Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: David_Nab on January 13, 2014, 09:03:47 PM
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfers-grant-holt-3019664#.UtRSRP02RII.twitter
Grant ''i can't get a game in the championship' Holt
So Naughton /Holt /Hoolahan ..when all else fails just buy players you had at your previous club.
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The day Grant Holt walks into VP is the day this club's ambition finally dies
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfers-grant-holt-3019664#.UtRSRP02RII.twitter
Grant ''i can't get a game in the championship' Holt
So Naughton /Holt /Hoolahan ..when all else fails just buy players you had at your previous club.
I'm sorry but if he signs Holt we may as well give up.
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well we play like we already have
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Just read about Grant Holt on a 6 month loan deal? If that happens then I
Am Seriously done. If and I know its ifs, however if he's out level of ability and ambition then I certainly won't be casting an eye on us again this season. Depressing stuff
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Could Holt do any worse than Benteke at the minute? I doubt it
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you are joking? What act of footballing lunacy does lambert have to perpetrate before people realize what a useless clueless twunt he is? Grant Holt! FFS
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The whole situation is now somewhat farcical :(
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;D Id like to think my last comment is what got Benteke off his arse
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I actually think Holt would be an astute, no-risk signi...no I can't do it, he's a fat shit
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Sky are now reporting about Holt. Betting suspended at bookies too!! Oh Jesus h Christ. See you guys in August cause I'm out
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Stop gap while Kozak is out and leaves us the rest of the multi-million pound budget to invest in midfield and defence. Textbook.
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Stop gap while Kozak is out and leaves us the rest of the multi-million pound budget to invest in midfield and defence. Textbook.
Exactly - let's stop the dramatics. It's just a loan for cover. He'll probably have more impact than Dawkins
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Correct I don't know what all the fuss is about
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Is rather one of the youngsters full in. Grant fucking holt, loan or no
Loan is terrible
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Chris Sutton worked didn't it...?
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Chris Sutton was a good player, Grant Holt isn't and wasn't.
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A pretty depressing signing, but as a cheap cover option it's not the end of the world, if it frees up funding to get some creativity in
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Please tell me you're joking? Grant Holt?
Just fuck off with yourself Lambert.
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Good news is the Bodymoor canteen will be on overtime.
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Lambert's last memory of Holt will have been 17 premier league goals.
Since then he seems to have eaten 14 small farmers, most of Wigan pier and taken up "walking" on the pitch.
But then, scores the winner against Albion who gives a shit?
Not in favour, but can see why a manager who needs some fight and passion in the dressing room would turn to his former captain and his former talisman in Holt and Hoolahan.
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Could Holt do any worse than Benteke at the minute? I doubt it
Have a word with yourself
edit: You did! Sorry
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Loan deal as cover for Kozak...I can live with that, so long as we get a defender and midfielder or two...seems sensible
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Loan deal as cover for Kozak...I can live with that, so long as we get a defender and midfielder or two...seems sensible
Grant holt pulling on our famous colours I cannot. Why not just give Helenius a go if needed. Grant fucking holt. Oyvind Leonhardson was less depressing, throw in Giles de bilde too
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There's nothing sensible about this. The club needs a lift. Even promoting one of the kids would be better. This stinks of desperation and a lack of ambition and intention to do anything but stagnate or regress.
What a laughing stock we are.
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I don't get it. Why? Why the fuck do we need Grant Holt?
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Loan deal as cover for Kozak...I can live with that, so long as we get a defender and midfielder or two...seems sensible
Grant holt pulling on our famous colours I cannot. Why not just give Helenius a go if needed. Grant fucking holt. Oyvind Leonhardson was less depressing, throw in Giles de bilde too
I agree, and don't want the lump anywhere near the club... but....
Comes now, and scores, say 4 league goals between now and the end of the season. Gets us say 4-5 points. Where is the harm?
Benteke will start, he will be a sub most weeks and an option to throw on, there are worse options. Bowery being one of them!
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Lescott next please.
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If the rumours are true about Grant Holt I suppose he will be paid in pies.
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I have no problem with Holt coming in as short term cover for Kozak. At the very least he'll dish out bollockings when needed, which is something we need a bit of.
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
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This isnt true. It cannot be true.
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I can't accept Grant Holt. Just can't. How fucking far have we fallen! Think this shows Lambert up. Rather sign this fat shit than give experience to one of his own signings!
And to think, people were questioning on whether Lambert could spot a player and be trusted with money.,............,,,.... Wake me up when this nightmare is over
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Get a grip it's not a permanent deal just cover for Bentekr thats all.
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Lambert has just said that he has a few things going on with players, fingers crossed with some quality coming in.
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He's coming hide the biscuits.
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I would have an obese Grant Holt as a loan cover everyday of the week over paying someone actual money for Emile Heskey.
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Lambi said holt is a proper man!
But also as Gnev pointed out he will be another striker who doesnt run the channels and give clark or others an option !! this is sooo frustrating lambert wants to play this way !!
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
18-24 months?
He's 33 in April. You must be joking.
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On the verge of December so I thought I'd kick it off. Benteke leaving for peanuts aside, there's some rumours out there of players coming in.
Dembele - a player I rate very highly.
Dembele wants out (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/443583/Newcastle-and-Aston-Villa-interested-in-wantaway-Tottenham-midfielder-Dembele)
Zaha - hasn't had much of a chance at Man U but was very highly rated at Palace. Link from a few days back
Zaha loan (http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/35843-zaha-set-for-villa-switch.php)
Some defender bloke from Torino. Know nothing about him
D'Ambrosio (http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rumour-mill-torino-ace-lamberts-6311940?)
The old links never die
Dempsey and Vossen again (http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/15/clint-dempsey-and-jelle-vossen-the-aston-villa-links-that-wont-go-away-4188274/?)
Page 1 =hope
Page 119 = reality hell
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The Wigan fans are gutted:
http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=558&fid=516&sty=2&act=1&mid=2111687407
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I can't accept Grant Holt. Just can't. How fucking far have we fallen! Think this shows Lambert up. Rather sign this fat shit than give experience to one of his own signings!
And to think, people were questioning on whether Lambert could spot a player and be trusted with money.,............,,,.... Wake me up when this nightmare is over
Get a grip ffs! I take it you don't remember Warren Aspinall, Simon Stainrod and Gary Penrice?
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Grant Fucking Holt, is this a wind up
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This is another example of Lerner not investing decent money into the playing staff.
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This isnt true. It cannot be true.
I thought people were taking the piss on the match thread but after listening to Lambert I think its true.
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
I bloody hope its not that long
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I can't accept Grant Holt. Just can't. How fucking far have we fallen! Think this shows Lambert up. Rather sign this fat shit than give experience to one of his own signings!
And to think, people were questioning on whether Lambert could spot a player and be trusted with money.,............,,,.... Wake me up when this nightmare is over
Get a grip ffs! I take it you don't remember Warren Aspinall, Simon Stainrod and Gary Penrice?
Are you seriously trying to justify Grant Holt? Heskey could be an old head and a 'leader' too. Grant holt can't even get in a Wigan side. If were after experience and leaders what's the point if their bench warmers?
I'm sorry but I can't accept or buy any spin that Grant Holt is an ok signing for us.
Why are we accepting so little?
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Not trying to justify it but we've had plenty of nightmares in the past, Holt's no worse than some of them.
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
He's just indicating the size of the bacon and egg baguette he wants for his breakfast.
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All i keep thinking of are the guys on the touch line at the end of this clip: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6PbP_pIgR4s
wtf is going on?!
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Grant Holt probably thinks the Villa have already named a stand after him.
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My shouts of Zamora Jason scotland David Ngog Samaras are more favoured that The incredible Holt! and of course we missed out on Altidore!
I mentioned these players as i see them as what Lambo would use the way he plays its not me totally saying these are the best ever players ... They will take us forward as much as Holt however and i think its great im aware of these tactics that lambo uses (though i dont like them) and share them with site.
The big deal about Grant Holt its the type and style of football Lamby wants to use so he is a clever signing. Being expereinced , short term contract . Its not what i personally want I think yourll find Altidore is far better option if going down that route but taht is a non starter
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
That was about 4 minutes in. The fat fucker had only run up and taken a penalty and already looks out on his feet!
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Not trying to justify it but we've had plenty of nightmares in the past, Holt's no worse than some of them.
Exactly mate, why should we suffer anymore nightmares!?
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So John E was correct, even if 18 months late.
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At least he fits one of the main criteria for Lambert... and it is not young...
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
18-24 months?
He's 33 in April. You must be joking.
It's hardly outrageous paulie. He's 32, not 36. If gets a short term deal, and 18mths is, then as long as he doesn't get Heskey/Given money it's just not a big deal.
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Accepting how it is . Thats what Lambert wants and thats the way he is going to play it. He went with yoof before now he chats with the old/expereicned players. The stark reality is getting holt means its on the cheap!!
I think the summer will see us spend big on more signings from world cup and the like which will see us move on. Its a real transitional year and I like to think by this time next calender year we have a sound squad who are adaptable , flexible and FORWARD thinking !!
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
18-24 months?
He's 33 in April. You must be joking.
It's hardly outrageous paulie. He's 32, not 36. If gets a short term deal, and 18mths is, then as long as he doesn't get Heskey/Given money it's just not a big deal. And there's no point anyone getting worked up over a rumour
Eh? You must be kidding.
He's 33 in April. A 2 year deal would mean we'd be paying Grant Holt until he is nudging 35. I can't believe anyone would think that wouldn't be too bad.
It's not just a rumour, either, Lambert just confirmed it.
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He is on 28k per week at Wigan! He isnt coming for less is he!?
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I remember when we were in for Harewood, knowing no good would come of it. I have the same feeling with Holt. Didn't want him when we were linked last time, want him less now. He's always been shit and no 'relationship' with Lambert will change my mind.
But he's coming. Make no mistake, the fat bastard is on his way.
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Holt? I thought it was a wind up on the match thread. Strange one this.
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I can just about accept taking him on loan until the end of the season with Kozak out. Any longer and I'll tear out what little hair I have left.
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Holt will be on loan. I can live with that
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I remember when we were in for Harewood, knowing no good would come of it. I have the same feeling with Holt. Didn't want him when we were linked last time, want him less now. He's always been shit and no 'relationship' with Lambert will change my mind.
But he's coming. Make no mistake, the fat bastard is on his way.
He can't get into Wigan's side.
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Is it a wind up?
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I remember when we were in for Harewood, knowing no good would come of it. I have the same feeling with Holt. Didn't want him when we were linked last time, want him less now. He's always been shit and no 'relationship' with Lambert will change my mind.
But he's coming. Make no mistake, the fat bastard is on his way.
He can't get into Wigan's side.
I'd be surprised if he could get into an XXL shirt.
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Really at this point in time I am going to bed as this scenario unfolding cannot be real and when I get up in the morning it will all have been a bad nightmare!
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But he's coming. Make no mistake, the fat bastard is on his way.
Made me smile.
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
Lambert's new "No 10".......Chicken Balti with extra rice, naan, popadums and bottle of coke.
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Maybe Lambert feels he's lost a few of the players and wants to bring some old trusted friends in with both Holt and Hoolahan. Hardly inspirational signings otherwise are they?
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Is it a wind up?
Lamberts in on it if it is.
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Is it a wind up?
According to the post-match thread, Lambert raised an eyebrow when asked about him and said 'we'll see'. He's either enjoying a piss-take far too much or he's spent all of today tailing a 32 year old sausage roll dressed in a Wigan shirt.
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Holt is just laughably bad. A) he's absolute shite and B) he sums up Lambert's entire football strategy, unimaginitive and practically immobile
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Nope.
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Really at this point in time I am going to bed as this scenario unfolding cannot be real and when I get up in the morning it will all have been a bad nightmare!
That's what I thought about McLeish. Horror exists. Fucking hell, Villa these days should be advertised like a Wes Craven film - "Paul Faulkner Presents: The Signing..."
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Just on loan till end of season apparently.
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Chill out everyone, if Benteke stays fit Holt'll get about as many minutes as Dawkins did.
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
[/quotepHe's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
Oldish photo and not showing him as he is today.
Since then he has piled on a few extra pounds over Xmas like the rest of us
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Whoops, didn't mean to get two of him
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When I said experience, this wasn't what I was thinking off.
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I think I'd rather we signed Grant Hart.
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Any Wigan fans looking for our reaction, be advised, it's a big thumbs down from us.
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I think I'd rather we signed Grant Hart.
I'd rather we signed Tony Hart.
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In fact on reflection I think I'd rather we signed Bob Mould, he's probably svelter.
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He's actually taking the piss out of us isn't he? What a pathetic attempt at improving things. I'm usually quite upbeat and level headed. Signing Holt would be an abomination.
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I haven't got too much of a problem with it as long as it's just a loan and it's not all we end up doing.
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If one signing shows how hard we have fallen, this is it.
Pray it is on loan
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You just know when something's not right about a transfer. There are loads on Twitter saying 'oh, it's backup, for six months, while Kozak's injured.' He isn't - Holt is an exercise in doing things on the cheap again. There are so many other potential ways we could bring experience in, but Lerner either won't finance it, or Lambert hasn't got the imagination to see it, or both.
Grant fucking Holt.
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I haven't got too much of a problem with it as long as it's just a loan and it's not all we end up doing.
Whether it's all we end up doing or not, it's additional wages we could be spending elsewhere.
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
18-24 months?
He's 33 in April. You must be joking.
It's hardly outrageous paulie. He's 32, not 36. If gets a short term deal, and 18mths is, then as long as he doesn't get Heskey/Given money it's just not a big deal. And there's no point anyone getting worked up over a rumour
Eh? You must be kidding.
He's 33 in April. A 2 year deal would mean we'd be paying Grant Holt until he is nudging 35. I can't believe anyone would think that wouldn't be too bad.
It's not just a rumour, either, Lambert just confirmed it.
I have no idea where you learned to count. How does giving a 32yr old man a 2yr deal take him past his 35th birthday? He's not signing when turns 33 is he? And the whole age thing is irrelevant. Can he still do it? Does he have the required ability and desire. Gareth Barry is older than Holt and even at his age he is showing immense quality. That's where I have my doubts. But as cover for Kozak it simply isn't a deal to worked up over. He's cover and not the future and quite frankly he offers more than Weimann.
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I haven't got too much of a problem with this, providing the fat fucker is harpooned the moment he gets close to dry land.
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I try not to be negative too much but this is complete shit. What the f#ck must Helenius be thinking? I was ok with Hoolahan but this is bollocks. Even on a 6 month loan it's a waste of £30k a week plus any loan fee we might be paying. In case you haven't guessed, I'm not keen.
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Grant Holt, wherever you may be,
you eat pies and you're quite chunky,
You've scored two goals, for Wigan so I see,
I hope you don't sign for AVFC
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Young and hungry, old and (very!) hungry, unheard of and hungry, from mickey mouse league and hungry. As long as they are hungry.
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I'd rather sign Usain Holt and I've never heard of him either.
Still he must already be a villa legend as he has a stand named after him.
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What's depressing is that, even if they had the means, you couldn't even imagine a tinpot outfit like the Noses making a move like this.
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I'd rather sign Russell Grant. In fact he's probably thinner and can get around quicker. I hope we have arranged for the bench to be re enforced if that pie champs going to sitting on it.
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
18-24 months?
He's 33 in April. You must be joking.
It's hardly outrageous paulie. He's 32, not 36. If gets a short term deal, and 18mths is, then as long as he doesn't get Heskey/Given money it's just not a big deal. And there's no point anyone getting worked up over a rumour
Eh? You must be kidding.
He's 33 in April. A 2 year deal would mean we'd be paying Grant Holt until he is nudging 35. I can't believe anyone would think that wouldn't be too bad.
It's not just a rumour, either, Lambert just confirmed it.
I have no idea where you learned to count. How does giving a 32yr old man a 2yr deal take him past his 35th birthday? He's not signing when turns 33 is he? And the whole age thing is irrelevant. Can he still do it? Does he have the required ability and desire. Gareth Barry is older than Holt and even at his age he is showing immense quality. That's where I have my doubts. But as cover for Kozak it simply isn't a deal to worked up over. He's cover and not the future and quite frankly he offers more than Weimann.
Where did I learn to count?
Where did you learn to read?
I said "nudging 35" not past 35, so try lifting those rose coloured specs enough to actually read what I said.
I imagine a good way of judging whether or not he can still do it is to ask why he's being laughed out of Wigan for being woefully out of shape and unable to get into their team. To suggest it wouldn't be too bad to give him an 18-24 month deal means you can't have been paying much attention to the past cock ups we've been trying to escape the last couple of years.
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What's depressing is that, even if they had the means, you couldn't even imagine a tinpot outfit like the Noses making a move like this.
I dunno, they did sign Leroy Lita.
But Grant Holt, am I in a nightmare.
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I love the "If we sign Grant Holt, I'm never going again/ambition is over/we'll never win a game again/the world will come to an end."
In all honesty, who cares? It's not going to set the world alight, it's not going to be the worst thing that ever happens. He might get a goal or two, he might prove that he really is a bit too old/overweight for the division. He played well for Lambert before and he wouldn't be signing if Kozak hadn't got injured. He's probably just coming in in case Benteke gets another injury. Hardly going to hurt anybody, is it?
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Embarassing signing if true.
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This had a wiff of the last days of Doug about it,and we know what happened after that.
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They'll have to give him Hercules' shirt that's for sure.
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Yeah but we need experienced defenders / midfielders to go straight in, and we sign anotherbfucking striker as cover. I think Lambert has got serious issues.
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Palace target Zaha on loan, we target Holt.
Another team we can't compete with.
Progress.
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I love the "If we sign Grant Holt, I'm never going again/ambition is over/we'll never win a game again/the world will come to an end."
In all honesty, who cares? It's not going to set the world alight, it's not going to be the worst thing that ever happens. He might get a goal or two, he might prove that he really is a bit too old/overweight for the division. He played well for Lambert before and he wouldn't be signing if Kozak hadn't got injured. He's probably just coming in in case Benteke gets another injury. Hardly going to hurt anybody, is it?
No, you're right. But he's not coming for free, is he? It's money that could be better spent elsewhere. And I know it's about what a player adds to the squad rather than what it says to the public, but don't you think we have a right to expect something a little more ambitious?
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I'd rather we picked a random from the holte every week than Grant 5 bellies Holt.
We are fast approaching Mickey mouse status.
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NO no noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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I hope he comes in and scores loads and loads and loads of goals
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I hope he comes in and scores loads and loads and loads of goals
You are Paul Lambert, and I claim my fiver.
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Yes, we could be more ambitious, but it's not a main signing, it's almost the same as an emergency loan. We're probably not blessed with options in the January transfer window. I'm hardly thrilled about it, but think some people are being a bit over the top about the whole thing.
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Palace target Zaha on loan, we target Holt.
Another team we can't compete with.
Progress.
It's not like Zaha has any previous links with Palace which makes that move logical is it.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
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Yes, we could be more ambitious, but it's not a main signing, it's almost the same as an emergency loan. We're probably not blessed with options in the January transfer window. I'm hardly thrilled about it, but think some people are being a bit over the top about the whole thing.
Benteke
Weimann
Agbonlahor
Helenius
Bowery
Even with Kozak out for the rest of the season, why, with those options, could we possibly want a fat has-been like Holt?
If it is because - finally - he's realised we do need some experience in the dressing room, then why not get it in in the form of someone who can actually contribute something on the pitch, too?
It stinks a bit of not knowing what to do.
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This had a wiff of the last days of Doug about it,and we know what happened after that.
I hope so, because that means the out of touch "custodian" is about to sell up...
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Yes, we could be more ambitious, but it's not a main signing, it's almost the same as an emergency loan. We're probably not blessed with options in the January transfer window. I'm hardly thrilled about it, but think some people are being a bit over the top about the whole thing.
When you think of the players rotting in the reserves of half decent sides, or linked with other clubs (Shane Long, Zaha, Guidetti, Toivonen, Defour, Moses, for example), it's not hard to see why people are whinging about an overweight striker currently warping the bench at Wigan Athletic. If you can't do better than Grant Holt in an emergency, you may as well not bother.
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Ok, after 10 minutes I have come to terms with it. As long as this isn't our only incoming player then I can live with it BUT a centre half and midfielder of descent quality are a must.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
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What we need is a striker in the Robbie Keane mould. A striker that plays between the lines, links the play, intelligent running, and a good finisher. What do we get? A fat 34 year old fat knacker who can't get a start in the Championship. All this whilst Darren Bent got sent out on loan. Fuck off Lambert you clueless twat, and take Faulkner and Lerner with you.
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Benteke - will be first choice.
Weimann - first choice.
Agbonlahor - first choice.
Helenius - should be given a chance maybe, but we don't know what is seen on the training pitch.
Bowery - not good enough.
If Benteke gets injured, Holt will be another option, just as Kozak was. As I said, I'm not thrilled about it - I didn't go into the transfer window hoping we signed Grant Holt (!) but saying it's the end of ambition* or "I'm not going again" because of this is a bit hyperbolic.
*Ambition for what? We're hardly going to win anything this year, are we?
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
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If these are the last days of Lerner, gifting us Grant Holt for the rest of the season is the football club equivalent of locking all the windows and sliding a kipper down the back of a hard-to-reach radiator.
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Holt is perfect for the all hustle and bustle long ball style we are cultivating. He won't get much game time but when he does you can guarantee it will be route one Last 15 minutes 4 up front. Lamberts usual.
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I remember how well the idea of Holt joining was received in the Summer window last year and at the time he'd come off a decent season in the Prem. I imagine he hasn't got any better since?
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He's massively fat, completely shit and is on quite a decent contract. Everything about it stinks of someone not having a clue how to solve our issues. All he can think about is "who has done ok for me in the past".
Hoolahan I was happy about, this is just a terrible move.
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At least the kitchen staff at Bodymoor have found someone to fill Dunne's void.
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If these are the last days of Lerner, gifting us Grant Holt for the rest of the season is the football club equivalent of locking all the windows and sliding a kipper down the back of a hard-to-reach radiator.
Quote of the year so far.
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Benteke - will be first choice.
Weimann - first choice.
Agbonlahor - first choice.
Helenius - should be given a chance maybe, but we don't know what is seen on the training pitch.
Bowery - not good enough.
If Benteke gets injured, Holt will be another option, just as Kozak was. As I said, I'm not thrilled about it - I didn't go into the transfer window hoping we signed Grant Holt (!) but saying it's the end of ambition* or "I'm not going again" because of this is a bit hyperbolic.
*Ambition for what? We're hardly going to win anything this year, are we?
I don't think the people who claim they won't go again speak for the average Villa fan. The ones who can see it for what it is, which is a stopgap option at best and a lack of ideas at worst, are probably more in tune with overall opinion.
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Talk of Kyle Naughton and Grant Holt coming in ,just about sums up our present ambition or rather lack of it .
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If these are the last days of Lerner, gifting us Grant Holt for the rest of the season is the football club equivalent of locking all the windows and sliding a kipper down the back of a hard-to-reach radiator.
You don't change the curtains if you are selling the house :)
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Holt is perfect for the all hustle and bustle long ball style we are cultivating. He won't get much game time but when he does you can guarantee it will be route one Last 15 minutes 4 up front. Lamberts usual.
As much as i wouldn't want Holt, i would rather have him being the target man and flicking balls on to Benteke, than wasting Benteke in that position.
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Ok, after 10 minutes I have come to terms with it. As long as this isn't our only incoming player then I can live with it BUT a centre half and midfielder of descent quality are a must.
Descent quality seems very apt in this context.
However, I'm all for comedy signings. I'd much rather see Howard Wilkinson self-immolating than AVB scratching his chin.
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On loan simply as cover for Kozak is fine in my opinion, just seeing us through to the end of the season. Clearly Lambert doesn't think Helenius is quite ready yet and outside of his one goal against a League one side I suppose I can't blame him.
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If these are the last days of Lerner, gifting us Grant Holt for the rest of the season is the football club equivalent of locking all the windows and sliding a kipper down the back of a hard-to-reach radiator.
You don't change the curtains if you are selling the house :)
You don't leave a steaming turd in the bathtub either though.
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On loan simply as cover for Kozak is fine in my opinion, just seeing us through to the end of the season. Clearly Lambert doesn't think Helenius is quite ready yet and outside of his one goal against a League one side I suppose I can't blame him.
And signing someone who can't get into the Wigan team, as he's so unfit, is better how exactly?
Even as a short term deal, I just can't see the point. At least Bowery can run.
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I never thought I'd see Villa reduced to buying a Shrewsbury Town reject, well not since Pountney and Broadbent anyway. :(
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It makes you seriously question his scouting arrangements, first we play five men to mark Arsenals lone striker, not particularly effectively either, and then think an out of sorts non playing first division striker is the answer to our problems.
What the fuck happened to these extensive dossiers he used to rely on?
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On loan simply as cover for Kozak is fine in my opinion, just seeing us through to the end of the season. Clearly Lambert doesn't think Helenius is quite ready yet and outside of his one goal against a League one side I suppose I can't blame him.
And signing someone who can't get into the Wigan team, as he's so unfit, is better how exactly?
Even as a short term deal, I just can't see the point. At least Bowery can run.
I wonder what signal it sends Nicklas Helenius, too.
Hardly gets a chance, scores in his last appearance, then learns we've signed someone who plays in his position, and looks like he'd be more at home in a pub darts team than a Premier League football club.
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If these are the last days of Lerner, gifting us Grant Holt for the rest of the season is the football club equivalent of locking all the windows and sliding a kipper down the back of a hard-to-reach radiator.
Definitely not a fat one.
You don't change the curtains if you are selling the house :)
You don't leave a steaming turd in the bathtub either though.
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I'm sorry but I have absolutely no problem with this move whatsoever.
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No. No. NO. NONO. NoNoNoNoNo. No. No. No. Please no.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
It does.
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No. No. NO. NONO. NoNoNoNoNo. No. No. No. Please no.
Is that a no?
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He's looking lean and in shape.
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2120786.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Barnsley-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-Championship-2120786.jpg)
He's just indicating the size of the bacon and egg baguette he wants for his breakfast.
Applauds. Thank you for making me smile.
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Double post
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
It does.
Doesn't.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
It does.
Doesn't.
It really doesn't
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
It does.
Doesn't.
It really doesn't
If you read it in a Kenneth Williams voice, it does.
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Kind of does.
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His 2 Norwich mates are as lazy a signing as Mon used to make. Do we have scouts anymore or did they all get fired after unearthing Luna?
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No. No. NO. NONO. NoNoNoNoNo. No. No. No. Please no.
Exactly how I feel. This sort of signing is more like a kick in the teeth than an addition.
I would much rather see Helenius or one of the youths get a chance than Holt. Holt is a signing that stinks of 'relegation candidate'.
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Grant Holt, you're morbidly obese.
A jobbing oaf who likes his cheese.
And we do not want, not even on a lease.
So don't drive down on the M6 please.
Isn't it meant to rhyme?
Go on...
Well it doesn't rhyme.
It does.
Doesn't.
O.K then, well I think I'd rather watch Grant Holt play for Villa than carry on with this nonsense.
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Us 2 Norwich bum buddies are as lazy a signing as Mon used to make. Do we have scouts anymore or did they all get fired after unearthing Luna?
Homophobia. Noice.
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Us 2 Norwich bum buddies are as lazy a signing as Mon used to make. Do we have scouts anymore or did they all get fired after unearthing Luna?
Bum buddies. Well done you.
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Consider that a warning.
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Us 2 Norwich bum buddies are as lazy a signing as Mon used to make. Do we have scouts anymore or did they all get fired after unearthing Luna?
Less of that please.
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Grant Holt, wherever you may be,
you eat pies and you're quite chunky,
You've scored two goals, for Wigan so I see,
I hope you don't sign for AVFC
That rhymes.
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Grant Holt, wherever you may be,
you eat pies and you're quite chunky,
You've scored two goals, for Wigan so I see,
I hope you don't sign for AVFC
That rhymes.
The original and the best. And it rhymes.
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Sorry I've edited the stupid comment out.
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Marzrim's verse works - the odd and even lines rhyme.
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His 2 Norwich mates are as lazy a signing as Mon used to make. Do we have scouts anymore or did they all get fired after unearthing Luna?
this is my take on it . hes too scared to sign someone experience he doesnt know
why do we need holt
hes on 28k at wigan and they think hes a donkey , yes wigan from the championship .
why Lambert why ?????
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I no longer want him to sign a centre half....as he has gone all Quitty on us signing his mates from a former club we would be sure to get Leon Feckin Barnett.
Personally I found Hoolahan a depressing target but this is surely only to allow Helenius go on loan...still depressing though.
When I saw Holt was available on loan I thought that would be perfect for the Wolves looking for a decent League One target man *sobs*
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Yes, obese, lease, cheese and please don't sound similar at all.
But it's O.K, I don't like you either PWS.
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Holt is a Small Heath signing
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Can we appoint Villa Kicks as our chief scout? I prefer his ideas to Lamberts. Even the suggestion of Jason Scotland doesn't sound quite as barmy. Altidore would be a world class acquisition compared to a fat and over the hill Holt.
Fucking hell.
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wigan fan
This is just hilarious. I was thinking we might struggle to recoup 10% of his wages at a league 1 or 2 club. Never thought someone higher up the pyramid would take him off us!
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The good news is that Lambert is working on a few faces. The bad news is that they all belong to Grant Holt.
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Robert Fleck is signing too
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wat do I do wjen I'm struggling ? I turn to people I know and trust . It makes sense to lambert- This is what lambo is doing . His call to see villa thru to the summer . To understand someone look at it from there side of things. Lamby knows holy what he offers and used him eeffectively. It's what he knows it's his expereinced players taken quite literally !
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Much like Marlon Harewood, Holt had his one good season at this level and was quickly found out. However Marlon at least had pace in his locker and a fairly cheese-graterific six pack.
That we're signing Holt well past his best, even on a 6 month deal just sums up the sorry state of the club. I mean give Helenius a fucking chance. He's a Danish international, he scored in his last game. For fooks sake.
Grand plan? I think not. This clubs being dragged into to the toilet by the half wits running it at the minute. Dia-fucking-bolical.
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I remember when we were in for Harewood, knowing no good would come of it. I have the same feeling with Holt. Didn't want him when we were linked last time, want him less now. He's always been shit and no 'relationship' with Lambert will change my mind.
But he's coming. Make no mistake, the fat bastard is on his way.
He can't get into Wigan's side.
To be fair, he can't get into Wigan's changing room.
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well I dreamed we signed Hulk
and by Joe , we fooking well could be
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well I dreamed we signed Hulk
and by Joe , we fooking well could be
Lambert heard you but thought you said Bulk.
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Devil's advocate - he comes on loan at very little expense to sit on the bench to cover a striker who has a broken leg. He maybe gets on the pitch a few times and generally brings a bit more, erm, devil to a side that is generally a bit too nice. End of season, Kozak is fit. We sign someone else and Holt returns to where he came from. Is it that bad?
Nearly convinced myself there ;-)
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wat do I do wjen I'm struggling ? I turn to people I know and trust .
Good on you, you're never alone with a schitzophrenic.
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has Lambert looked for any players at Colchester yet
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has Lambert looked for any players at Colchester yet
Maybe he should have a look at Livingston and Wycombe Wanderers. Probably more our level right now.
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Can't we have the nakhi wells rumours again instead.
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Horrified as I am with the prospect of this lump bungling his way into the club, I certainly hope he isn't preferred over Helenius.
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I think it suggests Helenius isn't up to being the 4th striker, which is what worries me most.
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Can't we have the nakhi wells rumours again instead.
That ship has sailed, the bright lights of Huddesfield proved hard to resist.
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damn does this mean Bowery isnt going to make it
Lambert out
Bowery in as manager
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I know we've been struggling to offload Given Hutton Bent and Ireland.
I'm thinking we're going to give them one more chance to leave of their own free will,
before offering them to Grant Holt as human sacrifices.
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I think it suggests Helenius isn't up to being the 4th striker, which is what worries me most.
Maybe Lambert needs a bit more faith in him. He came on and scored the other day, surely it gave him a confidence boost and will have him champing at the bit to get on the pitch??
Mind you this is Lambert we're talking about. Second guessing this man is very difficult. Just when you think he's peaked in dropping a bollock, he pulls Holt out the bag.
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damn does this mean Bowery isnt going to make it
Lambert out
Bowery in as manager
I would sooner see JB playing up front for us than Holt. At least he'll be able to run a bit. If I had to choose between starting Holt up front on his own for 10 games, or JB on his own for 30 games, I'd still choose JB.
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Yes, obese, lease, cheese and please don't sound similar at all.
But it's O.K, I don't like you either PWS.
All four are meant to rhyme. and that's ok, i'm choosy who I allow to like me.
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I'd prefer Helenius over both.
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No ambition left and no idea of how to run a football club. We are truly fucked...
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If Holt is the only signing we're fucked. If he's coming in short term, off the bench, odd game here or there, cover whatever then for a nominal fee/loan I don't see an issue. My problem will be, fitness aside, his ability and desire. He has shown he can find the net in the PL with good service and Hoolahan will also know him well should we also secure that deal. I can see that Lambert wants some older heads/leaders in the dressing room and he knows Holt well.
For me this is low risk. I just don't see the panic unless somewhere the manger has said he'd the only signing we'll make this January.
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If Holt is the only signing we're fucked. If he's coming in short term, off the bench, odd game here or there, cover whatever then for a nominal fee/loan I don't see an issue. My problem will be, fitness aside, his ability and desire. He has shown he can find the net in the PL with good service and Hoolahan will also know him well should we also secure that deal. I can see that Lambert wants some older heads/leaders in the dressing room and he knows Holt well.
For me this is low risk. I just don't see the panic unless somewhere the manger has said he'd the only signing we'll make this January.
even at 28K a week
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Deal agreed medical tomorrow,does a medical involve getting on the scales?
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Daily Mail reporting it as a loan. I really don't see any problem in this. I just hope that he finds a spark moving back to the PL and playing for Lambert, as opposed to playing in front of 7 supporters in Wigan.
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I'll have one more go at a positive. In the midst of the bleak midwinter last year when goals were flying past us, there was the odd time that I thought we were too nice, too easy to play against. Maybe we needed a Nolan, an old pro that'll be a pest for the opposition, know when to talk to refs, know the tricks, the sly elbows, getting a bit nasty.
It's for six months, it's cover, not a starting player. Maybe, just maybe, Holt can add a bit of that to the dressing room. Maybe it'll make teams leave Villa Park thinking, "bloody hell, that was tough". Maybe that'll get us a few points.
Or maybe I'll just go to bed and wake up to realise it was just a dream
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If Holt is the only signing we're fucked. If he's coming in short term, off the bench, odd game here or there, cover whatever then for a nominal fee/loan I don't see an issue. My problem will be, fitness aside, his ability and desire. He has shown he can find the net in the PL with good service and Hoolahan will also know him well should we also secure that deal. I can see that Lambert wants some older heads/leaders in the dressing room and he knows Holt well.
For me this is low risk. I just don't see the panic unless somewhere the manger has said he'd the only signing we'll make this January.
even at 28K a week
As a loan yes. How much do you think players will demand to play in the PL?
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We don't need another striker
We just need another midfielder
All we wanted was a playmaker
To keep us up
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If it was the only signing i'd be very worried. If it was a permanent deal i'd be very very worried. As it won't be either, while not exactly thrilled about it, it's not the end of the world either. I just hope he doesn't limit chances for Helenius.
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It doesn't rhyme.
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It doesn't rhyme.
It dies if you sing it to the tune of making your mind up by Bucks fizz.
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We don't need another striker
We just need another midfielder
All we wanted was a playmaker
To keep us up
With Kozak out I think we do. But we need all of the other things you mentioned too. If this Jan 31st I'd be officially bricking it. But it's not and we all hope that a defender and midfielder are also on the cards.
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Bonnie Tyler.
Bloody idiot
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We don't need another striker
We just need another midfielder
All we wanted was a playmaker
To keep us up
Actually I read that as in tune to "we don't need another hero" by Tina Turner
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Yes, obese, lease, cheese and please don't sound similar at all.
But it's O.K, I don't like you either PWS.
All four are meant to rhyme. and that's ok, i'm choosy who I allow to like me.
Yes, I bet you're riotous company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyme
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So the answer to our woes is...............Grant Holt. Jesus wept
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Grant effing Holt?
At least bring back Enda to sit alongside him on the bench!
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So the answer to our woes is...............Grant Holt. Jesus wept
No it's not and he isn't meant to be.
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;)
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I am pinning my hopes on it not being the only signing.
And I am also lumping on him scoring the winner against the Albion. As I said, he scores 3-4 between now and May, and gets us 4-5 points from games against the likes of Palace away, Cardiff, Stoke here etc, where his type may well be useful, I could not care a jot. If he is the only one through the door, it is a strange decision to say the least. But the other side is that he was his captain, he is someone he trusts, and clearly gives an old head to things, which might not be such a bad thing. It is happening, so the positives are much more important to look at now than thinking about just how "hungry" Grant is.
Looking at him, he is chomping.
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Bonnie Tyler.
I'd rather sign her. But it looks like we're going to get a total eclipse of the Holte.
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Yes, obese, lease, cheese and please don't sound similar at all.
But it's O.K, I don't like you either PWS.
All four are meant to rhyme. and that's ok, i'm choosy who I allow to like me.
Yes, I bet you're riotous company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyme
Fortunately you'll never find out. Sorry i've made you cry by pointing out it didn't rhyme.
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And I'm just sorry. For you.
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And I'm just sorry. For you.
Ah bless.
It still didn't rhyme though.
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Good old H&V. In the midst of a meltdown over a fat player, we can have a daft conversation about rhymes.
Anyway, Mazrim's little does rhyme - it's the A B rhyming scale.
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Good old H&V. In the midst of a meltdown over a fat player, we can have a daft conversation about rhymes.
Anyway, Mazrim's little does rhyme - it's the A B rhyming scale.
However to the tune it has to be all 4 lines rhyming otherwise it doesn't scan. Just think of the fight fight song. Or the original Lord of the Dance.
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(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/lemsta007/CYMERA_20140114_012223_zps6b76a346.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/lemsta007/media/CYMERA_20140114_012223_zps6b76a346.jpg.html)
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And I'm just sorry. For you.
Are you his father? Is this a great H&V revelation? Why are you responsible for PWS?
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Fifteen pages so quickly is impressive. I was as surprised and underwhelmed as most when I heard it on SKY after getting back from the game but Lambert alluded to wanting experience and character. If he can do a job on opposition teams and bring others out of their shell like Kevin Davies did for Bolton against us in the infamous TSM game it will be worth it. I am just a bit disappointed that just like this time last season we still have to talk about short term fixes just to survive.
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The only logic I can find:
Holt's end the twelfth man?
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
I think his arse is part of the problem
Seriously though, I'm more with you on this one than the majority. Clearly Lambert has a role for big, agricultural forwards to preserve leads/ruffle feathers against the more physical teams such as Stoke and West Ham. To that end. Holt is a step-up from Bowery. I think he's a bit of a loud-mouth too who won't be afraid to motivate the younger players and make sure their heads don't go down in games.
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
I think his arse is part of the problem
Seriously though, I'm more with you on this one than the majority. Clearly Lambert has a role for big, agricultural forwards to preserve leads/ruffle feathers against the more physical teams such as Stoke and West Ham. To that end. Holt is a step-up from Bowery. I think he's a bit of a loud-mouth too who won't be afraid to motivate the younger players and make sure their heads don't go down in games.
Gareth Barry is proving you can be 32' have a big arse and still be effective. I guess we'll see if Holt can do something to help us. I thought he was quite decent for Norwich and scored some good goals for them in their first season back up. As for being better than Bowery, so am I.
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I don't care either way about Holt. As long as it is on 18-24 month contract at the every most. When we could be arsed under Lambert he looked quite effective. the question is can he still be arsed?
I think his arse is part of the problem
Seriously though, I'm more with you on this one than the majority. Clearly Lambert has a role for big, agricultural forwards to preserve leads/ruffle feathers against the more physical teams such as Stoke and West Ham. To that end. Holt is a step-up from Bowery. I think he's a bit of a loud-mouth too who won't be afraid to motivate the younger players and make sure their heads don't go down in games.
Gareth Barry is proving you can be 32' have a big arse and still be effective. I guess we'll see if Holt can do something to help us. I thought he was quite decent for Norwich and scored some good goals for them in their first season back up. As for being better than Bowery, so am I.
Barry is class and still playing at the highest level. Holt is ... well he's not, if you see what I mean.
Holt might have a role to play in a Steve Simmsesque manner (for SGT back in the day).
But if we've come to this type of signing it's a damning indictment of Lambert's transfer policy to date.
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Grant Holt? Seriously? We might as well get Emile Heskey back.
I watched Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets in the A-league on Friday and Emile was the second best player on the pitch by a distance over third. I know the A-league isn't the greatest but it's as good as the Championship. So if we're shopping for a big, non-scoring, lower league forward, we might as well go with what we know.
By the way the Victory fullback Adama Traore is actually pretty good. Better than anyone who's pulled on a Villa shirt in those positions recently...
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I'm not contesting that. Barry is class but the point he is able to perform at a high level at his age. Without the link to Lambert who knows him well there doesn't appear to be a huge amount of upside to this deal. But they know each other and Holt might do a job for a few months. He will liven dressing room up which has been described as quiet. It's a short term loan deal so I don't think it's a big risk to see if it works so I'm keeping an open mind. Obviously we all hope there are others to come.
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How old was Cyrille Regis when we signed him and was he useful short term?
Edited to add: I need to credit Dave W with the Regis likeness as just saw he had mentioned it earlier.
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Grant Holt? Seriously? We might as well get Emile Heskey back.
I watched Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets in the A-league on Friday and Emile was the second best player on the pitch by a distance over third. I know the A-league isn't the greatest but it's as good as the Championship. So if we're shopping for a big, non-scoring, lower league forward, we might as well go with what we know.
By the way the Victory fullback Adama Traore is actually pretty good. Better than anyone who's pulled on a Villa shirt in those positions recently...
The A League is not as good as The Championship. It's League 2 level at a push. Also, the mule hasn't scored for 10 games now.
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Maybe Lambert thought he meant Holtby?
"Will Holt-be your next signing ? "
* Clutches at straws*
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I don't really get this signing. What a load of uninspiring shit.
-
We don't need another striker
We just need another midfielder
All we wanted was a playmaker
To keep us up
Actually I read that as in tune to "we don't need another hero" by Tina Turner
Yes. Her.
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Grant effing Holt?
At least bring back Enda to sit alongside him on the bench!
Looking at the pictures of Holt there won't be enough room for anyone else on the bench. Maybe the canteen is in trouble of going bankrupt since Richard Dunne left.
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Holt, i nearly choked on my breakfast when I heard that
That is how low we have gone, that a Championship striker (who cant get in Wigans team) is now seen by our Manager to be our saviour, heaven help us!
Lets hope that at the end of the loan move there is not a 2 year contract waiting for him to sign......
I had great faith in Lambert when he became our Manager, unfortunately after the last few home performances this season, i think it would be best if he left us at the end of this season...I am not renewing my season ticket to watch long ball football!
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How old was Cyrille Regis when we signed him and was he useful short term?
Edited to add: I need to credit Dave W with the Regis likeness as just saw he had mentioned it earlier.
The only similarity is the age. Regis was a very good player, Holt? I don't think he ever was.
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I'm sure someone else has probably mentioned this but I will again anyway. Why exactly did he buy Bowery and Helenius?
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PL must really dislike Helenius if this is being considered.
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Great to see everyone is prepared to give the bloke a chance
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Great to see everyone is prepared to give the bloke a chance
I think it is more borne out of the fact that he can't get a game at Wigan, that we already have Helenius and that we need players in other positions more urgently. If we sign other players we need in other positions then it's not an issue, I just can't see the point of signing Holt, that's all.
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Great to see everyone is prepared to give the bloke a chance
I thought, in the dim and distant year and a half since Lambert came here, that many people wanted him to bring Holt with him.
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If he does really well for us we could always name the home end after him.
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It's a short term loan, it's cover for Kozac, he's a leader and he won't cost much. I don't understand why some people think it's the end of the world
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Lambert must have lost a bet with another gaffer and signing Holt is his forfeit.
Personally, I'd rather kick Bishop Brennan up the arse.
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I'm not contesting that. Barry is class but the point he is able to perform at a high level at his age. Without the link to Lambert who knows him well there doesn't appear to be a huge amount of upside to this deal. But they know each other and Holt might do a job for a few months. He will liven dressing room up which has been described as quiet. It's a short term loan deal so I don't think it's a big risk to see if it works so I'm keeping an open mind. Obviously we all hope there are others to come.
I agree with the general sentiment but using Barry and Holt in the same sentence is an insult.
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depressing. He's fat, slow and it sums up where we are - Lambert expects a dog fight - so we have a dog.
Lets just hope he can get back to doing what he did with Norwich - and he was a pain to play against.
I'm not going to slit my wrists over it - bigger problems at the club than getting a sumo on loan
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depressing. He's fat, slow and it sums up where we are - Lambert expects a dog fight - so we have a dog.
Lets just hope he can get back to doing what he did with Norwich - and he was a pain to play against.
I'm not going to slit my wrists over it - bigger problems at the club than getting a sumo on loan
Correct - who knows we could be signing Chris Sutton and Felix Agathe next
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According to a lot of people on here Barry was fat and passed it too not long ago... or did I miss something and that was why Barry was being compared anyway?
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If he does come in, how about we give him a chance?
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If he does come in, how about we give him a chance?
Of course.
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If he does come in, how about we give him a chance?
Agreed, It's just the aisle were shopping in now, off contract, lower league or cast offs.
Once you come to terms with that I'd say Grant Holt will probably be the pick of what you'll find.
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If he does come in, how about we give him a chance?
Agreed, It's just the aisle were shopping in now, off contract, lower league or cast offs.
Once you come to terms with that I'd say Grant Holt will probably be the pick of what you'll find.
He will get a chance with fans - all players do. Especially forwards.
Do we really require anothr forward even with The Big K out? I would be hoping 2 midfielders and a central defender / left back are the most pressing requirements.
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If he does come in, how about we give him a chance?
Agreed, It's just the aisle were shopping in now, off contract, lower league or cast offs.
Once you come to terms with that I'd say Grant Holt will probably be the pick of what you'll find.
Cast offs from Lidl, while Chelsea & Citeh are shopping in Waitrose. The gap is huge, unless Randy has so etbing up his sleeve, this is what we can expect for the foreseeable future.
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Grant Harewood? Why?
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My itinerary so far today:
Wake up
Remember about Grant bloody Holt
Check Heroes and Villains
Realise it wasn't a dream
Go back to bed
Cry.
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It's a short term loan, it's cover for Kozac, he's a leader and he won't cost much. I don't understand why some people think it's the end of the world
It's not Willy if he signs other players in positions we desperately need. Is it hot enough for you this week?
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I don't have a problem with this if it is a 6 month loan AND we make other signings. PL said "he is a man". From that I take it he feels our squad is too immature and needs some leadership. If you look at the Man U game and the start last night we looked as if we were in awe of being on the same pitch as them instead of getting into their faces.
Holt was his captain at Norwich so he obviously knows what his leadership qualities are and feels that he can make a difference. It might be that he never kicks a ball for us but if he can change the mindset of the young players and improve their performances then he will be worth it.
Also, perhaps PL was thinking CB needed to see there is an alternative to him now Kozak is out. Perhaps PL thinks CB needed a bit of a kick up his arris to get him firing like last season. There have been posters on here saying CB needs a rocket, perhaps this is part of the plan.
Anyway I will wait till Jan 31st before condemning the lack of vision by the club but this may be a small step in the right direction.
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I really can't think of anything new to type. Unless the owner gives this manager serious money to spend on proper players we are going down.
I can see how you would blame the manager for that but I think he is doing ok with what he has got. What he has got is a small budget and a tight pay structure to work with. I would love to see him with half the budget MoN spunked on players tranfer fees and wages.
Lambert has not become a bad manager over night, Villa have become a struggling club due to a lack of direction from the top.
Given time and the correct resource Lambert is capable of doing a job for us.
That said if he has to continue working within the budget constraints he has at the moment we are heading down.
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we have been crying out for some experience......Holt is cover for Kozak, that is all.
I would like to think Villa are looking at other players to get in and will wait until 31st Jan.
so let's just see what happens...
UTV
The Doc
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You never know he might become a cult hero.
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Right there is a difference between being old and being experienced. Grant Holt has played in the top flight for two seasons and then dropped out of it. That is not significantly more experienced than most of our current squad. He's a poor player.
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
I think he is clearly a short term gap for poor old Kozak, as who can we rely on up front at the moment? Gabby and Benteke, both of which have missed a number of games through injury.
As others have said, if Holt is the only player, then I will be a little dismayed and he wouldn't be my first choice, but I think a forward is necessary, if not the first priority.
It would be nice to have a midfielder in before the weekend.
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The Regis comparison falls down because Regis was still wanted by his side (Coventry) who were then a top flight outfit. He was also in good nick.
Holt struggled in his last season in the topflight, can't currently get into a middling Championship team. At his age, he's unlikely to suddenly get drastically better.
It's a daft deal, even with the Kozak injury we're not short of forwards. Benteke, Gabby, Wiemann and Helenius can all play the role up top. Even the Fonz has height and nuisance value (which is the only reason I can see us going for Holt, as it's hardly for his mobility) and does occasionally weigh in with goals too.
Might *only* be 28k, but that's 28k that could go towards a definite problem area, be that left back, centre half, centre midfield and attacking midfield. All of those should be far bigger priorities than up top. The only exception to that would be if players of the calibre of Papis Cisse or Djemba Ba suddenly became available on loan. Players not over the hill, proven at this level, and capable of giving us a different dimension.
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The day Grant Holt walks into VP is the day this club's ambition finally dies
Been dead a while.
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watching the game last night commentator said after gabby's yellow card that we were the highest in the league for yellow cards?
with holt on board at least we will be in a strong position to be top of something come the end of the season as he is filthy.
dreadful signing, Holt looked truly finished last year and soccerbase is saying he has 2 goals in 21 appearances for Wigan this term.
Lambert is painfully out of his depth and this shows it again. another 6ft something centre forward is not what we need.
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
I always welcome players like this. We need more nastiness in the team. That is something the crowd will rise to. We should not be like a theatre crowd, politely applauding.
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Maybe holt will be the holte end hero .
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Right there is a difference between being old and being experienced. Grant Holt has played in the top flight for two seasons and then dropped out of it. That is not significantly more experienced than most of our current squad. He's a poor player.
Exactly !
Knocking around the lower leagues for ever does not make you 'experienced'.
getting a gig at Villa, he must think all his dinners have come at once.
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
I always welcome players like this. We need more nastiness in the team. That is something the crowd will rise to. We should not be like a theatre crowd, politely applauding.
Kevin Richardson the last niggly player we had?
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I think we are short of forwards; we have two, Gabby and Benteke. Weimann has been chronic all season, Kozak I like is sadly injured and out, Helenius isn't ready and Bowery isn't good enough.
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My itinerary so far today:
Wake up
Remember about Grant bloody Holt
Check Heroes and Villains
Realise it wasn't a dream
Ha ha - that's just described my first hour this morning. I wonder how Mcleish would be treated on here if he'd signd Grant Holt
I'd rather have Grant Shapps up front
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Maybe its a mistake and we are actually getting Grant Mitchell. Or Carey Grant. Or maybe the General has pulled a few strings and we are resurrecting Ulysses S Grant to lead our troops into battle against the Confederate Army.
Any of those sound more sensible than Grant Holt.
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General Lee was the better field commander and he was sticking one in Daisy Duke too.
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Good news is the Bodymoor canteen will be on overtime.
Half of them were laid off when Dunne left.
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At least we will beat Norwich at home and at least we can all bet on the scorer.
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
sure if we wanted a horrible horrible bastard of an experienced player to come in, why not get hutton to start earning some of his wages?
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If he's on £28K a week Wigan won't be loaning him for much less that that, which will also make him one of our top earners I expect. Staggering.
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I don't think you appreciate the subtle nuances of being a dirty niggly player winning free-kicks and the like and how this differs from being an outright liability/thug.
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I don't think you appreciate the subtle nuances of being a dirty niggly player winning free-kicks and the like and how this differs from being an outright liability/thug.
grant holt....subtle nuances. nah not having that.
he is shite, in dreadful form, about as mobile as a pregnant emile heskey and a filthy player.
break out the champagne
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I take it that by signing Grant Holt, Lambert has changed his strategy from long ball.... I mean "low possession football" into a more intricate short passing game?
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
sure if we wanted a horrible horrible bastard of an experienced player to come in, why not get hutton to start earning some of his wages?
Because I think the way some of us are hoping that what will happen is if we need someone on to break up play towards the end of the game while retaining eleven players on the pitch, Holt is potentially one option.
If the objective is to start the 90 minutes just waiting until we lose a penalty and end up playing with 10 men then Hutton is the man.
That's the difference I think Ads is meaning
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And to think I took the piss out of my West Ham supporting brother after they resigned Carlton Cole, boy do I feel like a prick this morning.
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
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I take it that by signing Grant Holt, Lambert has changed his strategy from long ball.... I mean "low possession football" into a more intricate short passing game?
Not sure, he certainly has dropped the young & hungry though.
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I take it that by signing Grant Holt, Lambert has changed his strategy from long ball.... I mean "low possession football" into a more intricate short passing game?
Not sure, he certainly has dropped the young & hungry though.
Holt's not young but he looks fucking hungry to me. Contstantly hungry
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I take it that by signing Grant Holt, Lambert has changed his strategy from long ball.... I mean "low possession football" into a more intricate short passing game?
Not sure, he certainly has dropped the young & hungry though.
Holt is old and always hungry, apparently.
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If people want an experienced striker to cover Benteke(which I don't think we need) then why on earth can't it be someone better than Holt?
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I've got a Wonder stuff song in my head for some reason
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I don't think you appreciate the subtle nuances of being a dirty niggly player winning free-kicks and the like and how this differs from being an outright liability/thug.
Am I right Ads you actually would be happy if we signed Holt? It certainly looks that way.
And for that matter what is your view on the competence of our manager? Just to remind you he dropped Holt more than a few times at Norwich and thats when Holt was scoring goals. I can't imagine Holt forming a partnership with Benteke. Can you?
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He is a horrible, horrible bastard of a player and that aspect, together with some exprience, I welcome.
sure if we wanted a horrible horrible bastard of an experienced player to come in, why not get hutton to start earning some of his wages?
Because I think the way some of us are hoping that what will happen is if we need someone on to break up play towards the end of the game while retaining eleven players on the pitch, Holt is potentially one option.
If the objective is to start the 90 minutes just waiting until we lose a penalty and end up playing with 10 men then Hutton is the man.
That's the difference I think Ads is meaning
You have it. Kevin Davies used to be the same. He would wind me up a treat.
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If Holt comes it will be punishment sent down for us from Gods of Weight Watchers for calling Dunne fat.
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I don't think you appreciate the subtle nuances of being a dirty niggly player winning free-kicks and the like and how this differs from being an outright liability/thug.
Am I right Ads you actually would be happy if we signed Holt? It certainly looks that way.
And for that matter what is your view on the competence of our manager? Just to remind you he dropped Holt more than a few times at Norwich and thats when Holt was scoring goals. I can't imagine Holt forming a partnership with Benteke. Can you?
I think we needed a striker in the short term, I am not sure Holt is who I would have chosen (as I don't know who I would have chosen), but he has a few qualities our nice and quiet team lack, which I hope brushes off on them.
I don't think Holt has been brought in to be a starter, I think the manager has two strikers he can trust at the moment as unfortunately the third is out for the season. Benteke and Gabby have missed a number of games this season, so further cover makes sense.
I think our manager made a mistake in the summer by not signing a few more players who are ready now, rather than ready in the next year or so and I think he will address it in the short term now, with a view to doing something more permanent in the summer.
The football, at home at least has been poor, but we're exactly where I thought we would be and I think we're exactly where we will finish this season too.
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This^^^^
I don't have a problem with this if it is a 6 month loan AND we make other signings. PL said "he is a man". From that I take it he feels our squad is too immature and needs some leadership. If you look at the Man U game and the start last night we looked as if we were in awe of being on the same pitch as them instead of getting into their faces.
Holt was his captain at Norwich so he obviously knows what his leadership qualities are and feels that he can make a difference. It might be that he never kicks a ball for us but if he can change the mindset of the young players and improve their performances then he will be worth it.
Also, perhaps PL was thinking CB needed to see there is an alternative to him now Kozak is out. Perhaps PL thinks CB needed a bit of a kick up his arris to get him firing like last season. There have been posters on here saying CB needs a rocket, perhaps this is part of the plan.
Anyway I will wait till Jan 31st before condemning the lack of vision by the club but this may be a small step in the right direction.
Also this
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I don't have too much of a problem with this as a loan deal. The positive I get out of this is that should we need to bring on a forward for 15 mins to try and get us a goal who would you prefer to see coming on Bowery or Holt?
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How I see it is you have to consider how many experienced strikers are available for cover until the end of the season on loan. Lambert clearly feels he needs someone in to replace Kozak and has gone for someone who he's worked with before and is available on a short term loan. Seems reasonable if uninspiring.
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The positive I get out of this is that should we need to bring on a forward for 15 mins to try and get us a goal who would you prefer to see coming on Bowery or Holt?
Helenius
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The refs in the Prem are a lot stricter than they were 5 years ago. It's been picked up on quite a lot this season. A player like Kevin Davies, of which Holt is the poor mans version of, would not get away with half the shit he did when he was in his pomp at Bolton in the top flight. By the same token if we're expecting Holt to come in and be a niggly dirty bastard, winning us free kicks all the time, that just isn't going to happen.
And before we compare him to Davies, you also have to consider that Kevin Davies had a hell of an engine on him. He could run all day. Grant Holt is 32 stone and years in age. If he started a game, he'd be out of breath before he's got out the bloody tunnel.
Just an awful, awful signing. There's just no possible way that this can be spun round as anything positive. We're gonna have people laughing their bollocks off at us over this.
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The positive I get out of this is that should we need to bring on a forward for 15 mins to try and get us a goal who would you prefer to see coming on Bowery or Holt?
Helenius
Yep. And I'd still play JB over Holt too. He's actually in the condition expected of a Premiership forward.
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In patches we played decent football in the Arsenal game and at those times looked at our most dangerous before resorting to booting it long again, my nagging doubt is that Lambert thinks that the reason booting it doesn't work is that we have a shortage of immobile stumps up front and by addressing that we'll improve.
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How I see it is you have to consider how many experienced strikers are available for cover until the end of the season on loan. Lambert clearly feels he needs someone in to replace Kozak and has gone for someone who he's worked with before and is available on a short term loan. Seems reasonable if uninspiring.
That's how I see it, uninspiring but needed just in case Benteke gets injured again. Especially as we so frequently launch it for a flick on from Benteke.
All the transfer rumours on here and in the media and yet again this happens. We never seem to get the players the media links us with, I must just stop reading them.
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How I see it is you have to consider how many experienced strikers are available for cover until the end of the season on loan. Lambert clearly feels he needs someone in to replace Kozak and has gone for someone who he's worked with before and is available on a short term loan. Seems reasonable if uninspiring.
That's how I see it, uninspiring but needed just in case Benteke gets injured again. Especially as we so frequently launch it for a flick on from Benteke.
That annoyed me last night for the first time. The amount of times Guzan launched it forward in the direction of Benteke was ridiculous. Last season what Guzan did well was bowl it out quickly to our full backs to launch an attack. I'm not sure why he's stopped doing it.
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Maybe holt will be the holte end hero .
And maybe pigs will fly (although Holt would probably catch them and eat them). Seriously - if Lambert thinks someone who's scored 2 goals in 21 games in the Championship is the answer to any of our problems he's clearly asking the wrong questions. Maybe he's lost the dressing room and he just wants his old friend 'Holtey' in there to talk to. We've got more pressing problems in midfield and defence, and if Lambert can't see that then he's a fool. Signing Holt smacks of Lambert's approach to the Bradford game - just get more and more strikers on and hope for the best.
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I don't have too much of a problem with this as a loan deal. The positive I get out of this is that should we need to bring on a forward for 15 mins to try and get us a goal who would you prefer to see coming on Bowery or Holt?
The answer is surely *neither*.
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Beggars belief.
He doesn't score much, he's overweight (in fact he's starting to sound like me), a championship side have decided they can do without him, he's a one trick pony and his so called experience boils down to about a season and a half in the Premiership. Plus he can't be on minuscule wages either.
I know some people like to try and put some kind of positive spin on anything Villa related, but i can't help but think they're in denial. Why not just get Heskey back if we want a lump that doesn't score ?
Does anyone think with him coming in that Lambert has any intention of fixing our creativity or wide problems ?, or will we just be looking forward to yet more aimless hoofs into the box ?. I think we all know the answer.
The last act of a desperate man. Getting in some of his old yes men.
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Beggars belief.
He doesn't score much, he's overweight (in fact he's starting to sound like me), a championship side have decided they can do without him, he's a one trick pony and his so called experience boils down to about a season and a half in the Premiership. Plus he can't be on minuscule wages either.
I know some people like to try and put some kind of positive spin on anything Villa related, but i can't help but think they're in denial. Why not just get Heskey back if we want a lump that doesn't score ?
Does anyone think with him coming in that Lambert has any intention of fixing our creativity or wide problems ?, or will we just be looking forward to yet more aimless hoofs into the box ?. I think we all know the answer.
The last act of a desperate man. Getting in some of his old yes men.
What does that cliché even mean in this context?
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It gets worse! We have lost out on Marlon. He's just gone to Hartlepool!
I cant take much more.
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Why DID we sign Bowery? And can't he be sold in this window, if he is not good enough after 18 months? Helenius is heading the same way as things stand. Known as 'Salifouing'.
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He's just a fat Cascarino
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as everyone else is sticking it to Grant and he has not even pulled the Villa shirt on yet.....I'm going with the.... he will be great stance !
not sure about the standard of opposition but he is a selection off that there youtube.
Come on Holty !! anyone else with me ?....anyone ??
UTV
The Doc
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On the bright side, he's so fat and immobile, he's going to be easier to hit with our hopeless punts in his general direction.
Here's hoping he brings some of that experience and hunger that has seen him bag 2 goals in 20 games and help propel Wigan to 10th in the Championship.
Poor Nicklas Helenius is my immediate thought.
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Poor Nicklas Helenius is my immediate thought.
Indeed. First he gets his pants pulled down, then he gets shafted.
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No. I think Lambert should go for Adeybayo Akinfenwa of Gillingham. 5'10" 16 stone. Saw him against Wolves a couple of weeks ago a quite remarkable sight in full flow . Makes Grant Holt look like Twiggy. So wide you could wedge him between the posts and the opposition would have no chance whatsoever of scoring.
Guzan could play in midfield!
I should be manager and I would have Villa Kicks as my highly respected assistant.
Ads could do the PR.
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If he signs and plays, I will leave him to show me if he is worthy of playing for us.
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If he signs and plays, I will leave him to show me if he is worthy of playing for us.
You'll be in a minority there DC5.
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Banging goals in in the Danish League, must be more impressive than not scoring goals in the Championship?
Poor Nicklas Helenius indeed.
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If he signs and plays, I will leave him to show me if he is worthy of playing for us.
Ah, the HarewoodHeskey defence.
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Banging goals in in the Danish League, must be more impressive than not scoring goals in the Championship?
Whilst getting fat.
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I would imagine Paul Lambert knows more about Helenius that most of us to be honest, seeing as he identified him, signed him and sees him every day in training. He clearly doesn't think he is ready yet.
Perhaps he has not helped himself with his attitude.
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
I hope he come in and scores ten goals.
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I would imagine Paul Lambert knows more about Helenius that most of us to be honest, seeing as he identified him, signed him and sees him every day in training. He clearly doesn't think he is ready yet.
Perhaps he has not helped himself with his attitude.
When we signed Helenius, there was an interview Witt he player who said he hoped to get the odd chance this year but that he knew he needed to adapt to English football. I saw an interview with Lambert after the Shef Utd game that basically read, he is one for next year.
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
I hope he come in and scores ten goals.
Me too.
I think this thread is verging on hysteria. This player is a loan signing as cover. As far as I am aware, this is not part of a grand five year plan, just an option should we suffer from injuries. I think its time to calm down and not start looking (or wishing) that we fail.
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I feel sorry for all the lads on the bench. Less room with old pie eater sat on there.
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I almost like his surname, but that's about it.
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I would imagine Paul Lambert knows more about Helenius that most of us to be honest, seeing as he identified him, signed him and sees him every day in training. He clearly doesn't think he is ready yet.
Perhaps he has not helped himself with his attitude.
On the strength of the last season and a half, I wouldn't have any confidence that Lambert knows more than most of us.
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The most depressing fact about this for me is not actually signing Grant Holt but the fact that Lambo is so scared of Benteke getting injured or banned he cannot risk not having a big man up front. I went last night and it was like having 3 quarter backs in Vlaar, clark and Guzan. Continually the ball goes back till it hits one of those three who then proceeds to fire a hail Mary in the direction of Benteke's forehead. If you dont have a big man then this absolute shit-storm of a footballing style goes out of the window. At one point, the ball went back from Benteke, through the midfield to the defence and back to Guzan. He then launched it just over half way to Benteke who won his 50-50 header and landed it at the defenders (Luna or maybe Vlaar) feet. So we risked the ball in a 50-50 aerial dual to achieve the square root of fuck all. What ever happened to Guzan passing it to a full back and us building from the back?
We have Agbonlahor, Weimann, Helenius, Bowery, Darren Bent and Nathan Delfounso on the books, all of which would thrive on incisive midfield play pulling defenders out of position and threading through balls in-why not try to adapt our play to incorporate a combination of 2-3 of these? Mark my words, this is the final nail in the coffin of us ever actually trying to play football again
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I can't wait till Lerner sells up. This is embarrassing.
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Fuck me, I hope he doesn't read this thread.
As a loan, short term signing I don't have an issue. PL knows him well, he's a leader and he won't be overwhelmed by the premier league.
I've come to terms with our meagre budget now, well more like resigned to eternal austerity under Lerner.
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
I hope he come in and scores ten goals.
And then what do you want him to do in his second game?
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What's so bad if we need another striker, to get in a number 10 type who can drop off the forward line and link up with the midfield, a Robbie Keane type.
Or does Paul lambert have tunnel vision regarding strikers? I looked at the group he assembeled at Norwich and he had plenty of 6ft + lumps there and that's not even including holt.
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Haven't got a problem with Holt...bought in as cover for Kozak. He won't start, he's been around, he's likely to be cheap. I didn't think we would bother with another forward this window anyway.
Am more interested to see what we do about the midfield and defence in this window. That will tell us more than Holts signing...
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Uwe Rosler's confirmed the move. He must be laughing into his sleeve.
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Deal agreed apparently.
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
I hope he come in and scores ten goals.
Me too.
I think this thread is verging on hysteria. This player is a loan signing as cover. As far as I am aware, this is not part of a grand five year plan, just an option should we suffer from injuries. I think its time to calm down and not start looking (or wishing) that we fail.
Oh, you're back, are you? Like a dog to its sick *Pauline Calf face*
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Where's Dave Whelan to block the move when you need him?
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I know this is bad but I hope he fails the medical.
I hope he come in and scores ten goals.
Me too.
I think this thread is verging on hysteria. This player is a loan signing as cover. As far as I am aware, this is not part of a grand five year plan, just an option should we suffer from injuries. I think its time to calm down and not start looking (or wishing) that we fail.
Oh, you're back, are you? Like a dog to its sick *Pauline Calf face*
Well where would we be if we all didn't lick a little vomit off the pavement every now and again?
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Uwe Rosler's confirmed the move.
He's coming as well is he?
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it may not be 'part of the grand plan' but surely there is a better striker to sign long term than that clown, 2 goals for Wigan this season, unreal
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Not read the thread, but I can possibly imagine what the majority of the comments are like.
As I see it, it's not a great move, he's not a great player and it's pretty much impossible to get excited over this. However, at least there's logic behind it with Kozak's injury and it being a short term deal for cover purposes. It's the sort of sensible move that plugs a hole and allows us to make bigger and more exciting moves with the majority of our available funds.
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Uwe Rosler's confirmed the move.
He's coming as well is he?
Based on this farce, i wouldn't rule it out.
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I am not really that arsed about us signing Holt but 22 pages of not wanting him come on!
Funny thing is in last 2 seasons his scoring record far better than Gabbys.
22 goals in top flight for a " fat man" in 2011-13 in 70 games, gabby in 2010-13 in 87 games got 17 goals.
So one who adore scoring record of 1 in 5 , and a guy who we dont want has scoring record of 1 in 3 ?
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Go back 5 years ago and we signed heskey.
Now I remember plenty said he was a decent signing then, he wasn't. Not the worst striker I've ever seen but the dynamics were wrong, length of contract, age, style of play, we were in the top 4 when he came, we weren't when the season finished. I get the same feeling with Holt even if it's a different deal.
Not every signing works out as we've seen with some of our bargain basement buys despite the optimism when deals are completed. My issue with this is the boring lack of imagination (in fairness not something I'd usually have a go at lambert regarding transfers) especially when we need major surgery in probably every other area bar keeper and upfront.
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Not read the thread, but I can possibly imagine what the majority of the comments are like.
As I see it, it's not a great move, he's not a great player and it's pretty much impossible to get excited over this. However, at least there's logic behind it with Kozak's injury and it being a short term deal for cover purposes. It's the sort of sensible move that plugs a hole and allows us to make bigger and more exciting moves with the majority of our available funds.
If, as has been reported, he's on £28k a week at Wigan it makes no sense on a playing or financial level, that's a hell of a wage for us to cover these days.
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Go back 5 years ago and we signed heskey.
Now I remember plenty said he was a decent signing then, he wasn't. Not the worst striker I've ever seen but the dynamics were wrong, length of contract, age, style of play, we were in the top 4 when he came, we weren't when the season finished. I get the same feeling with Holt even if it's a different deal.
Not every signing works out as we've seen with some of our bargain basement buys despite the optimism when deals are completed. My issue with this is the boring lack of imagination (in fairness not something I'd usually have a go at lambert regarding transfers) especially when we need major surgery in probably every other area bar keeper and upfront.
Heskey was signed on a long term deal and was our highest paid player. This is merely cover for Kozak.
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I am not really that arsed about us signing Holt but 22 pages of not wanting him come on!
Funny thing is in last 2 seasons his scoring record far better than Gabbys.
22 goals in top flight for a " fat man" in 2011-13 in 70 games, gabby in 2010-13 in 87 games got 17 goals.
So one who adore scoring record of 1 in 5 , and a guy who we dont want has scoring record of 1 in 3 ?
Holt looked finished at prem level last season, he scored 5 and 1 of those was a penalty against us.
Gabby's record isn't amazing but he does play out wide, dosen't take penalties and is crucial to our decent away form.
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Not read the thread, but I can possibly imagine what the majority of the comments are like.
As I see it, it's not a great move, he's not a great player and it's pretty much impossible to get excited over this. However, at least there's logic behind it with Kozak's injury and it being a short term deal for cover purposes. It's the sort of sensible move that plugs a hole and allows us to make bigger and more exciting moves with the majority of our available funds.
If, as has been reported, he's on £28k a week at Wigan it makes no sense on a playing or financial level, that's a hell of a wage for us to cover these days.
£28k isn't massive in the larger scheme of things.
I see this as somewhat similar to MON bringing in Sutton short term. As in no real long term harm done even if it doesn't add much to the team.
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The only consolation is that he's a defender's nightmare to play against. If he is fit (and he had better be), he'll be worth having to come off the bench and pull defenders about, creating space for Gabby, Benteke etc.
All I hope is that this isn't our only signing in the window, otherwise we are in deep shit given the limited options we have at the back and midfield.
In Lambert we trust...
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Agree on that, the fat mug is pretty good at backing into defenders and fouling them until the ref looks and he suddenly collapses to win a free kick.
I was constantly abusing him at VP in the 3-2 two seasons ago, he was very good at winning free kicks that day, think Pilkington scored from one.
He is pretty cunning which we lack as a team.
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Agree on that, the fat mug is pretty good at backing into defenders and fouling them until the ref looks and he suddenly collapses to win a free kick.
I was constantly abusing him at VP in the 3-2 two seasons ago, he was very good at winning free kicks that day, think Pilkington scored from one.
He is pretty cunning which we lack as a team.
I'm not sure refs this season will do him many favours. They're getting quite niggly now, almost reffing the European way. I think he'll give away a hell of a lot more freekicks than he wins. The days of players like Shearer and Kevin Davies playing right on the edge of the law like that and winding up defenders, seem to be fading. The Holt style CF is a bit of a relic at this level, even before we consider that the player himself is passed his best too. But all that backing into defenders stuff is a lot less effective as it was, even just a couple of years ago.
It's just a very strange signing indeed. Especially as we've got so many problems to rectify in midfield. Sort that out and the strikers we do have will suddenly find life a lot easier.
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Further evidence that our long-ball style of play is design rather than accident.
I had thought that the style we employ was more down to our inability to successfully pass the ball to each other rather than a designated tactic.
The signing of Kozak was a clue. This just confirms us as the league's current ambassador to the 80s.
So sick of watching this sh*t.
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Some random site has also linked us to Miroslav Klose.
No chance of that happening but that's the sort of signing that would excite me if he's 35. Big name player, fabulous goalscorer even recently and certainly someone the youngsters upfrotn could learn from.
I'm not totally anti getting a forward in but when it's as deeply uninspiring as Holt I reserve the right to be.
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Holt's goalscoring record over the last 2 and a half years is very misleading, as he scored nearly all of them in the first year and has got fuck all for the last year and a half. That most recent half year is also in the Championship.
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Personally I can't wait for Lambert to unleash his 4-0-6 masterplan again. Who needs a midfield anyway, it's so last decade.
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Someone confirm its just a short term loan and not a proper signing please?
Thank You
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When was the last time we completed a joke signing that everyone but Villa fans laughed at and it actually came good?
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Has the idea of us passing the ball completely gone out the window? Because Lambert should realise it's only once we started doing that last night that we looked decent.
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Holt's goalscoring record over the last 2 and a half years is very misleading, as he scored nearly all of them in the first year and has got fuck all for the last year and a half. That most recent half year is also in the Championship.
He got 8 last season in premership. I cannot see starting us but good option of last 20 minutes of a game?
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Its like the second coming of John Fashanu.
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Well I hope he does a decent job for us. Call it blind optimism but I think that's probably all you've got as a Villa fan at the moment anyway.
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When was the last time we completed a joke signing that When was the last tim e we completed a joke signing that everyone but Villa fans laughed at and it actually came good?
everyone but Villa fans laughed at and it actually came good?
Its a Cascarino moment
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If we take over his reported 28,000 wage for 5 months, it will end up in app. 600.000 pounds - why not give Helenius a chance instead ? OR play others and not rely on hoof balls...
However, hope Grant Holt proves me wrong, and scores some crucial goals ;-)
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I hope he scores ten in our next home game.
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Someone confirm its just a short term loan and not a proper signing please?
Thank You
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2014/01/14/grant-holt-set-for-aston-villa-loan-deal/
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We lack movement and variation in the final third so let's sign, eh... Grant Holt.
On the plus side, it's being reported as a loan until the end of the season. So if Lambert is handed his cards anytime between now and then, we don't have more dross clogging up the wage bill on long term contracts.
If we finish the season with a flourish, Lambert will have more money to put towards areas of the pitch that are a far bigger priority.
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From what I remember, Holt has all the agility of a dustbin bag full of broken crockery. I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
Mr too. I also hope that Guzan can kick the ball far enough up the picth to land within 12 inches of Holt. Otherwise we'll have to rely on his turn of pace and creativity in the box.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
Mr too. I also hope that Guzan can kick the ball far enough up the picth to land within 12 inches of Holt. Otherwise we'll have to rely on his turn of pace and creativity in the box.
He could turn out to be our fox in the box.
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
Mr too. I also hope that Guzan can kick the ball far enough up the picth to land within 12 inches of Holt. Otherwise we'll have to rely on his turn of pace and creativity in the box.
Just think of all those high balls that used to get punted 10 yards over Kozaks head, or those times someone played the ball down the channel for him to run after, despite having no pace. Now picture Holt having to do that...go on...picture it...it's not pretty.
We've seriously wandered into Mike Bassett territory here. Next Lambert will announce his new masterstroke formation, four, four, fucking two.
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We've seriously wandered into Mike Bassett territory here. Next Lambert will announce his new masterstroke formation, four, four, fucking two.
deleted for unfunnyness
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Paul Kendrick
@PKendrickWIG
Grant Holt currently at Villa Park for his medical and to discuss personal terms. #wafc #avfc
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Holts torso x-ray will just look like a sack of pies.
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I can't stop laughing at the Mike Bassett anology. Its bang on.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
Mr too. I also hope that Guzan can kick the ball far enough up the picth to land within 12 inches of Holt. Otherwise we'll have to rely on his turn of pace and creativity in the box.
He could turn out to be our fox in the box.
Judging by that photo, he's more likely to be a superstar in the sandwich bar.
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I'm struggling to picture the thought process with this one. Either Lambert was sitting in his office one day, wondering why Benteke couldn't score, and had a eureka moment, or he, Culverhouse and Karsa had a crisis meeting and this was the fruit of their labours.
Either way, it's terrifying to think these lot have charge of Aston Villa.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
Mr too. I also hope that Guzan can kick the ball far enough up the picth to land within 12 inches of Holt. Otherwise we'll have to rely on his turn of pace and creativity in the box.
He could turn out to be our fox in the box.
Or our pantechnicon in the penalty area!
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If he signs and plays, I will leave him to show me if he is worthy of playing for us.
You'll be in a minority there DC5.
I will happily be in that minority.
The one group that I won't be in is the lot that want to give Lambert yet another window after this to complete his master plan.
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I hope he scores a few goals for us and makes me eat my words.
You'll have to fight Grant for them judging by the size of him.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
It's only £600,000 and he'll only be here 6 months and he will only get the last 20 minutes and it was only 2 seasons ago he looked like a footballer and he's only not scoring at Wigan because they don't know how to get the best of him and it's only because Kozak it injured.
How will he pass a medical? Shuttle runs from the burger van to the chip shop?
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Holt's the comfort blanket signing of a manager out of ideas and under pressure. I could almost see the point of Hooligan, albeit with very little money changing hands, but the thought of Grant being paid to put on a biggish Villa shirt is beyond my understanding.
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Isn't Grant Holt returning to the Premiership one of the first signs of the apocalypse?
I'm not taking my chances, I'm off to the bunker.
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When was the last time we completed a joke signing that When was the last tim e we completed a joke signing that everyone but Villa fans laughed at and it actually came good?
everyone but Villa fans laughed at and it actually came good?
Its a Cascarino moment
A joke signing who came good. Jeeps no idea. John Gregory as manager I suppose.
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The most depressing fact about this for me is not actually signing Grant Holt but the fact that Lambo is so scared of Benteke getting injured or banned he cannot risk not having a big man up front. I went last night and it was like having 3 quarter backs in Vlaar, clark and Guzan. Continually the ball goes back till it hits one of those three who then proceeds to fire a hail Mary in the direction of Benteke's forehead. If you dont have a big man then this absolute shit-storm of a footballing style goes out of the window. At one point, the ball went back from Benteke, through the midfield to the defence and back to Guzan. He then launched it just over half way to Benteke who won his 50-50 header and landed it at the defenders (Luna or maybe Vlaar) feet. So we risked the ball in a 50-50 aerial dual to achieve the square root of fuck all. What ever happened to Guzan passing it to a full back and us building from the back?
We have Agbonlahor, Weimann, Helenius, Bowery, Darren Bent and Nathan Delfounso on the books, all of which would thrive on incisive midfield play pulling defenders out of position and threading through balls in-why not try to adapt our play to incorporate a combination of 2-3 of these? Mark my words, this is the final nail in the coffin of us ever actually trying to play football again
yup.
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Well I for one am fed up with all these lean, muscular players we sign and welcome a normal looking player as a role-model for the "larger fan". It could be our Susan Boyle moment.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
Yep. Perennial straggler mentality well and truly imbibed.
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I'm not exactly jumping up and down with excitement about it, but it's not the end of the world either. It is only until May and you never know, he might not be as bad as people are expecting him to be.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
I'm not justifying it, just willing to give him a chance.
However, I would love to see Lerner and Lambert out of here for good.
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The most depressing fact about this for me is not actually signing Grant Holt but the fact that Lambo is so scared of Benteke getting injured or banned he cannot risk not having a big man up front. I went last night and it was like having 3 quarter backs in Vlaar, clark and Guzan. Continually the ball goes back till it hits one of those three who then proceeds to fire a hail Mary in the direction of Benteke's forehead. If you dont have a big man then this absolute shit-storm of a footballing style goes out of the window. At one point, the ball went back from Benteke, through the midfield to the defence and back to Guzan. He then launched it just over half way to Benteke who won his 50-50 header and landed it at the defenders (Luna or maybe Vlaar) feet. So we risked the ball in a 50-50 aerial dual to achieve the square root of fuck all. What ever happened to Guzan passing it to a full back and us building from the back?
We have Agbonlahor, Weimann, Helenius, Bowery, Darren Bent and Nathan Delfounso on the books, all of which would thrive on incisive midfield play pulling defenders out of position and threading through balls in-why not try to adapt our play to incorporate a combination of 2-3 of these? Mark my words, this is the final nail in the coffin of us ever actually trying to play football again
yup.
Because we've got Mike Bassett in charge, that's why.
:(
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bloody hell we all wanted experienced players..... and lambert delivered !!
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when the Wigan fans are pissing themselves that they could get rid of him and someone actually wants him , this is a concern
coyle bought it - oh dear on a 3 year contract
28k if true is ridiculous
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
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I'm struggling to picture the thought process with this one. Either Lambert was sitting in his office one day, wondering why Benteke couldn't score, and had a eureka moment, or he, Culverhouse and Karsa had a crisis meeting and this was the fruit of their labours.
Either way, it's terrifying to think these lot have charge of Aston Villa.
Or perhaps he thought I've lost a player with a broken leg and need a back up option to cover until the end of the season in case I lose another?
If this was our plan for the future I would be worried but in the short term I don't understand why people are making such a fuss.
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that wigan chairmen gives us Grant Holt
and said Martinez is too good for Villa , no chance Villa will get him and then 10 million for charlie
he has really took the piss out of us
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It's peculiar he thinks he needs back up, when you look at how many strikers we have, three of whom were bought by Lambert himself.
Helenius did well against Sheffield United, and I know there's an obvious point that they're a League One side, but given the fact they actually beat us, maybe we shouldn't read too much into that.
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Can I just say...
GRANT FUCKING HOLT????
GRA...GR...GRANT...H..HO..HOLT!
wtf.
Okay, carry on.
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The shows the desperation of Lambert for a player who can't cut it at Wigan, with 2 goals in 20+ games. His scoring record is right up there with our other strikers, one every blue moon.
Should be interesting seeing Benteke and Holt getting in each others way in the 6 yard box.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
Well, look at the positives. If he does sign and is as shit as we think, at least you'll have someone else to add to your random username.
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Has he stretched the shirt yet?
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
Well, look at the positives. If he does sign and is as shit as we think, at least you'll have someone else to add to your random username.
*evil chuckle*
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Paul Kendrick
@PKendrickWIG
Grant Holt currently at Villa Park for his medical and to discuss personal terms. #wafc #avfc
28k and free macdonalds
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It's peculiar he thinks he needs back up, when you look at how many strikers we have, three of whom were bought by Lambert himself.
Helenius did well against Sheffield United, and I know there's an obvious point that they're a League One side, but given the fact they actually beat us, maybe we shouldn't read too much into that.
Yep and we've got good youngsters coming through. The only thing you can summize is that he wants a hoofing target, which would leave us just JB as backup. Helenius despite being 6ft5 is not known for his aerial prowess.
I really hope Lambert wouldn't have the gaul to start arguing again against our long ball tag. It's sadly as clear as day that we are.
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I started going to VP in 1966, and I am struggling to remember a fucking fatter fucker in the shirt. Mike Ferguson was portly and Dunne at the start one season had certainly gained girth.
If new model Weimann and this Holt fellow lumber up the pitch too close together there may well be an earth tremor.
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Paul Kendrick
@PKendrickWIG
Grant Holt currently at Villa Park for his medical and to discuss personal terms. #wafc #avfc
28k and free macdonalds franchise
FYP
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Has he stretched the shirt yet?
He has. The XXL was a bit snug so we're getting him a custom made shirt. Luckily the kit mans Mrs is a seamstress.
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Has he stretched the shirt yet?
He hasn't worn it yet.
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Has he stretched the shirt yet?
He has. The XXL was a bit snug so we're getting him a custom made shirt. Luckily the kit mans Mrs is a seamstress.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f7ekQ5wTHzg/TSRY2py2bGI/AAAAAAAAAUg/IDtQ1w1wkqY/s400/Demis_Roussos-Let_it_happen.jpg)
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Has he stretched the shirt yet?
He has. The XXL was a bit snug so we're getting him a custom made shirt. Luckily the kit mans Mrs is a seamstress.
That's fine, until he starts expanding even further.
Holt! Who grows there, et.c.
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I think only those of 12.5 stone or less should be commenting on Holt's weight.
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It annoyed me last night ,we score a great goal from the flank and look good for 15 minutes using the wide positions etc and then the last 7 minutes we went back to hoof .
So Holt will fit right in.
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Holt's been spotted just before his medical.
(http://i2.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/article1326848.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/2456214-1326848.jpg)
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Holt's been spotted just before his medical.
(http://i2.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/article1326848.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/2456214-1326848.jpg)
Hoof it me Brad , hoof it
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It annoyed me last night ,we score a great goal from the flank and look good for 15 minutes using the wide positions etc and then the last 7 minutes we went back to hoof .
So Holt will fit right in.
Totally agree, it was so frustrating to watch. Use the flanks, get Lowton forward and put crosses in and we look half-decent. So why did they revert to Hoofball??? Baffling.
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
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oh well, at least he's a real man according to Lambert. That must explain it.
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Shall we just lay off for one day? Holt is clearly a short term stop gap to cover injuries if necessary not the great white hope.
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
I question when that weight was taken. Also BMI is a flawed measure, Jonny Wilkinson for example is overweight on that metric.
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
Maybe a couple of years back he was 12.5stone. He definitely looks bigger now. I wonder come his 5th game here whether we'll have a defiant Ginola style removal of the shirt?
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Well I for one am fed up with all these lean, muscular players we sign and welcome a normal looking player as a role-model for the "larger fan". It could be our Susan Boyle moment.
You're right, I think Villa should be commended for being socially responsible and sending out the message that kids don't have to eat well and exercise if they want to grow-up to be professional athletes. I'm sick of seeing kids pretending to be Ronaldo and Messi, it's just not healthy.
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
I question when that weight was taken. Also BMI is a flawed measure, Jonny Wilkinson for example is overweight on that metric.
Of course its flawed, as it doesn't take into account muscle mass. But if you're a person who exercises everyday and has more muscle than your avergae Joe, then it proves he probably isn't the least bit fat at all.
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First TSM and now this!
What next?
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Once again Aston Villa pave the way. Firstly we have a former player who has come out and admitted to being Gay , and now we're finally buying players who represent the real men on the terrace ! Come on you Fatties !!!
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Don't believe this anyway not until he is STSOTP.
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oh well, at least he's a real man according to Lambert. That must explain it.
Dion Dublin was a real man not Grant Holt ;)
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
I question when that weight was taken. Also BMI is a flawed measure, Jonny Wilkinson for example is overweight on that metric.
Of course its flawed, as it doesn't take into account muscle mass. But if you're a person who exercises everyday and has more muscle than your avergae Joe, then it proves he probably isn't the least bit fat at all.
He's probably as fat as Richard Dunne which wasn't fat at all. Has an arse bigger than Barry's which isn't that big at all. He's just a fit muscular bloke who will probably do a good job (bang a few goals in) for us when required.
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If you want to know how low we've sunk, just look at the people trying to justify signing Grant fucking Holt.
Well, look at the positives. If he does sign and is as shit as we think, at least you'll have someone else to add to your random username.
He's not worthy.
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Has the silly ****** actually signed the fat ****** yet?
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Holt's the comfort blanket signing of a manager out of ideas and under pressure. I could almost see the point of Hooligan, albeit with very little money changing hands, but the thought of Grant being paid to put on a biggish Villa shirt is beyond my understanding.
Great point.
The rudderless ship continues
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Honestly, Google says he is 79kg, which is 12.5 stone and for a bloke of his height, puts his BMI as bang in the middle of the range.
He's always looked a bit of a unit to me, so I guess he must be a gym monkey. "What you benching brah?"
I question when that weight was taken. Also BMI is a flawed measure, Jonny Wilkinson for example is overweight on that metric.
Of course its flawed, as it doesn't take into account muscle mass. But if you're a person who exercises everyday and has more muscle than your avergae Joe, then it proves he probably isn't the least bit fat at all.
He's probably as fat as Richard Dunne which wasn't fat at all. Has an arse bigger than Barry's which isn't that big at all. He's just a fit muscular bloke who will probably do a good job (bang a few goals in) for us when required.
Yep. This thread has got a bit like the threads when Karen Brady is mentioned with all the "I wouldn't" remarks.
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Come off it.
He's a professional athlete who is clearly out of shape, so he's fair game.
I don't care what the health bible that is google pegs his weight as, and for all we know that could be stats from 3 or4 years ago.
Sometimes you just need to go by the evidence of your own eyes, and the double chin and expanding mid section kind of give the game away.
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They'll really be stretching the shirt on this one
Seriously though, I said last night, to me it's not a big deal and if you look at some of his play and goals when he first came up with Norwich he comes across as a big strong bloke who dishes it out. I also can see him ending up looking like Mick Quinn after he has finished playing.
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Come off it.
He's a professional athlete who is clearly out of shape, so he's fair game.
I don't care what the health bible that is google pegs his weight as, and for all we know that could be stats from 3 or4 years ago.
Sometimes you just need to go by the evidence of your own eyes, and the double chin and expanding mid section kind of give the game away.
He's not getting regular games at Wigan either. I suspect largely because of his fitness.
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This thread wouldn't look out of place on Villatalk, and for me that's about as damning as it gets.
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
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Come off it.
He's a professional athlete who is clearly out of shape, so he's fair game.
I don't care what the health bible that is google pegs his weight as, and for all we know that could be stats from 3 or4 years ago.
Sometimes you just need to go by the evidence of your own eyes, and the double chin and expanding mid section kind of give the game away.
He's not getting regular games at Wigan either. I suspect largely because of his fitness.
Or he's not very good?
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Come off it.
He's a professional athlete who is clearly out of shape, so he's fair game.
I don't care what the health bible that is google pegs his weight as, and for all we know that could be stats from 3 or4 years ago.
Sometimes you just need to go by the evidence of your own eyes, and the double chin and expanding mid section kind of give the game away.
He's not getting regular games at Wigan either. I suspect largely because of his fitness.
You mean fatness?
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I am liking the tash!
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Come off it.
He's a professional athlete who is clearly out of shape, so he's fair game.
I don't care what the health bible that is google pegs his weight as, and for all we know that could be stats from 3 or4 years ago.
Sometimes you just need to go by the evidence of your own eyes, and the double chin and expanding mid section kind of give the game away.
He's not getting regular games at Wigan either. I suspect largely because of his fitness.
Or he's not very good?
Both probably.
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I play football next to David Unsworth on a Thursday. He is a big fella who got bigger as you can imagine. He has calf muscles the size of a moo-calf though, bloody beast of a chap.
I keep meaning to dig him out over being a big under the thumb fanny, but he'd probably fill me in.
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
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Has Lambert pointed out he's scored far more goals in English football than Messi is ever going to score?
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
He looks like one of the detectives in Life On Mars.
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There's no gamble taking Grant Holt on a free transfer, a player who did well for Lambert, but there's no way we should be paying anything to Wigan for a player on excessive wages for a Championship club and who can't even get a game in their first team.
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This thread wouldn't look out of place on Villatalk, and for me that's about as damning as it gets.
How's the yellow and red card count looking?
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This thread wouldn't look out of place on Villatalk, and for me that's about as damning as it gets.
How's the yellow and red card count looking?
No PFE!
FINAL WARNING - a mod
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Has Lambert pointed out he's scored far more goals in English football than Messi is ever going to score?
That's just stats and to Lambert those are not relevant. What is more important is he is a real man, whatever that means.
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In all seriousness though, i wouldn't have a problem with it if he'd already addressed the real issues and it was just a bit of extra insurance. While he's poncing around signing another striker who is not even that likely to play much and there's no sniff of experienced players in other areas coming in, you wonder whether he's finally lost it.
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This thread wouldn't look out of place on Villatalk, and for me that's about as damning as it gets.
How's the yellow and red card count looking?
No PFE!
Post not poster. Whatever that means.
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Is it the end of the world by taking him on loan? Kozak is out for ages, Bowery isn't good enough and who knows with Helenius. We've got Gabby, Benteke and Weimann, and Holt has experience of the league. Is it worth bringing him in to come on for Benteke, should he need to, towards the end of a game?
I know it's hardly aiming high, but short-term, maybe it's the only thing he can do?
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It means he has a bigger cock than Michael Oakes.
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Is it worth bringing him in to come on for Benteke, should he need to, towards the end of a game?
Genuinely, no, in my opinion.
I'd rather use one of the options we already have. I know it's a loan, but he's going to expect to be paid, so I don't see the point in spunking money away like this.
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It means he has a bigger cock than Michael Oakes.
But not quite in Dion territory.
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Erm what exactly are the personal terms to discuss? If it's a loan surely that's dealt with directly at Wigan. If he's discussing personal terms that implies he's signing permanently?
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That photo is funny
have Villa ever had a centre forward with tits before?
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Erm what exactly are the personal terms to discuss? If it's a loan surely that's dealt with directly at Wigan. If he's discussing personal terms that implies he's signing permanently?
Maybe Lamberts going the whole hog. 3 year deal. 30k a week. The most expensive practical joke since Habib Beye.
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
He looks like one of the detectives in Life On Mars.
He looks like the lovechild of Oliver Reed and Hatty Jacques
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That photo is funny
have Villa ever had a centre forward with tits before?
Stainrod and Aspinall were a pair.
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31 pages of outrage on a loan signing is a bit nuts. If it was Jan 31st and nobody else was coming in for sure I'd get it.
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That photo is funny
have Villa ever had a centre forward with tits before?
Stainrod and Aspinall were a pair.
Beat me to it. I was going to say Andy Gray when he had to play up front with Stainrod and Kerr.
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Meh.
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That photo is funny
have Villa ever had a centre forward with tits before?
Stainrod and Aspinall were a pair.
Beat me to it. I was going to say Andy Gray when he had to play up front with Stainrod and Kerr.
Juan Pablo Angel would have looked fabulous with tits. Lets be honest.
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Whatever the wrongs about signing Holt, this has been the most amusing thread for quite a while.
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31 pages of outrage on a loan signing is a bit nuts. If it was Jan 31st and nobody else was coming in for sure I'd get it.
I dread to think what other solutions Lambert will come up with to be honest.
I bet Holt loves the smell of matchdays around the ground.
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31 pages of outrage on a loan signing is a bit nuts. If it was Jan 31st and nobody else was coming in for sure I'd get it.
Problem is not only is Holt an awful player who has struggled in the Championship, but it also suggests that Lambert doesn't realise that we need possession in order to progress as the second half last night showed.
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31 pages of outrage on a loan signing is a bit nuts. If it was Jan 31st and nobody else was coming in for sure I'd get it.
Problem is not only is Holt an awful player who has struggled in the Championship, but it also suggests that Lambert doesn't realise that we need possession in order to progress as the second half last night showed.
For me it confirms Lambert isn't interested in possession. This just confirms we are officially a route 1 long-ball team
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
He looks like one of the detectives in Life On Mars.
He looks like the lovechild of Oliver Reed and Hatty Jacques
He looks like something out of American Hustle.
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In all seriousness though, i wouldn't have a problem with it if he'd already addressed the real issues and it was just a bit of extra insurance. While he's poncing around signing another striker who is not even that likely to play much and there's no sniff of experienced players in other areas coming in, you wonder whether he's finally lost it.
I don't think it works like that. You can't necessarily bring in targets in order of preference. He has suggested other things are ongoing. On the press-ing on thread signing Holt has been compared to us signing Regis and Forest signing Rosario. Regis had been given a free on the back of a good season for Coventry and went onto have a very good first season for us. Rosario was consistently useless throughout his career. I would put Holt somewhere in between.
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Looks like he's on his way and as much as we don't want him, we'll have to give him all our support.
It's not his fault at the end of the day.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
He looks like one of the detectives in Life On Mars.
He looks like the lovechild of Oliver Reed and Hatty Jacques
He looks like something out of American Hustle.
terry from brookside
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52133000/jpg/_52133403_52133402.jpg)
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Our clout in the January stopgap market has really nosedived. Even TSM managed to bring in Robbie Keane, an actual football player.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
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that wigan chairmen gives us Grant Holt
and said Martinez is too good for Villa , no chance Villa will get him and then 10 million for charlie
he has really took the piss out of us
I doubt it will be the last time he does.
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You can see why somebody may lack motivation playing for Wigan. You've gone from being the number one striker at a decent club, packed out every week (ok its not a massive ground) to mucking around in the Championship, in an empty and souless ground, playing for a nothing club.
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You can see why somebody may lack motivation playing for Wigan. You've gone from being the number one striker at a decent club, packed out every week (ok its not a massive ground) to mucking around in the Championship, in an empty and souless ground, playing for a nothing club.
and especially at the tail end of his career. Hopefully he looks at this as one last proper chance of doing something significant in the top flight.
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Pretty uninspiring as far as I'm concerned, I guess it only means more "hooooooooooooooof" football.
When was the last time we actually signed someone who really got us excited from the day we announced it? Merson? Laursen? Angel?
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Pretty uninspiring as far as I'm concerned, I guess it only means more "hooooooooooooooof" football.
When was the last time we actually signed someone who really got us excited from the day we announced it? Merson? Laursen? Angel?
Bent.
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I think he'll be a huge player for us.
Has that one been done yet?
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
This looks like an old photo too. Oh dear, dear if his gut is like mine with a few extra years below his belt (not that he needs one) he'll be even bigger.
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I assume its November 2012.
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Lets hope the weight is down to Deliah's cooking. He wont get food like that 'ere, lets be avin ya!
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Grant Holt + Wigan + Pies = ?
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Pretty uninspiring as far as I'm concerned, I guess it only means more "hooooooooooooooof" football.
When was the last time we actually signed someone who really got us excited from the day we announced it? Merson? Laursen? Angel?
Hmmmmmmm, got a point.
Bent.
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Grant Holt + Wigan + Pies = ?
+ every weekend off being the key factor
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
He looks how I imagine Gary Penrice looks now and about as good.
He looks like one of the detectives in Life On Mars.
He looks like the lovechild of Oliver Reed and Hatty Jacques
He looks like something out of American Hustle.
terry from brookside
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52133000/jpg/_52133403_52133402.jpg)
Didn't the bloke who played Terry in Brookside end up doing a long stretch for being part of a serious crime?
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I assume its November 2012.
Could well be. That would allow for good year's worth of serious pie consumption.
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Lets hope the weight is down to Deliah's cooking. He wont get food like that 'ere, lets be avin ya!
They might need to shut down VMF.
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I think I saw Holt slinging arras on the TV last weekend
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If Lambert is signing him for his character then I think he's off the mark too, he's always come across as a arrogant and full of his own self importance.
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We're signing a pub player.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
If we're to believe reports, he turned down the chance to sign Gareth Barry in July.
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If Lambert is signing him for his character then I think he's off the mark too, he's always come across as a arrogant and full of his own self importance.
He was his captain at Norwich. Out of you and Paul Lambert, I'm pretty sure Paul is better equipped to judge his character.
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If Lambert is signing him for his character then I think he's off the mark too, he's always come across as a arrogant and full of his own self importance.
I am arrogant and full of my own self importance. But it doesn't alter what an incredibly fantastic character I am.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
If we're to believe reports, he turned down the chance to sign Gareth Barry in July.
It was widely reported that Barry wanted to stay in the North West. Regardless of that fact, if we'd challenged Everton for him and you were Mr Barry, where would you have ended up?
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Ach...look on the bright side, when he's playing the ground will have a natural tilt downwards as he lumbers about near the penalty box. Nothing better than playing downhill for 90 minutes, the opposition will be knackered by 60 minutes.
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think about the little kids who support the club, imagine the psychological damage this must be doing.
Grant Holt.
Why oh why is every Scottish manager the next Fergie.
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Artists impression of the welcoming committee for the arrival of Grant Holt at Villa Park.
(http://www.bucksketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/simpsons-villagers-pitchfork-torches.jpg)
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Ach...look on the bright side, when he's playing the ground will have a natural tilt downwards as he lumbers about near the penalty box. Nothing better than playing downhill for 90 minutes, the opposition will be knackered by 60 minutes.
Fuck it, you have me convinced. Sign him up!
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If Lambert is signing him for his character then I think he's off the mark too, he's always come across as a arrogant and full of his own self importance.
He was his captain at Norwich. Out of you and Paul Lambert, I'm pretty sure Paul is better equipped to judge his character.
Possibly, but it could be that a close relationship with someone colours your judgement.
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Aren't all footballers arrogant and full of their own self importance?
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He reminds me of the nasty bear in toy story 3
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We're signing a pub player.
At times we've played like a pub team so I suppose.............
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
Trying to think logically and positively that is my reckoning too.
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On the positive side, he's a better option than Jordan Bowery to come off the bench
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On the positive side, he's a better option than Jordan Bowery to come off the bench
What's more bizarre than Bowery playing for us is that Lambert seems to see him as a left winger not a striker.
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On the positive side, he's a better option than Jordan Bowery to come off the bench
It is. And that's the scary thing. A 33 year old who can't get in Wigan's team and who appears to have 'fitness issues' is better than we've already got - and by implication what we're likely to get to play up front this transfer window.
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Not very exciting, but with Kovak out it gives us a cheap option if Benteke gets injured or suspended. You never know, may also help gee up the dressing room too. Whilst there are loads of players I would have preferred, I'd rather have him than nobody.
You'll get my support whilst in claret and blue Grant.
Up the Villa.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
Trying to think logically and positively that is my reckoning too.
Sensible reasoning all round.
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On the positive side, he's a better option than Jordan Bowery to come off the bench
It is. And that's the scary thing. A 33 year old who can't get in Wigan's team and who appears to have 'fitness issues' is better than we've already got - and by implication what we're likely to get to play up front this transfer window.
Another one forgetting we do have other strikers already at the club? Like Benteke..and Gabby...and well Weimann when he gets some form back. The way people talk about Holt it's as if he's playing midfield and upfront on his own.
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Ill go against the trend and say Holt is a decent enough loan signing for six months to make sure we dont get in a mess.
he is very vocal, a leader and will bring the younger lads on mentally.
Ok, he wont be a huge player in terms of starting games, but its an option to come on if we need a goal, and also in decence when up against set pieces.
i feel, however, Lambert is signing him purely down to his character, hoping a bit of a vocal presence daily will bring the team together.
the last sentence is why he's signing him. To add some noise to the dressing room. I just hope the move reignites something within him from a playing side. It is possible the moving to Wigan was just a very bad move and he didn't have the enthusiasm for playing in front of an empty stadium.
Trying to think logically and positively that is my reckoning too.
Sensible reasoning all round.
Totally with the idea of someone who is a character in the dressing room, but ideally, it'd be someone who isn't overweight, way past his prime, and failing to get into a side halfway up the Championship.
Maybe a combination of character, experience and being able to play a bit?
In a position where we don't already have options?
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I think this thread needs one of these.
I wanted just prem goals, but...
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I have to assume that either
1. Lambert knows something we don't
2. Lambert has balls of steel
3. Lambert genuinely doesn't care how bad this looks
I hope it's 1 but suspect it's 3
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I have no problem us bringing in Holt on loan until the end of the season other than it may take him until then to get in shape. Due to injury he had no pre-season and from reports at Wigan, sounds completely overweight and unable to run around.
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Well, looks like he's signing so we'd better think of a song for him.
I nominate
"Holt! Holt! Wherever you maybe
You're more prolific than Heskey
You have a tum
smaller than Richard Dunne
We are the boys from the Holt Army"
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I'm also failing to understand how Grant will utilise his one cited USP - leadership and experience - if he's not actually going to be on the pitch that much. I suppose he might be being brought in as a sort of burly line side life coach to some of the people on the team who are not as real a man as he is. Maybe he can serenade the crowd with galvanizing renditions of The End by The Doors
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I'm trying to be calm and I find it funny more than annoying at the moment
If Albion had signed a big fat old centre forward from Wigan, I'd be pising myself. Along, I suspect, with many others on here.
One day we'll all look back on this and laugh
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I nominate
Yippee I aye, yippee I oh,
Grant Holt is eating pie.
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Well, looks like he's signing so we'd better think of a song for him.
I nominate
"Holt! Holt! Wherever you maybe
You're more prolific than Heskey
You have a tum
smaller than Richard Dunne
We are the boys from the Holt Army"
Holt-enders after a pie?
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(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
love the porno tasche
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I nominate
Yippee I aye, yippee I oh,
Grant Holt is eating pie.
It'll be worth signing him just for that.
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I'm also failing to understand how Grant will utilise his one cited USP - leadership and experience - if he's not actually going to be on the pitch that much.
Indeed, for those looking on the brightside that he's going to be sitting on the bench, would £28k a week not be better spent on someone who can make a difference now?
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that wigan chairmen gives us Grant Holt
and said Martinez is too good for Villa , no chance Villa will get him and then 10 million for charlie
he has really took the piss out of us
I doubt it will be the last time he does.
dont tell me Titus Bramble is still there
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'Holt on to your seats'
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On the positive side, he's a better option than Jordan Bowery to come off the bench
we might as well just put the bench on the pitch
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I have to assume that either
1. Lambert knows something we don't
2. Lambert has balls of steel
3. Lambert genuinely doesn't care how bad this looks
I hope it's 1 but suspect it's 3
Its 1, 2 and 3
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well thats my laugh for ten minutes with a cuppa and a few Grant Holt biscuits on here
better get back to work , lets hope Dempsey or Defour come in later
off to the nutty farm me
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Grant Holt wherever you may be,
Greggs, Maccy D's or the KFC,
If you keep us up with assists or goals,
We'll pay your wages in sausage rolls.
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Dempsey has already rejoined Fulham.
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well thats my laugh for ten minutes with a cuppa and a few Grant Holt biscuits on here
better get back to work , lets hope Dempsey or Defour come in later
off to the nutty farm me
[/quot(http://s28.postimg.org/s426tstg9/holt.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s426tstg9/)
just big boned
love the porno tasche
the camera puts on errr pounds and pounds :-\
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Grant Holt wherever you may be,
Greggs, Maccy D's or the KFC,
If you keep us up with assists or goals,
We'll pay your wages in sausage rolls.
The best so far!
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Do you remember what they used to sing about Peter Reid?
He's fat
He's shit
He's never fucking fit.
insert name here
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Grant Holt wherever you may be,
Greggs, Maccy D's or the KFC,
If you keep us up with assists or goals,
We'll pay your wages in sausage rolls.
winner
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Do you remember what they used to sing about Peter Reid?
He's fat
He's shit
He's never fucking fit.
insert name here
Peter Reid's got a monkey's heed
He eats bananas with his feet
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Dempsey has already rejoined Fulham.
meant dembele . sorry
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Grant Holt wherever you may be,
Greggs, Maccy D's or the KFC,
If you keep us up with assists or goals,
We'll pay your wages in sausage rolls.
winner
Legion will put that up on Facebook ;)
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Dempsey has already rejoined Fulham.
meant dembele . sorry
I'll forgive you, just this once.
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
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do we know what wages he will be on
the same as wigan I suppose
28k
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
None of the 3 of them rate him, then? Do they have a site each?
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
I've just had a look too, they seem to be more concerned with his wages than his fitness which is good, most sensible comments seem to be that he's just a bad fit for Wigan at the moment rather than a complete flop.
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
to be fair so were the Chesterfield fans when we signed Bowery and he has done really well since
:o
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I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room
For £28k a week?
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with these wages , I dont know whos on what
but I think sometimes when you add the wages of a Helenius , Bowery , Holt etc etc , we might have well got some one in on better wages who is quality , who will actually play and provide us with something , not 5 minute players off the bench.
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I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room
For £28k a week?
my girlfriend will come to the dressing room and sort them all out for 28k a week
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Dempsey has already rejoined Fulham.
meant dembele . sorry
Have a look at the Birmingham Mail's online picture and biog of Dembele. Sports journalism at it's absolute worst.
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Grant Holt wherever you may be,
Greggs, Maccy D's or the KFC,
If you keep us up with assists or goals,
We'll pay your wages in sausage rolls.
winner
Legion will put that up on Facebook ;)
Damn right!
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with these wages , I dont know whos on what
but I think sometimes when you add the wages of a Helenius , Bowery , Holt etc etc , we might have well got some one in on better wages who is quality , who will actually play and provide us with something , not 5 minute players off the bench.
Logical but I bet the thinking is get one player on decent wages and everybody will want a pay increase. Been said many times but I am sure we could stump up the transfer fee for a better player but won't pay premiership going rates.
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
A £28k a week cheerleader and inspirational talker? We might aswell have signed Paul McKenna and tried to get him to make them believe they can pass and control a football.
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
Jelavic and Long have scored 5 goals between them all season, and both of Jelavic's were against QPR in the FA Cup. You know who 2 of Long's were against...
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
If only there was some reason why Benteke hasn't scored much since September...
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probably a recurring nightmare that involved some fat bloke from East Anglia rocking up and nicking his spot in the showers
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
So you'd prefer Long to Benteke?
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I'm pretty certain Lambert doesn't believe in midfield, is it because all we do is hoof the ball to the front totally bypassing everyone in the middle? I can't dee the logic in the purchase of another striker when it is glaringly obvious its a midfielder and to a lesser extent a centre back.
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Looking around at some of the Wigan sites, they seem to find it hilarious and are truly amazed that we have taken Holt on loan.
I'll give him a chance, just on the basis that he might be good around the dressing room. It is definitely not for his agility and pace!
A £28k a week cheerleader and inspirational talker? We might aswell have signed Paul McKenna and tried to get him to make them believe they can pass and control a football.
He'd have his work cut out with KEA
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The problem with Holt is he's no Jozy Altidore.
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The problem with Holt is he's no Jozy Altidore.
I'd rath...
I'd rathe....
I'd rather haaaaaaa...
I'd rather have Al....
Shit, no, I can't say it.
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We are signing Oliver Hardy on 26k a week to play up front
And people are trying to tell me it isn't so bad ?
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I know he is on 28k a week, but I'm sure Faulkner would of demonstrated his remarkable business acumen and cut a deal with Wigan to still contribute to his wages?
FFS, We have been screwed enough times for it over the years.
he would of done that..surely?
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I'm confused. We haven't actually sold Darren Bent yet have we? So why get in a striker on loan when we already have a far superior striker loaned out to another club? Also Nathan Delfouneso is still on our books.
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Loans between Premier League clubs have to be season long with no right to recall the player, I believe.
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Loans between Premier League clubs have to be season long with no right to recall the player, I believe.
Didn't we have Walker from January?
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Loans between Premier League clubs have to be season long with no right to recall the player, I believe.
Didn't we have Walker from January?
It has to be until the end of the season.
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@AVFCOfficial: Villa have completed the loan signing of @Grantholt31. Full details here: http://t.co/2sSQMxFiTv #AVFC
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Welcome to Villa Park.
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
So you'd prefer Long to Benteke?
No, I'd prefer Long to Holt.
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To be fair he doesn't look that rotund in the "holding up The Shirt" picture.
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For all the rights and wrongs - He's one of us now - good luck to him.
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We sign Holt.
Hull sign Jelavic and Long.
We aren't even competing with Hull City anymore.
Lerner, Faulkener & Lambert, go now please.
Strange logic. Do Hull already have the likes of Gabby and Benteke playing up front for them?
That would be the Benteke that has scored 1 goal since September and Gabby who has scored 3 all season.
Yeah what am I saying, Benteke and Gabby are both shit. Lets spend millions on Long and Jelavic.
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To be fair he doesn't look that rotund in the "holding up The Shirt" picture.
There's a corset underneath his tracksuit top.
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Best wishes Grant in the famous claret and blue.
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For all the rights and wrongs - He's one of us now - good luck to him.
Right you are, I'll stop with the unfunny remarks.
Welcome to the Villa, Grant. Good luck!
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Nailed on to score the winner against the Pride of the Midlands. In the 96th minute.. Off his arse and from an offside position.
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Well, looks like he's signing so we'd better think of a song for him.
I nominate
"Holt! Holt! Wherever you maybe
You're more prolific than Heskey
You have a tum
smaller than Richard Dunne
We are the boys from the Holt Army"
You need to rework 'Emile' into the second line.
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Welcome Grant,and good luck
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Pisstaking aside, welcome Grant and I hope you can do something while you're here. To be fair he doesn't actually look all that portly in that picture.
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Let's hope it's one of these signings that ends up being a very clever move. Welcome Grant.
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Welcome, Grant.
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Carlisle lad, he wont let us down, can anyone remember the last Carlisle born villa player
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Nailed on to score the winner against the Pride of the Midlands. In the 96th minute.. Off his arse and from an offside position.
His legs will be onside though
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Reading the quotes on the OS it sounds like he's here to share experience as much as anything else, hopefully he can teach them a bit of gamesmanship because, for me, our biggest problem this year has been that as a squad we're pretty naive.
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Watched his interview on the OS. Says all the right things. Good luck to him.
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Carlisle lad, he wont let us down, can anyone remember the last Carlisle born villa player
David Geddis.
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Ok, not exactly a signing to set our pulses racing. But he's now one of us so welcome, Grant.
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Good luck Grant, we're gonna need it.
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Reading the quotes on the OS it sounds like he's here to share experience as much as anything else, hopefully he can teach them a bit of gamesmanship because, for me, our biggest problem this year has been that as a squad we're pretty naive.
With the age of our players that's not too surprising. They have shown some maturity where we've had the lead and they've been able to run the game down; they weren't doing that for a lot of last season. They could do with some experience in the middle of the park though - someone who can show some composure and stop our kick-rush approach at the right times.
Welcome to Grant, btw. Hopefully his experience will be very valuable on and off the pitch and maybe weigh in with a few goals.
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Carlisle lad, he wont let us down, can anyone remember the last Carlisle born villa player
David Geddis.
yep well done pal
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The first of a few I hope.
Next stop, an old bugger who can marshall the troops in midfield.
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Welcome Holt! A very surprising addition but all the best and if you can help our young side then that will be just marvelous.
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He is one of us now so welcome Grant and good luck.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/8a/13/0,,10265~12522378,00.jpg)
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http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/video-best-aston-villa-target-6505570
Might be ok?
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He's a Villa player now and so I hope he makes me eat my words. But I would not expect it.
Good luck Grant. It's not your fault our club's hierarchy has lost it's fucking mind and/or given up.
To me, this just spells out that Lambert is on thin ice and Lerner won't let him spend. Still, this is the best loan deal we could get? Really?
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He's a Villa player now and so I hope he makes me eat my words. But I would not expect it.
Good luck Grant. It's not your fault our club's hierarchy has lost it's fucking mind and/or given up.
To me, this just spells out that Lambert is on thin ice and Lerner won't let him spend. Still, this is the best loan deal we could get? Really?
Spot on Maz.
I'm losing the will to live with this lot at the club.
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Isn't Randolph surprised that Lambo isn't making full use of his funds?
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with these wages , I dont know whos on what
but I think sometimes when you add the wages of a Helenius , Bowery , Holt etc etc , we might have well got some one in on better wages who is quality , who will actually play and provide us with something , not 5 minute players off the bench.
Logical but I bet the thinking is get one player on decent wages and everybody will want a pay increase. Been said many times but I am sure we could stump up the transfer fee for a better player but won't pay premiership going rates.
I wish we could pay them just on points and forget a basic wage
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He's a Villa player now and so I hope he makes me eat my words. But I would not expect it.
Good luck Grant. It's not your fault our club's hierarchy has lost it's fucking mind and/or given up.
To me, this just spells out that Lambert is on thin ice and Lerner won't let him spend. Still, this is the best loan deal we could get? Really?
This
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Welcome Grant. A hatrick on Saturday will suffice.
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We are not quite as tight with wages as might be commonly believed.
If Holt is on 28, and we are covering it, it is way down our pay scale to some players still.
The current mantra is if you play like you deserve it we will pay it. Rather than a flat "Fuck off, you can have 15 grand a year and be happy" as some believe it to be.
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Oh well now he's joined I hope he does a good job and proves me wrong, good luck.
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He's a Villa player now and so I hope he makes me eat my words. But I would not expect it.
Good luck Grant. It's not your fault our club's hierarchy has lost it's fucking mind and/or given up.
To me, this just spells out that Lambert is on thin ice and Lerner won't let him spend. Still, this is the best loan deal we could get? Really?
Spot on Maz.
I'm losing the will to live with this lot at the club.
I agree Maz, but like you say not his fault I guess. It's very worrying from a club perspective though.
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Lambert is all a bit too Owen Coyle for me.
He's a momentum manager and it's gone.
I'm very worried for the rest of the season... Saying that we do have the quality to stay up.
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norwich cardiff fulham and palace I think are worse
we will be ok
doesnt mean its a good the moment , its bloody awful
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What Mazrim says. *sigh*
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He is one of us now so welcome Grant and good luck.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/8a/13/0,,10265~12522378,00.jpg)
Agreed. He put on the colours now he deserves my support. Welcome Grant.
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He is one of us now so welcome Grant and good luck.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/8a/13/0,,10265~12522378,00.jpg)
Agreed. He put on the colours now he deserves my support. Welcome Grant.
Correct.
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Will Lambert play him sitting deep, as with Robbie Keane?
Surely we're not paying that much out in wages just for him to be cover for Kozak when we already have Helenius as cover for Kozak?
Just a whim, you understand, not suggesting that that is what's gonna happen.
Anyway, you're with the Villa now GH; good fu**in' luck!
UTV!
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At least holt and hoolihan know each other's game so if hoolihan does arrive he may get the best out of holt .
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I remember Holt scored a fantastic goal at Goodison for Norwich a couple of years back - pirouetting and putting it in from a really tight angle. Could it be magic?
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Nah. Based on his recent comments we want Ivanhoe back. For good.
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
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Totally underwhelmed -no ambition left at our club whatsoever
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All the best to him. He's a Villa player and had a good PL goals record for Norwich. Much rather have him than Heskey that's for sure! Big Cyrille was around the same age and did a grand job for us in BFR's first year, I don't see why Holt cant do the same. A striker cant do much without the service though and its midfield where we need to strengthen for starters. I think he'll be a good target man though and may benefit from all our hoofing provided he can get his fitness up to PL level.
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If he is the only addition to our squad this month then I'll be very worried indeed. I'm keeping an open mind until the end of January. Let's see who else is brought in first.
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He will, however, get my full support whilst he is wearing our shirt.
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I remember Holt scored a fantastic goal at Goodison for Norwich a couple of years back - pirouetting and putting it in from a really tight angle. Could it be magic?
this one?
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He will, however, get my full support whilst he is wearing our shirt.
Same here Legion.
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I assume he likes our attacking style of play then given his comments last year
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23723921
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I assume he likes our attacking style of play then given his comments last year
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23723921
Interesting. Tbh a slower but more calculating forward might help us. One thing all of our attackers do is rush their play. Will be interesting to see how Holt who reduces the tempo will change us.
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Alongside current Villa forwards Christian Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann, Lambert says he is pleased to have secured the services of an experienced frontman.
"When I knew Grant had become available it was something I wanted to pursue quickly because he'll add strength and experience. Having worked with him for three years at Norwich, I know what he can do," said Lambert.
"Coming back into the Premier League will rekindle that desire in him to succeed again at this level."
Holt - who scored 23 goals in 70 Premier League games for Norwich - is keen to find his best form again under Lambert.
"It's a massive opportunity for me personally, an opportunity I couldn't turn down," he said.
"To be able to come back into the Premier League, especially at a club as big as Villa, is fantastic."
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yes and mine, but where are we going?
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Some good footage here
Sorry if posted already.
Very underwhelming but as said he one of ours now so I will give me 100% backing.
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
I don't know enough about his character but I doubt the existing squad will see him as anything like a rocket up the arse. They're flat, low on confidence and ideas and the manager us struggling to change that. What they need is a talismanic presence, somebody that inspires, leads by example and is capable of creating things. In fact a couple of players like that wouldn't go amiss. Holt doesn't seem like that player to me. I sincerely hope that player or those players are inbound.
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He is one of us now so welcome Grant and good luck.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/8a/13/0,,10265~12522378,00.jpg)
Agreed. He put on the colours now he deserves my support. Welcome Grant.
Correct.
And second correct. Welcome to AVFC, Grant. Hope it works out well for you and, obviously, for us.
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Yeah good luck and all that jazz, still better get a midfielder otherwise it will be a waste unless we're planning to hoof it more
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
I don't know enough about his character but I doubt the existing squad will see him as anything like a rocket up the arse. They're flat, low on confidence and ideas and the manager us struggling to change that. What they need is a talismanic presence, somebody that inspires, leads by example and is capable of creating things. In fact a couple of players like that wouldn't go amiss. Holt doesn't seem like that player to me. I sincerely hope that player or those players are inbound.
Very fair comment Mazrim. We will just have to wait and see, no choice really have we.
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He will add strength and experience. Lambert's words, not mine.
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Least inspiring signing since Mark Kinsella.
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We're the biggest club Holt will ever play for so I'd imagine he'll want to take full advantage of the experience. If he can fill in for Kozak then that's fine with me.
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
I don't know enough about his character but I doubt the existing squad will see him as anything like a rocket up the arse. They're flat, low on confidence and ideas and the manager us struggling to change that. What they need is a talismanic presence, somebody that inspires, leads by example and is capable of creating things. In fact a couple of players like that wouldn't go amiss. Holt doesn't seem like that player to me. I sincerely hope that player or those players are inbound.
Not happy at all with the signing but as always willing to give him a chance.
What I will say is that I heard Bryan Gunn being interviewed about Holt and he did say he has a big influence in the dressing room so maybe that's something, although Maybe he meant in the canteen.
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Did you chance that you gave him last until the end of the next sentence when you felt it was time to call him fat?
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Did you chance that you gave him last until the end of the next sentence when you felt it was time to call him fat?
I don't understand that. Sorry.
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
I don't know enough about his character but I doubt the existing squad will see him as anything like a rocket up the arse. They're flat, low on confidence and ideas and the manager us struggling to change that. What they need is a talismanic presence, somebody that inspires, leads by example and is capable of creating things. In fact a couple of players like that wouldn't go amiss. Holt doesn't seem like that player to me. I sincerely hope that player or those players are inbound.
Not happy at all with the signing but as always willing to give him a chance.
What I will say is that I heard Bryan Gunn being interviewed about Holt and he did say he has a big influence in the dressing room so maybe that's something, although Maybe he meant in the canteen.
Just reads like someone who already decided they're not happy.
I didn't quote originally because I didn't want to be be too much of a singling out. The general point is that there have been a few "I'll give him a chance but..." comments, which to my mind is, "I'm not going to get on his back until his 2nd or 3rd game".
Reading my comment again it doesn't atually make sense to me either, should have been:
Did the chance that you gave him not last until extend to the end of the next sentence when you felt it was time to call him fat?
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Welcome to Villa Park Grant. I hope you have a fantastic time here and are a surprise success.
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Lets give him a chance. He may be the rocket up the arse that our young lot need. Plenty of experience in the game and up for a battle.
Hooly now wood be a good shout imo.
You just never know.
UTV
I don't know enough about his character but I doubt the existing squad will see him as anything like a rocket up the arse. They're flat, low on confidence and ideas and the manager us struggling to change that. What they need is a talismanic presence, somebody that inspires, leads by example and is capable of creating things. In fact a couple of players like that wouldn't go amiss. Holt doesn't seem like that player to me. I sincerely hope that player or those players are inbound.
This all sounds good enough, but it's purely from your imagination and very possibly reflects nothing of the current situation at all! Basically, my objection is to your suggestion that having some experienced players wouldn't be usefu? And why? Because we need a talisman!!!
l suppose Mazrim is quite a wizardy name ;) I think this group of 23 year olds, who play best when they have Vlaar present (experience) could do with some more experience around them personally.
Welcome Grant Holt!
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A bit of experience in this team will not go astray. Welcome big Grant. Hopefully he can give Benteke a dig out and if he can score same of the amount of goals he did in the 2011-2012 season we will be alright. Unfortunately, Holt is a signing to try keep us up again. I think he will. Gabby and Weimann are not scoring enough from where they are being played out wide, maybe Benteke or Holt throughout the course of a game will tire out defenders enough to open up spaces for the lads to exploit.
Benteke will be gone in the summer and Kozak will be the main man next season with Holt as back up if we sign him on a permanent.
An attacking midfielder has to be ultimate priority now.
Hoolahan as backup with a bit of money spend on a decent player........wishful thinking......
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Its not his fault that any decision that Lambert makes now is going to be doubted. That is because Lambert has got into a habit of making crap decisions.
I sincerely hope this is one of his better ones I also hope that the gaping hole in our midfield is addressed this window.
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Welcome to Villa Grant Holt. You are lucky man to wear the famous claret and blue shirt.
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Good luck Grant Holt. Score a hatful of goals and get us into the top half of the table.
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I was about thirteen and I was stood just behind the goal at the Holte End. Dave Simmons was playing number nine; we got him from Arsenal so he had to be good. There was a corner or a cross or something. Then there was a goal-mouth scramble which saw Dave Simmons smash the ball into the net from about three yards whilst one of his team-mates conveniently prevented the opposition goalkeeper from getting involved by sitting on him.
We won one nil.
I don't care how fat or old or useless Grant Holt is I just want him to do something like that.
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If he's come largely to bring the locker room together, fair play.
Good luck Grant, we've already named a stand after you in prediction of your legacy.
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Welcome to Aston Villa FC Grant!
Although a very underwhelming signing I watched the game at Carrow Road last season and he terrorized our center halves the whole 90mins, he can throw his weight around this bloke and is decent in the air.
best of luck to him, and us!
UTV
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Best of luck - forwards get lots of fan support. Harness it Young Man.
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If he's come largely to bring the locker room together, fair play.
Lets hope they'll be no shut-outs when he's attacking the back field with his total offensive play and gets plenty of wheelhouse action, in the six. Period.
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I was about thirteen and I was stood just behind the goal at the Holte End. Dave Simmons was playing number nine; we got him from Arsenal so he had to be good. There was a corner or a cross or something. Then there was a goal-mouth scramble which saw Dave Simmons smash the ball into the net from about three yards whilst one of his team-mates conveniently prevented the opposition goalkeeper from getting involved by sitting on him.
We won one nil.
I don't care how fat or old or useless Grant Holt is I just want him to do something like that.
I think that game was v Charlton - his debut......we eventually sold him to Colchester and he played a part in the FA Cup when they knocked Leeds out the cup, who were top,top side at the time.
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Perhaps this should be in memories but, I was there at the Valley when the late Dave Simmons scored what I think was our goal in a 1-1 draw which, in those days was as good as it got for us.
I remember reading in the Argus when I got home how Lionel Martin stood aside to let Simmons have a shot. Did he hell! Simmons either pushed or dragged him out of the way. Anyway, we got a point I'm sure we didn't win but I could be wrong.
I had a cold meat pie there that day too, now I do remember that.
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Following another shambolic home defeat I've spent most of the day at work trying to defend our club against the jibes of the glory hunters - I can defend most things but Grant Holt FFS - I just went home, what could I say.
If Mr Lerner wanted to buy Norwich City he could have cut out the middle-man and saved us all the grief.
UTV
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Benteke v Holt in a scrap would be a good watch.
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It's absolutely right that we give him our support now he's here. Just like we did with Eric two Djembas. And Marlon Harewood.
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I'm sorry guys I'm not buying this Holt signing at all, I don't blame Holt for joining us because if we were in his boots we would do the same...
Some of you are saying he will be good to have in the dressing room for motivation and to bring the team together, were going to pay £26000 a week or whatever it is for that? Seriously?
Holt is overweight and struggling to get into a championship Wigan team and when he has got into the Wigan team he's been goal shy, off the pace and his motivational skills haven't actually shone at Wigan this year...
This signing smacks of desperation from Lambert and to be honest I would rather Lambert wasn't our manager anymore, I just don't know what he's trying to build at Villa Park and some of his decisions and transfer dealings are really starting to hurt us...
It's also blatantly obvious Lerner doesn't care has much as he should, Aston Villa are not a bottom ten club yet Lerner seems happy for us to struggle in those positions, it really is now becoming obvious that Lerner has been a disaster for Aston Villa and I for one hopes he decides to sell the club ASAP....
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Following another shambolic home defeat I've spent most of the day at work trying to defend our club against the jibes of the glory hunters - I can defend most things but Grant Holt FFS - I just went home, what could I say.
This is going gloriously off-topic and should be in the match thread, but how was yesterday's home defeat shambolic? We lost 2-1 to the league leaders, played well in some parts and not so well in others. Football teams tend to lose to better ones.
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Wigan fans are laughing at us. All ten of them.
Pass me the rope.
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Wigan fans are laughing at us. All ten of them.
Pass me the rope.
If ten of them is enough to get you reaching for the rope, how come about 300 of us laughing at your every post for the last several months hasn't tipped you over the edge?
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There is no difference between Holt now in championship bench warmer and league 2s 32 year old brute Jon Parkin the northern club version of Holtie ! Lambert plays this card ONLY beacuse hes worked with Holt before as there were other options !!
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Wigan fans are laughing at us. All ten of them.
Pass me the rope.
If ten of them is enough to get you reaching for the rope, how come about 300 of us laughing at your every post for the last several months hasn't tipped you over the edge?
Cheers for this. Gonna take a break from here.
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough. But he did have experience and could wind up defenders.
He went on to score that goal in Rotterdam.
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Wigan fans are laughing at us. All ten of them.
Pass me the rope.
If ten of them is enough to get you reaching for the rope, how come about 300 of us laughing at your every post for the last several months hasn't tipped you over the edge?
Cheers for this. Gonna take a break from here.
Bye!
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough. But he did have experience and could wind up defenders.
He went on to score that goal in Rotterdam.
In fairness, that is word for word what people said when we signed Harewood and Heskey.
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People have been falling out on here about Holt but I dont see the problem with him coming on board, obviously Lambert dosent trust the Gladiator and with Kozak crocked I will take Holt over Bowery, I am much more worried about the possibility that we dont strengthen our sub standard midfield and dont replace Luna who is a liability.
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough. But he did have experience and could wind up defenders.
He went on to score that goal in Rotterdam.
In fairness, that is word for word what people said when we signed Harewood and Heskey.
That's what sprung to my mind, I have to say. It's a reaction which I feel is the 'well I didn't want them, but now they're here let's hope they're ok like that other guy' kind of reaction. Not an unreasonable one, of course.
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He is more likely to be Steve Sims than Peter Withe.
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The Holt thing is an absolute joke, its right up there with TSM for me
Anyone trying to justify it is of their head, the new Peter Withe my arse, how many times we got to hear that,
I know its only 6 months blah blah blah, but it tells us everything we need to know about Lambert just as Harewood told us everything about MON
It's fucking ridiculous
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
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Let's not forget what Holt is - not Lambert's solution-to-everything signing, but a temporary squad player to replace one for the duration of his injury (Kozak) and step in to fulfill a particular tactical role should something happen to the first choice in that position (Benteke). I happen not to like that tactic much, but that's what it is. This isn't something enormously important, to be honest.
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Glad to see that the 'project' is progressing so well!
We have a 'real man' at the club now, what more could we ask for!
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I was about thirteen and I was stood just behind the goal at the Holte End. Dave Simmons was playing number nine; we got him from Arsenal so he had to be good. There was a corner or a cross or something. Then there was a goal-mouth scramble which saw Dave Simmons smash the ball into the net from about three yards whilst one of his team-mates conveniently prevented the opposition goalkeeper from getting involved by sitting on him.
We won one nil.
I don't care how fat or old or useless Grant Holt is I just want him to do something like that.
I think that game was v Charlton - his debut......we eventually sold him to Colchester and he played a part in the FA Cup when they knocked Leeds out the cup, who were top,top side at the time.
Don't forget Dave Simmons scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against the Blues around 1970 too. From about 3 yards as well IIRC.
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It's not Holt personally I'm complaining about, it's that Lambert is bringing in another option for his long ball game. I've supported him after all the humiliating capitulations on the basis of him bringing through a young team playing football. The way we've been lumping it forward recently and now bringing in Holt as another long ball target is the final straw.
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It wouldn't seem so bad if this deal went through at the end of the month after he had signed the creative midfielder and defenders needed. Timing.
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
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Hope he does well, but boy, how far we have fallen.
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It's not Holt personally I'm complaining about, it's that Lambert is bringing in another option for his long ball game. I've supported him after all the humiliating capitulations on the basis of him bringing through a young team playing football. The way we've been lumping it forward recently and now bringing in Holt as another long ball target is the final straw.
And yet it's also well known he's trying to buy someone to play the number 10 role, or are you going to ignore that fact? We played good football at the end of last season, and Norwich played exciting attacking football in his prem season with them. I think a bit of patience might be the tonic for the moment, perhaps? :-\
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It's not Holt personally I'm complaining about, it's that Lambert is bringing in another option for his long ball game. I've supported him after all the humiliating capitulations on the basis of him bringing through a young team playing football. The way we've been lumping it forward recently and now bringing in Holt as another long ball target is the final straw.
And yet it's also well known he's trying to buy someone to play the number 10 role, or are you going to ignore that fact? We played good football at the end of last season, and Norwich played exciting attacking football in his prem season with them. I think a bit of patience might be the tonic for the moment, perhaps? :-\
Go on admit it, you're Paul Faulkner aren't you?
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It's not Holt personally I'm complaining about, it's that Lambert is bringing in another option for his long ball game. I've supported him after all the humiliating capitulations on the basis of him bringing through a young team playing football. The way we've been lumping it forward recently and now bringing in Holt as another long ball target is the final straw.
And yet it's also well known he's trying to buy someone to play the number 10 role, or are you going to ignore that fact? We played good football at the end of last season, and Norwich played exciting attacking football in his prem season with them. I think a bit of patience might be the tonic for the moment, perhaps? :-\
I think Lambert believes that long ball football is attacking, though. That's the problem. It's actually a lack of patience in our football which is the entire issue.
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It's not Holt personally I'm complaining about, it's that Lambert is bringing in another option for his long ball game. I've supported him after all the humiliating capitulations on the basis of him bringing through a young team playing football. The way we've been lumping it forward recently and now bringing in Holt as another long ball target is the final straw.
And yet it's also well known he's trying to buy someone to play the number 10 role, or are you going to ignore that fact? We played good football at the end of last season, and Norwich played exciting attacking football in his prem season with them. I think a bit of patience might be the tonic for the moment, perhaps? :-\
Well, when he signs the number 10 type and we actually stop lumping it long so frequently, I suspect a lot of people will be happier.
I've been staunchly behind him until recent wobbles, but I don't blame anyone for being very pissed off with the lumping it long tactics of this season, and anything that suggests it might continue isn't going to be applauded.
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More than willing to be patient with him until I've seen his preferred tactics, be they against Sheffield or Arsenal, to ignore a passing game and allow his team to aimlessly boot the ball forward. We are going backward tactically.
He's too quick to regress to the long ball, I've seen enough to make my mind up after 18months.
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I quite like the idea of Nelson Muntz teaching our squad of Millhouses how to bully other teams.
Also I think he'll score against Norwich, right after the Jed Steer thing has been resolved.
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This is a signing so bad I suppose the positive spin is, at the very least Holt will deliver what we expect, and he won't have to do much to exceed our expectations.
Good luck to him. If he's bagged a couple of winning goals between now and the end of the season I'll send him a good quality pie, from M&S or something. It might get mullered in the post, but he'd still eat it.
Lamberts rapidly losing the plot, if he ever bloody found it. He's now got to shift his bloody arse and sign a couple of good midfielders and some good defensive cover. If we're left with just Holt having come in by the close of the window on the 31st he'll have a hell of a task winning back round even his most ardent supporters.
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Scores the winner against the Albion on the 29th and it is the best signing of the window isn't it?
Anyhow... how many do we think lotso huggin bear will score between now and the final kick of the season. I am going with a respectable 4, and with it gain us 5 valuable points.
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The way I see it, it's a poor signing, I can't see what the bloke sees in him, he's clearly past it, and is brought in to fill a position we don't really need to fill. I appreciate he's going to be "a proper man" behind the scenes and what not, but I'm not too sure if that justifies the fact we'll be paying his wages.
Having said that, he's here now, so there's not much point moaning about it.
The main issue now is that we address the gigantic, glaring deficiencies in the team in the next two weeks. Let's see what he does about those.
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Cough.... feck all.... cough.....
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The way I see it, it's a poor signing, I can't see what the bloke sees in him, he's clearly past it, and is brought in to fill a position we don't really need to fill. I appreciate he's going to be "a proper man" behind the scenes and what not, but I'm not too sure if that justifies the fact we'll be paying his wages.
That "proper man" stuff is really annoying. It's painfully close to John Terry and the "man-up" school. I know it's just a turn of phrase and I'm not going to go all Andrea Dworkin here, but this old-school blokiness (and the old-school Britisher football associated) is a bit irking.
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The way I see it, it's a poor signing, I can't see what the bloke sees in him, he's clearly past it, and is brought in to fill a position we don't really need to fill. I appreciate he's going to be "a proper man" behind the scenes and what not, but I'm not too sure if that justifies the fact we'll be paying his wages.
Having said that, he's here now, so there's not much point moaning about it.
The main issue now is that we address the gigantic, glaring deficiencies in the team in the next two weeks. Let's see what he does about those.
If we are still as short of money as we appear to be he's one hell of an expensive cheerleader.
I'll turn it in at that now.
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It may well be, but you do get the impression without Vlaar about, most of our side need someone to tell them just that. I hate it too, but in this context, with this squad, Holt may well be useful to have about. Just a shame he is so far out of his peak and seems to have consumed much of Wigan. Dave Whelan is going to crawl out of his mouth half way through his debut and exclaim I was only saying goodbye Grant, not snack on me for lunch!
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I see what you mean, but there's a difference between strong characters and being generally tough, which is all fine by me, and that blokey air. I don't know, I can't articulate it that well at the moment, but it doesn't sit easy.
Incidentally, the shape issue is definitely pressing. I don't know if Villa have shirts stretchy enough to contain him.
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It may well be, but you do get the impression without Vlaar about, most of our side need someone to tell them just that. I hate it too, but in this context, with this squad, Holt may well be useful to have about. Just a shame he is so far out of his peak and seems to have consumed much of Wigan. Dave Whelan is going to crawl out of his mouth half way through his debut and exclaim I was only saying goodbye Grant, not snack on me for lunch!
It seems financial suicide that we can't find a coach or sports psychologist to do the job for less than 28k a week.
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It may well be, but you do get the impression without Vlaar about, most of our side need someone to tell them just that. I hate it too, but in this context, with this squad, Holt may well be useful to have about. Just a shame he is so far out of his peak and seems to have consumed much of Wigan. Dave Whelan is going to crawl out of his mouth half way through his debut and exclaim I was only saying goodbye Grant, not snack on me for lunch!
It seems financial suicide that we can't find a coach or sports psychologist to do the job for less than 28k a week.
Big Ron just used to get Stan Boardman in to tell a few racist jokes.
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough.
Are you thinking of that chap who'd got a league championship medal and had been consistently scoring a goal every 3 games for the previous 4 years before joining us?
Yes i agree the similarities with Holt are remarkable.
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough. But he did have experience and could wind up defenders.
He went on to score that goal in Rotterdam.
The thing is thou , he had 10 other bloody good players with him
we havent today
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Very unimpressed with this signing, even on loan. However I guess now he's here we should give him a chance.
Can he be any worse than Heskey or Harwood? I certainly don't feel the same sinking gutted feeling as I was when those 2 useless players signed although maybe it's because it's a loan.
The real issue (for me anyway) is what message this sends out, if he ends up being the only player this window and our home form continues to be so poor then the writing will be on the wall for Lambert. If Lamberts signs a decent CH and AM and we improve then Holt's sign will not matter to anyone.
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Those of us with long memories can remember us signing a forward for about 1/2 million and thinking why? He's been no good at his other clubs. He's too old. He's not good enough.
Are you thinking of that chap who'd got a league championship medal and had been consistently scoring a goal every 3 games for the previous 4 years before joining us?
Yes i agree the similarities with Holt are remarkable.
Yes, the same one whose career had nosedived and was playing in the 2nd tier of English football - that'd be the one.
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This is a signing so bad I suppose the positive spin is, at the very least Holt will deliver what we expect, and he won't have to do much to exceed our expectations.
Good luck to him. If he's bagged a couple of winning goals between now and the end of the season I'll send him a good quality pie, from M&S or something. It might get mullered in the post, but he'd still eat it.
Lamberts rapidly losing the plot, if he ever bloody found it. He's now got to shift his bloody arse and sign a couple of good midfielders and some good defensive cover. If we're left with just Holt having come in by the close of the window on the 31st he'll have a hell of a task winning back round even his most ardent supporters.
its odd that PL was actually a midfielder but he hasnt got a clue when it comes to midfield at villa
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
Young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, old and clearly very well fed. And not a twilight-of-a-great-career-and-fancies-a-go-somewhere-different, could-be-an-inspiration-to-the-younger-players Zola, Raul, del Piero, Larsson. Grant bloody Holt. Do you see what I'm getting at? This is desperate stuff.
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It's a short term loan, it's cover for Kozac, he's a leader and he won't cost much. I don't understand why some people think it's the end of the world
It's not Willy if he signs other players in positions we desperately need. Is it hot enough for you this week?
That's a given mate, I'll be joining the ranks of the despondent if it's the only deal we do and yes, it's bloody roasting at the moment :)
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
Young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, old and clearly very well fed. And not a twilight-of-a-great-career-and-fancies-a-go-somewhere-different, could-be-an-inspiration-to-the-younger-players Zola, Raul, del Piero, Larsson. Grant bloody Holt. Do you see what I'm getting at? This is desperate stuff.
Or, he brought in a specific type of player to cover a specific short-term need which arose through a player breaking his leg in training. A player breaking his leg is surely always 'out-of-nowhere'.
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I really think some people are using the fact that we've signed some cover for a player that was injured in training last week as a reason to attack PL.
Fine is we sign no one else, BUT as cover for Kozak (and considering the financial constraints at the Club) I don't see a problem.
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
Young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, old and clearly very well fed. And not a twilight-of-a-great-career-and-fancies-a-go-somewhere-different, could-be-an-inspiration-to-the-younger-players Zola, Raul, del Piero, Larsson. Grant bloody Holt. Do you see what I'm getting at? This is desperate stuff.
Or, he brought in a specific type of player to cover a specific short-term need which arose through a player breaking his leg in training. A player breaking his leg is surely always 'out-of-nowhere'.
Benteke. Agbonlahor. Weimann. Helenius. Bowery. Delfouneso. Bent. Burke. If Lambert can't find a way to get a functioning forward line out of that mob without signing Holt, what the hell does he do all day?
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
Young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, old and clearly very well fed. And not a twilight-of-a-great-career-and-fancies-a-go-somewhere-different, could-be-an-inspiration-to-the-younger-players Zola, Raul, del Piero, Larsson. Grant bloody Holt. Do you see what I'm getting at? This is desperate stuff.
Or, he brought in a specific type of player to cover a specific short-term need which arose through a player breaking his leg in training. A player breaking his leg is surely always 'out-of-nowhere'.
Benteke. Agbonlahor. Weimann. Helenius. Bowery. Delfouneso. Bent. Burke. If Lambert can't find a way to get a functioning forward line out of that mob without signing Holt, what the hell does he do all day?
Bent, Burke and Delfouneso are on loan. That would leave us with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann as experienced strikers, Helenius and Bowery with very little experience. Should Benteke then get crippled, people would rightly be asking why we didn't have any experienced cover.
Now, I'm not saying that Holt is a great signing, anything but. However, assuming that the budget whatever it is will be earmarked for other positions, if you're narrowing down the choice to a cheap short-term 6 month deal for an experienced player with top flight experience, there really weren't a lot of candidates. To have signed nobody or to have signed yet another young and promising striker would have been daft. So basically, no, it wasn't Lambert 'admitting he was wrong' but the circumstances in this situation dictating the type of signing.
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This is Lambert admitting he has screwed up.
Oh come off it. How is it?
Young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry, young and hungry. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, old and clearly very well fed. And not a twilight-of-a-great-career-and-fancies-a-go-somewhere-different, could-be-an-inspiration-to-the-younger-players Zola, Raul, del Piero, Larsson. Grant bloody Holt. Do you see what I'm getting at? This is desperate stuff.
Or, he brought in a specific type of player to cover a specific short-term need which arose through a player breaking his leg in training. A player breaking his leg is surely always 'out-of-nowhere'.
Benteke. Agbonlahor. Weimann. Helenius. Bowery. Delfouneso. Bent. Burke. If Lambert can't find a way to get a functioning forward line out of that mob without signing Holt, what the hell does he do all day?
Bent, Burke and Delfouneso are on loan, as you well know. That would leave us with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann as experienced strikers, Helenius and Bowery with very little experience. Should Benteke then get crippled, people would rightly be asking why we didn't have any cover.
One would hope Bent, Burke and Delfouneso would have recall terms but this is the Villa so probably not.
It's not beyond the wit of a half-decent manager to construct a team with two or even one striker so there's three bites of the cherry with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. I don't buy the "Helenius is not ready" thing - top player in the Danish league and capped by Denmark. Bowery I'll give you.
Even if it is about an emergency forward (and I don't think it is), there have got to be better options than Holt.
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One would hope Bent, Burke and Delfouneso would have recall terms but this is the Villa so probably not.
It's not beyond the wit of a half-decent manager to construct a team with two or even one striker so there's three bites of the cherry with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. I don't buy the "Helenius is not ready" thing - top player in the Danish league and capped by Denmark. Bowery I'll give you.
Even if it is about an emergency forward (and I don't think it is), there have got to be better options than Holt.
If a fee has been paid for a loan I don't think they can be recalled, so you can forget Bent for a start. If you're seriously suggesting Burke or Delfouneso as decent options for the rest of this season, you must have seen something in them no-one else has.
You're missing the point. Yes, an attack could be constructed with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. And very easily next week Benteke could take a boot in the knee and miss the next two months.
Frankly the idea that it isn't about an emergency forward and Holt has been brought in as part of a long term plan is just plain daft. For a start, if that was the case, why not buy him outright rather than on loan?
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One would hope Bent, Burke and Delfouneso would have recall terms but this is the Villa so probably not.
It's not beyond the wit of a half-decent manager to construct a team with two or even one striker so there's three bites of the cherry with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. I don't buy the "Helenius is not ready" thing - top player in the Danish league and capped by Denmark. Bowery I'll give you.
Even if it is about an emergency forward (and I don't think it is), there have got to be better options than Holt.
If a fee has been paid for a loan I don't think they can be recalled, so you can forget Bent for a start. If you're seriously suggesting Burke or Delfouneso as decent options for the rest of this season, you must have seen something in them no-one else has.
You're missing the point. Yes, an attack could be constructed with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. And very easily next week Benteke could take a boot in the knee and miss the next two months.
Frankly the idea that it isn't about an emergency forward and Holt has been brought in as part of a long term plan is just plain daft. For a start, if that was the case, why not buy him outright rather than on loan?
What I'm saying is that he's not an emergency forward because there's no forward emergency. Or at least there wouldn't be if Lambert had a clue. And it's becoming apparent that he doesn't and the signing of Holt seems to confirm this. We have three decent forwards and a couple of spares and none of them are scoring despite showing previously that they are perfectly capable of doing so at this level. It's like seeing a Reliant Robin next to a Ferrari and concluding that the Robin will go faster if you strap on an extra wheel. The problem is not the number of wheels, it's the engine and the transmission.
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One would hope Bent, Burke and Delfouneso would have recall terms but this is the Villa so probably not.
It's not beyond the wit of a half-decent manager to construct a team with two or even one striker so there's three bites of the cherry with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. I don't buy the "Helenius is not ready" thing - top player in the Danish league and capped by Denmark. Bowery I'll give you.
Even if it is about an emergency forward (and I don't think it is), there have got to be better options than Holt.
If a fee has been paid for a loan I don't think they can be recalled, so you can forget Bent for a start. If you're seriously suggesting Burke or Delfouneso as decent options for the rest of this season, you must have seen something in them no-one else has.
You're missing the point. Yes, an attack could be constructed with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. And very easily next week Benteke could take a boot in the knee and miss the next two months.
Frankly the idea that it isn't about an emergency forward and Holt has been brought in as part of a long term plan is just plain daft. For a start, if that was the case, why not buy him outright rather than on loan?
What I'm saying is that he's not an emergency forward because there's no forward emergency. Or at least there wouldn't be if Lambert had a clue. And it's becoming apparent that he doesn't and the signing of Holt seems to confirm this. We have three decent forwards and a couple of spares and none of them are scoring despite showing previously that they are perfectly capable of doing so at this level. It's like seeing a Reliant Robin next to a Ferrari and concluding that the Robin will go faster if you strap on an extra wheel. The problem is not the number of wheels, it's the engine and the transmission.
The word 'emergency' is overly emotive really. Kozak, our reserve central striker is injured. That has nothing to do with Lambert having a clue or not. I'm sure you wouldn't say that Gabby or Weimann are the same kind of striker? Holt is just an option. Nothing more, nothing less.
He may not even figure above one or two sub appearances. It really doesn't matter. But if we suddenly pick up one or two knocks and are down to Weimann, Bowery and Helenius to lead the line, then at least we have an option there. A fairly crap option maybe, but an option all the same.
It's not about strapping on an extra wheel, to use your analogy but rather having a spare tyre in the boot in case of a breakdown. Because a car with one wheel missing is going nowhere.
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Well said Sheff, my feelings exactly
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if we needed a forward, we would have been better off bringing in one that could play wide in a 433 or else one that can drop off the front man.
Benteke and Gabby can play the one down the middle role. Tonev and Weimann have been woeful thus far so bringing in an upgrade on them might have been a decent option.
However Lambert thought it best to bring in a lumbering oaf instead and blow wages that could have been used in improving our midfield.
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Bent, Burke and Delfouneso are on loan
And lets face it - they are never going to be good enough for the first team
its odd that PL was actually a midfielder but he hasnt got a clue when it comes to midfield at villa
Nearly every team can say that - there are loads of managers who struggle to find a great player in the position they became famous for
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How come we need experienced back up now Paul is it because you've realised your transfer policy has been poor and every team needs its chiefs?
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How come we need experienced back up now Paul is it because you've realised your transfer policy has been poor and every team needs its chiefs?
But isn't he damned if he does and damned if he doesn't on that basis? If he didn't try and bring in more experience people on here would be criticising him for stubborness and inflexibility.
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The way I see it, it's a poor signing, I can't see what the bloke sees in him, he's clearly past it, and is brought in to fill a position we don't really need to fill. I appreciate he's going to be "a proper man" behind the scenes and what not, but I'm not too sure if that justifies the fact we'll be paying his wages.
That "proper man" stuff is really annoying. It's painfully close to John Terry and the "man-up" school. I know it's just a turn of phrase and I'm not going to go all Andrea Dworkin here, but this old-school blokiness (and the old-school Britisher football associated) is a bit irking.
Why?
Maybe he is just tired of our kids being a bunch of fannys, when everybody else is bullying, chirping in the ref's ear, moaning like mad, while nudging, backing in and elbowing their way to free kicks.
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Maybe he isn't articulate enough to say: experienced, wily player with a robust and infectious personality.
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The way I see it, it's a poor signing, I can't see what the bloke sees in him, he's clearly past it, and is brought in to fill a position we don't really need to fill. I appreciate he's going to be "a proper man" behind the scenes and what not, but I'm not too sure if that justifies the fact we'll be paying his wages.
That "proper man" stuff is really annoying. It's painfully close to John Terry and the "man-up" school. I know it's just a turn of phrase and I'm not going to go all Andrea Dworkin here, but this old-school blokiness (and the old-school Britisher football associated) is a bit irking.
Why?
Maybe he is just tired of our kids being a bunch of fannys, when everybody else is bullying, chirping in the ref's ear, moaning like mad, while nudging, backing in and elbowing their way to free kicks.
You have just reminded me how much he wound me up when he played at Villa Park last year. I think I called him every swear word I know and possibly even made up a couple of new ones just for him. So credit where it is due if he can wind up our opponents as much as he did me.
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There is no needle in our side or squad whatsoever. Look at Monday's game. Arsenal spent more time rolling around and moaning to the referee than they did anything else.
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It does your head in when the opposition do it but I think all the more successful Villa sides had players who liked to chip away at the ref whilst not being angels in their own actions. I'm thinking Withe and Evans, Mountfield and Platt, Teale, Richardson and Saunders and in more recent times Mellberg and NRC.
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One would hope Bent, Burke and Delfouneso would have recall terms but this is the Villa so probably not.
It's not beyond the wit of a half-decent manager to construct a team with two or even one striker so there's three bites of the cherry with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. I don't buy the "Helenius is not ready" thing - top player in the Danish league and capped by Denmark. Bowery I'll give you.
Even if it is about an emergency forward (and I don't think it is), there have got to be better options than Holt.
If a fee has been paid for a loan I don't think they can be recalled, so you can forget Bent for a start. If you're seriously suggesting Burke or Delfouneso as decent options for the rest of this season, you must have seen something in them no-one else has.
You're missing the point. Yes, an attack could be constructed with Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. And very easily next week Benteke could take a boot in the knee and miss the next two months.
Frankly the idea that it isn't about an emergency forward and Holt has been brought in as part of a long term plan is just plain daft. For a start, if that was the case, why not buy him outright rather than on loan?
What I'm saying is that he's not an emergency forward because there's no forward emergency. Or at least there wouldn't be if Lambert had a clue. And it's becoming apparent that he doesn't and the signing of Holt seems to confirm this. We have three decent forwards and a couple of spares and none of them are scoring despite showing previously that they are perfectly capable of doing so at this level. It's like seeing a Reliant Robin next to a Ferrari and concluding that the Robin will go faster if you strap on an extra wheel. The problem is not the number of wheels, it's the engine and the transmission.
The word 'emergency' is overly emotive really. Kozak, our reserve central striker is injured. That has nothing to do with Lambert having a clue or not. I'm sure you wouldn't say that Gabby or Weimann are the same kind of striker? Holt is just an option. Nothing more, nothing less.
He may not even figure above one or two sub appearances. It really doesn't matter. But if we suddenly pick up one or two knocks and are down to Weimann, Bowery and Helenius to lead the line, then at least we have an option there. A fairly crap option maybe, but an option all the same.
It's not about strapping on an extra wheel, to use your analogy but rather having a spare tyre in the boot in case of a breakdown. Because a car with one wheel missing is going nowhere.
Hence the spare tyre we have signed.
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What has made me warm a bit towards Holt is the enthusiasm he showed in his interview. I know you'd expect that, but in fairness to him he spoke well.
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Not read all this thread but all the analysis is out the window for me at the moment. Grant Fuckin Holt, it makes me wanna cry. Someone tell Lambert this is "Aston Villa".
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Will you sit on your hands when he scores because "this is Aston Villa"?
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Its only a loan to cover Benteke as Kozak is out for some time. He will be gone in May .
Im not that bothered. Might even score a goal or two.
Do not want him here next season under any circumstances.
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Will you sit on your hands when he scores because "this is Aston Villa"?
Its not my loyalty in question here. Although we may not be able to shop in Marks & Spencers we are not quite at the Pound Shop level yet. Surely Lamberts judgement is in question here. Who's reserve team have we plucked Holt from?
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I fully understand we could do with cover for Benteke. I just think Lamberts lost the plot.
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The cover thing is fine.
But say Benteke has a recurrence of his injury next game and an out of sorts and overweight Holt actually has to get a run of games. How do we feel then?
There was a link in the Italian papers with Miroslav Klose yesterday. Clearly nonsense, or an agent drumming up interest. But a player like that on a short term deal would be far better for us.
Anyway, welcome Grant Honeymonster. Prove us all wrong.
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What has made me warm a bit towards Holt is the enthusiasm he showed in his interview. I know you'd expect that, but in fairness to him he spoke well.
maybe he realises that this is his last shot at the "big time".....welcome Grant hope you score a few.....especially vs the Stripey filth ;)
UTV
The Doc
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Will you sit on your hands when he scores because "this is Aston Villa"?
Its not my loyalty in question here. Although we may not be able to shop in Marks & Spencers we are not quite at the Pound Shop level yet. Surely Lamberts judgement is in question here. Who's reserve team have we plucked Holt from?
The point is that when you're looking for cover for a relatively short period then your options are limited. You can get a youngster who clubs are sending out to get a bit of experience but we have plenty of those of our own, so then you go for an older head who knows the league and can do a job immediately and, just as importantly, the manager knows and trusts.
It's a no risk, short term deal and it's baffling that people are making a big deal out of it.
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There is no needle in our side or squad whatsoever. Look at Monday's game. Arsenal spent more time rolling around and moaning to the referee than they did anything else.
That's true, but what I don't get is why, if we want a player to provide that, we opt to sign one who is almost certainly not going to be playing for us much (see comments about him being back up to Benteke)
That where I don't get it. Surely if we wanted a player for experience and ability to give as good as he gets on the pitch, it would have made more sense to get one who will actually be on the pitch in the first place?
I appreciate he'll be around training and the dressing room, too, but if that's the intention, it seems a curious way to spend wages money.
Oh well, let's see.
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Aye, a centre half who has prem experience but whose career is on the wane. A Matthew Upson or similar.
That would make more sense from an experience point of view.
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Will you sit on your hands when he scores because "this is Aston Villa"?
Its not my loyalty in question here. Although we may not be able to shop in Marks & Spencers we are not quite at the Pound Shop level yet. Surely Lamberts judgement is in question here. Who's reserve team have we plucked Holt from?
The point is that when you're looking for cover for a relatively short period then your options are limited. You can get a youngster who clubs are sending out to get a bit of experience but we have plenty of those of our own, so then you go for an older head who knows the league and can do a job immediately and, just as importantly, the manager knows and trusts.
It's a no risk, short term deal and it's baffling that people are making a big deal out of it.
Agree with what you say but just can't get my head around Grant Holt. I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition. Maybe I'm not in the real world.
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Aye, a centre half who has prem experience but whose career is on the wane. A Matthew Upson or similar.
That would make more sense from an experience point of view.
wash your mouth out....
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I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition.
I fall into the category who thinks signing one player on a short term loan doesn't have any bearing on the above.
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Will you sit on your hands when he scores because "this is Aston Villa"?
Its not my loyalty in question here. Although we may not be able to shop in Marks & Spencers we are not quite at the Pound Shop level yet. Surely Lamberts judgement is in question here. Who's reserve team have we plucked Holt from?
Is it such a big deal though? Short term cover for a player who has sadly broken his leg? Lambert clearly thinks there is something personality wise he can bring to the dressing room too.
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I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition.
I fall into the category who thinks signing one player on a short term loan doesn't have any bearing on the above.
These people clearly think so highly of Aston Villa and our apparent tradition, that the signing of one player is capable of undermining the previous 140 years.
These people are colloquially known as Drama Llamas.
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Agree with what you say but just can't get my head around Grant Holt. I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition. Maybe I'm not in the real world.
Listen friend.....we are all friends on here. Holt signing has nothing to do with us abandoning the Villa heritage or end of young only policy. Lambert has made a pragmatic signing on short term to address a particular issue. He knows the player and thinks he can do a job as and when required. Fergie and others have done similar things in the past. So please have a drink and relax. I wish you a peaceful day.
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There is no needle in our side or squad whatsoever. Look at Monday's game. Arsenal spent more time rolling around and moaning to the referee than they did anything else.
That's true, but what I don't get is why, if we want a player to provide that, we opt to sign one who is almost certainly not going to be playing for us much (see comments about him being back up to Benteke)
That where I don't get it. Surely if we wanted a player for experience and ability to give as good as he gets on the pitch, it would have made more sense to get one who will actually be on the pitch in the first place?
I appreciate he'll be around training and the dressing room, too, but if that's the intention, it seems a curious way to spend wages money.
Oh well, let's see.
They only play a game for 90 minutes and that is all we see. Wiltshire doesn't turn up on a weekend and suddenly become a whinging bellend, he works on it all week.
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I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition.
I fall into the category who thinks signing one player on a short term loan doesn't have any bearing on the above.
These people clearly think so highly of Aston Villa and our apparent tradition, that the signing of one player is capable of undermining the previous 140 years.
These people are colloquially known as Drama Llamas.
Drama Llamas is a mighty fine name for a band.
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There is no needle in our side or squad whatsoever. Look at Monday's game. Arsenal spent more time rolling around and moaning to the referee than they did anything else.
That's true, but what I don't get is why, if we want a player to provide that, we opt to sign one who is almost certainly not going to be playing for us much (see comments about him being back up to Benteke)
That where I don't get it. Surely if we wanted a player for experience and ability to give as good as he gets on the pitch, it would have made more sense to get one who will actually be on the pitch in the first place?
I appreciate he'll be around training and the dressing room, too, but if that's the intention, it seems a curious way to spend wages money.
Oh well, let's see.
They only play a game for 90 minutes and that is all we see. Wiltshire doesn't turn up on a weekend and suddenly become a whinging bellend, he works on it all week.
You can see from his surly, gormless face that it is a way of life for him.
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I guess I fall into the category who thinks Aston Villa are a big club with pride, ambition and tradition.
I fall into the category who thinks signing one player on a short term loan doesn't have any bearing on the above.
These people clearly think so highly of Aston Villa and our apparent tradition, that the signing of one player is capable of undermining the previous 140 years.
These people are colloquially known as Drama Llamas.
Drama Llamas is a mighty fine name for a band.
I would call their first album "Those Evil Traitorous Farmers".
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I suppose I could take the attitude that signing Grant Holt on a loan deal worth a reported £30k approx, p/w until the end of the season is a backward step for Aston Villa.
Alternatively, I could balance that loan signing against the news of the permanent transfer out of our famous old club of that Stephen Ireland bloke who was reportedly "earning" £65k approx. p/w.
On balance, I'd say I'm rather happy with what 14th January 2014 had in store for our club. And now that the last of the detritus from the O'Neill/immediately post-O'Neill era has departed, perhaps the club's custodian will finally be open to a bit of sensible, balanced expenditure on player wages, rather than the previous policies of (firstly) throwing money at the club and (latterly) trying to run it on a shoestring.
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I suppose I could take the attitude that signing Grant Holt on a loan deal worth a reported £30k approx, p/w until the end of the season is a backward step for Aston Villa.
Where has it been reported that Holt will be on these wages?
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I suppose I could take the attitude that signing Grant Holt on a loan deal worth a reported £30k approx, p/w until the end of the season is a backward step for Aston Villa.
Where has it been reported that Holt will be on these wages?
Well £28.5k p/w was the figure I think I saw. I can't remember where and I have no idea if its true or not.
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I guess the context here is what other 'signings' will Lambert make during January. If Holt is the only one (which I doubt if he is) then that would be a sad reflection of where we are as a football club.
We'll wait and see.
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I suppose I could take the attitude that signing Grant Holt on a loan deal worth a reported £30k approx, p/w until the end of the season is a backward step for Aston Villa.
Where has it been reported that Holt will be on these wages?
Well £28.5k p/w was the figure I think I saw. I can't remember where and I have no idea if its true or not.
Why is it so certain that (assuming those are his wages at Wigan) we are covering them all?
For most of the players that we send out on loan it's well reported that we end up covering a sizeable chunk of them, I don't see why it's a given that we're paying 100% of Holt's wages.
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I suppose I could take the attitude that signing Grant Holt on a loan deal worth a reported £30k approx, p/w until the end of the season is a backward step for Aston Villa.
Where has it been reported that Holt will be on these wages?
Well £28.5k p/w was the figure I think I saw. I can't remember where and I have no idea if its true or not.
Why is it so certain that (assuming those are his wages at Wigan) we are covering them all?
For most of the players that we send out on loan it's well reported that we end up covering a sizeable chunk of them, I don't see why it's a given that we're paying 100% of Holt's wages.
Well that something that I'd not considered. But whether we are or aren't, my point remains - that yesterday was a good day for the club.
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I really think some people are using the fact that we've signed some cover for a player that was injured in training last week as a reason to attack PL.
Fine is we sign no one else, BUT as cover for Kozak (and considering the financial constraints at the Club) I don't see a problem.
I think 28k a week for GH is alot
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How come we need experienced back up now Paul is it because you've realised your transfer policy has been poor and every team needs its chiefs?
No, it's because Kozak's leg is broken.
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us. He's well, well past his best. He's a poor player anyhow and we're not exactly paying him peanuts either. Even with the Kozak injury, it's the one position where we could actually get away with having someone injured. We've got 5 other strikers, and a good youth selection on top of that who'd probably benefit more from getting 20 minutes here and there, and in the long run it would benefit the club. Holt only leads us to believe that Lambert has no ideas on how to get us playing football. It seems he's happy to keep Guzan as our chief playmaker, which frankly is fucking pathetic.
We're in dire need of a new midfield and more defensive cover. What if we leave ourselves short in one area because we've put 28k a week of wage budget toward Grant Fucking Holt?
I'm all for getting more experience too, but we need experience and quality. If we just want a good dressing room presence (which I'm not even sure Holt will be) why don't we just wheel out Pires again?
No it's not long term, no it's not going to affect us in the grand scheme of things, but it's still nothing but laughable and smacks completely of desperation.
If Lambert doesn't address our midfield there will be hell to pay.
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
EDIT
5) You seem to have written your post (minus the last line) in the assumption that Lambert won't address the needs of midfield. A bit previous I'd say.
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There is no needle in our side or squad whatsoever. Look at Monday's game. Arsenal spent more time rolling around and moaning to the referee than they did anything else.
That's true, but what I don't get is why, if we want a player to provide that, we opt to sign one who is almost certainly not going to be playing for us much (see comments about him being back up to Benteke)
That where I don't get it. Surely if we wanted a player for experience and ability to give as good as he gets on the pitch, it would have made more sense to get one who will actually be on the pitch in the first place?
I appreciate he'll be around training and the dressing room, too, but if that's the intention, it seems a curious way to spend wages money.
Oh well, let's see.
They only play a game for 90 minutes and that is all we see. Wiltshire doesn't turn up on a weekend and suddenly become a whinging bellend, he works on it all week.
I know that, that's why I said that bit about the dressing room and training.
My point was that, ideally, it'd be someone likely to be on the pitch, too. Wilshere's wouldn't be such an effective whiner if he wasn't doing it on the pitch as well.
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How come we need experienced back up now Paul is it because you've realised your transfer policy has been poor and every team needs its chiefs?
No, it's because Kozak's leg is broken.
So his Age, manner and experience has nothing to do with it? Even though Lambert says otherwise? In that case we should have loaned Guidetti for probably cheaper. Lambert wants older players now, he said so himself, he realises finally that 8 under 25s with limited prem experience is not going to go any further than year after year relegation battles.
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
Edit- 5 If our budget is tight, then surely 28k would be of more use going toward 1-2 midfielders. Progress seems very slow on that front too, as Lambo appears to have put his eggs in one basket. And I'm going by the assumption that because he's not addressed this issue in 18 months, I'm not expecting it to be fully addressed (if at all) this window.
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How come we need experienced back up now Paul is it because you've realised your transfer policy has been poor and every team needs its chiefs?
No, it's because Kozak's leg is broken.
So his Age, manner and experience has nothing to do with it? Even though Lambert says otherwise? In that case we should have loaned Guidetti for probably cheaper. Lambert wants older players now, he said so himself, he realises finally that 8 under 25s with limited prem experience is not going to go any further than year after year relegation battles.
Of course they have something to do with it. But in this case he's covering a specific need. Or perhaps you think that he engineered Kozak's leg break in some strange attempt to be able to reverse his transfer policy but cover up the fact he's doing so?
Do you not think the fact that he has finally got rid of most of the 'senior pros' already on the books who were draining money from the club might also have something to do with the fact that he is able to start bringing in one or two of his own?
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
1. Does it ever hurt to have extra cover?
2/3. He's unfit and not inspirational. How do you know this? Have you watched him in training?
4. He's on loan and we don't know how much he is being paid. On what basis can you state he is expensive?
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
1. Does it ever hurt to have extra cover?
2/3. He's unfit and not inspirational. How do you know this? Have you watched him in training?
4. He's on loan and we don't know how much he is being paid. On what basis can you state he is expensive?
He's earning 28 grand a week. Yes that's not expensive in todays market but it isn't cheap. It's also IMO 28k out of our wage budget that could have been better used. It's still a lot to pay for "a bit of extra cover." We should be concentrating on improving our first 11.
I think the reaction of everyone at Wigan tells you everything you need to know about his condition in all honesty. Last season for Norwich he struggled to reproduce what he had the year before and fitness was part of that issue.
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
1. Does it ever hurt to have extra cover?
2/3. He's unfit and not inspirational. How do you know this? Have you watched him in training?
4. He's on loan and we don't know how much he is being paid. On what basis can you state he is expensive?
He's earning 28 grand a week. Yes that's not expensive in todays market but it isn't cheap. It's also IMO 28k out of our wage budget that could have been better used. It's still a lot to pay for "a bit of extra cover." We should be concentrating on improving our first 11.
I think the reaction of everyone at Wigan tells you everything you need to know about his condition in all honesty. Last season for Norwich he struggled to reproduce what he had the year before and fitness was part of that issue.
Again, we don't know that we're paying the whole £28k.
'The reaction of everyone at Wigan' - a bit of an over-the-top statement no? What, they've had street parties upon his departure? Or do you just mean that he wasn't playing regularly?
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
The big question isn't about Holt, it's the other players we need in. Fingers crossed something happens there.
Sometimes the collective despair on here is quite impressive. The last day of the January window last year was a stormer, when we signed Dawkins and Sylla.
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
Indeed.
The only issue I still have is 'what must Helenius be thinking?' If I thought Holt was going to be behind him in the pecking order then fair enough, but I doubt it.
Overall though as long as more come in I'm not too fussed.
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[He's unfit
Sorry, I didn't realize you have ITK with the trainers at Wigan. Maybe you'd like to reporoduce their reports for us?
3- He was skipper at Norwich
Indeed, when Lambert was manager, and it worked very well - of course he'll be working with different players but Lambert will have taken that into account, because he worked with both sets. Thanks for confirming my argument.
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
1. Does it ever hurt to have extra cover?
2/3. He's unfit and not inspirational. How do you know this? Have you watched him in training?
4. He's on loan and we don't know how much he is being paid. On what basis can you state he is expensive?
He's earning 28 grand a week. Yes that's not expensive in todays market but it isn't cheap. It's also IMO 28k out of our wage budget that could have been better used. It's still a lot to pay for "a bit of extra cover." We should be concentrating on improving our first 11.
I think the reaction of everyone at Wigan tells you everything you need to know about his condition in all honesty. Last season for Norwich he struggled to reproduce what he had the year before and fitness was part of that issue.
Again, we don't know that we're paying the whole £28k.
'The reaction of everyone at Wigan' - a bit of an over-the-top statement no? What, they've had street parties upon his departure? Or do you just mean that he wasn't playing regularly?
We don't know for sure about paying the whole thing, but I'd safely assume it given that Dave Whelan is a man who more often than not will get his own way and he'll want us paying it all. We may have even paid a fee on top.
Wigan fans are generally finding it quite amusing. I'm not being funny but if people aren't expecting a lot of choruses of "you fat bastard!" from opposition fans when Holt plays, you'd be mistaken. I saw him a few times last season lumbering around and yes, he's not been playing regularly for a club in the Championship. He's older now, looks less fit. I just can't see him offering much on the pitch. If he happens to bag the winner against WBA, I'll happily eat my humble pie however.
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Given that it is Wigan Holt has come from, if we are paying all his wages, I fully expect that gobshite Dave Whelan to appear on SSN within the next week, talking about it
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Even on a short term loan I just don't see what Holt will offer us.
1) Cover for Kozak
2) As somone who has played and scored in the premier league, he'll be a step up from the likes of Bowery
3) He'll be a 'leader' in a team that's desperately short of them
4) He's cheap
1- Do we really need cover for Kozak? Or should we have more faith in Helenius? How many times on here did we all debate whether we even needed to sign Kozak in the first place? He has done well to be fair, but it was still strange to sign a front men, being a position we've been loaded in. If Benteke does now find form, I'd not be surprised to see Weimann's game pick up too.
2- He's unfit, he's slow and lets face it, the ball isn't going to be arrowed with homing missile accuracy to him. He's gonna have to chase the thing and then he's not gonna look very good. We need our strikers running, and I'd actually play Bowery ahead of him.
3- He was skipper at Norwich, but he's coming into a new squad now, he's hardly been a "leader" at Wigan. I'm also not sure he's the best role model. He's hardly inspirational, and if, as expected, he's only going to play 10 minutes here and there, he can't do much. We need quality leaders playing on the pitch.
4- He's not that cheap.
1. Does it ever hurt to have extra cover?
2/3. He's unfit and not inspirational. How do you know this? Have you watched him in training?
4. He's on loan and we don't know how much he is being paid. On what basis can you state he is expensive?
He's earning 28 grand a week. Yes that's not expensive in todays market but it isn't cheap. It's also IMO 28k out of our wage budget that could have been better used. It's still a lot to pay for "a bit of extra cover." We should be concentrating on improving our first 11.
I think the reaction of everyone at Wigan tells you everything you need to know about his condition in all honesty. Last season for Norwich he struggled to reproduce what he had the year before and fitness was part of that issue.
Again, we don't know that we're paying the whole £28k.
'The reaction of everyone at Wigan' - a bit of an over-the-top statement no? What, they've had street parties upon his departure? Or do you just mean that he wasn't playing regularly?
We don't know for sure about paying the whole thing, but I'd safely assume it given that Dave Whelan is a man who more often than not will get his own way and he'll want us paying it all. We may have even paid a fee on top.
Wigan fans are generally finding it quite amusing. I'm not being funny but if people aren't expecting a lot of choruses of "you fat bastard!" from opposition fans when Holt plays, you'd be mistaken. I saw him a few times last season lumbering around and yes, he's not been playing regularly for a club in the Championship. He's older now, looks less fit. I just can't see him offering much on the pitch. If he happens to bag the winner against WBA, I'll happily eat my humble pie however.
1. You're making a lot of assumptions.
2. Who cares what supporters of other teams think or chant?
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
The big question isn't about Holt, it's the other players we need in. Fingers crossed something happens there.
Sometimes the collective despair on here is quite impressive. The last day of the January window last year was a stormer, when we signed Dawkins and Sylla.
I wonder if the 'Matthew Upson - confirmed on loan' thread will reach fifty pages quicker than this one?
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[He's unfit
Sorry, I didn't realize you have ITK with the trainers at Wigan. Maybe you'd like to reporoduce their reports for us?
3- He was skipper at Norwich
Indeed, when Lambert was manager, and it worked very well - of course he'll be working with different players but Lambert will have taken that into account, because he worked with both sets. Thanks for confirming my argument.
I saw enough of Holt last season at Norwich. I won't reproduce a report I'll just go and ask a Wigan fan for their opinion and record the howls of laughter.
We'll see just how influential Holt can be from the bench every game. About as influential as Culverhouse I'd imagine.
If we sign a couple of midfielders and defensive cover in the next 2 weeks, I'll have no problem carrying Holt. But for what he's going to offer, and what our football will continue to be like, there's no way 28 grand a week will be value for money.
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
The big question isn't about Holt, it's the other players we need in. Fingers crossed something happens there.
Sometimes the collective despair on here is quite impressive. The last day of the January window last year was a stormer, when we signed Dawkins and Sylla.
I wonder if the 'Matthew Upson - confirmed on loan' thread will reach fifty pages quicker than this one?
That one might break the internet I think.
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'The reaction of everyone at Wigan'
I conducted my own survey and mentioned it to my other half who is from Wigan.
Me: Villa have borrowed a player from Wigan.
Her : Who?
Me : Villa
Her : No, who have they borrowed?
Me : Grant Holt
Her : I've never heard of him
To be honest she doesn't have much interest in football but thought I'd do my bit. I might ask her mum what she thinks but that would mean having to phone her and to be honest I'd probably get a similar answer so I'll leave at that and conclude that Wigan aren't really that arsed about it.
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Without spoiling the thread am I allowed to be underwhelmed but calmly accepting of what is just a four month loan deal which I don't think will effect what we do or don't do regarding any other transfer window moves?
Yes
I suppose we need cover if Bowery gets injured!
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[He's unfit
Sorry, I didn't realize you have ITK with the trainers at Wigan. Maybe you'd like to reporoduce their reports for us?
3- He was skipper at Norwich
Indeed, when Lambert was manager, and it worked very well - of course he'll be working with different players but Lambert will have taken that into account, because he worked with both sets. Thanks for confirming my argument.
I saw enough of Holt last season at Norwich. I won't reproduce a report I'll just go and ask a Wigan fan for their opinion and record the howls of laughter.
We'll see just how influential Holt can be from the bench every game. About as influential as Culverhouse I'd imagine.
If we sign a couple of midfielders and defensive cover in the next 2 weeks, I'll have no problem carrying Holt. But for what he's going to offer, and what our football will continue to be like, there's no way 28 grand a week will be value for money.
Your posts are just full of assumptions, including the most glaring one that we're paying the full £28K a week, and even that it is £28k a week.
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[He's unfit
Sorry, I didn't realize you have ITK with the trainers at Wigan. Maybe you'd like to reporoduce their reports for us?
3- He was skipper at Norwich
Indeed, when Lambert was manager, and it worked very well - of course he'll be working with different players but Lambert will have taken that into account, because he worked with both sets. Thanks for confirming my argument.
I saw enough of Holt last season at Norwich. I won't reproduce a report I'll just go and ask a Wigan fan for their opinion and record the howls of laughter.
We'll see just how influential Holt can be from the bench every game. About as influential as Culverhouse I'd imagine.
If we sign a couple of midfielders and defensive cover in the next 2 weeks, I'll have no problem carrying Holt. But for what he's going to offer, and what our football will continue to be like, there's no way 28 grand a week will be value for money.
Your posts are just full of assumptions, including the most glaring one that we're paying the full £28K a week, and even that it is £28k a week.
Holt certainly won't go on chicken feed. I'm just going on the same assumption as the papers are reporting and also by the fact Whelan, prize bellend he might be, is no fool. He'll have us paying the whole shebang.
I thought internet forums were all about assumptions? ;)
Mine is that we're unnecessarily spending money when we should be trying to get more out of Helenius and finding ways of playing without hoofing the ball..
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Given that it is Wigan Holt has come from, if we are paying all his wages, I fully expect that gobshite Dave Whelan to appear on SSN within the next week, talking about it
He was on last night giving it the "We couldn't deny the lad an opportunity to go back and play in the Premier League but rest assured we will replace him". It was a bit over the top considering he was letting a squad player that has been there five minutes out on loan for a few months. Not that he is the type to milk his regular SKY five minutes of fame.
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Given that it is Wigan Holt has come from, if we are paying all his wages, I fully expect that gobshite Dave Whelan to appear on SSN within the next week, talking about it
He was on last night giving it the "We couldn't deny the lad an opportunity to go back and play in the Premier League but rest assured we will replace him". It was a bit over the top considering he was letting a squad player that has been there five minutes out on loan for a few months. Not that he is the type to milk his regular SKY five minutes of fame.
He just had to appease the heartbroken Wigan fans. ;)
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Lambert should sign a locking wheelnut mounted on a plinth in case El-Ahmadi gets injured
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I have to agree the unloading of Ireland was fantastic news. The fact that we have got Grant Holt on short term loan rather than offering a 3 year contract is also a massive bonus.
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Given that it is Wigan Holt has come from, if we are paying all his wages, I fully expect that gobshite Dave Whelan to appear on SSN within the next week, talking about it
Whelan? Didn't he break his leg in an FA Cup final once?
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I can remember a Wigan fan telling me about how great Charles N'Zogbia was...
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I can remember a Wigan fan telling me about how great Charles N'Zogbia was...
In fairness, he was, for them
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Sign a winger who can cross a ball and maybe he and Benteke will score a few.
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I can remember a Wigan fan telling me about how great Charles N'Zogbia was...
In fairness, he was, for them
Of course, but it doesn't necessarily mean that Holt is going to be as shit for us as he's been for them. It's also why I'm not really too fussed about the opinions of Wigan fans, even the ten who are laughing on Twitter.
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I just hope he can do the business for us.
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I think 28k a week for GH is alot
It's only 4 kilos a day. And that works out at about 4 pies every sitting. That's not much for a man with his kind of appetite.
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I think 28k a week for GH is alot
It's only 4 kilos a day. And that works out at about 4 pies every sitting. That's not much for a man with his kind of appetite.
How incredibly funny and original. Nobody's said anything like that before.
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I really think the constant jibes about weight are getting a bit tedious, if not downright insulting; call me old-fashioned but do you really think players don't have a crafty look at fans forums. He wouldn't be very impressed with many of the comments on this one, and that's before he's even played a game for us.
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I just hope he can do the business for us.
He can't fail - it's written in the seats!
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I just hope he can do the business for us.
He can't fail - it's written in the seats!
As has been said, a bollocking here and there when needed, a goal or two that gets us some points - job's a good 'un.
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
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Hearing rumours about Steven Defour,which would be very agreeable if true,can anyone add anything ?
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
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Was Holt really the only player available? I don't get it. If Lambert wanted cover, why sign a 32 year old striker who can't get into a mid-table Championship team?
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
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Was Holt really the only player available? I don't get it. If Lambert wanted cover, why sign a 32 year old striker who can't get into a mid-table Championship team?
....because he knows his game and knows what he can get out of him? Trusts him? loves him? wants to have babbies with him?
Christ, it's getting way, way to monotonous now.
Give it up..welcome the bloke and wish him well. you never know he may surprise you?
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Was Holt really the only player available? I don't get it. If Lambert wanted cover, why sign a 32 year old striker who can't get into a mid-table Championship team?
....because he knows his game and knows what he can get out of him? Trusts him? loves him? wants to have babbies with him?
Christ, it's getting way, way to monotonous now.
Give it up..welcome the bloke and wish him well. you never know he may surprise you?
Can you only sign players you've worked with before? Is that it?
I'm just frustrated that he's decided Grant Holt would be the best option for us.
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
It must have been perfect for him at Inter. There's a huge Brazilian transexual prostitute population in Northern Italy (my ex wife's friend was a lawyer at the Brazilian consulate in Milan and spent most of her working life visiting them in prison / police stations).
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
I'd say the best. His love of ladyboys just adds to it all for me.
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Man Gets New Job: Thousands in West Midlands Furious.
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Holt possibly is the best option bearing in mind he wanted someone on a very short term basis, experienced and the fact that know each other is a bonus, it's almost a no risk signing, unlike some of his previous signings.
I agree with dicedlam, let's just welcome the man and see what happens, it's done now.
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
It must have been perfect for him at Inter. There's a huge Brazilian transexual prostitute population in Northern Italy (my ex wife's friend was a lawyer at the Brazilian consulate in Milan and spent most of her working life visiting them in prison / police stations).
Yes, yes. Of course. Of course that's how you know.
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
It must have been perfect for him at Inter. There's a huge Brazilian transexual prostitute population in Northern Italy (my ex wife's friend was a lawyer at the Brazilian consulate in Milan and spent most of her working life visiting them in prison / police stations).
Yes, yes. Of course. Of course that's how you know.
We've all heard the ex-wife's, friend lawyer, prison visit excuse before. Sounds like the source of a Twitter rumour Paulie.
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Remember Ronaldo, the original..carried a few pounds but..
.....was Ronaldo.
Yeah, one of the best out and out centre forwards to play the game. The tranny loving chunk.
It must have been perfect for him at Inter. There's a huge Brazilian transexual prostitute population in Northern Italy (my ex wife's friend was a lawyer at the Brazilian consulate in Milan and spent most of her working life visiting them in prison / police stations).
Yes, yes. Of course. Of course that's how you know.
We've all heard the ex-wife's, friend lawyer, prison visit excuse before. Sounds like the source of a Twitter rumour Paulie.
Paulielovesnuts.
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It was the same when he mysteriously knew all about the Leamington Goat-fisting scene. Brother in law's proctologist did pro bono work at the Goat Sanctuary, or some such
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You have to love a thread that goes from Grant Holt to Italian based Brazilian Transexual prostitutes with just the brief stepping stone of Ronaldo in between.
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Its full of tits/cock
And the Inter!
Oh Milan is... just confusing really
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Its full of tits/cock
And the Inter!
Oh Milan is... just confusing really
Very good!
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Hearing rumours about Steven Defour,which would be very agreeable if true,can anyone add anything ?
ask dan for update?
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Hearing rumours about Steven Defour,which would be very agreeable if true,can anyone add anything ?
ask dan for update?
This should be on the January transfer thread and not the Brazilian transexual thread.
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so its now 53 pages and counting of often funny, thought provoking, and downright mordant commentary on some overweight, over the hill, past his prime comfort blanket journeyman who just might turn out to be our next saviour! Just imagine the reaction when we sign a real footballer.
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Hearing rumours about Steven Defour,which would be very agreeable if true,can anyone add anything ?
ask dan for update?
Are these rumours in any way connected to the Ronaldo thing?
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He's been given his shirt number...
3.14159--
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He's been given his shirt number...
3.14159--
Made me smile
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It must have been perfect for him at Inter. There's a huge Brazilian transexual prostitute population in Northern Italy (my ex wife's friend was a lawyer at the Brazilian consulate in Milan and spent most of her working life visiting them in prison / police stations).
If you are talking about Turin and Corso Regina Margherita than they start with African girls at the Rondo della Forca end with mid european flavour in the middle and of course Brazilian girls/boys near the Piazza della Repubblica and the rates move upwards in a similar way. I know this because a friend's girlfriend worked there....ah as a Tree warden in the park!
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He's been given his shirt number...
3.14159--
What sort of life is that?
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It's okay folks. I've just transferred Holt to our team on Fifa. Turns out he's one of our better players, so maybe it's not quite the duffer of a signing we might think. ;)
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He's been given his shirt number...
3.14159--
Made me smile
''Who ate all the 3.14159's, Who ate all the 3.14159's, You''....
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Was Holt really the only player available? I don't get it. If Lambert wanted cover, why sign a 32 year old striker who can't get into a mid-table Championship team?
Because he's a real man apparently.
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Time perhaps for a motivational Youtube video?
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Time perhaps for a motivational Youtube video?
I stopped after 20 seconds, does he sky them all?
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Time perhaps for a motivational Youtube video?
I stopped after 20 seconds, does he sky them all?
Watch the last 9 minutes of Holt-tastic goals my friend ;-)
I remember a YTube thing that showed all Carew's misses and you would never believe he ever scored...
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The goal on 7:41 is a fantastic one.
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Not a great fan of this piece of business and certainly not going to wholeheartedly change my mind after seeing that video (remember Bosko?) but ....
.... he's always been a bit bulky looking yet still has a bit of pace, seems to break out of midfield well, links up ok and drifts toward the right (Benteke almost invariably goes left) ...
... maybe just maybe there's something in this?
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My problem isn't with Holt himself, he is what he is and he fills a short-term gap which had opened up in the squad with Kozak's injury. I get that. The depressing thing is that it confirms the continuation of a really annoying and inadequate tactic, exemplified by the statistic from Monday that, once again, our number one completed pass was Guzan to Benteke. We can't continue like this, but we will. Quite how it counts as a 'compelling' style of football is beyond me.
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This whole business of him not getting into the Wigan team. Sometimes moves don't quite work out, and Wigan have also changed manager since buying him. Eight goals in the Premier League last season isn't terrible.
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Not a great fan of this piece of business and certainly not going to wholeheartedly change my mind after seeing that video (remember Bosko?) but ....
.... he's always been a bit bulky looking yet still has a bit of pace, seems to break out of midfield well, links up ok and drifts toward the right (Benteke almost invariably goes left) ...
... maybe just maybe there's something in this?
... the pieces are coming together!
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1 minute into that vid he won me over to be honest. It was him hacking down John Terry and having a little dig at him too.
He's a bit of a beast. I don't see too many defenders being able to shake him off the ball, so we'd better play it into his feet and not chuff it down the channels or 10 yards over his head.
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Not a great fan of this piece of business and certainly not going to wholeheartedly change my mind after seeing that video (remember Bosko?) but ....
.... he's always been a bit bulky looking yet still has a bit of pace, seems to break out of midfield well, links up ok and drifts toward the right (Benteke almost invariably goes left) ...
... maybe just maybe there's something in this?
... the pieces are coming together!
lol ... trying to pick out the positives
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I really think the constant jibes about weight are getting a bit tedious, if not downright insulting; call me old-fashioned but do you really think players don't have a crafty look at fans forums. He wouldn't be very impressed with many of the comments on this one, and that's before he's even played a game for us.
I do share your view Martyn. I have too have this old fashioned view of football supporters, well you know, err, whisper it, but supporting. Saying that i know we've been patient. We've had to be!!!
I've never understood having a go at our own players though, did we ever wonder why we didn't get the best out of Crouch? Giving it all the "there's only one Rodney Trotter" when he's our player? That was a weird one to explain to my ex-wife at her first match, why you'd have a go at your own player and knock his confidence. I trust there won't be a "who ate...." chant, it may not help?
I know i'm a bit hardcore around my principles and value, things i won't sing etc, but there are lines...
The thread has made me laugh in places, and i shared shock, but in context will live with the gamble, just hope it will be alongside some masterstroke signing where we need it most.
UTV
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The arguments have been well exercised throughout this thread, and like others I was underwhelmed by the signing, BUT for the rest of the season he is an Aston Villa player and when he's ITSOTP I will give him my full vocal support
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good luck with that. I fancy Grant will be viewing his teammates as lunch
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good luck with that. I fancy Grant will be viewing his teammates as lunch
Pathetic.
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good luck with that. I fancy Grant will be viewing his teammates as lunch
Those jokes were wearing a bit thin 24 hours ago.
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1 minute into that vid he won me over to be honest. It was him hacking down John Terry and having a little dig at him too.
He's a bit of a beast. I don't see too many defenders being able to shake him off the ball, so we'd better play it into his feet and not chuff it down the channels or 10 yards over his head.
Did the keeper as well.
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He's 'our' player now. Support the bloke and be positive.
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good luck with that. I fancy Grant will be viewing his teammates as lunch
Those jokes were wearing a bit thin 24 hours ago.
'Thin'?
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
How about if he scores us some goals or improves the team?
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I would actually settle for him dishing out a bit of aggravation to the opposition.
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
Then you are either very deluded or horrendously cynical.
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
How about giving him a chance to show what he can contribute?
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Welcome, Grant, looking forward to seeing you in Claret and Blue...and the Quarters!
UTV!
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Legion - was the shirt number comment on the FB page your doing? If so, bravo!
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
How about giving him a chance to show what he can contribute?
Agreed so while Grant is with us lets support and encourage him for christs sake, some of the stuff posted on this thread has been so over the top.
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Legion - was the shirt number comment on the FB page your doing? If so, bravo!
Yes. Nicked from a previous post.
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The shirt number comment is the only fat joke on this thread that I found funny.
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The player himself isnt the problem. He will get the support from us, for God's sake we given arguably far worse than Holt their chance ... Penrice, Bakke, Lamptey, Neil Rioch ... it's the ambition it demonstrates. Here's a player who's played 16 goals, so most of the season, for a lower division side and scored 2 goals. This speaks volumes of where we are and what the manager thinks will improve the squad. I reckon Djemba-Djemba would get a starting birth in this team and as for Balaban....
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
How about saying nothing then? Or at least how about not repeating jokes that weren't funny a hundred tellings ago.
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One of the (many) things we've lacked this season, is someone who can hold the ball up and let the whole side move collectively up the field, hence we tend to get trapped in our own half a fair bit.
I doubt he'll score more than 3 goals before he leaves, but Holt could do that ball retention job with his eyes shut. Benteke could well benefit from a bruiser taking some of the attention away from him too.
Although if we do have any more funds left, I just wish we'd sign a 'proper man' for the middle of the park where we need it more.
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Legion - was the shirt number comment on the FB page your doing? If so, bravo!
Yes. Nicked from a previous post.
You're welcome.
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Yes, welcome, Grant. As long as you play for Villa, you have my support.
Just as an aside, I notice Gary Penrice always gets listed in the crappest players we've had. I was only 12 when he signed, so don't remember that much, but did he not spend most of his time with us out with a broken leg?
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Penrice wasn't bad, from what I recall. He was just very limited. A sort of poor man's Andy Sinton
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sorry but imo there is no possible positive spin that can be put on holt's loan signing
How about giving him a chance to show what he can contribute?
There's loads of us that aren't impressed with his signing. Doesn't mean we're not gonna give him a chance.
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Penrice scored gazillions of goals in the lower divisions. I remember the same disappointment with Guy Wittingham, who scored 634 goals for Portsmouth in his last season with them, came to us, and proved himself to have a distinct barn door allergy.
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
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I see West Ham are looking to spend 7 mill On Riki Lambert.
If true puts our deal in perspective as being good value.
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Our Grant is different and will be a winner.
West Ham?
Ridiculous comparison. I listen to Hammers all day. Bollux.
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I am struggling to see a player who our manager got good performances out of and having scored 1 in 3 being a mistake when our main reserve striker fucked with a broken leg.
We signed on loan , his shit he goes back in the summer, his halve decent we may sign him?
Who says we not going to sign more? The manager been linked with signing creative link player, let him do his job
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
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Proof that some people are terminally stupid. Tweeted to Holt by some moron Norwich fan in Sutton Coldfield, of all places:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd9ZGr-IcAAaBi5.jpg)
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
Yeah, but Defoe had played and scored loads in the top flight by then. I think he means in a "never done it in the top flight, only the lower leagues sense"
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As said before it's about timing. If we already had the required CB and CM signed, it would seem like maybe not to bad signing.
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
Yeah, but Defoe had played and scored loads in the top flight by then. I think he means in a "never done it in the top flight, only the lower leagues sense"
Not really because it's clearly referencing Holt who has played a similar amount of games and has scored a similar amount of goals in the premier league as Defoe had at that point. Clearly there is a massive difference in age and I'm in no way comparing them as players, just comparing hte situation and providing a relevant example.
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
Yeah, but Defoe had played and scored loads in the top flight by then. I think he means in a "never done it in the top flight, only the lower leagues sense"
Not really because it's clearly referencing Holt who has played a similar amount of games and has scored a similar amount of goals in the premier league as Defoe had at that point. Clearly there is a massive difference in age and I'm in no way comparing them as players, just comparing hte situation and providing a relevant example.
It's not really. I am pretty sure it's referencing Gary Penrice and Guy Wittingham, who we were discussing before.
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
Yeah, but Defoe had played and scored loads in the top flight by then. I think he means in a "never done it in the top flight, only the lower leagues sense"
Not really because it's clearly referencing Holt who has played a similar amount of games and has scored a similar amount of goals in the premier league as Defoe had at that point. Clearly there is a massive difference in age and I'm in no way comparing them as players, just comparing hte situation and providing a relevant example.
It's not really. I am pretty sure it's referencing Gary Penrice and Guy Wittingham, who we were discussing before.
On a Grant Holt thread.
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When was the last player to be signed from a lower league club who turned out to be a top quality PL striker?
Ian Wright? There's got to be others since? Kevin Phillips is another...
Darren Bent? Jermain Defoe (technically West ham were relegated when he joined Tottenham the first time)?
Yeah, but Defoe had played and scored loads in the top flight by then. I think he means in a "never done it in the top flight, only the lower leagues sense"
Not really because it's clearly referencing Holt who has played a similar amount of games and has scored a similar amount of goals in the premier league as Defoe had at that point. Clearly there is a massive difference in age and I'm in no way comparing them as players, just comparing hte situation and providing a relevant example.
It's not really. I am pretty sure it's referencing Gary Penrice and Guy Wittingham, who we were discussing before.
On a Grant Holt thread.
Why don't you just ask saunders_heroes and see what he meant if it's that big a deal.
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Jay Rodriguez has done well at Southampton and now got an England cap so has done well.
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Dion Dublin?
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
Much as I don't think much of the signing, I also don't think there's any doubt Holt can do it in the top flight. He's actually done it already and proved that.
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He can't weigh more than Richard Dunne. Am pretty sure I read something the season before last to the effect that Dunne was the heaviest player in the Premier League. Not that that equates to being fat, obviously.
Mind you, then again, he did look a sizeable lad.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
I'm sure Defoe handed in a transfer request the day West Ham were relegated. I remember it went down really well with the West Ham fans.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
I'm sure Defoe handed in a transfer request the day West Ham were relegated. I remember it went down really well with the West Ham fans.
Yep, I remember that, too. But am pretty sure when he started there, they were in one of their seasons "off", ie in the second division. Actually, no, they weren't, they were top flight.
There's something I don't like about Defoe, but I am not sure what it is. I do think he's getting some unfair stick about taking the mad money from Toronto and risking his WC place, though. Would he actually have got to play in the WC? For three, maybe four games? Versus 90k a week or whatever insane sum it is for 3 or 4 years. Anyone would be tempted.
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He looks like John Gregory would be having a number of words, and Holt would not be taking his shirt off to reveal a Ginola style figure!
Anyhow the one thing in his favour is he has never relied on pace, and does know where the net is in the premier league. 17 was it for Norwich under Lambert less than 2 years ago. There is a player in there, somewhere.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
I'm sure Defoe handed in a transfer request the day West Ham were relegated. I remember it went down really well with the West Ham fans.
Yep, I remember that, too. But am pretty sure when he started there, they were in one of their seasons "off", ie in the second division.
There's something I don't like about Defoe, but I am not sure what it is. I do think he's getting some unfair stick about taking the mad money from Toronto and risking his WC place, though. Would he actually have got to play in the WC? For three, maybe four games? Versus 90k a week or whatever insane sum it is for 3 or 4 years. Anyone would be tempted.
I don't like him at all. In fact, I really don't like him. Selfish, annoying. Grrr.
But no one would turn down the deal he has been offered by Toronto at his point in his career. It is phenomenal.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
I'm sure Defoe handed in a transfer request the day West Ham were relegated. I remember it went down really well with the West Ham fans.
Yep, I remember that, too. But am pretty sure when he started there, they were in one of their seasons "off", ie in the second division.
There's something I don't like about Defoe, but I am not sure what it is. I do think he's getting some unfair stick about taking the mad money from Toronto and risking his WC place, though. Would he actually have got to play in the WC? For three, maybe four games? Versus 90k a week or whatever insane sum it is for 3 or 4 years. Anyone would be tempted.
I don't for one minute blame him for going there, he'd be made for life.
I always fancied seeing him in a Villa shirt, but he's one of those wide boy cockney lads who couldn't live anywhere in England unless it was close to the bright lights of the south east and London.
Ahh well.
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He's a good player, there's no getting away from that. He is without doubt already made for life, but even so, three or four chances to play at the World Cup versus 20 million plus to go and live in Toronto? Totally understandable. One of those decisions it is easy to criticise but no doubt much harder to make when it's your life and a real decision.
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But I like him, international opportunities notwithstanding.
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He is a proper man.
Good luck Grant and please score some goals.
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He looks like John Gregory would be having a number of words, and Holt would not be taking his shirt off to reveal a Ginola style figure!
Anyhow the one thing in his favour is he has never relied on pace, and does know where the net is in the premier league. 17 was it for Norwich under Lambert less than 2 years ago. There is a player in there, somewhere.
I think there's a couple.
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Defoe doesn't work as an example in any case - he started at West Ham, in the second division and came up with them, scored plenty of goals in the top flight, and then moved to Spurs.
I don't even think Holt does, either, he moved up through the leagues with Norwich, rather than being signed from a lower league club by a top flight one.
I'm sure Defoe handed in a transfer request the day West Ham were relegated. I remember it went down really well with the West Ham fans.
Yep, I remember that, too. But am pretty sure when he started there, they were in one of their seasons "off", ie in the second division. Actually, no, they weren't, they were top flight.
There's something I don't like about Defoe, but I am not sure what it is. I do think he's getting some unfair stick about taking the mad money from Toronto and risking his WC place, though. Would he actually have got to play in the WC? For three, maybe four games? Versus 90k a week or whatever insane sum it is for 3 or 4 years. Anyone would be tempted.
Doubtful. Shouldn't really be in the squad as he hadn't been a regular at Spurs for quite some time now. In fact, was he ever a regular at Spurs? Didn't he play for Portsmouth at some point?
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He looks like John Gregory would be having a number of words, and Holt would not be taking his shirt off to reveal a Ginola style figure!
Anyhow the one thing in his favour is he has never relied on pace, and does know where the net is in the premier league. 17 was it for Norwich under Lambert less than 2 years ago. There is a player in there, somewhere.
I think there's a couple.
That was original. Did you write it yourself?
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He looks like John Gregory would be having a number of words, and Holt would not be taking his shirt off to reveal a Ginola style figure!
Anyhow the one thing in his favour is he has never relied on pace, and does know where the net is in the premier league. 17 was it for Norwich under Lambert less than 2 years ago. There is a player in there, somewhere.
I think there's a couple.
That was original. Did you write it yourself?
Ironically your response was unoriginally cliché.
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I think Lambert probably wanted Holt when Wigan signed him but no way would Norwich sell to Villa ,so Hoolahan could be a no goer
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Forget it. I'm drunk. And emotional. And drunk.
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I think Lambert probably wanted Holt when Wigan signed him but no way would Norwich sell to Villa ,so Hoolahan could be a no goer
Why can't those pillocks get over the fact that we took their non-charismatic manager?
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Good luck Grant!. Train hard, help the youngsters find their confidence and give it all you've got. And will those responsible please give it a rest with the embarrassingly crap food/weight jokes. Cheers. UTV
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Proof that some people are terminally stupid. Tweeted to Holt by some moron Norwich fan in Sutton Coldfield, of all places:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd9ZGr-IcAAaBi5.jpg)
Its not really big or clever, but I don't think that Grant Holt is the sort of bloke who gets a lot of the fat jokes or stupid abuse like that said to his face a great deal.
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Proof that some people are terminally stupid. Tweeted to Holt by some moron Norwich fan in Sutton Coldfield, of all places:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd9ZGr-IcAAaBi5.jpg)
Its not really big or clever, but I don't think that Grant Holt is the sort of bloke who gets a lot of the fat jokes or stupid abuse like that said to his face a great deal.
Hmm, I wonder if this "Norwich fan" in Sutton Coldfield is someone who would be at The Sty every other Saturday if they weren't "working, Tom, any chance of a Bronx Hat?"
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It looks a pretty wide shirt to be honest.
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Proof that some people are terminally stupid. Tweeted to Holt by some moron Norwich fan in Sutton Coldfield, of all places:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd9ZGr-IcAAaBi5.jpg)
This chap's German is pretty poor.
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1 minute into that vid he won me over to be honest. It was him hacking down John Terry and having a little dig at him too.
He's a bit of a beast. I don't see too many defenders being able to shake him off the ball, so we'd better play it into his feet and not chuff it down the channels or 10 yards over his head.
Totally agree Tom, I think he's great already after seeing what he did to Terry.
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I really think the constant jibes about weight are getting a bit tedious, if not downright insulting; call me old-fashioned but do you really think players don't have a crafty look at fans forums. He wouldn't be very impressed with many of the comments on this one, and that's before he's even played a game for us.
I do share your view Martyn. I have too have this old fashioned view of football supporters, well you know, err, whisper it, but supporting. Saying that i know we've been patient. We've had to be!!!
I've never understood having a go at our own players though, did we ever wonder why we didn't get the best out of Crouch? Giving it all the "there's only one Rodney Trotter" when he's our player? That was a weird one to explain to my ex-wife at her first match, why you'd have a go at your own player and knock his confidence. I trust there won't be a "who ate...." chant, it may not help?
I know i'm a bit hardcore around my principles and value, things i won't sing etc, but there are lines...
The thread has made me laugh in places, and i shared shock, but in context will live with the gamble, just hope it will be alongside some masterstroke signing where we need it most.
UTV
Crouch used to love that song if his reaction to it at Middlesborough away and Anfield (when he played for the Redscouse) is anything to go by.
KRO.
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Proof that some people are terminally stupid. Tweeted to Holt by some moron Norwich fan in Sutton Coldfield, of all places:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd9ZGr-IcAAaBi5.jpg)
Its not really big or clever, but I don't think that Grant Holt is the sort of bloke who gets a lot of the fat jokes or stupid abuse like that said to his face a great deal.
Hmm, I wonder if this "Norwich fan" in Sutton Coldfield is someone who would be at The Sty every other Saturday if they weren't "working, Tom, any chance of a Bronx Hat?"
I know a Norwich fan, a psychiatrist from Sutton Coldfield. I might see him later this evening and I'll ask him what he thinks about this Wigan player joining us on loan. That should flush him out.
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Flush him out using a 'Deal or no Deal' scenario. Place two show boxes on the table. Tell him that one contains an egg boiled by Delia Smith. The other contains a Norwich City shirt with 'FAT C*** DIE' written on in in shaky handwriting with a crayon.
See which way he runs, then shoot him in the back and claim self-defence
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I think Lambert probably wanted Holt when Wigan signed him but no way would Norwich sell to Villa ,so Hoolahan could be a no goer
I doubt that.
There was no real strong link to him at the time, like the one to Hoolahan now, and if we wanted him that much why wouldn't he go for a permanent deal now, as opposed to just short term cover for an injury?
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I was just trying to think of lower league strikers who turned out to be top class PL players. I couldn't think of many from recent years. I wasn't gonna use it as a stick to beat Holt with. Christ!
That would need to be one fucking big stick.
I haven't even seen a recent picture of Holt, is he really that big?
He looks like John Gregory would be having a number of words, and Holt would not be taking his shirt off to reveal a Ginola style figure!
Anyhow the one thing in his favour is he has never relied on pace, and does know where the net is in the premier league. 17 was it for Norwich under Lambert less than 2 years ago. There is a player in there, somewhere.
I think there's a couple.
That was original. Did you write it yourself?
Ironically your response was unoriginally cliché.
What does "unoriginally cliche" mean?
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I did imagine Holt was shite and looked well past it at prem level last season then? I know he scored a pen v us but he didn't score many goals last season really.
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Maybe Lambert knows how to play Holt to get the best out of him. He did all his best stuff under Lambert so it could be interesting.
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Neither did Norwich.
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I think the comparisons of Holt with Heskey or even Harewood are inaccurate - he's not paid enough, not first choice and not on a long term contract. He is, in fact, Lambert's Pires, which is a fine, low-risk, short-term deal, with not much to lose. The only issue I have is how much it says that Houllier's Pires signing was Pires - Lambert's is Grant Holt.
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Pires was a waste of time. Great player but not for us and he kept mouthing off to the press every 5 minutes. Just another Ginola.
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Pires was a waste of time. Great player but not for us and he kept mouthing off to the press every 5 minutes. Just another Ginola.
Oh yeah, but fine in theory.
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I think the comparisons of Holt with Heskey or even Harewood are inaccurate - he's not paid enough, not first choice and not on a long term contract. He is, in fact, Lambert's Pires, which is a fine, low-risk, short-term deal, with not much to lose. The only issue I have is how much it says that Houllier's Pires signing was Pires - Lambert's is Grant Holt.
They both needed to get someone in quick to cover injuries and went with a player they already knew that was available. To be is says more about their managerial backgrounds (Houllier in France and Lambert English lower leagues) than it does about their footballing philosophies.
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I think the comparisons of Holt with Heskey or even Harewood are inaccurate - he's not paid enough, not first choice and not on a long term contract. He is, in fact, Lambert's Pires, which is a fine, low-risk, short-term deal, with not much to lose. The only issue I have is how much it says that Houllier's Pires signing was Pires - Lambert's is Grant Holt.
They both needed to get someone in quick to cover injuries and went with a player they already knew that was available. To be is says more about their managerial backgrounds (Houllier in France and Lambert English lower leagues) than it does about their footballing philosophies.
Maybe those backgrounds have influenced their footballing philosophies, but you know Didier Deschamps is closer to Lambert than Houllier, and Brendan Rodgers is more like Houllier like Lambert. No, the point is that when Benteke's missing, what Lambert is really concerned about is having someone else to hit with long balls.
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I think the comparisons of Holt with Heskey or even Harewood are inaccurate - he's not paid enough, not first choice and not on a long term contract. He is, in fact, Lambert's Pires, which is a fine, low-risk, short-term deal, with not much to lose. The only issue I have is how much it says that Houllier's Pires signing was Pires - Lambert's is Grant Holt.
They both needed to get someone in quick to cover injuries and went with a player they already knew that was available. To be is says more about their managerial backgrounds (Houllier in France and Lambert English lower leagues) than it does about their footballing philosophies.
Maybe those backgrounds have influenced their footballing philosophies, but you know Didier Deschamps is closer to Lambert than Houllier, and Brendan Rodgers is more like Houllier like Lambert. No, the point is that when Benteke's missing, what Lambert is really concerned about is having someone else to hit with long balls.
I have no issue with him liking a big number 9 in the side. We are hitting too many long balls at the moment, but my personal theory on that is the midfield is so ineffective and static that we're simply unable to pass our way through sides. The links to Defour and Hoolahan seem to suggest he sees the way to fixing this lies in the transfer market and not the training ground.
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For those posters commenting on Holt's girth you should be reminded of Micky Quinn when he played for Coventry in the top flight. Couldnt stop scoring could 'Sumo'. Apart from that he might be the only signing Lambert will make. Best not to be critical until you have seen what he can do for us!
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To be fair, Pires was 37 when we signed him and wasn't actually on anyone's books, as he was training with the Arsenal having been released by Villareal.
Holt is 32 in comparison and, although he comes from a team in the second tier, he has at least played a bit this season.
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That would be fine if we were 'doing a Swansea', passing the ball around forever but never getting through. We're not though, and there's no use having Defour or Hoolahan or Zinedine Zidane in the side if all that's going to happen is the ball flying over their heads in the general direction of a big guy. There's little doubt we need to do something in the transfer market, but we really do need to work on the training ground as well, and if Lambert only does one and not the other it's not going to be good enough.
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I'd rather they try a long ball than pass it around forever if they're never going to get it through. When we have it at the back their are so few options and lack of genuine movement. The point being that if you have that step up in quality in midfield that would give us the forward passing options we badly lack right now, leading to less long balls.
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I'd rather they try a long ball than pass it around forever if they're never going to get it through. When we have it at the back their are so few options and lack of genuine movement. The point being that if you have that step up in quality in midfield that would give us the forward passing options we badly lack right now, leading to less long balls.
That's not how it works though. Swansea have a worse midfield than Man United, but they move far more off the ball and keep it better. It can look blunt, but then it can work really well as the FA Cup win proves. The point is the training ground stuff really matters, and even when you have much, much better players if you do less work in training on passing, on movement, on learning where to go when someone else goes somewhere, difficult stuff - if you don't do that work, it'll show.
Case in point - the midfield we had under Martin O'Neill. There was some technique and ability there, and a midfield three of Petrov, Barry and Milner could have been a match for anyone. But a combination of a rigid and outdated formation and no evidence practicing pass-and-move led to us being a one-dimensional counterattacking team. You can have as good players as you want, but football is a team game.
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Our movement is shit, and our players aren't very clever. That's about it really....
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I'd rather they try a long ball than pass it around forever if they're never going to get it through. When we have it at the back their are so few options and lack of genuine movement. The point being that if you have that step up in quality in midfield that would give us the forward passing options we badly lack right now, leading to less long balls.
That's not how it works though. Swansea have a worse midfield than Man United, but they move far more off the ball and keep it better. It can look blunt, but then it can work really well as the FA Cup win proves. The point is the training ground stuff really matters, and even when you have much, much better players if you do less work in training on passing, on movement, on learning where to go when someone else goes somewhere, difficult stuff - if you don't do that work, it'll show.
Case in point - the midfield we had under Martin O'Neill. There was some technique and ability there, and a midfield three of Petrov, Barry and Milner could have been a match for anyone. But a combination of a rigid and outdated formation and no evidence practicing pass-and-move led to us being a one-dimensional counterattacking team. You can have as good players as you want, but football is a team game.
I would never argue that the training ground isn't important.
Each team is different. I would actully say that in terms of passing and movement Swansea have a better midfield than Man Utd, if not necessarily in terms of genuine creativity and goal scoring. Plus Man Utd have better strikers, which adds to the movement element allowing forward passing options.
The MON team could and should have been better at this, but that was down mainly to tactics as we all know.
But back to this Villa side; our midfield is poor, in particular in terms of the attacking side of the game. I don't for one minute think this is ignored on the training ground, but we've obviously been unable to change it enough so far. Given that, I believe we have a personnel issue and am reluctantly accepting that we'll have to use different tactics until a solution is found.
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Our movement is shit, and our players aren't very clever. That's about it really....
You would think I would be used to our lack of movement by now but every home game it manages to astound me all over again.
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If that is the case then I accept your argument. However, three points: firstly I'm not convinced that player-for-player Swansea's midfield is better than United's but it is better as a unit of keepball, and that's entirely down to training, and that was my point; secondly, onto the Villa and I'm not convinced at all that a player like Westwood is incapable of Swanseaing, or Southamptoning, in punching above his weight off the ball, and so is Delph; finally (and perhaps as a result of point two), I'm not convinced that Lambert knows how to do that form of training, but if we do sign these more creative midfielders the proof will be in the pudding.
I don't really think the creative midfielder in the final third would actually change much, as plenty of teams have played a number ten who's meant to get lay-offs from the Big Man after a long ball. Like I say, if we were Swansea then maybe the number ten would solve everything, and God knows we haven't had a player like that in far too long, but our problems lie at the start of passing moves, never mind the end of them.
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Everytime I see us hit it long I look at what other options the player on the ball has. That's usually nothing or a square/backwards pass. And that's pretty much where my argument comes from.
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I'm fully stoked by that youtube video, I think he's going to end up being my favourite player.
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I don't know how much training we do on passing and I don't know what focus we have on it but what I see everytime I watch us play is a midfield scared to play too high and not particularly wanting the ball.
I also don't know why that's the case but, importantly, I don't think we have a squad so terrible that we shouldn't expect more. I think our midfield are playing with far too much fear. A dynamic player in there who will buzz around and find space should help take that away and hopefully get us playing more like we want to.
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I don't know how much training we do on passing and I don't know what focus we have on it but what I see everytime I watch us play is a midfield scared to play too high and not particularly wanting the ball.
I also don't know why that's the case but, importantly, I don't think we have a squad so terrible that we shouldn't expect more. I think our midfield are playing with far too much fear. A dynamic player in there who will buzz around and find space should help take that away and hopefully get us playing more like we want to.
I agree with that mate, I think we saw last season the difference Sylla made when he found his feet, and despite the fact he's looked bloody hopeless this season I'd still give him the chance to find form again ahead of El Ahmadi, who frankly is a waste of a shirt.
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Everytime I see us hit it long I look at what other options the player on the ball has. That's usually nothing or a square/backwards pass. And that's pretty much where my argument comes from.
That's my argument as well though. Laudrup said that you can't expect to train a player into Ronaldo or Messi, but you can make him move into space and pass five yards. The movement is the single most important thing, the thing which comes most from training, and the main reason I'm pessimistic about Lambert is that, if anything, we've got worse at this.
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We haven't had a creative midfielder who actually wants the ball since Patrick Berger.
Ash did, to an extent. But he's a winger. And he still had to be picked out.
I'm talking about a midfielder cheeky or confident enough to demand the ball. Before Berger, it was probably Merson. Barry had undoubted talent, but he was more reserved than the above pair, and -even though he often started attacks for us- I wouldn't say he's creative in the true sense of the word.
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Have those knee injuries ruined Gary Gardner? Does anyone know why he hasn't been given a chance to show what he can do?
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I see Liverpool haven't messed around
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/153244-dunkin-sign-first-pl-partnership-with-lfc
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I see Liverpool haven't messed around
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/153244-dunkin-sign-first-pl-partnership-with-lfc
I don'ty see what the big deal is other than it seemingly achieves an objective of creating more fat scousers
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Official ice-cream provider? Because on a freezing cold February night, with your team losing to Stoke, all you want is a nice tub of raspberry ripple to warm you up.
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The return of Dunkin Doughnuts. Just what Britain needs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10566705/Britains-obesity-epidemic-worse-than-feared.html
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If Holt scores in a win against the Albion, and gives that wankpot Olsen a smack in the trap, he'll do for me.
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If Holt scores in a win against the Albion, and gives that wankpot Olsen a smack in the trap, he'll do for me.
He will score a last minute winner, then run over to the Albion fans, jump the barrier and start weighing into them. Kapow!
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I'm fully stoked by that youtube video, I think he's going to end up being my favourite player.
At his best he is not only an excellent finisher but defenders bounce off him. He's going to retain his aggression coming to us and his desire, the question is how effective will he be as a footballer? He's not a dud signing in my opinion, but as you get older some things don't work the same even if your mind thinks they do. That will be the challenge from a playing standpoint.
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I don't know how much training we do on passing and I don't know what focus we have on it but what I see everytime I watch us play is a midfield scared to play too high and not particularly wanting the ball.
I see a vicious circle.
The midfield doesn't seem capable of holding onto the ball and move the play to the forwards so the defenders resort to hoofing it.
The forwards naturally can't reliably hold onto the hoof ball and get the midfield get upfield. Plus the midfield is worried about the counter attack so they watch and wait.
Either way, as you rightly say, there's a massive gap between the forwards and the rest of the team.
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I'm fully stoked by that youtube video, I think he's going to end up being my favourite player.
At his best he is not only an excellent finisher but defenders bounce off him. He's going to retain his aggression coming to us and his desire, the question is how effective will he be as a footballer? He's not a dud signing in my opinion, but as you get older some things don't work the same even if your mind thinks they do. That will be the challenge from a playing standpoint.
Man alive, do I know that from personal experience! :'(
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I'm fully stoked by that youtube video, I think he's going to end up being my favourite player.
At his best he is not only an excellent finisher but defenders bounce off him. He's going to retain his aggression coming to us and his desire, the question is how effective will he be as a footballer? He's not a dud signing in my opinion, but as you get older some things don't work the same even if your mind thinks they do. That will be the challenge from a playing standpoint.
Man alive, do I know that from personal experience! :'(
Lee, my back hurts, knees and other things go now and again. I still think I can run as fast as I once did and jump just as high. It's only when some fat young wanker runs past you that you realise the dream is over.
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I'm fully stoked by that youtube video, I think he's going to end up being my favourite player.
At his best he is not only an excellent finisher but defenders bounce off him. He's going to retain his aggression coming to us and his desire, the question is how effective will he be as a footballer? He's not a dud signing in my opinion, but as you get older some things don't work the same even if your mind thinks they do. That will be the challenge from a playing standpoint.
Man alive, do I know that from personal experience! :'(
Lee, my back hurts, knees and other things go now and again. I still think I can run as fast as I once did and jump just as high. It's only when some fat young wanker runs past you that you realise the dream is over.
I still train when I can with my old football team on Thursday nights, last week I was reliving my 'lone striker' role.
I took a long clearance from the keeper, defender tight up my back, and feathered the ball around him beautifully only for my entire body to fail to respond to my minds requests to get after it, and the amount of headers I now miss is just comical, as the spring in my legs has just completely disappeared.
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Old gits reminiscing!
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Can we have Ashton & Villa to complete the trilogy?
Welcome Grant. Just score some goals in Villa Park.
You were great when playing for Sengkang Marine, but that was 2001 and Singapore football league was (& probably still is) shit.
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Old gits reminiscing!
listen, it's all we have left
Actually that story about a fat young wanker is true. The captain of our team is a baby at 39 years old and he's always been the fittest lad in the side. Then one night he had a head start on this fat left back who would have been in his early 20's. Me and the other forward are waiting for the cross when out of nowhere this little tub of lard shows up and wins the ball off him. The bizarre thing was it all happened in slow motion and almost as one we all just cracked up laughing. Fuck me it's shit getting old.
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Yep.
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Aye.
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...but it's better than the alternative!
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I watched his AVTV interview. Well I am a changed man, very impressive. Hope he bangs a few in.
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Yes getting old is crap and it matters at all levels. I made a comment on this after watching 33 year old Jan Arne Riise despite all his experience being too slow to cover Adam Johnson cutting in and scoring at weekend gone.
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Just back from tonights session and can confirm I'm still old and past it.
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Just back from tonights session and can confirm I'm still old and past it.
Give Faulkner a bell and be at BH at 10am for the press conference
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Sounds like I should be moving into the glue making business with all you old knackers about.
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Sounds like I should be moving into the glue making business with all you old knackers about.
I went jogging yesterday. It's not as easy as I once found it, and I'm only 32. You might have to save a spot for me at your factory Ads.
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Sounds like I should be moving into the glue making business with all you old knackers about.
I went jogging yesterday. It's not as easy as I once found it, and I'm only 32. You might have to save a spot for me at your factory Ads.
You're only 32 granddad?
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Have to say this made me chuckle today in the Guardian, in their Premier League 10 things to look out for section.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jan/17/premier-league-10-things-to-look-for-this-weekend
4) Holt ready to make villains of doubters
Aston Villa's home record may be woeful, seven losses in 11 games is relegation form, but the results away from Villa Park have been much stronger – and with a 3-1 win on their last trip to Anfield Paul Lambert will be hopeful of an upset against Liverpool. The Villa fans may not have been too happy with the loan signing of Grant Holt, but the introduction of the hefty No9 to support Christian Benteke could be a masterstroke. Lambert's youthful set-up means that his gaggle of promising players don't have anybody to look up to, or learn from – their most experienced attacker is Gabriel Agbonlahor and at 27, and still infuriatingly inconsistent, he isn't well placed to act as anybody's mentor. Holt on the other hand has a wealth of experience, from Singapore, to non-league, to the Premier League, he's been witness to the vagaries of footballing fortune – and that sort of old head could be just what the dressing room needs. It also shouldn't be forgotten that in his last top-flight outing he scored against Manchester City at the Etihad – no mean feat – and he's even got previous at Anfield. A goal there again on Saturday will soon change the doubters minds.
• Grant Holt joins Aston Villa on loan
• Liverpool land Dunkin' Donuts deal
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I'd always been naturally thin till about 10 years ago (am 45 now) so never bothered doing much exercise. Then I put a bit of flab on - gut, face, that kinda thing.
The last 3 months or so I've been using an exercise bike daily. When I first started using it, it absolutely fucking killed me. My knees would crack and throb all the following morning. I've built up to about 15-20k a day on it now (takes about an hour), and it's much, much easier, but fucking hell, I tell you what, all of that shit is miles, miles harder when you're getting on.
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Yeah yeah, constant battle. I did a 7 mile run last night in the wind and pouring rain. Puddles like lakes. Cars splashing me. You do feel good after though.
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/b0/24/0,,10265~12526768,00.jpg)
Doesn't look fat to me.
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/b0/24/0,,10265~12526768,00.jpg)
Doesn't look fat to me.
Photoshop
*nods*
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Looking very good actually. He probably goes to the top of our sexiest player list. I think I'm going to end up liking the toned bastard.
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Anyone else think he looks disturbingly like that knob Mark Chapman?
The "Chappers" Chapman, not the Lennon killer one.
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He''s breathing in, he must be you know.
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Anyone else think he looks disturbingly like that knob Mark Chapman?
The "Chappers" Chapman, not the Lennon killer one.
I hope not. I've just described him as sexy.
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Anyone else think he looks disturbingly like that knob Mark Chapman?
The "Chappers" Chapman, not the Lennon killer one.
I have to say for me Chapman is a lot better on the radio than some of the presenters that profess to be broadcasters
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"I'm off to see the Bootleg Beatles..."
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Will be interesting to see if he gets a go alongside benteke at times or is just used as cover -if hoolahan does come then at least he and holt know each other's game pretty well.
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I'd always been naturally thin till about 10 years ago (am 45 now) so never bothered doing much exercise. Then I put a bit of flab on - gut, face, that kinda thing.
The last 3 months or so I've been using an exercise bike daily. When I first started using it, it absolutely fucking killed me. My knees would crack and throb all the following morning. I've built up to about 15-20k a day on it now (takes about an hour), and it's much, much easier, but fucking hell, I tell you what, all of that shit is miles, miles harder when you're getting on.
same here PW , been putting the stomach on the last year and even cut out sugar and always been thin. Ive got a bike ,so need to persist and use it ,instead of asking for lifts from work . I go on stage alot ,so dont want to be a porky bastard on there ;(
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/b0/24/0,,10265~12526768,00.jpg)
Doesn't look fat to me.
Hes breathing in ;)
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Express and Star (http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2014/01/17/aston-villa-new-boy-grant-holt-ready-to-prove-doubters-wrong/)
Aston Villa new-boy Grant Holt ready to prove doubters wrong
Grant Holt has heard it all before – and he is ready to shove any doubts down the critics’ throats.
January 17, 2014 11:59 am
The Villa new-boy arrives with little fanfare but with a lot to prove after answering Paul Lambert’s call to arms. Holt is primed for a debut at Liverpool tomorrow after his surprise arrival on a season-long loan from Wigan.
Even Villa manager Lambert admitted the move had come “out of the blue” after he turned to one of his most trusted past lieutenants.
The pair helped Norwich from League One to the Premier League as Holt captained Lambert’s Canaries during three years of stunning success.
The striker was written off when Norwich were promoted in 2011 before scoring 15 top-flight goals and the former tyre fitter from Carlisle is ready to shock again.
“I’ve been quite fortunate in that when I get doubted I usually turn it round,” he said.
“I’m sure a lot of people who have seen the move have said ‘he won’t do that’ and ‘what are they doing that for?’
“That’s probably a lot of Villa fans too, half have said that and half are probably excited about it. That’s just football. Everyone has got an opinion and it’s the easiest thing in the world to sit around and have an opinion. It’s up to me to prove that opinion wrong.
“It’s an opportunity I’m going to take with two hands. We know how difficult it is as a league to get goals and games but I think I can do it.”
Lambert was hunting experience and forward cover after Libor Kozak was ruled out for the season with a broken leg.
And Holt insisted his know-how will help an inexperienced dressing room to stay out of relegation trouble.
He said: “One of the aims is to help them along. Everyone talks to the young lads but sometimes you do need that person to talk to. That’s what I will do. He (Lambert) didn’t come into Norwich and make me captain for no reason. I’m sure he realises what I did there and hopefully I can come in and give them a bit of experience.
“They are a good bunch of lads and if they grow as a football club and group of players they’ll be fine.”
Holt’s loan highlights the cutbacks Villa have made since signing Darren Bent from Sunderland for £24m exactly three years ago tomorrow.
Bent is now on loan himself at Fulham with other top earners shipped out to ease the wage bill.
And, after six defeats in their last eight games, Villa have come under fire for the lack of discernible improvement in Lambert’s long-term vision.
They sit five points above the Premier League drop zone but joint 10th in a congested table after Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
But Holt, 32, has backed Villa and Lambert’s plan and insisted they can make it work.
He said: “It’s hard to say it’s a sign of where the club’s going. They’ve spent £24m and it didn’t really work. At some point you’ve got to strip it back and you’ve got to do it the right way. That’s what they’re trying to do at this football club, they’re trying to get young lads in who are hungry.
“They might not be doing it on massive money, but they’re trying to build it properly and trying to get the football club back to where it was in the right way.
“It’s not just a case of the chairman coming out and chucking millions and millions, it just doesn’t work all the time.
“There have been clubs in the Premier League who have gone down and never ever recovered. I think that’s what you’ve got to be careful about.”
Holt is available but Nathan Baker is out after suffering concussion against Arsenal and Chris Herd and Joe Bennett are still not fit.
Liverpool are sweating on Mamadou Sakho’s fitness after a hamstring injury but fit-again Daniel Sturridge may have to settle for a place on the bench despite a scoring return in the 5-3 win at Stoke on Sunday. Joe Allen is fit again after an abductor injury.
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I'm warming to Holt. It's a no risk signing. It seems as if he's started the ball rolling with transfers too, as we seem to have kicked into gear. He won me over with the highlights vid. Not so much the goals, or assists, or hold up play, but giving John Terry a ruddy good clattering. That'll do me. It has to be said too, his link up play isn't too shabby. Better than Kozaks, and he's also nigh on impossible to shift off the ball. I may well prove useful coming off the bench for 20-30 minutes in games we need a bit of nous in. To be fair to Holt, he does appear to have that.
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I honestly think he was dying to get away from Norwich and he settled for Wigan. That playing in the Championship having worked so hard to get to the PL the hard way just took the fire out of him. Especially at the DW where they got next to nobody watching them in the PL. He will be so energised to be a complete success so this might be a shrewd move by Lambert. He'll bring experience and attitude also that we are missing.
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I agree TV, it makes you wonder what the reactions would have been to the signings of Andy Lochead and Geoff Vowden if the internet had been around in the lates 60s early 70s.
I think that Holt may well contribute by adding a bit of steel, I think the Villa could be perceived as a tad lightweight and soft, a little bit of nastiness may well inspire others to get stuck in more.
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I agree TV, it makes you wonder what the reactions would have been to the signings of Andy Lochead and Geoff Vowden if the internet had been around in the lates 60s early 70s.
I think that Holt may well contribute by adding a bit of steel, I think the Villa could be perceived as a tad lightweight and soft, a little bit of nastiness may well inspire others to get stuck in more.
You could argue that we were in the third division then. You could also argue that short-term needs require short-term solutions. Steve Sims, Cyrille Regis & Colin Calderwood spring to mind.
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/b0/24/0,,10265~12526768,00.jpg)
Doesn't look fat to me.
Hes breathing in ;)
Photoshop?
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All I kept thinking when watching the youtube video, was that Gabby is going to love him.
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/b0/24/0,,10265~12526768,00.jpg)
Doesn't look fat to me.
Hes breathing in ;)
Photoshop?
Wearing the right colours always makes you look better.
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I agree TV, it makes you wonder what the reactions would have been to the signings of Andy Lochead and Geoff Vowden if the internet had been around in the lates 60s early 70s.
I think that Holt may well contribute by adding a bit of steel, I think the Villa could be perceived as a tad lightweight and soft, a little bit of nastiness may well inspire others to get stuck in more.
You could argue that we were in the third division then. You could also argue that short-term needs require short-term solutions. Steve Sims, Cyrille Regis & Colin Calderwood spring to mind.
That is what I said yesterday. Bringing in a bit of muscle is a proven method to get back on track and safe.
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I agree TV, it makes you wonder what the reactions would have been to the signings of Andy Lochead and Geoff Vowden if the internet had been around in the lates 60s early 70s.
I think that Holt may well contribute by adding a bit of steel, I think the Villa could be perceived as a tad lightweight and soft, a little bit of nastiness may well inspire others to get stuck in more.
You could argue that we were in the third division then. You could also argue that short-term needs require short-term solutions. Steve Sims, Cyrille Regis & Colin Calderwood spring to mind.
Agree Dave, it was more a tongue in cheek comment which was inspired by me day dreaming what some of the posters would have said on signing a bald headed, bow legged has been, whose lack of pace was deceptive ( he was slower than he looked) alongside a former sty dweller who should have retired two years previously and had a head the shape of a kelloggs box ( well that's how I remember him).
Looks and physical attributes can be incredibly deceiving.
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When he was at Norwich I always thought that Holt was a big cheating lump, but also that he was suprisingly effective and if he was at my club I'd probably love him.
Hopefully he'll give me some reasons to, starting with a hattrick against the baggies - in that vein, here he is scoring a hattrick in a less glamorous derby: (also includes a nice goal from a chap called wes hoolahan)
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I always thought Holt was a prick but now he's our prick. I hope he really gets into those Liverpool CB's tomorrow and Benteke really gets going.
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When he was at Norwich I always thought that Holt was a big cheating lump, but also that he was suprisingly effective and if he was at my club I'd probably love him.
Hopefully he'll give me some reasons to, starting with a hattrick against the baggies - in that vein, here he is scoring a hattrick in a less glamorous derby: (also includes a nice goal from a chap called wes hoolahan)
Nice that. Looking forward to tomorrow now.
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I honestly think he was dying to get away from Norwich and he settled for Wigan. That playing in the Championship having worked so hard to get to the PL the hard way just took the fire out of him. Especially at the DW where they got next to nobody watching them in the PL. He will be so energised to be a complete success so this might be a shrewd move by Lambert. He'll bring experience and attitude also that we are missing.
That's the hope.
He might have felt that his career had hit the skids and this is his last shot at the big time.
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I honestly think he was dying to get away from Norwich and he settled for Wigan. That playing in the Championship having worked so hard to get to the PL the hard way just took the fire out of him. Especially at the DW where they got next to nobody watching them in the PL. He will be so energised to be a complete success so this might be a shrewd move by Lambert. He'll bring experience and attitude also that we are missing.
That's the hope.
He might have felt that his career had hit the skids and this is his last shot at the big time.
they appear quite vindictive at Norwich. I realize it's shit when players or managers openly want to leave but there's only so much malice that can be assigned. Were we this way towards Milner and Young when they went. Even Barry who spent so much time with us and given the controversy of the whole Liverpool saga. It just appears that in leaving Norwich the club comes over as being very spiteful. I realize I am also viewing the situation from the other side, but that's how it appears on the surface.
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Looking very good actually. He probably goes to the top of our sexiest player list. I think I'm going to end up liking the toned bastard.
I am pleased about that. Didn't know some fans had a list like that?
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I always thought Holt was a prick but now he's our prick. I hope he really gets into those Liverpool CB's tomorrow and Benteke really gets going.
Well same here. Never liked other people's pricks. Hate that sort but nice to have a nasty bastard in our team.
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Realize? You have lived over in that Canada too long, my old son.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
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Realize? You have lived over in that Canada too long, my old son.
autocorrect on my iPad.
I hang my head in shame Chelts
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"I'm off to see the Bootleg Beatles..."
Everytime I hear his name!
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I honestly think he was dying to get away from Norwich and he settled for Wigan. That playing in the Championship having worked so hard to get to the PL the hard way just took the fire out of him. Especially at the DW where they got next to nobody watching them in the PL. He will be so energised to be a complete success so this might be a shrewd move by Lambert. He'll bring experience and attitude also that we are missing.
That's the hope.
He might have felt that his career had hit the skids and this is his last shot at the big time.
they appear quite vindictive at Norwich. I realize it's shit when players or managers openly want to leave but there's only so much malice that can be assigned. Were we this way towards Milner and Young when they went. Even Barry who spent so much time with us and given the controversy of the whole Liverpool saga. It just appears that in leaving Norwich the club comes over as being very spiteful. I realize I am also viewing the situation from the other side, but that's how it appears on the surface.
Well, we were a bit like that over Downing, to be fair.
I don't really blame Norwich for being like that. We don't like it when other clubs covet our players, so it's a bit hypocritical when we forget this and lay into other clubs for doing the same.
I appreciate the entire game (including being a fan) is largely built on hypocrisy, but that's the way it goes, really
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Looking very good actually. He probably goes to the top of our sexiest player list. I think I'm going to end up liking the toned bastard.
I am pleased about that. Didn't know some fans had a list like that?
If Holt is the sexiest player at our club, there is hope for me yet
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I honestly think he was dying to get away from Norwich and he settled for Wigan. That playing in the Championship having worked so hard to get to the PL the hard way just took the fire out of him. Especially at the DW where they got next to nobody watching them in the PL. He will be so energised to be a complete success so this might be a shrewd move by Lambert. He'll bring experience and attitude also that we are missing.
That's the hope.
He might have felt that his career had hit the skids and this is his last shot at the big time.
they appear quite vindictive at Norwich. I realize it's shit when players or managers openly want to leave but there's only so much malice that can be assigned. Were we this way towards Milner and Young when they went. Even Barry who spent so much time with us and given the controversy of the whole Liverpool saga. It just appears that in leaving Norwich the club comes over as being very spiteful. I realize I am also viewing the situation from the other side, but that's how it appears on the surface.
Well, we were a bit like that over Downing, to be fair.
I don't really blame Norwich for being like that. We don't like it when other clubs covet our players, so it's a bit hypocritical when we forget this and lay into other clubs for doing the same.
I appreciate the entire game (including being a fan) is largely built on hypocrisy, but that's the way it goes, really
I've considered what you have said very carefully and arrived at the conclusion that Downing's a c*** paulie. He deserves being spat at in the street the ungrateful bastard.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
It would get picked up and a long ban would follow, technology and the media would see to that.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
It would get picked up and a long ban would follow, technology and the media would see to that.
Its only me wanting to turn the clock back.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
I love seeing a nasty tough tackling midfielder who can play a bit - very much in the Steve McMahon mould.
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
I love seeing a nasty tough tackling midfielder who can play a bit - very much in the Steve McMahon mould.
Any truth that he transferred to Villa to save a straight swap between the two Liverpool clubs?
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Some very wise person, I truly wish I could remember who it was for it displayed insight and wisdom of almost four dimensional profundity, said that what we really need is a player to kick the opposition when the referee is not looking.
I had hoped that Sylla would be that that player but it was not to be. It could well be Grant Holt. I do hope so.
I remember posting about seeing Andy Lochhead punch a York player one night, after checking if the ref was watching. Rightly or wrongly, I enjoyed it and still yearn for players like that to wear our shirt. Their passion spills over into the crowd. We need that, especially at Villa Park.
I love seeing a nasty tough tackling midfielder who can play a bit - very much in the Steve McMahon mould.
Any truth that he transferred to Villa to save a straight swap between the two Liverpool clubs?
"When Steve McMahon plays well, I always think that Liverpool will play well." This ultimate compliment from Bob Paisley's bear testament to McMahon's capabilities. McMahon started out as a ball boy at Goodison Park and eventually joined his boyhood heroes Everton. He was a regular for the Blues for three seasons and voted the supporters' player of the year in his debut campaign. When he felt it was time was to move on he chose Aston Villa in a £300,000 deal over Liverpool. He confessed that he didn't dare to do the virtually impossible to move straight from the blue half of Liverpool to the red. His transfer turned out to be a step down as Everton were a club on the rise, winning the League Championship two years after his move while Aston Villa struggled to follow their 1980/81 league triumph. Before McMahon eventually joined Liverpool he had certainly had his tussles with their players. "They set me up. Kenny got me booked and Souey got me sent off," says McMahon of their Anfield battle on 17 September 1983. "They certainly set out to wind me up and they succeeded. They were crafty. I was wound up anyway going back to Merseyside and they did me a treat." Since Souness left Liverpool for Rome in 1984, a playmaker of some force was needed as the Reds lost the title to Everton. When Liverpool came in for McMahon again in September 1985 he turned down one of Liverpool's greatest rivals. "I turned down Manchester United to join Liverpool, that's how much I wanted to sign for the club. Villa were playing at Southampton. Manager Tony Barton named the team at midday, then pulled me to one side to explain why I wasn't playing that night. I had made it clear that I wanted to move back to the north. The manager said: 'I think you might like this move.' He informed me that Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson had made a satisfactory offer that had been accepted by Villa. I believe it involved a swap deal with Alan Brazil. I think I shocked Tony Barton when I replied: 'Thanks but no thanks.' There had been a great deal of press speculation that Liverpool would move in, and I was prepared to bide my time for that chance. When the opportunity arose to sign for Liverpool I took it and it was the best decision of my career."
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Thank god he chose Liverpool and we avoided alan brazil in a villa shirt .
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The Steve McMahon transfer was shrouded in more mystery than a Danish black and white tecko.
The serious point I try to make is that we have become perceived as soft, especially at home and it must be rectified. Craig Gardner is such a nasty piece of work you ought to expect a bit of it to be in Gary's genes but he never has been lucky enough to get a run in the team to show if he is a tiger or a pussy.
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The Steve McMahon transfer was shrouded in more mystery than a Danish black and white tecko.
The serious point I try to make is that we have become perceived as soft, especially at home and it must be rectified. Craig Gardner is such a nasty piece of work you ought to expect a bit of it to be in Gary's genes but he never has been lucky enough to get a run in the team to show if he is a tiger or a pussy.
I don't think he has that kind of edge to his game from what I've seen BRian.
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I think Gary should be loaned out for a bit to get his confidence back with a few regular games. He is a great player but that injury was cruel at a critical time in his development.
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I don't agree with the nasty conclusion, although I can see where it comes from-we don't have enough grit. I have come to my own conclusion that we are trying to play at a pace that suits very good players-which means we are disadvantaged by a lot of visiting teams who simply have a lot more skill. The ones that don't have this make up for it not in aggression-but in upping the tempo, running and closing everyone down. So we are beaten both ways.
Lambert is trying to be Barca with Walsall. I would like to see some non-stop running and constant harassing of the opposition until we have the players that can deliver the slower possession and passing game.
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I think Gary should be loaned out for a bit to get his confidence back with a few regular games. He is a great player but that injury was cruel at a critical time in his development.
I agree, will be interesting to see if he gets a new deal in the summer - he has been cruelly hit by injuries .
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I don't think it's just about being nasty, it's a physical and mental toughness we're lacking. Monday night there was a point where Benteke got in a tussle with a couple of arse players and several other arse players ran in to support their mates. No one in claret and blue stuck up for Benteke. I've watched this scenario loads of times this season and if Holt can help our younger players feel there's someone on the pitch who's got there back it can only help lift there confidence.
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I've got a feeling Holt won't hide. Especially in the dressing room, he'll offer a bit of leadership and will point a few fingers in the dressing room. Where as I can't imagine many of our other players will.
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I think we must not confuse "nasty" with "dirty". My definition of nasty is doing whatever it takes not to be cowed or intimidated by the opposition. If John Terry is putting his studs down your calves you give him some back. All the running and energy and never-say-die attitude is not going to make it stop but a forearm smash across face will.
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Looking very good actually. He probably goes to the top of our sexiest player list. I think I'm going to end up liking the toned bastard.
I am pleased about that. Didn't know some fans had a list like that?
If Holt is the sexiest player at our club, there is hope for me yet
We do have an unusually ugly bunch.
I have ratings and everything Olaftab.
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Looking very good actually. He probably goes to the top of our sexiest player list. I think I'm going to end up liking the toned bastard.
I am pleased about that. Didn't know some fans had a list like that?
If Holt is the sexiest player at our club, there is hope for me yet
We do have an unusually ugly bunch.
I have ratings and everything Olaftab.
The days of Daveed and Juan Pablo with the Timotei locks and model faces are long gone. I think Martin O Neill was the one who really put us on the road to munterville, after Gregory had tried to somewhat redress the balance.
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I dunno why, but I've warmed to Holt for no reason whatsoever.
I think it might be the negative responses and all the finger pointing/laughter directed at him and the club. I hope he scores a bunch.
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I think we must not confuse "nasty" with "dirty". My definition of nasty is doing whatever it takes not to be cowed or intimidated by the opposition. If John Terry is putting his studs down your calves you give him some back. All the running and energy and never-say-die attitude is not going to make it stop but a forearm smash across face will.
Great stuff! Back to the days of Mick McManus and Jackie Pallo. More! More! More!
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He did ok today. Im now fan of this loan, but I could see some experience and intelligence there that will certainly help the younger guys. Certainly better than Bowrey as an option. Solid start from the guy.
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He did today what he has been brought in for. He looks like he is lacking some match fitness which is understandable. He's going to help there is no doubt.
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He did today what he has been brought in for. He looks like he is lacking some match fitness which is understandable. He's going to help there is no doubt.
Agreed.