilst we may not particularly rate Baker and Clark, both have played over 50 games at this level which gives them an experience advantage on Jores, if not a talent one.
His time will come though. He's had his most memorable game ever against Chelsea, for his previous club, so I dunno, that may be in Lamberts thoughts and he may be tempted to put him in, but I doubt it. If Baker still isn't fit though, can Lambo really stick with Clark after such a poor showing?
He came on for us down there to replace Clark last season didn't he? My memory might be playing tricks but I seem to remember he had a solid game.
I'm looking forward to him getting his chance again.
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His time will come though. He's had his most memorable game ever against Chelsea, for his previous club, so I dunno, that may be in Lamberts thoughts and he may be tempted to put him in, but I doubt it. If Baker still isn't fit though, can Lambo really stick with Clark after such a poor showing?
Suppose it depends on what extent Clark may also have been affected by this virus.
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He's only really been fit the last couple of weeks hasn't he? Perhaps Lambert just didn't want to chuck him in against Liverpool or Arsenal. I suspect he'll be similarly inclined for the next couple of games. Whilst we may not particularly rate Baker and Clark, both have played over 50 games at this level which gives them an experience advantage on Jores, if not a talent one.
His time will come though. He's had his most memorable game ever against Chelsea, for his previous club, so I dunno, that may be in Lamberts thoughts and he may be tempted to put him in, but I doubt it. If Baker still isn't fit though, can Lambo really stick with Clark after such a poor showing?
He came on for us down there to replace Clark last season didn't he? My memory might be playing tricks but I seem to remember he had a solid game.
I'm looking forward to him getting his chance again.
Yeah I think he did last season and looked good, and then of course there was that Champions League tie for his old club against Chelsea where he had the game of his life. If he likes playing Chelsea, then we could put him in. That is unless Vlaar is fit.
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His time will come though. He's had his most memorable game ever against Chelsea, for his previous club, so I dunno, that may be in Lamberts thoughts and he may be tempted to put him in, but I doubt it. If Baker still isn't fit though, can Lambo really stick with Clark after such a poor showing?
Suppose it depends on what extent Clark may also have been affected by this virus.
Yeah, there's that I suppose.
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Clarke was due to visit a local school yesterday and pulled out through injury /illness, if it wasn't that he just didn't fancy it then perhaps Okore will get his chance on Saturday.
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I really hope he gets his chance soon.
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I think it is just about giving him time. He had one of the worst injuries in the game, and I think the club not rushing him is probably going to be good for him in time, both fitness and confidence wise.
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Clarke was due to visit a local school yesterday
Hopefully it was one of those soccer skills schools.
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Guffaws.
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Clarke was due to visit a local school yesterday
Hopefully it was one of those soccer skills schools.
Particular focus on "defending 101"
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Has okore played a full 90 mins for us yet ?
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Has okore played a full 90 mins for us yet ?
Yes.
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He needs to play, he is much better than eeither Clarke or Baker
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who is Jore Okore?
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who is Jore Okore?
Ivo Stas MK II
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who is Jore Okore?
Ivo Stas MK II
Unfunny as well as miserable.
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As well as incomparable.
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I thought it was hilarious.
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who is Jore Okore?
Ivo Stas MK II
I was wondering...
What is your take on Jermain Beckford?
Serious question.
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Not even in the squad today. What's going on with the lad?
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This is becoming a real concern.
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It would be interesting to know. It might be something unrelated to his recovery i.e. he might have caught that bug late.
I think many people are expecting Clark to go out on loan once Vlaar's fit again but maybe it will be Okore, to get him some match practice.
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I'm hoping it's because of the bug, because it's becoming a worry now and I'd like to see him in the side.
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He was at the game today in the seats behind the bench.
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He was at the game today in the seats behind the bench.
Yes he was...and if he was suffering from some after effects of bug he wouldn't have been.
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Well from the very little I've seen of him, he's better than Clark and Baker so I don't get it.
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I think the Helenius thing demonstrates why we need to be careful drawing conclusions over why a player is or is not in the team. I doubt its anywhere near as drastic as a bacterial infection, depression and a sleeping pill addiction, but the manager and coaching staff see a lot more of him than we do and there will be a good reason for his non-inclusion.
I'm sure he'll get his chance.
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I know they've done pretty well up to know but I don't wouldn't mind Senderos and Baker being sidelined for Vlaar and Okore when both are fit.
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Well its a strange one. Just possible Okore hasnt impressed Keane in training. Just possible he doesnt like the training methods. But you would have expected to see him on the bench yesterday as cover for the two centre backs I would have thought.
Who knows? Lambert and Keane I should hope.
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I think we'll ease him in over the easier games. He may start off as a covering right back if Hutton needs a rest, or if we switch to a three at the back it takes a bit of pressure off him.
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The ideal would be to bring him in when Vlaar is fit, let him play alongside a reliable player who can show him the ropes and talk him through. He's not only returning from injury but also pretty much a newcomer to the league. As supertom says that will be much easier against a side where you are not going to be spending 70% defending.
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The ideal would've been beating Orient and starting him in the next round of that competition but alas.
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that will be much easier against a side where you are not going to be spending 70% defending.
That's going to rule out the majority of the season for him. ;)
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that will be much easier against a side where you are not going to be spending 70% defending.
That's going to rule out the majority of the season for him. ;)
I didn't want to, but I thought the same.
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Just found this article on BT's website (equivalent of [spits] The Sun [/spits]) from a couple of weeks ago. (Published on the morning of the Liverpool game)
Okore wanted to be loaned out - Villa said no (http://www.bt.dk/fodbold/okore-ville-lejes-ud-derfor-sagde-villa-nej)
Translation of article:
Jores Okore was surprised to be passed over for the cup game against Leyton Orient, but even though he's not even been named in the squad this season, and Aston Villa have refused to sell or loan him out, he wants to stay and fight.
Jores Okore was within 13 days of 1 year without game time in a competitive match, but on 3rd September Jess Thorup picked him in the U-21s victory over Russia which meant 90 minutes under his belt. A few days later it was the full team's important qualifier against Armenia, and you would thing that everything was moving in the right direction for the robust centre-back, who had his first season at Aston Villa ruined with a terrible knee injury.
But that's not quite how it is. Even though Aston Villa paid 35M dkk for the 22 year-old Dane, the former FC Nordsjælland player hasn't been part of the squad in Aston Villa's first four matches this season. Three Premier League games and one in the League Cup.
"It was a bit of a surprise that I wasn't selected for the cup game. I'd hoped to be part of the squad and maybe get the chance to play a bit in that game. I felt it was a chance for me, but I think that the manager has slightly different plans in mind. I'll have to take it as it comes. It's also early in the season" says Okore who otherwise feels back on top of things again after his long injury period.
"I didn't get too much playing time in pre-season, because the first 11 needed to play together. Paul Lambert was maybe not quite sure that my knee could tolerate a hard start to the season, as it's "fresh, new knee" and it takes time to get back from a big injury. But I feel that I'm 100% ready myself.
It's more the manager's choice, that I'm not playing at the moment, than it's because of the injury. I don't feel that I've overestimated what's required to get back in the team. Maybe there's just a couple of other things that are necessary to be completely back to your old level, but that can only come with playing time" emphasises Okore.
He'd already declared himself match fit in April of last season, but nothing happened, and when the new season started, Okore approached his manager and told him that match time was the most important thing, regardless of whether that was at Aston Villa or somewhere else.
"I said to the manager, that I'm ready to do anything so that I can be considered for selection again as quickly as possible, but Paul Lambert wants me to stay at the club, and he thought I would soon be playing again, so I just have to trust in what he says. When he won't even loan me out there must be a reason for that." explains Okore.
According to BT's information there were 7 clubs from the 2 top divisions in England that enquired about either loaning or buying Okore, but each time the answer was a crystal clear "No" from the Birmingham club.
In my own head I was open to all possibilities, that could have got me match time again. I just want to play as much as possible, and that's one of the reasons I came to Aston Villa, because here I could see a better chance of playing instead of sitting on the bench or in the stands.
So it means a lot that he won't allow me to be loaned out, and that he must believe in me, but I just want to play as much as possible as soon as possible. Playing loads of games is what enjoy most.
It's too early to say that I'm getting impatient. If I'd played the last three years straight, it would be a different situation, so I feel that I can give it a bit more time, before I start to feel impatient or dissatisfied. That would be like giving up at the first obstacle, but I want to give it a chance so that I can play and show what I can do.
Right now it's OK, and I don't think I can go round and be frustrated. Life is good and it's great to be back playing football again, but I'm fighting to be picked for games. There's lots of fixtures in England, so hopefully I'll get plenty of games to show people why Aston Villa bought me
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http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-lambert-jores-okore-play-7848231
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Well I'd like to see him involved in some first team games, he's clearly getting frustrated.
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Clearly Jores is not at all happy. He feels he could play but Lambert is cautious that he doesnt break down.In this case Lambert may be right.
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I think Lambert is absolutely right not to rush him back after such a serious injury. It would be an unmitigated disaster if he broke down again. Ditto Christian, ditto Libor.
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I suppose his position isn't like midfield or up front - you can't put him on for twenty minutes to feel his way back in.
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once he gets in and starts to show all of the reasons we bought him, and proves he can stay fit, he'll be a regular in the side. He's still 22 and coming off a serious injury. It's good that he's desperate to play, but this is the PL where everything is that much faster and more aggressive. He'll get his opportunity.
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U21 match at 13:00 - Behind closed doors. Maybe he's going to get a runout.
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U21 match at 13:00 - Behind closed doors. Maybe he's going to get a runout.
He is, along with Benteke and Grealish and Joe Cole.
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U21 match at 13:00 - Behind closed doors. Maybe he's going to get a runout.
And good that they've pointed it out.
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U21 match at 13:00 - Behind closed doors. Maybe he's going to get a runout.
He is, along with Benteke and Grealish and Joe Cole.
Cheers Clampy, think I'll listen in on the game.
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Both he and Benteke are playing in the u21 match.
Is there any way to watch?
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Aston Villa FC @AVFCOfficial 5m
#AVFC U21 (v @OfficialBWFC): Given, Leggett, Wildin, Cowans, Okore, Toner, Sellars, Calder, Benteke, Cole, Grealish. #BU21PL
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Not even a commentary on AVTV!
I thought, that's we pay our money for:-(
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No real point in having a behind closed doors game if you're going to broadcast it, is there?
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Good hope he proves his fitness.
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No real point in having a behind closed doors game if you're going to broadcast it, is there?
I think it's more about having nobody there (not being able to cope with a couple of hundred spectators) than any secrecy. In any case are there facilities for broadcasting from Bodymoor?
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I think had we not played Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City on the bounce that he may have got a run out.
That said, I would throw him in against City, as I think we need his pace.
First goal against Arsenal doesn't ahppen if Okore and/or Vlaar are playing. Citeh are even quicker.
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All other reserve games have live commentary.
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Most reserve games aren't at BH though as far as I'm aware. Dave could well be right when it comes to commentator facilities.
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I reckon we might go with 3 against City
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Jack does them with a mobile phone if they have problems at away matches, even from crappy parks pitches.
Villa 1 - 0 up, Benteke penalty.
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Sharky will be back soon enough. No need to rush him.
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Mystery adds beauty. Who we playing ?
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I see O'Neill was in attendance to check-out Given and Grealish.
I get the feeling he regrets pissing on us. He must have said good things about the club to Keane over the summer before he joined.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
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And he blew it.
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There is no chance he would have stayed with finances being tightened. He may regret how he left, but he won't regret leaving when he did. Is my opinion of the pube-headed dwarf.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
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There is no chance he would have stayed with finances being tightened. He may regret how he left, but he won't regret leaving when he did. Is my opinion of the pube-headed dwarf.
I echo this opinion
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
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If Celtic were in the PL I think they'd be a more northern version of Newcastle. Big crowds , the odd B list marquee signing and years of underachievement and off the field misdemeanours.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Well, it has.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
If they'd been in the English League for twenty years, collecting our TV money and their own merchandising and gate receipts, they'd be among the richest clubs in the world and able to afford players consistent with that rank. As would Rangers. Which is why we'll never let them in in a million years.
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Which is why we'll never let them in in a million years.
Well, that and the fact that both sets of fans, and a good few of their officials, are a bunch of bigoted arseholes.
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Policing bills would go into orbit if them pair ever joined.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
If they'd been in the English League for twenty years, collecting our TV money and their own merchandising and gate receipts, they'd be among the richest clubs in the world and able to afford players consistent with that rank. As would Rangers. Which is why we'll never let them in in a million years.
Newcastle have a big ground and they're shit.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
If they'd been in the English League for twenty years, collecting our TV money and their own merchandising and gate receipts, they'd be among the richest clubs in the world and able to afford players consistent with that rank. As would Rangers. Which is why we'll never let them in in a million years.
I take your point, but all PL clubs are already among the richest clubs in the world.
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I dont give a toss about all things SPL, I hve no allegiance to gers or tics But imo celtic, Rangers Manu and Liverpool are massive, the like of chavski and arsenal would never allow the scots in cuz they would in a short time surpass their mantle, ffs were bigger than the london imposters.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
I hold no torch for Celtic but c'mon. They can only play in the league they are in (see also Ajax, Feyenoord, Benfica, Sporting). And their European record is a touch more impressive than ours, even recently. That said, so is Fulham's.
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& Boro's.
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Celtic's historical average attendance is something like 31k, pretty much on a par with any club from a large British city. They have a fantastic media reputation - fair play to them - and I reckon if you were to ask the average man in the street are Celtic one of the biggest clubs around, he'd probably say, "Yes," but as far as I can make out this reputation seems to be built on relatively little substance. They're certainly a big, "big-city" club but I would argue the likes of Newcastle, Leeds and so on are just as big. If the likes of Newcastle were hoovering up trophies in the Scottish league would we be calling them one of the biggest clubs on earth?
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Their average attendance last season was about 48k. They play in Europe every year, yet they never seem to be particularly laden with money. Even with exceptional gate receipts (given the shiteness of that league, particularly post Rangers demotion). At the end of the day they've gone and borrowed Tonev from us...Tonev. We've lent them Tonev...just let that sink in for a bit. Tonev.
It's largely been a league where average players go to have an easy life. John Hartson, Chris Sutton. Middle of the road players past their best going up there to knock goals in for fun.
Even if just for their European aspirations, with the money they earn and gauranteed CL, they should be trying to entice top players there. Their star striker is Anthony Stokes who'd be out of his depth in the Premiership. For good money and the European games they could probably tempt quality players if they wanted to. Certain players would go anywhere for money and CL football even if they just give a year before jumping back to a proper league. It's all a bit small time up there though.
They get much of their big club status just by being one of the two biggest clubs in Scotland. You look in England there's a whole host of very big clubs that aren't even in the Premiership, like Notts Forest, Leeds etc.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
If they'd been in the English League for twenty years, collecting our TV money and their own merchandising and gate receipts, they'd be among the richest clubs in the world and able to afford players consistent with that rank. As would Rangers. Which is why we'll never let them in in a million years.
I take your point, but all PL clubs are already among the richest clubs in the world.
True. I think allied to massive worldwide support that both Rangers and Celtic had before Liverpool and Man Utd had even heard of Oslo or Beijing, it would be a game-changer for them. Also, they'd have much bigger capacities and crowds (paying more for tickets), sponsorships, corporate, kit deals etc. had they been playing in England for twenty years.
Anyone recall the attendance for Celtic's EC semi-final v Leeds at Hampden in '71? 137,000. I'm not saying they'd get that every time they played an English club, but give them a competitive league watching much better players (their own and opponents) and I can't how see their already quite impressive support (to watch shit players in a shit league) would not increase substantially. I reckon they'd both average 70k easily, given the capacity obv.
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Their average attendance last season was about 48k. They play in Europe every year, yet they never seem to be particularly laden with money. Even with exceptional gate receipts (given the shiteness of that league, particularly post Rangers demotion). At the end of the day they've gone and borrowed Tonev from us...Tonev. We've lent them Tonev...just let that sink in for a bit. Tonev.
It's largely been a league where average players go to have an easy life. John Hartson, Chris Sutton. Middle of the road players past their best going up there to knock goals in for fun.
Even if just for their European aspirations, with the money they earn and gauranteed CL, they should be trying to entice top players there. Their star striker is Anthony Stokes who'd be out of his depth in the Premiership. For good money and the European games they could probably tempt quality players if they wanted to. Certain players would go anywhere for money and CL football even if they just give a year before jumping back to a proper league. It's all a bit small time up there though.
They get much of their big club status just by being one of the two biggest clubs in Scotland. You look in England there's a whole host of very big clubs that aren't even in the Premiership, like Notts Forest, Leeds etc.
If Celtic had been in our league for the last twenty years, I'm afraid they wouldn't have been borrowing Tonev. They'd be one of the c**** after Barry, Milner and Young.
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I dont give a toss about all things SPL, I hve no allegiance to gers or tics But imo celtic, Rangers Manu and Liverpool are massive, the like of chavski and arsenal would never allow the scots in cuz they would in a short time surpass their mantle, ffs were bigger than the london imposters.
Arsenal are bigger than Rangers for me.
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I am pretty sure he has admitted that he regrets how it ended. When he looks back it was by far the best managerial opportunity he ever had at the biggest football club that he will ever get to take charge of.
I know we like to think we're special but in the size stakes Celtic piss all over us.
Without wishing to drag this into a debate about Celtic, I disagree politely with your view.
Celtic are big. Huge stadium, but they've never played in a real league. They play in a Tolkien-esque, Walt Disney, fantasy land where they're rarely going to be outside the top 2. A European cup doesn't really mask that. The Scottish league hasn't always been as bobbins, but it's always been well short of England. Over the past 20 years, if they'd been in the English league, they'd have been a yo yo club at best.
I hold no torch for Celtic but c'mon. They can only play in the league they are in (see also Ajax, Feyenoord, Benfica, Sporting). And their European record is a touch more impressive than ours, even recently. That said, so is Fulham's.
I'm not surprised, it's a damn sight easier for them to qualify for Europe each year than it is for us.
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I dont give a toss about all things SPL, I hve no allegiance to gers or tics But imo celtic, Rangers Manu and Liverpool are massive, the like of chavski and arsenal would never allow the scots in cuz they would in a short time surpass their mantle, ffs were bigger than the london imposters.
Arsenal are bigger than Rangers for me.
They've been allowed to get bigger thanks to the way the CL is. For next to a decade they did nothing but finish 4th and yet exploded as a club.
Would probably agree. Prefer Rangers anyway. I wouldn't mind Celtic and Rangers joining the PL.
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I dont give a toss about all things SPL, I hve no allegiance to gers or tics But imo celtic, Rangers Manu and Liverpool are massive, the like of chavski and arsenal would never allow the scots in cuz they would in a short time surpass their mantle, ffs were bigger than the london imposters.
Arsenal are bigger than Rangers for me.
They've been allowed to get bigger thanks to the way the CL is. For next to a decade they did nothing but finish 4th and yet exploded as a club.
Would probably agree. Prefer Rangers anyway. I wouldn't mind Celtic and Rangers joining the PL.
Arsenal have always been a big club, unlike Chelsea, I remember my late grandfather used to say that when he spent 6 years in Oz in the early 1920's "There was only two clubs they'd ever heard of over there, the Villa and The Gunners".
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Their average attendance last season was about 48k. They play in Europe every year, yet they never seem to be particularly laden with money. Even with exceptional gate receipts (given the shiteness of that league, particularly post Rangers demotion). At the end of the day they've gone and borrowed Tonev from us...Tonev. We've lent them Tonev...just let that sink in for a bit. Tonev.
It's largely been a league where average players go to have an easy life. John Hartson, Chris Sutton. Middle of the road players past their best going up there to knock goals in for fun.
Even if just for their European aspirations, with the money they earn and gauranteed CL, they should be trying to entice top players there. Their star striker is Anthony Stokes who'd be out of his depth in the Premiership. For good money and the European games they could probably tempt quality players if they wanted to. Certain players would go anywhere for money and CL football even if they just give a year before jumping back to a proper league. It's all a bit small time up there though.
They get much of their big club status just by being one of the two biggest clubs in Scotland. You look in England there's a whole host of very big clubs that aren't even in the Premiership, like Notts Forest, Leeds etc.
If Celtic had been in our league for the last twenty years, I'm afraid they wouldn't have been borrowing Tonev. They'd be one of the c**** after Barry, Milner and Young.
I reckon they'd either be on the verge of sacking Pardew or somewhere in the Championship. They wouldn't have had a sniff of the Champs League places (or any trophy for that matter) and they'd be playing regularly in a half to three-quarters full Parkhead. They'd be in a similar position to us but in a smaller city.
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Dunno , the Celtic fans go week in week out in numbers regardless of form, match time weather etc. bit like the bar codes fans.
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Dunno , the Celtic fans go week in week out in numbers regardless of form, match time weather etc. bit like the bar codes fans.
Like Newcastle, that hasn't always been the case - check out their crowds before Parkhead was expanded. You're right, though, they seem to have a similar kind of mentality and attitude towards following football as Newcastle (and Rangers and Sunderland).
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Celtic's international support and related merchandising opportunities would see them eclipse all but four clubs in the Prem, same with Rangers. I know Newscastle get 50k every home game, but outside of Newcastle how any Newcastle United shirts do you see?
Celtic have a worldwide 'rebel' brand that people buy into, particularly in the USA. With their gates, the ability to sell tv rights on their name alone they'd be right up there at the very top.
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I watched the Rangers Hibs game last night and Rangers were unbelievably bad. They made Hibs look a quality side. All the Rangers players played as though they were owed six months wages. MK Dons would have thrashed them. They looked like a team of shaven headed night club bouncers. And still they pulled in 32,000
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I watched the Rangers Hibs game last night and Rangers were unbelievably bad. They made Hibs look a quality side. All the Rangers players played as though they were owed six months wages. MK Dons would have thrashed them. They looked like a team of shaven headed night club bouncers. And still they pulled in 32,000
Rangers, Hearts and Hibs all in the Scottish second tier this year. It's more interesting than the SPL
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Celtic's international support and related merchandising opportunities would see them eclipse all but four clubs in the Prem, same with Rangers. I know Newscastle get 50k every home game, but outside of Newcastle how any Newcastle United shirts do you see?
Celtic have a worldwide 'rebel' brand that people buy into, particularly in the USA. With their gates, the ability to sell tv rights on their name alone they'd be right up there at the very top.
Four clubs, more like 6 (last year's top 7 less maybe Everton).
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I went to a rangers v Dundee Utd game in the early 90's, I've never seen so much misdirected anger, abuse and attempted violence at a football game ever. There was literally a cavalry of police horses at the game.
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Celtic's international support and related merchandising opportunities would see them eclipse all but four clubs in the Prem, same with Rangers. I know Newscastle get 50k every home game, but outside of Newcastle how any Newcastle United shirts do you see?
Celtic have a worldwide 'rebel' brand that people buy into, particularly in the USA. With their gates, the ability to sell tv rights on their name alone they'd be right up there at the very top.
Exactly.
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This is not a rebel song, this is Celtic bloody Celtic.
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I have no great amount of time for either team but I am not going to do another round about the bigoted bastards on the Okore thread.
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Dunno , the Celtic fans go week in week out in numbers regardless of form, match time weather etc. bit like the bar codes fans.
Like Newcastle, that hasn't always been the case - check out their crowds before Parkhead was expanded. You're right, though, they seem to have a similar kind of mentality and attitude towards following football as Newcastle (and Rangers and Sunderland).
Is this because it's well grim up north (and Scotland)? And there's nothing else to do.
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I think it's been long enough now, he made it through two games for Denmark in a week so I'm guessing he's ready. We should be phasing back into the first team.
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Can we stop talking about shit clubs please?
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Arsenal are bigger than Rangers for me.
Considering The Rangers are only just over two years old, Bilston Town are bigger than they are.
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Only on H&V could a thread about Jores Okore descent into a Sectarian debate! ;D
Eamonn on the run after setting off yet another grenade...
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That Jores Okore bloke's alright ain't he?
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He'd never make it at Celtic.
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Is he Catholic or something?
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Is he Catholic or something?
Celtic have always welcomed any religion. It's Rangers who used to bar Catholics.
Don't worry, there are many on here who ignore this basic fact for some strange reason and think they're both as bad as each other.
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Is he Catholic or something?
Celtic have always welcomed any religion. It's Rangers who used to bar Catholics.
Don't worry, there are many on here who ignore this basic fact for some strange reason and think they're both as bad as each other.
As you say, used to.
Unfortunately both sets of fans still have elements that seem to revel in bigotry.
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I really couldn't care less about clubs that take any level of bigotry into their ethos, be it the fans or the club themselves. Football is probably the only thing that every nation on this planet actually shares and as such should be above any of that bullshit.
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Judian peoples Front - SPLITTERS
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Still nowhere to be seen.
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Disappointing.
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Disappointing.
It's beyond that. Now its just mystifying.
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Only on H&V could a thread about Jores Okore descent into a Sectarian debate! ;D
Eamonn on the run after setting off yet another grenade...
Oi! Just seen this. It was Hillbilly that started it, suggesting we were small-time compared to Celtic, not me!
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So Benteke gets in the squad and plays a part in the match, but Okore is still absent. What on earth is going on?
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This is starting to resemble the Helenius thread.
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To be fair Senderos and Baker ran themselves into the ground tonight. We need to be more positive and have better quality going forward.
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Can't knock Senderos and Baker. Okore will get his chance, throwing him in tonight would have been risky.
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Can't knock Senderos and Baker. Okore will get his chance, throwing him in tonight would have been risky.
But then he played Benteke. And nothing could be riskier than playing Baker against tricky, speedy forwards. What are we waiting for, unless they don't rate him.
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Benteke has played 60 odd times in the top flight, Okore has played only a few.
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Strange that he seems to have vanished from the squad.
Baker was very good today, especially first half when he was excellent.
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Can't knock Senderos and Baker. Okore will get his chance, throwing him in tonight would have been risky.
But then he played Benteke. And nothing could be riskier than playing Baker against tricky, speedy forwards. What are we waiting for, unless they don't rate him.
I just think it's experience. Baker did well today and has done largely well when he's played this season, particularly today and Liverpool. Whether he can maintain it I don't know.
But in terms of Okore he looked shit in pre-season. Clearly lacking in sharpness (not surprising), and perhaps a bit of confidence. He tends to dwell on the ball a bit too much and take too many chances. I think Lambo prefers his CB's to just punt it down the pitch or into row z.
Okore will get his chance, but it hasn't surprised me we've not seen him during this horrific run of fixtures, because he's so inexperienced at this level. It's alright giving Jack a few minutes further up the pitch but I don't see us risking it in defensive areas.
He's gonna have a job earning his place back in the squad though. Ron's to come back and Phil and Baker have been good. Clarks also experienced too. If we switch to a back 3 I think he'll play as he's quick and good on the ball but that formation seems to be out of fashion somewhat now and Lambert appears to have gone off it. If he didn't play it in the last four games I don't think he will.
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Have you seen this man? Last seen two weeks ago in the B6 area of Birmingham.
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01816/180870605_a_1816377a.jpg)
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Have you seen this man? Last seen two weeks ago in the B6 area of Birmingham.
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01816/180870605_a_1816377a.jpg)
Last spotted climbing down into a manhole underneath Villa Park with this man with a bag of buns pilfered from a nearboy hotdog vendor:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Salifou,_Moustapha.jpg)
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Talking to a fan at the game who seems well versed in Villa gossip and tittle tattle, he is convinced that Okore is not in the side because the quality of his performance in training is simply not good enough. His horrible injury may well have given him a taste for living in the comfort zone. I cannot think of any other plausible explanation if he is match fit.
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If he plays against Albania and/or Portugal we'll know that there's something up.
Having said that, Baker and Phil are playing ok together at the moment.
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Can't knock Senderos and Baker. Okore will get his chance, throwing him in tonight would have been risky.
Putting him on the bench ain't risky though.
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It will be interesting to see if he starts getting involved more after the international break. Its one thing to throw Benteke in but with Okore, it would be disrupting a defensive unit that have been organised and know their roles in games where we have to be solid and know that we're going to be on the back foot for much of the game.
If he's struggling to get his performance levels back (which is possible - it seems to have happened with Gardner with suggestions that he's getting better), then send him out on loan with a recall clause. If we don't need to recall him, review the situation again in January.
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Can't knock Senderos and Baker. Okore will get his chance, throwing him in tonight would have been risky.
Putting him on the bench ain't risky though.
That is what surprised me.
Not even on the bench. Hmmm.
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Maybe he is getting back to fitness. Lots of us have slagged Baker off, I thought e was superb this evening by the way
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Strange that he seems to have vanished from the squad.
Baker was very good today, especially first half when he was excellent.
Really? I thought he was OK at best. He is so limited in posession and was caught out on a number of occasions.
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Strange that he seems to have vanished from the squad.
Baker was very good today, especially first half when he was excellent.
Really? I thought he was OK at best. He is so limited in posession and was caught out on a number of occasions.
I agree with PWS. He was outstanding in the first half, he won everything. I don't remember him being caught of that much at all.
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The defensive unit were very good each and every one of them. Baker was again excellent in the main. The midfield worked their socks off
but they rely on Delph tp provide the extra class required when you have to face the standard of world class players bought for astronomical fees. We noticed him shaking his head at a misplaced pass from Westwood in the second half. The positive news is that Benteke looked good when he arrived and with the standard of opponent coming down to our levels I feel positive the points will start flowing again.
Okore can take his time getting up to speed. Perhaps a loan to a Championship club would be advisable. Wolves would be OK.
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Baker was very good - if a little off positionally at times
I'm eating my words about him. I'd have definitely sold him
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Baker was very good - if a little off positionally at times
I'm eating my words about him. I'd have definitely sold him
Same here.
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He was solid enough but Id like to see his composure improve along with the rest of his game as he continued to welly the ball anywhere, even with time to make a simple pass. Overall though, a vast improvement, Ive always thought he would make career somewhere, he has something of a young John Terry about him.
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He was superb and wellied the ball when it needed to be wellied
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I think Baker has been great so far this season. As has Hutton. The omission of Okore is baffling.
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I think Baker has been great so far this season. As has Hutton. The omission of Okore is baffling.
Who do you play him instead of then?
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I meant on the subs bench.
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I've said before more than once, Baker will be a James Collins type player imo.
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I just hope we don't make a big mistake with Okore and lose him.
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Hes better than Collins.
He has got a bit of Terry/Cahill about him.If he could some of Terrys positional sense, Baker and Okores could become a good partnership long term.
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it's possible that Clark just offers a more versatility off the bench and a left sided option. I don't think there is anything sinister about Okore's omission. If Baker was being the Baker of last season or Senderos proving to be the player some feared he might be, then I'm sure we'd have seen more of Okore. At the very least on the bench a bit more often. And with Vlaar coming back in the next couple of weeks then Okore might have to be a little more patient. He's 22, coming off a bad injury with a long season and solid career ahead of him. Nothing to overly concern ourselves with yet.
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I think the Senderos point is an important one. He has been excellent for us so far and I don't any of us imagined that. I'd go further and say the larger football supporting 'family' wouldn't have envisaged it either. Its allowing us to wonder about Okore's absence rather than becoming apoplectic having to rely on Senderos and Baker rather than Vlaar and Okores.
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I agree that Baker is much improved but in the second half when we were under a lot of pressure Grealish put in a tackle that saw the ball run back to Baker, with no-one near him he just punted the ball upfield straight to one of their defenders and the pressure came back again, giving the ball up so easily is one area the whole side must improve on. Played their first goal back in slow motion and both Delph and Cleverley were at fault both were near enough to close Toure down and both stood off giving him a clear run. Benteke improved us but bringing on Grealish was a mistake.
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It is a problem throughout the team. The majority of our players are not comfortable in possession of the ball. They are unable to bring it down and move it on to a colleague as the vast majority of the better players in the league can do. Instead it is thumped away/ headed away with no plan of playing it to a team mate and then is picked up by an opponent who brings it straight back at us.
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I do wonder if they see Baker as Vlaar's long term replacement in case he leaves. Him being picked ahead of Clark and Okore is interesting. There's a case for leaving Baker in ahead of Vlaar against Everton, he's earned his place in the last few weeks.
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Yesterday's Independent had Baker down as man of the match (bit surprising as I thought Silva was by far the best player). Their description of his tackle on Dzeko was brilliant - "Dzeko was further thwarted by a low-flying object later identified as Nathan Baker". Excellent
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He was superb and wellied the ball when it needed to be wellied
he wellied the ball every time. His distribution lets him down but can't criticise him too much, pretty much his whole game let him down last season and he is definitely much improved. I would much rather him welly the ball away out of danger than give a stupid goal away but it does mean that invariably the possession is given away very cheaply
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He was superb and wellied the ball when it needed to be wellied
he wellied the ball every time. His distribution lets him down but can't criticise him too much, pretty much his whole game let him down last season and he is definitely much improved. I would much rather him welly the ball away out of danger than give a stupid goal away but it does mean that invariably the possession is given away very cheaply
I think the way we played through large periods of the game meant he could do little else but welly it. Every team mate bar benteke would have been within 12 yards of him.
His distribution needs improving almost certainly but even Paulo Maldini would have been given little option but to twonk it down the pitch.
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I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation. He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.
It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games. I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.
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Baker is very much like James Collins. I think it was two seasons ago that Collins stopped Man City practically by himself.Threw himself at everything and it struck me that is the type of defender that Nathan Baker wants to be. No nonsense, and when in doubt kick it out.
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HAVE IIITTTTT!!!!!!
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Just been called up to the Danish squad as replacement for Daniel Agger, who surprise, surprise is injured after 2 games for Brøndby.
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I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation. He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.
It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games. I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.
I think you're right - he's better in games when we're expected to, and he probably expects to lose.
He can then have have 88 minutes of heroic last-ditch defending and when we come out of it having lost to a late goal or two the good stuff is remembered more.
Clearly what would be preferably is a defender who doesn't need to throw his body on the line as he sorted the problem out 20 seconds earlier and doesn't need to resort to throwing himself in front of the ball.
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I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation. He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.
It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games. I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.
I think you're right - he's better in games when we're expected to, and he probably expects to lose.
He can then have have 88 minutes of heroic last-ditch defending and when we come out of it having lost to a late goal or two the good stuff is remembered more.
Clearly what would be preferably is a defender who doesn't need to throw his body on the line as he sorted the problem out 20 seconds earlier and doesn't need to resort to throwing himself in front of the ball.
It's not all his own fault though Dave. Part of the problem in the previous two seasons has been the complete inability of the full backs to prevent attacks down the flanks.
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and no involvement today...again....mmmm.
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He is recovering from EBOLA in and ISIL hospital.
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He cannot be any worse than Clarke can he surely??
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Apart from giving it away really late on, where he recovered well, Clark didn't put a foot wrong. Full backs at fault today, especially Cissokho.
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Apart from giving it away really late on, where he recovered well, Clark didn't put a foot wrong. Full backs at fault today, especially Cissokho.
Clark was very lucky not to give a penalty away.
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It looked like Naismith just fell over where we were.
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It was a definite push on the TV coverage. He was lucky to get away with it.
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Clark gets a lot of flak, to me he's improved quite a bit since 12/13 although I accept he is no defensive colossus. Obviously it's bomb scare time whenever him and Baker are together but I think he's o.k alongside an experienced head.
Okore needs to get a chance sooner or later though...if only to give us a bit more pace at the back.
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He is recovering from EBOLA in and ISIL hospital.
Watching villa is going to make me bleed out of my ears and eyes before long
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Clark gets a lot of flak, to me he's improved quite a bit since 12/13 although I accept he is no defensive colossus. Obviously it's bomb scare time whenever him and Baker are together but I think he's o.k alongside an experienced head.
Okore needs to get a chance sooner or later though...if only to give us a bit more pace at the back.
Clark would be good in the championship that's his level. I don't think he's improved at all, he needs to be moved on. He's 25 now so a few years in the lower leagues would do him good.
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Still missing. Unsubstantiated rumours he was in Iceland earlier this week.
Have you seen this man? Last seen two weeks ago in the B6 area of Birmingham.
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01816/180870605_a_1816377a.jpg)
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Funny stuff..
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Thing is it's not like we're not conceding plenty of goals now, it makes no sense that he's not involved.
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He is turning into either Bosko, Makoun or Didier Six.
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Clark gets a lot of flak, to me he's improved quite a bit since 12/13 although I accept he is no defensive colossus. Obviously it's bomb scare time whenever him and Baker are together but I think he's o.k alongside an experienced head.
Okore needs to get a chance sooner or later though...if only to give us a bit more pace at the back.
Clark would be good in the championship that's his level. I don't think he's improved at all, he needs to be moved on. He's 25 now so a few years in the lower leagues would do him good.
Not so sure Goldie. He struggles against big, physical forwards, of which there are plenty in the Championship. He might be better off trying his luck in midfield.
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well Baker is likely out against QPR. We'll see if Okore reappears now. If Clark plays I won't be completely shocked but Okore needs to be in that squad at the very least.
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well Baker is likely out against QPR. We'll see if Okore reappears now. If Clark plays I won't be completely shocked but Okore needs to be in that squad at the very least.
I think TV that quite a few posters suspect there is something about Okore that doesn't add up. It all seems very strange.
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Maybe Okore having massive moobs is a reason for him not playing.
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Actually I think its just possible that he is a bad trainer who has left Lambert/Keane deeply unimpressed by his attitude. And doesnt like being bellowed at by Keane/Lambert. And sulks.
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If that is the case Ron, it then shows another flaw in Lamberts managerial judgement, as to how he scouts players and the homework he does on how they are as trainers, members of a squad and such like.
Basic requirements for a club looking to spend it's money wisely.
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Actually I think its just possible that he is a bad trainer who has left Lambert/Keane deeply unimpressed by his attitude. And doesnt like being bellowed at by Keane/Lambert. And sulks.
Based on what?
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Is there any basis for this assertion, or is it just a can't think of any other explanation? I remember all sorts of similar accusations about Helenius.
Whenever I've seen Okore play, or heard him in an interview, he's appeared as nothing other than someone with a really positive attitude who literally plays with a smile on his face.
How about he's coming back from a serious injury, and Lambert hasn't wanted to risk just throwing him in?
He started with Vlarr and Senderos as his most experienced pairing. When Vlarr got injured he went with switching Senderos to the right side and bringing in Baker on the left with Clark as the sub to give a more PL experienced pairing through the "difficult" games.
Vlarr comes back and Baker hasn't really done anything to deserve being dropped.
The only two question marks are if he shouldn't have been in the team v Orient, and if he would have been worth a place on.the bench instead of Clark yesterday.
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I think it's lack of experience and nothing more. He had a long layoff and we've just had a run of games that weren't the best to throw him in to.
I hope he comes good. That said if he ends up being shipped off on loan and never plays for us again, I wouldn't be remotely surprised. It worries me, inexperienced at this level or not, that he can't get in ahead of Clark at the moment. Clark was woeful yesterday.
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Maybe he's still not 100% fit?
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Is there any basis for this assertion, or is it just a can't think of any other explanation? I remember all sorts of similar accusations about Helenius.
Whenever I've seen Okore play, or heard him in an interview, he's appeared as nothing other than someone with a really positive attitude who literally plays with a smile on his face.
How about he's coming back from a serious injury, and Lambert hasn't wanted to risk just throwing him in?
He started with Vlarr and Senderos as his most experienced pairing. When Vlarr got injured he went with switching Senderos to the right side and bringing in Baker on the left with Clark as the sub to give a more PL experienced pairing through the "difficult" games.
Vlarr comes back and Baker hasn't really done anything to deserve being dropped.
The only two question marks are if he shouldn't have been in the team v Orient, and if he would have been worth a place on.the bench instead of Clark yesterday.
Who the hell is Vlarr?
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An Ice Warrior?
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Sorry for the typo - smartphone keyboard and big fingers not always a good combination.
Now care to add to the debate or just sniping from the sidelines?
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Actually I think its just possible that he is a bad trainer who has left Lambert/Keane deeply unimpressed by his attitude. And doesnt like being bellowed at by Keane/Lambert. And sulks.
Based on what?
No hard evidence. But I find it very strange that a player who is by all reports fit and indeed represented his country earlier last week does
not even make the bench for yesterdays game. Lambert should offer a reason for his non appearance. Perhaps there is a very good reason
that the manager would like to inform the supporters of.
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And how many other teams give detailed briefings into the whys and hows of team selections or non-selections?
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Actually I think its just possible that he is a bad trainer who has left Lambert/Keane deeply unimpressed by his attitude. And doesnt like being bellowed at by Keane/Lambert. And sulks.
Based on what?
No hard evidence. But I find it very strange that a player who is by all reports fit and indeed represented his country earlier last week does
not even make the bench for yesterdays game. Lambert should offer a reason for his non appearance. Perhaps there is a very good reason
that the manager would like to inform the supporters of.
When you say no hard evidence, what you actually mean is "no evidence whatsoever", surely?
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Well if you get in Lambert's bad books it is game over, example number 1, Matt Lowton.
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Well if you get in Lambert's bad books it is game over, example number 1, Matt Lowton.
Who made the bench yesterday.
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Well if you get in Lambert's bad books it is game over, example number 1, Matt Lowton.
.
But then get a new contract I.e Hutton
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And how many other teams give detailed briefings into the whys and hows of team selections or non-selections?
That honset 'Arry character always provides good insight!
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from the OS
Lambert also revealed he's playing a waiting game with Jores Okore.
Okore missed the majority of the previous campaign with a bad knee injury.
Lambert is being careful with Okore due to the severity of the problem he sustained - as well as the demands and rigours of the Barclays Premier League.
He added: Jores has played U21 football but I'm not quite sure he's too ready to go into this environment yet.
"That's why I'm a bit reluctant and he's got to get more game time under his belt for his knee.
"I know he's playing U21 games with Denmark but I think to throw him in at that level is too early."
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And how many other teams give detailed briefings into the whys and hows of team selections or non-selections?
That honset 'Arry character always provides good insight!
Yeah, and we know how motivating that can be. See Bent, D.
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At least that's an explanation from Lambert.
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The spectre of a relapse always looms large; Kozak and Gardner are two examples. Somebody on the medical team must be pretty concerned about Okore.
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Given how all of our players are always getting injured all the time, I think I can forgive management for erring on the side of caution.
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I wonder then when he is going to "get more game time under his belt" then.
Denmark don't play that many under-21 games for us to rely on them alone.
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I wonder then when he is going to "get more game time under his belt" then.
Denmark don't play that many under-21 games for us to rely on them alone.
Exactly, I'd have thought if the knee wasn't ok it wouldn't have stood up to those games or training. Sooner or later the chance has to be taken.
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Mr Lambert has now furnished us with an acceptable explanation. Therefore I am wrong in my theory and apologise. I shall look forward to seeing Jores appear on the teamsheet for the next couple of reserve games. Hopefully he will play the full 90mins.
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I wonder whether we might see a back three sooner or later?
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Early September he played 33 mins for the senior Danish team in a Euro qualifier then played the full 90 for their under 21 side a few days later.I m not sure how a month later (after playing for Denmark again) he is still not deemed fit enough to play or make the bench.
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I do understand being cautious, but I hope we're not being over cautious.
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Early September he played 33 mins for the senior Danish team in a Euro qualifier then played the full 90 for their under 21 side a few days later.I m not sure how a month later (after playing for Denmark again) he is still not deemed fit enough to play or make the bench.
Especially as Benteke has had an equally serious injury and is back in the starting line up.
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There comes a point where you he just has to play to properly test his injury.
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Early September he played 33 mins for the senior Danish team in a Euro qualifier then played the full 90 for their under 21 side a few days later.I m not sure how a month later (after playing for Denmark again) he is still not deemed fit enough to play or make the bench.
Didn't he also play in that Under 21 game for us a while back with Benteke and Joe Cole?
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Yes
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Playing Lambert's Advocate for a moment, you could argue that The Premiership is an entirely different physical proposition from most if not all other competitions. Recalling how the player sustained his injury accentuates this point.
We need him fit ind in the side if we are ever going to play a high defensive line though, and this is the only way I can see us pressuring the opposition the way things are shaping up.
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Has he played in any of our u21/reserve games?
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He played the whole game in the 3-0 win against Bolton.
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@JoresOkore: Delighted to be in action for denmark u21 and a honor to be captain! #match #denmark #international… http://t.co/rOlSxnqfjv
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The plot thickens.
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Well I don't blame him for being annoyed.
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I reckon he may get his chance soon
I'd rather it wasn't alongside ciaran clark though. I think it might be
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https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-okore-keeping-options-open-173135737--sow.html
"I came to Villa to play and I am going to fight to make that happen," he told Danish station TV2. "At the same time I need to play, so I don't want to exclude anything when it comes to the coming transfer window."
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There must be some kind of appearance clause in his contract - i.e if he plays just once for the first team we have to pay his old club £60m :)
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This is a real mystery. He played well before his injury last season. Something secret must be going on, as it turned out with Helenius.
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Played well in pre season as well. I find his recent comments strange in contrast to Lambert's ones. Can't just be being cautious cos of his knee. He's been out for well over a year now.
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All very odd. If Lowton starts at centre half ahead of him on Monday the game will be up.
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It's one of those where I can't see a positive reason for him not being involved. Earlier in the season we could put it down to not being rushed back and eased back in after a serious injury.
Now, the options are (unless I've missed any):
a) he's not as good as we thought and/or not performing well in training, meaning all the others are being picked over him on merit
b) he has some sort of personal issue (a la Helenius) which means he is not being picked
c) he has had a falling out with management and he is out in the cold
None of which bode particularly well for his future with us.
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
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Given that he's played for (and was captain of) his national U212 team I think we can discount a) and b), which leaves just c) and d) - both of which are hallmarks of Lambert
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What was the story with Helenius? Must have missed it.
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Info here (http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-nicklas-helenius-feared-7833927)
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What was the story with Helenius? Must have missed it.
He was very ill/depressed and thought he was going to die so was allowed to go back home to Denmark I think.
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What was the story with Helenius? Must have missed it.
He was very ill/depressed and thought he was going to die so was allowed to go back home to Denmark I think.
Yeah, it sounded bad and he's not exactly hit the ground running back at Aalborg. He might not be 100% yet. But good luck to him.
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I think this is Bomb Squad II . Lambert has form / previous in this area.
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I would be massively fucked off if Okore isn't being given playing time and is considering his options. He came to the club at a time things truly looked like they might be turning for the better and his absence is being to reflect all that has gone wrong. It's one thing if we were winning games, or simply conceding only a few goals. He'd be in a tough position because the defence was doing so well. It couldn't be any more the reverse and he is clearly now fit and needs games. I accept he shouldn't be rushed back but we seem to be well past that stage and he needs to be given his opportunity.
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
e) He has been shite in training and doesn't deserve a place?
Just a thought like.
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
e) He has been shite in training and doesn't deserve a place?
Just a thought like.
It's possible I suppose.
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
e) He has been shite in training and doesn't deserve a place?
Just a thought like.
It must be that.
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
e) He has been shite in training and doesn't deserve a place?
Just a thought like.
How is that different to a)?
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d) We have a manager who isn't much cop and makes baffling decisions.
e) He has been shite in training and doesn't deserve a place?
Just a thought like.
It must be that.
Yep, it's not as if we have previous form for opting to pretend players don't exist rather than use them, is it?
Oh ...
;-)
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Appears we have another dud to add to the ever growing list - Luna Tonev Bennett kea Helenius Sylla etc etc etc
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It's one of those where I can't see a positive reason for him not being involved. Earlier in the season we could put it down to not being rushed back and eased back in after a serious injury.
Now, the options are (unless I've missed any):
a) he's not as good as we thought and/or not performing well in training, meaning all the others are being picked over him on merit
b) he has some sort of personal issue (a la Helenius) which means he is not being picked
c) he has had a falling out with management and he is out in the cold
None of which bode particularly well for his future with us.
I suggested both a and c a few weeks ago and got roundly condemmed for my views by a couple of posters. One thing we can all agree on,I think, is that something is wrong and this something needs to be sorted out as a matter of urgency.
If he is not in the team or on the bench for our next match Lamberts words re Okore will begin to look a bit hollow wouldnt you agree?
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It's looking like option c ) to me.
The next likely move is he will be reinstated around Feb 15 and Made captain.
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It's looking like option c ) to me.
The next likely move is he will be reinstated around Feb 15 and Made captain.
No he'll break down again and be given a new four year contract.
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It's looking like option c ) to me.
The next likely move is he will be reinstated around Feb 15 and Made captain.
No he'll break down again and be given a new four year contract.
... as a player-manager
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It's looking like option c ) to me.
The next likely move is he will be reinstated around Feb 15 and Made captain.
No he'll break down again and be given a new four year contract.
... as a player-manager
Seems an obscure enough reason to post this, Bryan Robson's attempt to represent the role through the medium of photography:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bl1NqoJCYAEpUYh.jpg:large)
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That's what happens when you start drinking too early in the day.
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That's what happens when you start drinking too early in the day.
And that's what starts happening when you wind up managing West Bromwich Albion.
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If he adopted a pose with his arms folded and put some boots on it might have looked ok, as it is he looks a right fucking twat.
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He looks like he has escaped.
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I wonder what ever happened to him?
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I really hope he plays Monday and established himself in the side.
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Sounds like he will start.
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"Jores is just coming back from an injury. He is ready to play.
He was unfortunate with his injury. He came here and started really well and then got his bad injury. But he's ready to go." - Lambert
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"Jores is just coming back from an injury. He is ready to play.
He was unfortunate with his injury. He came here and started really well and then got his bad injury. But he's ready to go." - Lambert
Go where? Walsall on loan? Anything is possible with our current manager.
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Come on everybody - he is ready to go....again.
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He has all the physical attributes; big, quick and strong. Little weak in the air at this point, but hopefully that will develop in time.
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He's only 6ft. The dwarf.
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He's only 6ft. The dwarf.
He's 6ft wide though too and not in a Richard Dunne way. That's what I meant by big.
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He's only 6ft. The dwarf.
He's 6ft wide though too and not in a Richard Dunne way. That's what I meant by big.
I knew what you meant Ads ;-). I always hear that he is 'small' for a CB, which i guess 6ft is nowadays, but not by much. I expected more 5'10 with what people have said.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
No. It's an explicable decision. It's a conspiracy. Keane doesn't rate him. Lambert doesn't like him. He's sleeping with Benteke's wife. He likes a kebab.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
You can't just not play a player who's been injured in case it happens again.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
Why aren't we being equally as careful with Benteke then?
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
Why aren't we being equally as careful with Benteke then?
We're reasonably well stocked at CB compared to strikers plus the fact that Benteke is proven as good enough whereas Okore is a rookie, so would need easing in regardless of injuries.
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Benteke's injury wasn't a cruciate and you can't treat someone who's come back from a Cruciate the same as any other injury. Cruciates used to be career enders or the player would never be the same again i.e. Michael Owen. Yes, medical science has progressed and players can come back at them but look at similar cases of the modern day - Falcao (looks nothing like his former self yet), Ryan Taylor (has been out 18 months and carefully brought back but still ended up going off hurt and is having an MRI to see if its the cruciate again), Delph (took him along time to get back playing regularly and then another season before he started looking the part) and any other similar case studies would be welcomed.
I know someone might say that he's been playing U21 football for Denmark but its hardly the same standard as Premier League.
I'm hardly a Lambert apologist but I can understand the caution.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
Why aren't we being equally as careful with Benteke then?
May be forwards can pull out of a tackle but centre halves can't? However I do think it's a bit strange.
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Hearing about Ryan Taylor and you can see why we're being so careful with Okore.
Why aren't we being equally as careful with Benteke then?
Because Benteke is his only ''tactic''.
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played very well tonight. A big positive for me in a night of marginal positives at best.
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Yep has to start a series of games now.
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Okore did do well. He looks like he'd be really good in the middle of a back three.
I wonder if we'll see Donacien recalled as cover.
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played very well tonight. A big positive for me in a night of marginal positives at best.
Yes, agree, kept Pelle completely quiet. He could be just enough to see us through when we get other players back around him
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played very well tonight. A big positive for me in a night of marginal positives at best.
Yes, agree, kept Pelle completely quiet. He could be just enough to see us through when we get other players back around him
He could also just be enough to allow us to sell Vlaar in January and not face the prospect of seeing him walk away for nothing in the summer.
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I'd have no qualms sticking Okore in as our first choice to be honest. Nothing seems to faze him. He always seems very composed. As long as he doesn't get that composed he starts fannying around with the ball too much like he did in pre-season on occasion, but pre-season is the time to make those mistakes. He didn't muck around last night. When it required a punt he punted. But he's not afraid to come out with the ball or pick a pass.
I've always liked the cut of Okore's jib since that YT vid of his game against Chelski in the Champs league. He looks a potentially very good CH in the making.
Stick Baker or Senderos next to him, to provide more aerial power, and we've got a potentially good CH half pairing. His pace is a big plus too, it would allow us to play (if Lambert wasn't so dour) a higher line and press teams in their own half. When we do that we look half reasonable. We had 15 good minutes yesterday and we pressed in their half. We scored the goal and retreated, and ultimately probably lost 2 points from inviting so much pressure. They huffed and puffed and weren't great but still had that one telling moment.
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I thought he got dragged out of the middle a couple of times which could have hurt us, but by and large he did well. As did Clark.
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I thought he got dragged out of the middle a couple of times which could have hurt us, but by and large he did well. As did Clark.
He also made a couple of excellent interceptions on or around the halfway line which might have been the difference between 1 point and none. An incredibly composed performance from a player that's not had a start for such a long time, it begs the question of what has kept him off even the bench for the last couple of months...
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Do you really need an answer to that question Doctor G? What is the usual reason why things are so shit down the Villa?
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New Okore song doing the rounds -
Jores Okore Song Lyrics
[To the tune of Jesus Christ Superstar]
Ooo-korrr-aaaar suuuuper-star
Sent down from Heaven after Paul McGrath
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Great chant. Any more to it?
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Excellent again this lad is the real deal.
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He was absolutely brilliant today, dominant in air and technically very good with his feet. Calming influence on Clarky too.
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vlaar can go ;) clark look alright next to him and with senderos and baker in the squad
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He is going to be class. He has everything a centre back needs.
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vlaar can go ;) clark look alright next to him and with senderos and baker in the squad
I completely agree. Let Ron go, to be honest both Baker and Clark have been so much better this season. I know Hutton's been a complete surprise but both of those two deserve some credit too.
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Assured and made some great tackles. Hope he can stay fit. Been impressed with Clark and Baker too this season.
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The four CB minus Vlaar do look retry okay, and we also have Donacien to come from the loan spell at Tranmere.
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Very good today, his mobility is superb and makes everything look comfortable for him.
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Clark and Okore are looking like our best partnership at the back.
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Got caught out with a couple of simple long balls over the top, but other than that impressive stuff, especially considering his lack of experience at this level.
There are two things about Okore I really like: first, he's a proactive defender, he looks for the danger early and looks to come out and deal with it. And second, my sphincter doesn't involuntarily tighten when he gets possession in a tightish space. The lad can play out from the back, no worries.
Meanwhile, Clark is in great form. Fair play to the lad. He and Nathan Baker have really stepped up to the plate this year, despite certain people (ahem *shifts uncomfortably*) thinking they were really crap.
Of course, much of this stems from the fact that we now have two halfway competent full-backs.
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He's been great. I wonder if:
a) he's even be getting on the bench had we not had the injury nightmare.
b) we'd have done any better during that losing streak had Lambert not decided that he was 'still recovering'.
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
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Got caught out with a couple of simple long balls over the top, but other than that impressive stuff, especially considering his lack of experience at this level.
There are two things about Okore I really like: first, he's a proactive defender, he looks for the danger early and looks to come out and deal with it. And second, my sphincter doesn't involuntarily tighten when he gets possession in a tightish space. The lad can play out from the back, no worries.
Meanwhile, Clark is in great form. Fair play to the lad. He and Nathan Baker have really stepped up to the plate this year, despite certain people (ahem *shifts uncomfortably*) thinking they were really crap.
Of course, much of this stems from the fact that we now have two halfway competent full-backs.
Yeah, them people ought be ashamed *whistles, looks to the left*
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
Are you really suggesting the manager may have been correct?
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We'll never know the answer to that, hence the "?".
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Very good today, his mobility is superb and makes everything look comfortable for him.
If he continues to improve and settle in - we will soon be calling his Jesus (son of God!)
There were a couple of times today - when he won the ball - and had the class not to panic and played his way into a better position before making a decent pass.
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We'll never know the answer to that, hence the "?".
You know that's heresy, right?
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
Are you really suggesting the manager may have been correct?
Shhhh
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I don't wish to hijack this thread but, I can't find the appropriate one so perhaps a mod can move.
In the pub last night I looked up and saw that there was a programme on called People Of The Year Awards and the one and only Lord McGrath was presenting an award. I am glad to report that I haven't seen him looking as well and fit for a long, long time. I hope it continues.
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Amen
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I don't wish to hijack this thread but, I can't find the appropriate one so perhaps a mod can move.
In the pub last night I looked up and saw that there was a programme on called People Of The Year Awards and the one and only Lord McGrath was presenting an award. I am glad to report that I haven't seen him looking as well and fit for a long, long time. I hope it continues.
Two miracles in the same day. A Villa home win and wonderful news about the Lord. It truly is the Christmas season.
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
Are you really suggesting the manager may have been correct?
Blind squirrels / nuts.
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
It's certainly possible.
I just don't think that it's likely. Put it this way, had Baker not been injured, I personally think we'd have seen a defence of Clark and Baker for the last couple of matches.
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I've been impressed with Okore.
And Clark.
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Not sure about that as Okore has been getting the hump about not getting a game, even against Orient
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Looks quality. Can really play. Very cool under pressure
Could go on to be up there with Olof and Laursen if he can do it consistently over a few years
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Was class today. Even when they threw that big lump Chris Wood on it was a back pocket job for Jores.
Ron who ...?
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The little bit of showboating in the penalty box did put my heart firmly in my mouth, great when it works but I dread the day it goes wrong.
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c) Has not being rushed back helped him?
It's certainly possible.
I just don't think that it's likely. Put it this way, had Baker not been injured, I personally think we'd have seen a defence of Clark and Baker for the last couple of matches.
Exactly.
This is less about Lamberts genius and more about 3 injured centre halves. The fact Okore was 5th choice, given his performances since he came in is an absolute disgrace.
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Regardless he should be a guaranteed starter now. He is different to our other centre halves and I think he'll be top class.
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Looks like Lambert got it right with Okore. The timing of his return seems to be spot on. We'll never know if he might have been ready earlier.
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Great job from Jores again today. What I like about having Clark in there too is that he always looks our most threatening player along, possibly even more so than Benteke, at a set-piece - and that got it's reward today. Great header.
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Looks like Lambert got it right with Okore. The timing of his return seems to be spot on. We'll never know if he might have been ready earlier.
Doesn't your third sentence largely contradict your second? And the first?
If we will never know if it would have been right earlier, how can we say it seems spot on now?
Not hugely bothered, I think we've been improved at the back in general anyway, just struck me as a contradiction.
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Looks like Lambert got it right with Okore. The timing of his return seems to be spot on. We'll never know if he might have been ready earlier.
Well, he was playing international matches three months ago. If he wasn't ready to play then he would have been made unavailable for selection.
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http://instagram.com/p/wUYkedpKWW/
*Puts on Barry Davies voice*
'Look at his face! Just look at his face'
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My only concern with Okore is that because he is so all action he could be more susceptible to injury. A number of his challenges were outstretched, last ditch kind of challenges which look brilliant, but a little like Laursen or even Baker he might pick up more injuries than if he was more controlled. He has a lot of ability, and he has a good understanding of the game, but I hope as he matures he learns when or how to dive in so he protects his body in the long term.
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He's also a bit short for a CB
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http://instagram.com/p/wUYkedpKWW/
*Puts on Barry Davies voice*
'Look at his face! Just look at his face'
*clicks invisible LIKE button*
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He's also a bit short for a CB
He's 6ft. He's not short. I just think he has a short neck which might give the impression he is shorter than he actually is.
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He is quality on the ball which I like. I think him and Senderos as a combo will be o.k and him and Clark look good so yes it's possible we can get some money for Ron in January and still be o.k.
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He's also a bit short for a CB
He's 6ft. He's not short. I just think he has a short neck which might give the impression he is shorter than he actually is.
I was surprised when I found out he's 6ft. Like you say I think it's a combination of having a flat head and no neck.
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01748/okore_1748310a.jpg)
He looks like somebody who should be short in this pic.
(http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/competitions/Comp_Matches/01/88/01/90/1880190_w2.jpg)
But not in this one.
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I said it on another thread, but he reminds me of Marcel Desailly in terms of his physique and style.
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I think he has a lot of talent. We should be looking to tie this guy down before he enters the final year of his contract, but we wont.
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He looks a class act and he should be a guaranteed starter now. He offers the pace and physicality that our defence needs.
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Starting to see why Chelsea were interested in him.Very good on the ball and plays some decent pass's into midfield.
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I think he has a lot of talent. We should be looking to tie this guy down before he enters the final year of his contract, but we wont.
With two and a half years to go on his contract I wouldn't start panicking yet.
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Been very impressed with him (and Clark for that matter) recently. He's still learning, but if he carries on the way that he is, we have a player on our hands.
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Stuart James (Grauniad) credited him as man of the match.
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I think he struggled with their long ball style at times, but he was fine apart from that. Would like to see more from him.
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No reason to drop him or Clark at the moment.
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No reason to drop him or Clark at the moment.
Indeed.
I don't think it's any coincedence our possession stats have gone up with them both in the team.
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No reason to drop him or Clark at the moment.
Indeed.
I don't think it's any coincedence our possession stats have gone up with them both in the team.
That's a good point, they are both good on the ball. Baker and Bik Phil have been excellent too when called upon but neither of them are great passers of the ball.
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He, Sanchez and Benteke suggest that when PL is allowed to spend decent amounts of money -nowhere near the fees that M'ON spent -that he is a real spotter of talent.
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He, Sanchez and Benteke suggest that when PL is allowed to spend decent amounts of money -nowhere near the fees that M'ON spent -that he is a real spotter of talent.
Clarke as a coach and Lambert as a scout might be a pretty good combination, if the gossip was anything like true.
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Birmingham Mail (http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-jores-okore-tells-8255355)
Aston Villa: Jores Okore tells Gregg Evans there is much more to come from him
In-from defender says there is still a lot more he can give to Aston Villa
Dec 09, 2014 12:30 By Gregg Evans
In-form Aston Villa defender Jores Okore has passionately roared: “There’s much more to come from me.”
The centre-half is enjoying his first run in the side since signing from FC Nordsjælland in June 2013.
Okore has played the last four games alongside Ciaran Clark and apart from giving away a late penalty in the 1-1 draw with Burnley, his performances have earned him plenty of plaudits.
In an honest discussion about his displays the 22-year-old told the Birmingham Mail that he’s not yet fully satisfied with his return, though, and insists he wants to add more.
“I think I have done alright but there is still a lot more that I can give,” he said.
“It’s very early for me because the game against Leicester was only my seventh Premier League game.
“I need to get used to the league still.
“When I do, I know that I can bring a lot more to the team.
“My focus now is just to keep getting better.
“When I have more games I will feel like I can perform better.”
Okore’s chance has only came about because of injuries to captain Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker.
A knee injury ruled him out of almost the entire campaign last term and when he returned to fitness this season he was overlooked by manager Paul Lambert.
With three centre halves sidelined, Lambert has had no choice but to play the 22-year-old next to Clark for the past four league games.
Villa are unbeaten during that period and the pair have made a serious claim to retain their starting berths even when the injured trio return.
“My goal when I came to Villa was to get into the starting XI and now I’m there I want to stay there,” added Okore.
“I’m very determined.
“I think I have become a better player during my time here.
“Mentally it has been tough but I have learned from it.
“My injuries have taught me things and now I am stronger.
“I now work harder on and off the pitch.
“I’m better than when I first came even though I haven’t had a lot of game time.”
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I agree with the point above re his contract. We should be making sure the likes of Okore are tied down, as it will cost us badly if we don't.
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Thought he was outstanding against Leicester, as he was v Palace.
He's the sort of player we need to keep at the club.
We need a song for him...and I know we've been there before!
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Do you think he actually roared during his interview?
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Do you think he actually roared during his interview?
Passionately.
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Do you think he actually roared during his interview?
I'd like to think so.
There's no doubt he enjoyed the game and the 3 points against Leicester, and the fact that his mate Clarky scored!
His composure on the ball in potentially dangerous situations has been amazing (he does remind me a bit of McGrath in that sense though there's a chance he may get caught from time to time) ...there's a really skilled footballer in there.
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Do you think he actually roared during his interview?
Passionately.
I always love it when footballers roar, or "cried". A bit like when the transfer window opens I imagine the Villa management team on board the deck of the Starship Enterprise "bracing" themselves for a bid for one of the players.
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I agree with the point above re his contract. We should be making sure the likes of Okore are tied down, as it will cost us badly if we don't.
I agree this should be dealt with asap. Obviously there's a risk with the knee, but he's been excellent since he came in and I'd rather look on the positive side.
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Do you think he actually roared during his interview?
Like a LION!
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I agree with the point above re his contract. We should be making sure the likes of Okore are tied down, as it will cost us badly if we don't.
I agree this should be dealt with asap. Obviously there's a risk with the knee, but he's been excellent since he came in and I'd rather look on the positive side.
He's got two and a half years left so there's not really a panic.
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I didn't say there was a panic, but the earlier the better.
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I never said you did, i'm simply pointing out that giving a new contract to someone who I don't think has played 10 games for us yet and has two and a half years on their contract is hardly something urgent.
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I never said you did, i'm simply pointing out that giving a new contract to someone who I don't think has played 10 games for us yet and has two and a half years on their contract is hardly something urgent.
7 games, was in the interview linked a few pages back.
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I've been very impressed
I like him more than his brother Derek
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Given the position we find ourselves with Vlaar and Delph (and countless others in the past), I can see why people may have already raised the issue of a new contract.
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He looks top quality to me. Attacks the ball, has pace, strength & good distribution. Both him & Clark have earned the right to keep their places & long may it continue.
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With the other CBs we have - Baker and Senderos - we need to cash in on Ron...if anyone will have him!
'The Mighty Reds YNWA' and ManU in a bidding war would be just fine.
UTV!
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With the other CBs we have - Baker and Senderos - we need to cash in on Ron...if anyone will have him!
'The Mighty Reds YNWA' and ManU in a bidding war would be just fine.
UTV!
There's enough clubs struggling at the back who will hopefully be tempted. Just as long as they overlook the injury factor.
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for me , its simple ball distribution , he makes a pass other players will know if they show it will be to feet not around the neck or midriff , that alone creates confidence
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It never ceases to amaze me how short term football fans' and journos' memories can be. Three games and everyone seems happy to bank on okore and clark going Feds
Vlaar's still out best defender for me and I'd rather keep him unless we have to pay over the odds
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In my honest opinion, it's all about the cost. If he's willing to re-sign for a sensible wage (indication seems to be that this is not the case), I'm cool with it even with the dozen or so games he misses every season with injuries. I'd still prefer to see more from Clark and Okore before being genuinely comfortable with the prospect of them being our first choice CB pairing in the medium to long term.
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Sorry Matt going Feds ??
Can you explain so I can get down with the kids please
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If Vlaar is fit Okore better keep his place. There can be no excuses not to play him now.
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The problem with Vlaar is his injury record. If he isn't going to sign a new contract and if the others are doing a more than competent job then we may as well cash in on him.
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Okore has to start every week now. He made one positional mistake today but overall his anticipation was superb.
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Okore has to start every week now. He made one positional mistake today but overall his anticipation was superb.
Both Jores and Carlos Sanchez have been a positive influence on the team in recent weeks. Clark too has performed with much credit.
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He's great and his fitness levels are excellent as well. We have a real player on our hands.
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Okore has to start every week now. He made one positional mistake today but overall his anticipation was superb.
Which he recovered from as well.
Him and Clark have been excellent.
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What was the reason for bringing Vlaar on yesterday? Do you think lambert is 'one eyed' in trying to get him back into the side?
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Extra height in the box.
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Yeah it was Vlaar who won the header that set up the benteke chance at the end I think?
With Hutton out next week I wonder if we'll see Okore at right back and VLAAR back in. Or maybe 352 (though given our defensive resilience this season with four I doubt it)
Guzan - Okore vlaar clark cissokho - sanchez Delph - gabby Weimann grealish - benteke
Given Lowton herd bacuna n'zogbia robinson and erm, someone else. Who is there?!
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It's not just his anticipation, it's that he's genuinely quick as well. Surprisingly few centre-backs are really quick runners these days, so it's a big advantage.
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Okore/Vlaar is our best combination irrespective of Clark's form. When Vlaar goes then Clark would need to compete with Senderos and Baker as they return to fitness but at he's shown he can play well at this level.
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Okore has to stay in the team alongside Clark at this time . He looks a great prospect and hopefully will improve with more games
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Okore's style is quite remiscent of Sol Campbell.
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Still makes one howler a game but his recovery pace is excellent. Guess that will improve the more games he plays but his over eagerness to get to the ball first is getting him in trouble. Got far too tight to their left back early in the game and got nutmegged. No way should he have gone all in to try and win it off Varela in the second half on the ground but to be fair was back off his ass to clear the attempted cross afterwards.
Clark arguably has been more impressive since he came back into the side. Excellent again yesterday I thought.
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Okore/Vlaar is our best combination irrespective of Clark's form. When Vlaar goes then Clark would need to compete with Senderos and Baker as they return to fitness but at he's shown he can play well at this level.
We don't know that though as they've hardly played together. Best individual players don't always make the best partnerships.
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Okore/Vlaar is our best combination irrespective of Clark's form. When Vlaar goes then Clark would need to compete with Senderos and Baker as they return to fitness but at he's shown he can play well at this level.
We don't know that though as they've hardly played together. Best individual players don't always make the best partnerships.
Also they are both right footed which feeds strongly into the equation for many managers.
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Okore/Vlaar is our best combination irrespective of Clark's form. When Vlaar goes then Clark would need to compete with Senderos and Baker as they return to fitness but at he's shown he can play well at this level.
We don't know that though as they've hardly played together. Best individual players don't always make the best partnerships.
Also they are both right footed which feeds strongly into the equation for many managers.
Yep and I get the impression that neither of them really like playing left CB. It might have been one of the reasons why Clark and Baker were picked ahead of Okore earlier in the season.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
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True enough.
If PL sticks with a back four against the Red Mancs, we will soon know his thinking on the issue.
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I think if he keeps the same back four it will be because they have been playing well and Ron is just coming back from injury. That and he might have an eye on the transfer window and selling him, but I doubt that would play into it. However, if Vlaar has another good week of practice I expect him and Okore to play vs Man U.
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Think you might find that Okore gets moved across to right back on Saturday, Vlaar and Clark being the central defenders of a 4.
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Has Okore played rb for us? Like in pre season etc
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Has Okore played rb for us? Like in pre season etc
Don't think he has for us, but did for his previous club (apparently). He's quick enough and good enough on the ball I think. Rather him than Lowton. We've always been quite content to shift Baker or Clark to the left when needed.
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Has Okore played rb for us? Like in pre season etc
Don't think he has for us, but did for his previous club (apparently). He's quick enough and good enough on the ball I think. Rather him than Lowton. We've always been quite content to shift Baker or Clark to the left when needed.
Agreed. I still think Lowton probably is the best crosser of the ball of anybody at the club, but Okore is quicker and better defensively.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
I agree TV (look at Cahill and Terry as a current example), but I get the distinct impression that neither Vlaar or Okore are comfortable on the left side of central defence.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
We don't know whether it will work or now either way because of the sample size. And yes, Clark and Okore has worked well. But not wishing to dismiss Clarke Carlisle, we are talking Clarke Carlisle vs Ron Vlaar, or the many other players who are right footed and play on the left without issue. Some players can't make it work, others make it look it look easy.
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It is only Clarke Carlisle, but he was only facing 3rd or 4th division attackers not Rooney, RVP, Bony etc, and had still been a pro for 15 years. The point is more confidence in playing the position, we can be flakey enough as it is in defence without potentially adding another issue. I'd stick with Clark and Okore for 2 reasons, 1) I don't like dropping players who are playing well and 2) I doubt many of us expect to see Vlaar in a Villa shirt after the summer, so let's build a partnership with players who will be here (hopefully) and are playing well together.
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For me I would never start Vlaar again, unless there is an injury or a big change in Clark and Okores form.
Clark and Okore are now our first choice centre backs in my eyes. And j never thought Clark had it, but they compliment each other very well.
Cash in on Vlaar.
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I'd be inclined to agree. If he doesn't look like he wants to stay then we should be looking to get a few million out of somebody desperate in January.
If the other defenders were looking like a catastrophe in waiting then that changes things, as there would be no point leaving him out to the detriment of the team. But if we have players who are likely to stay with us performing well then it makes sense to keep it going.
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Jores is really looking the part now. I really like him. He's so quick and he's got a bit of nous too. He knows how to defend and he's not just using his pace to get him out of trouble like a Micah Richards would do for example.
Looks another of Lamberts better signings and certainly it eases the pressure with the inevitable departure of Ron.
Likewise Clarky was superb again today.
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Only a few matches, but Okore looks highly impressive. Not only that, he seems to have formed a partnership with Clark.
If Vlaar left, I'd be disappointed in as much as it'd be a player leaving on his terms rather than ours, which always irritates me, and happens too often, but I wouldn't be massively bothered squad-wise.
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Every now and again there's a little flash of God in Okore. Hopefully he carries his form on all season. If he did he'd end up possibly being a good shout for POTY.
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He reminds me of Paul Parker. Another good little player.
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Only a few matches, but Okore looks highly impressive. Not only that, he seems to have formed a partnership with Clark.
If Vlaar left, I'd be disappointed in as much as it'd be a player leaving on his terms rather than ours, which always irritates me, and happens too often, but I wouldn't be massively bothered squad-wise.
R5L were raving about Vlaar yesterday, most other media outlets I've heard / watched put Okore forward as the key defender.
We are - bizarrely - replete with CB right now after these last few seasons.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
We don't know whether it will work or now either way because of the sample size. And yes, Clark and Okore has worked well. But not wishing to dismiss Clarke Carlisle, we are talking Clarke Carlisle vs Ron Vlaar, or the many other players who are right footed and play on the left without issue. Some players can't make it work, others make it look it look easy.
Plenty of right footed players have played left side, including laursen, southgate, dunne, hyppia, vidic
I do think vlaar much prefers right side but I'd think he could do both
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
sorry but who is Clark Carlisle? I've never yeard of him
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He reminds me of Paul Parker. Another good little player.
Paul Parker is 5ft 7, Jores Okore is 6ft. Not sure that is a good comparison. Parker is little, Okore isn't.
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The way Okore runs and composes himself reminds me of Ugo.
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He reminds me of Paul Parker. Another good little player.
Paul Parker is 5ft 7, Jores Okore is 6ft. Not sure that is a good comparison. Parker is little, Okore isn't.
It's funny with Jores but he looks a little smaller than that. That said he's still good in the air and he's pretty burly. He's got everything in his locker a top defender needs. And these days there is becoming less need for 6ft 4 center-backs.
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He reminds me of Paul Parker. Another good little player.
Paul Parker is 5ft 7, Jores Okore is 6ft. Not sure that is a good comparison. Parker is little, Okore isn't.
It's funny with Jores but he looks a little smaller than that. That said he's still good in the air and he's pretty burly. He's got everything in his locker a top defender needs. And these days there is becoming less need for 6ft 4 center-backs.
It's his lack of neck that makes him look smaller than he actually is.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
sorry but who is Clark Carlisle? I've never yeard of him
Click me. (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Clarke+Carlisle)
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Well it has certainly been worth the wait in getting back fit and playing. Right now he is looking one of Lambert's best signings.
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That's another quite crazy thing with the Lambert era. He's found two players who are going to absolutely world class in Benteke and Okore. That is bit a bad record for the fees we've spent.
You could add Guzan to that list too.
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Agree Okore looks like a very good player, strong, quick and decent with the ball aswell.
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That's another quite crazy thing with the Lambert era. He's found two players who are going to absolutely world class in Benteke and Okore. That is bit a bad record for the fees we've spent.
You could add Guzan to that list too.
I think Vlaar is also a very good player, and we would have seen more of that had he been able to stay healthy. Kozak was coming along too, and I think for a punt Senderos looked very good business. When you serpent at the lower end of the market while playing at the top end then naturally things won't always pan out. But he's done very well with the players he has spent anything that can be considered (in recent Villa terms) as significant. Who knows how good he might have been able to do with a MON size budget?
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Sanchez is improving every game aswell. He'll be a good DM for us in time now he's getting the pace of the league.
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Sanchez is improving every game aswell. He'll be a good DM for us in time now he's getting the pace of the league.
yes, I think he will turn out to be a super player. I hope there is some way of keeping Delph because Sanchez/Delph in front of the back four is starting to look rather solid.
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Only a few matches, but Okore looks highly impressive. Not only that, he seems to have formed a partnership with Clark.
If Vlaar left, I'd be disappointed in as much as it'd be a player leaving on his terms rather than ours, which always irritates me, and happens too often, but I wouldn't be massively bothered squad-wise.
I doubt Vlaar will go in Jan. He is currently to injury prone and was holding his calf again yesterday. Be surprised if he plays all the games over xmas
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It's interesting how quickly things can turn around, just a month ago we we're worried about his lack of games and wondered if there had been a rift between him and PL, and because of an injury crisis he has got his chance and looks better and better. Well done to Clark as well, he has improved a lot recently and as others have mentioned Sanchez performing better every week has helped the back four.
If we could create some chances and have some movement up top, we may have a half decent side.
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If we sold every player good and bad that a Lambert has bought in,
He would show a healthy profit I think, and not just because of Benteke
I bet there's not to many managers that could show that
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Okore is looking as though he will be a top top player, really hope it is at Villa
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If we sold every player good and bad that a Lambert has bought in,
He would show a healthy profit I think, and not just because of Benteke
I bet there's not to many managers that could show that
I still contend that if he commits to keeping possession and passing the ball, the opinion of this team by a lot of people will start to change. I just think as they get more used to playing this way they'll become more confident at it. We still probably need 3 or 4 players in of the Okore talent level that can really embrace this new approach but for the most I believe most of this squad can play this way, and play it very well.
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If we sold every player good and bad that a Lambert has bought in,
He would show a healthy profit I think, and not just because of Benteke
I bet there's not to many managers that could show that
I still contend that if he commits to keeping possession and passing the ball, the opinion of this team by a lot of people will start to change. I just think as they get more used to playing this way they'll become more confident at it. We still probably need 3 or 4 players in of the Okore talent level that can really embrace this new approach but for the most I believe most of this squad can play this way, and play it very well.
Things certainly seem to be moving in the right direction for the moment. Can't remember the last time I went home from two Villa Park games in succession feeling happy and that I'd been entertained.
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when Okore first joined he played with Vlaar despite them being both right footed. Yes, balance comes into it as does chemistry. However one is a young and very promising CB, the other a very experienced CB and captain of the club. And two right players works if the understanding is correct. There are examples everywhere today where it works, and some of our own best CB pairings over the years have been 2, even 3 right footed players playing perfectly well together.
They only started 3 games together so we still don't know how well they work together long term. And as has been said, some players don't like playing on the 'wrong' side of a partnership. I read the Clarke Carlisle book recently and in one part he mentioned he had to play the wrong side and he had zero confidence in himself there. He didn't feel comfortable knowing positioning, using his wrong foot etc.
sorry but who is Clark Carlisle? I've never yeard of him
Click me. (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Clarke+Carlisle)
cheeky devil ( I did click your link)
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If we sold every player good and bad that a Lambert has bought in,
He would show a healthy profit I think, and not just because of Benteke
I bet there's not to many managers that could show that
I still contend that if he commits to keeping possession and passing the ball, the opinion of this team by a lot of people will start to change. I just think as they get more used to playing this way they'll become more confident at it. We still probably need 3 or 4 players in of the Okore talent level that can really embrace this new approach but for the most I believe most of this squad can play this way, and play it very well.
To be honest, I'm not sure how much of the coaching PL actually does. With that in mind, the appointment of a top coach to work alongside him could be a good addition.
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It is only Clarke Carlisle, but he was only facing 3rd or 4th division attackers not Rooney, RVP, Bony etc, and had still been a pro for 15 years. The point is more confidence in playing the position, we can be flakey enough as it is in defence without potentially adding another issue. I'd stick with Clark and Okore for 2 reasons, 1) I don't like dropping players who are playing well and 2) I doubt many of us expect to see Vlaar in a Villa shirt after the summer, so let's build a partnership with players who will be here (hopefully) and are playing well together.
Speaking of Clarke Carlisle - sad news about him today
Clarke Carlisle is fighting for his life after being hit by a lorry. Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender who went on to be chairman of the PFA and also achieved acclaim for his appearance on TV's Countdown, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with life threatening injuries. The incident took place near Bishopthorpe in North Yorkshire at 7.30am on Monday, with the road closed to allow the air ambulance to arrive at the scene. The reason for the accident remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman said they were 'pursuing all avenues'.
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Crikey, hope he pulls through.
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There's a story in The Sun today saying Inter Milan are eyeing up Jores. Vlaar had previously been linked but their scouts felt Okore caught the eye more (when have they played together this season???). Apparently we'd expect 8 million, which would more than double our money but given his age, and the fact that he could get even better (and of course this is in The Sun and Inter don't have a pot to piss in right now) this is probably a non-starter.
This summer will be very interesting. If Jores ends the season strongly, there might be a few predators lurking. I wonder if we might offer him an improved deal.
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He's injured his knee so will most likely be out at the weekend at least....Still rubber band Ron is fully fit..
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
Clark and Baker both seem to struggle alongside Vlaar. I wonder if it helps them having Okore beside them, as he's pacier.
Not too worried about Inter being linked with Okore, they're crap nowadays.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
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It is only Clarke Carlisle,
Speaking of Clarke Carlisle - sad news about him today
Clarke Carlisle is fighting for his life after being hit by a lorry. Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender who went on to be chairman of the PFA and also achieved acclaim for his appearance on TV's Countdown, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with life threatening injuries. The incident took place near Bishopthorpe in North Yorkshire at 7.30am on Monday, with the road closed to allow the air ambulance to arrive at the scene. The reason for the accident remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman said they were 'pursuing all avenues'.
That happened last December.
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You're quoting him from last December.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
I don't think Vlaar is anyway similar to teale. Vlaar is better on the ball, likes to drive forward with it more, and can use both feet.
As for Vlaar, interesting that he's made a recovery - if indeed he has - for his audition, sorry, the game, against Man U.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
I don't think Vlaar is anyway similar to teale. Vlaar is better on the ball, likes to drive forward with it more, and can use both feet.
As for Vlaar, interesting that he's made a recovery - if indeed he has - for his audition, sorry, the game, against Man U.
I don't see any link whatsoever between his recovery and the game against Man U. I'm sure Man U if they wanted to sign him could have done so already and have scouts that will base their opinion on more than a game against them. Plus Vlaar I imagine will have many options in Europe at the end of his contract.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
I don't think Vlaar is anyway similar to teale. Vlaar is better on the ball, likes to drive forward with it more, and can use both feet.
As for Vlaar, interesting that he's made a recovery - if indeed he has - for his audition, sorry, the game, against Man U.
I don't see any link whatsoever between his recovery and the game against Man U. I'm sure Man U if they wanted to sign him could have done so already and have scouts that will base their opinion on more than a game against them. Plus Vlaar I imagine will have many options in Europe at the end of his contract.
To exercise those options to the full he needs to be outstanding till the end of the season. Balancing a big silver pot on his head might help too.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
I don't think Vlaar is anyway similar to teale. Vlaar is better on the ball, likes to drive forward with it more, and can use both feet.
As for Vlaar, interesting that he's made a recovery - if indeed he has - for his audition, sorry, the game, against Man U.
I don't see any link whatsoever between his recovery and the game against Man U. I'm sure Man U if they wanted to sign him could have done so already and have scouts that will base their opinion on more than a game against them. Plus Vlaar I imagine will have many options in Europe at the end of his contract.
Neither do I and i wasn't being altogether serious.
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If Vlaar is fully fit then that is very good news. Clark in the form that he is alongside Vlaar is our strongest pairing.
I'd go for most reliable rather than best. I think Okore is going to be another in our long line of top-quality central defenders but he's still error-prone whereas Vlaar (Stoke apart) is a good bog standard stopper in the Shaun Teale mould.
I don't think Vlaar is anyway similar to teale. Vlaar is better on the ball, likes to drive forward with it more, and can use both feet.
As for Vlaar, interesting that he's made a recovery - if indeed he has - for his audition, sorry, the game, against Man U.
I don't see any link whatsoever between his recovery and the game against Man U. I'm sure Man U if they wanted to sign him could have done so already and have scouts that will base their opinion on more than a game against them. Plus Vlaar I imagine will have many options in Europe at the end of his contract.
To exercise those options to the full he needs to be outstanding till the end of the season. Balancing a big silver pot on his head might help too.
A wonderful dream for us and if achieved he could join whoever he wanted with my best wishes. God I want to us lift the FA Cup so badly!!!
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I see inter Milan are looking at him.
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I see inter Milan are looking at him.
We should retaliate by staring really hard at Guissepe Bergomi.
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http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/pdf/wp110_eng.pdf (http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/pdf/wp110_eng.pdf)
The stats don't lie
I thought he looked really strong at the weekend, he's going to be a hell of a player for us
especially when you consider he's 3 years younger than Clark, and has had a whole season out
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I'd like to see us looking at extending Okore's contract. He's a cracking player.
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Me too, I like him a lot.
Strong and agressive, and can play a bit.
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I'd like to see us looking at extending Okore's contract. He's a cracking player.
Definitely, and he's only going to get better all being well. Has the lot to be a great center half I reckon.
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He was excellent against West Ham.
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I'd like to see us looking at extending Okore's contract. He's a cracking player.
Agreed. Now would be a very good time to extend it.
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Looks like Jores will be missing the cup final with some discomfort in the same knee he had operated on. Means he will also pull out of Denmark's squad for the U21 Euros. Very tough news but hopefully nothing that won't stop him from starting next season. So it will be Vlaar/Baker for the final.
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Interesting that he and Vlaar have essentially been training about once a week. Would explain the lack of cohesion between them at times, and the injury issue would certainly explain why Okore has at times looked a bit shaky. Hopefully this summer can clear it up for him a bit.
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It goes some way to explaining Southampton
It also means we'd be crazy to play that high line against arsenal. I really hope we don't. I think we might
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It goes some way to explaining Southampton
It also means we'd be crazy to play that high line against arsenal. I really hope we don't. I think we might
With the high line (typically) comes the pressing in midfield and the added benefit that Cleverly and Delph are not a million miles from Benteke. I'm not sure, and welcome comments, on how we can play Sherwood'd 'front foot' football without it?
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We can't. Simple truth is far full backs and a much faster centre half are needed for it to not have some pretty bad results.
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
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It goes some way to explaining Southampton
It also means we'd be crazy to play that high line against arsenal. I really hope we don't. I think we might
With the high line (typically) comes the pressing in midfield and the added benefit that Cleverly and Delph are not a million miles from Benteke. I'm not sure, and welcome comments, on how we can play Sherwood'd 'front foot' football without it?
It's a good point. For this game, we really could do with playing on the break a fair bit.
I've got an ill informed hunch the strategy might be to pack the central midfield area and play attacking full backs to counteract arsenal's very centrally focused approach, hence the nzogbia experiment
Still think we could see Westwood and Sanchez
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
Not so sure about that, Vlaar will be more comfortable on the right and Baker is the quickest of the three.
Baker was brutal for Ings goal at the weekend but hopefully the game time will improve him.
If we play a high line against these, we will be hammered like we were at Arsenal earlier in the season.
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
Not so sure about that, Vlaar will be more comfortable on the right and Baker is the quickest of the three.
Baker was brutal for Ings goal at the weekend but hopefully the game time will improve him.
If we play a high line against these, we will be hammered like we were at Arsenal earlier in the season.
Well ordinarily Okore is quite quick. But in the last month he's looked decidedly slow, for obvious reasons of course.
I think next season, if he's back fit and raring to go he'll step up again and also show some pace.
When Vlaar is fit he normally has a good turn of pace once he's cranked up through the gears, but of course he's never fit.
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Baker quicker than Okore? ???
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Okore is our paciest defender and easily faster than Baker.
I'm not Baker's biggest fan but I think against Geroud he might be a better option in any case.
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Baker quicker than Okore? ???
I think I'm quicker than Baker!! Okore is our fastest defender (when fit). I see TS has said in B'ham Mail that Okore has been rested for the last week in an effort to be fit for the Final. Long term, though, it looks like he'll need surgery to correct the problem. It's the right knee that he had the ACL surgery on, which is a bit worrying. TS has already withdrawn Okore for the Danish U21 Tournament this summer. Hope Jores gets back fully fit for next season...
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I'd like him to play but we shouldn't risk him if its the knee that kept him out so long.Hopefully he can get some rest and treatment over the summer.
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Baker is our slowest defender
Okore's recovery speed gets him out of a few mistakes but he can't do that at the moment
Baker will be good against giroud. But if they play Walcott up front and can get balls in behind only Theo's erratic shooting might save us
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
has it been confirmed?
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
has it been confirmed?
just looking likely. Not 100% confirmed
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Baker will be good against giroud. But if they play Walcott up front and can get balls in behind only Theo's erratic shooting might save us
I agree.
Although the problem we have with playing Baker is what we do after he goes off with "hurty hair" or "twisted beard" after 15 minutes.
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Have you ever seen a bloke carried off more often than Baker? Madness. I would imagine a half fit Okore will be on the bench, or we will be lining up with Lowton and Cissokho at centre half before you know it! Can Donancien (sp) play?
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What about Senderos? TS should've given him a run-out against Burnley. My hunch is that Okore will play - read the B'ham Mail report - TS said he's the sort to have alongside you in the trenches!
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Midlands Today showed the squad in training today. Okore was training with them with no sign of any strapping to his knee. As I said, he'll play. I'd rather he played instead of Baker.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4746506,00.html
He definitely training, it's looking all good.
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Okore missing the cup final will be a huge blow.
Not so sure about that, Vlaar will be more comfortable on the right and Baker is the quickest of the three.
Baker was brutal for Ings goal at the weekend but hopefully the game time will improve him.
If we play a high line against these, we will be hammered like we were at Arsenal earlier in the season.
He got caught out of position when Boyd was put through as well. He's solid enough, but gets caught out at times which often results in goals against.
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A problem with playing Okore is that it mean Vlaar gets to look very awkward on the left side of the two centre backs.
Whilst Okore is the better individual player, the sum of the parts might be better with Vlaar and Baker.
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If Okore is available he'll be on the bench and we will start with Vlaar and Baker.
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If Okore is available he'll be on the bench and we will start with Vlaar and Baker.
I think that will be the case TV. But if Wenger plays Walcott as a central striker Ron Vlaar better be at his absolute best to cope with him.
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If Okore is available he'll be on the bench and we will start with Vlaar and Baker.
I think that will be the case TV. But if Wenger plays Walcott as a central striker Ron Vlaar better be at his absolute best to cope with him.
In 'is fookin pocket.
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Depending on injuries, it might not be a bad shout to play Baker or Lowton at LB. Lowton did OK vs WBA.
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Depending on injuries, it might not be a bad shout to play Baker or Lowton at LB. Lowton did OK vs WBA.
I wonder why lowton didn't play when Richardson picked up his injury
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Depending on injuries, it might not be a bad shout to play Baker or Lowton at LB. Lowton did OK vs WBA.
I wonder why lowton didn't play when Richardson picked up his injury
If there is a doubt about Richardson's fitness then Lowton has to be a better solution that N'zogbia.
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If we play nzogbia at left back it will be a catastrophe
Really hope Richardson is properly fit. If not, I'd go lowton over Hutton. I'd have cissokho ahead of either of them but he looks out of favour
If arsenal don't play with a proper wide right our left back could be a key outball.
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He won't play Charlie left back. He did it last game just to fill the gap. Not going to happen.
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Lowton did well when he filled in at left back for a few games.
Why Sherwood didn't play him there v Soton I'll never know - Hutton was a disaster...made the back 4 unbalanced and with Cardboard Ron and Okore having mares it's no wonder we shipped 6!
Okore looks ok in the training pics...just hope he makes it for Saturday.
Baker marking Walcott worries me a bit - I can see him getting a late consolation goal as Nathan's concentration slips while he thinks about how to avoid swearing during his victorious post-match interview.
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Yeah baker looked a bit leaden footed on Sunday
I think it's probably a case of who is fittest plays
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Thought Okore was one of the few bright spots of the final. Him and Clark could be a genuine solution at centre back with a couple of full backs that can actually defend.
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Not for me Ozzjim. Too small and they lose their marker too often.
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Clark's been great this year!
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Not for me Ozzjim. Too small and they lose their marker too often.
Okore is just over 6ft. That's not too small for a CB. Clark is 6' 2
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Thought Okore was one of the few bright spots of the final. Him and Clark could be a genuine solution at centre back with a couple of full backs that can actually defend.
I thought he was very poor - from that early mis-control on his thigh which set the tone for the game to positional play and awareness. He was obviously not alone.
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I like okore but he does get a bit of an easy ride. He can be excellent but he makes a lot of small mistakes though his pace enables him to recover
I still see him as a challenger for a starting place and would want someone in alongside Clark. I'm losing a bit of faith in vlaar
But more than anything I worry about the coaching. Spurs were awful at the back under sherwood and so have we been. These players have all done ok defensively in the past, albeit in a less expansive side
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Was Phil Brown missing from the Southampton game and build up due to the death of his son? I am sure I read that somewhere - and up until then he had been orchestrating the work with the keeper and the back 4 organisation. The weekend showed how easy we were to be doubled in wide areas that allowed us to be stretched and create space for runners through the middle. I have no idea how we fix it, but with Cleverley likely to go to Everton and Benteke possibly off too, there will be a possible re-structure to the whole shape of the side, which could help us be a bit more compact without the ball.
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I think we'll see a better Okore next season. I think because of circumstance he's played more than he might have this season.
I like him. He'll get better. He just needs a stable, reliable partner. I still think a new first choice is absolutely imperative. But I'm more than happy to keep Okore as 3rd choice.
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Was Phil Brown missing from the Southampton game and build up due to the death of his son? I am sure I read that somewhere - and up until then he had been orchestrating the work with the keeper and the back 4 organisation. The weekend showed how easy we were to be doubled in wide areas that allowed us to be stretched and create space for runners through the middle. I have no idea how we fix it, but with Cleverley likely to go to Everton and Benteke possibly off too, there will be a possible re-structure to the whole shape of the side, which could help us be a bit more compact without the ball.
Phil Brown?
Tony Parks, you mean?
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Okore looks a bit like the little fella from Different Strokes.
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Okore looks a bit like the little fella from Different Strokes.
Whatcha talking about, aev?
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Was Phil Brown missing from the Southampton game and build up due to the death of his son? I am sure I read that somewhere - and up until then he had been orchestrating the work with the keeper and the back 4 organisation. The weekend showed how easy we were to be doubled in wide areas that allowed us to be stretched and create space for runners through the middle. I have no idea how we fix it, but with Cleverley likely to go to Everton and Benteke possibly off too, there will be a possible re-structure to the whole shape of the side, which could help us be a bit more compact without the ball.
Phil Brown?
Tony Parks, you mean?
That's twice now Ozz has mentioned Phil Brown. Strange auto correct setting on his iPhone that changes Tony Parks to Phil Brown, or simply that he has a subconscious affection for the orange man.
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Thank TV! Kids been sleeping really badly and work been hectic so my brain is fully addled! Why am I thinking of that knob!! I meant Parkes, as thankfully you have deduced!
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But more than anything I worry about the coaching. Spurs were awful at the back under sherwood and so have we been. These players have all done ok defensively in the past, albeit in a less expansive side
I am sorry but we have been terrible defensively for the past 3 seasons at least. It has not been just since Sherwood arrived.
Packing the defence is not the answer to make up for poor individual performances and, to some extent, an unsettled line up.
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I think Sherwood has had a horrid task as far as the defence goes. When have we actually had 4 fit players, all playing in their correct positions for him? Probably never. Even Okore played through the pain barrier for the last month and Vlaar is never really fit. The full back areas have been ridiculous. I'm surprised we didn't ship more to be honest.
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Clark Baker
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I think in defence of Timmy, the back 4 changed every week due to injury.
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Clark Baker
Two left footed centre backs? No thanks
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Clark Baker
good god NOOOOOOOOOO. Both have looked much improved this season, but they haven't played much together - they are terrible as a partnership
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Okore looks a bit like the little fella from Different Strokes.
I like these two photos of Jores. His little face makes me smile.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/10/1407665019520_wps_1_Bumxzz2IcAA354N_jpg.jpg)
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/9a/6c/0,,10265~13659290,00.jpg)
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Clark Baker
No thanks.
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I think in defence of Timmy, the back 4 changed every week due to injury.
Agreed. All things considered, I thought he did well or at least the players did in slotting in and managing to do a job. However, serious attention needs to be given to the defence this summer. Jores will be better after a rest this summer and a full pre-season behind him. He's had a tough time but you can see the talent is there. It's so easy to forget how young he is.
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Denmark have confirmed he's out of the Euro U21's Championships after having a scan on his knee
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Denmark have confirmed he's out of the Euro U21's Championships after having a scan on his knee
Which is a good thing, right?
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Finally some good news..
Jores Okore has been backed to provide big competition in the battle for places at centre-half.
That's according to Tim Sherwood, who has this week spoken of his delight at seeing Okore back in action.
Powerful Okore was with the U21s on Monday as they faced West Brom - and the defender played the full 90 minutes at Walsall.
Sherwood thinks that the 22-year-old will be in senior contention in a few weeks following the international break and some more U21 games.
But apart from his own delight, Sherwood says he's more thrilled for the Dane, who he has a lot of time for as a player and as a person.
He told AVTV: "It's good news for Jores.
"I am pleased for him, first and foremost, because he's such a great lad.
"He played on one leg for the cause last season. He wasn't fit.
"But now hopefully we can get him training on a regular basis and playing some games - get into a rhythm of playing - and then it will be onwards and upwards for him.
"You want to look players in the eye and know what you're going to get. He's 100% all of the time.
"If he makes mistakes, they will be honest ones.
"The plan was for him to play 45 minutes on Monday but the guy is such a warrior, you have to drag him off the field. No-one was brave enough to drag him off.
"It was fantastic for him - and for the club.
"After the international break, we will get a couple more games into him and then he will be ready to go, I hope."
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Nice quotes from Sherwood. He does talk players up well which must give them confidence.
Can't see him getting in the team ahead of Richard though.
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Anyone know when Okore is back ??
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as soon as Dave Moyes joins
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Denmark have confirmed he's out of the Euro U21's Championships after having a scan on his knee
Which is a good thing, right?
No needed to take part to get match fit.
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Do we have any idea what's up with Jores. We desperately need a competent right sided central defender, either Jores steps up or we need to go shopping in January.
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Maybe he's not up to speed, was a nasty injury, we've had a fair bloody share
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Knee is injured again - all we need. Was hoping to see him alongside Lescott and Richards. You wonder if he'll ever be fully over the injury.
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If he can't play a run of games without being injured then he is useless, another poor signing and waste of money. We need 2 new centre backs this summer, this lot are shite.
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He does seem to be struggling now to put a run of games together but I don't think he was a poor signing because one really bad injury seems to be having a continual effect.
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If he can't play a run of games without being injured then he is useless, another poor signing and waste of money. We need 2 new centre backs this summer, this lot are shite.
That'll be the guy who was regarded as one of the brightest centre back prospects in Europe who we signed for comparative peanuts.
The guy who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a "one of those things" moment.
The guy who played through the back end of last season knowing he was injured and doing more damage with every game but kept going because him and Vlaar were the only 2 centre backs still standing.
There's plenty to be pissed off about without inventing utter bollocks.
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He does seem to be struggling now to put a run of games together but I don't think he was a poor signing because one really bad injury seems to be having a continual effect.
Normally I'd agree with you but I'm so pissed off with this long drawn out embarrassment that I can't be arsed with any of them. There's a problem or any excuse for around 90% of them and I just can't be arsed with having them associated with my football club anymore.
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As pissed off as anyone is, seems harsh to be blame him or the club for him doing his ACL.
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Jores has been unlucky but when he does play he's generally a bit of a nightmare to watch. There's a lot of ricks in the lad but of course part of this has been that he effectively missed a year of crucial development time and has also had to play with bollocks next to him. I hope he won't be missed potential because he's got everything in his arsenal, but he needs a run of games and we need a good partner for him in the window.
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Even when he manages to shuffle onto the field he's a liability and I worry when he goes anywhere near the ball. One of many players who need to be moved on once this sorry season ends.
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Good player and is way down the list as far as blame goes in my book. Remember how Delph took time to come back from his injuries and then came good? Well I'm pretty confident Jores will do the same if he remains injury free.
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if's the 64 thousand dollar word though - seemingly we have a myriad of defenders and they are all made of glass.
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Looking in the Danish sports media, aparently the operation in the summer was to clear up scar tissue from the cruciate operation.
The extended rehab was because the damage was worse than originally expected due to playing the last 3-4 weeks of last season with inflammation caused by the scar tissue.
Nothing about the current issue.
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He played with an injury and a lot of pain to help us stay up.
I think he is the best centre half we have and if he could stay fit could be a very good player.
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I like Jores and think he will come good.
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At 23 Okore stills has time on his side, but he does need to improve if he's to hold down a place in the side. He has all of the physical attributes, but his touch is often heavy and I'm not sure that his reading of the game is particularly good. That said, he reminds me of Ugo Ehiogu at the same kind of age, so I haven't quite given up on him yet.
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He's comfortably our best centre back, i'd like to think he'll be the mainstay of our team and drive us back to the premiership, but (if he has a stretch of games without injury in the second half of the season) i'm worried he might get poached by a team in one of the top leagues in europe
Mad to think he's a full 3 years younger than Clark, yet Clark still gets treated as though he's a player with the potential become far better than reality shows
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At 23 Okore stills has time on his side, but he does need to improve if he's to hold down a place in the side. He has all of the physical attributes, but his touch is often heavy and I'm not sure that his reading of the game is particularly good. That said, he reminds me of Ugo Ehiogu at the same kind of age, so I haven't quite given up on him yet.
Given the improvement in the defence when he played with Lescott I'd say that indicates he's pretty decent.
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I think he'll be a really important player for us in the championship. Must keep imo.
We look a bit better when he's in the back 4 in this league.
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I think what he needs is a big left sided stopper type central defender next to him. You will then see him develop.
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At 23 Okore stills has time on his side, but he does need to improve if he's to hold down a place in the side. He has all of the physical attributes, but his touch is often heavy and I'm not sure that his reading of the game is particularly good. That said, he reminds me of Ugo Ehiogu at the same kind of age, so I haven't quite given up on him yet.
Given the improvement in the defence when he played with Lescott I'd say that indicates he's pretty decent.
Defensively, our most solid period last year was also him paired with Clark.
He gets caught out pushing up if he's harassing the guy with the ball backwards, but that's the way FCN played under Kaspersky Hjulmand with a Sanchez type player dropping in and his distribution isn't fantastic but I think that's confidence more than anything. Anyhow, it's no worse than Clark and infinitely better than Baker's
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Probably our most underrated player.
Is it a major co-incidence our defensive stats improve yet again when he gets a run in the team (also remember he didn't play the Norwich and Swansea games).
Yes he was poor end of last season but anyone could see he was near enough playing on one leg at Southampton and in the cup final, he could barely run.
An important player to keep and build the team around next season I'd say.
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Probably our most underrated player.
Is it a major co-incidence our defensive stats improve yet again when he gets a run in the team (also remember he didn't play the Norwich and Swansea games).
Yes he was poor end of last season but anyone could see he was near enough playing on one leg at Southampton and in the cup final, he could barely run.
An important player to keep and build the team around next season I'd say.
Yep. Eight games he's played this season including today. Only one defeat which given we've spent most of the season being defeated can't be a coincidence.
Southampton 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham
Wycombe 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 0 C Palace
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Leicester
WBA 0-0 Aston Villa
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He needs to do the simple things more. The number of times he tries to do too much rather than just clearing the ball. I thought he got no help from the ref today as there were a number of times when an Albion player just barged into him as he was about to play the ball.
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He needs to do the simple things more. The number of times he tries to do too much rather than just clearing the ball.
I do agree with that, but he's still only 23 - I think there's a lot of improvement left in him yet.
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He needs to do the simple things more. The number of times he tries to do too much rather than just clearing the ball.
I do agree with that, but he's still only 23 - I think there's a lot of improvement left in him yet.
Certainly. With a strong experienced player alongside him, I think he will develop into a very good player. It shows having even Lescott next to him, how it helps.
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Jores is looking very good at the moment but still has at least a couple of heart in mouth moments per game, but fairs fair, he's still young and hopefully he'll learn. He's got everything in his locker though. I think he'll be immense in the Championship for us. I expect him to stay and I'd expect him and Lescott to be key players.
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I think he was my man of the match today
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It is no coincidence that we have improved since he came back. His record in the side this season is startling compared to the rest of the side I think.
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Lescott has also impressed me in recent weeks, he's looked very solid.
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I thought Okore was great against Palace as well. Him and Lescott seem to have struck up a bit of an understanding. Cissokho's made a difference as well.
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The defence is looking decent now, they are unlikely to be bullied by anyone. Okore does occasionally show a touch of inexperience but it is more than compensated for by his all round game.
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Don't forget he also missed 12 months of development at what's usually a critical period around 21 when he did his cruciate.
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I really like him. He tries to defend pro-actively, which sometimes leads to him making mistakes, but it's what marks out the best defenders.
I would suggest that if we look more solid at the back, it's essentially down to Garde. It looks to me as if he has relieved the full-backs of some responsibility for creating all our attacks, and told them to be a bit more circumspect about going forward. Particularly Cissokho, so Lescott's lack of pace doesn't get exposed too much.
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Okore is not really helped by having Richards on the pitch in whatever position due to amount of arse covering he has to do.
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Richards was playing like it was a practice match for half the time yesterday. Barely broke sweat. Thought he played Okore into trouble a couple of times.
Lescott and he do look a pairing now. Keeping both fit and in the side next season would be a good place to start the rebuild but I bet Okore is one of the first picked off.
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Probably our most underrated player.
Is it a major co-incidence our defensive stats improve yet again when he gets a run in the team (also remember he didn't play the Norwich and Swansea games).
Yes he was poor end of last season but anyone could see he was near enough playing on one leg at Southampton and in the cup final, he could barely run.
An important player to keep and build the team around next season I'd say.
Yep. Eight games he's played this season including today. Only one defeat which given we've spent most of the season being defeated can't be a coincidence.
Southampton 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham
Wycombe 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 0 C Palace
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Leicester
WBA 0-0 Aston Villa
Great stats. Thanks for this I hadn't realised the correlation. Said it before if he can stay injury free he'll be a great player for us.
If we could add a fit Sanchez to help protect the defence a bit you never know we may convert some of these draws into wins? How's that for optimism?
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Probably our most underrated player.
Is it a major co-incidence our defensive stats improve yet again when he gets a run in the team (also remember he didn't play the Norwich and Swansea games).
Yes he was poor end of last season but anyone could see he was near enough playing on one leg at Southampton and in the cup final, he could barely run.
An important player to keep and build the team around next season I'd say.
Yep. Eight games he's played this season including today. Only one defeat which given we've spent most of the season being defeated can't be a coincidence.
Southampton 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham
Wycombe 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 0 C Palace
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Leicester
WBA 0-0 Aston Villa
There is something about him that always worries me, he dithers to much
But fair enough you can't argue with those stats, it's looks pretty impressive for the lad
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Richards was playing like it was a practice match for half the time yesterday. Barely broke sweat. Thought he played Okore into trouble a couple of times.
Lescott and he do look a pairing now. Keeping both fit and in the side next season would be a good place to start the rebuild but I bet Okore is one of the first picked off.
I can only presume he played Richards yesterday for his height to combat their set peices. I think Bacuna there and Veretout in the middle would have been better but we didn't concede I suppose.
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Okore is a bloody good player. Our back four actually looks competent when he and Lescott play together.
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the problem is the more accomplished he - and others - become under Garde's leadership, the more likely they are to be poached
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the problem is the more accomplished he - and others - become under Garde's leadership, the more likely they are to be poached
I think he'd stick it out for a year, he seems a good lad.
I remember an interview when he first joined about his agent suggesting he go in hard when he started training, so the first thing he did was cart Benteke into the air.
That impressed me at the time, and his front foot defending has ever since.
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He and Lescott certainly seem to be our best pairing at the moment. I'm glad Garde had the nuts to see through Clark and Richards to dump them both. I am much more optimistic that we could get out of this with a striker and centre mid brought in over the next week. Much more solid in defence and I see no reason to loan Debuchy if we keep the back four as it is.
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the problem is the more accomplished he - and others - become under Garde's leadership, the more likely they are to be poached
I think he'd stick it out for a year, he seems a good lad.
I remember an interview when he first joined about his agent suggesting he go in hard when he started training, so the first thing he did was cart Benteke into the air.
That impressed me at the time, and his front foot defending has ever since.
He'll stay. I don't think anyone outside of the Villa has any idea who he is. It's quite hard to catch the eye as a CH in a side that's rock bottom. The assumption is, that having on of the leakiest defences means the defenders are all shit. Which isn't always the case. He's also young and he's missed a lot through injury in his time, so I think a full season, even at Champ level, will do him the world of good and Jore's is probably sensible enough to know that.
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the problem is the more accomplished he - and others - become under Garde's leadership, the more likely they are to be poached
I think he'd stick it out for a year, he seems a good lad.
I remember an interview when he first joined about his agent suggesting he go in hard when he started training, so the first thing he did was cart Benteke into the air.
That impressed me at the time, and his front foot defending has ever since.
He'll stay. I don't think anyone outside of the Villa has any idea who he is. It's quite hard to catch the eye as a CH in a side that's rock bottom. The assumption is, that having on of the leakiest defences means the defenders are all shit. Which isn't always the case. He's also young and he's missed a lot through injury in his time, so I think a full season, even at Champ level, will do him the world of good and Jore's is probably sensible enough to know that.
Some pundit was on Talksport just before Christmas saying that Okore wasn't good enough for top flight football. I think he will become a top player in time if he can avoid injury.
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Worth a quick bump of this thread for Jores given his impact of late. You only need to look at a comparison of us when he is or isn't in the side:
Villa this season without Okore:
P16 W1 D2 L13 Conceded 32 Points 5
Average goals per game conceded - 2
Average points per game - 0.31
Villa with Okore this season:
P9 W2 D5 L2 Conceded 8 Points 11
Average goals per game conceded - 0.88
Average pts per game 1.22
Now, I think it's fair to say that there are a few factors other than Okore's form at work here - particularly his partnership with Lescott - but the only time we have looked loose defensive in the last couple of months were the two games he missed against Norwich and Sunderland. The only times we have lost with him in the team (or conceded more than once in the game) were against Arsenal and a West Ham team who had a man extra for 75 minutes.
There's no doubt which Villa player is looking likely to emerge from this season with the most credit. He's really likeable too. I hope he stays.
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Probably our most underrated player.
Is it a major co-incidence our defensive stats improve yet again when he gets a run in the team (also remember he didn't play the Norwich and Swansea games).
Yes he was poor end of last season but anyone could see he was near enough playing on one leg at Southampton and in the cup final, he could barely run.
An important player to keep and build the team around next season I'd say.
Yep. Eight games he's played this season including today. Only one defeat which given we've spent most of the season being defeated can't be a coincidence.
Southampton 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham
Wycombe 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1 - 0 C Palace
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Leicester
WBA 0-0 Aston Villa
There is something about him that always worries me, he dithers to much
But fair enough you can't argue with those stats, it's looks pretty impressive for the lad
That looks like he is making us draw rather than win games. Stats for you :)
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Worth a quick bump of this thread for Jores given his impact of late. You only need to look at a comparison of us when he is or isn't in the side:
Villa this season without Okore:
P16 W1 D2 L13 Conceded 32 Points 5
Average goals per game conceded - 2
Average points per game - 0.31
Villa with Okore this season:
P9 W2 D5 L2 Conceded 8 Points 11
Average goals per game conceded - 0.88
Average pts per game 1.22
Now, I think it's fair to say that there are a few factors other than Okore's form at work here - particularly his partnership with Lescott - but the only time we have looked loose defensive in the last couple of months were the two games he missed against Norwich and Sunderland. The only times we have lost with him in the team (or conceded more than once in the game) were against Arsenal and a West Ham team who had a man extra for 75 minutes.
There's no doubt which Villa player is looking likely to emerge from this season with the most credit. He's really likeable too. I hope he stays.
He was also part of our best partnership last year when he was alongside Clark.
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Richards was playing like it was a practice match for half the time yesterday. Barely broke sweat. Thought he played Okore into trouble a couple of times.
Lescott and he do look a pairing now. Keeping both fit and in the side next season would be a good place to start the rebuild but I bet Okore is one of the first picked off.
Richards does my swede in. He was brilliant at times against West Ham, but most of the time he has the air of somebody who's got the hump for being made to play at full back, and at times looks so unarsed that it could well be a kick about in his back garden. It's not like we're asking him to play a position he's completely unfamiliar with, but he's got that misery arse expression that Agbonlahor does so well. He looked like he was going to twat Garde when he got taken off, and as the captain should have done his best to pump his replacement up for the final few minutes, but barely glanced at him.
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Richards was playing like it was a practice match for half the time yesterday. Barely broke sweat. Thought he played Okore into trouble a couple of times.
Lescott and he do look a pairing now. Keeping both fit and in the side next season would be a good place to start the rebuild but I bet Okore is one of the first picked off.
Richards does my swede in. He was brilliant at times against West Ham, but most of the time he has the air of somebody who's got the hump for being made to play at full back, and at times looks so unarsed that it could well be a kick about in his back garden. It's not like we're asking him to play a position he's completely unfamiliar with, but he's got that misery arse expression that Agbonlahor does so well. He looked like he was going to twat Garde when he got taken off, and as the captain should have done his best to pump his replacement up for the final few minutes, but barely glanced at him.
I don't think I'v ever taken such an instant dislike to one of our players before. Even before he'd kicked a ball there was something about him that said "not one of us."
Callaghan had it, Cascarino had it and Baros had it but it took a while to show. Richards I managed to take an instant dislike to from the moment he was stretching the shirt. Maybe because I never really wanted him, especially with the rumours that he was coming as a centre back and not a right back.
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Full back is not a glamourous position. Richards sees himself as a Gerrard/Terry type leading his team to victory by personal example. He is doing a reasonable job
for the team at the moment in a steadily improving defence.....but he wants to be noticed.
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I don't like new posts on this thread, makes me fear the worst. He could be a very, very good player
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I think keeping him next season could be the toughest challenge of all this summer.
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I think keeping him next season could be the toughest challenge of all this summer.
Possibly. The worst bit is that it will be a club like Bournemouth that will be trying to buy him.
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I think keeping him next season could be the toughest challenge of all this summer.
Possibly. The worst bit is that it will be a club like Bournemouth that will be trying to buy him.
Or a new centre-back for Pulis' collection.
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I think keeping him next season could be the toughest challenge of all this summer.
Possibly. The worst bit is that it will be a club like Bournemouth that will be trying to buy him.
Or a new centre-back for Pulis' collection.
Not sure that Pulis will like that passing the ball out from the back lark very much.
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It's very important that we keep hold of him. I'd like us to be working on a new contract for him.
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It's very important that we keep hold of him. I'd like us to be working on a new contract for him.
Agreed, we've heard the talk from Fox et al about learning from past mistakes with contracts (Delph, Vlaar, etc). Well Okore's deal expires next summer so we should be negotiating now rather than letting a first team player get into the last 12 months of it.
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It could be that the player has instructed his agent to wait until the summer to see what division we are in before assessing his options.
It would be a pity if he wanted out though. Like Delph, we didn't get as much football out of him as we should have due to injuries.
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There are no rumours over here, on the sites that would usually have a half decent idea.
The only thing I could find was that he nearly fell of his chair when he was offered £25K per week which was over 5 times what he'd been earning at FCN.
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It's very important that we keep hold of him. I'd like us to be working on a new contract for him.
Agreed, we've heard the talk from Fox et al about learning from past mistakes with contracts (Delph, Vlaar, etc). Well Okore's deal expires next summer so we should be negotiating now rather than letting a first team player get into the last 12 months of it.
We may well be negotiating. We're not in what you call a position of strength though. Okore would be mad to sign an extension right now.
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Maybe he'll feel a sense of loyalty because we stood by him through his injury. It's only now he's beginning to truly prove his value. But then I'm reminded of...
(http://www.kopology.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Stewart-Downing.jpg)
******
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If we hold onto Okore and give him a proper run for the next couple of seasons then I see him becoming a very special player for us. I think he could be one of our most crucial players next season.
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Maybe he'll feel a sense of loyalty because we stood by him through his injury. It's only now he's beginning to truly prove his value.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-jores-okore-premier-10887321
Aston Villa defender Jores Okore admits he may look for "bigger things" if Aston Villa are relegated this season.
Okore, who is out of contract in the summer of 2017, wants to stay in the Premier League and also has Champions League ambitions.
He is frustrated that the club have not opened talks with him about extending his deal and insists: "I don't feel like I owe the club anything."
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If the club are not bothered about keeping him, I understand his position.
Shame. He could be very good.
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If the club are not bothered about keeping him, I understand his position.
Shame. He could be very good.
This. I think he's quality and is worth at least a place at mid-table top flight club.
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The club wont offer terms untill they know what league we are in , its tricky because he has been injured so we would have held off offering terms but now leaves us in a tricky position.
We will only get a small fee selling him this season but he is our best CB so will need replacing which won't be easy to do
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Don't think it's unfair really. He is far better than championship. Just need to replace him well.
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I suppose that there has been a fair amount of turmoil at the club recently, but surely a new contract should be one of the club's priorities.
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Well.. that's Okore gone.
Good for him then, at least he's open and honest.
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Well.. that's Okore gone.
Good for him then, at least he's open and honest.
It isn't him gone at all. It's him with 18 months left on his contract, two years of injury problems behind him and us not knowing what the future holds.
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Garde needs to have a word but in his defence he obviously wants to see more than a handful of games.
Jores did have this to say which is encouraging:
"The scales are evenly weighed in my opinion. That said, I am no stranger to staying on and helping this club to better days. But this is a team sport with individual differences."
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Whether we are relegated or not, the club should be encouraging good young players to stay. Allowing Okore and his agent to start casting the net because of club lethargy is just another indication of the incompetents running Aston Villa FC.
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Garde needs to have a word but in his defence he obviously wants to see more than a handful of games.
Jores did have this to say which is encouraging:
"The scales are evenly weighed in my opinion. That said, I am no stranger to staying on and helping this club to better days. But this is a team sport with individual differences."
What does that even mean
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Nice timing Jores, cheers mate.
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Garde needs to have a word but in his defence he obviously wants to see more than a handful of games.
Jores did have this to say which is encouraging:
"The scales are evenly weighed in my opinion. That said, I am no stranger to staying on and helping this club to better days. But this is a team sport with individual differences."
What does that even mean
It's from an interview with Ekstra Bladed over here and bits of it looks like Google translate.
I'll try and do a proper translation of the whole interview if I get to a proper computer later or tomorrow.
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The Mail claim it was translated by a Dane. So knowing them that could mean anything.
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Well it looks like he's saying he's not adverse to staying and helping us get back up, but everything's in the balance at the moment, which it is.
Nothing to see really.
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The Mail claim it was translated by a Dane. So knowing them that could mean anything.
One who's got a basic pass in schoolboy English apparently.
You should use someone with competence in the article to be translated who's translating to their mother tongue. The devil's in the details and there's plenty of phrases in Danish that you can't remotely translate properly word for word.
That bit about the scales for example. It's a normal phrase in Danish for saying something is 50:50, but sounds stupid translated directly to English.
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Jores has posted this on his twitter about the article.
http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186 (http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186)
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Jores has posted this on his twitter about the article.
http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186 (http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186)
If that's the true then they want bloody shooting.
Can someone other than Stevie Wonder or David Blunkett please have the final say on who does or doesn't get a new contract?
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Forgot to mention, it reads as though he was contacted by Ekstra Bladet because of rumour there'd been enquiries about him in January. Of which there'd apparently been 7 or 8 from PL, La Liga and Bundesliga clubs to which he'd said that he'd got no interest in bailing out half way through the season.
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It's hardly a surprise we haven't opened talks yet as he's missed so many games through injury and now we don't know what division we'll be in next season. Strikes me, and I could of be wrong, that he's stropping a bit that a) we haven't offered a contract, and b) that the second he was fit he wasn't in the first team.
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Jores has posted this on his twitter about the article.
http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186 (http://twitter.com/JoresOkore/status/698534256021213186)
If that's the true then they want bloody shooting.
Can someone other than Stevie Wonder or David Blunkett please have the final say on who does or doesn't get a new contract?
The club have said they don't want a Delph situation again so this will be the first test of that since then. What's daft though is for Okore to come out in public with this now, and then in trying to correct it he only makes it worse with his final sentence. What good does that do?
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It's hardly a surprise we haven't opened talks yet as he's missed so many games through injury and now we don't know what division we'll be in next season. Strikes me, and I could of be wrong, that he's stropping a bit that a) we haven't offered a contract, and b) that the second he was fit he wasn't in the first team.
I disagree. He is PL quality and we need as many players of that ilk, regardless of which division we're in.
If he is willing to sign we'd be daft not to be talking.
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We should give him a new contract and if R happens a buying club would need to get their lucre out and pay us big for him.
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It's hardly a surprise we haven't opened talks yet as he's missed so many games through injury and now we don't know what division we'll be in next season. Strikes me, and I could of be wrong, that he's stropping a bit that a) we haven't offered a contract, and b) that the second he was fit he wasn't in the first team.
I can understand negotiations being on hold until we know where we are but it is concerning when he says there has been no interest from the club in starting talks. There's nothing wrong with saying 'we want you to extend your stay with us, we just need to know where we'll be' or 'we want you to stay...if we stay up, we're looking at this sort of figure. If we go down, it will look like this.'
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
I agree.
The only legitimate mitigating circumstances i can think of - that he's been politely asking for talks but has been met by silence - is an even worse scenario because it means our board are drunk at the wheel.
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Even if that is the case he should keep his mouth shut, not be spouting out this kind of the thing just before an important game.
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Even if that is the case he should keep his mouth shut, not be spouting out this kind of the thing just before an important game.
Perhaps he's angling for a move to Redscouse ....
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
Why? He'll either sign a contract with us or sign for somebody else. Him talking publicly isn't going to stop one of those from happening.
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
Why? He'll either sign a contract with us or sign for somebody else. Him talking publicly isn't going to stop one of those from happening.
that's the same for every player at every club though
Still doesn't make it a good thing to do
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
Why? He'll either sign a contract with us or sign for somebody else. Him talking publicly isn't going to stop one of those from happening.
Why? ...because it creates unnecessary uncertainty and media focus, keep it private and within the walls of the club.
I cannot imagine that the player benefits from the speculation either - unless they're really shallow and crave media attention.
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Why would the club offer someone a deal with 13 Games to go. Bloody ridiculous, especially when he's only played 34 games due to injury
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Needs to do what he's paid to do. Not having a pop I like him but he's timing stinks
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I don't see any benefit to a player coming out in public and discussing their contract situation. Those things should remain private.
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I don't see any benefit to a player coming out in public and discussing their contract situation. Those things should remain private.
Either he wants to stay and we want to keep him, in which case he'll stay.
Or we want to keep him and he wants to leave in which case he'll be gone within 12 months.
Or he wants to stay and we want him to leave, in which case he'll be gone within 12 months.
How does whatever he says change those three possibilities?
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Dave, that applies every player in the game with 12-18 months left on their contracts. Are they all discussing their situation in public? What good does it do? At the end of the day it becomes a distraction because on the eve of a very important game he's essentially accusing the club of not giving a shit about his contract which might not be the case at all. It's something he has an agent for. And when it appears as if he is being ungrateful he back-pedals, confirming his dedication to the club and again sticking it to the club for not yet opening discussions. It just isn't needed.
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I don't see any benefit to a player coming out in public and discussing their contract situation. Those things should remain private.
Either he wants to stay and we want to keep him, in which case he'll stay.
Or we want to keep him and he wants to leave in which case he'll be gone within 12 months.
Or he wants to stay and we want him to leave, in which case he'll be gone within 12 months.
How does whatever he says change those three possibilities?
twitter for fks sake! its got a shitload to answer for! what exactly is he trying to achieve?
im going for self affirmation
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He reckons you should never question his commitment to AVFC on twitter
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
I
I could not agree more. He has let himself down massively and has then tried backtracking, but too late. I like the lad and he can be a good player, but he is not at a great standard yet. Maybe he should remember the club paid him when he has been injured by the way. Loyalty works both ways. To make things public is so wrong, especially at this time
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I'm now fully expecting an announcement to be made via the large screens tomorrow.
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Dave, that applies every player in the game with 12-18 months left on their contracts. Are they all discussing their situation in public? What good does it do? At the end of the day it becomes a distraction because on the eve of a very important game he's essentially accusing the club of not giving a shit about his contract which might not be the case at all. It's something he has an agent for. And when it appears as if he is being ungrateful he back-pedals, confirming his dedication to the club and again sticking it to the club for not yet opening discussions. It just isn't needed.
He's a 23 year old footballer who doesn't have a contract the season after next, and would probably like to know whether his current club are interested in retaining his services.
The club have perfectly valid reasons for not wanting to have those discussions until the end of the season, but if he is asked "what is your plan for the future?" and he answers "the club haven't started talking about it and given I've not really played even when I've been fit, neither party needs to rush", he's not really doing anything wrong.
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Maybe he should remember the club paid him when he has been injured by the way. Loyalty works both ways.
Yes, he signed a four-year contract, during which we had to pay him and he had to play when we asked him to play. Both sides have fully met their obligations.
If we want to offer him a new contract and he signs it then the same thing will happen. If we don't offer him one, or we do and he doesn't want to sign it then everybody has done what they needed to do.
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Well he looked happy enough amongst the away fans at Walsall pre season. Lost in translation, but bad timing nevertheless. In around a month or so time we will be probably much clearer as to where we will be playing next season - at which time he can decide whether he wants to stick with us beyond 12 months on lower wages.
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This should be filed under 'Jores finds out headless chicken is on £55k a week'.
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
I
I could not agree more. He has let himself down massively and has then tried backtracking, but too late. I like the lad and he can be a good player, but he is not at a great standard yet. Maybe he should remember the club paid him when he has been injured by the way. Loyalty works both ways. To make things public is so wrong, especially at this time
What's not in the mail report is that the interview was originally answering if there was truth in the rumour that had cropped up, presumably from his agent, that the club had apparently turned down several enquiries for him in January (true) and how did he feel about being tied to a basket case for the rest of the season (wasn't going to bail mid season, thinks we can still get out of.)
I can sort of understand the "stood by him when he was injured" in the case of Downing whert we took a punt on him whilst injured, albeit an injury even Kozak would have recovered from without too many complications.
Okore was injured twice whilst playing for us, the second time exacerbating the injury by playing when he shouldn't have at the end of last season. In that situation I would bloody well hope my employer would continue to pay my wages and help facilitate my recovery.
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There's this on his Twitter thing.
8h8 hours ago
Jores Okore @JoresOkore
@Mlundby er ikke sur over ekstra bladet men mere den oversættelse af den i de engelske presse og kun at tage bider af et længere intereview
Translation.
@Mlundby I'm not pissed with ekstra bladet but more the translation of it in the English press and only taking small excerpts of a longer interview.
There's also a dig along the lines of
Journalists are like footballers. There's different standards and abilities.
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What's really wrong is a player - any player, at any club - talking publicly like this.
Why? He'll either sign a contract with us or sign for somebody else. Him talking publicly isn't going to stop one of those from happening.
I am sure Ronaldo is the subject of a lot of speculation, he possibly is flattered by rumours linking him with a return to Manure, a transfer to PSG etc. However, he doesn't talk about it publically whilst playing for Real. It is all about having a bit of respect especially for an employer that has arguably helped him during the most difficult part of his career and got him back to playing near enough his best.
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There's this on his Twitter thing.
8h8 hours ago
Jores Okore @JoresOkore
@Mlundby er ikke sur over ekstra bladet men mere den oversættelse af den i de engelske presse og kun at tage bider af et længere intereview
Translation.
@Mlundby I'm not pissed with ekstra bladet but more the translation of it in the English press and only taking small excerpts of a longer interview.
There's also a dig along the lines of
Journalists are like footballers. There's different standards and abilities.
Which I take to mean that the whole thing has been blown out of proportion, at least from his perspective.
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There's this on his Twitter thing.
8h8 hours ago
Jores Okore @JoresOkore
@Mlundby er ikke sur over ekstra bladet men mere den oversættelse af den i de engelske presse og kun at tage bider af et længere intereview
Translation.
@Mlundby I'm not pissed with ekstra bladet but more the translation of it in the English press and only taking small excerpts of a longer interview.
There's also a dig along the lines of
Journalists are like footballers. There's different standards and abilities.
Which I take to mean that the whole thing has been blown out of proportion, at least from his perspective.
Shouldn't he know this all by now?
Poor timing, poor word choice.. go take a nap Jores.
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He reckons you should never question his commitment to AVFC on twitter
He's not saying what his commitment to AVFC is, just that we shouldn't question it!
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He reckons you should never question his commitment to AVFC on twitter
He's not saying what his commitment to AVFC is, just that we shouldn't question it!
To be fair to him, he's one of the few that applies himself correctly on the pitch. Therefore he gets the benefit of the doubt from me.
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Do we not put our players through media training? I am sure this is mountain and molehill but he should know better.
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Meh
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Anyone who's complaining about this and saying he shouldn't say anything, would you rather he made out he was committed to the club and then a week later fucks off?
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To be honest why would he commit? Certainly wont help his career playing in the Championship. Saying this with any sense he would've stayed quiet like the others.
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Anyone who's complaining about this and saying he shouldn't say anything, would you rather he made out he was committed to the club and then a week later fucks off?
I would rather with still a decent amount of time to go to get this sorted kept his mouth shut and concentrated on keeping his club in the PL. And even after that resolve it behind closed doors with his agent.
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I'm just going to file Okore under mercenary twonk who thinks he's bigger than the club. It's not an exclusive club. I think nearly every professional player resides within it. Some players are just more reluctant to reveal their twonkishness.
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H
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Look focused today.
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Look focused today.
Tossed aside the support I gave him this morning. Another one dead to me.
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Another player I wouldn't cry over if he left. Get a decent price and we can sign somebody who wants to be part of a new approach.
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he has never been anything more than average
champions league aspirations my fucking arse
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The champions league barge poles have been withdrawn.
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yep the Bulgarian A League beckons
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Fucking attrocious today for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th....
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I still think he has the potential to be a top level defender, but he did have a very, very bad day. It must be hard not to look cack in this disorganised, basket case of a rabble though. Not great timing with the interview either, I think our players would be well advised not to give any interviews and stay off Twitter until the season ends!
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Some weeks he is pretty good and some he looks like he's only become a centre back in the last few days. When we get some good players again, we'll look back on this rabble with full understanding of how bad they were.
Okore for champions league.
Westwood for England.
Kozak with his strikers instinct.
We are kidding ourselves.
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I agree. If he goes in the summer I won't mind as he flatters to deceive.
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Nobody seems to have mentioned, or maybe haven't picked up on, just how bad he was for the 3rd goal, Ok it was Bacunas initial fuck up but Okore actually stops playing a couple of seconds before Can shoots, he could have blocked the shot but turned his back on it in a half arsed way, this has pissed me off even more than Bacunas shite control, in a week were he mouthed off to the press about his ambitions you'd have thought he'd have been keen to show how good he thinks he is.
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like so many other players he got bigged up after playing what 2 games then having a long spell out injured.
I don't buy the potential bit, at 23 what he doesn't know now he will never know.
After his comments last week he can fuck off and join Whodidyounickabolokof FC in Azerbijan thus achieving his dream of playing for a Champions league club
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a cock playing for a team called bolokof seems like a good fit
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Meanwhile, at pretty much exactly the same time Jordan Veretout was quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying, "I am not thinking about my situation at all. My focus is on the job in hand. While there’s hope we can still stay up, we’ll continue to fight as hard as we can.” Surely just the stock answer that anybody with an ounce of common sense would give at this particular time?
I've never really rated Okore anyway. He's a good one-on-one defender, but far too clumsy and poor on the ball to ever make a top Premiership centre-back in my opinion. Yesterday was by no means a one off. He was part of the defences that got hammered by Arsenal (twice) and Southampton last season and looked just as 'at sea' as he did yesterday. Quite laughable that he's even thinking about the Champions League, let alone talking about it.
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Finally got around to doing the full translation on the Ekstra Bladet interview.
3 things to bare in mind.
1. The Danes have a definite "plucky little us" complex going on, so any remote shade of international success is milked beyond any form of common sense. As an example at the London Olympics there was a Australian or New Zealand archer that won a gold medal. For 3 or 4 days he was a national hero here as he'd got a Danish great grandmother! So Okore doing half OK in a team going down the shitter is still big news, just because he's getting game time in the Premier League
2. Baring no. 1. in mind, the rumours that he'd turned offers from teams at the top end of table and decent teams in Germany was suddenly big news. (I'd guess his agent started the whole thing off to try and flush an offer out of us as a benchmark as the whole offers during January had been kept very quiet and his agent, like most, has a hot line to the press when it suits.)
3. There's no airs / graces or hidden agendas when 2 Danes talk (apart from politicians). Straight question = straight answer
At the top of the Premier League Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel are in a race for the title. At the bottom Jores Okore is involved in a battle for survival with Aston Villa.
The statistics further down the page show that Aston Villa without Okore are a sorry picture. But with him it looks completely different. (A couple of pie charts showing won/lost/drawn with and without Okore)
I guess there must be something in it Okore says to Ekstra Bladet with an openness seldom seen in a footballer, that isn’t usually first in line to take credit for his good performances
But it’s been like that whenever I’ve played, regardless of team line up or manager, we’ve picked up points when I’ve played. I pull my weight and deserve to play, he says.
The Birmingham club are to a degree dependent on their Danish star, that appears to have finally gotten over the injuries in his knee that have restricted the opportunities in the PL for the 23-year-old kid from Nørrebro.
But maybe they shouldn’t get too dependent. Come the summer Okore might well be on his way out of Aston Villa. Regardless of whether Aston Villa survive or not.
Already in the January transfer window, the first feelers were out from other clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga. These approaches were quickly dismissed, both by Okore who wants to help ensure survival and by Aston Villa who want to save themselves.
Come the summer and the situation will be different, with the prospect of long conversations between Okore and his Nikola Juric. With one year left on his contract and the possibility of being with a club playing in the second tier has the time come for Okore to move on?
“Of course you think about what would happen if we’re relegated,” says Okore.
”I feel like I’m ready to move to a bigger club and prove I can play at that level. I’d prefer to play in the Premier League, but Champions League would be more important, so if there’s an offer from a club with that possibility, I’ll listen to that,” says Okore, who still believes that survival is possible, but who hasn’t heard anything from the club with regards a contract extension.
”If they’re not rushing to extend, then I don’t need to rush either. We’ll have to wait to hear what they can offer,“ he says, and doesn’t think he owes the club anything, even though they helped him through a difficult period with injuries.
“I also had to wait a long time, each time I was ready, before I got the chance to prove I was good enough. That’s irritated me. So it probably just about balances out. It’s difficult to say that I owe them. But I want to help see this club through to better times.
“Football is a team sport, but with individual goals,” says the defender
It could be fun to play for a club that plays at the fun end of the table. I feel like I’ve done well, adapted to the Premier League. Now I need to see if I’m good enough to play for a bigger club. That’s what you want as a footballer.
Rejected clubs from several leagues
Jores Okore has already turned down an opportunity to join Chelsea. That was when he was a major prospect at FC Nordsjælland. The time wasn’t right for such a big move. Instead the next step in his career was Aston Villa.
When 23 year old Okore’s agent, Nikola Juric, looks for a new club for his player in the summer, it maybe won’t be that category of club where the offers come from. But there is a definite interest
“There was interest from all of the major leagues in the winter transfer window, but they were all rejected immediately. It just wasn’t the right time for Jores
The enquiries came from several Premier League teams, both at the top and mid-table. Three or four from the Bundesliga and in addition a top 6 team from Spain,” says the agent.
”We’ll have a chat when the season is over. I’m focusing on the games and he deals with any calls that come in. And then we’ll make a plan,” says Okore who also confirms that he’s ready to stay if that’s what happens.
Prayer from the fans: Make him captain
Why Okore could be our most important player. (http://avillafan.com/site/21583/why-okore-could-be-our-most-important-player/)
Aston Villa fan site avillafan.com have this headline on page arguing why Jores Okore is the man you turn to when the club needs to be saved from relegation. The conclusion is clear – make Okore captain.
The relationship between the Dane and the Birmingham club’s fans is obviously warm. Okore has won hearts with his playing style, but also by e.g. sitting amongst the fans and watching a pre-season friendly at the start.
”I really like them. They support us through thick and thin. They’re fantastic. In return it seems like they like me too,” says Okore and reveals that the possibility of becoming captain is at the back of his mind.
“I spoke with Kasper Hjulmand at FCN about the possibility of developing into a captain and he thought it was something worth working on. That’s why he made me vice-captain after (Nikolaj) Stokholm.
It’s something I’d have to work on, but maybe there’s a bit of a captain hidden in me. But that’s not the priority,” says Okore who right now is more focused on developing his playing abilities.
”It can be a big burden to take on,” he says.
Even though the fans have pointed him out as a rescuer, he can’t save Aston Villa alone.
“I’m just a defender, so it’s obviously important to keep a clean sheet and help the team defensively, it’s there that I can contribute most. Then the attackers need to score the goals,” is the message from Okore who on Sunday meets Liverpool in yet another important match in the attempt to survive in the English top flight.
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I have thought for some time that Jores is not going to be the player we hoped. He doesn't intimidate his opposing player in the way that McGrath,Chris Nichol Alan Evans and players of that ilk did. He is fast but always looks capable of making a mistake (which he often does) and his facial expression suggests he is permanently worried about making a mistake. No worse than anyone else and he might get better but somehow I doubt it.
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Okore's biggest problem (apart from him thinking he is a decent footballer) is that he is unable to read the game - at all.
far too clumsy to ever be a decent defender
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Lacks the concentration and mental toughness to be a top defender.
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After the shitness of failing ot shepherd the ball out and then fouling the player in moronic fashion, then I am not convinced I will be honest.
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Another one with terrible positioning. If we got a good offer for him then I'd seriously consider selling him. I doubt he'll be signing a new contract, he thinks he's above us by the sounds of it so cash in before he's worth bugger all.
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It's amazing the difference a week makes. Last week Okore has a really good game vs Norwich. People are singing his praises. Then he doesn't really cover himself with glory with that interview followed by an individual and team capitulation. Now for some he's not good enough to play at this level. You have to love football fans and their emotional swings. He had a bad game. They all did. At 23 years old it shouldn't define the player he is or will become.
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Injury permitting, I think Okore will go on to have a decent career at mid table clubs. Sure he has flaws but at 23 he has plenty of scope to improve. Central defenders tend to improve as they get older. My worry is that he isn't a great reader of the play with a lot of last ditch recovery stuff. But centre back is all about partnerships. In a solid team structure with a calm head next to him I think he would be a decent defender. I think Clark could be that player and complement Okore. For the most of 2015, Clark was by miles our best defender. I've also seen him be outstanding in two Euro playoff games not too long ago. Are we willing to give up on them both that quickly?
Certainly both are individually and collectively good enough for the second division next season. Stick a Jedinak type player in front of them and a keeper comfortable coming off his line like Randolph behind them. We would have a solid spine then
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Well as it stands he doesn't sound like he thinks he owes us anything as a club and doesn't sound positive towards another contract. So we have 18 months max and lose someone else for nowt or flog him.
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It's amazing the difference a week makes. Last week Okore has a really good game vs Norwich. People are singing his praises. Then he doesn't really cover himself with glory with that interview followed by an individual and team capitulation. Now for some he's not good enough to play at this level. You have to love football fans and their emotional swings. He had a bad game. They all did. At 23 years old it shouldn't define the player he is or will become.
A couple of things there, I didn't mention him at all after the Norwich game and I know that wasn't aimed at me specifically. Secondly, I think a lot of people can take players having a bad game. But if anyone seriously thought they played their hearts out on Sunday but were plucky losers and just had to accept they weren't the better side is really kidding themselves. They looked like to almost a man they could not be arsed.
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Conversely they all looked liked they cared the week before. There's some deep rooted issues at the club that cannot be fixed mid season. It's a bit like trying to fix issues with your golf game in the middle of a round. It's not easy. Garde needs to get to the end of the season, however it comes to a conclusion and literally start again. The massive question is will he have the stomach for the fight ahead and even more importantly if he does, will the board back him in what he identifies as the solution?
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Agree on that - there are some seriously strange goings on behind the scenes that is for sure.
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Meanwhile, at pretty much exactly the same time Jordan Veretout was quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying, "I am not thinking about my situation at all. My focus is on the job in hand. While there’s hope we can still stay up, we’ll continue to fight as hard as we can.” Surely just the stock answer that anybody with an ounce of common sense would give at this particular time?
I've never really rated Okore anyway. He's a good one-on-one defender, but far too clumsy and poor on the ball to ever make a top Premiership centre-back in my opinion. Yesterday was by no means a one off. He was part of the defences that got hammered by Arsenal (twice) and Southampton last season and looked just as 'at sea' as he did yesterday. Quite laughable that he's even thinking about the Champions League, let alone talking about it.
That is because Veretout was speaking in English it's difficult for the newspaper poorly translate and interview from English into English.
People saying he should chooses his words more carefully. why he was speaking in his native language to a newspaper from that country he answered the question the way anyway Danish speaker would just like we would in our language. It is not his fault that an English journalist is lazy and doesn't understand that you can't translate direct word for word from another language to English.
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Meanwhile, at pretty much exactly the same time Jordan Veretout was quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying, "I am not thinking about my situation at all. My focus is on the job in hand. While there’s hope we can still stay up, we’ll continue to fight as hard as we can.” Surely just the stock answer that anybody with an ounce of common sense would give at this particular time?
I've never really rated Okore anyway. He's a good one-on-one defender, but far too clumsy and poor on the ball to ever make a top Premiership centre-back in my opinion. Yesterday was by no means a one off. He was part of the defences that got hammered by Arsenal (twice) and Southampton last season and looked just as 'at sea' as he did yesterday. Quite laughable that he's even thinking about the Champions League, let alone talking about it.
That is because Veretout was speaking in English it's difficult for the newspaper poorly translate and interview from English into English.
People saying he should chooses his words more carefully. why he was speaking in his native language to a newspaper from that country he answered the question the way anyway Danish speaker would just like we would in our language. It is not his fault that an English journalist is lazy and doesn't understand that you can't translate direct word for word from another language to English.
Sorry, but that's absolute nonsense.
I presume that you've also read Villa in Denmark's translation on the previsions page? It's got absolutely nothing to do with 'lazy translation' and everything to do with a player not having the intelligence (or consideration for his club's supporters) to give a sensible answer. We'd be foolish to think that the majority of the players aren't already considering their long-term futures, but to actually discuss it in in an interview (anywhere on the planet) is stupid and selfish whilst things are going so badly on the pitch. He set up himself up for a massive fall, and then proceeded to do just that.
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Just one thing on that Russell.
2 Danes talking, even in an interview are never going to couch their answers in bland niceties, unless they're a grasping politician. As I said in the things to bare in mind, that situation will always result in straight question = straight answer. That's something he'll have experienced from the day he could understand what was being said on the Danish equivalent of CBeebies, so there would never have been a moment's hesitation in being blunt.
You might as well blame sharks for having sharp teeth.
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Just one thing on that Russell.
2 Danes talking, even in an interview are never going to couch their answers in bland niceties, unless they're a grasping politician. As I said in the things to bare in mind, that situation will always result in straight question = straight answer. That's something he'll have experienced from the day he could understand what was being said on the Danish equivalent of CBeebies, so there would never have been a moment's hesitation in being blunt.
You might as well blame sharks for having sharp teeth.
ViD - understood, completely. I have family in Copenhagen so am familiar with the Dane's straight talking nature. To me though, that doesn't mean that the sentiment has been lost in translation, more that it's just been accurately translated.
I don't think it's appropriate for any player to be talking publicly about their personal future at present, given our current plight. A player of Okore's generation must know that when he gives an interview anywhere on the planet it will make it's way back to Birmingham and have the intelligence and - most importantly - the respect to express the same sentiment that Veretout managed to do so easily.
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Just one thing on that Russell.
2 Danes talking, even in an interview are never going to couch their answers in bland niceties, unless they're a grasping politician. As I said in the things to bare in mind, that situation will always result in straight question = straight answer. That's something he'll have experienced from the day he could understand what was being said on the Danish equivalent of CBeebies, so there would never have been a moment's hesitation in being blunt.
You might as well blame sharks for having sharp teeth.
ViD - understood, completely. I have family in Copenhagen so am familiar with the Dane's straight talking nature. To me though, that doesn't mean that the sentiment has been lost in translation, more that it's just been accurately translated.
I don't think it's appropriate for any player to be talking publicly about their personal future at present, given our current plight. A player of Okore's generation must know that when he gives an interview anywhere on the planet it will make it's way back to Birmingham and have the intelligence and - most importantly - the respect to express the same sentiment that Veretout managed to do so easily.
Well I prefer the straight talking honesty from Okore rather than the Delph way. But some will never be pleased
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Well, obviously, but where has Delph been mentioned?
And no, I'll never be happy when players are talking about jumping ship off the pitch, whilst contributing to our complete and utter demise on it.
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I know players have no loyalty at all anymore but I still find it funny when a player has been injured for a large part of his stay come out and say 'yeah but I had to sit on the bench a little bit, so In my eyes we are even'.
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Well, obviously, but where has Delph been mentioned?
And no, I'll never be happy when players are talking about jumping ship off the pitch, whilst contributing to our complete and utter demise on it.
Delph is an example as when Okore was asked a question to which he had 2 options be dishonest or be upfront and honest. I'm a person that likes to know where I stand with people so I respect Okore for that.
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Fair enough. I prefer them to put the performances in on the pitch that justify their wages before talking about moving on to "bigger clubs".
I think it's fairly sad that we've become so accepting of players' general behaviour that things like this don't bother us so much. I think what particularly annoys me about this one is that it's come form one of the handful of players that i wouldn't have expected it to.
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Nothing he has done in a Villa shirt so far would justify a move to a bigger club.
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He has said that if a club came in for him who were playing at a higher level like champions league or Premier league (next season) he'd have to consider it. Don't see what is wrong with that to be honest can you name a player that wouldn't?
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He has said that if a club came in for him who were playing at a higher level like champions league or Premier league (next season) he'd have to consider it. Don't see what is wrong with that to be honest can you name a player that wouldn't?
Veretout?
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Well, obviously, but where has Delph been mentioned?
And no, I'll never be happy when players are talking about jumping ship off the pitch, whilst contributing to our complete and utter demise on it.
Delph is an example as when Okore was asked a question to which he had 2 options be dishonest or be upfront and honest. I'm a person that likes to know where I stand with people so I respect Okore for that.
Another similarity is that the issues with Delph only came about because he was allowed to run his contract down because the club kept delaying talking about it.
Okore might be less of a loss than Delph, but his comments now about no contract talks aren't too far away from Delph's at a similar time.
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Just one thing on that Russell.
2 Danes talking, even in an interview are never going to couch their answers in bland niceties, unless they're a grasping politician. As I said in the things to bare in mind, that situation will always result in straight question = straight answer. That's something he'll have experienced from the day he could understand what was being said on the Danish equivalent of CBeebies, so there would never have been a moment's hesitation in being blunt.
You might as well blame sharks for having sharp teeth.
ViD - understood, completely. I have family in Copenhagen so am familiar with the Dane's straight talking nature. To me though, that doesn't mean that the sentiment has been lost in translation, more that it's just been accurately translated.
I don't think it's appropriate for any player to be talking publicly about their personal future at present, given our current plight. A player of Okore's generation must know that when he gives an interview anywhere on the planet it will make it's way back to Birmingham and have the intelligence and - most importantly - the respect to express the same sentiment that Veretout managed to do so easily.
I agree, it's not a lost in translation thing. It's a "as soon as he was asked the question, there was only going to be one outcome" thing.
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He has said that if a club came in for him who were playing at a higher level like champions league or Premier league (next season) he'd have to consider it. Don't see what is wrong with that to be honest can you name a player that wouldn't?
Veretout?
Veretout is a different situation though unlike Okore who has proved he's a competent Premier league defender, yes I know he had a bad game Vs Liverpool but 1 crap game doesn't mean a player is crap just like 1 awesome game doesn't mean a player is awesome.
But with Veretout he has to be a bit less upfront as his 1st season in the premier league has ended up in relegation in a team dubbed the worst in Premier league history. So he has to be careful as there is no guarantee that anyone will want him.
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He has said that if a club came in for him who were playing at a higher level like champions league or Premier league (next season) he'd have to consider it. Don't see what is wrong with that to be honest can you name a player that wouldn't?
Veretout?
Veretout is a different situation though unlike Okore who has proved he's a competent Premier league defender, yes I know he had a bad game Vs Liverpool but 1 crap game doesn't mean a player is crap just like 1 awesome game doesn't mean a player is awesome.
But with Veretout he has to be a bit less upfront as his 1st season in the premier league has ended up in relegation in a team dubbed the worst in Premier league history. So he has to be careful as there is no guarantee that anyone will want him.
It's hardly Okore's first bad game though is it? As I mentioned earlier he was a part of the defences that got hammered twice by Arsenal last season and away at Southampton, and looked every bit as poor as he did against Liverpool. I also thought he was dreadful at home to Arsenal this season too.
I'd strongly disagree that he "has proved he's a competent Premier league defender". In his own admission he's never been a guaranteed starter with us even when fit, and our defence has been, for the large part, terrible. I really do fail to see what Okore has done in a Claret & Blue shirt to make some fans rate him so highly.
I'd also say that, if anything, being a more 'proven player' should give him even more responsibility to show some humility and commitment in interviews, not the other way around.
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I get the impression Okore is possibly a bit too nice to be a really really top central defender.
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I get the impression Okore is possibly a bit too nice to be a really really top central defender.
Fabio Cannavaro was one of the best ever and also seems to be one of the nicest people to play football.
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He has said that if a club came in for him who were playing at a higher level like champions league or Premier league (next season) he'd have to consider it. Don't see what is wrong with that to be honest can you name a player that wouldn't?
Veretout?
Veretout is a different situation though unlike Okore who has proved he's a competent Premier league defender, yes I know he had a bad game Vs Liverpool but 1 crap game doesn't mean a player is crap just like 1 awesome game doesn't mean a player is awesome.
But with Veretout he has to be a bit less upfront as his 1st season in the premier league has ended up in relegation in a team dubbed the worst in Premier league history. So he has to be careful as there is no guarantee that anyone will want him.
It's hardly Okore's first bad game though is it? As I mentioned earlier he was a part of the defences that got hammered twice by Arsenal last season and away at Southampton, and looked every bit as poor as he did against Liverpool. I also thought he was dreadful at home to Arsenal this season too.
I'd strongly disagree that he "has proved he's a competent Premier league defender". In his own admission he's never been a guaranteed starter with us even when fit, and our defence has been, for the large part, terrible. I really do fail to see what Okore has done in a Claret & Blue shirt to make some fans rate him so highly.
I'd also say that, if anything, being a more 'proven player' should give him even more responsibility to show some humility and commitment in interviews, not the other way around.
you don't see why we rate him, it's because he came in and it was when our defence was at it's strongest this season Sunday excluded of course but you can hardly blame 1 player for the 6:0
Also at the end of last season Sherwood has said that he was playing through the pain barrier.
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At the end of last season he was basically on one leg along with Vlaar.
The reason he was out so long at the start of the season was the planned operation to clean up scaring tissue from the cruciate repair was more involved than anticipated due to the extra damage from playing when he shouldn't have.
For me he's decent, especially with the right partner, but top class? Probably not and definitely not captain material.
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Awesome, this transfer window is making me very excited. There's no pissing about, and I like it.
Amazing how a couple of signings can make everything look so rosy, things went down hill so fast :(
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Article in the Mirror linked from Beeb Gossip Column of his agent having a moan at Lerner. Looks like his opening move in getting Jores away in the summer. Shame because I'd like to think we could build round him at the back.
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Awesome, this transfer window is making me very excited. There's no pissing about, and I like it.
Amazing how a couple of signings can make everything look so rosy, things went down hill so fast :(
There is nothing more depressing than looking back at the start of threads like this
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yep if I'd had a crystal ball then I'd be talking to you now from the other side
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Will we really miss Okore if he leaves?
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Will we really miss Okore if he leaves?
I think he's good for at least one rick per game. Fine if he's got either three colleagues to get him out of trouble or a forward line to cancel out an aberration, but he hasn't looked Champions League while he's been with us.
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Will we really miss Okore if he leaves?
I think he's good for at least one rick per game. Fine if he's got either three colleagues to get him out of trouble or a forward line to cancel out an aberration, but he hasn't looked Champions League while he's been with us.
And maybe I'm being harsh because he hasn't had a good reliable partner alongside him at any point. We saw the disaster next to Vlaar in vivid technicolor at Southampton. Had Clark developed more maybe that would have been the ideal partnership, but to me he's just another defender with flaws at the club, not the star we were hoping he would become. I'd rather off course we kept him and put someone solid on the left side of him, but he won't be missed in my opinion in the true sense of the word. I think next to Laursen, not just because of the Danish connection he'd have become a super defender.
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Okore will probably end up being excellent in a half-decent defence. There are few players in our squad I believe will be better than what we're seeing.
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not really fussed if he leaves
he wont be up to 3 games in a week in the championship and the times i have seen him he has been average at best
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Awesome, this transfer window is making me very excited. There's no pissing about, and I like it.
Amazing how a couple of signings can make everything look so rosy, things went down hill so fast :(
Is it too late to edit my post?
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He is one player I would like to see stay. He is still only fairly young and has the ability to become a good defender.
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He does but will never play 3 week so we will have to rotate the back 4 which isn't ideal. If an offer over 5 came in for him I think I would take it now. He is potentially very very good but he needs a change and fresh start.
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I think that severe cruciate knee injury has affected him, hence the inconsistent form. He should never have played in the Southampton 6-1 defeat nor at Wembley in the FA cup final due to being half fit. Shame really as he seemed to have a lot of potential. The curse of the knee injury again - as Laursen.
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Okore will probably end up being excellent in a half-decent defence. There are few players in our squad I believe will be better than what we're seeing.
Agreed. With better coaching and a decent partner alongside him, he'll probably be a decent defender, if not a great one.
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I'm really confused as to where people see this potential in Okore. For me, his positioning, decision making and communication and are absolutely appalling, as these are crucial elements in the make-up of any central defender. Look how the likes of James Collins, Huth and Morgan have thrived this season by just being good readers and organisers of the game.
For me Okore is ok in the air, but not great, fairly quick when running in a straight-lien but slow on the turn and absolutely useless and indecision in possession of the ball.
I can't help but think that his career has peaked with us and he'll either stay and develop into a wholeheartedly average centre-back, or leave and flounder elsewhere.
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I'm really confused as to where people see this potential in Okore. For me, his positioning, decision making and communication and are absolutely appalling, as these are crucial elements in the make-up of any central defender. Look how the likes of James Collins, Huth and Morgan have thrived this season by just being good readers and organisers of the game.
For me Okore is ok in the air, but not great, fairly quick when running in a straight-lien but slow on the turn and absolutely useless and indecision in possession of the ball.
I can't help but think that his career has peaked with us and he'll either stay and develop into a wholeheartedly average centre-back, or leave and flounder elsewhere.
I think people are still living in 2013 when Chelsea were linked with him. It means very little though as they sign so many players and just loan them out.
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I have seen glimpses of a very good centre back, better than all the others on our books.
The problem has been injuries and not getting an extended run in the team.
If he gets over the knee problems he could be very good.
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Danish Football News @DanishFooty
Aston Villa defender Jores Okore is no longer part of the 1st team. Due to a spat with manager Eric Black, Okore has been moved to the U21.
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Fantastic news another manager who can't control the squad.
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Sigh. We have just completely melted down.
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Another player not wanting to front up to the fans anymore and looking for a move away. His agent saying he can't find out what's happening to his player next season and Okores spat is all about putting him in the shop window
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Take the £3m pocket money we'll get for him, use it to pay-up Agbonlahor's contract and turf both of them out.
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Oh ffs. I like Okore and can't understand why he didn't get back in the team - although seeing Black putting Richardson back in it's hard to comprehend what's going on in Black's head. Given that Okore was probably equally disappointed not to get back in the side it's no surprise there's been a spat and he'll be off in the summer. What a complete shambles
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I'd imagine he's been told a few home truths. Bin him.
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I'd imagine he's been told a few home truths. Bin him.
Such as?
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Stick fat with us or leave. If he's being a troublemaker and arsey about it, he can go.
I'm not expecting many solid, die for the cause types who are hurting, who want to make a go of it next season, who want to be in the trenches. There might be a few. Probably some who are happy to stick around and do nowt whilst picking up a good wage. However now's the time we find out who's with us and who can frankly get fucked.
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What if he raised the notion that he is a better player by a mile than Lescott? And cares more?
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The way it's going the under 21 training pitches are going to be a bit cramped.
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Oh ffs. I like Okore and can't understand why he didn't get back in the team - although seeing Black putting Richardson back in it's hard to comprehend what's going on in Black's head. Given that Okore was probably equally disappointed not to get back in the side it's no surprise there's been a spat and he'll be off in the summer. What a complete shambles
Has anyone else noticed that Black was originally brought in, in part at least, because of his ability to speak French, yet now he's in charge certain French players (Veretout) seemingly can't get a look-in.
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Stick fat with us or leave. If he's being a troublemaker and arsey about it, he can go.
He can't leave, he's got a year left on his contract.
If the ultimatum is "sign a new contract or you're not going to play" then I'd be rather uncomfortable any manager basing team decisions on that, particularly when there's next to no chance of that manager being at the club next season.
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It is the classic reaction of an inexperienced man at the helm. Has to be seen to be getting tough given the absolute tripe that has gone on but is probably clueless as to how to actually deliver that tough love. You can imagine Okore as being one whose ego you need to constantly massage to get the best out of him and he obviously isn't very happy with the tough approach being offered. Incidentally, I can't remember too much about Black as a player but apparently he was excellent in his day.
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There was a rumour of a fight at training on Twitter yesterday....?
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It never rains but it pours. It seems like whenever I come on here I'm thinking 'now what?'. When the hell are things going to start turning for the better?
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I was just thinking the exact same thing. Is there any crumb of comfort to be had anywhere at AVFC?
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no better than Clark or Baker for me prone to exactly the same mistakes
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I'd imagine he's been told a few home truths. Bin him.
Such as?
Whinge and bitch and you don't feature. Who knows - but I'm confident our caretaker hasn't binned him without good cause.
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The latest photo of the U21s in training.
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/men/2016/01/22/87115805_Amateur_football_players_take_part_in_Men_V_Fat_a_football_competition_in_Solihull_West_Mid-large_trans++ZgEkZX3M936N5BQK4Va8RQJ6Ra64K3tAxfZq0dvIBJw.jpg)
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I'd imagine he's been told a few home truths. Bin him.
Such as?
Whinge and bitch and you don't feature. Who knows - but I'm confident our caretaker hasn't binned him without good cause.
Don't we have a pretty solid history of forcing players out of the first team picture without good cause?
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I'd imagine he's been told a few home truths. Bin him.
Such as?
Whinge and bitch and you don't feature. Who knows - but I'm confident our caretaker hasn't binned him without good cause.
Don't we have a pretty solid history of forcing players out of the first team picture without good cause?
We sure do. I was just guessing.
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Of all the knobheads we have at the club to have an argument with and drop to the U21s, I can think of at least 5 who are more deserving.
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He was on about leaving the other week so maybe with his injury record, best he don't play really. Gotta be worth £3/4 mill to us.
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no better than Clark or Baker for me prone to exactly the same mistakes
One of whom isn't here and the other one is part of a two left footed partnership where both Lescott and Clark have looked better and the team in general has looked a little more robust when Okore has partnered either of them.
Maybe that's because it gives a balanced left footer / right footer partnership, or because Okore can actually outrun a sloth means we can play with a slightly higher line and generally press a bit higher up the pitch.
Either way, a moot point as it appears at the least he's persona non-grata for thr remainder of the season.
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There was a rumour of a fight at training on Twitter yesterday....?
If that is true, please let it be Okore dropping Agbonlahor and / or Richards.
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There was a rumour of a fight at training on Twitter yesterday....?
With everything that's going on at the moment, it wouldn't surprise me. I wasn't old enough to see us go down in '87 but it's hard to imagine we've ever been in a bigger mess.
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There was a rumour of a fight at training on Twitter yesterday....?
Frenchies v everyone ?
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half of them would switch sides.
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half of them would switch sides.
60% couldn't be arsed to lift a finger.
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The latest photo of the U21s in training.
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/men/2016/01/22/87115805_Amateur_football_players_take_part_in_Men_V_Fat_a_football_competition_in_Solihull_West_Mid-large_trans++ZgEkZX3M936N5BQK4Va8RQJ6Ra64K3tAxfZq0dvIBJw.jpg)
Pah! Gloves in mid April, the bunch of poofs...
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half of them would switch sides.
60% couldn't be arsed to lift a finger.
One or two would throw dinner plates on the floor in the canteen when no-one is looking and we'd smile at them saying, "Yes, your resistance really is worthwhile. No, really, thanks".
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Keeping up the momentum of good news every hour...
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jores-okore-reveals-been-demoted-11216301
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
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With a year left on his contract i'd say that's all but guaranteed even before this.
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
Not a big fan of his. One minute he'd look decent then he'd make a balls up then he'd get an injury and go missing for an age. Too unreliable.
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
Not a big fan of his. One minute he'd look decent then he'd make a balls up then he'd get an injury and go missing for an age. Too unreliable.
There are too many on the playing staff who think they are God Almighty. Okore appears to be one of them.
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
really?
has shown promise intermittently but far too injury prone for the amount of games next season
wouldnt be surprised to see him improve elsewhere but think right sided centre back is one of the first signings we need this summer
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
Not a big fan of his. One minute he'd look decent then he'd make a balls up then he'd get an injury and go missing for an age. Too unreliable.
this
delusions of grandeur
perhaps he and the grinning idiot can both move to the same champions leauge team
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I like Okore. Rather see him playing than lescott even if he is off
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
Not a big fan of his. One minute he'd look decent then he'd make a balls up then he'd get an injury and go missing for an age. Too unreliable.
There are too many on the playing staff who think they are God Almighty. Okore appears to be one of them.
Every player that is not being picked for the 1st team should be banging on the manager's door to find out why. If you don't, how do you find out what you have to do to improve to get back in the team. How you question the manager is a different matter.
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
Not a big fan of his. One minute he'd look decent then he'd make a balls up then he'd get an injury and go missing for an age. Too unreliable.
Compared to Lescott, Richards and Clark though....and of course the returning Baker.
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Get rid
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He probably won't be here next season anyway.
Which will be a shame as he is one I would like to stay.
really?
has shown promise intermittently but far too injury prone for the amount of games next season
wouldnt be surprised to see him improve elsewhere but think right sided centre back is one of the first signings we need this summer
Injuries are a concern, especially considering his age. I respect it is all about opinions, but I am a fan though and put him comfortably above Clark and Baker. With a decent full back and left sided centre half either side of him, I could see him becoming a good player.
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Get a few million for him before his contract ends. Another failed transfer.
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To be fair I'd be bitter if I was second to lescott at this point.
No reason to get rid, he'd do well in the chump.
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To be fair I'd be bitter if I was second to lescott at this point.
No reason to get rid, he'd do well in the chump.
3 games a week?
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To be fair I'd be bitter if I was second to lescott at this point.
No reason to get rid, he'd do well in the chump.
3 games a week?
There are more games but it is not 3 games a week, every week. Balance the extra games with some of these games being on dates of later FA Cup rounds and it is not as intensive as some people make out. Also, at the end of the day, it is supposed to be a squad game these days.
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According to Black he didn't want to be on the bench v Bournemouth in which case I would suggest he is right to banish him to the U21s.
This seems to be the 'diagreement' alluded to by Okore the other day.
If this is the case then thanks for next to nothing Jores and don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out
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According to Black he didn't want to be on the bench v Bournemouth in which case I would suggest he is right to banish him to the U21s.
This seems to be the 'diagreement' alluded to by Okore the other day.
If this is the case then thanks for next to nothing Jores and don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out
And how much of his wages have been subsequently withheld? You know, when a professional withdraws his services.
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Sorry if this has been posted before. This would be a scandal if it wasn't for all the other scandalous things going on at the moment
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5515470,00.html
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Cheerio.
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Laters Jores.
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He could have walked away in the summer without any ill filling from the fans. Another thick footballer.
Perfect storm this year.
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Played his last game for us.
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apart from the picking the team bit (admittedly it is the most important bit)
Black comes over well under very difficult circumstances
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So we have two totally conflicting stories from two professionals being paid by our club. If true Okore must think he is something really fking special. Jog on mate, you some promise but what have you actually done of note in 3years? f- all.
To be fair, Black is picking some of the worst teams ive seen in a couple of seasons and will only be here another 3 weeks and Okore will most probably never play for us again. With this attitude I cant say I really care. Good riddance to the pair of them
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Modern day players are pathetic. Things like this amongst others really make me want leave football alone, cut it out 100% and start following rugby or something where sportsmen/ athletes etc actually take responsibility and basically act like men.
Ta Ra Jokes, you have been mostly 90% shit since you've been here.
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To be fair to jores he actually wants to play for the team...quite the opposite to gabby.
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Won't play, Don't pay. Save some pennies for RLs leaving party.
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...and the horse you rode in on
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and you looked like Arnold from Different strokes !!!!!
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To be fair to jores he actually wants to play for the team...quite the opposite to gabby.
And he should be in the team but, that behaviour and attitude cannot and must not be tolerated irrespective of how Gabby handles team affairs.
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Blimey what a poisonous place it must be at the training ground. Not sure what the manager can do other than do what he did. I do despair with them all. I imagine his agent is telling him, he will walk into any team.
He' been injured loads and also average at best most of the time. With the occasional rise out of mediocrity
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If he did this it isn't right but I have sympathy for his position because;
1. He wants to play games and not 'hide'
2. Unless one of legs has fallen off he is better than the two jokers being picked before him
3. Different Strokes was a great programme
4. I wouldn't let EB select the sweets for my pick n mix
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Balls to him, far too inconsistent for my liking. When it comes to Danish centre-halves, he's certainly no Kent Nielsen, never mind Martin Laursen.
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Can't we fine him too?
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Makes you think what the fuck is going on. Can see us struggling to field a team soon.
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I hope we are not paying him.
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To be fair to jores he actually wants to play for the team...quite the opposite to gabby.
And he should be in the team but, that behaviour and attitude cannot and must not be tolerated irrespective of how Gabby handles team affairs.
Absolutely. People can't moan about how the players are undermining things and we need Pearson to come in and bang heads and then complain when Black takes a hard line with this sort of attitude.
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If he did this it isn't right but I have sympathy for his position because;
1. He wants to play games and not 'hide'
2. Unless one of legs has fallen off he is better than the two jokers being picked before him
3. Different Strokes was a great programme
4. I wouldn't let EB select the sweets for my pick n mix
watch you talking about willis ? >:( :D
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Ah another whose attitude appears to stink. Considering how we stood by him through injuries that's pretty poor.
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Another prick and a donkey to boot. Bye bye.
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It seems that Black is doing everything the previous managers should have done.
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It seems that Black is doing everything the previous managers should have done.
Although he seems to like Richardson for some reason.
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It seems that Black is doing everything the previous managers should have done.
Didn't Garde do exactly this with Grealish and Gabby?
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Leave him to rot in the reserves unless we can find a player. Actually, no, the reserves shouldn't have to play with the shyster. If he is refusing to play surely there is some financial sanction against him?
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Ah another whose attitude appears to stink. Considering how we stood by him through injuries that's pretty poor.
I will never understand that approach or argument.
He got injured playing for us. Quite apart from the fact that it's in our interests to get him fit and playing again, either to benefit the first team or return him to being a saleable asset, there's what I'd consider to be a normal employer's duty of care, whereby if you get injured in the course of your normal duties, I'd expect the employer to help return an employee to fit for work.
And that's before you get into the second operation being more involved due to playing when he shouldn't have at the end of last season.
All that said, he's really made a twat of himself here. From what you hear of him other here he comes across as quite down to earth. Either that's a sham or he's been spending too long with Flabby and Richard$.
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It seems that Black is doing everything the previous managers should have done.
Didn't Garde do exactly this with Grealish and Gabby?
I think the major problem is that so many of our players are sacks of shit with appalling attitudes. Our squad is so thin on quality and our fitness and injury record so wretched that inevitably these said pieces of shit have to be called upon to come back into the team, just as Garde had to do when we were left with no option than to bring Gabby back. But when Randy appears not to care in the least bit, it filters down to the squad and Gabby is the most influential player at the club. He gets paid a huge amount and gets rewarded with new contracts without doing anything to warrant it.
We've got to tear the whole squad up and start again. Guzan, Okore, Richards, Lescott, Bacuna, Gana, Sinclair and Gabby to name a few have to go. The squad is poisonous. There's not a manager on Earth who could work under these conditiions where we've had an acceptence of losing and players who don't care enough about the results. They step onto the pitch and it's "enough."
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For the record, Okore is shit. He makes mistakes every game and he's only good if someone is there to babysit him. Fuck him off. Another waste of time and money.
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Leave him to rot in the reserves unless we can find a player. Actually, no, the reserves shouldn't have to play with the shyster. If he is refusing to play surely there is some financial sanction against him?
It has to be grounds for sacking him. He's not fulfilling his contract, so why can't we tear it up?
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I wouldn't sack him but try and get some money back by selling him. Don't let him play and train separately, but nowhere near the players. Sacking him would play into his hands although the counter argument would be that it would be more poisonous keeping him any near players.
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This is exactly the problem with having arseholes as senior pros. The younger players start to think they can get away with it too.
I like Okore and I rate him, but if that's his attitude, see you later.
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I wouldn't sack him but try and get some money back by selling him. Don't let him play and train separately, but nowhere near the players. Sacking him would play into his hands although the counter argument would be that it would be more poisonous keeping him any near players.
I don't think we'd get much for him to be honest. I can't see people queuing up. I think the club is going to have to take a hit on most of the poisonous lot just to get rid of them. Then we can look at cashing in on some of the other players like Traore and Ayew who will probably have takers. Although in Traores case we'll be lucky to get half back what we paid for him. But given his wages we have to take what we can get. It's a shame as I'd like to keep him. But we can't be paying 60k a week for raw potential.
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The way he has played this season, I wish he had made this decision in August.
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The way he has played this season, I wish he had made this decision in August.
Same here. He's a nightmare to watch. He has the physical attributes, but short of Richards he's the most positionally awful defender we've had at the club for ages and he runs around like a randy spaniel most of the time.
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Goodbye you injury / mistake prone nobody.
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I think he'll become a very decent player for someone. But refusing to play is unforgivable and Black has done the right thing. Won't help our sell on price though.
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Another average player who thinks he has divine right to play. Terrible attitude get rid.
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What a wanker. Surely if he doesn't want to play we can refuse to pay him?
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If he is refusing to work. Can we sack him?
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Goodbye you injury / mistake prone nobody.
Hear hear.
Get him out of the club. Let's face it this is what he wants.
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Who?
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What an idiot. Get rid. He'll have a shock.
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Before we sign any player like okore and before Contract talks have started we should give them a DVD of centre halves that have worn our famous shirt sit them down let them watch the Nicholls Ian Ross,Evans mcnaught McGrath and so on and say to them that is what you have to aspire to if you can't then thanks but no thanks.
Who the hell do some of these players think they are
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In the three years he's been at the club exactly what has he contributed? An average player who might develop over the next few years. We need players committed to our club & improving themselves, nor some tosser who thinks he's better than he is.
In what other occupation would you get away with that?
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Injury prone waster - see ya
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a legend in his own mind
never anything more than average, another player who got better when he was injured.
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Well done Jores .You have just joined a exclusive club. Agbonlahor, Lescott,Bacuna,Richards and now Okore.
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I expect his agent has 'advised' him. Must be shocking to be kept out by Lescott and Clark but if we all refused to work we would be sacked. Disappointing but not surprising this season, epitomises the lack of team spirit and management this season. We were doomed before we kicked a ball in August.
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The most damning thing for me this season is what appears to be professional pride and self respect in a number of players. Westwood and Hutton, even Richhardson as examples are pretty crap, but at least they don't go hiding and try, even if they aren't good enough. Gabby, Okore, Richards, Zog are just disgraceful 'professionals'. Sadly I think we, and other clubs, will see more of this attitude.
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Typifies the vacuum that exists currently at the top.
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Well done Jores .You have just joined a exclusive club. Agbonlahor, Lescott,Bacuna,Richards and now Okore.
[/quotWell done Jores .You have just joined a exclusive club. Agbonlahor, Lescott,Bacuna,Richards and now Okore.
Showing therefore that it's not an exclusive club. Which sums us up.
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Good, he's now in breach of contract so we can jog him the fuck on without costing us anymore money. Average player who should sack his agent, he's clearly been told he's much better than he really is. HE should also be forced to pay back all of his medical bills.
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I think it is really difficult to comment on this.
1. We don't know what had been said to him earlier in the week about playing.
2. Watching the likes of Lescott and Richards playing at CB, it is quite likely that Okore felt let down that he has not been given the chance ahead of those two wasters.
3. He may actually have been one of those guys in the squad who has knuckled down and supported the various managers, and then been let down by Black (as he saw it).
We just don't know.
As someone else said, he will probably go elsewhere and thrive in a stable place alongside a decent CB partner.
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The most damning thing for me this season is what appears to be professional pride and self respect in a number of players. Westwood and Hutton, even Richhardson as examples are pretty crap, but at least they don't go hiding and try, even if they aren't good enough. Gabby, Okore, Richards, Zog are just disgraceful 'professionals'. Sadly I think we, and other clubs, will see more of this attitude.
We're not alone certainly in suffering from it but that it's been allowed to infest our squad to such a degree says everything about the way the club has been run for the past 5+ years.
On paper we have a better squad than Bournemouth for example but the fact they're 25 (25!!!!) points ahead of us with 4 games to play, speaks volumes and they were a side the bookies had all but nailed on for relegation at the beginning of the season. Then you look at the stat about distance covered and the fact we're bottom and Bournemouth are up near the top (if not top) and again, if that's not all the evidence you need that our players don't work hard enough, I don't know what is. I've never known us to have such an appalling losing mentality. We trudge out like San Marino but even they may have something approaching team unity. The squad is quite obviously completely fractured. It's just completely and utterly poisonous. The whole club reeks of division, defeatism and indifference. The ones who try are sadly the ones who aren't blessed with the required ability and they in turn don't have enough quality to compensate for the shysters (who almost to a man seem to be our bigger earners, or bigger reputation players).
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Is 'footballer' the only profession where the employee is allowed the draw up their own terms of employment?
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He is refusing a reasonable request. So yes he can be sacked.
He is probably on paper one of the only saleable players though.
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making himself less valuable though.
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We need the money so we can't sack the weasel.
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Fucking hell. It's none stop shit at the moment. One thing after another. It's almost laughable. I can see the stadium collapsing next and we have to play at the Sty!
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Sadly he will go. I think we have to understand there are 2 sides to this. If I was sat on the bench while Lescott was out there after all that has happened i would be pissed. The fact he played 8 weeks or so while injured last season to help us out shows he had commitment. We also don't know how the conversation came about that he refused or what black said. Veretout and Traore have been totally overlooked too since he came in while a thundercunt like Bacuna keeps starting. He's handled it badly but is another example of a young player needing good guidance in the dressing room from senior pros and not getting it. Look at the comments Barry made this week about Southgate as a great example.
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Sadly he will go. I think we have to understand there are 2 sides to this. If I was sat on the bench while Lescott was out there after all that has happened i would be pissed. The fact he played 8 weeks or so while injured last season to help us out shows he had commitment. We also don't know how the conversation came about that he refused or what black said. Veretout and Traore have been totally overlooked too since he came in while a thundercunt like Bacuna keeps starting. He's handled it badly but is another example of a young player needing good guidance in the dressing room from senior pros and not getting it. Look at the comments Barry made this week about Southgate as a great example.
Pretty much what I said on the previous page.
We just don't know all the circumstances.
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I like Jores but this is really disappointing from him.
Like ozz I can understand his frustration but there are what 4 games to go so bite your tongue and just hand in a transfer request in the summer.
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I'm sorry, there's just no excuse. The bare minimum, no matter what, out of respect to the club and fans that you earn your living from is to make yourself available for selection.
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It's not the first time he's whined and stropped because he wasn't getting picked. He needs to learn that he doesn't have a McGrath given right to be picked, if he didn't cock up so much he'd be picked more. Suck it up buttercup.
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How many childish twats do we have playing for the club as well? You never picked me so I'm off and not playing again. Another big bloody baby, no wonder the team has no backbone and folds like a soggy cig packet.
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Fucking hell. It's none stop shit at the moment. One thing after another. It's almost laughable.
It certainly is! I really cannot understand the mentality of someone who sees what the club is going through and with only a few weeks left in the season thinks it would be the right time to come out in the press and say they won't play again. Speaks volumes about the type of attitude amongst the playing staff really.
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What started out as a good idea, the Bosman ruling has ruined football. The clubs have zero options when dealing with these imbeciles.
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If he'd been that reliable a player and was better than anyone else we had on the books I would have some sympathy. Whilst there are two sides to the story, I think he's not that great a player for the money we paid. That said, it's his job to play football, so, get on with it you juvenile. Age your age, stop sulking and understand the part you have also played in our demise.
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Don't worry everyone our new owners are to be introduced on the pitch tomorrow before the game.
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Wanker. I'm not normally one to critisise too much but come on put a shift in ffs.
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Our Jores may be experiencing a 'Fat Day', so absolutely nothing in the wardrobe looks good.
All I can say is, just believe you are beautiful, Jores.
And get your fXing kit on.
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Should never play for the club again.
Thought he could be decent but this is a new low, players effectively going on strike, is a new low even for a joke of a club like Aston villa. Fuck off Okore, you're a disgrace.
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I don't accept any suggestion that they can see Okores point of view. He is supposed to be a professional football and by saying he does not wish to be picked he should not be paid his wages. His agent obviously looking for a few quid in the summer, but he still has an awful lot to learn.
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but he still has an awful lot to learn.
How to defend would be a good place to start.
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This isn't a defence of his actions but there are players who got caught in the middle of the bullshit at the club that are just massively fucked off with everything and want to get out. I don't entirely blame them. I don't agree on how he is conveying his feelings but I can understand them.
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I don't accept any suggestion that they can see Okores point of view. He is supposed to be a professional football and by saying he does not wish to be picked he should not be paid his wages. His agent obviously looking for a few quid in the summer, but he still has an awful lot to learn.
Reading the more full transcript from Black tonight he should be gone in the summer and fined 4 weeks wages or have his pay stopped. I could get having a bust up about not being in the side on the Friday, but to then have time to reflect and state you won't play again this season on the monday is really wrong.
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It's not well thought out by Okore. He's going to want to move, so he likely spoke to his agent about deciding not to play again. It narrows down the clubs that will be interested in him if he voluntarily opts out of playing. How is he going to answer the question about essentially going on strike?
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He obviously isn't going to care, but I always rated him, however his behaviour in this instance has been an utter disgrace. He should be embarrassed.
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This isn't a defence of his actions but there are players who got caught in the middle of the bullshit at the club that are just massively fucked off with everything and want to get out. I don't entirely blame them. I don't agree on how he is conveying his feelings but I can understand them.
Maybe so, but surely you would think that someone with a touch of self awareness would think that the club had enough problems and bad press without adding some more.
It smacks to me as someone talking himself up in the press in the hope to attract some interest from other clubs (ie. goes from 'Okore must be awful if he can't get in that side' to 'the reason Okore dang get in the side is because he has fallen out with the manager'.
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I thought he had great potential and could have been a real asset.
One problem which was clear to me was that if a player got past him on the inside he would end up using his speed to get back and then tackle with his wrong (right) foot risking an injury. You would hope that our defensive coaches might have pointed this out to him.
In any event, he is just another name which needs to be added to the ever growing purge list.
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I trust we're withholding his wages then? The rate this bunch of jokers are going we won't need to cut the wage bill, they're doing it for us.
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I don't accept any suggestion that they can see Okores point of view. He is supposed to be a professional football and by saying he does not wish to be picked he should not be paid his wages. His agent obviously looking for a few quid in the summer, but he still has an awful lot to learn.
Reading the more full transcript from Black tonight he should be gone in the summer and fined 4 weeks wages or have his pay stopped. I could get having a bust up about not being in the side on the Friday, but to then have time to reflect and state you won't play again this season on the monday is really wrong.
His agent has spouted before hasn't he? His comments are ill advised and perhaps they are thinking fans will back him. Maybe some will think he should be in the team, but surely not his actions
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What would happen if you or I went on strike in our jobs? I pretty much know the answer.....
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He's a prick
Don't get me wrong he is our best centre half but then again the competition is lamentable and Black is an bit of fuckwit for thinking playing the English lads ahead of him is in anyway a step up.
You can't act like that
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Another player to add to the "Must get rid of at any cost" list this summer. He can join N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Richards, Guzan and Lescott in the new bomb squad. Not nearly as good as he thinks he is.
When we went down last time Graham Taylor brought in some players that were most likely not as gifted as some of the ones that they replaced. What they did bring was honesty and endeavour. That is what we need next season. Honesty, pride and endeavour. It may not be pretty, but it's a damn site better than what we've seen this season.
So long Jores!
P.s. Memo to Jack Grealish: One more picture of you sprawled out on the pavement or inhaling hippy crack, then talented or not, you too should be on the "Get Rid" list.
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He's a prick
Don't get me wrong he is our best centre half but then again the competition is lamentable and Black is an bit of fuckwit for thinking playing the English lads ahead of him is in anyway a step up.
You can't act like that
Agreed. Okore is a prick and Black is a dinosaur.
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How about the caretaker manager growing a pair and showing the players who's boss.
"I should be playing, I don't want to sit on the bench"
"You're contracted, get on with it!" Not "Ooh get over there with the kids out of my site then until we sell you in the summer, which is what you want!"
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I can't remember a time when I actively disliked a Villa player when they were still at the club. Sure when certain players left I, along with others, might vilify them (Hodge and Delph spring immediately to mind), but I can't recall despising so many players while they're still technically wearing the shirt, and Okore has just been added to the list
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How about the caretaker manager growing a pair and showing the players who's boss.
"I should be playing, I don't want to sit on the bench"
"You're contracted, get on with it!" Not "Ooh get over there with the kids out of my site then until we sell you in the summer, which is what you want!"
And when the player says no?
He can't physically make him sit on the bench.
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If Okore had been playing great most of the season, I could maybe, and only maybe, understand Okore taking this stance. But he hasn't, he's just been a bit less shit than the others some of the time and has still fecked up and cost us goals. If Okore was as good as he thinks he is we wouldn't be quite so shit and stuck on 16 points. He's whined before about not being picked, so fuck him, he's another twat player we'll be well rid of.
I just hope the club have the balls to fine him every week as he's refusing to play.
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I hope we refuse to pay him and fine him on top. Threaten to double the fine if he refuses to train then tell Hutton to go through him. No transfer then, you little gobshite.
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I said a few days ago that there is nothing wrong banging on the managers door to ask why you are not being picked but it is the way you do it that makes the difference.
Not trying to stick up for him because how it's been reported, it's probably best that he is allowed to leave but I wonder if he does not want to be associated with some of the players, for whatever reason.
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I hope one of the under 21s breaks Okore's leg in training. Fuck him.
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Only one leg?
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If Okore had been playing great most of the season, I could maybe, and only maybe, understand Okore taking this stance. But he hasn't, he's just been a bit less shit than the others some of the time and has still fecked up and cost us goals. If Okore was as good as he thinks he is we wouldn't be quite so shit and stuck on 16 points. He's whined before about not being picked, so fuck him, he's another twat player we'll be well rid of.
I just hope the club have the balls to fine him every week as he's refusing to play.
And this is how I feel. The best way for him to get himself a good move would be to give him all for the team, then try and get a move which no one would begurge him during the summer. But like most of the squad he has been really poor this season, and to do this at such a time is really low. While I disagree with Black for playing others ahead of Okore I approve of his stance here. He's done the best he can do, not its down to the club to show the player where to go.
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I hope one of the under 21s breaks Okore's leg in training. Fuck him.
I'm usually up for some revenge but I'm not sure that will do his price much good. Wait until he's playing in another team and then think about the plan again.
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I hope one of the under 21s breaks Okore's leg in training. Fuck him.
I'm usually up for some revenge but I'm not sure that will do his price much good. Wait until he's playing in another team and then think about the plan again.
Nah, break them both so he can never play again and we'll claim on the compo.
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There's supposed to be some exposé coming in tomorrow's edition of BT over here. Should make riveting reading.
If it's not behind the paywall I'll try and translate it before Clickbait Utd get their fingers on it.
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I hope one of the under 21s breaks Okore's leg in training. Fuck him.
I'm usually up for some revenge but I'm not sure that will do his price much good. Wait until he's playing in another team and then think about the plan again.
Nah, break them both so he can never play again and we'll claim on the compo.
We've probably only got him insured for third party, fire and theft.
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I hope one of the under 21s breaks Okore's leg in training. Fuck him.
I'm usually up for some revenge but I'm not sure that will do his price much good. Wait until he's playing in another team and then think about the plan again.
Nah, break them both so he can never play again and we'll claim on the compo.
We've probably only got him insured for third party, fire and theft.
Nah, just third party only. I think that's the minimum required by law. It used to be anyway.
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It amuses me no end that these mollycoddled fuckwits don't realise that the reason we are a team one might not want to appear for is entirely their own doing. Maybe if some modicum of effort had been put in earlier in the season this wouldn't be the situation.
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I don't think there is anyone left to cheer when their name is read out today is there?
Bunn, Green and Lyden maybe...
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Okore is shit. He only gets rated because he's missed so much first team action, when he has played he's full of clangers and piss poor marking, plus he's another one who treats the ball like it's dynamite.
Get rid, he'll be getting a reality check.
Aston Villa are the biggest and best club that most of these clowns are ever likely to play for and they've completely fucked it up.
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Did someone say Alpay?
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Joined in a bit late on this, but I'm assuming if he's refusing to be involved then we are fining him 2 weeks wages and will continue to do so?
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I just want one player to come out and say that he is really upset with how things have gone. That he cares about the club and the fans. And that he will stay next season to do everything in his power to bring us back up. I think I've given up waiting for that.
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If one does TV, my money is on Rudy Gestede.
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I just want one player to come out and say that he is really upset with how things have gone. That he cares about the club and the fans. And that he will stay next season to do everything in his power to bring us back up. I think I've given up waiting for that.
There's more chance of us finishing 17th than that happening.
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If one does TV, my money is on Rudy Gestede.
And Ashley Westwood Brian. Despite his shortcomings I believe he cares.
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If one does TV, my money is on Rudy Gestede.
Probably. Him, Westwood or Hutton. It's unbelievable how utterly detached the vast majority of the squad is to what this means for the fans.
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Westwood cares, but he is also honest enough to know that no other Premier League club will take him. Villa are the pinnacle of his career, and he works his socks off because he understands that. He may well be great in the Championship, but if we are honest, at the top level he is a deeply limited (if hardworking) player. I give him his dues, but if Villa get back into the premier league, we need players with both ability and attitude - unlike Jores - who seems to think the world revolves around him.
Okore showed promise. Quick to intercept, strong in the tackle, and comfortable with the ball coming out of defence, but he is also prone to dreaming, weak in the air, and his first touch under pressure is awful. If he had heart I could accept the weaknesses and let him work on them, but with this petulance, let him go, and shame him in the process.
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The trouble with storming out is that at some stage you have to storm back in again.
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Westwood cares, but he is also honest enough to know that no other Premier League club will take him. Villa are the pinnacle of his career, and he works his socks off because he understands that. He may well be great in the Championship, but if we are honest, at the top level he is a deeply limited (if hardworking) player. I give him his dues, but if Villa get back into the premier league, we need players with both ability and attitude - unlike Jores - who seems to think the world revolves around him.
Okore showed promise. Quick to intercept, strong in the tackle, and comfortable with the ball coming out of defence, but he is also prone to dreaming, weak in the air, and his first touch under pressure is awful. If he had heart I could accept the weaknesses and let him work on them, but with this petulance, let him go, and shame him in the process.
IMO Okore would develop into a decent defender if there were any good defence coaches at BH.
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As reprehensible as Okore's behaviour has been, this is what happens when clubs give up. The players do too.
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Maybe Okore refused to train with the first team because of their piss poor attitude towards the club.
However, refusing a reasonable request to do what he's paid for must surely be a fine or breach of contract offence with no pay off.
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Maybe someone has already mentioned it but he went on strike to get his move to Villa in the first place.
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Maybe someone has already mentioned it but he went on strike to get his move to Villa in the first place.
Er, no he didn't.
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I stand corrected I was thinking of someone else.
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Pierre van Hooijdonk?
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Ayew threatened to go on strike if Lorient didn't sell him to us. 'allegedly'
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I stand corrected I was thinking of someone else.
Benteke
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Karma's a bitch.
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As reprehensible as Okore's behaviour has been, this is what happens when clubs give up. The players do too.
Agree with this. This is what happens when there's no leadership at a club.
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Karma's a bitch.
Was he commentating on us today then?
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Karma's a bitch.
So is my mother in law
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Karma's a bitch.
Was he commentating on us today then?
Sorry, I was replying to the comment about Ayew allegedly threatening to strike to force through his move to us.
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As reprehensible as Okore's behaviour has been, this is what happens when clubs give up. The players do too.
Agree with this. This is what happens when there's no leadership at a club.
Although I agree it doesn't help but these wankers maskerading as Footballers still need to shoulder the blame too.
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Karma's a bitch.
So is my mother in law
...and mine!!
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Karma's a bitch.
So is my mother in law
...and mine!!
YAY! I feel your pain, brother
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As threatened a little further up the page.
The latest Okore interview with BT.
(BT i England)
He comes walking in with a big smile, offers to shake hands and starts the interview by apologising for arriving late. BT should have met Jores Okore at 6pm at a Brazilian restaurant, but the Birmingham traffic had got other ideas, so dinner was delayed by an hour.
Tired and hungry after a day training and a crisis meeting with Aston Villa’s manager, and not least director*, but is happy to accommodate the papers request that we take a half hour to take some new pictures of him as well. Just as you’d recognise the ever friendly and smiling Danish international-
*the Danes can use “direktør” for all manner of meanings. In this instance I’m guessing that they mean Hollis
Behind the politeness and upbeat humour lies a difficult and untenable story for Aston Villa’s Danish speedster. Jores Okore acknowledges that right now, he’s going through his worst period as a footballer. Even worse than when, almost three years ago, he injured his cruciate ligaments and was out for over a year.
Stumbling into trouble
As if it’s not enough that his Aston Villa team have been relegated from the Premier League for the first time since the Premier League was founded, Jores Okore is also at odds with his manager, Eric Black, and as BT revealved on Wednesday been banished from the first team squad.
”Not being allowed to play is the worst thing that I’ve experienced. It’s worse than when I was out injured and my mood isn’t great. I just want to show what I can do on the pitch and I feel that I’ve got something to contribute, but I’m not being allowed to. I think that’s harder than being told that you physically aren’t able to go out and perform,” says Jores Okore
He doesn’t regret that, partly because he went to his manager and told him his views on the situation and partly because he openly told all of Denmark and by default the otherwise closed world of English football where that kind of interview with open criticism of the manager is rare, he is now mired in this controversy with his boss.
”Everyone wants to play games, and my teammates also have their opinions about things. Off course you should speak your mind to the trainer, otherwise you’ll never get very far. You need to raise your opinion once in a while, it’s not good to bite your tongue for too long. I feel that I deserve a better chance anyway. A chance to do more than just sit on the bench without playing or not even by part of the match day squad. That’s why I said it too him, and now when you ask why I’m not training with the first team, you know why as well.,” he says.
He then adds,
”I want to be a part of the team and the matches, but I’m also glad that I spoke my mind. I felt I needed to say it. It’s been a bit of relief (saying it.) It’s obviously not an easy situation the club is in, if I go and speak out like have done, but it’s a choice I’ve made and I’m comfortable with it. I’m happy that I’ve been honest with myself.
Jores Okore wasn’t just honest with himself, when he went to the boss’ office and banged on the door. He actually has a pretty convincing statistic that only a few, let alone his Aston Villa teammates can point to.
He’s played in 12 games, and they’ve contributed 11 of the measly 16 points the team has scraped together in the entire season. In other words, Aston Villa have only taken 5 points from the 22 games the team has played with Okore, who is again absent against Southampton on Saturday.
”The manager has his views and reasons to not pick me, and personally I don’t understand it, because as a team we haven’t functioned very well, and our defence has been all over the place. It’s not because it’s only been all over the place when I’ve not been there, but I feel I give us a better chance to win. It’s that I’ve been trying to say and it’s that that the manager hasn’t taken very well”
“I’ve also told the club’s director, that I’m glad that I’ve said the things that I’ve said, and it probably wasn’t anything that they wanted to hear, but I’m happy that I’ve said my piece. It’s helped with my own mood anyway.
*the Danes can use “direktør” for all manner of meanings. In this instance I’m guessing that they mean Hollis
Uncertain Future
But all of this resulted in that you’re no longer a part of the first team. Have they said that you’re on your way out in the summer?
”No, no-one’s said that I don’t have a future in the club. Right now there’s another more pressing situation for the club, now that we’re definitely relegated, but they’ve not said that we should break our contract.”
“It’s difficult to say what’s going to happen, especially whilst we don’t have a permanent manager, so we’ll have to wait and see who comes in and what he wants. Then we’ll have to take it from there. But there’s a lot of uncertainty right now, and no one knows for sure what’s going to happen. It’s a big club that’s been relegated and there’s a lot of stress behind the scenes. I’ll just have to take it easy.
If you should judge yourself, have you done enough?
”I personally feel that I have done enough. It might well be that I’m not the best ball player or the most elegant, but I feel that in the games where I’ve played, and the results we’ve achieved in those games, the record speaks for itself. Of course you lose sometimes, and we’ve taken a kicking in some of the games I’ve played in, especially against the bigger teams, but apart from that we did performed OK whilst I was playing and showed that we at the very least weren’t in the deepest form crisis. I think that there was a bit more hope. But if the trainer doesn’t think that, that’s his decision, “ explains Okore, who just 1 year previously had a completely different importance for Aston Villa
Sacrificed himself for the club.
That time the club was also threatened with relegation and it was the first season where Jores Okore was properly back after his knee injury
The then Villa manager Tim Sherwood saw a rising star in the Dane and showed great confidence in him and the club survived, despite it looking grim at several points. Not least because Jores Okore sacrificed himself despite the risk of another serious knee injury.
He’s talking now for the first time, about how in April 2015 doctors pleaded with him to have an operation to take care of complications, which could have major consequences.
”At one point the doctors told me that I should stop playing, but I wouldn’t listen to them then, because we were in a situation where we needed everyone and that I played,” Okore says who, for the first time during the interview, looks down into the table with a look on his face that isn’t him.
The smile is gone and there’s a moments silence. Then he continues
“I should have had the operation at that point, but I waited until the season was over and we’d survived. There was some scarring and imperfections with the repair inside the knee that meant, unfortunately I needed another operation, but I took a chance for the sake of the team. Fortunately the operation and rehab went well, so luckily nothing serious happened.
”Do the people around Aston Villa know about what you’re sitting here and talking about?
”No, I don’t think there are many Aston Villa fans that know about it. Just that a knee operation can be quite serious, so I don’t think that they know what I put on the line. It could have ended up a lot worse than it, but that’s done. I’m not really the type to go shouting to the press about it, but if you ask me a question, you’ll get a straight, honest answer. I had hoped that there’d have been a bit more gratitude for me taking a chance like that. It’s more from the club that that kind of recognition is important, rather than the fans. The fans know full well that I’ll always give 100%.
You could say that you gave more than 100%?
”You could say that”
Are you worried about losing you place in the Denmark squad if you remain in the Championship?
”No, you know that there already players from the Championship in the Denmark squads, so from that point of view, playing in the Championship won’t necessarily hurt my chances. It’s more about getting as much playing time as possible, so if I’m no getting much playing time now and we keep the same squad, it’ll probably be difficult to get playing time in the Championship as well. We’ll have to see how a new manager sees things, when he is eventually appointed.
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I think he is just frustrated with the team and management. i think he will be better once he have a much better team and coaching staff and management. I don't blame him. But he still not top notch defender. I would give him another season.
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I for one don't blame him one iota for telling that buffoon Black he should be playing above the ales offs and Richards of this world.
One of only a few I would like to see next season.
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I for one don't blame him one iota for telling that buffoon Black he should be playing above the ales offs and Richards of this world.
One of only a few I would like to see next season.
I don't blame him for telling Black that, but I think he's a ****** for refusing to go on the bench, and I would if he was playing for me in Sunday football.
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Okore has significantly improved the defence in two consecutive seasons. Last year, his partnership with Clark was crucial to our improvement and this year, his return immediately coincided with our only period of improvement. He is not perfect but he should be in the team, he and Clark haven't played together once this season, which is daft. Black has preferred to play two left sided centre halves. He has clearly handled this terribly but you can understand why he had questions to ask our wonderful caretaker manager and I bet he got an arsey reply - probably something along the lines of 'I've worked in football for 35 years'.
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He's only played 12 games and I don't think that's any basis for pulling in stats. He just happened to be in during the five game unbeaten run (which included played a L2 side). Had Okore played all season we'd still be rock bottom of the league and relegated already. He's made errors every game. I don't care whether he disagrees with the manager. Eric Black is fucking shit, we all see that, but Okore is a professional. If the manager of the club paying you good money to play, asks you to sit on the bench (with the potential to play), then you sit on the bench.
I can't forgive that kind of unprofessionalism. I do concur with his view that he's probably the best of a bad bunch, but he's still not premier league standard yet. There's no coming back from that. If he was Lionel Messi I'd take it, but he's not. Fuck him off.
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I'm sure he's frustrated with how things have gone, I'm sure he's pissed off that Richards keeps getting picked, I'm sure in his tiny pea brain he thinks he's acting reasonable BUT you do not refuse to take your seat on the bench and you do not go on strike. That's as big a fuck off to everyone involved with Aston Villa as possible. The bloke is a disgrace to the shirt and needs selling asap.
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Why has he got a pea brain????
I have a lot of sympathy for a guy that put his knee on the line for the club last season, had been the best of our woeful centre halves this and thinks he should play. To be sidelined by a guy as poor as Black in place of a guy who defends like Lescott has I would be asking questions. Whoever comes in needs to have a good talk to him. Black will be long gone in August. We will need a player like Okore who will be one of the best defenders in that league.
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Why has he got a pea brain????
Because if he had any sense or perspective right now he wouldn't be kicking up a fuss with 4 games to go over him not being in the first 11. It's another punch in the face of supporters. Plus have you seen him defend? Another thickie in the squad.
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His issues are with the coach not the club. He is not going out while the team are playing and taking legal highs our going off to dubai or posting pictures of his next motor after a 6 nil loss. And yes I have seen him defend. Really well at times but he needs some senior guidance that is helpful to his development not the lot that he is with. Same goes for Grealish. I am not judging Okore on a fall out with someone as arrogant as black comes across. The bloke is a shambles.
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Going on strike is not something you can defend in my book. He is paid a huge amount of money and even if Sooty and Sweep take over and tell him he's on the bench then he needs to be professional and take his seat on the bench.
This is just another example of exactly how unprofessional the players are, they do as they see fit without exception.
A pathetic bunch and this guy is another one of them.
If Black is arrogant then god knows what that makes someone who has decided, after a season of terrible performances, that he is too good to sit on our bench and wait for another chance and that it is beneath him.
He plays for Aston Villa football club, not Eric Black, he should be playing for the shirt, the badge, the name, the supporters and professional pride. Going on strike is one of the worst things you can do as a footballer. He comes across terribly in this and if Black wasn't pissing everyone off with his stupid Bacuna/Richards selections then the clown Okore would be getting massive pelters. He's only not because the rest of the squad are almost as shambolic in behaviour as he is.
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okore is another classic jam tomorrow player
i havent seen anything to suggest he is anything more than average
the biggest problem with his game is his total inability to read it and that cant be coached
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okore is another classic jam tomorrow player
i havent seen anything to suggest he is anything more than average
the biggest problem with his game is his total inability to read it and that cant be coached
Being average puts him head and shoulders above at least half of the squad.
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okore is another classic jam tomorrow player
i havent seen anything to suggest he is anything more than average
the biggest problem with his game is his total inability to read it and that cant be coached
Average would put him about 10 miles in front of most of the squad.
In terms of his potential and development, he's 23 now and in the last 3 years has spent over a year out due to his cruciate injury and another couple of months due to the follow up operation. In between that he's struggled to hold down a place for various reasons.
There was plenty of potential there and he's still young enough to improve, but he's missed a good chunk of the period where he should have developed the most and I suspect will never be as good as he might have been.
One thing that annoys me a bit about the interview, is that they didn't ask him straight out what had happened about the Bournemouth game. He does tend to give alarmingly straight answers, so I don't think that there would have been a fudged reply.
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Wasn't his last game v Liverpool?
That's the last I recall of him anyway, displayed the defensive prowess of a toothless drunk the same day
Taking responsibility for their performances is an alien concept for these pr*cks
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
Well Okore has spoken out in the press. So has his agent. If it wasn't true they'd have said by now. They haven't denied that he's refused to play. If I were a player and a manager made a claim like that wasn't true, I'd be wanting to set the record straight and take legal action for defamation.
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Aye. Black has nothing to gain by saying this. He knows he's not getting the job and he can chuck half the squad in the bin and they'll all be re-instated by the time he gets his p45 in May.. He's been pretty diplomatic in how he's described Okore's behaviour. No major slagging off just "read between the lines - this is what i'm dealing with"
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
That's about where I'm at Paul. It doesn't look good re the apparent refusal to play, but to be honest everything is SUCH a car crash, that I think we need to start again with a clean slate come next season. Obviously the clean slate doesn't go for Agbonlahor, Richards or Lescott, the set of absolute wankspanners.
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
I must admit these were my first thoughts when I heard.
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I just don't see how you can dictate to your boss when you work. We all like to think we're better than so and so at a job and that may be true, but to withdraw labour shows a guy with an over-inflated ego and if he wasn't a professional footballer he'd have been shown the door already
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
That's about where I'm at Paul. It doesn't look good re the apparent refusal to play, but to be honest everything is SUCH a car crash, that I think we need to start again with a clean slate come next season. Obviously the clean slate doesn't go for Agbonlahor, Richards or Lescott, the set of absolute wankspanners.
Wankspanners - my new favourite word; and very fitting for key members of the playing squad.
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"I refuse to play?, I was on the bench against Chelsea and the games before, why didn't I refuse to play those games?"
"There must be more to it then MR. Eric Black is telling you!"
From Mr Okore on Twitter a few moments ago.
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Yep he's fighting back. And if what Black says isn't true then he should be. Furthermore if what Black said isn't true he should be canned because he certainly shouldn't be saying what he did publicly about a player.
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I take Okore's word over Black's. Its not even close. We have a player here who, you know, WANTS to play for Aston Villa instead of wanting nothing to do with us. On the other hand we have Eric Black, a man who seems obsessed with failure and cannot envision a scenario where Aston Villa might win but give shimself a pat on the back after each loss.
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I personally don't believe the account of this that Black has given, I just don't see Okore refusing to be on the bench. I do however see him telling black that he's been our best defender this season when he's played and that he deserves to be starting games. We don't see training but I really can't imagine players who can't give a shit on the pitch are training better than a player who has generally put a shift in every time he's played.
I get the impression that Black has decided that the right approach is to pick the most experienced team he can irrespective of anything else, so the likes of Traore, Grealish, Okore all get either left on the bench or ignored completely. I firmly believe that he'd have Gabby in ahead of Ayew if he hadn't been such a dick for the last couple of months.
On this basis I'm just going to ignore the comments made by Black and keep Okore in my list of players to build the squad around next season. He's even, in the interview ViD linked, outright stated that he wouldn't be against playing in the championship if he can get some guaranteed game time (which is what he really needs). Him, Baker and Amavi is 3 of a good back 4 for next season, just get a decent modern right back who can cross a ball and we'll be in a decent place with the defence.
Well Okore has spoken out in the press. So has his agent. If it wasn't true they'd have said by now. They haven't denied that he's refused to play. If I were a player and a manager made a claim like that wasn't true, I'd be wanting to set the record straight and take legal action for defamation.
"I refuse to play?, I was on the bench against Chelsea and the games before, why didn't I refuse to play those games?"
"There must be more to it then MR. Eric Black is telling you!"
From Mr Okore on Twitter a few moments ago.
That was good timing. :P - sorry about the smiley but it really does fit here.
I have no idea exactly what was said but I just don't trust the judgement of someone who was hoping that Keiron fucking Richardson was going to be fit and on that basis alone Okore gets the benefit of the doubt.
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I take Okore's word over Black's. Its not even close.
Really! I don't think anyone, unless directly involved can say who is telling the truth. What is certain is Black won't be here next season & Okore will most likely be gone too. To be honest I don't give a fuck about either of them.
Black been dealt a shit hand & is making things worse.
Okore can't get in a team that has the worst defence in living memory.
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Okore should be keeping his fucking head down and doing his job.
He's achieved absolutely nothing to earn the right to be saying whether he will or will not play.
He's just another one of the absolute sea of c***s stinking out this basket case club.
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Okore should be keeping his fucking head down and doing his job.
He's achieved absolutely nothing to earn the right to be saying whether he will or will not play.
He's just another one of the absolute sea of c***s stinking out this basket case club.
Don't hold back Paulie, let it all out!
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At least he's honest about not wanting to play for the club - most of the other players have only revealed their decision once they were on the pitch.
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Okore is just using all this as an excuse to get out of the club. It's snide and underhand, he must think we were all born yesterday.
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Except the only think I will say in his defence is all season long we have been asking for players to look as if they give a shit. By being pissed off at not being in this team is at least showing passion.
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He's entering the last year of his contract and the club have made no effort to keep him. Let's face it he is as crap as the rest of the defence. Let's see who, if anyone, comes in for him over the next few weeks. I suspect he's now concerned that no one will touch him.
We boo players; admittedly they are shite; who put themselves forward to play every week even when they know they'll get slaughtered. I could understand some of them saying fuck it. But a cnut like Okore can refuse to play & to some he's some sort of martyr.
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Okore is just using all this as an excuse to get out of the club. It's snide and underhand, he must think we were all born yesterday.
Did you actually read the interview? The interviewer offered him an open goal to go down the "well, I've got to think of my international career" line.
Instead "No, you know that there already players from the Championship in the Denmark squads, so from that point of view, playing in the Championship won’t necessarily hurt my chances. It’s more about getting as much playing time as possible, so if I’m no getting much playing time now and we keep the same squad, it’ll probably be difficult to get playing time in the Championship as well. We’ll have to see how a new manager sees things, when he is eventually appointed"
And to save you the trouble of the "well he would say that" response, as I've said before translating Danish interviews, what you see is what you get. Danish players doing media is fantastic. There's no hidden agendas, hidden messages, "on message / off message" subterfuge bullshit. It's a really quaint concept where a journalist asks straight questions and the footballer gives straight answers.
Post match is fantastic over here. A couple of weeks ago we had this tackle by David Boysen (Brøndby) on Oliver Lund (Odense) (http://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/superliga/video-stemplet-ober-godt-boysen-ikke-er-tungere) in the live Sunday afternoon game. The tackle is disgraceful, but Boysen had to go and face the cameras as soon as the game was over, listen to Lund give his opinion, then try and defend himself. There's no "oh he'll be disappointed with himself there"
That's the sort of footballing and media culture Okore has come from.
For what it's worth I think the conversation went almost like Okore has said, but it ended slightly differently to what they've both said. Something along the lines of Okore calling Black a twat who doesn't know what he's doing.
He's obviously got to be disciplined for that, but I doubt Black wants his position further undermined by coming out with something like that and having half the fanbase saying, you know what he's right.
As an aside I've never met Okore, but the partner of a former colleague met him on a couple of occasions when he was playing for FCN when he was doing the sponsor glad handing type thing. What I was told was that once you get over the size of the bloke, he seems like a really amiable, open friendly kind of guy, but that there was a definite sense of don't take the piss.
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The plot thickens:
Aston Villa defender Jores Okore, who caretaker boss Eric Black said was 'refusing to play' for the club, has hit back on Twitter. Okore wrote: "I refuse to play? I was on the bench against Chelsea and the games before, why didn't I refuse to play those games? There must be more to it than Mr Eric Black is telling you."
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See above hypothesis.
It's a pisser the journalist didn't ask him directly, but crowbaring it in as a standalone point wouldn't have been Danish etiquette.
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How was that tackle only a yellow?
On topic, I agree with you that the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, the bit that I don't believe is that Okore outright refused to play, that just doesn't ring true with everything else we've seen from him in 3 years, regardless of whether you think he's a great player or not he's never come over as a bad person and I'd firmly believe that the majority of fans will have been happy with him as a person prior to this. I just think all the 'get rid of him' and 'he's another c**t like the rest' is a bit of an unfair reaction when there's nothing else prior to this counting against him.
Once Black fucks off We'll see where things are but personally I'd be happy to keep him and I'd be tempted to try to get him to sign a 2-3 year extension early in the season as well, he's far from perfect but then if he was perfect at 23 he wouldn't be with us but importantly he has great pace, which covers a lot of sins and without him our central defensive options are very slow (I'm ignoring Richards who should be out of the club asap).
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How was that tackle only a yellow?
On topic, I agree with you that the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, the bit that I don't believe is that Okore outright refused to play, that just doesn't ring true with everything else we've seen from him in 3 years, regardless of whether you think he's a great player or not he's never come over as a bad person and I'd firmly believe that the majority of fans will have been happy with him as a person prior to this. I just think all the 'get rid of him' and 'he's another c**t like the rest' is a bit of an unfair reaction when there's nothing else prior to this counting against him.
Once Black fucks off We'll see where things are but personally I'd be happy to keep him and I'd be tempted to try to get him to sign a 2-3 year extension early in the season as well, he's far from perfect but then if he was perfect at 23 he wouldn't be with us but importantly he has great pace, which covers a lot of sins and without him our central defensive options are very slow (I'm ignoring Richards who should be out of the club asap).
Because the referee f##ked up.
I can't remember which of the broadcasters, probably Viasat, has the referee come up to the studio/booth after he's got changed and talk the panel through the big talking points of the game. More than the likes of Boysen having to defend themselves it's led to some interesting conversations over the last couple of years.
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Okore raises the point that he has not refused to play and I would tend to believe him, all we have seen from Black is more immersion of the shit management and player selection that has cost us for the last 5 seasons. Black should be nowhere near being asked to select a side to represent Aston Villa, another charlatan that we put stupid amounts of cash into a bank account monthly.
A true reflection of where Aston Villa are at the moment, Erick fucking Black
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Okore played through the psin to help us last season and was half fit by the time we played Southampton by all reports. There is more too this and I believe the guy who has done that before over the guy thats picking bacuna and Richardson
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I believe Black. Why would he make it up?
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I believe Black. Why would he make it up?
Why would he pick Richardson?
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I believe Black. Why would he make it up?
Because he's a massive twat?
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I believe Black. Why would he make it up?
Because he's a massive twat?
I believe Black, he's been in the game 35 years I'll have you know..
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37. And he picks the team using that over the opinions of fans. Who have seen these players a lot more times than him. The massive thundercunt. Cannot stand the man.
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If Black is lying, when is Okore launching his legal action? At the very least you'd think he'd be getting the PFA involved.
It seems more likely that Okore is trying to cover his Arse having been shown to be an uttercock rather than Black has decided to make some elaborate lie up to explain his non-selection of a defender whose last game was a six-nil defeat.
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Okore should shut the feck up and stop bleating on social media - they have all had a chance this season and all been proved to be absolute rubbish. If there is more to this story than Black is telling us then get the PFA involved and don't air your dirty laundry in public.
This just strikes me of a player engineering a move away like a rat deserting the sinking ship.
Black maybe massively out of his depth and unable to pick a decent team but I wouldn't have him down as a liar.
What is in it for him to make the story up? Nothing
What is in it for Okore to spin this version? Everything
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Okore is shit.
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I don't want a single member of this current squad - this record breakingly shit squad - to ever play for us again. None of them.
No second chances.
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Okore is shit.
Which is a still a large step up from Lescott /Richards
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Another day: another dollop of shite emerges from our complete basket-case of a football club. Triffick.
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I don't want a single member of this current squad - this record breakingly shit squad - to ever play for us again. None of them.
No second chances.
I said something similar to Mrs Ozvilla earlier today. She hates sport in general but tolerates my Villaness and asked how it was going.
For a moment I thought about telling her we were about to win the league and FA Cup double so i could spend the week living in some Walter Mitty style fan fantasy world of my own making but instead decided honesty was the best policy and informed her that we were so unbelievably shit and unprofessional that if they all fucked off tomorrow i woudnt bat an eyelid - every last fecking one of them.
She made me a cuppa out of sympathy. Bless.
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I don't want a single member of this current squad - this record breakingly shit squad - to ever play for us again. None of them.
No second chances.
When Honda opened their new plant in Swindon, they refused to employ anyone who had ever worked in car manufacturing before. I think it would be great to have a set of players who had never played for Aston Villa before.
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Completely agree on the mass squad cull. No way is Black lying.
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But he's not shit. He's 22 and got as much potential as any centre half coming through out there. He's one that will go on to better than where we are next few years.
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So we just forgive and forget anyone who has dragged the clubs name through the mud? not for me. i still want Barry hung drawn and quartered.
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I don't want a single member of this current squad - this record breakingly shit squad - to ever play for us again. None of them.
No second chances.
When Honda opened their new plant in Swindon, they refused to employ anyone who had ever worked in car manufacturing before. I think it would be great to have a set of players who had never played for Aston Villa before.
The current bunch of tossers could probably be replaced by folk who'd never played football before & they wouldn't be any worse.
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Alan Hutton might not be a particularly good footballer, but when he got put in the bomb squad I seem to remember he kept his cake hole shut, worked hard and was back in the first team after a while. Take note Jores you whiney arsed weasel.
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I’ve got to be honest, aside from anything that he’s said or done, I don’t think Okore’s very good at all. Aside from being quite strong I don’t see anything else in his game that suggest he’s going to go on to bigger or better things after us. He’s not particularly quick (and has even more limited acceleration), ok but not great in the air, is very one footed (and not very assured with that one) but his positional sense and ability to organise / communicate with those around him is absolutely pathetic.
I’ve said this before, but if you look at some of our biggest hammerings in recent times (Arsenal twice, Liverpool, Southampton being a few examples) he’s been at the heart of the defensive chaos. Not sure why seems to get away with so much ineptitude from some fans.
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Some of these idiots will get a reality check this summer.
It's one thing to be a member of a relegated side, quite another to be one of the worst performers in that side.
Unless it's Cluj, or Deportivo Wanka, I cannot see Okore or Bacuna getting the dream moves they so clearly believe they deserve.
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As far as I'm concerned they're both a pair of c***'s. The attitudes of both show levels of c***ism that's hard to beat even if you'd studied hard enough to achieve a professorial degree in high level c***ishness.
After Black has been kicked out, an exclusion zone around Villa Park needs to be set up that prevents him breaking, under whatever capacity and with whatever club is stupid enough to employ him. In case I haven't already said it, he's a c**t.
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Not like you Dave to mince your words.
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I know Brian, and I know this should be on the Black thread but the obstinacy of the man really has my back up. He's employed by Aston Villa to do the best he can for Aston Villa which, in my opinion with his team selections he is falling far short of doing. I don't care about what's going on behind the scenes, we all know the whole place is in turmoil but, for crying out loud, at least put out eleven individuals that are going to do their best for Aston Villa. The majority of his team selections are absolute charlatans. Get rid of Black asap. It's no big surprise he has failed whenever he's managed at other clubs.
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I rate Okore and his partnership with Lescott has easily been the most effective of the season. We even kept a few clean sheets.
But when a player starts sparring with his manager through through social media, it is time to go. Three games left, and he's out of the door. What the fuck does it matter who is right or wrong?
Give Toner the gig and have Richards clean his boots for him afterwards.
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I think Okore will want out regardless of what happens with this bollocks standoff with Black. He'll fancy himself as too good for the championship. The reality is, a year down there would actually make him a better player and he's not Premiership level as things stand.
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I don't want a single member of this current squad - this record breakingly shit squad - to ever play for us again. None of them.
No second chances.
When Honda opened their new plant in Swindon, they refused to employ anyone who had ever worked in car manufacturing before. I think it would be great to have a set of players who had never played for Aston Villa before.
We've near enough copied the Honda model. None of our players have ever played professional football.
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He gets away with it because most of them are even worse.
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I think Okore will want out regardless of what happens with this bollocks standoff with Black. He'll fancy himself as too good for the championship. The reality is, a year down there would actually make him a better player and he's not Premiership level as things stand.
Despite the fact that that's the opposite of what he said?
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I’ve got to be honest, aside from anything that he’s said or done, I don’t think Okore’s very good at all. Aside from being quite strong I don’t see anything else in his game that suggest he’s going to go on to bigger or better things after us. He’s not particularly quick (and has even more limited acceleration), ok but not great in the air, is very one footed (and not very assured with that one) but his positional sense and ability to organise / communicate with those around him is absolutely pathetic.
I’ve said this before, but if you look at some of our biggest hammerings in recent times (Arsenal twice, Liverpool, Southampton being a few examples) he’s been at the heart of the defensive chaos. Not sure why seems to get away with so much ineptitude from some fans.
It's because he hasn't played very often, and the performances you rightly point out are forgotten amid the sea of other shit performances by his teammates.
The human brain cannot ordinarily deal with the sheer scale of ineptitude it's asked to deal with.
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Okore may well be a better option than either of the Chuckle brothers, however let's remember that this basically equates to him being the tallest dwarf in the kingdom of dwarves. He's not up against much really. They're all fucking garbage.
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I think Okore will want out regardless of what happens with this bollocks standoff with Black. He'll fancy himself as too good for the championship. The reality is, a year down there would actually make him a better player and he's not Premiership level as things stand.
Despite the fact that that's the opposite of what he said?
Did he say that though? I thought he just said that playing in the Championship won't necessarily harm his chances of playing for Denmark rather than him either being happy to play in it.
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No action against him according to reports tonight.
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I think Okore will want out regardless of what happens with this bollocks standoff with Black. He'll fancy himself as too good for the championship. The reality is, a year down there would actually make him a better player and he's not Premiership level as things stand.
Despite the fact that that's the opposite of what he said?
Did he say that though? I thought he just said that playing in the Championship won't necessarily harm his chances of playing for Denmark rather than him either being happy to play in it.
He'll be looking to move for sure. On that count I can't blame him. Unless we get a complete sweep of the management team soon we'll also be turfing him out at the nearest opportunity. The only salvation for Jores is if a new manager is appointed and rates him enough to keep him but he'll be handed a note saying that Okore effectively went on strike, regardless of whether it's entirely true or not but of course the whole situation has been pathetic (in a season of all round abject pathetic behaviour from top to bottom at the club).
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No action against him according to reports tonight.
Given what Black said, that to me implies that there's absolutely no communication or mutual trust between the management and board. Everything seems worlds apart. The players to management, the management to board, the board to Randy. I'm fully expecting no action to be taken against Gabby either. If we've not taken action against Okore then it must mean Black was talking out of his arse (because if a player does refuse to play action MUST be taken). So surely Black has to go...
My head hurts...trying to fathom this club is like trying to explain time travel plot holes in shit sci-fi films.
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No action against him according to reports tonight.
Where have you seen that?
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I think Okore will want out regardless of what happens with this bollocks standoff with Black. He'll fancy himself as too good for the championship. The reality is, a year down there would actually make him a better player and he's not Premiership level as things stand.
Despite the fact that that's the opposite of what he said?
Did he say that though? I thought he just said that playing in the Championship won't necessarily harm his chances of playing for Denmark rather than him either being happy to play in it.
The international football thing might not be 180o opposed to thinking he's too good to play in the Championship, but it's a bit of an open goal to use as an excuse to start agitating for a move if you really think it's a bit beneath you.
Anyway the full quote went further than that.
No, you know that there already players from the Championship in the Denmark squads, so from that point of view, playing in the Championship won’t necessarily hurt my chances. It’s more about getting as much playing time as possible, so if I’m not getting much playing time now and we keep the same squad, it’ll probably be difficult to get playing time in the Championship as well. We’ll have to see how a new manager sees things, when he is eventually appointed.
So basically the same line of thinking as when he turned down Chelsea 6 months before he joined us. It's all about playing time, on the surface at least.
I seem to remember he was always in Lambert's ear about what did he have to do to get a game when he cane back from his cruciate injury as well.
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No action against him according to reports tonight.
Given what Black said, that to me implies that there's absolutely no communication or mutual trust between the management and board. Everything seems worlds apart. The players to management, the management to board, the board to Randy. I'm fully expecting no action to be taken against Gabby either. If we've not taken action against Okore then it must mean Black was talking out of his arse (because if a player does refuse to play action MUST be taken). So surely Black has to go...
My head hurts...trying to fathom this club is like trying to explain time travel plot holes in shit sci-fi films.
This is my thoughts as well. If he has refused to be chosen then surely that warrants a fine or something.
I know Tevez was slightly different as he was on the bench and then refused, but did he get fined?
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He's refusing to work. Sack him.
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This Villa defender has been speaking to overseas media
Aston Villa defender Jores Okore has admitted this could be “an end to it all” for him at the club.
The Dane, talking to Ekstra Bladet, says he’s planning on remaining in the Premier League for the forthcoming campaign.
The centre-half, a Paul Lambert signing who arrived from Nordsjælland in 2013, wants to be a regular in the top flight.
“A new start? Now we have changed the coach five times in the time I’ve been at the club,” Okore said.
The latest on a new manager
“This can also be an end to it all for me at Aston Villa.
“If I was 29-30-years-old, the situation would probably have been different.
“I am 23-years-old and will play football every weekend. I expect and I hope that is also going to happen in the future.”
Regarding the fall-out with Eric Black, when the interim boss claimed Okore had refused to play, the 23-year-old has revealed the Villa could fine him.
“I know that the club is currently considering the situation and a possible consequence is that I can be fined for what happened,” he added.
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Thanks Okore... don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.
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The thing I find most astonishing about our current crop's attitude is their completely delusional state. He has just been part of a team that has finished on the 3rd worst points total in the post 1992 PL era and yet he thinks he can just waltz into another PL side and play every week because he is 23. Oh and awfully nice to suggest that we could be one last pay cheque for him if he was 29.
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Mr Okore. Along with Mr Lescott,Mr Guzan,and Mr Bacuna you are not quite as disliked as Mr Richards and Mr Agbonlahor. You are ,however,making a tremendous effort to join this sainted pair.
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What's he said wrong? He wants to play every week and as a club we've had five managers in his time at the club. The club is fucked more than the player. Let's get that fixed so players actually want play for us. What happened last year was abysmal on every level. Not saying Okore couldn't have done more because they all could have but the circumstances around him didn't make it easy. And Black can go fuck himself too and take Bacuna and Richardson with him.
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What's he said wrong? He wants to play every week and as a club we've had five managers in his time at the club. The club is fucked more than the player. Let's get that fixed so players actually want play for us. What happened last year was abysmal on every level. Not saying Okore couldn't have done more because they all could have but the circumstances around him didn't make it easy. And Black can go fuck himself too and take Bacuna and Richardson with him.
Seems about right to me.
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What's he said wrong? He wants to play every week and as a club we've had five managers in his time at the club. The club is fucked more than the player. Let's get that fixed so players actually want play for us. What happened last year was abysmal on every level. Not saying Okore couldn't have done more because they all could have but the circumstances around him didn't make it easy. And Black can go fuck himself too and take Bacuna and Richardson with him.
"I'm not going on the bench" is what he said wrong, and regardless of our general ineptitude for that he can get to fuck.
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Which he refuted of course and we have to believe Black on that. Or at least we don't have Okore's full version of events.
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I think it's not too hard to join the dots when you consider his recent musings.
Look, I liked him and think he's been a little hard done by, but I see absolutely no reason to disbelieve Black.
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And we can't just judge each individual on last season, just as we can't expect to line them all up against a (figurative) wall and shoot them. Some we'll have to keep, some we'll need to keep. Only a new manager with a new way of trying to create a team can do that. We have no real idea of what the dynamics of the coaching/management/playing staff were. We just saw the results. I refuse to believe all the players are shit.
Unless, of course, you're one of the special few with an insiders knowledge of their skills and attitude.
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I think it's not too hard to join the dots when you consider his recent musings.
Look, I liked him and think he's been a little hard done by, but I see absolutely no reason to disbelieve Black.
That he has spent a large chunk of two years on our bench, under three different managers with few complaints.
A week after Black is put in charge and apparently he's going on strike because he's been asked to do the same thing that he's been doing for most of the season?
Not for me Clive.
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At a time where we still mathematically hadn't been relegated anyone who decides Kieran Richardson is viable option over Grealish or Sinclair or even Adama on that side of the pitch is moron. And then who doesn't want to expose kids to the atmosphere but continued to pick players like Bacuna that helped generate said atmosphere is a moron. So I'm going to stick with my theory that Black was a bellend and while Okore doesn't get a complete pass I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt here.
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"A possible consequence for what happened is a fine" I think it's now ever more clear what happened. Fuck him right off with the other wankers.
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Okore is dillusional in my opinion. If he does get a move to the premiership it will be at best to the likes of Palace or Bournemouth and then as a rarely used squad player.
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Makes me wonder why we did so badly with Champions League Bucana and Mr Ego himself ......... let him rot in the U21's
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Okore, huge twat and another with an attitude problem, get gone please before you go for nothing.
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1. It's a little disingenuous to say he's been speaking to the foreign press. He's been speaking to the press in his home country. No one in the UK gives a f##k (quite reasonably)
2. The bit quoted is an excerpt from one half of an interview spread over 2 halves. The first half was published on Tuesday. When I can sit at a desk to type on a proper keyboard I'll translate both bits.
3. If the whole refusnik thing was as clear cut as some would have it, the club wouldn't still be considering a fine nearly 2 months later given how quickly Agbonlahor got a hit in the payslip for pissing about in his own time.
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I was gonna give him a second chance but he can fuck off now if he can't keep his, or his agents trap shut. Waste of space. He's not yet even proven he's premiership quality. Frankly a whole, uninterrupted season of slogging in the championship would do that fucker the world of good.
Pack him up, ship him off. Good riddance. Every last twonk with the wrong attitude needs to go pretty sharpish. Thankfully I think Tony concurs with this and I'd imagine any incoming manager will too.
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Yes, a possible consequence is a fine. Another possible consequence is that he won't be fined by the club at all. Yet another possible consequence is that the interim manager is asked to leave the club without even being allowed to clear his desk. Unlikely, but possible. He didn't say that, nor should he. He just made a statement (probably just answering a question from the journalist) about a possible outcome of a dispute with the interim manager.
Had he said: "The most likely consequence for what happened is a fine" you'd have a clear admission of guilt. This is just him saying that he might get fined - if the club goes with Black's versions of events.
I'm not saying that he's currently good enough, but I do understand a 23-year old player wanting to play as much as possible (especially someone rejecting a Chelsea offer because he wanted more time on the pitch than he'd be likely to get there). I can also picture an outspoken Dane asking the manager without too much courtesy why he should be on the bench, and the manager wanting to establish his authority and possibly over-reacting.
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Okore, huge twat and another with an attitude problem, get gone please before you go for nothing.
Or, a player with a passion for playing who has been frustrated by the managerial clusterfuckery at his inept current club.
I would personally like to see this guy playing for a season with us, rather than the cameo appearances he has made; I suspect there is still a decent player there with good management / coaching.
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Miles better bet than Clark and Baker, despite being three and two years younger than them respectively. With the right players around him, I still think he could good enough when we hopefully go back up into the top flight. Would be disappointed to see him go.
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Clark and Baker would do well as a pair in the Championship. Okore can bugger off in my view.
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he can fuck off
average at best and a lumbering oaf who reads the game as well as fairly rubbish footballer who cant read the game
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Okore, huge twat and another with an attitude problem, get gone please before you go for nothing.
Or, a player with a passion for playing who has been frustrated by the managerial clusterfuckery at his inept current club.
I would personally like to see this guy playing for a season with us, rather than the cameo appearances he has made; I suspect there is still a decent player there with good management / coaching.
There's hundreds of players frustrated with lack of opportunity, very few pull the billy big bollocks trick and refuse to take the seat on the bench.
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I'm amazed we were relegated, so many players of outstanding self belief and ability.
I'd like to get them all in a room and ask them - exactly whose fault was it?
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I think it's not too hard to join the dots when you consider his recent musings.
Look, I liked him and think he's been a little hard done by, but I see absolutely no reason to disbelieve Black.
That he has spent a large chunk of two years on our bench, under three different managers with few complaints.
A week after Black is put in charge and apparently he's going on strike because he's been asked to do the same thing that he's been doing for most of the season?
Not for me Clive.
Few complaints that have been made public perhaps? I seem to remember him griping about not getting enough games before anyway, under Lambert.
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I'm amazed we were relegated, so many players of outstanding self belief and ability.
I'd like to get them all in a room and ask them - exactly whose fault was it?
You'd get a chorus of Remi Garde's probably.
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My sentiments to most of the squad. Jores included:
(http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/29/295f6912713fd36e91e9a4cabafc8784168e0ed85929936de8864cdabf42cbf8.jpg)
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He got a game away against Southampton last season that I wish he hadn't.
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He got a game away against Southampton last season that I wish he hadn't.
That'll be the one where he played against medical advice because there was only him and Vlaar that could still stand up out of the centre backs in the squad. One of the games that meant the routine clean up of scar tissue on the cruciate injury at the end of the season wasn't routine and gave everyone a convenient "made of glass" label because rehab took longer than originally planned?
That one?
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
It's a matter of record over here. Reported in several media outlets a lot more reputable than Ekstra Bladet who've done the last few interviews with him.
So reported fact, not opinion.
EDIT: should have added, yes he had a stinker. As did the whole team, not helped by Sherwood asking them to play a suicidaly high line against the likes of Mané's when both centre backs are running on one leg and your full backs are Hutton and either Bacuna or Lowton playing on the wrong side.
I seem to recall Koeman taking the piss about it in a post match interview.
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There's nobody in our squad barring the homegrown youngsters I wouldn't happily say goodbye too.
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Clark and Baker would do well as a pair in the Championship. Okore can bugger off in my view.
I still hold a slim hope for Clark (though he regressed badly this season), but Baker is just not good enough. I'd be very disappointed if that defensive partnership ever took the field for us again.
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Clark and Baker would do well as a pair in the Championship. Okore can bugger off in my view.
I still hold a slim hope for Clark (though he regressed badly this season), but Baker is just not good enough. I'd be very disappointed if that defensive partnership ever took the field for us again.
Those two as a pairing are so one sided it's a joke. Which one would play on the right side of the partnership without always wanting to turn the wrong way onto their left foot?
If Okore goes, keep both and get a senior centre back who can play on the right. If Okore stays, keep one, preferably Clark and a senior centre back who can play on the left.
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Okore, huge twat and another with an attitude problem, get gone please before you go for nothing.
Or, a player with a passion for playing who has been frustrated by the managerial clusterfuckery at his inept current club.
I would personally like to see this guy playing for a season with us, rather than the cameo appearances he has made; I suspect there is still a decent player there with good management / coaching.
There's hundreds of players frustrated with lack of opportunity, very few pull the billy big bollocks trick and refuse to take the seat on the bench.
So you believe.
With so much crap emanating from the dressing room - via Twitter, the B'ham press, players' agents, players' mates and so on and so forth - I don't frankly believe much of the 'facts'.
So, did he refuse to "take the seat"?
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My own personal guess is that he challenged Black as to why he wasn't playing.
Black's response was along the lines of "do you want to be on the bench or not?"
"No I don't want to be on the bench, I want to be playing."
"So you don't want to be on the bench. Fuck Off to the U21 squad."
"Bollocks to this. 4 more weeks to get rid of you."
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My own personal guess is that he challenged Black as to why he wasn't playing.
Black's response was along the lines of "do you want to be on the bench or not?"
"No I don't want to be on the bench, I want to be playing."
"So you don't want to be on the bench. Fuck Off to the U21 squad."
"Bollocks to this. 4 more weeks to get rid of you."
Which is pretty much exactly what I put on here at the time. Having friends in Scandinavia where I'm the only Villa fan they know means that if any news story has the slightest mention of us in it I get messages about it and the overwhelming impression of Okore from that is that he just wants to play football. He's nothing like the freeloading leeches like charlie who couldn't give a fuck so long as they get paid. That why I get so frustrated with people just ignoring everything that has ever been said by him and assuming he's a dick he refused to be on the bench.
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There's nobody in our squad barring the homegrown youngsters I wouldn't happily say goodbye too.
Yes there is no real pre season dread " oh I hope they dont leave us because we would be lost without them "
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I reckon we could get around 5-7 m for him due to age. That'll be a decent enough wedge to get better in. Problem is prices will likely jump for us because we'll have money. I'd keep Clark and have Baker as cover but after playing for a season he may want to move on. So 10 m or so for the pair of them will be an acceptable return. Obviously once he's gone we'll need to buy a right-sided central defender (or two) as I have a feeling Lescott will be retained.
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Clark and Baker would do well as a pair in the Championship. Okore can bugger off in my view.
I still hold a slim hope for Clark (though he regressed badly this season), but Baker is just not good enough. I'd be very disappointed if that defensive partnership ever took the field for us again.
Those two as a pairing are so one sided it's a joke. Which one would play on the right side of the partnership without always wanting to turn the wrong way onto their left foot?
If Okore goes, keep both and get a senior centre back who can play on the right. If Okore stays, keep one, preferably Clark and a senior centre back who can play on the left.
My choice. We could get a few million for Baker and I would rather sell him, and bring an experienced CB to go alongside Okore, Clark and Toner.
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I think he has a huge potential and actually at his age would benefit from a full season fit and paying in the Championship. If you could keep him and Clark together and Amavi fit with a good keeper and a right back you might be building a decent base.
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I just randomly asked my son what do you think of Okare? Reply "he's crap,no attention span no positional sense,goes to sleep, injury prone might be OK with an experienced centre half".
The reason I asked him was because I thought perhaps I was being a might harsh.
Thankfully I still watch football in real time with my eyes as do most supporters.
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Asking your son (no matter how young) about the qualities of Okare is certainly a random question. Agreed ;-)
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
Express (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/579851/Tim-Sherwood-Wants-Warrior-Jores-Okore-Fit-For-FA-Cup-Arsenal)
Tim Sherwood hopes 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore is fit for FA Cup final against Arsenal
TIM SHERWOOD will give 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore every chance to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final.
By Brendan McLoughlin
PUBLISHED: 06:15, Tue, May 26, 2015 | UPDATED: 06:27, Tue, May 26, 2015
Nursing a knee problem, the Danish centre-back has put his body on the line of late to help Aston Villa over the safety line in the Premier League.
But with their top-flight status secured, Okore failed to train last week and sat out Sunday's defeat to Burnley.
The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's showdown against Arsenal.
Sherwood has hailed the lion-hearted centre-back's unselfish attitude after putting the club's own needs ahead of his own Wembley dream.
He said: "In his mind he thinks his job is done because he is doing it for the team. That's the way he feels.
"I want him fit. Then I can make a choice. He really has gritted his teeth and got us over the line in the Premier League because he thought that was the priority. He is not thinking about himself.
"Last week he didn't train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.
"His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent. If I want anyone to be in the trenches with me it would be him.
"Unfortunately the knee is too bad so he is going to need some assistance on that. I'm hoping not surgery but I am not sure.
"It is related to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury (he suffered in September 2013) but the ligaments are still intact."
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
Express (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/579851/Tim-Sherwood-Wants-Warrior-Jores-Okore-Fit-For-FA-Cup-Arsenal)
Tim Sherwood hopes 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore is fit for FA Cup final against Arsenal
TIM SHERWOOD will give 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore every chance to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final.
By Brendan McLoughlin
PUBLISHED: 06:15, Tue, May 26, 2015 | UPDATED: 06:27, Tue, May 26, 2015
Nursing a knee problem, the Danish centre-back has put his body on the line of late to help Aston Villa over the safety line in the Premier League.
But with their top-flight status secured, Okore failed to train last week and sat out Sunday's defeat to Burnley.
The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's showdown against Arsenal.
Sherwood has hailed the lion-hearted centre-back's unselfish attitude after putting the club's own needs ahead of his own Wembley dream.
He said: "In his mind he thinks his job is done because he is doing it for the team. That's the way he feels.
"I want him fit. Then I can make a choice. He really has gritted his teeth and got us over the line in the Premier League because he thought that was the priority. He is not thinking about himself.
"Last week he didn't train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.
"His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent. If I want anyone to be in the trenches with me it would be him.
"Unfortunately the knee is too bad so he is going to need some assistance on that. I'm hoping not surgery but I am not sure.
"It is related to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury (he suffered in September 2013) but the ligaments are still intact."
No - that is a lie!
Peter W and Erick Black says it isn't so. His track record of not being a primadonna went down the drain the moment EB was caretaker.
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I think he has a huge potential and actually at his age would benefit from a full season fit and paying in the Championship. If you could keep him and Clark together and Amavi fit with a good keeper and a right back you might be building a decent base.
I think that applies with a few others as well. A successful season in the Championship could really bring on the likes of Gana, Veretout, Grealish, Traore and Ayew.
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He can fuck off with the rest of the bling crowd - fucking tosser.
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I think he has a huge potential and actually at his age would benefit from a full season fit and paying in the Championship. If you could keep him and Clark together and Amavi fit with a good keeper and a right back you might be building a decent base.
I think that applies with a few others as well. A successful season in the Championship could really bring on the likes of Gana, Veretout, Grealish, Traore and Ayew.
dont forget Gary Gardner too- high hopes for him next season (big) if he stays fit and pulls through pre-s unscathed.
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Blimey the opinions of Tim Sherwood. Anyone recall when he was touting Westwood for England?
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Tim was decent, up until that horrendous 'push right up to the half way line' against Southampton with slow Vlaar and Okore at the back. That was the day he lost me...
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
Express (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/579851/Tim-Sherwood-Wants-Warrior-Jores-Okore-Fit-For-FA-Cup-Arsenal)
Tim Sherwood hopes 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore is fit for FA Cup final against Arsenal
TIM SHERWOOD will give 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore every chance to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final.
By Brendan McLoughlin
PUBLISHED: 06:15, Tue, May 26, 2015 | UPDATED: 06:27, Tue, May 26, 2015
Nursing a knee problem, the Danish centre-back has put his body on the line of late to help Aston Villa over the safety line in the Premier League.
But with their top-flight status secured, Okore failed to train last week and sat out Sunday's defeat to Burnley.
The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's showdown against Arsenal.
Sherwood has hailed the lion-hearted centre-back's unselfish attitude after putting the club's own needs ahead of his own Wembley dream.
He said: "In his mind he thinks his job is done because he is doing it for the team. That's the way he feels.
"I want him fit. Then I can make a choice. He really has gritted his teeth and got us over the line in the Premier League because he thought that was the priority. He is not thinking about himself.
"Last week he didn't train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.
"His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent. If I want anyone to be in the trenches with me it would be him.
"Unfortunately the knee is too bad so he is going to need some assistance on that. I'm hoping not surgery but I am not sure.
"It is related to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury (he suffered in September 2013) but the ligaments are still intact."
No - that is a lie!
Peter W and Erick Black says it isn't so. His track record of not being a primadonna went down the drain the moment EB was caretaker.
What's this got to do with him being the liar that he is? Because he put his body through the ringer for us that we should forget what a Grade A wanker he was under Black? Just because Black may have been out of his depth this gobshite took a decision for himself and not the club. Fuck him right off and then when he's fucked off...you know the rest.
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I appreciate you'd personally feed him through mincer and throw what was left into the sea at Great Yarmouth to see how much made it to Esbjerg, but how do you reconcile what you've just admitted is him playing when medically he shouldn't have to whatever happened with Black? It's a 180o turnaround.
It's made even more inexplicable by the fact that he'd been in the same situation a few weeks before.
You say yourself Black was out of his depth.
Isn't it just as likely that it was Black not knowing what he was doing that started and ended all of this?
Oh and he's not been proven to be a liar. It's still Black's word v his.
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Could be.
Isn't it just as likely that Okore acting the shit and knowing what he was doing started and ended all this?
See? Works both ways. We're obviously not going to agree.
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Could be.
Isn't it just as likely that Okore acting the shit and knowing what he was doing started and ended all this?
See? Works both ways. We're obviously not going to agree.
Apart from my stand point is based on Okore's actions over 3 years.
Yours is based on blindly accepting the assertion of a man you've admitted was out of his depth who will be desperate to get his next gig.
Nothing better than a media storm to attract a bit of attention.
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Not sure I admitted Black was out of his depth. But never mind. As you were.
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Neither you nor I know the state of his fitness or the advice he was given Why do people state their opinion as fact? Unless you are one of the medical staff.
He had a stinker (in my opinion)
Express (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/579851/Tim-Sherwood-Wants-Warrior-Jores-Okore-Fit-For-FA-Cup-Arsenal)
Tim Sherwood hopes 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore is fit for FA Cup final against Arsenal
TIM SHERWOOD will give 'selfless warrior' Jores Okore every chance to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final.
By Brendan McLoughlin
PUBLISHED: 06:15, Tue, May 26, 2015 | UPDATED: 06:27, Tue, May 26, 2015
Nursing a knee problem, the Danish centre-back has put his body on the line of late to help Aston Villa over the safety line in the Premier League.
But with their top-flight status secured, Okore failed to train last week and sat out Sunday's defeat to Burnley.
The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's showdown against Arsenal.
Sherwood has hailed the lion-hearted centre-back's unselfish attitude after putting the club's own needs ahead of his own Wembley dream.
He said: "In his mind he thinks his job is done because he is doing it for the team. That's the way he feels.
"I want him fit. Then I can make a choice. He really has gritted his teeth and got us over the line in the Premier League because he thought that was the priority. He is not thinking about himself.
"Last week he didn't train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.
"His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent. If I want anyone to be in the trenches with me it would be him.
"Unfortunately the knee is too bad so he is going to need some assistance on that. I'm hoping not surgery but I am not sure.
"It is related to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury (he suffered in September 2013) but the ligaments are still intact."
No - that is a lie!
Peter W and Erick Black says it isn't so. His track record of not being a primadonna went down the drain the moment EB was caretaker.
What's this got to do with him being the liar that he is? Because he put his body through the ringer for us that we should forget what a Grade A wanker he was under Black? Just because Black may have been out of his depth this gobshite took a decision for himself and not the club. Fuck him right off and then when he's fucked off...you know the rest.
Your memory is slipping Peter. 50 minutes ago.
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"may"
that's an expression of possibility. A possibility is something with many alternatives.
That's not admitting that he was out of his depth.
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"may"
that's an expression of possibility. A possibility is something with many alternatives.
That's not admitting that he was out of his depth.
That's rather selective use seeing as yesterday you took Okore saying he may be fined as an admission that he did exactly what Black said.
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It might be living away for 8 years and only really using English on here, but I interpreted may in that context as acceptance of the fact.
It may be that Black is out of his depth, but it doesn't excuse Agbonlahor being a ******.
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"may"
that's an expression of possibility. A possibility is something with many alternatives.
That's not admitting that he was out of his depth.
That's rather selective use seeing as yesterday you took Okore saying he may be fined as an admission that he did exactly what Black said.
How is it? Considering I believe Black is right? Black may have been out of his depth as a manager but that doesn't allow or forgive a player for deciding when and under what terms he'll play for Aston Villa. Whatever your feelings towards, and the abilities of, Black are.
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"may"
that's an expression of possibility. A possibility is something with many alternatives.
That's not admitting that he was out of his depth.
That's rather selective use seeing as yesterday you took Okore saying he may be fined as an admission that he did exactly what Black said.
How is it? Considering I believe Black is right? Black may have been out of his depth as a manager but that doesn't allow or forgive a player for deciding when and under what terms he'll play for Aston Villa. Whatever your feelings towards, and the abilities of, Black are.
So you saying may means it's a possibility but Okore saying May means it's definite because you don't like him. I get you.
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Okore's "may" means something happened. It also to me points towards his guilt. You think it doesn't. I do. I think I've made that quite clear.
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should start next season alongside Clark, with Baker and another as back up IMO
do we still own Bennett? if so where is he?
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on loan at Sheff Wed. Bennett hasn't done much on loan this season at Brighton and Sheff Wed. loads of injuries too.
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on loan at Sheff Wed. Bennett hasn't done much on loan this season at Brighton and Sheff Wed. loads of injuries too.
Whereas my Weds mate reckons Bannan has been fantastic for them.
My mate is gutted too - he is in Milan for the chimps league final so will miss Wednesday in the play offs at Wembley. He already shelled out several hundred euros for the ticket so didn't want to swerve the trip
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Okore's "may" means something happened. It also to me points towards his guilt. You think it doesn't. I do. I think I've made that quite clear.
Okore's "may" means Black kicked him to the U21s for reasons yet to be established, or at least made public.
Some believe Black implicitly in his assertion that Okore outright refused a place on the bench.
Some believe the situation to be a little more nuanced than that given Black appearing to be way out of his depth and 3 years of actions from Okore that are 180o opposed to those he's accused of.
Some believe Black to be a lying twat.
Personally I'm in camp 2, tending towards. Black overreacting to a not too uncommon conversation between player disgruntled to not be playing and a manager being asked to explain why said player isn't playing.
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on loan at Sheff Wed. Bennett hasn't done much on loan this season at Brighton and Sheff Wed. loads of injuries too.
Whereas my Weds mate reckons Bannan has been fantastic for them.
My mate is gutted too - he is in Milan for the chimps league final so will miss Wednesday in the play offs at Wembley. He already shelled out several hundred euros for the ticket so didn't want to swerve the trip
Bannan was in the championship team of the year
https://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfaawards/championship-team-of-the-year
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Aston Villa defender Jores Okore is refusing to play for the club, according to caretaker boss Eric Black.
The 23-year-old Denmark international refused to be on the bench for the visit of Bournemouth on 9 April and is now training with the club's under-21s.
"After that game, he said that he didn't want to be considered for any of the games going forwards," said Black.
"I didn't have a choice apart from remove him. I don't want people who don't want to be at Aston Villa."
Villa's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with last weekend's defeat at Manchester United.
BBC
Seems straight forward enough to me.
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Aston Villa defender Jores Okore is refusing to play for the club, according to caretaker boss Eric Black.
The 23-year-old Denmark international refused to be on the bench for the visit of Bournemouth on 9 April and is now training with the club's under-21s.
"After that game, he said that he didn't want to be considered for any of the games going forwards," said Black.
"I didn't have a choice apart from remove him. I don't want people who don't want to be at Aston Villa."
Villa's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with last weekend's defeat at Manchester United.
BBC
Seems straight forward enough to me.
Which he denied in an interview to the Danish media.
Seems pretty straightforward also.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Lists are great. For people without much between their ears and no attention span.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Have we had 27 defenders in that time as suspect he is above Joleen
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Lists are great. For people without much between their ears and no attention span.
Okore also looks like Arnold off of Different Strokes. Who coincidentally is my 25th favourite sitcom character of all time. In between the bloke who ran the bar in Brush Strokes and Joey from Bread (the original one). What did you say about lists? I wasn't paying attention.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Have we had 27 defenders in that time as suspect he is above Joleen
Are we comparing Villa defenders to Dolly Parton songs? Because we haven't had a pair to compare with Dolly's since Teale and McGrath.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Have we had 27 defenders in that time as suspect he is above Joleen
Are we comparing Villa defenders to Dolly Parton songs? Because we haven't had a pair to compare with Dolly's since Teale and McGrath.
I would disagree tbh, we had far bigger tits playing in the central defensive positions most of last season , but there again Dolly only had two big tits :-(
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Have we had 27 defenders in that time as suspect he is above Joleen
Are we comparing Villa defenders to Dolly Parton songs? Because we haven't had a pair to compare with Dolly's since Teale and McGrath.
I would disagree tbh, we had far bigger tits playing in the central defensive positions most of last season , but there again Dolly only had two big tits :-(
I think the total mass of tits comparison between Dolly and the Villa team would require an mathematical working out only Dr Sheldon Cooper would attempt.
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Well I remember Gary Shelton and reckon he would say Okore is a bit above his station as well. I do think Black seems to have made him a scapegoat but his football didn't exactly make him an obvious choice. Damo70, I think you have an obsession with tits, have you only recently started supporting Villa :-)
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Well I remember Gary Shelton and reckon he would say Okore is a bit above his station as well. I do think Black seems to have made him a scapegoat but his football didn't exactly make him an obvious choice. Damo70, I think you have an obsession with tits, have you only recently started supporting Villa :-)
I've supported them long enough to see Gary Shelton play for us and know he wasn't a defender.
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Well I remember Gary Shelton and reckon he would say Okore is a bit above his station as well. I do think Black seems to have made him a scapegoat but his football didn't exactly make him an obvious choice. Damo70, I think you have an obsession with tits, have you only recently started supporting Villa :-)
I've supported them long enough to see Gary Shelton play for us and know he wasn't a defender.
Was Gary Shelton the one with no neck? No, actually that was Gary Owen wasn't it? Anyway, I'd have Carl Tiler just above Okore.
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I thought Gladstone Small was the one with no neck? Meanwhile, today is Saturday.
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[/quote]
Was Gary Shelton the one with no neck? No, actually that was Gary Owen wasn't it? Anyway, I'd have Carl Tiler just above Okore.
[/quote]
I'd put Bonnie Tyler above and of our current central defenders.
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If you were Okare and you had put your career on the line while playing with major injury problems then you would feel rather pissed off that you couldn't get into the team later on and feel the "club" owed you similar loyalty. However similarly if your Black, you'd have to say he owed Okare no such loyalty as he wasn't here then. That's just how it goes in real life. You put yourself out for the management while others don't and your back to square one when a new guy comes in. Welcome to real life Jores
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If you were Okare and you had put your career on the line while playing with major injury problems then you would feel rather pissed off that you couldn't get into the team later on and feel the "club" owed you similar loyalty. However similarly if your Black, you'd have to say he owed Okare no such loyalty as he wasn't here then. That's just how it goes in real life. You put yourself out for the management while others don't and your back to square one when a new guy comes in. Welcome to real life Jores
or was it that Okore was upset that Richards was getting in ahead of him, somebody who looked as though he didn't give a f***.
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If you were Okare and you had put your career on the line while playing with major injury problems then you would feel rather pissed off that you couldn't get into the team later on and feel the "club" owed you similar loyalty. However similarly if your Black, you'd have to say he owed Okare no such loyalty as he wasn't here then. That's just how it goes in real life. You put yourself out for the management while others don't and your back to square one when a new guy comes in. Welcome to real life Jores
or was it that Okore was upset that Richards was getting in ahead of him, somebody who looked as though he didn't give a f***.
Okore deserves another shot at the CB shirt, IMHO. And at the Villa.
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If you were Okare and you had put your career on the line while playing with major injury problems then you would feel rather pissed off that you couldn't get into the team later on and feel the "club" owed you similar loyalty. However similarly if your Black, you'd have to say he owed Okare no such loyalty as he wasn't here then. That's just how it goes in real life. You put yourself out for the management while others don't and your back to square one when a new guy comes in. Welcome to real life Jores
or was it that Okore was upset that Richards was getting in ahead of him, somebody who looked as though he didn't give a f***.
Okore deserves another shot at the CB shirt, IMHO. And at the Villa.
But does he want one, at the Villa?
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I reckon another reason Okore will go in the summer is he'll be in the last year of his contract so we'll want to sell.
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I don't think we will sell both Clark and Okore, who, with the addition of a strong right sided and dominant centre half, would give us a good unit at that level.
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I don't think we will sell both Clark and Okore, who, with the addition of a strong right sided and dominant centre half, would give us a good unit at that level.
Okore is right sided.
Keep him and we'd need a left sided starter.
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Even if he stays we need a quality player as cover as he misses so many games. 36 starts in 3 seasons with us, he obviously can't help injuries but i'd worry how he would cope with a 46 league game season.
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Even if he stays we need a quality player as cover as he misses so many games. 36 starts in 3 seasons with us, he obviously can't help injuries but i'd worry how he would cope with a 46 league game season.
It's a fair point.
The only thing I'd say is how many starts did he miss out on when he was actually match fit because Lambert/Sherwood/Black chose another partnership.
Also this is the first summer since the summer he joined where he's not recovering from surgery and can actually have a full pre-season, but regardless we'll need decent cover.
Regardless of their footballing prowess we certainly couldn't start the season with Okore and Baker as first choice pairing without having a bloody good plan B in place.
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I reckon another reason Okore will go in the summer is he'll be in the last year of his contract so we'll want to sell.
and he aint going to play 46 games next season, definitely one to cut
new right sided centre back needed
I've seen Shane Duffy play a few times this year for Ireland, monster in the air played well next to Clark in one game
both of those in a partnership might be a bit slow on the turn but sit them deep and we would be fine
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I'd sell Okore, he's got a good reputation for some reason. So, I'm thinking he's one of very few we might get some money for - not much though as he's only got 12 months left on his deal. He's not as good as he thinks he is. He's a mid-table Premier League player at best. Maybe that's pushing it a bit too...
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I reckon another reason Okore will go in the summer is he'll be in the last year of his contract so we'll want to sell.
and he aint going to play 46 games next season, definitely one to cut
new right sided centre back needed
I've seen Shane Duffy play a few times this year for Ireland, monster in the air played well next to Clark in one game
both of those in a partnership might be a bit slow on the turn but sit them deep and we would be fine
How many will play 46 league games next season, other than a definite 1st choice goalkeeper?
I'd say with injuries and suspensions anyone getting to 40 will have done well.
It's not like he's a Darren Anderton play 3 miss 4 type. I'd guess that well over 40 of the games he's missed through injury have either been the original cruciate injury or the follow-up surgery being more complicated than it needed to be.
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I don't think we will sell both Clark and Okore, who, with the addition of a strong right sided and dominant centre half, would give us a good unit at that level.
Okore is right sided.
Keep him and we'd need a left sided starter.
He doesn't play enough games in a row. I'd have Clark and a newbie as the starting pair.
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For all sorts of reasons I'd really have liked Okore to have worked out. But it has't really, even before the incident with Eric Black. He's looked ok at times and prone to errors at others, which puts him in the Baker and Clark category, except seemingly with a worse attitude.
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I reckon another reason Okore will go in the summer is he'll be in the last year of his contract so we'll want to sell.
and he aint going to play 46 games next season, definitely one to cut
new right sided centre back needed
I've seen Shane Duffy play a few times this year for Ireland, monster in the air played well next to Clark in one game
both of those in a partnership might be a bit slow on the turn but sit them deep and we would be fine
How many will play 46 league games next season, other than a definite 1st choice goalkeeper?
I'd say with injuries and suspensions anyone getting to 40 will have done well.
It's not like he's a Darren Anderton play 3 miss 4 type. I'd guess that well over 40 of the games he's missed through injury have either been the original cruciate injury or the follow-up surgery being more complicated than it needed to be.
36 games in 3 years would suggest he is a Darren Anderton type without the ability
car crash of a defender positionally, his last game v Liverpool he was arguably our worst player which took some doing
sure injuries have checked his progress, the absymal coaching at AVFC hasnt helped but he hasnt progressed at all and seemingly has a diabolical attitude to boot
if someone comes in for him offering a few million then we shouldnt think twice about cashing in
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You've missed the point (or ignored it.)
Go through the games he hasn't started.
He didn't start the 1st 4 or 5 when he joined as Vlaar had got the shirt.
He got in and did his ACL in his 3rd game? And was out until the following October.
He waited his turn to get back in and played pretty consistently, mainly around Vlaars fitness.
He needed routine follow up surgery to clean up scar tissue from the ACL repair which was complicated by him having played against advice leading to him not being available until late September. As far as I recall he missed 2 games due to a niggle over Christmas last season. Everything else has been selection choices.
I can't be bothered to do the reconciliation between teamsheets and physioroom or similar, but I'll wager that the total number of games he's missed due to "knocks and niggles" as opposed to selection issues or the 2 ACL surgeries is not far removed from the average for a centre back.
He'll make a great moneyball signing for someone.
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Okore and Clark was probably our best centre back partnership of the last few seasons, I think it would be folly to just turf him out. I'd rather Black went if anybody.
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Okore and Clark was probably our best centre back partnership of the last few seasons, I think it would be folly to just turf him out. I'd rather Black went if anybody.
And yet they make/made mistake after mistake, game after game. Not having a go mate. I think they are both very ordinary players. Five mill for Clark is daylight robbery, if true of course that this is what his release fee is. Okore starting just 36 game since he signed, when we need him to get through 46 in one season tells me that we need to get rid. Defensively, apart from Amavi, start again. Okore might be ok if we have a beast next to him, an organiser like a John Terry, but we'd still get the injuries.
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I should probably clarify it's 36 league starts (and 2 sub appearances) for us, he started another half a dozen cup games. Not much better but just to be clear.
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Starting again just isn't an option and people really need to forget about it. Making the 15-16 changes to the squad that some are advocating would be just as bad as doing nothing. This summer should be focused on removing the ones who've created the atmosphere that allowed us to fail with a squad that, on paper, shouldn't have been adrift. The players like Clark, Westwood and Gestede who've looked a bit out of their depth could well be good enough to help us get back up and we should keep them to avoid making too many changes in 1 go.
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Starting again just isn't an option and people really need to forget about it. Making the 15-16 changes to the squad that some are advocating would be just as bad as doing nothing. This summer should be focused on removing the ones who've created the atmosphere that allowed us to fail with a squad that, on paper, shouldn't have been adrift. The players like Clark, Westwood and Gestede who've looked a bit out of their depth could well be good enough to help us get back up and we should keep them to avoid making too many changes in 1 go.
Totally agree. It will take 2 or 3 transfer windows to get everything done.
I'd honestly look at it as a 2 year project to get back to the Premier League.
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Starting again just isn't an option and people really need to forget about it. Making the 15-16 changes to the squad that some are advocating would be just as bad as doing nothing. This summer should be focused on removing the ones who've created the atmosphere that allowed us to fail with a squad that, on paper, shouldn't have been adrift. The players like Clark, Westwood and Gestede who've looked a bit out of their depth could well be good enough to help us get back up and we should keep them to avoid making too many changes in 1 go.
Totally agree. It will take 2 or 3 transfer windows to get everything done.
I'd honestly look at it as a 2 year project to get back to the Premier League.
with the parachute relegation money, Newcastle and Villa should walk the second division next term
if it slips another year, the money may dry up and any remaining asset would be gone
In terms of budget, Newcastle, Villa, Norwich and Derby at a stretch should be miles ahead of the rest
cant see anyone else in the division doing a Middlesboro and spunking crazy money on the likes of Downing and Rhodes this summer
immediate promotion has to be the target
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Starting again just isn't an option and people really need to forget about it. Making the 15-16 changes to the squad that some are advocating would be just as bad as doing nothing. This summer should be focused on removing the ones who've created the atmosphere that allowed us to fail with a squad that, on paper, shouldn't have been adrift. The players like Clark, Westwood and Gestede who've looked a bit out of their depth could well be good enough to help us get back up and we should keep them to avoid making too many changes in 1 go.
Totally agree. It will take 2 or 3 transfer windows to get everything done.
I'd honestly look at it as a 2 year project to get back to the Premier League.
And yet, if many of the players we signed have release clauses, they can go and will need replacing, therefore, we might just see a fair few changes. I agree that it will take more than one window to sort but I was only talking about the defence, not the whole squad when I say start again. If we can keep Gueye, Ayew and Veretout, add a toughie for the middle of the park, we might do well.
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Starting again just isn't an option and people really need to forget about it. Making the 15-16 changes to the squad that some are advocating would be just as bad as doing nothing. This summer should be focused on removing the ones who've created the atmosphere that allowed us to fail with a squad that, on paper, shouldn't have been adrift. The players like Clark, Westwood and Gestede who've looked a bit out of their depth could well be good enough to help us get back up and we should keep them to avoid making too many changes in 1 go.
Totally agree. It will take 2 or 3 transfer windows to get everything done.
I'd honestly look at it as a 2 year project to get back to the Premier League.
And yet, if many of the players we signed have release clauses, they can go and will need replacing, therefore, we might just see a fair few changes. I agree that it will take more than one window to sort but I was only talking about the defence, not the whole squad when I say start again. If we can keep Gueye, Ayew and Veretout, add a toughie for the middle of the park, we might do well.
I understand but if you remove everyone except amavi that means 7 defenders minimum, then add a keeper and with a few others going you're quickly up to 12-13 players just to have a full squad and that's too many changes for me. For that reason, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Hutton and Okore can all stay this summer (unless we get a good offer for one of them) that way there's a chance that 1 or 2 of them will step up and show they can be of use again once we're back up as well.
I think we need to try to get back up in 1 year though. If Xia isn't as rich as we want then the money is important, if he's loaded then as soon as we're back up we can start going for signings of a level or 2 above where we've been and try to get ourselves firmly in the top half straight away. In either case getting there quick is important.
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We are going to have them changes whether we want them or not and as some of the oxygen thieves are going to cost us to shift, if getting rid of Okore and Clark if the money that is offered is right, is what is required fair enough, these are two components of what has been a truly awful defence and they have all played their part with individual mistakes and having no organizational skills at all.
If we got 8 or 9 million for the pair, to me that would be thank you and bye bye.
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Pubehead will attract a lot of media attention in the Euros and that will give Clark the chance to showcase himself. Good offers will come in for him that could see him sold. I like him and I think his career has been seriously held back by playing shit or bust games for shit or bust managers in bad teams. I wish him well whatever the future holds.
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if offers come in, I'd not hesitate to sell every defender we have with the exception of Amavi and start again.
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My big hope for the incoming manager is that he will be bold and that Tony Xia backs the boldness by the amounts he is prepared to spend. We should never, ever forget just how bad we were last season.
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My big hope for the incoming manager is that he will be bold and that Tony Xia backs the boldness by the amounts he is prepared to spend. We should never, ever forget just how bad we were last season.
Spot on again Brian. We will have a few months without having to watch us getting routinely beaten, other things will distract our minds, there may be a feel good factor with a new manager and owner but the bottom line is the club has been broken over the last 5 years and it's going to take a hell of a lot of joined up thinking and hard work to get us back in the right direction.
Turning up with the same group of players and expecting us to steam roll the division is just not going to happen. We can't be complacent on how much work is needed between now and August, just over 2 months away...
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RDM signed 13 players on permanent and loan deals in the season he got the Bitters promoted.
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If you were Okare and you had put your career on the line while playing with major injury problems then you would feel rather pissed off that you couldn't get into the team later on and feel the "club" owed you similar loyalty. However similarly if your Black, you'd have to say he owed Okare no such loyalty as he wasn't here then. That's just how it goes in real life. You put yourself out for the management while others don't and your back to square one when a new guy comes in. Welcome to real life Jores
or was it that Okore was upset that Richards was getting in ahead of him, somebody who looked as though he didn't give a f***.
Okore deserves another shot at the CB shirt, IMHO. And at the Villa.
This is where I am - as he absolutely has shown quality in patches. As with any CB - consistency is what proves a good CB - and we have not had a solid 2 CB for 5 seasons (injury mostly the reason)
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Okore is consistently inconsistent, that's the problem, same as Clark, Baker and Lescott. Reliable? No. Dependable? No. There is a player in there somewhere, but he needs to find the above elements to his game.
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He reminds me of Martin Keown; promsing youngster who didn't really improve with us, mainly because we were shite. I can see him in six or seven years time playing for someone like Juventus and us wondering what happened.
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Yes, and his attitude towards us being much the same as Keown's
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Yes, and his attitude towards us being much the same as Keown's
Most dialogue here is just about that .
Villa in Denmark, has the same level of news as I do, where there was nothing until EB (Yes Peter, he is great) published it - This is the baffeling part for me - why now? I think he was ousted by the top (who ever that was)
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That's a fair comparison. I always rated Keown and he turned out to be pretty useful. He went to Everton before going back to the arse and then on to play for England. I really want Okore to find a consistent level, rather than end up in another Keown situation.
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If it was so straightforward the club would have fined him. Seeing they haven't there's nothing straightforward about it.
Even my dog understands this much.
Frabbo, German Shepherd, if you want to know.
How will we cope without him? He is possibly the 25th best defender in all my time supporting the Villa. Somewhere between Paul Elliott and Zat Knight.
Sign up Frabbo
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At least he will put some bite into the tackle. He'll also be faithful.
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He'll also chase his tail but I suspect would still have looked more impressive vs Liverpool.
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done of this sounds pawsable
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He can go . Don't want such an attitude. Think rdm and Clarke wise enough.
Okore lescott gabby richards Richardson nzogbia gill can all go and can imagine few more
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done of this sounds pawsable
I think you're being ruff on him
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Looks like Okore was one of the ones RDM wants to stay, as his agent has said he wants to stick around.
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Looks like Okore was one of the ones RDM wants to stay, as his agent has said he wants to stick around.
Brilliant news!
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So Elphick as the organiser and fucking-going-for-the-headers defender, Okore as the organisee and quick-on-the-cover defender. Makes sense in my head.
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So Elphick as the organiser and fucking-going-for-the-headers defender, Okore as the organisee and quick-on-the-cover defender. Makes sense in my head.
is Elphick a left footer?
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Looks like Okore was one of the ones RDM wants to stay, as his agent has said he wants to stick around.
Good news and not unexpected by anyone who reckons our new manager knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
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Okore is right footed, anyone know Elphick's preferred foot?
Either way, we have Clark and Baker who are left footed so the four covers most bases. I'd guess Clark and Elphick being the experienced pros.
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I think this is good news. With a consistent run of games I think he could become a very useful players.
We need to put last season behind us, whatever may have happened, and move forward. If this saves us spending 4-5m on a replacement then it's a good thing in my book.
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I like Okore. I think there is a good player in there (with the right partner and coaching/management).
When we signed him there was a lot of talk that he turned down Chelsea to get first team football with us, which if true, suggests a decent attitude and also that during a time when RDM was at Chelsea they rated him (perhaps Clarke too) so if true that might mean they give him a chance to stake a claim. UTV.
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Like your organiser/organisee concept Mont but I do hope we do well enough to have the odd game when we play Baker and Clark together as kamikazer and kamikazee. "Nathan, block his boot with your face". "Clarky we are kicking that way". Can't beat a bit of thud and blunder.
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Elphick is right footed according to Transfer Markt (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tommy-elphick/profil/spieler/37152)
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Looks like Okore was one of the ones RDM wants to stay, as his agent has said he wants to stick around.
Good news and not unexpected by anyone who reckons our new manager knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
Good news indeed. Would have been a pity if Black's hopelessness had pushed him out.
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So Elphick as the organiser and fucking-going-for-the-headers defender, Okore as the organisee and quick-on-the-cover defender. Makes sense in my head.
is Elphick a left footer?
No idea about his religious beliefs.
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So has he been fined yet? If you refused to play you would get fined, right? If I was Okore I would be incredibly childish and hold the door open for Black on the way out. Maybe a cheeky 'wanker' quietly said as he walks by.
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Where have these comments come from?
I can't see anything in the media over here.
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Where have these comments come from?
I can't see anything in the media over here.
Here you go love
Maybe Jores is staying linky (http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/06/15/jores-okores-agent-gives-a-positive-update-on-the-defenders-asto/?)
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I like Okore. I think there is a good player in there (with the right partner and coaching/management).
When we signed him there was a lot of talk that he turned down Chelsea to get first team football with us, which if true, suggests a decent attitude and also that during a time when RDM was at Chelsea they rated him (perhaps Clarke too) so if true that might mean they give him a chance to stake a claim. UTV.
Our best defensive runs over last few seasons have been with him in defence.
Him and Clark were decent for couple of months and last season we weren't conceding a huge amount around January-Feb until the Liverpool game happened.
Worth remembering he has 1 year left on his deal, we would struggle to get much for him so I'd keep him and he either goes on a free or signs new deal if we get promoted.
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Personally I'd like to see him shipped out. Injury prone, not that good a player and involved in some serious negativity at the end of last season. Is he going to have another hissy fit if he's either not playing or we don't start the season too well? We don't need that shit next season we need players that we know are going to stick together and keep their gobs shut.
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Personally I'd like to see him shipped out. Injury prone, not that good a player and involved in some serious negativity at the end of last season. Is he going to have another hissy fit if he's either not playing or we don't start the season too well? We don't need that shit next season we need players that we know are going to stick together and keep their gobs shut.
This is a reasonable point, but we don't really know the full detail behind the spat with EB. It sounded like he was frustrated not to be playing and that desire is not necessarily a bad thing.
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Sell him and use the money to get someone a bit more Aston Villa. Okore has too much of the Vlaars for my liking...
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Personally I'd like to see him shipped out. Injury prone, not that good a player and involved in some serious negativity at the end of last season. Is he going to have another hissy fit if he's either not playing or we don't start the season too well? We don't need that shit next season we need players that we know are going to stick together and keep their gobs shut.
This is a reasonable point, but we don't really know the full detail behind the spat with EB. It sounded like he was frustrated not to be playing and that desire is not necessarily a bad thing.
Agree. I am inclined to take Okore's word over events rather than Eric Black. What a disaster that man was.
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Has it been confirmed that Black has gone? Im sure he will have but I have not seen it
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The injury prone / touch of the Vlaars thing. Is that real or perception?
To my knowledge he did his ACL in his first season in a "could happen to anyone" challenge.
Missed the rest of the season and start of the next. Came back and ended playing whilst injured which complicated the planned clean up surgery that was set up to tidy up scar tissue in the knee from the ACL repair.
That caused him to miss the start of last season but after his return he missed 2 games around Christmas.
Other than that any games he's missed have either been selection choices or Black trying to play Billy Big Bollocks.
So 1 serious injury followed by1 enforced absence then a couple of games last season.
Also worth noting that this will be the first summer he'll have had a proper pre-season since his first season which must also have some effect.
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With due respect okore could have ideas above his station or had been 'advised' badly but in the run in he did little to suggest he should remain. His perceived attitude and remarks in media didn't help and i think hutton and Westwood ,despite faults, along with ayew really did anything of note and pride in those sorry remaining matches.
Now he may show his true colours with the changes in place and maybe a more positive vibe but if he doesn't get rid. Clark baker and elphick are steady add in okore if he behaves or another then all good. I suspect we look to sign another and lose one or 2 lescott also.
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not fussed either way about him
i have seen nothing to suggest that he is anything more than an average defender who cannot read the game
with a year left on his contract i would cash in
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Has it been confirmed that Black has gone? Im sure he will have but I have not seen it
Why wouldn't he, we have new assistant manager and first team coach so what role would Black actually do?
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Has it been confirmed that Black has gone? Im sure he will have but I have not seen it
Why wouldn't he, we have new assistant manager and first team coach so what role would Black actually do?
Clean the bogs?
I like the comment from Okores agent 'Jores is absolutely prepared to give it another go'. Well wow, thanks Jores we should be honoured I'm sure.
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So if we have a run of bad results and he is dropped will he moan again? Sell him. Now is the time to rid the club of all the questionable characters.
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I don't think it's as simple as that. The fall out was with Black. He has played on one leg for us before so I don't think it was as straight forward as him refusing to play because he couldn't be arsed.
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I think he's going to stay.
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Does everybody think Elphick, Clark, Baker, Okore and Toner will be good enough?
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Does everybody think Elphick, Clark, Baker, Okore and Toner will be good enough?
More than enough and more than good enough for the Chumps league. They'll have a full season to show if they're good enough for the Prem. with a decent coaching set-up.
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If Elphick stays fit and has a good season I can see him and Okore being a very strong partnership.
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Does everybody think Elphick, Clark, Baker, Okore and Toner will be good enough?
More than enough and more than good enough for the Chumps league. They'll have a full season to show if they're good enough for the Prem. with a decent coaching set-up.
I agree, it's a season long trial for Baker, Clark and Okore to see if they're good enough to keep for our return to the premier league (all being well). Toner will stay regardless and I think Elphick will be given at least another year but I wouldn't be surprised if 1 or 2 of the others end up getting replaced. I'd rather do that as a premier league club on the back of a successful promotion season than having just been relegated though.
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Not just because I want Okore gone but I'd prefer another centre- half in there as well as Elphick. I don't think Toner is anywhere near the standard required, not yet anyhow, so wouldn't risk going with what we have.
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I think we can afford to wait until January and then re-evaluate - the sense I get it is that by that time, PL clubs are more ready to loan out backup defenders who can't get a game for whatever reason.
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Has it been confirmed that Black has gone? Im sure he will have but I have not seen it
Why wouldn't he, we have new assistant manager and first team coach so what role would Black actually do?
Everybody who has gone its been announced but I don't recall seeing anything about Black
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Black may be gone or maybe his new employers will consider keeping him if they think he was good at his actual job and not the one he did for 7 weeks or so.
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Black may be gone or maybe his new employers will consider keeping him if they think he was good at his actual job and not the one he did for 7 weeks or so.
Is there a shred of evidence that he was good at anything in the time he was with us?
Yes, like lots of coaches and managers over the last few years he wasn't dealt a particulaly playable hand - but also like lots of them there is very little to point to, to suggest that he didn't make more of a pig's ear out of it all than he needed to.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Other than the fact that he joined just before the run that got Garde sacked started. It's probably a coincidence but he joined just after the draw with the baggies and the 15 games that he was at the club ended up as 1w, 1d 13l - I see nothing from that to suggest he was doing a good job as a coach either.
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We are where we are because of systemic failings relating to poor decisions, poor players, poor coaches and manager's. The lot was rotten. Black, Garde, Fox, Lerner, Sherwood, TSM etc all shit.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Other than the fact that he joined just before the run that got Garde sacked started. It's probably a coincidence but he joined just after the draw with the baggies and the 15 games that he was at the club ended up as 1w, 1d 13l - I see nothing from that to suggest he was doing a good job as a coach either.
I'm going on his reputation from before last season. Not many people came out with much credit but i don't think Black had time in his usual role to show much promise.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Other than the fact that he joined just before the run that got Garde sacked started. It's probably a coincidence but he joined just after the draw with the baggies and the 15 games that he was at the club ended up as 1w, 1d 13l - I see nothing from that to suggest he was doing a good job as a coach either.
I'm going on his reputation from before last season. Not many people came out with much credit but i don't think Black had time in his usual role to show much promise.
His career has been mainly as asst manager or first team coach. His appearance alongside Garde didn't appear to have any positive effect whatsoever; notwithstanding the fact that we were pretty terminal anyway.
His career could be summed up by the words 'journeyman in a world of mediocrity'.
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I seem to remember him saying he was off at the end of the season, perhaps when somebody asked a question in regards to pre season training
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Other than the fact that he joined just before the run that got Garde sacked started. It's probably a coincidence but he joined just after the draw with the baggies and the 15 games that he was at the club ended up as 1w, 1d 13l - I see nothing from that to suggest he was doing a good job as a coach either.
I'm going on his reputation from before last season. Not many people came out with much credit but i don't think Black had time in his usual role to show much promise.
For another club you may be right, for us and as a measure of whether he's worth keeping I'd say anyone involved in the management and coaching who can be removed should be gone before pre-season, and thankfully that seems to be the case. There might be some amongst them who can hold their head up high and go on to have a good career elsewhere but we need that clean break.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Well, apart from us being terrible at playing football for the whole time he was with us in any capacity.
There's that.
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Eric Black proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he needs to find a new career. Because football management or even as a coach isn't something he should be trusted to do.
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I agree - Eric Black, Football Manager/Coach must be the ultimate oxymoron.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Well, apart from us being terrible at playing football for the whole time he was with us in any capacity.
There's that.
If you ask an assistant manager or coach to step up when he's shown before that he's no good as a number one then you're asking for trouble. We were in a great deal of it anyway so the apple was already rotten to the core with maggots infesting it long before Black came on the managerial scene.
And, again, not sure what dynamic free flowing football people were expecting considering what Black had taken over from.
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And there's no shred of evidence, as you say, that he wasn't doing well at his day-time job until he took over as manager.
Well, apart from us being terrible at playing football for the whole time he was with us in any capacity.
There's that.
If you ask an assistant manager or coach to step up when he's shown before that he's no good as a number one then you're asking for trouble. We were in a great deal of it anyway so the apple was already rotten to the core with maggots infesting it long before Black came on the managerial scene.
And, again, not sure what dynamic free flowing football people were expecting considering what Black had taken over from.
Not the point. His ridiculous team selections (Richardson ffs) and falling out with a keen and able player like Okore make him a dick. Little wonder he's achieved little or nothing in his "37 years experience in football".
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I don't think Okore did himself many favours but it was out of character and if he wants to stay and fight for his place I'm happy for him to do so. Black can just fuck right off. He didn't handle the situation well either and publicy shaming Okore was needless, as were his disgraceful team selections.
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Okore and Elphick I'd be happy with. Amavi and a vastly improved Richards, in front of a new keeper. Yup.
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Black had what very few managers get in the game, a free hit effectively.
We were pretty much down and expectations were minimal. Just showing a bit of a attacking intent and blooding the likes of Andre Green, Calder and co would have been deemed a success.
He says the environment wasn't conducive to bringing young players through, but it was Lescott and Bacuna who were enduring the worst stick -players he insisted on playing even when they were stinking the place out.
I don't ever recall Villa fans ripping into young players from the off, so there is no reason to think we would have last year.
He was manager of Aston Villa -even if it was only for a few months. It's an opportunity someone of his limited ability should have been nowhere near. His demeanor should have been closer to a lottery winner, rather than someone who had just buried his pet budgie.
I hope he never works in football again. Or ends up back at Small Heath (same thing, really).
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Okore and Elphick I'd be happy with. Amavi and a vastly improved Richards, in front of a new keeper. Yup.
Fu@k Richards, New RB is a priority. Hutton is fine for a backup.
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As said before I rate Okore far more than Clark or Baker.
Our best defensive runs (if you can call them that) over last two seasons have tended to come with him in the team alongside someone.
He's only got 1 year left so if we sell we'd only get peanuts for him so might aswell keep him as he'll be an asset in championship imo.
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Keep him, get promoted and a good feeling back and pop a new contract in front of him once we're back in the Premier League.
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I don't like any player who appears to show dissent at the expense of the club. However I seem to remember him in with the away fans in the Walsall friendly last season when he was injured which is something I like.
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Yeah he was mixing with the fans at Walsall before being ushered out of the stands.
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He was sat by us for that Walsall game and he did get mobbed before being moved into the side stand, where he still got mobbed.
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In the case of Black vs Okore, I have to be honest I'm backing Okore. Nothing Black did while an employee of Aston Villa with the notable exception of calling it Gabriel Agbonlahor a fat fuck merits commendation. He was as utterly useless as the team he put out to get slaughtered week after week. I think Okore was just fucked off with things especially seeing pricks like Bacuna and Richards and Richardson getting greater consideration.
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In the case of Black vs Okore, I have to be honest I'm backing Okore. Nothing Black did while an employee of Aston Villa with the notable exception of calling it Gabriel Agbonlahor a fat fuck merits commendation. He was as utterly useless as the team he put out to get slaughtered week after week. I think Okore was just fucked off with things especially seeing pricks like Bacuna and Richards and Richardson getting greater consideration.
Totally agree. Wouldn't Okore have been fined/disciplined if he'd refused to play? He's shown nothing but a good attitude until this point (playing whilst injured helping to keep us up, working hard to come back from injury)
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I thought at the time of his appointment, it was odd, nothing in his previous jobs suggested he was going to improve us in any way. I fall to understand why Remi Garde couldn't find a decent assistant.
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Keep him, get promoted and a good feeling back and pop a new contract in front of him once we're back in the Premier League.
Agree Dave. I know there are many on here who would disagree, but I think Okore could become a top player and think he will be strong at Championship level and will be fine in the top flight as well.
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Okore and Elphick I'd be happy with. Amavi and a vastly improved Richards, in front of a new keeper. Yup.
Fu@k Richards, New RB is a priority. Hutton is fine for a backup.
this
richards was fucking gash at right back, im struggling to think of anyone who has less positional sense. the bloke is clueless
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Nothing wrong with Richard's ability, it is his malevolent attitude and pea brain that are the insurmountable problems.
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Nothing wrong with Richard's ability, it is his malevolent attitude and pea brain that are the insurmountable problems.
I think having a pea brain goes towards his footballing ability - it means he has no idea where the fuck he needs to be half of the time, which is obviously a key component of a defender's skillset.
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Agree 100% passit but I would add only that many pea brained footballers have scaled the heights. Paul Gascoigne is a typical example. They have the ability to not use their tiny brains at all and let instinct take over. Glen Hoddle is another.
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Nothing wrong with Richard's ability, it is his malevolent attitude and pea brain that are the insurmountable problems.
I think having a pea brain goes towards his footballing ability - it means he has no idea where the fuck he needs to be half of the time, which is obviously a key component of a defender's skillset.
When you add to that his poor attitude last season then it is not a good mix. I don't want to see Richards anywhere near the team again and hope someone takes him off our hands in the summer. I hope to see a new RB signed in the summer.
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Richards positional awareness was utterly shocking at times. I don't think he's a very intelligent individual nor a professional football.
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Agree 100% passit but I would add only that many pea brained footballers have scaled the heights. Paul Gascoigne is a typical example. They have the ability to not use their tiny brains at all and let instinct take over. Glen Hoddle is another.
You can get away with being thick if you play further forward, you don't see many decent defenders who are gabby levels of stupidity.
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Just read that Carlos Sanchez has also stated he's staying. At Championship level and with confidence, momentum and critically a better overall environment we will see much more from a players many of us had started to give up on. He's a good player and he can start to prove it with others like Okore next season and contribute to our promotion campaign.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
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To me, the comments Okore has made publicly in the past suggest frustration and ambition, rather than disrespect.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
What money, he's in the last year of his deal and we were just relegated, if we got offers of £3-4m I'd be surprised. double that and I'd agree with you but it's not going to happen so I just don't see how we come out of it with a better player if we let him go.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
I quite like Sanchez, but he is one of our more sellable assets so I would look to move him on and reinvest the fee.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
What money, he's in the last year of his deal and we were just relegated, if we got offers of £3-4m I'd be surprised. double that and I'd agree with you but it's not going to happen so I just don't see how we come out of it with a better player if we let him go.
Sell him and get whatever money we get for an adequate replacement if not in defence, in midfield. Being in the Championship we're not going to get many players of 10m+ joining us and in any case defenders are always cheaper.
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Agree 100% passit but I would add only that many pea brained footballers have scaled the heights. Paul Gascoigne is a typical example. They have the ability to not use their tiny brains at all and let instinct take over. Glen Hoddle is another.
Ah that's football intelligence. Bit like Rooney, they wouldn't be any good on mastermind but put them on a football pitch and they can see the play developing seconds before most of the team.
Richards certainly dosen't fall into that category. He's just relied on his physical strength and pace most of his career and now his body is failing him there's not a lot else there.
He was a total car crash at CB and not much better at RB. He's also maybe the highest paid player at the club so I'd get rid if we could.
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Agree 100% passit but I would add only that many pea brained footballers have scaled the heights. Paul Gascoigne is a typical example. They have the ability to not use their tiny brains at all and let instinct take over. Glen Hoddle is another.
Ah that's football intelligence. Bit like Rooney, they wouldn't be any good on mastermind but put them on a football pitch and they can see the play developing seconds before most of the team.
Richards certainly dosen't fall into that category. He's just relied on his physical strength and pace most of his career and now his body is failing him there's not a lot else there.
He was a total car crash at CB and not much better at RB. He's also maybe the highest paid player at the club so I'd get rid if we could.
Oh for sure. Richards has to go. 110%. No two ways about it. ASAP.
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Agree 100% passit but I would add only that many pea brained footballers have scaled the heights. Paul Gascoigne is a typical example. They have the ability to not use their tiny brains at all and let instinct take over. Glen Hoddle is another.
Ah that's football intelligence. Bit like Rooney, they wouldn't be any good on mastermind but put them on a football pitch and they can see the play developing seconds before most of the team.
Richards certainly dosen't fall into that category. He's just relied on his physical strength and pace most of his career and now his body is failing him there's not a lot else there.
He was a total car crash at CB and not much better at RB. He's also maybe the highest paid player at the club so I'd get rid if we could.
Oh for sure. Richards has to go. 110%. No two ways about it. ASAP.
We've too many shite players who don't see playing for Villa as a privilege. Bye to all of them. We need a bit of a revolution and this is the time.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
What money, he's in the last year of his deal and we were just relegated, if we got offers of £3-4m I'd be surprised. double that and I'd agree with you but it's not going to happen so I just don't see how we come out of it with a better player if we let him go.
Sell him and get whatever money we get for an adequate replacement if not in defence, in midfield. Being in the Championship we're not going to get many players of 10m+ joining us and in any case defenders are always cheaper.
Other than having a caretaker manager blow an almost routine "why aren't I playing" discussion out of all proportion what's Okore done that's so foul and despicable to put him on a roll of dishonour with Agbonlahor & Richards.
Given how quick the club were to dish out fines to Agbonlahor at the end of last season, the lack of action on Okore's alleged dissent, which should have been easy enough to decide on, speaks volumes.
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Oh for sure. Richards has to go. 110%. No two ways about it. ASAP.
Yes but how?
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Oh for sure. Richards has to go. 110%. No two ways about it. ASAP.
Yes but how?
By cannon?
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Oh for sure. Richards has to go. 110%. No two ways about it. ASAP.
Yes but how?
I'm sure there were quotes where he was boasting that his release clause was 'only' £5m, seemingly thinking that someone would snap him up at that price. Sunderland might be that stupid. My guess is that clubs will offer money for him but we may end up giving it back to him to cover a drop in his wages. Either way, if we can get rid, cost neutral, then I'd be delighted.
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By cannon?
Someone will need to recommission the Great Gustav in that case!
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Jores has been with club three years; anniversary today.
Time to commit and deliver, or to leave.
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Jores has been with club three years; anniversary today.
Time to commit and deliver, or to leave.
Referendum?
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
Stop playing Devils Advocate Peter. We should keep Okore. A decent manager and coaches will get the best out of him. He has so much more potential than Clark & Baker.
Not sure i would keep Sanchez though. Sent off for Colombia against Chile and looked a liability most of the game.
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It's not devils advocate JD. Gareth Barry dragged the name of our club through the gutter trying to force a leave and I have never forgiven him for it. Yes, i know that we don't know what happened between black and Okore but what we do know is that for one reason or another Okore refused to honour his contract, respect the fans, and do as he was asked. Whether that was to sit on the bench or run 50 times up the Lickey Hills you don't decide when you do and don't want to play for Aston Villa. For that reason alone he's dead to me.
I don't take this argument of him being such a hero that he played through injury either. Every footballer does it at every level. That is nothing special. You do as you're asked, for me it's that simple. If the medical advice was for him not to then of course he shouldn't, but it wasn't. He was patched up and played. not particularly well but that was because of the injury fair enough. But it happens. 12 months on and you're asked to sit on the bench and Mickey and Minnie Mouse are played in front of you then live with it, it's your job. You may sulk, you may smack the manager one, you may kick the training cones over in protest - that's in-house and that's where it stays.
You don't ever refuse to play for Aston Villa.
I may be blinded by my rage but that's how I see it and unless anyone at Villa says that Okore was hard done by then I want him gone.
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It's not devils advocate JD. Gareth Barry dragged the name of our club through the gutter trying to force a leave and I have never forgiven him for it. Yes, i know that we don't know what happened between black and Okore but what we do know is that for one reason or another Okore refused to honour his contract, respect the fans, and do as he was asked. Whether that was to sit on the bench or run 50 times up the Lickey Hills you don't decide when you do and don't want to play for Aston Villa. For that reason alone he's dead to me.
I don't take this argument of him being such a hero that he played through injury either. Every footballer does it at every level. That is nothing special. You do as you're asked, for me it's that simple. If the medical advice was for him not to then of course he shouldn't, but it wasn't. He was patched up and played. not particularly well but that was because of the injury fair enough. But it happens. 12 months on and you're asked to sit on the bench and Mickey and Minnie Mouse are played in front of you then live with it, it's your job. You may sulk, you may smack the manager one, you may kick the training cones over in protest - that's in-house and that's where it stays.
You don't ever refuse to play for Aston Villa.
I may be blinded by my rage but that's how I see it and unless anyone at Villa says that Okore was hard done by then I want him gone.
He wasn't given the opportunity to play....So how can he have refused?
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I don't think he's a hero when playing injured. In my mind that's stupidity but I've done it and I'm sure you have as well Peter.
I was also pissed off with him when I heard he refused to play, but someone had to take a stance against Black picking Richards, Lescott, Bacuna etc who were playing very poorly whereas Okore was expected to be dropped to the bench. In hindsight it was just immaturity and frustration at the situation and for that reason I am willing to forgive him.
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I see your point Pete but I know in my dark distant playing days when I was overlooked (only once that I remember) I spat the dummy big time. Pride comes before a fall so they say and while there is no excuse for someone like Gabby you could never say Okore didn't put the effort in.
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It's not devils advocate JD. Gareth Barry dragged the name of our club through the gutter trying to force a leave and I have never forgiven him for it. Yes, i know that we don't know what happened between black and Okore but what we do know is that for one reason or another Okore refused to honour his contract, respect the fans, and do as he was asked. Whether that was to sit on the bench or run 50 times up the Lickey Hills you don't decide when you do and don't want to play for Aston Villa. For that reason alone he's dead to me.
I don't take this argument of him being such a hero that he played through injury either. Every footballer does it at every level. That is nothing special. You do as you're asked, for me it's that simple. If the medical advice was for him not to then of course he shouldn't, but it wasn't. He was patched up and played. not particularly well but that was because of the injury fair enough. But it happens. 12 months on and you're asked to sit on the bench and Mickey and Minnie Mouse are played in front of you then live with it, it's your job. You may sulk, you may smack the manager one, you may kick the training cones over in protest - that's in-house and that's where it stays.
You don't ever refuse to play for Aston Villa.
I may be blinded by my rage but that's how I see it and unless anyone at Villa says that Okore was hard done by then I want him gone.
That's the one thing we absolutely don't know. We've got a he said/she said between Black and Okore and a lack of disciplinary action by the club that suggests that if anything did happen it wasn't as clear cut as you make out
With regards him playing injured, around the time of the Semi Final, there's a direct quote from his agent in the Danish media from the end of that season, stating that he was warned that he was making the damage worse and the doctor's advice was to have the operation there and then.
So yes, your rage is blinding you.
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Yes Okore did put the effort in and I did like him. He was dropped on the back of a horrible performance at home against Liverpool and at some point he would have come back in. Yes it probably was immaturity JD, but this had come on the back of a week when every time you turned on the radio there was some more bad news from Villa park. One minute Bernstein and King leaving, the next Gabby, the next okore and I just couldn't believe what we were doing to ourselves.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and I'm trusting Di Matteo and Clarke et al to do the right thing. Whatever that may be.
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Yes Okore did put the effort in and I did like him. He was dropped on the back of a horrible performance at home against Liverpool and at some point he would have come back in. Yes it probably was immaturity JD, but this had come on the back of a week when every time you turned on the radio there was some more bad news from Villa park. One minute Bernstein and King leaving, the next Gabby, the next okore and I just couldn't believe what we were doing to ourselves.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and I'm trusting Di Matteo and Clarke et al to do the right thing. Whatever that may be.
i know what you mean Pete and I felt the same at the time, but Okore is one I would give another chance to as opposed to Gabby, Lescott, Guzan, Richards etc who were senior players and should have set the example.
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A thought - it was fairly well reported that Okore turned down an approach from Chelsea while at Nordsjaelland.
Would Di Matteo have been manager at the time?
If so it might be a clue as to what our first choice centre-back pairing looks like.
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Sanchez hasn't looked a player unless he's with Colombia so i'm not sure. But if he needs the Championship to show his level then okay, give him a season. I'd like to use the Okore money to fund either another defender or possibly an attacking midfielder though.
Stop playing Devils Advocate Peter. We should keep Okore. A decent manager and coaches will get the best out of him. He has so much more potential than Clark & Baker.
Not sure i would keep Sanchez though. Sent off for Colombia against Chile and looked a liability most of the game.
Agree on both Okore and Sanchez. I would have thought there would have been buyers for Sanchez, particularly in the South American markets.
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A thought - it was fairly well reported that Okore turned down an approach from Chelsea while at Nordsjaelland.
Would Di Matteo have been manager at the time?
If so it might be a clue as to what our first choice centre-back pairing looks like.
He was.
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Based on absolutely nothing, I've got a feeling that we'll be playing a back 3 quite a bit this season, which I actually think would suit Okore a lot better. Maybe Elphick playing as a sweeper and Clark to the left. Gives us plenty of physical presence in the team and, if we went with a 3-5-2, would also allow us to play a front 2 together. Ayew and AN Other should be quite decent.
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Based on absolutely nothing, I've got a feeling that we'll be playing a back 3 quite a bit this season, which I actually think would suit Okore a lot better. Maybe Elphick playing as a sweeper and Clark to the left. Gives us plenty of physical presence in the team and, if we went with a 3-5-2, would also allow us to play a front 2 together. Ayew and AN Other should be quite decent.
Personally, I don't want Clark anywhere near the side.
Also not sure how Traore would fit in a 352 and him I do want to see play a lot more next season.
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Based on absolutely nothing, I've got a feeling that we'll be playing a back 3 quite a bit this season, which I actually think would suit Okore a lot better. Maybe Elphick playing as a sweeper and Clark to the left. Gives us plenty of physical presence in the team and, if we went with a 3-5-2, would also allow us to play a front 2 together. Ayew and AN Other should be quite decent.
After a little googling, Di Matteo seems to favour 4 at the back with a 4-2-3-1 as his preferred formation.
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Some stuff moved from this thread. Just to be on the safe side.
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It involves Sunday it is true.
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Gossip???? Any clues????
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That's just not fair Dave!
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Based on absolutely nothing, I've got a feeling that we'll be playing a back 3 quite a bit this season, which I actually think would suit Okore a lot better. Maybe Elphick playing as a sweeper and Clark to the left. Gives us plenty of physical presence in the team and, if we went with a 3-5-2, would also allow us to play a front 2 together. Ayew and AN Other should be quite decent.
Personally, I don't want Clark anywhere near the side.
I presume you're happy today, CJ?
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Er, yeah I'm feeling pretty OK, thanks for asking
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I can't find the thread about this joker, so can a mod merge it for me but tonight is possibly the worst defensive display I've seen in 30 years from him.
After last seasons shenanigans where he's refused to take his seat on the bench he should have been fucked off and sold, whatever price they can get for him. Terrible, panicky, last ditch, hoof merchant of a defender and another who's developed a real attitude problem.
12 months left on his contract, get ride of now, take whatever we can get for him. Joke defender.
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He obviously doesn't want to be here. Get rid.
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Utter hatred for such a shit player.
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Almost looked as if he did it on purpose and then tried to disguise it.
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It was the kind of own goal someone who's never played football would score
I don't even know what the hell he was trying to do
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The finish was bad but his positioning in the build up to the goal was bewildering, he charged out to left midfield, I thought it was Tshibola at first until I realised it was Okore, I actually yelled at the screen What the fuck are you doing?!
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I can't find the thread about this joker, so can a mod merge it for me but tonight is possibly the worst defensive display I've seen in 30 years from him.
After last seasons shenanigans where he's refused to take his seat on the bench he should have been fucked off and sold, whatever price they can get for him. Terrible, panicky, last ditch, hoof merchant of a defender and another who's developed a real attitude problem.
12 months left on his contract, get ride of now, take whatever we can get for him. Joke defender.
wasnt his last appearance for the club v Liverpool last season?
Ali Dia esque
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Personally, he looked like the only one at times who was trying to hold the defence together. Like i said on another thread, play Hutton and Richards in the same defence and that's what happens.
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... the worst defensive display I've seen in 30 years from him.
Has he beat Charlie Aitkens appearance record ?
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Personally, he looked like the only one at times who was trying to hold the defence together. Like i said on another thread, play Hutton and Richards in the same defence and that's what happens.
Play Richards alone in defence and that happens. Play Hutton and he gets murdered every time anyone runs at him.
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Seeing it again i think he means to score.
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He did well to get back on side. He took it well in the end.
I would have expected a bit more of a celebration though... running round waving his shirt around his head, that sort of thing.
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I've watched it a few times now and conclude he has a pea brain. He has no idea the ball is coming his way.
As Graham Taylor famously said "Went to fucking sleep"
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I thought at first he just let the ball bounce off his foot the way a five year old might, but he looks like he's trying to do something deliberate... No idea what, though.
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I've said it a few times in the past, but I think Okore is dreadful. I've never seen what others have in him. His positioning and reading of the game are that of a Sunday league player. He has absolutely no composure and I don't think I've ever seen him even talking to one of his defensive colleagues, let alone attempt to organise them. Comfortably our worst centre-back, and yes I include Richards in that. The own goal, wasn't misfortune, it was caused by a terrible body-shape and pitiful reactions. I'd gladly never see him in a Villa shirt again.
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There is an air of constant panic about Okore.
I cannot settle when he's in the defence. He looks like he has roller skates on his feet and his picking his way through a minefield.
He makes Baker look assured. Actually, at least you know what Baker can and cannot do. With a brain next to him, Baker can look good at this level, without, not so much. I don't know what Okore is going to do and neither do his team mates.
Awful. Sell or shoot, whatever, just get rid.
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He's Bramble-esque, no composure whatsoever. Would be funny if he wasn't wearing a Villa shirt.
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
No - you are right. He knows he can't burst out laughing... but really thats the only thing you can do. Its so comedically crap you almost think that some of the team put 3-1 on at a bookies....
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That's the first footage I've seen from last night. I have to say it's a better finish than just about anyone's served up in 14 months now.
RDM has that should I laugh or cry look, quickly followed by I can't be arsed to cry and I daren't laugh.
Oh and what the fucking hell is Richards doing, because unless he was hoping the Luton player was going to kick some sense into his thick skull I'm all out of ideas.
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RDM looked like a man who knew he'd made a very bad career move
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I think we were conned when we bought him. He was supposed to be a much sought after defender across Europe, and well we fell for that load of shite right from the off. For a start he was never big enough to be a centre back, add that to his clumsiness and his lack of composure and of course his dreadful injury record you have to come to the conclusion that he's been yet another compete waste of time and money.
Our scouting for the last 6 years (bar a small handful of players) has been nothing short of appalling.
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I think we were conned when we bought him. He was supposed to be a much sought after defender across Europe, and well we fell for that load of shite right from the off. For a start he was never big enough to be a centre back, add that to his clumsiness and his lack of composure and of course his dreadful injury record you have to come to the conclusion that he's been yet another compete waste of time and money.
Our scouting for the last 6 years (bar a small handful of players) has been nothing short of appalling.
s_h, we all know you hate loathe and detest everything from August 2010 to today, but there was no "supposed to be much sought after", he was. He wanted to come to England to a club where he thought he'd got a chance of game time.
There is another possibility in all of this, at the risk of giving you an aneurism. We've spent a fortune on potential over the last few years, along with how many academy graduates that haven't cut it. Either we've turned finding utter shit into an art form or maybe they weren't all that shit and it's actually the coaching and management that's destroyed a few careers.
Regardless it looks like last night was Okore's Curtis Davies v Vienna moment and that will probably be the end of that.
Oh and dreadful injury record? Name them.
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That's the first time I've seen the own goal. My immediate impression is that is done on purpose. Exactly what is he trying to do. Good assist from Richards though.
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There is another possibility in all of this, at the risk of giving you an aneurism. We've spent a fortune on potential over the last few years, along with how many academy graduates that haven't cut it. Either we've turned finding utter shit into an art form or maybe they weren't all that shit and it's actually the coaching and management that's destroyed a few careers.
In general, I think it's a very good point. Look at how promising a player Ciaran Clark looked when he came through, as opposed to the habitual car-crash of a defender that we've just sold. Further evidence can be found in the fact that the vast majority of our successful academy graduates have only become successful after laving the club (eg, Davies, Gardner, Cahill).
However, as you point out, last night's shit-storm of a display from Okore can only be attributed to the player himself. No level of poor (or lack of) coaching can be blamed for a Professional footballer coming-up with that.
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That's the first time I've seen the own goal. My immediate impression is that is done on purpose. Exactly what is he trying to do. Good assist from Richards though.
Looks terrible doesn't it. If he was a couple of yards out and the ball ricocheted off him into the net you'd have some sympathy but he was a mile out. It was actually a good finish!
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That's the first time I've seen the own goal. My immediate impression is that is done on purpose. Exactly what is he trying to do. Good assist from Richards though.
Looks terrible doesn't it. If he was a couple of yards out and the ball ricocheted off him into the net you'd have some sympathy but he was a mile out. It was actually a good finish!
Even aside form the touch (if that's what it was) his positioning and body shape were hopelessly wrong. He should have been on his toes with his body either facing outwards from the goal (as Amavi made an effort to do) or facing back towards the player with the ball. Especially given that Okore doesn't seem to be capable of using his hips to direct the ball in any direction other than a straight line. You can forgive a footballer for a poor touch, but the lack of awareness and basic defensive instinct is startling.
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RDM looked like a man who knew he'd made a very bad career move
I noticed Steve Clarke after the own goal just looked at the ground as if he was praying for the nightmare to end.
Quality Own Goal from Jores, no pressure whatsoever and conjures up a deft side foot into the opposite corner of the net. I'm sure Richard Dunne and Jamie Carragher would have been purring at such a well taken OG. Poor lad just looked like a broken man after that I hope we can rebuild him he's not a bad defender.
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I hope we can rebuild him he's not a bad defender.
But he is. He really, really is. I've seen a lot of fans today (mainly on Twitter) who share your sentiments and I don't get it. He's equally as poor (if not worse) than Richards, but always seems to get the benefit of the doubt with some supporters.
We can't waste any more time hoping that players like this will miraculously improve. They're habitual losers. We need to cut our losses as soon as we can and, if nothing else, bring in players (like Elphick) who can provide a benchmark to the young players in the academy, of the level of self-application that's required to play for our great club.
Okore has been a central figure in so many heavy defeats over the past few seasons it's untrue. He's never once stood out as being anything other than as equally culpable as his team-mates for those defeats. Enough's enough. Please get rid.
Edit: quotation-failure fixed!
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RDM looked like a man who knew he'd made a very bad career move
I noticed Steve Clarke after the own goal just looked at the ground as if he was praying for the nightmare to end...
He looked to me like a man who realised he had also made the wrong career move to be honest.
At that point he really looked like he didn't want to be there
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That's the first footage I've seen from last night. I have to say it's a better finish than just about anyone's served up in 14 months now.
RDM has that should I laugh or cry look, quickly followed by I can't be arsed to cry and I daren't laugh.
Oh and what the fucking hell is Richards doing, because unless he was hoping the Luton player was going to kick some sense into his thick skull I'm all out of ideas.
He was genuinely awful in the second half last night, but tin hat on, I still rate him. He moved over to the left hand side of central defence last night and has looked very uncomfortable every time I have seen him play on that side. Bunn got a hand to the shot for the own goal, but he was so flat footed and got his feet in a mess, resulting in him putting the ball in his own net. As I said, I do rate him, but I don't know if things have gone too far with him now and he needs to start again somewhere else.
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RDM looked like a man who knew he'd made a very bad career move
I noticed Steve Clarke after the own goal just looked at the ground as if he was praying for the nightmare to end...
He looked to me like a man who realised he had also made the wrong career move to be honest
after two games? Come on. What nonsense. These are people who have been around the game for a long time. Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into? RDM has made his position quite clear on what it will take to fix this and it isn't going to happen in a couple of months. He needs to shift players out and bring new ones in and that process has a while to go. And I don't mean just this window but the next one too. Plus he's going to mistakes along the way too as he tries to find a solution like making Richards captain last night, a less inspirational and divisive person you will not find.
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RDM looked like a man who knew he'd made a very bad career move
I noticed Steve Clarke after the own goal just looked at the ground as if he was praying for the nightmare to end...
He looked to me like a man who realised he had also made the wrong career move to be honest
after two games? Come on. What nonsense. These are people who have been around the game for a long time. Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into? RDM has made his position quite clear on what it will take to fix this and it isn't going to happen in a couple of months. He needs to shift players out and bring new ones in and that process has a while to go. And I don't mean just this window but the next one too. Plus he's going to mistakes along the way too as he tries to find a solution like making Richards captain last night, a less inspirational and divisive person you will not find.
Sorry boys, we must be wrong, TV has spoken
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You could put Franco Baresi alongside Richards and he'll look poor. I'm not making excuses for Okore's own goal, it was a shocker but playing two right sided central defenders, one of whom is the clueless Richards is a recipe for disaster.
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so why do it? RDM might be experienced but that was amateur hour decision making
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That's the first footage I've seen from last night. I have to say it's a better finish than just about anyone's served up in 14 months now.
RDM has that should I laugh or cry look, quickly followed by I can't be arsed to cry and I daren't laugh.
Oh and what the fucking hell is Richards doing, because unless he was hoping the Luton player was going to kick some sense into his thick skull I'm all out of ideas.
He was genuinely awful in the second half last night, but tin hat on, I still rate him. He moved over to the left hand side of central defence last night and has looked very uncomfortable every time I have seen him play on that side. Bunn got a hand to the shot for the own goal, but he was so flat footed and got his feet in a mess, resulting in him putting the ball in his own net. As I said, I do rate him, but I don't know if things have gone too far with him now and he needs to start again somewhere else.
I noticed that when they came out at the start of the 2nd half he started on the right and Richards on the left. After the first attack, they switched. As you said, I have never seen him look anything but terrible when he plays on the left.
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Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into?
The fact that he picked Richards last night and made him captain makes me wonder if RDM really did know what an absolute mess he had inherited.
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That's the first footage I've seen from last night. I have to say it's a better finish than just about anyone's served up in 14 months now.
RDM has that should I laugh or cry look, quickly followed by I can't be arsed to cry and I daren't laugh.
Oh and what the fucking hell is Richards doing, because unless he was hoping the Luton player was going to kick some sense into his thick skull I'm all out of ideas.
He was genuinely awful in the second half last night, but tin hat on, I still rate him. He moved over to the left hand side of central defence last night and has looked very uncomfortable every time I have seen him play on that side. Bunn got a hand to the shot for the own goal, but he was so flat footed and got his feet in a mess, resulting in him putting the ball in his own net. As I said, I do rate him, but I don't know if things have gone too far with him now and he needs to start again somewhere else.
When we signed Elphick people were talking about pairing him with Okore on the left, but he's truly one footed and it's never going to work with him on the left, no matter who he's paired with. That's why Vlaar played on the left when they were playing last man standing under Sherwood. Not that that explains the OG, a calmer finish than anyone else on the pitch could have managed.
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
As awful as the own goal was the movement and shitness of Richards and the decision to fly in with his head from being flat footed defies belief
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Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into?
The fact that he picked Richards last night and made him captain makes me wonder if RDM really did know what an absolute mess he had inherited.
I don't know about that given some of his comments but that decision to make him captain was extremely naive if we are being polite and kids are reading this.
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
As awful as the own goal was the movement and shitness of Richards and the decision to fly in with his head from being flat footed defies belief
Indeed, as was him turning his back on the ball to give instructions to others before being caught out himself.
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Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into?
The fact that he picked Richards last night and made him captain makes me wonder if RDM really did know what an absolute mess he had inherited.
I don't know about that given some of his comments but that decision to make him captain was extremely naive if we are being polite and kids are reading this.
The problem is the one we've had for years, who else? McCormack 1st half maybe, and then the next best option is probably Hutton.
I think there's a chance it was an attempt by RDM to get something out of Richards, unfortunately it doesn't seem to matter what you do with him, you'll only ever have him doing his own crap.
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
As awful as the own goal was the movement and shitness of Richards and the decision to fly in with his head from being flat footed defies belief
Richards decision to try and get the ball with his head sums him up. A willing buffoon.
As for Okore. A bungling idiot of a defender. Did anyone see the camera angle from behind him when he shuffled his feet like an old man in a bus queue. He had time to trap the ball and have a look up. That kind of ball control wouldn't loo out of place in the Oakbourne division 3. Hutton is another useless twat. We need wholesale changes to our defence and we're crying out for a defensive midfielder to sit in front of them for protection. After his comments I think Dr Tony is fully aware of this.
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Do you not think they've seen adversity and didn't know what they walked into?
The fact that he picked Richards last night and made him captain makes me wonder if RDM really did know what an absolute mess he had inherited.
I don't know about that given some of his comments but that decision to make him captain was extremely naive if we are being polite and kids are reading this.
The problem is the one we've had for years, who else? McCormack 1st half maybe, and then the next best option is probably Hutton.
I think there's a chance it was an attempt by RDM to get something out of Richards, unfortunately it doesn't seem to matter what you do with him, you'll only ever have him doing his own crap.
Thought Richards had a reasonable game for most of the first half at RB. Clearly he is not a captain though. And when he was moved to CB it was very obvious what was likely to happen and it did. He has never remotely been a CB and has neither the ability nor the strength of character to play there.
I guess RDM knows this now.
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It was the kind of own goal someone who's never played football would score
I don't even know what the hell he was trying to do
The camera angle from behind him was hilarious. He looked like a 95 year old trying to do the river dance. Then came the first touch. Fuck me if he didn't bungle it into the bottom corner. It's up there with the calamitous gpals we have seen in the last 3 years. Wholesale clearout of defenders is drastically required.
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your done, son. Chester signing has made your chances of 1st team football, slim slim just like gabby slim
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
I would say that he couldn't do any worse, but we all know how that pans out with us.
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
I would say that he couldn't do any worse, but we all know how that pans out with us.
has he got the engine?
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
i wouldnt the bloke is nothing more than an oaf
i only want to see him right back wherever he came from
i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
i wouldnt the bloke is nothing more than an oaf
i only want to see him right back wherever he came from
i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
To be fair, an asthmatic pit-pony would have been less of a liability than Okore at Luton.
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https://streamable.com/ozck
Is it just me or is RDM trying really hard not to laugh?
As awful as the own goal was the movement and shitness of Richards and the decision to fly in with his head from being flat footed defies belief
I didn't see that - That's Richards fault. Correct.
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
i wouldnt the bloke is nothing more than an oaf
i only want to see him right back wherever he came from
i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
His attempt to control the ball the other night when scoring his own goal has no place in professional football. Truly shocking. I've watched it back several times and I can't work out what he was trying to do. Good luck to the guy but we have got to get rid of him along with Richards, Hutton & Cissoko. I would play Elphick alongside Chester with Baker at rb Amavi at lb.
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
i wouldnt the bloke is nothing more than an oaf
i only want to see him right back wherever he came from
i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
His attempt to control the ball the other night when scoring his own goal has no place in professional football. Truly shocking. I've watched it back several times and I can't work out what he was trying to do. Good luck to the guy but we have got to get rid of him along with Richards, Hutton & Cissoko. I would play Elphick alongside Chester with Baker at rb Amavi at lb.
I'd rather put Chester at RB and keep Baker in the center. Baker's poor in the ball and struggles enough at left back, never mind playing on the right.
That is of course until we sign De Laet to take the right back spot. Chester is pretty adaptable and tidy on the ball.
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I'd like to see him at RB. He's certainly no longer a primary option at CB, but I'd like to see what he can do ahead of Hutton and Richards.
i wouldnt the bloke is nothing more than an oaf
i only want to see him right back wherever he came from
i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
His attempt to control the ball the other night when scoring his own goal has no place in professional football. Truly shocking. I've watched it back several times and I can't work out what he was trying to do. Good luck to the guy but we have got to get rid of him along with Richards, Hutton & Cissoko. I would play Elphick alongside Chester with Baker at rb Amavi at lb.
I'd rather put Chester at RB and keep Baker in the center. Baker's poor in the ball and struggles enough at left back, never mind playing on the right.
That is of course until we sign De Laet to take the right back spot. Chester is pretty adaptable and tidy on the ball.
Probably a better idea. But we agree on one thing. No Okore,Hutton,Richards or Cissoko.
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Can't work out if Okore is Ugo mk2. Ugo was similarly shit positionally when he first broke through and then turned out alright. Problem is Ugo had decent players to help him through. There again he could just be shit
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Can't work out if Okore is Ugo mk2. Ugo was similarly shit positionally when he first broke through and then turned out alright. Problem is Ugo had decent players to help him through. There again he could just be shit
In fairness to Okore his partnership with Clark(e)(e) was the most solid we had in last season's debacle. At times he looked dogged and resolute. Always on the edge, but dogged and resolute. I'd like to see an improvement in his attitude first and foremost.
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
In the UA kit as well, brilliant ;D ;D ;D
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
Brilliant!
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
To be honest I'd take those foam people over our 3 defenders
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i dont think i have ever seen a defender with less positional sense. apart from richards
Have to say, I think Cissokho is terrible positionally.
I can't quite work out what's gone wrong with Okore- he definitely had potential when he joined but seems to have completely lost the plot.
How many players have we managed to destroy over the last 6 years?
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
LOL. That's funny man 😁
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I have never been overly enamoured with Okore, he always lacks composure and looks a liabilty. He reminds me of one of those It's-A-Knockout costumes with big foam feet...
In fact, here's Okore, Richards and Hutton defending a corner at Luton...
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-V8Gjq8iqTi0%2FTbXZHbF0GqI%2FAAAAAAAAAKc%2F7NYIIacL6HI%2Fs1600%2Fits_a_knockout_1.jpg&f=1)
In the UA kit as well, brilliant ;D ;D ;D
that blue is too dark,
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I think he still has potential but is so devoid of belief he is really struggling. A loan move home for a season might not be a bad idea.
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I think he's in the last year of his contract so wouldn't be surprised if we sold him.
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I think he's in the last year of his contract so wouldn't be surprised if we sold him.
I didn't realise that. Makes sense.
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He can still turn it around. It seems his youth against him in the sort of environment there's previously been around the place. If we can continue day's form and ensure there's a better mentality around the place he could easily do a job when needed.
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He's gone to FC Copenhagen. looking very light defensively if the two amigos go too.
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Need to bring in more players to strengthen the defence. Perhaps a bid for Morrison at Blose? Would piss them off big time! Good defender though and a leader...
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He's gone to FC Copenhagen. looking very light defensively if the two amigos go too.
Perm or loan?
That Luton game sealed his fate here really.
Always quite liked him so disappointing how it panned out for him here.
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Permanent apparently.
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So that would be three centre halves plus toner out on loan? That does feel very light
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Suggests another centre back to come in. Xia did say before we signed Ritche De Laet that we were looking to bring 5 in but was more confident of a right back and hopefully a no.9. De Laet obviously turned out to be the right back but one of those five may have been a centre back.
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Surprised they've let him go, but not remotely bothered. Wouldn't be surprised if someone was lined up on loan as cover.
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Showed so much promise early on...until that awful injury against Newcastle. The Luton game may well have been the final straw, but that own goal is easily the most pathetic thing I've seen a Villa player do. It was pitiful.
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Goodbye Jores. Glad you got the move of your dreams.
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Given what we thought we were getting we should be gutted about this. Unfortunately another player who won't be missed at all and ended up being a liability at the back much more than an asset.
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Suggests another centre back to come in. Xia did say before we signed Ritche De Laet that we were looking to bring 5 in but was more confident of a right back and hopefully a no.9. De Laet obviously turned out to be the right back but one of those five may have been a centre back.
Yeah definitely need some cover brought in. Don't want to see Richards anywhere near the side again.
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Showed so much promise early on...until that awful injury against Newcastle. The Luton game may well have been the final straw, but that own goal is easily the most pathetic thing I've seen a Villa player do. It was pitiful.
It really was very, very bad, wasn't it?
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Where is this announced?
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Showed so much promise early on...until that awful injury against Newcastle. The Luton game may well have been the final straw, but that own goal is easily the most pathetic thing I've seen a Villa player do. It was pitiful.
It really was very, very bad, wasn't it?
It bloody was. I'm not exaggerating when I said it's the worst thing I've seen from a Villa player. Staggering.
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There was an article in the Brum Mail a couple of days ago directly quoting RDM to the effect that we would be keeping Okore as we needed 2 players to be competing for each position.
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There was an article in the Brum Mail a couple of days ago directly quoting RDM to the effect that we would be keeping Okore as we needed 2 players to be competing for each position.
From an article yesterday:
Aston Villa chief Roberto Di Matteo has hinted that Danish defender Jores Okore remains part of his thinking despite failing to feature in the opening four league matches.
The defender has been cast aside since allegedly refusing to play under interim manager Eric Black last season.
But after recovering from a knock and returning to training earlier this week, Di Matteo is refusing to rule out a return to the first team for the centre-back, who has new recruits, Tommy Elphick and James Chester, for competition.
"He's training," said Di Matteo. "I mentioned all the other players who weren't available, but he is.
"He's training with us. There's competition now which I brought in because I think it's very important that we have that competition."
Although Di Matteo is looking to offload some players, with Joleon Lescott and Gabby Agbonlahor right at the top of that list, the manager wants two players competing for each position.
That would mean Okore and Nathan Baker would battle the aforementioned pair of Elphick and Chester for the starting roles.
Di Matteo added: "We are looking to occupy most positions with two players because over 46 games you will need this squad.
"I am looking to reduce the squad, but you are looking to have about 20 outfield players."
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Where is this announced?
It's in The Scum that he's having a medical.
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Where is this announced?
It's in The Scum that he's having a medical.
ASTON VILLA’S Jores Okore is set to sign for FC Copenhagen – and could line up for the Danish champions against Leicester in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old is heading back to Denmark tonight for a medical after Villa agreed to let the defender return to his homeland for a cut-price fee.'
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Can only think we have pretty much wrapped up signing another CB to let him move on.
De Laet can fill in at CB if neccesary can't he so he can be used as cover and move Bacuna back to RB if we get injuries there.
We certainly need one more in.
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Can only think we have pretty much wrapped up signing another CB to let him move on.
De Laet can fill in at CB if neccesary can't he so he can be used as cover and move Bacuna back to RB if we get injuries there.
We certainly need one more in.
Agreed.
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Out of contract next summer too if memory serves. No coming back from that Luton 'performance'
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Showed so much promise early on...until that awful injury against Newcastle. The Luton game may well have been the final straw, but that own goal is easily the most pathetic thing I've seen a Villa player do. It was pitiful.
It really was very, very bad, wasn't it?
It bloody was. I'm not exaggerating when I said it's the worst thing I've seen from a Villa player. Staggering.
If I didn't know better I'd think there was an element of match fixing there. I reiterate I'm not saying that...
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He was ok in the first half, but second half was total garbage. Have to say I thought RDM messed up there as Richards was ok at right back and he could have brought Elphick on. No excuse for the own goal though and I was behind a pillar and didn't even bloody see it
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A coward and has never proved himself to be anything other than average. Good riddance to another of the jokers that have shamed the club..
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Only mentioned in one red top nothing on the OS
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Good riddance to a terrible excuse as a footballer, I had high hopes for him but every time I watched him he seemed to cack his pants every time he was closed down.
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A coward and has never proved himself to be anything other than average. Good riddance to another of the jokers that have shamed the club..
?
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When the club need players to stand up and be counted, he, along with the other bunch of losers, turned their backs and threw in the towel. I can accept poor performance on the pitch, as long as the effort is there. I can't accept spinelessness. Glad he is gone and good riddance.
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You're talking about when he asked Black why he wasn't playing and Black through a hissy strop I take it?
Do you also post under peter_w?
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He was paid by the club and a member of squad - he didn't want to be a sub. A footballing decision that can be debated, yes, but refusing to be part of the squad was his choice. He can hitch a lift in Lescott's car and clear off. Judging by the club's decision they feel the same.
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Where is this announced?
It's in The Scum that he's having a medical.
ASTON VILLA’S Jores Okore is set to sign for FC Copenhagen – and could line up for the Danish champions against Leicester in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old is heading back to Denmark tonight for a medical after Villa agreed to let the defender return to his homeland for a cut-price fee.'
After his laughable own goal against Luton I'm glad he's leaving. And to think he is probably going to play in the champions league in a couple of weeks! That's mental.
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I bet the fans of FC Copenhagen are looking at old Youtube videos of Okore and drooling over his football skills.
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There was always a mistake just around the corner with Okore and he was overrated from the start. Never tall enough for a centre back either. Good riddance.
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A player who was injured after only a few games and looked after by the club during that time ....came back but always seemed to lack fitness .....then didn't want to be part of our club
Like many other footballers simply no loyalty and we are simply best off getting him off the wage bill
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He was paid by the club and a member of squad - he didn't want to be a sub. A footballing decision that can be debated, yes, but refusing to be part of the squad was his choice. He can hitch a lift in Lescott's car and clear off. Judging by the club's decision they feel the same.
The bold bit is where you're making a mistake. We have 2 sides to it, 1 says he was told he was on the bench and he refused after an argument, that's what you're presenting. The other side says that he asked why and the manager dropped him completely. Based on everything Okore did at the club I don't believe he would refuse to be part of the squad and for that reason I think it's unfair to judge him on it.
On the playing side I think he went backwards and I have him as another victim of the god awful coaching setup at the club over the last few years.
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or that he simply flattered to decieve
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did show promise, but glad his goon and will be forgotten.
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Saw him make his debut looked ungainly to me even then and everyone seemed to think he was the real deal,
I'm not saying he has been rubbish far from it but he had always been a mistake waiting to happen I have never felt confident about him on the pitch when in a tight spot,
honestly would prefer Clark or Baker in the past, so won't be that sorry if he leaves
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Even before his injury, he never got goal-side of his man, and his rate of acceleration was on a par with Richard Dunne - once he got going, he was quick.
Beaten too early in the air and average technique.
I won't miss him....a legend in his own imagination
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people talked of his pace. I thought he was as quick as Steve Simms
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
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Off you fuck, Jores. Another waster gone.
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
I think collectively the performance of the playing staff last season could justifiably be described as beyond gutless but of course that's not nearly the same thing.
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
a coward is the worst insult you can give someone apart from being called a Tory obviously
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Classic example of early promise being ruined by injury. Might be back in the premier league at 27 28 if he plays consistently without injury. Missed loads of development due to injuries.
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Why should I and I presume lots more people on this site who have voted Conservative in general elections have to constantly take this sort of crap from people like john e.
I come on this site because I love my club and am interested in fans opinions but I would never insult fellow supporters.
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
a coward is the worst insult you can give someone apart from being called a Tory obviously
Or a bible-basher.
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Why should I and I presume lots more people on this site who have voted Conservative in general elections have to constantly take this sort of crap from people like john e.
I come on this site because I love my club and am interested in fans opinions but I would never insult fellow supporters.
Larry, if you believe so strongly in what you believe in, surely it doesn't matter what other people say.
I believe what John said was tongue in cheek. But even if it wasn't, it's his opinion. We are all going to have differing opinions, particularly regarding politics. But we all share a mutual love of our football team.
Let's focus on that eh mate? You're not being insulted.
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It was tongue in cheek but would like to apologise to any to Tories on here for calling them Tories
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thanks
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Why should I and I presume lots more people on this site who have voted Conservative in general elections have to constantly take this sort of crap from people like john e.
I come on this site because I love my club and am interested in fans opinions but I would never insult fellow supporters.
You Tory!
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
a coward is the worst insult you can give someone apart from being called a Tory obviously
Or a bible-basher.
Have you ever considered letting Jesus into you life?
As for Okore he was unlucky with injury and being at the club at such a bad time but the fact he is back in Danish football suggests that may be his level.
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The only thing that could get me to consider letting Jesus into my life would be "Jesus Is Waiting" by Al Green.
What a song that is.
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However questionable anyone may think his abilities as a footballer are, I think it is grossly unfair to label him a coward. As it has often been recorded in posts on here, the back end of the season he was playing through a pain barrier whilst injured for the cause. Putting his future career on the line by playing when not fully fit does not bear the hallmark of a coward to me.
a coward is the worst insult you can give someone apart from being called a Tory obviously
I think being a Tory is much worse than being called one.
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The only thing that could get me to consider letting Jesus into my life would be "Jesus Is Waiting" by Al Green.
What a song that is.
You want to get yourself to the St John Pentecostal Church in Harlem. The wife, a non-believer, insists on going there every time we're in New York.
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The only thing that could get me to consider letting Jesus into my life would be "Jesus Is Waiting" by Al Green.
What a song that is.
You should let Queen into your life then. Their self titled debut album has a song called 'Jesus'.
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Confirmed on site he has gone.
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Obligatory shirt stretching here
http://www.fck.dk/#/nyhed/2016/08/27/jores-okore-signs-for-fc-copenhagen
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Bye then.
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Obligatory shirt stretching here
http://www.fck.dk/#/nyhed/2016/08/27/jores-okore-signs-for-fc-copenhagen
comedy gold in there - "he plays with physics and speed"
more like a 57 year old physics teacher on speed
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Just goes to show how you can be taken in by You Tube. First Okore and then Traore. Neither lived up to their hype in any way at all.
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sadly we are going to be stuck with the latter, I fear
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Largely fucking atrocious. A rick every game (on a good day just one). Piss poor attitude too.
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Largely fucking atrocious. A rick every game (on a good day just one). Piss poor attitude too.
Agreed, if Carlsberg made centre backs, they wouldn't have been modelled on him even if he is from Copenhagen. Sulky big time charlie attitude totally inappropriate to his lack of ability. Love what my kids call (I think) the deliberate 'dis' on the official AVFC website - at the end of quite a full piece about Joe Bennett leaving the club there was the following one liner "In other transfer news, Jores Okore has joined FC Copenhagen." - Classic ! No love lost there then !!!
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he came, he saw and did fuck all.
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Never worked as advertised.
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Another waster off the wage bill, still more to go.
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Our end of season run under Tim was helped by Okore playing well and with an injury.
For that he has my thanks and best wishes.
His apparent lack of interrest started under the worst manager ever, mr Black and for that reason I cut his m some slack.
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Obligatory shirt stretching here
http://www.fck.dk/#/nyhed/2016/08/27/jores-okore-signs-for-fc-copenhagen
comedy gold in there - "he plays with physics and speed"
more like a 57 year old physics teacher on speed
Boooom! :D
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he came, he saw and did fuck all.
Hahahaha! Thanks for that Mr U - although my keyboard is now covered with half a mouthful of tea. Well worth it, mind. ;)
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Never tall enough for a centre back either.
He's exactly the same height as Paul McGrath.
He did alright as a centre back.
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Never tall enough for a centre back either.
He's exactly the same height as Paul McGrath.
He did alright as a centre back.
His apparent lack of neck is deceptive.
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Our end of season run under Tim was helped by Okore playing well and with an injury.
For that he has my thanks and best wishes.
His apparent lack of interrest started under the worst manager ever, mr Black and for that reason I cut his m some slack.
Agree with that and I thought alongside Clark he looked reasonable. He was unlucky with injuries and I think this affected him considerably. Also, I think his confidence took a hammering with what went on last season.
I do not think he was as bad as some are making out but he will be a better player for moving on and getting regular football.
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Strange that there hasn't been anything on our OS about this, but it is on Copenhagen's.
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Do not know where it went so badly wrong for this kid, I thought he was going to be a very very good player for AV.
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Media over here are saying free transfer, but with 50% sell on clause.
Even signing for moneybags FCK, he'll have taken a significant pay cut. They might pay top wages by Danish standards, but I doubt if their top players are earning more than 100-150K kroner per week, compared to the £25K per week = about 220K kroner he was reported to be on.
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it went wrong with him being a not very good footballer who couldnt read the game and had no positional sense.
i saw nothing in his time with us to suggest he was anything above mediocre hence back in the danish b&q league for a minimal fee
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Report published today saying he left for nothing but we receive a percentage of any sale in future.
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Report published today saying he left for nothing but we receive a percentage of any sale in future.
Some smart arse reckoned 50% sell on clause at the end of August ;)
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Report published today saying he left for nothing but we receive a percentage of any sale in future.
well thats 200 notes to look forward to
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Never tall enough for a centre back either.
He's exactly the same height as Paul McGrath.
He did alright as a centre back.
His apparent lack of neck is deceptive.
Who Gladstone Small?
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I think he'll be at Hull by 2020.
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I think he'll be at Hull by 2020.
I think he'll be drinking 2020 in Hull.
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I think he'll be at Hull by 2020.
I think he'll be drinking 2020 in Hull.
He plays like he's spent the night before drinking 20/20 in Hull.
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I think he'll be at Hull by 2020.
No chance
Hull won't be playing champions league by then
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He will be destined for much bigger things than Hull. Sky will have invented the Super Intergalactic Cup by that time. They will also have invented an extra day in the week to fit more games in too.