Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dave on August 08, 2014, 04:17:40 PM
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There is probably enough smoke around this one now for it to deserve it's own thread:
Sky sources understand that Valencia defender Aly Cissokho is having a medical at Aston Villa.
The France international left-back was on loan at Liverpool last season, and now looks set for another stint in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old former Lyon man earned his one international cap in 2011 and moved to Valencia the following year after spells with Porto and Vitoria Setubal.
He would fill a hole in defence for Villa manager Paul Lambert, who has already signed Joe Cole, Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson this summer.
Villa are believed to have agreed a fee in the region of £2-3m for Cissokho, who had two years remaining on his Valencia contract.
He made 15 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season but the move was not an unmitigated success, and he did not feature a great deal during the title run-in.
Another left-back for our collection.
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MON had the blind spot for RB, and to a lesser degree strikers, Lambert seems to have one with LB. At least he realises it is a position that needs sorting. Which is something I suppose.
Hopefully if Thong Song signs he will be a success for us.
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Bienvenue a Villa Park Aly. Forget the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' you are with a proper club now.
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I saw him play for Porto ages ago and he was really good, hopefully he can recapture that form. Apparently he wasn't very good for Liverpool but here's hoping!
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Right....So, it seems Richardson is going to be our new star midfielder, right? Enda the road for Stephens and/or Gordon Bennett being shipped out somewhere on-loan.
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I think Stevens contract expires in Jan so he'll be off then if not before.
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His display against us last season was the most inept performance I'd seen all season (including our players). That said, it was one game and his track record can't be a fluke. He's been at some big clubs.
Surely he's going to be better in the long term than Luna, Stevens and Bennett.
At least it proves we're willing to spend a bit of money I suppose.
If it goes through, welcome aboard, good luck. Hopefully he'll be followed with 1-2 decent midfielders of a similar standing.
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I wonder if we'll start off with 4411 given our lack of decent signings and Lambo's newfound fondness for genuine full backs.
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Right....So, it seems Richardson is going to be our new star midfielder, right? Enda the road for Stephens and/or Gordon Bennett being shipped out somewhere on-loan.
At least it'll give us options on that left side I suppose. A back four and Cissokho can play fullback with Rico ahead as a wide man. Alternatively Rico at wing back and Cissokho could possibly play LCB in a back three.
If those two mean we don't have to scrape by with Bennett or Stevens, then all the better.
But for the love of god Lambo...midfield! Sort the midfield!
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His display against us last season was the most inept performance I'd seen all season (including our players). That said, it was one game and his track record can't be a fluke. He's been at some big clubs.
Surely he's going to be better in the long term than Luna, Stevens and Bennett.
At least it proves we're willing to spend a bit of money I suppose.
If it goes through, welcome aboard, good luck. Hopefully he'll be followed with 1-2 decent midfielders of a similar standing.
Even worse than Lugano?
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His display against us last season was the most inept performance I'd seen all season (including our players). That said, it was one game and his track record can't be a fluke. He's been at some big clubs.
Surely he's going to be better in the long term than Luna, Stevens and Bennett.
At least it proves we're willing to spend a bit of money I suppose.
He's been at some big clubs? So have Senderos, Cole and Richardson......
If it goes through, welcome aboard, good luck. Hopefully he'll be followed with 1-2 decent midfielders of a similar standing.
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At least it looks like we're trying to pay money for someone! He used to be highly rated.
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Was shocking each and every time I saw him for Liverpool last season.
Hopefully he'll recapture some of his Porto/Lyon form otherwise we have another left-back turkey on our hands.
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well we have signed plenty of players in the past who had looked good for there former clubs and turned out to be complete tossbuskers
so maybe signing someone who has been shit already will work in the opposite way
this is all I have i'm afraid
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From what I saw of him last season he's crap.
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Nothing like a Villa fan to beat someone before a they even stretch the shirt. Was very highly rated 2years ago, is only 26 and will know a really good season will put him back in the thoughts of the really big clubs. For 2m, I fail to see how he is not a huge improvement on Bennett and Luna... Steal if he gets back to anywhere near his best.
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Spanish guy at work is a Valencia fan and reckons he will be a good signing for us - though of course this could be because he knows we are pretty hopeless.
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loved the way he celebrated that deflected goal!
He gives us options ....
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Signed on four year deal
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Good signing I'd say! Glad it seems we've finally sorted out the Left Back position. All we need is a decent holding midfielder and I'd say we easily have a top 10 squad.
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(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/l/t1.0-9/10448244_903469436347282_2465887375879079078_n.jpg)
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Welcome Aly. I hope you be become our best left back since Staunton.
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My mate is a Porto fan and only has positive things to say about him, thinks that his time at Liverpool was all about adjusting to English football.
Hopefully he has got that out of his system now. Welcome to VP.
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Paul Lambert & his lame left backs obsession. Should make lyrics to a catchy relegation terrace chant.
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Welcome Aly to the greatest club in the world.
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Good signing I'd say! Glad it seems we've finally sorted out the Left Back position. All we need is a decent holding midfielder and I'd say we easily have a top 10 squad.
I'd agree. Very pleased with this.
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Cissokho not Cissoko seems to be the correct spelling. As in 'Hohoho, this left back cannot tackle nor track either.'
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Cissokho not Cissoko seems to be the correct spelling. As in 'Hohoho, this left back cannot tackle nor track either.'
Noted and changed.
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Well if he used to be good enough to be worth £15m at one point then I'm pretty happy.
Do we know a fee? I honestly thought it was a loan deal.
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Cissokho not Cissoko seems to be the correct spelling. As in 'Hohoho, this left back cannot tackle nor track either.'
Noted and changed.
Appreciated.
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Well if he used to be good enough to be worth £15m at one point then I'm pretty happy.
Do we know a fee? I honestly thought it was a loan deal.
I've seen anywhere from £1.75m to £3m mentioned.
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Correct alteration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aly_Cissokho)
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A rag bag squad of cast offs. I despair
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A rag bag squad of cast offs. I despair
For me, it's experience finally added to the 'young and hungry' approach.
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His display against us last season was the most inept performance I'd seen all season (including our players). That said, it was one game and his track record can't be a fluke. He's been at some big clubs.
Surely he's going to be better in the long term than Luna, Stevens and Bennett.
At least it proves we're willing to spend a bit of money I suppose.
If it goes through, welcome aboard, good luck. Hopefully he'll be followed with 1-2 decent midfielders of a similar standing.
Even worse than Lugano?
I take it back.
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Very good signing, I feel.
Valencia are my second team, and I've seen a fair bit of Cissokho over the years.
Ignore his Liverpool season, they tend to ruin players whom don't fit in right away.
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Am I alone in thinking Kieron Richardson will probably be our preferred left back by...lets say......Christmas, and therefore this is probably a waste of 30% of our transfer budget?
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His display against us last season was the most inept performance I'd seen all season (including our players). That said, it was one game and his track record can't be a fluke. He's been at some big clubs.
Surely he's going to be better in the long term than Luna, Stevens and Bennett.
At least it proves we're willing to spend a bit of money I suppose.
If it goes through, welcome aboard, good luck. Hopefully he'll be followed with 1-2 decent midfielders of a similar standing.
Even worse than Lugano?
I take it back.
Lugano had a great game at Villa Park - 2 assists!
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Am I alone in thinking Kieron Richardson will probably be our preferred left back by...lets say......Christmas, and therefore this is probably a waste of 30% of our transfer budget?
Good point. Some on here have said that Aly may be used on the left of 3 CBs, with
Kieran at wing back. And in defensive (away) 442 formations, Aly could be LB and Kieran LM.
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Welcome to the greatest club on earth.
At least coming up with a song for him is easy, the intro rather than the whole song!
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Correct alteration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aly_Cissokho)
A boy from Blowa. Know the town well.
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It also gives the option of playing a competent premier league winger in the wide left role of the 4-3-3 formation. We are 2 decent level signings from a very comfortable mid table side now that can be used as a platform to build. Another tricky creative option and a big hard midfielder. Looks better having Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Cissokho compared to Lowton, Clark, Baker, Bennett
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My Liverpool mates are pissing themselves with laughter, Perhaps they know nothing.
I think he played against us at Klanfield last year and in my eyes memory he was stunningly crap.
In Randy and Lambert I trust.
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Well one of us now. Welcome Aly!
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Awful for Liverpool last season. Hopefully he'll leave it behind him.
I hope this means we're going to shift Bennett on.
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Welcome Aly and best of luck, I think we will need it.
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I am blessed with having no Liverpool 'mates'. I know some Liverpool fans but I prefer the term 'Liverpool c@@@@'.
There's one in our pub who goes to games who has been called 'the murderer' ever since Heysel.
Welcome Aly, those pricks up there know fuck all.
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He was brilliant on Pro Evo a couple of seasons ago. That's good enough for me.
Bienvenue au club, Aly!
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Welcome Aly, those pricks up there know fuck all.
Thats excellent.
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Welcome to the Villa Aly, oh and thanks Randy for opening your wallet just a little bit you tight arse.
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I really hope he can recapture his previous form and he was bedding into the premiership last season at Liverpool. Strengthens the squad and all I hope is that he is given a chance. He cant be a bad player judging by the teams he has played for, maybe the way Rodgers likes to play his football wasnt totally suited to him. Looks strong defensively and that is what I want most of all in a defender
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One of many newcomers at Liverpool last season who didn't impress. Are they all rubbish?
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I think I would have been pleased with this signing when we were splashing the cash. Think he's better than Liverpool witnessed.
Who knows how he will cope if we don't strengthen the midfield however.
Positive.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Anyway, not too impressed with this signing. Does fit in with our "used to be good" policy we have at the moment.
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He may feel more comfortable at Villa than coming into Liverpool last year and certainly more used to the premiership. I do wonder if we may use him on the left side of the three in defence, but have been informed he didnt play in the centre for Liverpool at all. From comments I have read he was an attacking player at previous clubs, didnt see that from the few times I saw him at Liverpool, but looking forward to him playing and maybe we wont be bullied so much this season, but agree we need bit more physical presence in centre midfield. Rumours we are getting someone else in
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With our illustrious recent history in left backs I feel we've got another hit on our hands. Welcome Aly!
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Anyway, not too impressed with this signing. Does fit in with our "used to be good" policy we have at the moment.
(https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/1006245632/hE9FEE240/)
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Rumours we are getting someone else in
What have you heard?
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Rumours we are getting someone else in
What have you heard?
Not in the know at all, Lambert has said in club statement about maybe one or two more in. I have heard the name Sanchez from Columbia mentioned, not got a clue about him though. A strong centre midfielder and I will be quite happy tbh considering the circumstances
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Who is going to be first with a Dirty Sanchez joke as soon as he fouls someone?
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Welcome to The Villa Aly.
All the best for a stupendously succesful Villa career!
UTV!
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Who is going to be first with a Dirty Sanchez joke as soon as he fouls someone?
I think you've just answered your own question there.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
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Who is going to be first with a Dirty Sanchez joke as soon as he fouls someone?
I think you've just answered your own question there.
Is this a rhetorical question?
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Aly Cissokho believes he was destined to play for Aston Villa having fallen in love with Villa Park during his Barclays Premier League debut last season.
Good enough for me
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
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Aly Cissokho believes he was destined to play for Aston Villa having fallen in love with Villa Park during his Barclays Premier League debut last season.
Good enough for me
Not putting a dampener on it, but I do recall the second Andy Gray saying how he loved Villa because of the first Andy Gray when he signed. Trouble was he didnt realise where Aston Villa were based I dont think :-)
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Welcome to the Villa Aly, oh and thanks Randy for opening your wallet just a little bit you tight arse.
Yes the 250 plus million he has put in so far is proper tight.
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Who? A Liverpool reject?
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Welcome to the Villa Aly, oh and thanks Randy for opening your wallet just a little bit you tight arse.
Yes the 250 plus million he has put in so far is proper tight.
And how much of that went in during the past three years when he now has a minimum income of £75m per season from Sky before ticket sales and merchandise sales?
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Aly Cissokho believes he was destined to play for Aston Villa having fallen in love with Villa Park during his Barclays Premier League debut last season.
Good enough for me
Who? A Liverpool reject?
Clearly he couldn't give his all for Liverpool if he fell in love with Villa on the very day they visited us. Or afterwards. He's been pining.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
Nah, I reckon its perfectly ok to have a second team so long as :
A) They're not based in England
or
B) They're non league (the exception being Walsall - surely the Midlanders majority choice as favourite second team )
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And how much of that 75m just covers wages? Short of having the club finance in front of me, he has still put up about 35 million for Lambert (total guess) in his first 2 seasons, and we are not at the end of this window yet. Prior to which he bankrolled the wage bill and large fee spending continuously. Now we are for sale, I am not shocked the spending has pretty much stopped, especially if the wage bill is still close to the income level.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
Nah, I reckon its perfectly ok to have a second team so long as :
A) They're not based in England
or
B) They're non league (the exception being Walsall - surely the Midlanders majority choice as favourite second team )
I can remember the days when it was quite common to hear chants of Walsall on the Holte.
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I don't like Walsall. Amazing how many of them slate us off, just like most fans of most Midlands clubs do. So fuck 'em, I hope they end up in the Conference.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
Nah, I reckon its perfectly ok to have a second team so long as :
A) They're not based in England
or
B) They're non league (the exception being Walsall - surely the Midlanders majority choice as favourite second team )
I'm almost onside with that Mr W. My Mum's family is the Villa through and through, but on my old man's side they're all Gills fans being as they are from Kent. However Gills are as near to non league as makes no difference, and checking to see what their results are doesn't seem to me to be any major crime.
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Oh and sorry I came on this thread to say that I hoped Cissokho would be a step up on the current incumbents of the LB slot before becoming piqued about football fascism.
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Cissokho likes Mussolini now?
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Welcome Aly, good luck.
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Aly Cissokho believes he was destined to play for Aston Villa having fallen in love with Villa Park during his Barclays Premier League debut last season.
Good enough for me
Sold. Now play well, kiss the badge when you score and we are good ...kiss the badge Aly... KISS THE BADGE!
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Welcome Aly. Good luck.
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Welcome Aly, hopefully solved our left back problem? Have we had an Aly before?
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An abbreviation for Alpay?
I'm out.
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Will stay postive on this one. He has to be an improvement on what we have already in that position, is a decent age, and its a reasonable fee. Hopefully he will come with a point to prove too. Welcome and good luck Aly.
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I don't like Walsall. Amazing how many of them slate us off, just like most fans of most Midlands clubs do. So fuck 'em, I hope they end up in the Conference.
I hate them, especially my neighbor, I wish he'd move back up to that hole.
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Of course welcome and all that I obviously I hope he is the answer. But I question the logic of gambling with a guy who has had a poor time of it in the Prem thus far? Don't get me wrong I hope he succeeds and i'm not saying he can't be a success. But surely it's a position that needs to used as a short-term stop gap whilst we concentrate on the important midfield areas. A good midfielder will always cover for a potential defensive flaw.
I'm sure there is a decent enough, competent enough left-back that we could get already in English football. I'm not talking about the top 8 or so side's left-backs that we couldn't attract. But solid left-backs that will just plug that gap. They wouldn't be that expensive and it's one constant thorn that you appease for now. Why he's decided to gamble again now is beyond me andI was frankly hoping to see a better approach to our January sales. And by that I don't mean the player, but the mindset of the person deciding which players to buy.
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If he can recapture the form that made him one of the hottest prospects in Europe then he could be a fine addition.
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If he can recapture the form that made him one of the hottest prospects in Europe then he could be a fine addition.
I agree with this. money i sight this window but we cannot have it both ways, by complaining about cheap young signings and also older free signings. something has got to give... Whether left back is the 'key' position is very debatable.
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Of course welcome and all that I obviously I hope he is the answer. But I question the logic of gambling with a guy who has had a poor time of it in the Prem thus far? Don't get me wrong I hope he succeeds and i'm not saying he can't be a success. But surely it's a position that needs to used as a short-term stop gap whilst we concentrate on the important midfield areas. A good midfielder will always cover for a potential defensive flaw.
I'm sure there is a decent enough, competent enough left-back that we could get already in English football. I'm not talking about the top 8 or so side's left-backs that we couldn't attract. But solid left-backs that will just plug that gap. They wouldn't be that expensive and it's one constant thorn that you appease for now. Why he's decided to gamble again now is beyond me andI was frankly hoping to see a better approach to our January sales. And by that I don't mean the player, but the mindset of the person deciding which players to buy.
I thought I read this lad had played 19 games for the team that came second in the league. Yes, I have also read he had a tough start, but he had a bit of pedigree. We have paid in the region of £2m it seems. Who would you suggest for that sort of money?
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If he can recapture the form that made him one of the hottest prospects in Europe then he could be a fine addition.
I agree with this. money i sight this window but we cannot have it both ways, by complaining about cheap young signings and also older free signings. something has got to give... Whether left back is the 'key' position is very debatable.
I am not defending the manager, but if you are given a real limited budget, what are you supposed to do? I actually think the squad looks stronger than this time last season. Hutton looks good, but at this time last season I wanted him sold as Lowton looks a class act. Not sure about the bomb squad thing and hopefully it is sorted.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
On the cynical side, you could say that Cissokho has been tried in this country - last season - and failed pretty badly.
On the positive side, you could say he deserves another chance and has a decent career behind him.
What I do find interesting is that it's another left back. Randy, with his current parsimonious stance towards the club, is going to have had Lambert come to him, and say "Yeah, I know I bought Joe Bennett, and I know the next year I bought Luna, and then I paid a loan fee to Chelsea to take Bertrand for a year, but now I want to buy another left back on a four year contract. Oh and we have another left back here already. Oh, and I bought Richardson last week and told him - as he told AVTV - he was coming here to play at left back".
Meanwhile, the first one he bought is still at the club and on the books, as is the one he inherited, and the second one he bought is only off on loan for a year, so no fee recouped there.
That's the sort of thing that makes me feel sorry for chairmen.
Again, on the bright side, if we're prepared to do this to sort out a position we've chucked loads of money at already, here's hoping that means we might address some of the positions where we really need people in.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
On the cynical side, you could say that Cissokho has been tried in this country - last season - and failed pretty badly.
On the positive side, you could say he deserves another chance and has a decent career behind him.
What I do find interesting is that it's another left back. Randy, with his current parsimonious stance towards the club, is going to have had Lambert come to him, and say "Yeah, I know I bought Joe Bennett, and I know the next year I bought Luna, and then I paid a loan fee to Chelsea to take Bertrand for a year, but now I want to buy another left back on a four year contract. Oh and we have another left back here already. Oh, and I bought Richardson last week and told him - as he told AVTV - he was coming here to play at left back".
Meanwhile, the first one he bought is still at the club and on the books, as is the one he inherited, and the second one he bought is only off on loan for a year, so no fee recouped there.
That's the sort of thing that makes me feel sorry for chairmen.
Again, on the bright side, if we're prepared to do this to sort out a position we've chucked loads of money at already, here's hoping that means we might address some of the positions where we really need people in.
That's the thing, I'll reserve my judgement on this until the window closes. If he doesn't get some mids in then I'll look back on this in anger. If he spends money on some mids as well I'll think 'oo, good addition'.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
On the cynical side, you could say that Cissokho has been tried in this country - last season - and failed pretty badly.
On the positive side, you could say he deserves another chance and has a decent career behind him.
What I do find interesting is that it's another left back. Randy, with his current parsimonious stance towards the club, is going to have had Lambert come to him, and say "Yeah, I know I bought Joe Bennett, and I know the next year I bought Luna, and then I paid a loan fee to Chelsea to take Bertrand for a year, but now I want to buy another left back on a four year contract. Oh and we have another left back here already. Oh, and I bought Richardson last week and told him - as he told AVTV - he was coming here to play at left back".
Meanwhile, the first one he bought is still at the club and on the books, as is the one he inherited, and the second one he bought is only off on loan for a year, so no fee recouped there.
That's the sort of thing that makes me feel sorry for chairmen.
Again, on the bright side, if we're prepared to do this to sort out a position we've chucked loads of money at already, here's hoping that means we might address some of the positions where we really need people in.
That's the thing, I'll reserve my judgement on this until the window closes. If he doesn't get some mids in then I'll look back on this in anger. If he spends money on some mids as well I'll think 'oo, good addition'.
Yup, ultimately, it's the 9th today, that doesn't leave an enormous amount of time, but three weeks is enough to do something in without being too long to wait.
We'll find out how far our ambitions go in a few weeks, so it makes sense to wait and see.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
You may be out of sync, but given the mammoth sums of money involved in domestic transfers, would think you will find it hard to come up with a better option on a limited budget.
Pauliewalnuts, I agree with you in some ways and again am not defending the manager, I actually think Bennett has some talent. Bertrand or the the new lad, I would take the new lad. He seems to have a good attitude but we will have to wait and see. Remember Bertrand, the best left back performance I saw after January was Bennett v Chelsea, he was superb. I want players who want to play for the club
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What I do find interesting is that it's another left back. Randy, with his current parsimonious stance towards the club, is going to have had Lambert come to him, and say "Yeah, I know I bought Joe Bennett, and I know the next year I bought Luna, and then I paid a loan fee to Chelsea to take Bertrand for a year, but now I want to buy another left back on a four year contract. Oh and we have another left back here already. Oh, and I bought Richardson last week and told him - as he told AVTV - he was coming here to play at left back".
Meanwhile, the first one he bought is still at the club and on the books, as is the one he inherited, and the second one he bought is only off on loan for a year, so no fee recouped there.
That's the sort of thing that makes me feel sorry for chairmen.
Well when you put it THAT way. Yeah its a bit nutso.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
You may be out of sync, but given the mammoth sums of money involved in domestic transfers, would think you will find it hard to come up with a better option on a limited budget.
Pauliewalnuts, I agree with you in some ways and again am not defending the manager, I actually think Bennett has some talent. Bertrand or the the new lad, I would take the new lad. He seems to have a good attitude but we will have to wait and see. Remember Bertrand, the best left back performance I saw after January was Bennett v Chelsea, he was superb. I want players who want to play for the club
I agree with you re Bertrand. I didn't really see enough to make me want him back, and certainly not enough to merit the sort of fee he'd involve.
Bennett has had decent games, but I don't think there has been anything near enough to suggest he can do that on a regular basis, that's the problem.
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I'd keep Joe Bennett. Better potential than either Enda Stevens or Tony Moon. So, hopefully, after three attempts already, that's the left back sorted. Now, PLEASE sign a central midfielder.
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country. It's less of a gamble and also firms up the defence. we then could focus elsewhere as a priority and not keep coming back here every pre-season looking for another gamble. It's failed twice. Stick here and go and try somewhere else.
You may be out of sync, but given the mammoth sums of money involved in domestic transfers, would think you will find it hard to come up with a better option on a limited budget.
Pauliewalnuts, I agree with you in some ways and again am not defending the manager, I actually think Bennett has some talent. Bertrand or the the new lad, I would take the new lad. He seems to have a good attitude but we will have to wait and see. Remember Bertrand, the best left back performance I saw after January was Bennett v Chelsea, he was superb. I want players who want to play for the club
I agree with you re Bertrand. I didn't really see enough to make me want him back, and certainly not enough to merit the sort of fee he'd involve.
Bennett has had decent games, but I don't think there has been anything near enough to suggest he can do that on a regular basis, that's the problem.
I thought Bennett was superb v Chelsea tbh. He has been poor but so were the likes of John Robson, Gordon Smith (after his motm debut) it does take some time for people to settle. Wilfred Bouma?
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What I do find interesting is that it's another left back. Randy, with his current parsimonious stance towards the club, is going to have had Lambert come to him, and say "Yeah, I know I bought Joe Bennett, and I know the next year I bought Luna, and then I paid a loan fee to Chelsea to take Bertrand for a year, but now I want to buy another left back on a four year contract. Oh and we have another left back here already. Oh, and I bought Richardson last week and told him - as he told AVTV - he was coming here to play at left back".
Meanwhile, the first one he bought is still at the club and on the books, as is the one he inherited, and the second one he bought is only off on loan for a year, so no fee recouped there.
That's the sort of thing that makes me feel sorry for chairmen.
Again, on the bright side, if we're prepared to do this to sort out a position we've chucked loads of money at already, here's hoping that means we might address some of the positions where we really need people in.
And there is a decent chance that even combined they haven't cost the club as much as Warnock did. Which really makes me feel for chairmen.
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Jesus wept.
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Fuck a duck.
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Having thought about it and worked out that Warnock cost us approx £14m in fee and wages, i'll change it to "even combined, they almost certainly haven't cost us as much as Warnock did".
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That's the thing. It would be incredible if all the £1- signings we made came off. Who's call it was to go down that route and ditch the bomb squad is unclear
Bent, Ireland, nzogbia, given all started off in the team. KEA and vlaar were hardly young and hungry when signed
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I'm not sure who as I'm completely out of sync with who plays for who. But, for me I'm sure for the money that we spent on what admittedly could turn out to be a good player, could have been spent wiser on a tried and tested left-back based in this country.
Other left-backs who have moved are Patrick van Aanholt to Sunderland, Ryan Bertrand on loan to Southampton, Luke Shaw to Man Utd, Aaron Cresswell to West Ham and Ben Davies to Spurs.
If we take Shaw and Davies out of the equation for obvious reasons, would you have preferred any of the others?
For a couple of million I think this is a very decent addition.
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Is he likely to play today ?
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And will he inherit Salifou's chant?
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Aly, Aly who? Aly, Aly who?
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
You won't like me then,
I'm of to see Mansfield Town today as they are playing just up the road from me at Northampton, I lived there during the 70's and still have a soft spot for them
I also watch Newport Pagnell Town, actually I am a sponsor and have my company name printed on the back of their track suits,
So All in all we wouldn't get on bosko
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
You won't like me then,
I'm of to see Mansfield Town today as they are playing just up the road from me at Northampton, I lived there during the 70's and still have a soft spot for them
I also watch Neport Pagnell Town, actually I am a sponsor and have my company name printed on the back of their track suits,
So All in all we wouldn't get on bosko
I should think it makes foreign/non league football more interesting if you have someone to support. I really don't see the problem as long as they are not direct competition (obviously in my dreams teams would meet in europe then there is no debate who you support).
I think i might start picking one team each from foreign leagues and non league to support. Any suggestions/reasons? I don't want to be no glory hunter though, that would feel too unusual.
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Was thinking about this last night. It could be a good signing. I mean, he's only 26 and used to be good a few years ago. There's a chance he could rediscover that form. This picture won me over to be honest:
(http://i57.tinypic.com/j9aa95.jpg)
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Was thinking about this last night. It could be a good signing. I mean, he's only 26 and used to be good a few years ago. There's a chance he could rediscover that form. This picture won me over to be honest:
(http://i57.tinypic.com/j9aa95.jpg)
Looking at this pic he's already a hero of mine!
;-)
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can't have second team my arse. I've supported Forest Green as a second team for years. As frustrating as supporting Villa, but good fun and have a great little ground, right on top of a hill in a lovely little town.
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This is a different signing to the rest 4 year contract and we paid for him. I think this means the sale is nowhere near and Lambert is here for the duration. (until he gets sacked in a few months anyway)
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can't have second team my arse. I've supported Forest Green as a second team for years. As frustrating as supporting Villa, but good fun and have a great little ground, right on top of a hill in a lovely little town.
Forest Green's ground is about 8 miles from me as the crow flies. Unfortunately, the Severn is in the way so its 40 odd miles and an hour away by road. Hence, I've never been there.
My second team is Bristol Rovers (live on BTSport as I type*), which is only 30 mins drive.
*Bristol City are live on Sky at the moment as well. I doubt that both Bristol teams have been live on TV at the same time before (apart, of course, from when they pay each other).
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Was thinking about this last night. It could be a good signing. I mean, he's only 26 and used to be good a few years ago. There's a chance he could rediscover that form. This picture won me over to be honest:
(http://i57.tinypic.com/j9aa95.jpg)
Wilshere's fag breath must have been unbearable.
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ITV Sport tweeted that 'Villa have signed Liverpool legend Cissokho'.
We've also signed Liverpool legend Joe Cole, Manchester United legend Kieron Richardson and Arsenal legend and World Cup star Phillipe Senderos, things aren't as bad as people make out.
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ITV Sport tweeted that 'Villa have signed Liverpool legend Cissokho'.
We've also signed Liverpool legend Joe Cole, Manchester United legend Kieron Richardson and Arsenal legend and World Cup star Phillipe Senderos, things aren't as bad as people make out.
The thing is he was never their player - he's a Valencia legend! Deluded scousers/media etc.
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La Liga legend, it gets better.
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Was thinking about this last night. It could be a good signing. I mean, he's only 26 and used to be good a few years ago. There's a chance he could rediscover that form. This picture won me over to be honest:
(http://i57.tinypic.com/j9aa95.jpg)
I think you can add Cissokho to your name.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Then be annoyed.
I'm perfectly within my rights to follow other teams in other leagues if I see fit. As it is, I do. One team in one other league.
Get over it.
Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
You won't like me then,
I'm of to see Mansfield Town today as they are playing just up the road from me at Northampton, I lived there during the 70's and still have a soft spot for them
I also watch Neport Pagnell Town, actually I am a sponsor and have my company name printed on the back of their track suits,
So All in all we wouldn't get on bosko
I should think it makes foreign/non league football more interesting if you have someone to support. I really don't see the problem as long as they are not direct competition (obviously in my dreams teams would meet in europe then there is no debate who you support).
I think i might start picking one team each from foreign leagues and non league to support. Any suggestions/reasons? I don't want to be no glory hunter though, that would feel too unusual.
It does. It keeps me interested in La Liga, I get to follow another team that I have less of a deep connection with. There's an extra enjoyment to it.
When Villa lose, or things are going bad, it really gets to me sometimes. It can mess up my mood and my day.
Valencia? Sucks if we lose, but I don't get the same deep feeling inside. I get all the joy, but less of the heartache.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
Doesn't that really depend on where your "second team" play?
I mean, if you were a villa fan but your second team were, say, Everton, that would be extremely odd.
I follow teams in towns where I have lived, teams I used to go and watch when I lived there, but none in the same league as us, and not many in the same country, how is that wrong? I imagien loads of people do similarly. Or follow teams their friends support, maybe?
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Cissokho's career has been in a tailspin for years now.
Great if he can recapture that form but the odds wouldnt be in his favour.
Absolutely brutal on the ball from what I can remember of him last season
Back to those who have played left back for us over the last twenty years.
Staunton (1991-1998), Wright (1995-2003), Jlloyd Samuel (1998-2007), Wilfred Bouma (2005-2010), Stephen Warnock (2009-2013), Joe Bennett (2012-), Enda Stevens (2012-). Seem to remember Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Luke Young, Bryan Small filling in at left back at times. Najwan Ghrayib was a John Gregory special. Have I missed out on any?
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Agree my mum and Grandad support Ipswich, so they are my second team, watching them get promoted at Wembley with my Grandad was special, it would never give me the same joy as watching Villa there with the old man, but it's still a special connection.
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Cissokho's career has been in a tailspin for years now.
Great if he can recapture that form but the odds wouldnt be in his favour.
Absolutely brutal on the ball from what I can remember of him last season
Back to those who have played left back for us over the last twenty years.
Staunton (1991-1998), Wright (1995-2003), Jlloyd Samuel (1998-2007), Wilfred Bouma (2005-2010), Stephen Warnock (2009-2013), Joe Bennett (2012-), Enda Stevens (2012-). Seem to remember Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Luke Young, Bryan Small filling in at left back at times. Najwan Ghrayib was a John Gregory special. Have I missed out on any?
Shorey?
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He can defend, it's going forward he struggles.
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Valencia are my second team
What's this all about? You have a second team? Are we not good enough for you? Sorry, but this whole second team bollocks annoys me. You have one team and that's your lot.
Says who?
It's obviously my opinion. I can't stand it when people support more than one team.
Doesn't that really depend on where your "second team" play?
I mean, if you were a villa fan but your second team were, say, Everton, that would be extremely odd.
I follow teams in towns where I have lived, teams I used to go and watch when I lived there, but none in the same league as us, and not many in the same country, how is that wrong? I imagien loads of people do similarly. Or follow teams their friends support, maybe?
It's okay to follow teams, or look out for their results, if you've lived in that area or whatever, but I'm against the idea of having a "second team". Surely one team is enough?
It's only my opinion though. Just something that annoys me more than it should!
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He can defend, it's going forward he struggles.
I think we've tried and failed with fullbacks who are all about attack. I'd say if he's better defending and not great on the ball, he can stick largely to the own half of our pitch, and we put Rico out wide ahead of him to provide that width. Conversely, Hutton is more solid defensively than Lowton and Bacuna, though he can also offer a bit of quality going forward.
I'd say Lambert will want his FB's thinking defensively first, offensively second as it's been a persistent problem area under him.
Of course that will leave us need of more craft in midfield, and we've got to dip back in the transfer market for that IMO. Cole won't manage 10 games. Zogbia is good on his day but he'll be inconsistent and it may be a year too early for Jack.
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Welcome to Aston Villa FC Aly let's hope you have a good future.
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He can defend, it's going forward he struggles.
The ball gets in the way.
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Very pleased by this signing.
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Cissokho's career has been in a tailspin for years now.
Great if he can recapture that form but the odds wouldnt be in his favour.
Absolutely brutal on the ball from what I can remember of him last season
Back to those who have played left back for us over the last twenty years.
Staunton (1991-1998), Wright (1995-2003), Jlloyd Samuel (1998-2007), Wilfred Bouma (2005-2010), Stephen Warnock (2009-2013), Joe Bennett (2012-), Enda Stevens (2012-). Seem to remember Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Luke Young, Bryan Small filling in at left back at times. Najwan Ghrayib was a John Gregory special. Have I missed out on any?
You've missed the legendary Nicky Shorey and as you're going back to the 90s - Phil King.
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Is this the guy who is so strong he broke the gym equipment at Liverpool's training facilities?
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Is this the guy who is so strong he broke the gym equipment at Liverpool's training facilities?
Hoping it was weights or treadmill rather than the showers.
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Happy with this. Bennett isn't a complete travesty of a player, he has some quality on the ball but gets pushed off it far too easily.
Luna is a bit shit, it has to be said.
Pre season friendlies aren't always the best barometer, but he was getting pulled out of position against the mighty Shamrock Rovers last summer.
Bertrand was personally responsible for a number of goals we conceded last year too. After a bright start, In a poor team, he somehow managed to look poorer than most of the other duds.
He might have his faults (and, lets be honest, if he'd been outstanding for Liverpool last year, he'd have better options than us) but I don't think with the strength and size of Cissokho he'll be getting pushed off the ball that easily. By all accounts he's better defensively than going forward, so teams will need to be a bit more imaginative when attacking us now. It has been far to easy to exploit our left hand side for the past three seasons.
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I am pretty sure he played Defensive Midfield some games
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I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.
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I am pretty sure he played Defensive Midfield some games
Mmm didn't know that, perhaps Lambert has that in mind with Richardson lb. He's got all the requirements for a good DM.
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One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.
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Especially with Okore instead of Senderos in there - he's not exactly a shrinking violet from what I've seen.
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One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.
I agree with you that strength is a major factor for defenders. I do also think though that they have to do the basics right first and foremost. I hope they are being coached better these days and that we will only use Baker in an emergency. Okore can be eased in over the season and might be the best of the lot in time. I don't think we need to sign any more defenders this window, that's for sure!
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Gary Neville gave a very good description of what a fullback needs. Basically he said that in addition to being able to defend he has to have the energy to get up and down the touchline to give support to the other players. He does not have to be brilliant at beating players but needs to make the runs to pull opposition players out of the centre.
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One thing for me is that if Cissokho is the man to take us forward in that position (in Lamberts eyes) then we need to give him a run of games and stop messing about with the lineup. Bennett I don't think is good enough right now, and seems a long way off being good enough, so we might as well give Cissokho a go. While the defence is still trying to gel the protection from midfield could be key.
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I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.
Liverpool supporters are never impressed with anyone who isn't King Kenny, Souness or Billy Liddell.
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I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.
I struggle to care about the opinions of people who think being banned for racial abuse or biting is unfair.
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The other thing about most of these signings is that they have all played for decent sized clubs before.
We probably don't realise it, but Villa Park can be a hard place to adapt to for a younger player trying to make his way. Big ground, big pitch and many of the other trappings of a big club.
Too many of them have looked just outright nervous at VP in recent years, be that some of our own young players coming through or the likes of Westwood, Bennett and Lowton from smaller clubs.
Senderos, Richardson, Cole and Cissokho shouldn't have that issue, at least.
I'd still prefer it if we were targeting younger players who view the club as a step up and who want to make their name with us, but the balance has been skewed over the past two seasons. And the young players we sign need to be good enough to make the transition in the first place, which has also been an issue in recent years.
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The other thing about most of these signings is that they have all played for decent sized clubs before.
We probably don't realise it, but Villa Park can be a hard place to adapt to for a younger player trying to make his way. Big ground, big pitch and many of the other trappings of a big club.
Too many of them have looked just outright nervous at VP in recent years, be that some of our own young players coming through or the likes of Westwood, Bennett and Lowton from smaller clubs.
Senderos, Richardson, Cole and Cissokho shouldn't have that issue, at least.
I'd still prefer it if we were targeting younger players who view the club as a step up and who want to make their name with us, but the balance has been skewed over the past two seasons. And the young players we sign need to be good enough to make the transition in the first place, which has also been an issue in recent years.
Excellent point. I am sure Joe Cole will take a Villa Park debut in his stride far better than Westwood for example. We might all have different opinions on the merits of our signings but they have the experience we have been crying out for.
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With 2 solid full backs we could be a decent proposition. I think it was the 70s early 80s last time we had 2 great full backs
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One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.
I agree with you that strength is a major factor for defenders. I do also think though that they have to do the basics right first and foremost. I hope they are being coached better these days and that we will only use Baker in an emergency. Okore can be eased in over the season and might be the best of the lot in time. I don't think we need to sign any more defenders this window, that's for sure!
I think pace is a major requirement in the modern game, especially at full-back. Part of the problem with Lowton, Bennett and Luna is that if they are beaten, caught out of position or make a mistake, they don't have the pace to recover. Same applies to Baker and Clark in the centre.
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The problem with those lot is they don't do the basics. Stop the cross. Cover the runner. Hold the shape. Is hoped lowton could have picked this up as he's every good on the ball
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Cissokho's career has been in a tailspin for years now.
Great if he can recapture that form but the odds wouldnt be in his favour.
Absolutely brutal on the ball from what I can remember of him last season
Back to those who have played left back for us over the last twenty years.
Staunton (1991-1998), Wright (1995-2003), Jlloyd Samuel (1998-2007), Wilfred Bouma (2005-2010), Stephen Warnock (2009-2013), Joe Bennett (2012-), Enda Stevens (2012-). Seem to remember Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Luke Young, Bryan Small filling in at left back at times. Najwan Ghrayib was a John Gregory special. Have I missed out on any?
Townsend, Barry and Delph have all played there too.
My concern about this signing is that I don't see Lambert getting more out of him than Rodgers could. Hope I'm wrong.
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Lets give the lad a chance. He may feel more comfortable at Villa than he did at Liverpool and hopefully he will prove to be a major player for us.
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Liverpool clearly saw something in him to take him there in the first place and then not enough to buy him. With where they think they are, they are looking for somebody better. It does not mean that he failed there and I would rather make a judgement once I have seen him playing in our team.
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Is this the guy who is so strong he broke the gym equipment at Liverpool's training facilities?
Think that was Mamadou Sakho (ex PSG), but I might have that wrong.
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You don't have it wrong.
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If he plays like that every week we have a bargain, excellent display.
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Great stuff today.
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If he plays like that every week we have a bargain, excellent display.
Agreed 100%
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Yes, thought he was very good but Luna looked a steal at this exact point last year.
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Yes, thought he was very good but Luna looked a steal at this exact point last year.
Luna had scored by now as well.
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Luna had scored by now as well.
Not slating him just don't want to set myself up for disappointment.
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Difference being Cissokho is an established footballer in Europe and Luna was a bit of a punt on an unknown. Luna no doubt had a super game at Arsenal, but in the long run Cissokho should be the safer bet
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He, like Senderos, was not as bad as I thought he might be. Fair play to him, I hope he can nail that left back spot for a long time.
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Watching the game again. He's a big, strong bloke isn't he? Next to Vlaar, and with La Roca in front it's a lot more reassuring.
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When was the last time a Villa defence played so well as a unit? Well Aly and your new colleagues.
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Yeah he is. Our back line is now full of big ugly experienced brutes. Imagine when Sanchez is in front of them.....
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Was really impressed by him today. Be nice if he can keep that form up all season.
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He was very good today. As was Swiss Phil and Hutton.
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Excellent debut. Was brilliant on one on one defending as predicted and also got forward well. I like him.
Mind you I said all this about Luna this time last year and Bertrand seemed decent early on. Being Aston Villa left back does have the tendency to suck the life out of you after a while.
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Very impressed with Aly today. Based on his performances for 'The Mighty Reds YNWA', I wasn't keen on the signing but he's proving me wrong so far.
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Great debut. Very impressed.
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Excellent debut. Was brilliant on one on one defending as predicted and also got forward well. I like him.
Mind you I said all this about Luna this time last year and Bertrand seemed decent early on. Being Aston Villa left back does have the tendency to suck the life out of you after a while.
Look at his lovable face. Surely he can break the chain?
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2014/8/8/1407526903826/Aly-Cissokho-011.jpg)
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Very good debut yesterday. There is definitely a steel to our back line now.
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That back four was strong. They won't get knocked over too easily. We looked a lot more solid.
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He looks a top signing and love hs attitude at end of the game
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Really pleased yesterday with Cissokho who looks a brute that can get up and down the pitch. When he gets forward he can put in decent crosses on the run and he is another big guy to have around for set pieces.
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Three really solid performances.
Really looks like we've got fourth time lucky with left-backs.
Seemed very happy and involved in celebrating the goals by the likes of things, which is always nice to see.
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Unlucky with the goal as well. He tried to head wide when he realised it was hitting him but was a split second too late in reacting so just guided it inside the post.
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Three really solid performances.
Really looks like we've got fourth time lucky with left-backs.
Seemed very happy and involved in celebrating the goals by the likes of things, which is always nice to see.
we have three players who are much maligned in Hutton, Senderos and Cissokho who are proving everyone wrong with their performances. We often criticize footballers for being paid well and not always giving a damn, yet these three are showing immense determination to resurrect their careers. Their attitudes have been exactly what we have needed this season.
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Young and hungry has been replaced by experienced and hungry.
Aly's replacement in Scouseland scored today but currently I would prefer a defensive fullback then an attacking one. If you looked at all the chances Spurs had, it was because Sakho was mostly playing and covering Moreno's absence on that side which left a massive gap between the central defenders.
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Joe Cole just looks hungry. He looks overweight to me.
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If this guy could deliver a good ball he'd be a great player, but since he can't...
Do you make him stick to defending or is a traditional full back role redundant?
If it is, he shouldn't be playing.
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All depends how Sherwood is going to use him know. In the Lambert 'new system' we needed better over-lapping full backs. if he's asked just to defend then he'll be fine.
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Do we even have anyone else who could play right fullback? Kieran Richardson who's much worse in defensive duties?
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He's solid enough as a full back who can get up and down the touchline, he has no attacking ability at all. Can't see him being a first team player next season.
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As far as I'm concerned, anything he gives us going forward is a bonus. The past three or four years watching Warnock, Bennett, Baker, Clark, and Luna get massacred over there was rather harrowing.
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I swear he's only in the team because he's tall.
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If this guy could deliver a good ball he'd be a great player, but since he can't...
Do you make him stick to defending or is a traditional full back role redundant?
If it is, he shouldn't be playing.
If he could cross he'd be worth £15m too.
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I think he is in the team because he tough, physical and quick. He is also very fit, never looks tired to me despite being asked to be up and down all afternoon. When you have those attributes it can make up for not being the best player. I've got to say as well, he looked fantastic going forward in the first 4-5 games and seemed to get it back a bit second half against Leicester. Before people write him off as a squad player I would like to see if the new management team can get his chin up a bit and see what happens. I think a few could yet be surprised
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Yesterday's second half was the best I've seen him play attacking wise, no doubt he can defend and he was linking up well and overlapping, really it's just his crossing ability that let's him down. Maybe Tim Sherwood can get the best of him, I'd say the same about Leo Bacuna both are talented guys they just need more confidence.
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He did stick one or two really good crosses in yesterday.
Several more rubbish ones, but they weren't all bad.
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He is not very good and will only stay in the team till Sherwood finds a better player. In fact both our full backs are rubbish compared to our centre backs and therefore have a negative impact on the back line.
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Funnily enough I think he's one of the best crossers in the squad. Earlier this season put in some great balls.
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If we only allow Cissokho to defend and protect the space in front of him when the left winger attacks he's perfectly fine as a PL full back. When he's asked to do that and provide the width and attacking output from that side of the field he is extremely limited. Hutton is much better than Cissokho in that regard but I'd sooner have my full backs defend and have proper wingers who's job it is to attack and cross to provide that service.
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He put a great ball in yesterday but surprise, surprise, no one was anywhere near it.
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He's put in some very good proper crosses in througout the season so I think it's just lack of the confidence and coaching what's been lacking, so hopefully new manager and possibly new coaching team remedies that.
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That's the thing with Cissokho he can put in some great crosses but some duff ones too. Just like any crosser of the ball save beckham and one or two others. Where he lets himself down in the attacking third is just the simple 5 yard passes, the give and goes, the overlapping to keep a counter-attack going or switching the play quickly. Lowton ticked just about everyone of these boxes and is why I hope he settles back down and improves defensively because if he can he'll be a massive plus. i'd even consider sticking Hutton on the left then a la Luke Young.
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I like him and Hutton because they defend well. We should be playing them behind Bacuna and Gill, giving them as much licence to create and cause damage in the final third as possible.
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I would also say that the fullbacks have probably been criticised worse because they invariably have had one or occasionally two men to hit with crosses. Frequently the initial opportunity is passed up and they have to check back to allow men into the box, by which time they have a defender or two to beat and have to really work for the half a yard.
A noticeable difference yesterday was the filling of Leicesters box with midfielders second half. The FBs then have the luxury of being able to hit a dangerous area rather than 4 square inches of Bentekes head.
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I can't see how his crossing is any worse than I've seen pretty regularly from Bacuna (yesterday in particular) and Westwood - who I would expect to be better - even from free kicks and corners we struggle to create danger in the opposition area and see almost every one sail over the assembled masses in the box.
He showed earlier in the season that he can get forward and put a good cross over; he may have told not cross it any more but to hold on to it and pass it back...much like every other player over the last few "possession" months.
;-)
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Yesterday's second half was the best I've seen him play attacking wise, no doubt he can defend and he was linking up well and overlapping, really it's just his crossing ability that let's him down. Maybe Tim Sherwood can get the best of him, I'd say the same about Leo Bacuna both are talented guys they just need more confidence.
I think the varied opinions about Cissokho reflect how fans see different things from the same player. No doubt his crosses could be inproved and perhaps some new coaches might achieve this. Overall, I believe he could improve significantly with the right guidance and establish himself as our preferred left back.
As another poster said, he's a fit lad and if he cuts out his silly errors, he'll be a major asset.
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He put some great crosses in against Newcastle. I remember thinking that Benteke would thrive on deliveries like those. Hopefully Sherwood sees that and gets a) better deliveries more often and b) more players in the box. Put that simply, you wonder how worthwhile Lambert's coaching badges were.
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Cissokho seems terrified he'll have to cross the ball. You can almost smell the fear when he's in a great position to get the ball over he'll always give it to somebody else to do.
Very strange player.
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Hes a full back, i want him to be a good defender first and foremost, and if he is good at going forward, all the better.
As someone said earlier him and Hutton are fairly solid FBs , and i'm happy with him, after all he only cost £2m, and he doesn't have a great deal in front of him tbh.
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Hes a full back, i want him to be a good defender first and foremost, and if he is good at going forward, all the better.
As someone said earlier him and Hutton are fairly solid FBs , and i'm happy with him, after all he only cost £2m, and he doesn't have a great deal in front of him tbh.
Quite. If he were brilliant at attacking then he would be the €15 million player that Milan and Lyon thought they were getting and he wouldn't be playing for us.
As it is, he's the most solid left-back we've had since Bouma. There are a fair few positions to upgrade before we start on left-back.
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Think he has had a solid season for us up til now but has faded a bit in the second half.
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Cissokho seems terrified he'll have to cross the ball. You can almost smell the fear when he's in a great position to get the ball over he'll always give it to somebody else to do.
Very strange player.
He wasn't terrified of crossing when he first came so what's happened? He might have been told not do that, which given the total lack of attacking coaching wouldn't be surprising. If we can't get people in the box at the right times, then you could put the best crosses in and you'll just be giving the ball back to the opposition. Hopefully he'll be more confident putting the crosses in. It will be interesting to see if Lowton starts ahead of Hutton too. Hutton is the better defensive full-back but Benteke has thrived off Lowton crosses in the past.
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Cissokho is a solid left back and I'm happy for him to be in the team. Also if we're going to have more licence to go forward under Sherwood it's going to be very important that our defenders can defend.
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I like Sisko. I always think we are harsh on wingbacks. We expect them to defend like Maldini and attack down the wing like Tony Morley in his prime. See Wright, Charles, UDC, Nelson, Samuel etc.
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Started off pretty solid but when we switched to the tikki takka style of play his limitations were exposed.
He was a full solid disgrace at Hull
Going to be very hard to drop Clark who has probably been our best defender this season, he might be moving to left back if Vlaar stays fit.
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He's a full back that was asked to play wing back. If he gets back to being just a defensive full back who goes up as far as the half way line then he'll be just fine.
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He's a full back that was asked to play wing back. If he gets back to being just a defensive full back who goes up as far as the half way line then he'll be just fine.
Agree TV. He is fine defensively, but ideally needs a wide player in front of him who he can play the simple ball to.
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He still reminds me of the camp window dresser in the Mannequin film
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He still reminds me of the camp window dresser in the Mannequin film
*Like*
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The problem was that under Lambert, the full backs were the only source of width we had. And with neither of them being completely comfortable on the ball, it limited attacking options.
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I'd still rather him than Bennett but how anyone ever paid £14m for him beggars belief
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I think overall for the £2m we paid, he's been a decent buy and he's been ok. He did start really well, then dipped a bit but a few players under Lambert did that.
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Everyone's on a fresh start now. If Timmy plays with width and lets our attackers provide the width, as opposed to our defenders doing it all, then we'll look better. If you look at Chelsea for example, Mourinho will often have his fullbacks go up as far as the half way line, and let their attack wide players provide the width. Ivanovic is a center-half really. His first job is always to defend. Granted he's actually a very effective attacking option for them, especially from set pieces, but he's not given the unenviable task of creating everything for his team, as Cissokho and Hutton are. They were expected to take on 2-3 players and whip in a cross. Invariably 9/10 they had to turn and pass back to a CH.
Lamberts idea of a game plan was inane.
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
To be fair, can anyone remember which country Hutton was in when Lambert said that?
If he was on holiday in the Maldives for example?
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
To be fair, can anyone remember which country Hutton was in when Lambert said that?
If he was on holiday in the Maldives for example?
Still a brave shout.
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
To be fair, can anyone remember which country Hutton was in when Lambert said that?
If he was on holiday in the Maldives for example?
Still a brave shout.
We can probably rule out The Vatican as the nation in question.
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
To be fair, can anyone remember which country Hutton was in when Lambert said that?
If he was on holiday in the Maldives for example?
Still a brave shout.
We can probably rule out The Vatican as the nation in question.
If he ended up on that desert island with staunch Villa fan Tom Hanks and Spalding I'd be confident.
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http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/04/aly-cissokho-reacts-to-remi-gardes-appointment-at-aston-villa/?
Cissokho said: “I don't want to knock Sherwood, but Garde is a very good coach. He did a great job in Lyon. To take a team that is last, it is a very big challenge... We'll see if his arrival changes anything for me [about returning to Villa].”
It'll be interesting to see if he gets another chance for us. I remember reading a quote where Garde once described Cissokho as the best left back in the league or something like that. So obviously rates him
Just like Lambert said Hutton was the best right back in the country
To be fair, can anyone remember which country Hutton was in when Lambert said that?
If he was on holiday in the Maldives for example?
Still a brave shout.
He's no Ahmed Numan
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Can he be recalled?
Not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, but better than Richardson by a long shot.
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Now that Amavi is injured, Cissokho is suddenly going to become Roberto Carlos to some folk.
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Let's not forget who his manager was when he was here. He looked decent in his first couple of games before going to shit.
We also have Joe Bennett out on loan so the same question would apply to him.
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Now that Amavi is injured, Cissokho is suddenly going to become Roberto Carlos to some folk.
Relative to Richardson anyway.
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You normally can't recall players on season long loans unless the club loaning them agrees, although it is obviously dependant on the contract.
Liverpool forums were all saying they should recall Ilori when Sakho got injured, but they were unable to do so.
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Now that Amavi is injured, Cissokho is suddenly going to become Roberto Carlos to some folk.
Relative to Richardson anyway.
Exactly. That's what we need to measure him by, not the world left back population, just the selection we have.
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Now that Amavi is injured, Cissokho is suddenly going to become Roberto Carlos to some folk.
Relative to Richardson anyway.
Exactly. That's what we need to measure him by, not the world left back population, just the selection we have.
By that criteria there's probably someone in the U-16's who's better qualified in terms of fitness, mobility, ability and intelligence. Just read that again and realised it could sound like I'm supporting the inclusion of Richardson. I'm not. I think that he's desparately poor and should be banned from Villa Park, just for having that bloody stupid Shia Labeouf hair thing on his head.
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Can he be recalled?
Not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, but better than Richardson by a long shot.
According to the Mail " Joe Bennett and Aly Cissokho are currently on loan but as they are not in the 25-man squad they can’t feature for at least another two months " ........Godzvilla!
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We should recall Colin Gibson.
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Despite not liking the man, lets put Staunton back in.
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Alan Wright is still only 44.
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I'm only 29.
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how about the great Charlie Aitken
UTV
The Doc
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We have had two Colin Gibson's. The earlier one would be about 80 so he could still give Richardson a run for his money. Certainly a better tackler.
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We have had two Colin Gibson's. The earlier one would be about 80 so he could still give Richardson a run for his money. Certainly a better tackler.
I'm having a good chuckle to this.
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Does lewis kinsella play left back? Cant we look to him instead??
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Wouldn't surprise me if we have a bit of a shuffle about and bring in Crespo and/or Okore and move Clark to left back...or one of them anyway.
If Garde has the belief in youngsters that we've been told about then perhaps Kinsella will get a chance.
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Who was the last U21 fullback to come through into the 1st team. Was it JLS? If so, 10 years is a bit depressing for club that is supposed to be good at developing young players.
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Looks like he is not playing much for Porto. If Amavi is out for the season I reckon considering he has managed him and had him playing well at Lyon, Garde will try and recall Cissokho.
Until then Lescott is surely the obvious choice. Played a lot there for Albion too last season apparently.
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If we are not going to play Lescott at centre half, personally, I absolutely wouldn't be playing him at left back. As much as I don't rate Richardson, I would take him over Lescott for full back.
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Richardson v Lescott at LB is like arguing over who's the tallest dwarf
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Out of those two I'd just about go for Richardson. Lescott looks completely gone.
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I think Lescott at left back would be an open invitation to every team we play to overload the right flank. He is gone at Premiership level.
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With decent cover in front of him Lescott would be okay. However we're have poor midfield cover out wide so easily get overloaded. I wouldn't rule it out but we'd have to change our shape and the use of a big striker. If Sinclair can give more Tottenham like performances then that's something to work on but he prefers being on the left and that exposes the left back who rarely then overlaps.
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Looks like he is not playing much for Porto. If Amavi is out for the season I reckon considering he has managed him and had him playing well at Lyon, Garde will try and recall Cissokho.
Until then Lescott is surely the obvious choice. Played a lot there for Albion too last season apparently.
Yesterday I wrote that ( according to the Meaning Evil ) Aly Cissokho ( and Joe Bennet ) cannot feature for at least another two months, as they are not in the 25-man squad , can anyone verify this ?.............. ........Godzvilla!
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They can't. And if a few had been paid it would take negotiation to bring them back too
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Please god no to Lescott at left back. He's got the acceleration of a Mærsk triple E container ship leaving port and a turning circle to match.
He could get away with at the M5 coach park as Pulis has his back 4 camped out on the edge of their penalty area so no one could get in behind him.
We seemed to play a bit further forward than the later days of Sherwood, but with the midfield dropped back a bit, primarily through Sanchez and really compressed the space between the halfway line and penalty area so City had got nothing to work with, but with enough pace in Amavi, Richards and to an extent Hutton to not be too worried about the ball in behind.
Lescott at left back would give anybody an easy ball in behind unless we started defending the 18 yard line which would either open us up with too much space between back 4 and midfield or drop us completely into out own half without a decent target man to hold the ball up and allow midfielders to join an attack.
Mærsk Triple E if anyone's interested (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maersk_Triple_E_class)
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In all of my shuffling around of our defenders to accommodate a temporary left back I have deliberately ignored Lescott.
You know it makes sense.
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When we signed Crespo it was said he could play anywhere in the back four. Surely he'd be the best option.
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When we signed Crespo it was said he could play anywhere in the back four. Surely he'd be the best option.
On the face of it this seems reasonable but I wonder why he was not on the bench against Citeh, while Lescott and Richardson were.
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BBC Sports News and Talk Sport saying he has been recalled from his Loan spell at Porto. Hope it did not cost money to do so!
Cannot play until January which would make him available for the game on the 2nd.
Think the 25 man squad limit rule ends on the first day of a transfer window opening, and in any case only applies to league matches.
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Cissokho is an awful footballer that has bombed out at his last four clubs
remember his performance in Lambert's last game at Hull, gutless to the point of embarrassment
one of Sherwood's positive contributions was getting rid of him
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Cissohko was v limited going forward but he was fine defensively, if we have two full backs who defend properly that will be an improvement on now....we have to get away from having all our 'creation' going through Hutton & Amavi when he was fit....
Defenders are paid to defend, if we have 4 doing that it is possible that some of the others might actually start playing
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Cissohko was v limited going forward but he was fine defensively, if we have two full backs who defend properly that will be an improvement on now....we have to get away from having all our 'creation' going through Hutton & Amavi when he was fit....
Defenders are paid to defend, if we have 4 doing that it is possible that some of the others might actually start playing
I was going to say exactly this. When he first came in he was a rock defensively, but very limited once he crossed the halfway line. I'd rather him than Bacuna or Richardson.
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I hope this hasn't been asked as many times as Barry and the penalty, but did Cissokho play for Lyon the same time Garde was their manager?
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Do we need to bin someone off the 25 man list to make room for Aly as Amavi was classed as an under 21? Plenty of contenders I'd have thought, doubt we'd miss Cole, N'Zog, Gabby etc. I wonder if Senderos is under consideration to be re-included again as well.
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I hope this hasn't been asked as many times as Barry and the penalty, but did Cissokho play for Lyon the same time Garde was their manager?
Yes.
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Do we need to bin someone off the 25 man list to make room for Aly as Amavi was classed as an under 21? Plenty of contenders I'd have thought, doubt we'd miss Cole, N'Zog, Gabby etc. I wonder if Senderos is under consideration to be re-included again as well.
When I googled this question the other day the only answer I could find said that the 25 man squad restriction rule ended on the first day of the opening of each transfer window. Plus the 25 man rule only applied to league games and not to Cup matches.
Stand to be corrected if anyone else knows differently and has a source.
So my interpretation is that as of 1st January we can pick any player on the books who was not in the 25. For example Senderos, Cissokho and Bennett whose loan runs out around 26th December. Plus any other player who is due to return or can be recalled if on loan.
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Do we need to bin someone off the 25 man list to make room for Aly as Amavi was classed as an under 21? Plenty of contenders I'd have thought, doubt we'd miss Cole, N'Zog, Gabby etc. I wonder if Senderos is under consideration to be re-included again as well.
When I googled this question the other day the only answer I could find said that the 25 man squad restriction rule ended on the first day of the opening of each transfer window. Plus the 25 man rule only applied to league games and not to Cup matches.
Stand to be corrected if anyone else knows differently and has a source.
So my interpretation is that as of 1st January we can pick any player on the books who was not in the 25. For example Senderos, Cissokho and Bennett whose loan runs out around 26th December. Plus any other player who is due to return or can be recalled if on loan.
Also - I am not sure if this is a daft thing to say because it seems to obvious and surely someone else would have said it - Amavi is definitely out for the season, so couldn't they just take him out of the 25?
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Do we need to bin someone off the 25 man list to make room for Aly as Amavi was classed as an under 21? Plenty of contenders I'd have thought, doubt we'd miss Cole, N'Zog, Gabby etc. I wonder if Senderos is under consideration to be re-included again as well.
When I googled this question the other day the only answer I could find said that the 25 man squad restriction rule ended on the first day of the opening of each transfer window. Plus the 25 man rule only applied to league games and not to Cup matches.
Stand to be corrected if anyone else knows differently and has a source.
So my interpretation is that as of 1st January we can pick any player on the books who was not in the 25. For example Senderos, Cissokho and Bennett whose loan runs out around 26th December. Plus any other player who is due to return or can be recalled if on loan.
Also - I am not sure if this is a daft thing to say because it seems to obvious and surely someone else would have said it - Amavi is definitely out for the season, so couldn't they just take him out of the 25?
You'd have thought so. I'd bring Baker and Senderos back in as well unless he has someone lined up to come in.
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Do we need to bin someone off the 25 man list to make room for Aly as Amavi was classed as an under 21? Plenty of contenders I'd have thought, doubt we'd miss Cole, N'Zog, Gabby etc. I wonder if Senderos is under consideration to be re-included again as well.
When I googled this question the other day the only answer I could find said that the 25 man squad restriction rule ended on the first day of the opening of each transfer window. Plus the 25 man rule only applied to league games and not to Cup matches.
Stand to be corrected if anyone else knows differently and has a source.
So my interpretation is that as of 1st January we can pick any player on the books who was not in the 25. For example Senderos, Cissokho and Bennett whose loan runs out around 26th December. Plus any other player who is due to return or can be recalled if on loan.
Also - I am not sure if this is a daft thing to say because it seems to obvious and surely someone else would have said it - Amavi is definitely out for the season, so couldn't they just take him out of the 25?
You'd have thought so. I'd bring Baker and Senderos back in as well unless he has someone lined up to come in.
He's not in the 25. Like Grealish and Traore he's young enough that he doesn't need to be.
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isnt baker on a season long loan and cant be recalled?
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I see Cissokho's return as a positive. If we can't score then we need to be solid at the back.
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I see Cissokho's return as a positive. If we can't score then we need to be solid at the back.
Yep that needs to be a priority that after December we are significantly better at keeping the score down. It takes the pressure of the attackers. What I would give for a few miserable, dull 1-0 wins right now.
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Cissokho is an awful footballer that has bombed out at his last four clubs
remember his performance in Lambert's last game at Hull, gutless to the point of embarrassment
one of Sherwood's positive contributions was getting rid of him
You forgot about the cardinal rule of football
All players automatically become loads better when not playing any games
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Cissokho is an awful footballer that has bombed out at his last four clubs
remember his performance in Lambert's last game at Hull, gutless to the point of embarrassment
one of Sherwood's positive contributions was getting rid of him
You forgot about the cardinal rule of football
All players automatically become loads better when not playing any games
There's truth to that, but it's also reflective of our current resources. If Amavi was playing we wouldn't be discussing Richardson who is horrendous. If Richardson wasn't horrendous we wouldn't think Cissokho was the second coming of Maldini, because compared to Richardson he will be.
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I hope by calling him back means we're not going to invest in a new left back in January. As back up, no problem, but if he's to be our first choice then God help us.
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I hope by calling him back means we're not going to invest in a new left back in January. As back up, no problem, but if he's to be our first choice then God help us.
If he is back up to Cole for example I think it will be fine until Amavi returns next season. But yes we might have some issues if we are relying on him to be the "man" this season
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I hope by calling him back means we're not going to invest in a new left back in January. As back up, no problem, but if he's to be our first choice then God help us.
It might even be a "just in case" thing. They may have their eyes on a left back in January but are calling him back just to cover our arses if we can't get the one they want.
It is always pretty fucking tough buying in January, but when you are bottom of the league, it is even harder.
I think Cissokho is rubbish, but I'd sooner play him than Richardson. It doesn't mean I wouldn't rather get a decent LB in in January, though.
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He's also a player that Garde knows and might be able to rely on, not just from a playing standpoint but someone who will immediately buy into the message the manager is trying to send to the rest of the players.
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He wasn't playing for Porto so it's not exactly doing his value or prospects any good staying there. If nothing else he may as well come and be back up for us or - wonders never cease - have a few decent games, help us out and improve his value.
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He played relatively well when he first joined. Nothing to lose by bringing him back.
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Cissokho is an awful footballer that has bombed out at his last four clubs
remember his performance in Lambert's last game at Hull, gutless to the point of embarrassment
one of Sherwood's positive contributions was getting rid of him
You forgot about the cardinal rule of football
All players automatically become loads better when not playing any games
There's truth to that, but it's also reflective of our current resources. If Amavi was playing we wouldn't be discussing Richardson who is horrendous. If Richardson wasn't horrendous we wouldn't think Cissokho was the second coming of Maldini, because compared to Richardson he will be.
It also doesn't really allow for the fact that he's only really played for us in THAT Lambert side.
Benteke and Delph were rubbish in that Lambert setup as well. It doesn't mean that Cissokho is amazing or that all our defensive problems are suddenly solved, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he's a bit better than that Lambert team allowed him to be.
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Cissokho is an awful footballer that has bombed out at his last four clubs
remember his performance in Lambert's last game at Hull, gutless to the point of embarrassment
one of Sherwood's positive contributions was getting rid of him
You forgot about the cardinal rule of football
All players automatically become loads better when not playing any games
There's truth to that, but it's also reflective of our current resources. If Amavi was playing we wouldn't be discussing Richardson who is horrendous. If Richardson wasn't horrendous we wouldn't think Cissokho was the second coming of Maldini, because compared to Richardson he will be.
It also doesn't really allow for the fact that he's only really played for us in THAT Lambert side.
Benteke and Delph were rubbish in that Lambert setup as well. It doesn't mean that Cissokho is amazing or that all our defensive problems are suddenly solved, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he's a bit better than that Lambert team allowed him to be.
Yep, and there are players at the tail end of Sherwood that fit into that category. I think he's a serviceable FB, that if he is limited to defending he'll be fine. He's terrible coming forward so it will be interesting to see how Garde plays him when you consider the attacking license afforded to Hutton and Bacuna right now.
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Sissokho isn't great going forward, relying on Hutton to do that bit might prompt Garde to think about a tactical change. Richards moving to right back?
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I hope by calling him back means we're not going to invest in a new left back in January. As back up, no problem, but if he's to be our first choice then God help us.
Either that's the best typo in the history of this forum (and possibly all of history) or you've had a conversation of Damascene proportions.
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What's the typo?
Conversion or conversation?
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He had one good game, his first one and then got increasingly worse.
No improvement on Richardson or Bacuna - what a choice.
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Read the 2 sentences separately, they completely contradict each other because the first should say he hopes it doesn't mean.
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I didn't think he was too bad at the start of the season. However, his performances deteriorated to mirror the team in general and once Lambert came up with that brilliant plan to play the ball around at the back, that was it.
You could almost see him thinking "what the f***" when Guzan kicked the ball out to him. Mind you, not much different the rest of the defence and midfield.
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Read the 2 sentences separately, they completely contradict each other because the first should say he hopes it doesn't mean.
At least someone else got it. The irony of s_h advocating not spending money is fantastic.
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Read the 2 sentences separately, they completely contradict each other because the first should say he hopes it doesn't mean.
At least someone else got it. The irony of s_h advocating not spending money is fantastic.
He'll spin it into not wanting Randy to spend any money and to sell up and go.
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When your current choices are Richardson or Bacuna than its worth taking a look at him again.He did play under Remi at Lyon .His attacking isn't that bad he is fast and powerful but his end product got worse and worse under Lambert.
In his first game against Stoke he hit a few decent balls into the bow
I think his extra height will help us at set pieces too and overall he is a better defender than Richardson and Bacuna
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Wasn't it great to have a marauding left back once again?
He's obviously not Amavi's level going forward, but he worked tirelessly up and down the pitch, and was extremely strong at the back towards the end of the game
This guy was loaned out for the season, enabling Richardson to play full back. Think about that.
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Did very well last night, and ran himself into the ground.
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Cissokho has come back and it appears that he has breached our fullback problem, Remi has knowledge of him
and I am sure he will get the best out of him. which brings me to think of how well Kozack did last night when played,
could the same be tried with Senderos as an experienced central defender who would like to perform for international
selection this summer.
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Cissokho as a back up to Amavi is very solid at that position. He's done well so far but I wouldn't want him as our dedicated LB option long term.
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Played quite well last night. I don't think he's necessarily the answer but our expectations are currently not as high as they once were, and he's certainly an improvement on what we've seen before.
However, I don't think Amavi is the answer at full-back either; lots of people were questioning his defensive capabilities before his injury. Now he could improve on those, but he would be much better further up the field.
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Played well last night I thought, mind you I can't help but think how much better we'd look down the left if Amavi was fit again.
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Let's hope Remi offloads Richardson this month; it would remove any temptation to play the fucker again.
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Played well last night I thought, mind you I can't help but think how much better we'd look down the left if Amavi was fit again.
Yep, but as good as he is, it's worth remembering that Amavi has defensive frailties and has made a couple of errors at crucial times early in the season. In the last half hour of that game, it was a full back capable of defensive work like Cissokho that we really needed, and he stepped up.
I wouldn't be against pushing Amavi further forward next season if we're in the championship.
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Wasn't it great to have a marauding left back once again?
He's obviously not Amavi's level going forward, but he worked tirelessly up and down the pitch, and was extremely strong at the back towards the end of the game
This guy was loaned out for the season, enabling Richardson to play full back. Think about that.
Cissoko has his limitations but I just can not seen how anyone would have Richardson over him ....
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Never really understood why Cissokho was loaned out. He looked good when he first came in but lost his way under Lamberts rubbish tactics. Stupid move to play Richardson over him. If the team we picked last night had been selected 2 months ago we'd probably have maybe 6 more points.
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I really liked Cissokho at the start of his first season, and thought we finally had a proper left back. He tailed off, but certainly I'd have kept him over both Bennett and Richardson to compete with Amavi.
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How good was his crossing last night, got some really dangerous balls into the box including the one that lead to the goal from the corner.
Makes a difference as he skied them into Row F last season.
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First 2-3 games he didn't. As he lost confidence he did.
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How good was his crossing last night, got some really dangerous balls into the box including the one that lead to the goal from the corner.
Makes a difference as he skied them into Row F last season.
I think he flatters to deceive, gets into great positions but seldom produces a killer ball - he had two the other night? Made me laugh when he "did an Ireland (S)" - pass me the ball pass me the ball pass me the ball > have it back...
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How good was his crossing last night, got some really dangerous balls into the box including the one that lead to the goal from the corner.
Makes a difference as he skied them into Row F last season.
I think he flatters to deceive, gets into great positions but seldom produces a killer ball - he had two the other night? Made me laugh when he "did an Ireland (S)" - pass me the ball pass me the ball pass me the ball > have it back...
Also known as the Bannan, and increasingly, the Westwood.
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I've been very pleased with Aly since his return. He's defended well and he's got forward pretty effectively too. He's also lasted the games well. It's a joy not to see Richardson playing there, or an out of position Bacuna.
I hope it continues. He started pretty well for us in his career before his form dipped dramatically but I'm hoping Garde can be a man to get the best out of Cissokho and keep him delivering.
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I've been very pleased with Aly since his return. He's defended well and he's got forward pretty effectively too. He's also lasted the games well. It's a joy not to see Richardson playing there, or an out of position Bacuna.
I hope it continues. He started pretty well for us in his career before his form dipped dramatically but I'm hoping Garde can be a man to get the best out of Cissokho and keep him delivering.
I thought his distribution was iffy again last night.
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I've been very pleased with Aly since his return. He's defended well and he's got forward pretty effectively too. He's also lasted the games well. It's a joy not to see Richardson playing there, or an out of position Bacuna.
I hope it continues. He started pretty well for us in his career before his form dipped dramatically but I'm hoping Garde can be a man to get the best out of Cissokho and keep him delivering.
I thought his distribution was iffy again last night.
Again, 'iffy' is a serious upgrade on what came before.
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I've been very pleased with Aly since his return. He's defended well and he's got forward pretty effectively too. He's also lasted the games well. It's a joy not to see Richardson playing there, or an out of position Bacuna.
I hope it continues. He started pretty well for us in his career before his form dipped dramatically but I'm hoping Garde can be a man to get the best out of Cissokho and keep him delivering.
I thought his distribution was iffy again last night.
Again, 'iffy' is a serious upgrade on what came before.
This is the thing.
I don't rate Cissokho, but I rate him considerably more than I do Richardson, so I'm happy he's back.
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Cissokho is not Richardson, so he gets my blessing to continue at left back.
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I think it says a lot that despite playing hardly any football, the one player who hasn't been training at Bodymoor Heath looks fitter than most of the others.
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The difference is he is a fullback and is strong.
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Defensively ok, definitely an upgrade on Richardson. Crossing last night was cack though, although his positioning was really good. So very unlucky with the penalty but played as well as anyone else I think. Solid and dependable will do, given what has gone before him.
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I think it says a lot that despite playing hardly any football, the one player who hasn't been training at Bodymoor Heath looks fitter than most of the others.
He's looking fitter than players whose fitness has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few weeks.
What was Sherwood doing in pre season, a tour of every McDonald's and Burger King in the West Midlands?
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I've been very pleased with Aly since his return. He's defended well and he's got forward pretty effectively too. He's also lasted the games well. It's a joy not to see Richardson playing there, or an out of position Bacuna.
I hope it continues. He started pretty well for us in his career before his form dipped dramatically but I'm hoping Garde can be a man to get the best out of Cissokho and keep him delivering.
I thought his distribution was iffy again last night.
Again, 'iffy' is a serious upgrade on what came before.
Undoubtedly. He is sound defensively and like with Zaha against Palace, Mahrez didn't get much change out of him. He was OK on the ball against Palace, but some of his passing and crossing yesterday was poor.
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It's strange hour much fitter we look note than even 6 weeks ago. After he made a huge issue of our fitness when he arrived I am amazed Sherwood had us so undercooked that the least half hour of games we could hardly run.
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First 2-3 games he didn't. As he lost confidence he did.
I don't think it was a confidence thing. The criticism of him from Liverpool fans was that he was okay defensively but shite on the ball. The odd cross aside and that was what he looked like for us, too. he's starting now like he did then for us. let's hope his passing doesn't tale off as it's only average at best as it is.
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His crossing will always be a mixed bag. I think he delivered a fair amount in terms of quantity. Within that he did put in 2-3 good balls and I liked he was confident enough to drive into the box and have a crack at goal too. But defensively he's made a lot of difference. Our left side is no longer a complete nightmare. He's been a solid 7/10 in the last couple of games. I hope he keeps it up. It beats seeing Richardson looking confused like he's trying to find the glue factory.
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He's a serviceable back up LB, and will be just fine as an alternative to Amavi next season.
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I thought he was excellent on Saturday, very committed and looked solid.
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Having a left back at left back is better than Bacuna playing there. As others have said his crossing isn't great - how we miss Amavi, but if one or two in five of his crosses cause problems then we will be better for it. Also seems to have become team spokesman.
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If he is here next season it also takes the pressure off Amavi coming back from the injury and allows us the possibility of playing Amavi further forward in some games.
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Possibly even play him LB with Amavi in front of him because let's face it, the most impressive thing we've seen this season from any player is Amavi's link up play and crossing in the opposition half.
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Possibly even play him LB with Amavi in front of him because let's face it, the most impressive thing we've seen this season from any player is Amavi's link up play and crossing in the opposition half.
Yes it is. It's also worth remembering that while Amavi looks great going forward, he wasn't defending all that well before the injury. He always looked shaky, granted as did the rest. He also has age on his side so could learn to defend better.
Amavi at left mid could be a Gareth Bale style bit of luck
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And he's played mf for France U21s.
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And dare I say it, Bacuna in front of Richards the other side (or if Richards goes should we be relegated, Hutton). I know Bacuna is not everyone's cup of tea but if he got back to the form of s couple of years ago I think that would make us a lot more solid whilst still having a certain level of creativity from the flanks.
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Lets be honest Cissokho, is a dreadful footballer, every time he gets the ball it is like he is being thrown a grenade (he cant wait to get rid of it)
I cannot believe that he cannot cross a ball, on Saturday some of his attempts where that bad, I creased with laughter... in fact the thought of watching him and Hutton crossing the ball will be hilarious
Playing full back these days is the easiest position on the pitch, as long as you have a brain cell.
Get rid of Cissokho, Bacuna, Richardson, Hutton etc (total deadwood).... we wont be able to afford their wages in the Championship
We need to be looking at the best of the players in the Championship/league 1 if we are to rebuild our CLUB!
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That's exactly how I see it Sid. Agree with every word.
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Get rid of Cissokho, Bacuna, Richardson, Hutton etc (total deadwood).... we wont be able to afford their wages in the Championship
Why, how much are their wages?
(not forgetting that Richardson is out of contract in the summer anyway)
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I take serious issue with the line about fullback being the easiest position to play. If that were the case, there would be loads of high quality fullbacks in the league. It is a rarity to find high quality fullbacks at any club these days. I'd say that the way teams set up in recent years gives a heavy reliance on fullbacks being able to both attack. They see a lot more of the ball than most. I'd say it's possibly one of the more difficult positions to play and if a team has a solid set of fullbacks they'll do well.
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I take serious issue with the line about fullback being the easiest position to play. If that were the case, there would be loads of high quality fullbacks in the league. It is a rarity to find high quality fullbacks at any club these days. I'd say that the way teams set up in recent years gives a heavy reliance on fullbacks being able to both attack. They see a lot more of the ball than most. I'd say it's possibly one of the more difficult positions to play and if a team has a solid set of fullbacks they'll do well.
That would be my view too.
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I'd say it's one of the hardest and most thankless. Expected to be a good defender, a good winger, up and down the wing continuously, slated if not forward to help the attack, slated if they are and the attack breaks down and they are caught out of position.
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And he's played mf for France U21s.
I mentioned a couple of times on here when he was signed, but he is a converted midfielder.
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Despite the penalty and his poor crossing, I have to say I'm impressed with his work rate and attitude.
Maybe one for the championship.
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I think he offers nothing. I liken him to a mate that you bring along just to make up the numbers. Carl going forward, can't beat a man, not a great defender. However, lower down the league's, he might do ok. All about opinions I guess but I really don't rate him at all. Works hard enough but I'd prefer quality over quantity.
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I don't think he's been that bad since he's come back in and let's face it, it was either him or Richardson.
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Never mind can't beat a man he doesn't even try to.
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I don't think he's been that bad since he's come back in and let's face it, it was either him or Richardson.
Blimey, I'd forgotten about him!
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I think he offers nothing. I liken him to a mate that you bring along just to make up the numbers. Carl going forward, can't beat a man, not a great defender. However, lower down the league's, he might do ok. All about opinions I guess but I really don't rate him at all. Works hard enough but I'd prefer quality over quantity.
That's the point, he's obviously not great but he might be decent in the championship - he's strong and doesn't mind putting himself about.
I'd love to get rid of the lot of them but you have to be realistic that it's not going to happen.
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Sorry not saying you are unrealistic!
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Hutton, Cissokho I am not to bothered if they do stay, at least they seem to have some form of professional pride, poor footballers technically but willing to put a shift in.
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Full backs are one of the most important positions in the modern game in terms of attack and we have quite possibly the worst full backs I've ever seen in Hutton and Cissokho. Absolutely clueless attacking wise and equally as poor at defending.
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Part of the awful summer 2014 crew
Ridiculously poor footballer and not even second division standard.
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Hutton, Cissokho I am not to bothered if they do stay, at least they seem to have some form of professional pride, poor footballers technically but willing to put a shift in.
Just do not understand how Hutton gets badged as some hard working player. He's also a defensive liability. Get rid ASAP
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Sissokho's positioning is shocking and it is frightening how many times goals are being conceded from balls coming in from our left. He is full of endeavour: he's just inept.
If we want to improve, he needs to be got rid of along with many others in the current squad.
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Sorry not saying you are unrealistic!
How very dare you sir!! Ha ha. I guess it is an issue for the new man coming in though I suppose because we are not gonna get rid of all of them in one summer and some of them, dare I say it, even Westwood, might actually do ok in the Championship.
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We would have been better off with Lowton and Bennett in the championship next season.
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Bennett is still ours isn't he? Baker might do a job next to an organiser too.
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Bennett is still ours isn't he? Baker might do a job next to an organiser too.
Ours until 2017 I think.
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A Burnley fan I know says Lowton's doing really well. I quite liked him - never the strongest defensively but a brilliant crosser of the ball and I'll never forget his screamer at Stoke.
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This bloke can't play football. He looks like a toddler when he has the ball at his feet.
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He tries which is something I suppose, but he's absolute dog dung with a ball anywhere near him.
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Who scouted him? Some bloke on a beach the other side of the world pretending to watch football but really looking at youtube compilations?
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Who scouted him? Some bloke on a beach the other side of the world pretending to watch football but really looking at youtube compilations?
Maybe he was confused with another Cissokho. There seem to be millions of Cissokho's out there playing football. Cissokho is the new Johnson.
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Who scouted him? Some bloke on a beach the other side of the world pretending to watch football but really looking at youtube compilations?
Media Studies student at Chesterfield Poly.
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Who scouted him? Some bloke on a beach the other side of the world pretending to watch football but really looking at youtube compilations?
Media Studies student at Chesterfield Poly.
I hope for his sake he's better at that than scouting or he'll end up writing for the Evening Mail.
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I wonder if Sissokho might be better if he had some protection in front of him. Gil, nor Ayew have hardly been a hard working, tracking back kind of midfielder has he? Move Amavi to the left side of midfield?
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Oi! Paulie!
Chesterfield COLLEGE, please!
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A Burnley fan I know says Lowton's doing really well. I quite liked him - never the strongest defensively but a brilliant crosser of the ball and I'll never forget his screamer at Stoke.
and getting that pen against wba
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cant believe Milan tried to sign him for 15 million euro . wtf
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Who scouted him? Some bloke on a beach the other side of the world pretending to watch football but really looking at youtube compilations?
Cissokho's had a good career, Lyon (where he was very highly rated), lyon, Liverpool, Porto and very nearly AC Milan when they were still decent.
I thought he was pretty decent for the first month when he came back but like everyone has gone to pot since Liverpool game.
We are just cursed at full back aren't we.
Think I'll become suicidal if someone produces a list of all the fullbacks we've signed in the last 10 years, we have signed some abysmal players in those positions.
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He was shite at liverpool. They pissed themselves when we took him off their hands
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Liverpool didn't actually buy him did they ?
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He was shite at liverpool. They pissed themselves when we took him off their hands
There are many more saying the same thing about us in relation to Benteke. There is no shortage of dimwits on all message boards of all types.
The more measured Scousers that posted about him here said he was limited, and this is closer to the truth.
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Limited as in he is clumsy, cannot pass or control a ball and positionally is pretty shit?
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As soon as posters start using the term "shit", I immediately think they are referring to the matter between their ears which is supposed to function as a brain.
But that's just me.
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Shite player before he came, shite player when he came, shite player when he was loaned, shite player when he came back.
Can't cross.
Can't defend.
Poor positional awareness.
Too clumsy.
Wayward passing.
Doesn't look the sharpest....
but......... others need to be moved on way before him.
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Terrible footballer, unbelievable someone once paid £12.5m for him, a true donkey.
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In general, he is defensively quite solid. Very poor on the ball and going forward, but OK defensively. He then seems to have spells where the defensive side of his game goes to pieces as well (the Hull game and the lead up to it last season and the last few games this season).
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so a donkey by any other name then?
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Imagine the disappointment when you realise your record signing is Aly Cissokho!
ly Cissokho has finally completed his move to Turkish Super League newcomers Yeni Malatyaspor.
Villa will receive around £1.3million for the 29-year-old who has signed a two-year-deal at his new club.
The fee of 1.5million Euros is the biggest outlay Yeni Malatyaspor have ever made, according to reports in Turkey.
And given that Cissokho was surplus to requirements at Villa, it’s good business for the claret and blues who continue to balance the books in order to fall in line with Financial Fair Play.
He was signed by Paul Lambert from Valencia in 2014 for around £3million as Villa needed more experience in their squad.
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Thats daylight robbery!
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'He was signed by Paul Lambert from Valencia in 2014 for around £3million as Villa needed more experience in their squad'
We had more than enough experience of being a waste of oxygen thanks to Lambert, Lerner & Fox.
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Incredible that he has Liverpool, Valencia and AVFC on his CV amongst others!
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Better than Amavi, but not good enough. Delighted we actually got a decent fee for him as well!
I wish him well, whilst he was lacking in talent he put a shift in and never whinged.
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He had a good game on his debut and that's about it from memory.
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He was a better LB than Kieran Richardson and didn't seem a twat or a whinger. When that's the best thing you can say about his Villa career it probably sums things up.
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At least he's gone good luck Aly.
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To be honest, I thought he was already gone.
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At least he's gone good luck Aly.
Completely agree. Good luck Aly.
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At least he's gone good luck Aly.
Completely agree. Good luck Aly.
Perfectly put but then our Dazza has a knack for that.
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He gave the impression of a decent footballer defensively. He gave the impression of a one legged plumber playing for a pub side going forward.
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Good luck to him.
Good for us as well, we needed him off the books. A bit of cash is a bonus.
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He gave the impression of a decent footballer defensively. He gave the impression of a one legged plumber playing for a pub side going forward.
defensively, his positioning was rubbish. We won't miss him.
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Thanks for trying, not being a twat and going quietly.
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Incredible that he has Liverpool, Valencia and AVFC on his CV amongst others!
Played in a Champions League semi-final. In the same team as Jean Makoun.
Which is pretty weird.
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His first handful of games, he looked the biz.
After that, not so much.
I wish him no ill.
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His only crime was being a poor footballer.always seemed a loner and did not mix with the other players.
Good luck Ali hope it works out for you.
HE joins the ever growing list of players to have had a few years anonymously in the prem then slip away with a Good few million in the bank. Nice work if you can get it
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His only crime was being a poor footballer.
That's not good when your trade is playing professional football😒
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He was shit.
I have no malice with him, but he struck me as mostly hopeless.
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I don't think he was much worse than Hutton, honestly.
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I vaguely recall a decent opening day performance at Stoke followed by not much else. We've done well to get that fee.
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I vaguely recall a decent opening day performance at Stoke followed by not much else. We've done well to get that fee.
Thought he and Senderos in a reshaped back four started the 14/15 season well and were a big part of our good results early doors. I expected Cissokho to be decent (or certainly better than what we had before at left back) but Senderos surprised me. Looked like he was forming a good partnership with Vlaar, but got injured on international duty and that was that.
Cissokho looked good up until the Arsenal game at home in September. Got turned inside out all afternoon and became the standard Villa left back defensive liability from that point onwards.
But then we made Ryan Bertrand look rubbish. It's a rare gift.
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I vaguely recall a decent opening day performance at Stoke followed by not much else. We've done well to get that fee.
Thought he and Senderos in a reshaped back four started the 14/15 season well and were a big part of our good results early doors. I expected Cissokho to be decent (or certainly better than what we had before at left back) but Senderos surprised me. Looked like he was forming a good partnership with Vlaar, but got injured on international duty and that was that.
Cissokho looked good up until the Arsenal game at home in September. Got turned inside out all afternoon and became the standard Villa left back defensive liability from that point onwards.
But then we made Ryan Bertrand look rubbish. It's a rare gift.
Yep, 10 points in 4 games to start off, with a win at Anfield, and just the one goal conceded. Back 4 who were perfectly solid as long as they weren't asked to do anything silly, and protected by two hard-working mids in Delph and Cleverley. But given that the CBs were made of glass, never really was sustainable.
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I don't think he was much worse than Hutton, honestly.
Talk about damning with faint praise!
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How have we managed to struggle at fullback for so many years and over so many signings
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How have we managed to struggle at fullback in every position for so many years and over so many signings
Fixed
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He's up there with the best of those footballers who have made it big yet have no skill on the ball at all.
I've laughed more than once when he has had the ball at his feet. Clueless.
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How have we managed to struggle at fullback in every position for so many years and over so many signings
Fixed
Touche
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Another defensive turkey but at least he's ended up in the right place.
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Trouble with the Scottish Cafu is we do not use him properly. He needs to be told to run down the wing, right to the corner flag then put the ball into touch. He then runs back into a proper defensive position while we press the opposition throw. At least we gain field position. Hutton's runs always end in bad crosses, opposition possession and a big hole where Hutton should be.
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I don't think he was much worse than Hutton, honestly.
Talk about damning with faint praise!
I think PWS topped even that by saying he was a better LB back than Richardson.
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Good luck Aly, always put effort in just not very good.
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Trouble with the Scottish Cafu is we do not use him properly. He needs to be told to run down the wing, right to the corner flag then put the ball into touch. He then runs back into a proper defensive position while we press the opposition throw. At least we gain field position. Hutton's runs always end in bad crosses, opposition possession and a big hole where Hutton should be.
I watched Forrest Gump again the other day and the bit where he starts playing American Football just because he can run very fast in a straight line but without a clue as to where he was going, what he was going to do and when to stop reminded me very much of Mr H. I fully expect him to bomb down the wing one of these days and keep on going right out of the stadium, just like Forrest.
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Trouble with the Scottish Cafu is we do not use him properly. He needs to be told to run down the wing, right to the corner flag then put the ball into touch. He then runs back into a proper defensive position while we press the opposition throw. At least we gain field position. Hutton's runs always end in bad crosses, opposition possession and a big hole where Hutton should be.
I watched Forrest Gump again the other day and the bit where he starts playing American Football just because he can run very fast in a straight line but without a clue as to where he was going, what he was going to do and when to stop reminded me very much of Mr H. I fully expect him to bomb down the wing one of these days and keep on going right out of the stadium, just like Forrest.
When they put seats in the Trinity enclosure my dad moved us to the Witton End. There was an old bloke who stood just behind us and whenever Ray Graydon had the ball on the wing he would shout " he's off on a run, open the gates, he won't be able to stop"