Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: N'Zimidy on July 11, 2014, 05:13:11 PM
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Kieron Richardson confirmed on SSN. In my opinion much better than Luna and Bennett and certainly a better signing than Senderos and Cole.
Welcome to the club.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3986559,00.html
Kieran Richardson acknowledged his excitement about finally joining Villa - 15 years after he might have been signed as an Academy player.
The 29-year-old left back put pen to paper on a two-year deal with a further year's option and, after being reunited with Villa legend Gordon Cowans who continues to coach the Under-21 development squad, he revealed how close he came to being a Villa youth player at 14.
"The last time I was here I was 14 years old when I was unsigned and the main building here at Bodymoor wasn't here at that time," Richardson recalled.
"It was a small building then in the other corner of the training ground. The place now, of course, has changed a lot, it's really magnificent and I'm delighted to be here.
"It's definitely up there with the best training grounds I've been to. I've been able to catch up with Gordon and that was nice. He's a legend here and it just brought back all the memories.
"Villa Park itself has always been my favourite stadium out of all of the stadiums in which I've played in the Premier League. It's got great atmosphere, the fans are magnificent and I'm really looking forward to playing here. I know I'm going to love it."
Paul Lambert believes that Richardson's pace, versatility and experience will be a welcome addition to the squad.
"Kieran will complement many of the players here well with what he brings," said the Villa manager.
"He will add pace, a great deal of experience and he knows the Barclays Premier League. He's played a lot of games for a lad who has yet to turn 30.
"The grounding he gained at Manchester United has stood him in good stead and he knows what it is to compete in this league and to win things and that's important. I'm delighted he's joined us and we're really looking forward to working with him."
Richardson will be reunited with assistant manager Roy Keane, who brought him to Sunderland while he was manager at the Stadium of Light.
"Roy is top-drawer, outstanding as a player and excellent at man-management. He tells you how it is which is good for players and I'm delighted to be working with him again," Richardson added.
"I'm looking forward to working with the manager, too. He wants to play attacking football, he wants the team going forward and that's great. I haven't worked with him before, so I'm excited to start working with him now.
"I know a lot of the players from playing against them over the years, the likes of Darren Bent, Alan Hutton, Joe Cole. I know quite a lot of them as people so I should settle in quite well.
"Benty I've known a long while, since we were about 15, so that will be good. Obviously, I've known Joe a long time. At West Ham I was a bit younger than Joe and as a kid I used to look up to him. He's gone on to have a great career, so playing with him again here will be great.
"Joe's only 32, so he's still got plenty to contribute. He has all that experience and he's a top, top player with so much ability. He'll bring a lot to the side, helping the younger players and passing along all of the experience that he's acquired over the years to them.
"Philippe Senderos is another player I know, a top pro and a really good centre half who always gives 100 per cent. He's played at a very high level and you know what sort of a player he is given the clubs he's played for.
"But I'm looking forward to meeting players I don't know as well, such as Ron Vlaar.
"The captain has had a great World Cup and I've been very impressed. "I've played against him before in a number of games and he has been a stand-out figure for Villa at the back. At the World Cup he's played great and he can come back and carry that on.
"Playing in the World Cup will have really boosted his confidence, especially when he played so well.
"For myself, I'm happy wherever I'm playing on the pitch, whether that's left back, left wing or centre midfield, even behind the striker.
"I'm happy to play wherever I'm needed. I've played in most positions - sometimes that can be a curse, sometimes that can be a good thing, but hopefully I can nail down a position here at the club.
"There's a lot of people fighting for positions which is healthy for the club. I'm really going to enjoy the challenge."
Richardson signed for Manchester United as a 17 year old from West Ham United.
He made 81 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring 11 goals, and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in 2006-07 and the League Cup in 2005-06.
He had a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion during his time at Old Trafford, playing a central part in keeping the Baggies in the Premier League in 2005.
He moved to Sunderland in July 2007 to link up with former teammate, and current Villa assistant manager, Keane, who was manager at the Stadium of Light.
He stayed on Wearside for five years, making 149 appearances in all competitions and scoring 15 goals, before moving back to London with Fulham in August 2012.
He made 48 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring six times.
Richardson has earned eight England caps, scoring twice on his debut against the USA - the second set up by new Villa team-mate Joe Cole.
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Welcome.
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Not really sure of what to make of him. He scored a corker against us and that is about all I can remember from the past few seasons!
I get the impression that he may be a left wing back, rather than a winger or a full back. That versatility, when you have limited funds, is obviously an attractive quality.
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I hope to see him bombing down the left wing from a full back position very soon. He's an upgrade which is important.
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Pretty much guarantees we're playing 5 at the back next season. Probably the best thing we can do with the lack of quality in midfield and up top. A back five of Bacuna - Okore - Vlaar - Senderos - Richardson is decent enough to stick around midtable imo. Whether or not Westwood - Delph - Cole with Gabby - Weimann up top will score enough to keep us up (especially with Kozak and Benteke out) is another question.
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Oh well welcome Kieran and good luck.
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Remember seeing him in an entertaining reserve game many years ago. He scored a hat trick and looked the real deal. Never quite worked out but a steady signing. If we're playing wing backs then I'd rather have Lowton in than Bacuna because there's not so much pressure on defending and he's possibly the best crosser at the club, but we'll see; it gives us options at least.
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Decent signing, better than what we have (by a mile) at left back.
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Welcome to the Villa, but just as underwhelmed as I was with the signing of Senderdross.
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Not the worst signing we've ever done, and improves the squad. So welcome and good luck. My Albion mate was full of praise for him when he was there, although that was yonks ago now.
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I've been pretty negative on our signings to date this summer but this one looks to be the best of the bunch so far.Having said that mid table is the best we can hope for.
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Not really sure of what to make of him. He scored a corker against us and that is about all I can remember from the past few seasons!
Scored two goals for England in the same game once. Think it was against Wales. One was a lovely free kick if I remember correctly.
Good luck to him.
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Solid experienced player and therefore a good acquisition.
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Good signing IMO. Best of the 3 yet by far.
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Welcome aboard. Not as bad as signing as people may think, plus he's a little younger than i thought, pretty low risk on all counts.
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Not really sure of what to make of him. He scored a corker against us and that is about all I can remember from the past few seasons!
Scored two goals for England in the same game once. Think it was against Wales. One was a lovely free kick if I remember correctly.
Good luck to him.
USA I think.
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Best of luck in B6
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Presumably this is going to an end to any interest that we might have had in Bertrand.
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Presumably this is going to an end to any interest that we might have had in Bertrand.
I read on the beeb gossip that Spuds and Liverpool were interested in him for 8 million, but I could be wrong.
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Presumably this is going to an end to any interest that we might have had in Bertrand.
I think so. There likely would have been a fee also that we avoid. Mind you, Bertrand dropped off a bit after a good start. A good player but you wonder would he have been worth the £5-6m he'd have cost plus wages?
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Presumably this is going to an end to any interest that we might have had in Bertrand.
I think so. There likely would have been a fee also that we avoid. Mind you, Bertrand dropped off a bit after a good start. A good player but you wonder would he have been worth the £5-6m he'd have cost plus wages?
I agree. I'd have had no problem signing Bertrand permanently, but if the choice is Richardson + £8m to (I know, I know) spend elsewhere or Bertrand then I'd go for the former any day.
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Presumably this is going to an end to any interest that we might have had in Bertrand.
I think so. There likely would have been a fee also that we avoid. Mind you, Bertrand dropped off a bit after a good start. A good player but you wonder would he have been worth the £5-6m he'd have cost plus wages?
It's a fair point but at the same time his resale value would have been decent.
Anyway, welcome Kieran - I hope you can make a difference.
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Bertrand didn't look a £6-£8 million full back when he was playing with us, so I can't say I'm gutted that we didn't make the deal permanent. He's no Kyle Walker. As well as worselves, left back has been a problem position for the Redscouse in recent years. If they sign Bertrand, I don't see that changing.
Richardson looks the best of the three we've signed so far. Not outstanding, by any means. But not as suspect as Senderos or Cole.
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Welcome to all 3, I am impressed with Richardson, more of a solid back line now.
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Not a bad signing, really, and I suppose when you consider the level at which we seem to be shopping now it's pretty good.
He's fairly solid, fairly quick and fairly good at passing. All of which make him better than any other left back we have.
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I've warmed to this signing since the story first broke. Hope he does well.
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Ameobi next please.
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Welcome and good luck Kieran.
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Another cheap signing but I've always quite liked Richardson and I think he's a better player than Bertrand anyway. He's quite attack minded as well, which is welcome.
I really wish Villa would stop the cringe worthy way we introduce our new players though - listing trophies won and caps earned etc elsewhere is very small time and something we'd point and laugh at if Small Heath or Albion did it. For crying out loud we're Aston Villa not some johnny come lately who are visiting the Premier League for a season. Just bloody stop it!
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Another cheap signing but I've always quite liked Richardson and I think he's a better player than Bertrand anyway. He's quite attack minded as well, which is welcome.
I really wish Villa would stop the cringe worthy way we introduce our new players though - listing trophies won and caps earned etc elsewhere is very small time and something we'd point and laugh at if Small Heath or Albion did it. For crying out loud we're Aston Villa not some johnny come lately who are visiting the Premier League for a season. Just bloody stop it!
The Joe Cole picture was embarrassing but haven't we basically just done a bio for Richardson at the end of the announcement page?
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Another cheap signing but I've always quite liked Richardson and I think he's a better player than Bertrand anyway. He's quite attack minded as well, which is welcome.
I really wish Villa would stop the cringe worthy way we introduce our new players though - listing trophies won and caps earned etc elsewhere is very small time and something we'd point and laugh at if Small Heath or Albion did it. For crying out loud we're Aston Villa not some johnny come lately who are visiting the Premier League for a season. Just bloody stop it!
The Joe Cole picture was embarrassing but haven't we basically just done a bio for Richardson at the end of the announcement page?
No, Villa's official twitter thing did one of those "Welcome" pictures of Richardson with a list of trophies and caps won elsewhere. Honestly, it's embarrassing.
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A step up from Bennett and Luna so its all good, welcome to our wonderful club Kieran.
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I just had a look, yep, that is shit.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsRmesnIQAA68Gx.jpg:large)
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A step up from Bennett and Luna so its all good, welcome to our wonderful club Kieran.
Definitely a step up from that pair of muppets. He may even turn out to be a decent signing.
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Not a world beater by any means, but he improves the squad at little cost which is all you can ask for when we're in such a state of limbo.
Welcome and good luck!
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He's saying all the right things, and he's an improvement. This is alright.
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I've warmed to this signing since the story first broke. Hope he does well.
Same for me.
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Adds a bit of know how into our squad. We were never going to spend multi millions given the ale of the club.
Nice to hear WM already taking the piss with Franks and Regan singing the Dads Army theme tune. For crying out loud, he's 29, not 39!
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Just can't wait to get down Villa Park to see Kieran Richardson play... yawn!
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The raid on the bargain bucket continues.
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For a free transfer it's honestly quite a good signing. Still at his peak, he's also versatile. He's a vast improvement on Bennett and Luna. Likewise I think if you put him in midfield ahead of KEA, he improves that area of the pitch too. He might chip in with the odd screamer too. Can also take a reasonable set piece too, something we're crying out for.
Welcome aboard.
Much as our three signings haven't been inspiring, they still improve our options in each position we've bought in. Senderos improves on Baker and probably Clark. Joe Cole improves on...well...no one, and Richardson is better than Luna and Bennett.
For our limited budget, I'd say Lamberts not doing too badly.
Ask me again if he signs Bendtner though.
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A step up from Bennett and Luna so its all good, welcome to our wonderful club Kieran.
I'd be tempted to send Bennett out on loan and give Luna another chance now he's had a season to settle.
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Welcome to the Villa and good luck
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A step up from Bennett and Luna so its all good, welcome to our wonderful club Kieran.
I'd be tempted to send Bennett out on loan and give Luna another chance now he's had a season to settle.
The thing with Bennett is that for him to get decent experience on loan, it would have to be to a PL side, and the only sort of PL side likely to want to take him is the sort we'll almost certainly find ourselves fighting with to avoid relegation.
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For a free transfer it's honestly quite a good signing.
It's not a free transfer is it?
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For a free transfer it's honestly quite a good signing.
It's not a free transfer is it?
I thought Fulham decided to let him go for nothing. A couple of papers suggest differently but most seemed to suggest they released him. If not I'd imagine the fee was close to nothing.
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I bet it's about £250,000 or something like that.
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Unlike Senderos I am very pleased with this signing. Down to Roy Keane I should imagine. Richardson played very well for the Baggies when he was there. For whatever money the club have paid this is a bargain.
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He's no worse than Bertrand, who would have cost £8mil.
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Just out of idle curiosity, how many combined appearances do we think Richardson, Senderos and Cole will make in their Villa careers?
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Richardson a regular.
Ditto Senderos as Vlaar will be off.
Cole less than 10 appearances.
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Don't think Richardson is that injury prone so he'll make 30 appearences and be first choice.
Senderos...let's hope 0 but realistically about 20 as even if he stays Vlaar will get injured and in any case Lambert will go to 3 at the back in some games.
Joe Cole about 20 aswell, most as subs as I don't see him as a first choice tbh, maybe an impact sub option.
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More worryingly Nathan Baker will probably make around 35 appearances.
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I would love it if Cole got 20 + as that would mean he's doing ok. I reckon Richardson is a solid signing and be a regular. I have no idea about Senderos so I'm not going to guess.
One thing I do hope if it's true these guys have turned down offers elsewhere to come here on unspectacular wages is they are coming to prove themselves. When MON left us we needed the older heads to be strong and be an inspiration and lead by example and it was those who really let us down. Lets hope this lot and the returning members of the bomb squad can come in and do a job and help guide the lesser experienced players on.
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We don't seem to be beating other teams off with these signings. It does have the feel of hoovering up other teams cast offs. I'm slightly sad the promotion of youth has clearly been abandoned.
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We don't seem to be beating other teams off with these signings. It does have the feel of hoovering up other teams cast offs. I'm slightly sad the promotion of youth has clearly been abandoned.
More worryingly Nathan Baker will probably make around 35 appearances.
Two posts very close together, the joy of the different opinions!
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Good signing. An upgrade.
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another poundland special
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I was really disappointed at first then realised I was thinking of Jermaine Pennant.
Considering how far we've sunk these days he's probably the best we can hope for. Damning with faint praise I know, but there you go.
Edit. Also didn't know he was a left back. Could have sworn he was a winger. Certainly played as a winger for England anyway.
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Much better than we already have. Low fee and shortish contract. Good business I would say!
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How exciting.
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We don't seem to be beating other teams off with these signings. It does have the feel of hoovering up other teams cast offs. I'm slightly sad the promotion of youth has clearly been abandoned.
I won't be sad to see the end of the likes of Baker, Clark and co.
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I was really disappointed at first then realised I was thinking of Jermaine Pennant.
Considering how far we've sunk these days he's probably the best we can hope for. Damning with faint praise I know, but there you go.
Edit. Also didn't know he was a left back. Could have sworn he was a winger. Certainly played as a winger for England anyway.
According to Fulham fans he prefers to play further forward but can play as a left back if asked. So yeah, you are right.
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We have signed and will probably, in the not too distant future sign worse players than him.
He's decent enough going forward at least.
Welcome Kieran and best of luck.
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Another not particularly good player joining us.
Better than Luna, and probably more interested in playing for us than Bertrand without spending stupid money.
However, from signing young, hungry potentially good players, it seems like we've moved to older players who have proved they're not exactly the greatest players around.
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Decent signing for me, hope we play him further forward, but for certain games it is useful to have a player like that who can fill different roles. I think he is a step up compared with much of our players.
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Another not particularly good player joining us.
Better than Luna, and probably more interested in playing for us than Bertrand without spending stupid money.
However, from signing young, hungry potentially good players, it seems like we've moved to older players who have proved they're not exactly the greatest players around.
I think the main thing is that they're proven in the Premier League, whereas of course, our cheaper punts, who may have some potential, look well off being Prem standard. Some of those cheaper young players looked like they'd struggle in the Championship.
The three we've got might be either at peak, or in Coles case, in decline, but at least you know what you're getting (fitness permitted).
If this lot can see us through another year before (hopefully) brighter times ahead under new ownership, they'll have done their job. There were countless games last season that slipped away from us, where a bit of nous, and experience might have helped us grind out a result.
We've still got a very good spine in Guzan, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke. That will give us an advantage over a lot of the bottom half.
At this stage, on this budget, when it comes to filling the gaps, I'd rather sign average players, as opposed to mediocre youngsters who might one day become average.
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We don't seem to be beating other teams off with these signings. It does have the feel of hoovering up other teams cast offs. I'm slightly sad the promotion of youth has clearly been abandoned.
I won't be sad to see the end of the likes of Baker, Clark and co.
No me neither really (though I think Clark's okay) and as for the players not having other options. I'm not sure that was the case. I've no doubts someone would have signed Senderos pretty quickly had we not. Cole had very lucrative options overseas apparently. Richardson apparently had 3-4 other clubs interested. That's of course whether or not you believe said players themselves, but I'd imagine there'd have been plenty of takers, perhaps not too many in the Prem to be fair.
You could also argue we've been shopping off QPR's shopping list for one... ha ha.
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He's better than what we've got in several positions, especially at left-back, if that's where he's going to play.
He's a Villa player now so I hope he has a great few years for us!
Welcome to The Villa Kieran!
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Another not particularly good player joining us.
Better than Luna, and probably more interested in playing for us than Bertrand without spending stupid money.
However, from signing young, hungry potentially good players, it seems like we've moved to older players who have proved they're not exactly the greatest players around.
Last year Lambert was berated for signing too many young prospects and the view was he needed to sign more experienced PL players. Now he goes and does that, he is berated because these are not the type of experienced PL players wanted. Which of course simply points to the fact he does not have the money needed to either afford the up front fee nor wage demands of the types of players people want him to sign.
Round and round we go.
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I've got a feeling he might just work in a 5 man defence.Lets face it we can't defend.
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The thing about signing young hungry players is that they have to be any good, as the ones we have ain't been so far, so they need good coaching to improve, which we haven't had, so signing players like Richardson is an improvement which also say's a lot about where we are right now, either way it's not a bad signing.
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Another not particularly good player joining us.
Better than Luna, and probably more interested in playing for us than Bertrand without spending stupid money.
However, from signing young, hungry potentially good players, it seems like we've moved to older players who have proved they're not exactly the greatest players around.
Last year Lambert was berated for signing too many young prospects and the view was he needed to sign more experienced PL players. Now he goes and does that, he is berated because these are not the type of experienced PL players wanted. Which of course simply points to the fact he does not have the money needed to either afford the up front fee nor wage demands of the types of players people want him to sign.
Round and round we go.
Couldent have put it better myself, it would seem whatever we do at present re signings is wrong, I will say it again H@V has been in meltdown in the last 12 months almost begging the club to buy experienced premier league players and when we do, you know the rest.
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I remember him scoring an incredible free-kick for Sunderland, if he can offer us some set piece quality that'll do. I've come round to his signing, but we do need some real quality as well.
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Probably scored goal of the season at Villa Park last season.
Welcome Kieran .
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Welcome to Villa, Kieran.
Looking forward to seeing you play.
UTV!
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there's nothing wrong at all with this signing. It's early July and we have added 3 players. The transfer market has a long way to go and many things will happen. While now we have some extra cover I still expect Lambert to buy two or three quality players in the 5-7m range.
Until the 20 min or so mark vs Stoke we were just fine and heading very comfortably to mid table safety. Nobody can properly explain what happened next though. While stuff behind the scenes didn't help which I'm sure Lambert wouldn't use that as an excuse and neither should it be, I imagine it had a very detrimental effect. Going into this season we needed more depth and we have it. But as everyone will agree and Lambert said so himself we need proper quality and I don't think for a minute he meant free agents. Even in his most recent statement on transfers he did say things will get rolling after the WC, so I expect to see some quality additions in late July, early August probably once players get back from their break.
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The biggest difference could well be having Okore, NZogbia, Benteke and Kozak fit. Put that 4, together with Richardson and Cole creativity wise into the mix, and you start to think that we might well look more mid table than relegation certs. 3 "paid" signings in the Benteke bracket and we could have our best season under Lambert. Could, and big ifs at the moment.
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The biggest difference could well be having Okore, NZogbia, Benteke and Kozak fit. Put that 4, together with Richardson and Cole creativity wise into the mix, and you start to think that we might well look more mid table than relegation certs. 3 "paid" signings in the Benteke bracket and we could have our best season under Lambert. Could, and big ifs at the moment.
Yep and if Gabby and / or Weimann have a decent return (which both are capable of) then we might do better than most of us are currently expecting. Midfield still needs addressing though.
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I know people keep mentioning benteke will be fit in September but I can't see it. He came back too early from the last one. I'm expecting it to be cold by the time he's back playing
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The biggest difference could well be having Okore, NZogbia, Benteke and Kozak fit. Put that 4, together with Richardson and Cole creativity wise into the mix, and you start to think that we might well look more mid table than relegation certs. 3 "paid" signings in the Benteke bracket and we could have our best season under Lambert. Could, and big ifs at the moment.
Yep and if Gabby and / or Weimann have a decent return (which both are capable of) then we might do better than most of us are currently expecting. Midfield still needs addressing though.
Gabby despite his known qualities is not capable of 'a decent return'. Never has been and never will.
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I've got a feeling he might just work in a 5 man defence.Lets face it we can't defend.
Well, we haven't been able to for 3-4 seasons.
It does appear that we might be in the process of fixing that. Let's FFS hope so.
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Am I getting away with myself a little bit thinking we might win the league ? ; )
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The biggest difference could well be having Okore, NZogbia, Benteke and Kozak fit. Put that 4, together with Richardson and Cole creativity wise into the mix, and you start to think that we might well look more mid table than relegation certs. 3 "paid" signings in the Benteke bracket and we could have our best season under Lambert. Could, and big ifs at the moment.
Yep and if Gabby and / or Weimann have a decent return (which both are capable of) then we might do better than most of us are currently expecting. Midfield still needs addressing though.
Gabby despite his known qualities is not capable of 'a decent return'. Never has been and never will.
Didn't he get double figures in league goals for four years running? Not that he'd do that now even if playing upfront
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Can he play LB ?
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Am I getting away with myself a little bit thinking we might win the league ? ; )
love that remark,made me laugh out loud !:-)
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Another not particularly good player joining us.
Better than Luna, and probably more interested in playing for us than Bertrand without spending stupid money.
However, from signing young, hungry potentially good players, it seems like we've moved to older players who have proved they're not exactly the greatest players around.
Last year Lambert was berated for signing too many young prospects and the view was he needed to sign more experienced PL players. Now he goes and does that, he is berated because these are not the type of experienced PL players wanted. Which of course simply points to the fact he does not have the money needed to either afford the up front fee nor wage demands of the types of players people want him to sign.
Round and round we go.
Couldent have put it better myself, it would seem whatever we do at present re signings is wrong, I will say it again H@V has been in meltdown in the last 12 months almost begging the club to buy experienced premier league players and when we do, you know the rest.
At no point did I berate him for it, and neither has many others.
It just seemed to me PL the only idea he had was to try young players as we can't afford the better older players.
The only slight criticism is that, when signing older players, which I have no problem with, why are we signing players who, at very best, are distinctly average?
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Fine and welcome Kieran . Lack of new contract news for Vlaar and Delph is worrying
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well if that Delph facebook account is reliable he doesn't come across as someone who is remotely anywhere close to wanting to leave.
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He's an improvement on what we currently have in that area. Good signing.
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I text my son a couple of days ago who doesn't go on any villa forums,
this exchange sums the signing up for me
Me- by the way we might be signing Kieron Richardson
him- fucks sake
Me- he's gona be our new left back instead of Bennett and Luna
him- he's actually probably better than both of them
me- I know, depressing but true
him- it is a bit sad
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Am I getting away with myself a little bit thinking we might win the league ? ; )
I think that at the beginning of every season.
Soon wears off, though. :)
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I text my son a couple of days ago who doesn't go on any villa forums,
this exchange sums the signing up for me
Me- by the way we might be signing Kieron Richardson
him- fucks sake
Me- he's gona be our new left back instead of Bennett and Luna
him- he's actually probably better than both of them
me- I know, depressing but true
him- it is a bit sad
Of course it does, it was your conversation. So you said what you thought? ???
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General consensus on FFC forum is that they are gutted to see him leave and thought he was their best player last season, so who knows this might actually be z good signing. Mind you I can't suite work out what they thought of Senderos!
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=40612.0
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It's our best signing of the summer so far. He's better than what we've got and he's better than half our signings last summer
A defensive midfielder of similar ilk would be great. Just can't think who really
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I text my son a couple of days ago who doesn't go on any villa forums,
this exchange sums the signing up for me
Me- by the way we might be signing Kieron Richardson
him- fucks sake
Me- he's gona be our new left back instead of Bennett and Luna
him- he's actually probably better than both of them
me- I know, depressing but true
him- it is a bit sad
Didn't you tell the cheeky whipper-snapper to mind his language?
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the best of our three signings but still utter cack
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We don't seem to be beating other teams off with these signings. It does have the feel of hoovering up other teams cast offs. I'm slightly sad the promotion of youth has clearly been abandoned.
I won't be sad to see the end of the likes of Baker, Clark and co.
I'm with you there.
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He has a good Villa name K Richardson. Hope it's an omen.
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In all honesty whenever I see us play against Fulham he was one of their players I've always been wary of. I've always rated him.
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
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He said on AVTV that he wants to be a Villa legend.
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He said on AVTV that he wants to be a Villa legend.
He can talk a bit
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The biggest difference could well be having Okore, NZogbia, Benteke and Kozak fit. Put that 4, together with Richardson and Cole creativity wise into the mix, and you start to think that we might well look more mid table than relegation certs. 3 "paid" signings in the Benteke bracket and we could have our best season under Lambert. Could, and big ifs at the moment.
Yep and if Gabby and / or Weimann have a decent return (which both are capable of) then we might do better than most of us are currently expecting. Midfield still needs addressing though.
Gabby despite his known qualities is not capable of 'a decent return'. Never has been and never will.
I'm afraid Gabby is on the downward slope of his career. He might have the odd good or even great game but we have seen the best of him. Some players plateau, stay at that level and are consistent for years but, because of the type of player he is and how injuries affect him, no sooner had Gabby reached his peak, he was on the way down.
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He has a good Villa name K Richardson. Hope it's an omen.
If he does half as well as Kev then he'll have done okay.
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
As I said elsewhere people have decided that he will join us as a left-back. I very much doubt that. I also expect Luna to be a lot better this season. Not saying much I know.
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Welcome to Aston Villa Kieran.
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Nice interview on AVTV. Is determined to do well and seems to have a genuine affection for club.
He also confirmed he was recruited to play left back.
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
As I said elsewhere people have decided that he will join us as a left-back. I very much doubt that.
He's played pretty much exclusively at left-back since around 2010 and has said in his interview with the OS that he will be playing left-back.
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which was a huge sigh of relief given our dearth of talent at that position
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which was a huge sigh of relief given our dearth of talent at that position
Here's hoping we can shift the shysters we've signed in that position the last two or three years.
I am usually in favour of not writing players off too quickly, but both Luna and Bennett look to me like they'll never be good enough at this level
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which was a huge sigh of relief given our dearth of talent at that position
Here's hoping we can shift the shysters we've signed in that position the last two or three years.
I am usually in favour of not writing players off too quickly, but both Luna and Bennett look to me like they'll never be good enough at this level
Praying like you that some desperate second tier outfit in Spain and England respectively never got to watch too many Villa games and the ones they did were Arsenal away and Chelsea at home.
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
As I said elsewhere people have decided that he will join us as a left-back. I very much doubt that.
He's played pretty much exclusively at left-back since around 2010 and has said in his interview with the OS that he will be playing left-back.
Ample evidence for this at the splendid Fulham web site, which has a team tab for each game which includes formations. I have randomly selected 10, and in every instance where he has played, it has been left back in a four.
Example (http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2013_2014/league/away/arsenal#lineup)
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
As I said elsewhere people have decided that he will join us as a left-back. I very much doubt that.
He's played pretty much exclusively at left-back since around 2010 and has said in his interview with the OS that he will be playing left-back.
Ample evidence for this at the splendid Fulham web site, which has a team tab for each game which includes formations. I have randomly selected 10, and in every instance where he has played, it has been left back in a four.
Example (http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2013_2014/league/away/arsenal#lineup)
Imagine if our OS let you see every formation played in our matches.
It'd just be a gigantic question mark, or some form of Mandelbrot set.
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He ticks the most important box, which is "being better than what we already have in his position". Looks like a sensible signing to me.
As I said elsewhere people have decided that he will join us as a left-back. I very much doubt that.
He's played pretty much exclusively at left-back since around 2010 and has said in his interview with the OS that he will be playing left-back.
Ample evidence for this at the splendid Fulham web site, which has a team tab for each game which includes formations. I have randomly selected 10, and in every instance where he has played, it has been left back in a four.
Example (http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2013_2014/league/away/arsenal#lineup)
Imagine if our OS let you see every formation played in our matches.
It'd just be a gigantic question mark, or some form of Mandelbrot set.
Spat out a decent Pommard Premier Cru.
You owe me, pauliewalnuts.
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It's actually on the OS,
(http://www.mit.edu/~kardar/teaching/projects/chemotaxis(AndreaSchmidt)/rand_2D.gif)
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It's actually on the OS,
(http://www.mit.edu/~kardar/teaching/projects/chemotaxis(AndreaSchmidt)/rand_2D.gif)
ha ha ha
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May be ok as a wing back.
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Nice interview on AVTV. Is determined to do well and seems to have a genuine affection for club.
He also confirmed he was recruited to play left back.
At that news Luna and Bennett have ordered more cigars and renewed their golf club membership.
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Moon started well but certainly lost his early promise. Bennett definitely looked better when he came back on and will develop, he's only young and someone like Richardson will help.
I think there's scope for 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 (depending how positively we play) and therefore a place at full/wing back for Richardson and Lowton /Bacuna.
I'm pleased with the experience we've signed; they've all played at successful clubs and know what it takes to win. They should be good role models for the younger players too. Sure they aren't world beaters but that's clearly not a market we're in with this owner. As Brian has said many times, oh how low expectations have sunk.
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I can't say I'm over the moon with our signings, but the most consistent critique of our squad on this site has been we lack players of premier league quality in certain areas (especially left back, centre back and midfield). We have, by definition, signed three players in those positions who have been premier league quality in their careers.
In senderos's case I think it's fairly low quality. And in joe cole's case it's clearly faded.
But I'd pick senderos ahead of baker, Richardson definitely ahead of luna or Bennett, and cole ahead of - well we literally don't have a similar player at the moment.
I'd have liked better no doubt. Hangeland not senderos. Possibly hoolahan ahead of cole. Happy with Richardson. We need a defensive midfielder of similar ilk to richardson
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Summed it up well, Matt. They may not be the most dramatic of improvements, but they are improvements. And let's not forget that Okore and Kozak will be back for the first day of the season, and Benteke hopefully not long after. Hopefully we can stay in this league long enough to be taken over by someone to take our ambitions above mere survival.
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The earlier link to the Fulham website (not the one on page 8) said that he played well in the second half of the season (after recovering from injuries) when in midfield. They also commented on how poor he was as a defender. Slightly concerned that he says he's playing left-back then.
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I think this is a decent transfer for the club. Welcome to the club. I hope you will soon be joined by a defensive ball winning midfielder!!
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Just wanted to mention Richardson. He hasn't had the plaudits for any one outstanding display but in some ways is beginning to remind me our former K.Richardson - Kevin. Unassuming, and not one for the highlights reel he did his job quietly and effectively. You didn't notice him much while playing but missed him when he wasn't. Kieran is much the same and has gone about his job with great professionalism and adds a lot of balance to the side.
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Yep he's done very well.
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I'd echo those comments. He was very good today without doing anything spectacular. Long may this all continue.
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Agreed on the above but he has some great goals in his locker which can see him make the highlights reel. See his goal for Fulham against us last season as an example.
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Really good squad player. Looks like a really smart signing.
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Quietly effective.
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I was banging on about him after Hull. In the 3 man midfield he has consistently gone beyond the forwards creating space and chances. Today he played a really disciplined wide role. For the money there will be few better value anywhere in the league this season.
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I had KR as my MOTM today
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I had KR as my MOTM today
I can't see beyond the defenders to be fair.
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It would be good to see him posing more of a attacking threat. But for now he has been given a job to do within the system and he has been pretty solid doing it. Certainly one of our best players today for me.
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I thought he was against Hull in fairness. Set up the second, couple of good chances himself. But today was all about closing down the spaces.
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
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He denies the opposition space...
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I think he gives us a bit of balance and allows Cissokho a chance to bomb forward. He's been ok and his experience is always a help.
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There's already a thread with people discussing what he brings.
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He looked good at stoke
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
You obviously don't watch the games because Richardson has been very good so far.
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
I'm at a loss with this one. I'll just say that I disagree.
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I really like him. Never expected he would be a regular starter in midfield and actually improve us. Obviously there are more skilful or gifted attacking midfielders out there but he works really hard and is an intelligent player I think. I get the impression that if the manager gives him instructions he follows them to the letter, which is very handy when setting up a team to defend away from home. Also, he looks a bit like Craig Charles these days. That doesn't affect my opinion of him one way or the other but I thought I'd mention it.
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I've been really impressed with him so far. He looks far fitter than I thought he was, a good engine, decent technique and seems to have a good attitude. If anyone in midfield was slightly anonymous yesterday it was Cleverley but let's give him a bit of time to adapt.
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He gives us good energy and legs in the middle. Helps with our pressing game.
I don't see him as a starter all season but will be important in the games against our fellow title chasers like yesterday.
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
its only my opion!
You obviously don't watch the games because Richardson has been very good so far.
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I really like him. Never expected he would be a regular starter in midfield and actually improve us. Obviously there are more skilful or gifted attacking midfielders out there but he works really hard and is an intelligent player I think. I get the impression that if the manager gives him instructions he follows them to the letter, which is very handy when setting up a team to defend away from home. Also, he looks a bit like Craig Charles these days. That doesn't affect my opinion of him one way or the other but I thought I'd mention it.
Been watching Red Dwarf lately? A Craig Charles reference here and a Kryton reference in another.
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I have always thought he was a decent player, when at Sunderland and Fulham. Keeps things ticking over, keeps the ball moving, gets through a fair bit of graft. Also has plenty of experience and IMO a very good acquisition.
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I see him as Milner type of player. He doesn't perfect one role, but is very decent at a number of different things. His flexibility and work rate work is what is useful for us right now.
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
I'm at a loss with this one. I'll just say that I disagree.
Sorry, Hookey, have to agree with Pete.
Richardson has been really good for us, so far.
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Dont want to be overly negative especially after a great win at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' but each game I watch him in I struggle to see what he actually offers to the team. He has played now for 5 premiership teams and I still cannot fathom where his natural, or best position actually is. My hope is when Benteke is back Gabby will take the role up.
its only my opion!
You obviously don't watch the games because Richardson has been very good so far.
Don't add extra words to my quote, maybe take a visit to the 'how to' thread.
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No problems with Rico so far. He's looked good. He fits in and he looks good at this level in whichever position we play him. What his best position is I don't know, but I think the point of Richardson, and indeed Bacuna as another example, is a player we can slot comfortably in a number of positions and he'll do a solid job. It certainly beats just playing someone totally out of their depth at this level like Tonev, Sylla, KEA, Bennett, Luna, or Bowery. All of whom have played in positions that Richardson is capable of covering.
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Everyone who played on Sunday was a hero against Liverpool
One of the best team performances I have seen from a Villa team
I just wanted to to highlight Richardson given the abuse he received in recent games.
Thanks Kieran - you played your part and I hope you get rewarded with a medal in the final
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Everyone who played on Sunday was a hero against Liverpool
One of the best team performances I have seen from a Villa team
I just wanted to to highlight Richardson given the abuse he received in recent games.
Thanks Kieran - you played your part and I hope you get rewarded with a medal in the final
He paid back an awful lot of what he owed us for the QPR game at Spurs.
After that goal line clearance on Sunday, he's definitely in credit.
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Linked up well down the left but still question marks over him defensively. But with the way we are playing I don't think Cissokho's lack of passing ability will see Richardson being dropped.
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The left-back spot is still the weak link for me, but I do quite like Richardson. He never goes hiding or looks like the rabbit-in-the-headlights that Luna and Bennett did at times. He's also a lot more capable in possession of the ball than Cissokho. He was hit and miss at the weekend, but stuck to his task very well (especially when Balotellli started drifting out wide) and ended-up making a big contribution. If only he had a right foot he may have been on the score-sheet too!
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He' done well the last 2 games after having a stinker v QPR.
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He's an ideal squad player who can slot in when needed but Villa really do need to get the left back position locked down with a regular player. Aly looked better than Luna or Bennett but there must be another option out there.
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He's an ideal squad player who can slot in when needed but Villa really do need to get the left back position locked down with a regular player. Aly looked better than Luna or Bennett but there must be another option out there.
Left back has been a problem for a very long time.
Bouma one season (before his terrible injury) and Warnock for a chunk of one season. Others have been pretty shite the last 10 years
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I like Richardson in a midfield position getting forward, but he scares me silly at left back. Did well against Mario second half though, and we are all grateful for his header off the line. Interestingly we did not have a man on the post for the QPR Clint Hill one did we?
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The QPR game was a classic bringing a long term injured player back too early. Its not just physical fitness needed at this level its mental sharpness as a split second lapse in concentration can result in a big cock up or goal.
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I remember thinking at the time that his 'performance' against QPR was one of the worst I've ever seen a Villa player put in, but still the booing of him was pathetic. This was even before his balls-up for their second goal. But he was part of a much improved defensive unit against Spurs and Liverpool and didn't look out of place at all so fair play to him.
In hindsight I think it was a mistake to start him and Vlaar against QPR as neither had any match fitness but with the injuries we've got Sherwood had little choice.
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I thought he was our weakest link on Sunday but thanks McGrath he was in the right place when shit face got his head to the ball!
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I thought he was our weakest link on Sunday but thanks McGrath he was in the right place when shit face got his head to the ball!
agreed, I prefer Cissoko in there. Apart from the header off the line, I thought Richardson was pretty dire on Sunday
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Thankfully he was bright enough to defend the back post from a corner for that important goal line clearance. Too many players don't stay at home when they should lately which results in many soft goals conceded at corners.
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He's an ideal squad player who can slot in when needed but Villa really do need to get the left back position locked down with a regular player. Aly looked better than Luna or Bennett but there must be another option out there.
Left back has been a problem for a very long time.
Bouma one season (before his terrible injury) and Warnock for a chunk of one season. Others have been pretty shite the last 10 years
I thought Luke Young was very good considering he was a right back.
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We've been linked with Tyrone mings. Never seen him play but heard he's highly rated
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We've been linked with Tyrone mings. Never seen him play but heard he's highly rated
Very much so, also linked with Arsenal.
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Released after 6 games.
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From where?
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From where?
Cardiff. He came on against us in the home game against them recently.
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Tony would love to have a player called Ming.
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Tony would love to have a player called Ming.
Instead we've got one or two who could rightly be called minge's!
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From today's Guardian Rumour Mill (it turns out that our missing creative attacker was under our noses all along):
In League One, Southend United manager Phil Brown says his side are in “pole position” to land Kieran Richardson. “He classes his best position as a No10,” Brown announced to stunned silence.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/06/transfer-rumours-sanchez-manchester-city-20m-in-january-pique-iniesta-juventus (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/06/transfer-rumours-sanchez-manchester-city-20m-in-january-pique-iniesta-juventus)
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I'd love to know how many other clubs are lining up to secure the services of Richardson.
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My God I thought we'd resigned him for a minute.
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I think we'd all have resigned, as supporters, if that was the case.
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We had an order at work the other day for a Kieran Richardson.
It was for a new Shinai - maybe he's taken up Kendo!