Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: kippaxvilla2 on January 24, 2017, 06:45:52 PM
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Signing from FC Basel. Icelandic midfielder.
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He gets about a bit
2006–2011 Viking 102 (16)
2008 → Bodø/Glimt (loan) 22 (5)
2012–2013 Standard Liège 16 (0)
2012–2013 → Pescara (loan) 24 (2)
2013 Pescara 1 (0)
2013–2014 Sampdoria 14 (0)
2014–2015 Pescara 35 (10)
2015– FC Basel 42 (14)
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He gets about a bit
2006–2011 Viking 102 (16)
2008 → Bodø/Glimt (loan) 22 (5)
2012–2013 Standard Liège 16 (0)
2012–2013 → Pescara (loan) 24 (2)
2013 Pescara 1 (0)
2013–2014 Sampdoria 14 (0)
2014–2015 Pescara 35 (10)
2015– FC Basel 42 (14)
I like a midfielder with mobility but his roaming data charges must be mental
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I didnt fully understand the bio on him
a midfielder who likes to get forward and score goals?
sounds like witchcraft burn him
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I think he will be Mrs Green's new favourite player
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We're going to have the hairiest midfield since 1974.
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Move over Jack, we have a new hip hairstyle in town.
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I bet Westwood still gets a game!
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He has an impressive record in a decent Basel team. If we get Houlihane in to add to him and Lansbury, our midfield will be involved beyond recognition since the New Year. They've identified our number one problem and addressed it (assuming these deals go through).
Fair play.
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How did he do in the World's Strongest Man? Bottled the truck pull I hear. Another wimp.
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He has an impressive record in a decent Basel team. If we get Houlihane in to add to him and Lansbury, our midfield will be involved beyond recognition since the New Year. They've identified our number one problem and addressed it (assuming these deals go through).
Fair play.
HouRihan! Remember it by "Hoor" (Irish pronunsch for ''whore'').
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How did he do in the World's Strongest Man? Bottled the truck pull I hear. Another wimp.
Let's buy Magnus Ver Magnusson. He's probably quicker than gabby.
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He has an impressive record in a decent Basel team. If we get Houlihane in to add to him and Lansbury, our midfield will be involved beyond recognition since the New Year. They've identified our number one problem and addressed it (assuming these deals go through).
Fair play.
Competition in midfeld and no pointy or gardner
Very happy days
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If he's the lad i remember from Iceland Euro team last summer, he's a great asset !!!
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Magnus Ver Magnusson pulling the truck is faster than Gabby.
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very excited about this signing dont know what he's like at playing football but he looks ace
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very excited about this signing dont know what he's like at playing football but he looks ace
Same here, I now have a favourite Villa player.
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No evidence so far that he can point. Not impressed.
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He has an impressive record in a decent Basel team. If we get Houlihane in to add to him and Lansbury, our midfield will be involved beyond recognition since the New Year. They've identified our number one problem and addressed it (assuming these deals go through).
Fair play.
HouRihan! Remember it by "Hoor" (Irish pronunsch for ''whore'').
Can I get away with blaming auto-correct?
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I vaguely remember him doing something really good or really bad at the euros, I posted something about a bjarn door but cant think what had happened.
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very excited about this signing dont know what he's like at playing football but he looks ace
Same here, I now have a favourite Villa player.
About time we had a hairy viking in the side, the good times are returning, shame he's not a central defender ;-)
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very excited about this signing dont know what he's like at playing football but he looks ace
Same here, I now have a favourite Villa player.
He has that kind of iconic Scandinavian look that we have missed. Like.
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We'll hammer teams with this lad.
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Nailed it
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Hope he'll be a success.
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What conditioner do you think he uses?
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We will have a midfield like the cast of a slasher movie.
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What conditioner do you think he uses?
Whale blood.
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What conditioner do you think he uses?
He won't, Dr Tony only wants real men these days.
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Volcano ash.
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That's Westwood's new nickname for me from now on.
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Eyjafjalla, our new midfielder erupting from nowhere.
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Bikir Bjarnason
You are the love of my life
Bikir Bjarnason
I'd let you shag my wife
Bikir Bjarnason
I want long blonde hair tooo......
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If only we had these midfielders at the start of the season....
RDM you idiot. We would have had a good chance of playoffs. Too late now I think!
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Evening.
Calm down, we won't be signing him........he's not their Captain.
[edit: oh, neither was Bree was he. ]
well, perhaps we could make " Thor " OUR Captain and let Chester revert to solid anonymity.
Thunderclap Newman ?
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What conditioner do you think he uses?
Walrus spunk
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Ask yourself.........do we really want someone who does that with Walruses ??
Would you want your daughter to go out with such an individual ?
Even if he was earning £25k per week ? Hmmmmmm.
Where did I put that walrus caller.........?
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He's not very good .....he couldnt hit a Bjarn door with a Bjanjo
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
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I can smell sulphur already. Welcome to a fellow Viking.
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Playing catch up. Is this speculation or has he signed?
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Volcano ash.
Flirtatiously brilliant
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Looks like we are signingThor.Perhaps he could chase Big Fat Ross around the training ground with his hammer!
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They have signed someone big n strong to open sticking gates
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Thor? I could hardly pith out of it.
I forget how the first bit goes.
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Playing catch up. Is this speculation or has he signed?
Ice-suspect-so. He hasn't yet landed, so the speculation is just the tip of the iceberg.
Lettuce wait and North Sea, eh?
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
Is it a red flag when his show reel has a missed header as a highlight?
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I don't remember that one but I do remember the one we used to recite when we were kids:
Thor the god of thunder
rode his favourite filly
I'm Thor he cried
the horse replied
forgot your thaddle, thilly.
Last line always said in a camp voice.
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Haha my first thought too. Isn't there an inverse relationship between quality of YouTube video and quality of player in real life though?
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I don't remember that one but I do remember the one we used to recite when we were kids:
Thor the god of thunder
rode his favourite filly
I'm Thor he cried
the horse replied
forgot your thaddle, thilly.
Last line always said in a camp voice.
I was expecting "willy" to make an appearance.
(Add your own punchline)
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
Is it a red flag when his show reel has a missed header as a highlight?
Ha ha!! Not quite as good a You Tube collection as Conor's!
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
Is it a red flag when his show reel has a missed header as a highlight?
Didn't just miss either, missed by a mile. I am also a big fan of televised games with vehicles parked next to the pitch.
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Gab the God of Thunder
Rode his favourite hunter
I am Gab he cried
The horse replied
No you're Billy Bunter.
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What conditioner do you think he uses?
Walrus spunk
He was driving home one night and broke down. The aa man said he had blown a seal. He said i havent its just ice around my mouth
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We've had a very ugly team for years so I welcome the signing
Hope he doesn't stop green's progress though
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The signing of Lansbury and Bjarnason have achieved the barely possible and made Jedinak look effeminate.
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We've had a very ugly team for years so I welcome the signing
Hope he doesn't stop green's progress though
Haha ! Is he your most favourite ? I don't think this guy is attractive
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Not in my opinion. they look the height of current "cool " [out shining McC's plucked eyebrows] - and Jedinak just looks like an ageing Aussie sheep shearer [nearly wrote a bad word then]
We could have a midfield trio of " man-buns "...........
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Just a hunch, Jedinak to go?
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Where to? The barbers ?
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Just a hunch, Jedinak to go?
I fear not. He is on a long contract and as we have discovered you just can't move players on easily.
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I see a touch of Viggo Mortensen in his beguiling Nordic visage, personally. A true leader of men... and Hobbitses.
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While I'm excited by this signing, I hope it doesn't encourage any of our number to start doing the stupid Icelandic clappy thing.
Well, maybe Footyskillz.
I'm not joining in, anyway.
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He has an impressive record in a decent Basel team. If we get Houlihane in to add to him and Lansbury, our midfield will be involved beyond recognition since the New Year. They've identified our number one problem and addressed it (assuming these deals go through).
Fair play.
Competition in midfeld and no pointy or gardner
Very happy days
Aye, it certainly sounds promising. I remember this lad from The Euros - & he runs for fun. Did he score a goal in the tournament, or am I imagining things? Anyway, fair play indeed to the recruitment bods for bringing him to B6. :)
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Scored against Portugal and France in Euro 2016. Reminds me too much of Robbie Savage to be able to like him yet though.
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Scored against Portugal and France in Euro 2016. Reminds me too much of Robbie Savage to be able to like him yet though.
Aha. Cheers Bob, but not for the Savage-a-like bit. I'll have to watch Dion sticking the nut on the tosser now to see meself right before bedtime.
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While I'm excited by this signing, I hope it doesn't encourage any of our number to start doing the stupid Icelandic clappy thing.
Well, maybe Footyskillz.
I'm not joining in, anyway.
It's ok I only get to a few of the London matches and they won't be in away end
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While I'm excited by this signing, I hope it doesn't encourage any of our number to start doing the stupid Icelandic clappy thing.
Well, maybe Footyskillz.
I'm not joining in, anyway.
It's ok I only get to a few of the London matches and they won't be in away end
Reminds me of the friendly I went to in Portland a few years back.
In the middle of the game, in a sea of loud Timbers fans, a lone Villa fan stood up, hands outstretched and belted out "VILLA! VILLA! VILLA!" in a perfect moment as thousands of heads around him turned and stared.
I would applaud you for doing the same footy! :)
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
In the opening frames the header he missed was closer than everything offered by Tonev and 98% of Westwood's attempts. Thus he looks ace. Long hair, beard, Nordic, what's there not to love?
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I fear for whomever has to clean the drains in the bmh showers with all these hairy types.
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Watching this video I can't help but think that all the goal keepers have been drugged.
Is it a red flag when his show reel has a missed header as a highlight?
Didn't just miss either, missed by a mile. I am also a big fan of televised games with vehicles parked next to the pitch.
i might be remembering this wrong but i went with a mate to watch chelsea v Swindon in a cup match at SB early 90's and pretty sure there were cars parked down the end opposite the shed- mainly the little blue 3-wheelers. We went to get stewarding jobs and I only went cos i thought they were playing Liverpool. Turned out there were no jobs, so we just walked back in through the open gates and sat right in the middle of the east stand. Paul Elliot walked right past me at half time.
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The ticket office used to have a photo of John Greenfield's car parked behind the goal. When he arrived at Stamford Bridge the stewards kept pointing (no it wasn't Westwood!) where to go and he ended up there.
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At last a player with the same hairstyle as me!!!
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At last a player with the same hairstyle as me!!!
Same :)
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Ban the Birkir
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I can only remember his name by thinking "Bjorn Again".
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I can only remember his name by thinking "Bjorn Again".
It's easy if you say it with an Irish accent
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At last a player with the same hairstyle as me!!!
style?
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At last a player with the same hairstyle as me!!!
style?
He's a Anneka Rice impersonator, it's necessary.
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With all these hairies coming in we'll have a team that looks like a Ron Saunders team. Let's hope that they can play as well as them.
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At last a player with the same hairstyle as me!!!
style?
wind-blown ;-)
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Do you think this potential purchase is in addition to Houri? Or is it the fallback in the event that Houri goes elsewhere?
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Wouldn't it be great if it was in addition.......and Watkins from Barnsley, too............and then we could say bye bye to our favourite midfield duo.
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Aston Villa FC @AVFCOfficial now30 seconds ago
More
Breaking news: We’re delighted to announce the signing of Birkir Bjarnason from FC Basel. #WelcomeBirkir #AVFC
...annnnnndddddddd stretttttttttccccccchhhhhhh
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3BKTrfXUAMefGB.jpg)
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Could a Mod please do the "CONFIRMED" update
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I think anyone can change the subject line at any time in their reply....but it doesn't flow back to the beginning.
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Well this is an out of nowhere, and exciting signing.
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[Hopefully] ...........Oh YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
Thunderclap Newman......we now have the right !
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Bloody hell Villa!
Two in a day?
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Bloody hell Villa!
Two in a day?
Two so far!
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velkomið...........Birkir in Aston Villa.
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Having gone straight from Barnsley to Iceland, ignoring the lands in between. I believe that its time that Villa fired their Faroe Islands representative.
#sackedvard ;)
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There's still time for him to get back in time to drop in at Ibrox and snatch Barrie MacKay, or Tavernier, or Waghorn.......or all three.
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I can't think of any Rangers players that have stood out when I've seen them lately. They might just have been having off days when I was watching though.
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Welcome.
Is this the hairiest Villa team in history?
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Bully Wee watcher.......let's not re-visit that one again, eh ?
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There was nothing particularly negative in my last post. If you think they're good players, I assume you've seen a lot more of them than I have so I'll take your word for it.
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Welcome Birkir.
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Considering how many struggled with Clark, this is going to be a nightmare.
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Considering how many struggled with Clark, this is going to be a nightmare.
Kieran Clarke?
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Considering how many struggled with Clark, this is going to be a nightmare.
I'll just call him Barney.
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There was nothing particularly negative in my last post. If you think they're good players, I assume you've seen a lot more of them than I have so I'll take your word for it.
Thank you for that kindness.
I watch them only on TV nowadays, but I promise you there will be Prem teams after Barrie MacKay, if not this window, then next one.
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Considering how many struggled with Clark, this is going to be a nightmare.
I'll just call him Barney.
How I Met Your Midfielder
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I can only remember his name by thinking "Bjorn Again".
I've got 'Back To Bagarmossen' by Les Big Byrd in my head
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Welcome to Aston Villa Birkir.
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We're going to have the hairiest midfield since 1974.
Trevor Hockey would have approved
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He''s here..He''s there..He''s Birkir everywhere...Bjarnason..Bjarnason..........OK i'll get me coat.
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At least IS will like him.
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Ooh. Do I not like that.
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There's still time for him to get back in time to drop in at Ibrox and snatch Barrie MacKay, or Tavernier, or Waghorn.......or all three.
A couple of my friends are big Rangers fans and are refreshingly honest about how far they are behind Celtic atm but they rate Mckay very highly. Played well against Celtic in the Old Firm game and think he'd be a good signing.
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He will probably come by boat to landisfarne ravage his way down to Wessex before landing in Mercia
Welcome sir
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He will probably come by boat to landisfarne ravage his way down to Wessex before landing in Mercia
Welcome sir
let's hope he reins back on the raping and pillaging on the way or we'll lose him to the judiciary before he kicks a goat's head for us.
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The guys been living in Switzerland! For me one of the best places in Europe!
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Bird from The Cardigans has let herself go.
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Yes :) Loved we signed a proper viking ;)
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I thought Mercia was landlocked. I suppose he could come up the Trent via Sterke. Rape and pillage them as much as he likes. They call it foreplay.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
Yes me too.
I can't see how he'll fit into the side though, assuming hourihane joins though? Surely him and Lansbury are going to be the boys?
I wonder where this is going to leave Bacuna, Westbrook & Gardner? Not that many will care I guess but crikey, Bruce really can't have thought much of them, to bring in 3 midfielders in his first window.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
I wonder where this is going to leave Bacuna, Westbrook & Gardner? Not that many will care I guess but crikey, Bruce really can't have thought much of them, to bring in 3 midfielders in his first window.
It's almost like he's seen them play and noticed how utterly shit they all are.
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I think Bacuna is useful as a squad player, especially to have on the bench, as he can cover a number of positions. The other 2 will be a relief not to see featuring much.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
Which makes Gardner's new contract extension a bit mystifying.
I wonder where this is going to leave Bacuna, Westbrook & Gardner? Not that many will care I guess but crikey, Bruce really can't have thought much of them, to bring in 3 midfielders in his first window.
It's almost like he's seen them play and noticed how utterly shit they all are.
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Bacuna could still be useful as back up.
Gardwood might make a useful doorstop, or summat.
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Not really, he was on a smallish contract as he hadn't played which contained clauses giving him a better one when he proved his fitness. He played games at the start, proved his fitness so the clause was activated.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
I wonder where this is going to leave Bacuna, Westbrook & Gardner? Not that many will care I guess but crikey, Bruce really can't have thought much of them, to bring in 3 midfielders in his first window.
It's almost like he's seen them play and noticed how utterly shit they all are.
Yet still preferred them to Tishibola.
Why give Gardner the new contract if he thought he was shit though?
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Why didn't Barry take that pen?
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So we can get a good price when the big clubs come sniffing round....
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Is it any surprise though when we are struggling in this division? We're in the bottom half.
We all knew it last summer and it wasn't addressed by RDM. I had no idea who Jedi was or Tish for
that matter and that's all we brought in while letting many go.
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Is it any surprise though when we are struggling in this division? We're in the bottom half.
We all knew it last summer and it wasn't addressed by RDM. I had no idea who Jedi was or Tish for
that matter and that's all we brought in while letting many go.
In his defence, he appears to have been let down by Gueye who told him one thing and then did another.
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He speaks very well. I like him already.
I wonder where this is going to leave Bacuna, Westbrook & Gardner?
Rotherham hopefully
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He says he's attacking. Pretty sure Lansbury is as well. And potentially Hourihane? What are we playing at? We're Villa, we don't do 3 attacking midfielders. We didn't do attacking for quite a few years as well.
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I really hope we don't attempt the Icelandic clap from the Euros. It's an Icelandic thing, not Villa. It looks shit when any other team does it.
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It needs big hairy Nordic types to carry it off. If we tried it; it would sound like our testicles hadn't yet dropped.
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He looked a bit of a metronome style hard worker in the Euros. He's not the quickest but he's got the energy and drive our midfield badly lacks.
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I have watched the obligatory YouTube video of him.
Pretty good.
Looks like a really dynamic, energetic player.
Remember when we used to have midfielders like that?
https://youtu.be/fJk8a8tbXrc
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We all knew it last summer and it wasn't addressed by RDM. I had no idea who Jedi was or Tish for that matter and that's all we brought in while letting many go.
Tshibola fair enough, but Jedinak was hardly an obscure name. He's probably the most well-known signing we made in the summer.
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I'd hope that hourihane and Lansbury might cut it in the prem if we do go up
Be surprised if this Thor geezer does though
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I said I had no idea who is was (mind you I hadn't really heard of most of our summer or these new signings). After the transfer activities in the summer many of us did worry about our midfield going into this season.
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I said I had no idea who is was (mind you I hadn't really heard of most of our summer or these new signings). After the transfer activities in the summer many of us did worry about our midfield going into this season.
Well yes, but that isn't really anything to do with how famous the players we signed were.
I can't imagine most people would have heard of N'golo Kante before he moved to Leicester. Or to put it another way, if we'd signed the midfield version of Kodjia then his lack of name recognition wouldn't have really been a big issue.
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I'd hope that hourihane and Lansbury might cut it in the prem if we do go up
Be surprised if this Thor geezer does though
Really he looked pretty good for Iceland in the summer...I thought then he'd be a good pick up for a prem club so pretty happy we've got him.
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I said I had no idea who is was (mind you I hadn't really heard of most of our summer or these new signings). After the transfer activities in the summer many of us did worry about our midfield going into this season.
Well yes, but that isn't really anything to do with how famous the players we signed were.
I can't imagine most people would have heard of N'golo Kante before he moved to Leicester. Or to put it another way, if we'd signed the midfield version of Kodjia then his lack of name recognition wouldn't have really been a big issue.
True, but it was posted that Bruce must think our midfield is shit as he's signed 3 in this window.
All I said was it's not surprising as we only bought 2 last summer after letting a few out and many agreed the two we bought would not solve our midfield situation. As it's turned out it didn't as were hovering below half way in the league, mainly due a lack of midfield options and quality.
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I'd hope that hourihane and Lansbury might cut it in the prem if we do go up
Be surprised if this Thor geezer does though
Really he looked pretty good for Iceland in the summer...I thought then he'd be a good pick up for a prem club so pretty happy we've got him.
Yes I think he's a Milner type player -that he puts in shift and plays for team (not that he a left back ) has similar pace so not fast but not slow and gets up and down.
Liked look of him but have to say hadnt don't much in champions league matches away at arsenal was pretty poor. Basel whole campaign was weak for those that follow champions league would remember some poor defending and inept shooting by the team ! Euro's yes very good and Basel are top of honey tree in their Swiss league.
What is amazing is he's going from playing against arsenal amd psg to now Barnsley and Rotherham .
He's definitely capable at this level and welcome him with anticipation and excitement for when he enters !
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Lots of cult potential here.
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He is a powerhouse for sure.
Only negative is that his touch is a bit heavy (like Gabby has).
Villa has a specialty for turning this kind of player into overpaid, lazy fuckers.
However Nordic players usually have a good work-ethic so he might not be so easily corrupted.
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I'm going to call him MMMbop.
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I'm going to call him MMMbop.
I call him BB
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I have watched the obligatory YouTube video of him.
Pretty good.
Looks like a really dynamic, energetic player.
Remember when we used to have midfielders like that?
https://youtu.be/fJk8a8tbXrc
Odd antics in that footage. At several points I saw a player on a team cross the ball first time straight to a player on the same team. Witchcraft.
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I'm going to call him MMMbop.
I call him BB
I call him Anneka
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With typical fan forum hyperbole and thunderously aggressive typing, I've said on many occasions that we needed an entire new midfield and at least three new central midfielders. I expected 1, 2 if lucky, but not 3.
I'm happy. Largely I'm happy because the manager actually sees what we've all seen for 6 years (the fact our midfield was non-existent), and has set about doing something about it. He's also targeted players that make sense for where we are and where we want to go.
No idea about Bjarnason, aside from seeing him play a few times last summer, but I'm delighted with the other two Bruce got, so Birkir could well be the icing on the cake.
Logic also dictates that if we finally get the midfield sorted, by consequence it will improve us in both attack and midfield. I think we've too often spunked out money on attackers, or new backlines (not sensibly either) and forgotten the middle of the park. And as others have said, even Messi would struggle with the midfield we had behind him. Likewise we could have Maldini and McGrath in their prime at the back, but if you've got no one in front offering protection or tracking runners, they're buggered.
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Sounds like we finally have legs and mobility in midfield and hopefully an end of Westwood and to a certain extent Gardner. Hope all the new signings can bed in and we can get on a bit of a run.
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I'm going to call him MMMbop.
I call him BB
What, as in Ball Bearing? Nice! :)
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I'm just going to call him Sir
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I thought Mercia was landlocked. I suppose he could come up the Trent via Sterke. Rape and pillage them as much as he likes. They call it foreplay.
At it's peak Mercia stretched up to meet the sea at both The Wash and Merseyside.
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I don't think the Trent is navigable from Stoke to anywhere near Birmingham is it?
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I'm just going to call him Sir
I don't know how co commentators will pronounce it on av that be fun listen !
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I'm going to call him MMMbop.
I call him BB
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a7/82/21/a782213c09337ce147c04425d97e4e22.jpg)
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(http://cdn.caughtoffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/PA-10107270.jpg)
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I'm just pleased we've got another Nordic player. It seems like ages since we had one.
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(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Uh9ikAcVblA/hqdefault.jpg)
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I don't think the Trent is navigable from Stoke to anywhere near Birmingham is it?
According to the Inland Waterways Assoc:
The navigable river Trent runs from Wilden Ferry (Shardlow) to the Yorkshire Ouse and Humber Estuary at Trent Falls. There are connections to the Trent & Mersey Canal (at Derwent Mouth), the River Soar Navigation (at Trent Junction), the Erewash Canal (also at Trent Junction), the Fossdyke Navigation (at Torksey), the Chesterfield Canal (at West Stockwith), the river Idle (also at West Stockwith) and the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation (at Keadby). The river is tidal below Cromwell Lock. The river is 94.8 miles (151.6 km) long and has 11 locks. The Navigation includes a section of the Nottingham Canal and Beeston Cut.
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From when we were building Castle Vale I recall that the River Tàme was managed by the River Trent Authority. All changed now but I assumed the Tame flows into the Trent. Not navigable of course. I was only funning about the invasion of Mercia.
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I get that Brian - and loved the rough wooing reference to Stoke in your post!
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And of course M********r has a River Tame which no doubt is longer, wider, cleaner and has bigger fish than ours.
I think it joins the Trent at Alrewas. Ours that is.
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He clearly needs a chance
But I will say that sometimes you look at a player and just think 'no'
I did that with gestede last season. And I did it with Jedinak although in the short term he's now the only one who can protect or defence
But Thor really didn't look like my kind of player last night
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I hope that we kept the receipt so we can return him, looked to me as though he wont be able to cope with the physical side of the game at Championship level
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I hope that we kept the receipt so we can return him, looked to me as though he wont be able to cope with the physical side of the game at Championship level
Blimey, give the bloke a chance. He's only played 70 mins.
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Wow. We really do live in an age where instant results are expected. No patience whatsoever.
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He did look entirely lost out there surprised Bruce didn't change him at half time, needs to spend time getting up to pace before playing again.
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These are professional football players. You pay big money money for them, you pay them big wages, you are entitled to expect levels of competence and ability from them. Football is a business. It is a results driven business.
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I hope that we kept the receipt so we can return him, looked to me as though he wont be able to cope with the physical side of the game at Championship level
Blimey, give the bloke a chance. He's only played 70 mins.
And yet at Euro 2016 the Iceland team were very physical and out-muscled England and other teams. This guy has played in the champions league. This is the problem signing so many new faces in January - there is next to no time for them to gel.
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I dont think it is unreasonable for us to expect a professional international to have a vague idea of what he is doing
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I think it's unreasonable to be slagging off players after less than a full game, especially when they'd just come back from weeks without a match.
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Fickle much?
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Sebody was writing him off on 43 minutes at the game. As nonsensical as some of the comments on here about him and Bruce.
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I hope that we kept the receipt so we can return him, looked to me as though he wont be able to cope with the physical side of the game at Championship level
Blimey, give the bloke a chance. He's only played 70 mins.
10. When Brentford flexed their muscles he vanished, as did the bloke from Barnsley.
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This was his first game in English football; he isn't the first and won't be the last to take some time to get up to speed.
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These are professional football players. You pay big money money for them, you pay them big wages, you are entitled to expect levels of competence and ability from them. Football is a business. It is a results driven business.
And that is why I am falling out of love with it every day
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These are professional football players. You pay big money money for them, you pay them big wages, you are entitled to expect levels of competence and ability from them. Football is a business. It is a results driven business.
You also expect a bit of patience from fans, especially for someone's first game.
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He shouldn't have played, and that's Bruce's fault. That said, I don't think he's going to turn out to be much use.
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He hadn't been playing regularly recently and has never played in this country before, it can definately effect your performance in a big way. Add to that the general confusion in the midfield with three new players and it was always going to be difficult. Hourahane who has far less excuse was only 5% better and Lansbury who has less excuse only maybe 10% better. We've had some good midfielders in the past take some time to show their best, Petrov springing to mind as one of the more recent. I'm sure they're all good players but my worry is that the formation doesn't work, and is not likely to, and his signings are pretty much geared up to it. There are never enough bodies forward and everyone in the opposition half seem to be isolated, whereas in our own half we seem to be almost getting in each other's way and confusing each other.
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He shouldn't have played, and that's Bruce's fault. That said, I don't think he's going to turn out to be much use.
Ha!
First impressions and lasting impressions and all that.
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He shouldn't have played, and that's Bruce's fault. That said, I don't think he's going to turn out to be much use.
Ha!
First impressions and lasting impressions and all that.
I'm not going off last night, more his club career to date which isn't that impressive. Anyway, hard to believe that Bruce has gone off much more than a few Euro 2016 games!
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He hadn't been playing regularly recently and has never played in this country before, it can definately effect your performance in a big way. Add to that the general confusion in the midfield with three new players and it was always going to be difficult. Hourahane who has far less excuse was only 5% better and Lansbury who has less excuse only maybe 10% better. We've had some good midfielders in the past take some time to show their best, Petrov springing to mind as one of the more recent. I'm sure they're all good players but my worry is that the formation doesn't work, and is not likely to, and his signings are pretty much geared up to it. There are never enough bodies forward and everyone in the opposition half seem to be isolated, whereas in our own half we seem to be almost getting in each other's way and confusing each other.
It not the formation it's the gaps. We look like a team that is a defensive unit, a midfield unit and a striker and those 3 are all entirely separate and have never trained together. We looked like it with Jedi, Westwood and Gardner, people said it wasn't down to Bruce but the fact that those 3 were shit. We signed 3 new midfielders, 2 who've been playing well for other clubs in this league and the exact same problem is still there.
I said in November that I thought most of our problems could be addressed on the training ground, I think that is doubly true now we have better option in midfield, I'm just not sure I trust Bruce/Calderwood/etc to have the coaching ability to fix it.
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Interesting that since Calderwood arrived we haven't progressed at all.
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He shouldn't have played, and that's Bruce's fault. That said, I don't think he's going to turn out to be much use.
Ha!
First impressions and lasting impressions and all that.
I'm not going off last night, more his club career to date which isn't that impressive. Anyway, hard to believe that Bruce has gone off much more than a few Euro 2016 games!
You've seen him.play for Basel?
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He shouldn't have played, and that's Bruce's fault. That said, I don't think he's going to turn out to be much use.
Ha!
First impressions and lasting impressions and all that.
I'm not going off last night, more his club career to date which isn't that impressive. Anyway, hard to believe that Bruce has gone off much more than a few Euro 2016 games!
You've seen him.play for Basel?
No. But then didn't say or otherwise intimate that I had.
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A couple of seasons ago I would have been happy for us to spend a 100 million in one go and buy the entire Basel team as they were good so I am assuming that this fella is going to be in the same mould and come good eventually.
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He should be an improvement when he's fit. As he hasn't played for almost two months it's going to take him weeks to get back up and running.
Our best hope is that Jedinak is soon available for selection.
The defensive gaps in the midfield were huge last night.
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BB hasn't played since before Christmas......in an inferior league against lesser opposition.
I believe he can develop and integrate his own style within the SB New Plan and we should judge him after a few games.
Not after an exhausting debut when he was clearly all-at-sea for all to see.
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If he hasn't played a game in two months then surely he shouldn't have started?
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He hadn't been playing regularly recently and has never played in this country before, it can definately effect your performance in a big way. Add to that the general confusion in the midfield with three new players and it was always going to be difficult. Hourahane who has far less excuse was only 5% better and Lansbury who has less excuse only maybe 10% better. We've had some good midfielders in the past take some time to show their best, Petrov springing to mind as one of the more recent. I'm sure they're all good players but my worry is that the formation doesn't work, and is not likely to, and his signings are pretty much geared up to it. There are never enough bodies forward and everyone in the opposition half seem to be isolated, whereas in our own half we seem to be almost getting in each other's way and confusing each other.
It not the formation it's the gaps. We look like a team that is a defensive unit, a midfield unit and a striker and those 3 are all entirely separate and have never trained together. We looked like it with Jedi, Westwood and Gardner, people said it wasn't down to Bruce but the fact that those 3 were shit. We signed 3 new midfielders, 2 who've been playing well for other clubs in this league and the exact same problem is still there.
I said in November that I thought most of our problems could be addressed on the training ground, I think that is doubly true now we have better option in midfield, I'm just not sure I trust Bruce/Calderwood/etc to have the coaching ability to fix it.
Agree 100%
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If he hasn't played a game in two months then surely he shouldn't have started?
I was surprised as well. I thought that Leo should have started
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Villabear you are absolutely right, but maybe SB thought he had to show the fans that these new men could do it from the off.
Unfortunately, they couldn't. innit ?
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Aren't these European winter breaks designed to give players a rest and have them coming back at the peak of their powers, I can kind of understand his touch not being up to snuff after not playing but his mobility was crap as well.
Surely they still train over the winter break in Europe?
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In Switzerland.......skiing, snow-boarding and the likes.
I think he looked " lost " more in the sense of being overwhelmed by it all and the adrenalin turned to water in his abdomen. He looked like he was wetting himself last night. Let's hope he's got his act together and realises that he is part of a team and not a new kid at school worrying that the others might be better than him. That way lies failure.
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Their last game prior to his departure was postponed, so the last time he played (in a friendly) was 19th January... presumably not for the full game but can't find any way of checking.
His last start in a competitive fixture was in November.
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He hadn't been playing regularly recently and has never played in this country before, it can definately effect your performance in a big way. Add to that the general confusion in the midfield with three new players and it was always going to be difficult. Hourahane who has far less excuse was only 5% better and Lansbury who has less excuse only maybe 10% better. We've had some good midfielders in the past take some time to show their best, Petrov springing to mind as one of the more recent. I'm sure they're all good players but my worry is that the formation doesn't work, and is not likely to, and his signings are pretty much geared up to it. There are never enough bodies forward and everyone in the opposition half seem to be isolated, whereas in our own half we seem to be almost getting in each other's way and confusing each other.
It not the formation it's the gaps. We look like a team that is a defensive unit, a midfield unit and a striker and those 3 are all entirely separate and have never trained together. We looked like it with Jedi, Westwood and Gardner, people said it wasn't down to Bruce but the fact that those 3 were shit. We signed 3 new midfielders, 2 who've been playing well for other clubs in this league and the exact same problem is still there.
Couldn't agree more. Time and time again, Brentford players found space between our midfield and defence last night. Baker and Chester were being drawn out, leaving huge holes in our defence. Conversely, Kodjia became more and more isolated last night and again looked lost playing up front on his own.
The one ounce of comfort I can draw is that is pretty much a new side and is going to take some time to settle in. First ten minutes aside, it was particularly poor though.
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
Ugo (although not strictly his debut) Djemba twins, Curtis Davies, Stephen Ireland, and now this guy.
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Villabear you are absolutely right, but maybe SB thought he had to show the fans that these new men could do it from the off.
Unfortunately, they couldn't. innit ?
They did for 10 minutes!
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
The infamous Norwich game?
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
The infamous Norwich game?
Please don't bring it up
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ugo"s debut ?? you should of seen ken mcnaughts first 5 games for us
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Very obviously short of match fitness and in retrospect shouldn't have started. In the first 10 minutes he showed a couple of good runs and a good technique with his shot.
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Probably been a tough week for this lad what with moving to a foreign country probably having to sort loads of crap out back in basle and then right in at the deep end starting a match in a new league. Very clear he was knackered after half an hour, let's see how he improves with a few more training sessions. I remember Jedinak moved as slow as a pensioner in his first few games and he is used to the pace of the English game.
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That was the worst debut I have ever witnessed, he just seemed to be in a dream, absolutely no comprehension of what the hell was going on.
Give him a few games in the reserves to get used to English football before committing him again to the first team otherwise the fans will have their new 'Westwood'.
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Aside from ten minutes from lansbury, I don't think BB was any worse than the others. CH was invisible for most of the game. Anyway, I'm willing to give him a chance before writing him off in a poor team performance.
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Absolutely, he's got the attributes to do well and needs time and patience.
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
The infamous Norwich game?
Which was long after he made his debut for us but for some reason is still thought of by some as his debut.
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Aside from ten minutes from lansbury, I done think BB was any worse than the others. CH was invisible for most of the game. Anoway, I'm willing to give him a chance before writing him off in a poor team performance.
Yep agreed. He look decent in that first 10 mins and hopefully as his match fitness develops that'll be more indicative of his level.
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I think Bruce knows that BB needs time to get up to speed and I also think he's aware that its unlikely that we'll go up this season. So what we need is a settled unit having a fresh go at it next season. Obviously he didn't go out to lose the game bit he probably thought Brentford away would be a good baptism for him, and the other two playing together, to let them know what to expect and what Bruce expects from them. They need a lot more time together, to get used to how Bruce wants to play, to get used to how their teammates play, to get used to being at Aston Villa. If in 5 games or so time it's still not showing any signs of improvement then fair enough. But one night in Brentford? Even makes a tough guy tumble.
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That was up there with Ugo's debut as worst ever.
The infamous Norwich game?
Which was long after he made his debut for us but for some reason is still thought of by some as his debut.
They're not all anoraks?!
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Not sure how knowing a player made his debut over a year before is being an anorak rather than basic knowledge of the Villa but if it floats your boat go for it.
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Maybe that's the match I was talking about?
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Threw in at the deep end and drowned hideously. To be fair as has been said after not playing competitive football for 2 months, in a new country, surrounded by a team with new faces, it was a dumb decision by Bruce, he should have known better.
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Maybe that's the match I was talking about?
Yeah he was awful in that 3-1 win over Arsenal wasn't he.
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Are you having a bad day? Shamefully I don't remember, don't know if I went to the game or not.
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Nope, i'm not the one saying people are anoraks instead of just saying something like "oops I was wrong".
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Nope, i'm not the one saying people are anoraks instead of just saying something like "oops I was wrong".
Fuck sake, I WAS WRONG. I wasn't being entirely serious.
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.......... the Anoraks aren't taking any shit today are they!
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.......... the Anoraks aren't taking any shit today are they!
Looks like a Stone Island anorak, this one. Pavement dancing whilst screaming Motson-esque football trivia at you.
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I wouldn't wear Stone Island if I was paid. Now George from Asda is a different thing altogether.
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I would have said you was a Fosters or C&A man myself?
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Are anoraks - not that I am suggesting you are one PWS - exclusively male? Never seen a feminine equivalent. It's an Inuit word innit? Bjarnason is an Eskimo. He might know.
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I think of Mr Shin as more of a Cagoule
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I think of Mr Shin as more of a Cagoule
Bench coat if you don't mind.
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Not sure how knowing a player made his debut over a year before is being an anorak rather than basic knowledge of the Villa but if it floats your boat go for it.
Well since football didn't exist until The Premiership was invented it was technically his debut.
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I think of Mr Shin as more of a Cagoule
I like to think of more as Kajagoogoo.
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Threw in at the deep end and drowned hideously. To be fair as has been said after not playing competitive football for 2 months, in a new country, surrounded by a team with new faces, it was a dumb decision by Bruce, he should have known better.
Before the game, Regan on WM was saying that Bruce had been raving about BB after he interviewed him about the new signings and what a good buy he was. Needs to be given time.
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Threw in at the deep end and drowned hideously. To be fair as has been said after not playing competitive football for 2 months, in a new country, surrounded by a team with new faces, it was a dumb decision by Bruce, he should have known better.
Before the game, Regan on WM was saying that Bruce had been raving about BB after he interviewed him about the new signings and what a good buy he was. Needs to be given time.
Absolutley. When you have fans giving up on him after one game , then you realise how impatient and ridiculous some people are.
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Threw in at the deep end and drowned hideously. To be fair as has been said after not playing competitive football for 2 months, in a new country, surrounded by a team with new faces, it was a dumb decision by Bruce, he should have known better.
Before the game, Regan on WM was saying that Bruce had been raving about BB after he interviewed him about the new signings and what a good buy he was. Needs to be given time.
Absolutley. When you have fans giving up on him after one game , then you realise how impatient and ridiculous some people are.
I don't think anyone wants to bomb him out, as you say, that would be ridiculous. All of our new signings need to be given time. I was just rather alarmed at the way both he and the ex Barnsley captain shrank so much once Brentford got a foothold in the game. It could be down to any number of reasons many of which were outlined on this thread. Either way, I was concerned, not to mention let down and angry. I sincerely hope my concern is unfounded and that both players become the valuable additions we all hope they will be.
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I will quote my son when he said about Taylor "I will tell you if he is any good when I have seen him play". We have seen BB play a little. It all came as a big shock to him and he is doubtless much better than he looked at Brentford. However, never under estimate the importance of first impressions.
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First impressions of people often stay in your mind
I hope that he improves, when I read about him on the Birmingham Mail after he had signed, I was expecting a Des Bremner type of player - full of energy and tough tackler, I did not see any of this in is debut
Hopefully in a few months once he has settled down (as with all the new joiners) we will start to see their true worth to the team!
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I always go back to my first impression of Paul Merson when he came to us. I'll admit to getting it wrong initially!
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Admittedly any player can be made to look good on highlight videos showcasing skills and goals, but its fair to suggest that the player we saw on Tuesday isn't the player that we bought given the little game time he's had recently, a move to England, settling into a new team and getting used to the Championship. Of all the new signings, I'd expect that it's going to take a few weeks at least for us to see anything resembling the player that we bought so we all need to be patient and give him time to settle.
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From what I saw of him (and Hourihane), it wasn't so much that they weren't any good, it's more that they never seemed to be in the right position to show it. They were off the pace our out of position constantly, which is hopefully down to lack of game time/lack of cohesion/perhaps poor tactics from SB.
I'm hoping in 5 or 6 games time, midfield will start to look a lot better.
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He starts with the advantage - and I do not mean this sarcastically - that he can only improve.
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He may well be a good player, but sticking him straight in after a 5 week break was utter stupidity.
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Threw in at the deep end and drowned hideously. To be fair as has been said after not playing competitive football for 2 months, in a new country, surrounded by a team with new faces, it was a dumb decision by Bruce, he should have known better.
Before the game, Regan on WM was saying that Bruce had been raving about BB after he interviewed him about the new signings and what a good buy he was. Needs to be given time.
Absolutley. When you have fans giving up on him after one game , then you realise how impatient and ridiculous some people are.
Don't think people are giving up on him, but then again there are already some saying Bruce is on borrowed time already so who knows? Isn't it more a case of recognising that he wasn't ready to play and had what can only be described as a bit of a stinker of a debut?
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He may well be a good player, but sticking him straight in after a 5 week break was utter stupidity.
Yep...he looked good for the first 15 mins..then, well we know what happened...
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He may well be a good player, but sticking him straight in after a 5 week break was utter stupidity.
Yep...he looked good for the first 15 mins..then, well we know what happened...
It was all a bit desperate. But we do desperation very well. Hourihane and BB get chucked in after a few hours of training (pfft...training...at Villa?).
We have to write off any notion of playoffs because it's gone now. Teams which have gelled together are in decent form up there. The more desperate we are to keep clawing back at it, the more we're going to go into games with absolutely no composure.
We just need to start working now, for a proper promotion push next season. If in 15 games time we suddenly find we're within sniffing distance, hopefully we'll have a bit of cohesion and we might just sneak in the back door.
But we need to take the pressure off. Lets not start thinking of May. Just think about getting an actual game plan and playing style and taking it one game at a time. For me it just seems like we're not thinking of Brentford Away, or Forrest Away. We're thinking "6th by May! 6th by May! 6th by May!"
Fuck it.
Find a game plan first!! Get the players playing as a team, then we can look at finishing in the top 2 next season. Cut the desperation and calm the hell down. We're pathetic to watch.
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I always go back to my first impression of Paul Merson when he came to us. I'll admit to getting it wrong initially!
If your first impression of Paul Merson was that he couldn't be arsed you would have been right. And then after a few months he decided he could be arsed and was fabulous.
As pointed out, players like Ugo and Petrov looked pretty poor to start with, and even the likes of Townsend, Laursen, Angel and Bozzie looked a way off the player they became for us.
There's been plenty over the years that started slow and did well, and some that started well and ended up quite shit, Carlton Cole, Peter Enkelmann etc
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He may well be a good player, but sticking him straight in after a 5 week break was utter stupidity.
I think Bruce was entitled to have expected him to have kept himself in better shape for those five weeks of rest.
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I always go back to my first impression of Paul Merson when he came to us. I'll admit to getting it wrong initially!
If your first impression of Paul Merson was that he couldn't be arsed you would have been right. And then after a few months he decided he could be arsed and was fabulous.
As pointed out, players like Ugo and Petrov looked pretty poor to start with, and even the likes of Townsend, Laursen, Angel and Bozzie looked a way off the player they became for us.
There's been plenty over the years that started slow and did well, and some that started well and ended up quite shit, Carlton Cole, Peter Enkelmann etc
just look back at the first few ages of the Ashley Westwood thread,
we thought we'd signed the new Gareth Barry
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Lansbury hadn't played for 7 weeks before he started against Preston.
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I just think we should have signed someone who'd played football before
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Utter gash footballer.
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Like a poor mans Brett Holman. Let that sink in for a while...poor man's...BRETT HOLMAN...
Good lord.
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Kodjia what was that ???????
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Took my train of thought away from what I was going to say about Bjarnasson. He still looks like a bit of a fish-out-of-water but he seems to be gaining fitness and strength and might last the whole 90mins today. Can't say this is a game for Grealish to be the saviour.
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Like a poor mans Brett Holman. Let that sink in for a while...poor man's...BRETT HOLMAN...
Good lord.
On a par with Salifou for me.
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Yet he came the closest to scoring for us tonight
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He looks absolutely shite, like he's won a competition to have a kick around but then with this manager they all do.
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Let's be honest we could sign Messi and we'd turn him to shit.
Bjarnason is gash though. It's like we've pulled someone from the crowd who's half pissed, they run about like a headless chicken and kick the ball away as soon as it comes near them.
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I'm convinced he's really a Swedish guitar player called Benny.
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Is Bjarnson as good as Westwood?
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What a bunch of whining tosses we all are on here
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What a bunch of whining tosses we all are on here
Aren't you whining about us 'tosses'(whatever that means), though?
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He's certainly no Icelandic God
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What a bunch of whining tosses we all are on here
How very dare fans want to see good players in a winning side. Sugarbags and fickle tosses to a man.
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The scene, Bruce's office some time last month.
The phone rings.
SB). Hello?
Voice). Hello boss. It's me. Fred.
SB). You back from Switzerland then?
Fred). Yeah, just got to Elmdon.
SB) Did you watch Bjarnason like I told you?
Fred) Not exactly.
SB). Not exactly? What is that supposed to mean?
Fred). It's complicated boss. He plays for Basel, but the taxi driver took us to Basle. The taxi driver got gobby with us and Charlie twatted him one. By the time we had walked to the ground the game was over.
SB) So you never saw him play?
Fred). No but we talked to loads of people in the airport bar and they said he was brilliant in the Euros.
SB). Fair enough. Well done. See you at Bodymoor. Thanks Fred.
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I think he will be ok - he seems to be struggling with the pace of it all.
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aren't they all?
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I don't know whether they are struggling but I certainly am.
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Me too.
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Donkey.
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I wonder what position he'll play against Derby?
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In goal at a guess.
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At least he's been getting beyond the forwards into scoring positions which was the plan, I suppose.
Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow
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He's certainly no Icelandic God
He's Thor not.
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His pass completion must be crap after last night. Was awful
The wife was also disappointed that his appearance doesnt live up to some of the selfies he posted when we first signed him
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I honestly don't know what his strengths are. Can someone enlighten me?
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I honestly don't know what his strengths are. Can someone enlighten me?
Hair management.
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Early days, new to the English leagues, you lot are short on patience.
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He'll be fine when he settles down. He's been out for a while too remember.
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I reckon he'll be alright next season, good forward planning for when we get relegated again.
Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail!
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Brett Holman has grown his hair hasn't he!
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Is it too much too ask that we sign a player who comes into the side and just settles in?
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He would stand a better chance of settling in if he played consecutive matches in the same position.
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Agree OMVF but in any position he needs to be able run a bit and to pass to his own men. Whatever the mitigating circumstances there has to be basic football competence.
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He would stand a better chance of settling in if he played consecutive matches in the same position.
From the little we have seen, I don't think he is a wide player.
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He would stand a better chance of settling in if he played consecutive matches in the same position.
From the little we have seen, I don't think he is a wide player.
From the little we have seen, it looks like we were short of numbers and someone brought their scruffy mate along.
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he reminds me of shaggy off Scooby doo
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He looks like a £1.7m midfielder.
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He looks like a £1.7m midfielder.
Is the decimal point in the right place?
As an aside I thought Holman looked an asset when he didn't have the ball, he had some energy and hassled the opposition into losing the ball, before promptly giving it back to them. Better first impressions than Benny anyroad.
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Holman looked good early doors and then amount to absolutely nothing.
Hopefully Bjarni will be the opposite.
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he reminds me of shaggy off Scooby doo
Ruh Roh
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he reminds me of shaggy off Scooby doo
Ruh Roh
When we find out who scouted him I wouldn't be surprised to find it was Old Mr Ingarrson from the amusement arcade who needed Benny to move out of his Reykjavik apartment so he can redevelop the land.
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Bjarnason - he's not very good is my opinion
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Bruce saying it's not looking good for Thor. MCL injury and he was starting play decently and getting into good positions. We are not having any luck right now with injuries. And Jack's cut is bad too.
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We seem to have more midfielders and attackers out now than seems fair :
Gardner
BB
Hogan
Bacuna
RHM
Gabby
Green
Grealish
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Hope it's better than it looks.
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Bruce saying it's not looking good for Thor. MCL injury and he was starting play decently and getting into good positions. We are not having any luck right now with injuries. And Jack's cut is bad too.
I don't think he said Cruciate? He said likely ligament damage.
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Bruce saying it's not looking good for Thor. MCL injury and he was starting play decently and getting into good positions. We are not having any luck right now with injuries. And Jack's cut is bad too.
I don't think he said Cruciate? He said likely ligament damage.
Sorry you might be right. He said medial ligament and I assumed it was MCL tear, but could be strain. Either way. It good as he said BB was in a lot of pain, so let's hope for the best.
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He said medial ligaments.
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It couldn't have helped the injury when Bjarnason sprinted on the spot in an attempt to show that he was ok to come back on.
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MCL = medial collateral ligament so Toronto used the correct acronym. Not a cruciate so could be anything from 1 week to 3 months depending on whether it's a strain or a tear and also the grade of the injury. The motion that causes medials generally looks worse than an ACL but they heal a lot quicker because they aren't as large or as structurally important. They rarely threaten a career.
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Hope it's better than it looks.
Out of crisis comes opportunity.... Who would Have said they would have had Green in the first teM a few weeks ago....bring it in!!
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According to the Mail he's out for 6-8 weeks.
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According to the Mail he's out for 6-8 weeks.
Back for the playoffs then
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Bugger
He had started getting into goal scoring positions, missing them of course, but at least he was there
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According to the Mail he's out for 6-8 weeks.
Back for the playoffs then
:-o
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Resurrecting this one
I don't get it. Good movement yes. But shocking passing and poor touch
He was the player tasked with getting closest to gabby last night. His goal record in recent seasons is 2/0/2/0 (grealish for 5 last year in a mediocre season).
If we go into the season with him supporting the main striker we're in trouble
I don't often make my mind up on a player so quickly but I'm putting him with gestede, carl tiler and Richard Walker as players that I've taken an instantly negative view of!
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I don't know what he adds or what he's supposed to be doing.
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Mediocre best describes him. Too many others in this squad are the same.
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Reminds me of Brett Holman, lots of running but nothing much else.
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I'm not sure. I think there could be a decent player in there. yes, he gave the ball away a lot but he was also unlucky to have teammates that were motionless around him. he seems to be an action player where he likes to get the ball and get this moving with a bit of pace. He reminded me a little bit (little bit) of a Des Bremner. I'm not saying he is that calibre, but I think if we didn't sit so deep, Hourihane and Lansbury were on the front foot more and looking to fill in gaps around the middle of the park to pick up the ball and use it first time, we'd see his worth.
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Don't really see him as a left-sided midfielder given where we're currently at - he seems like another candidate for a midfield three, who can maybe break the lines with his runs, so long as the other midfielders are giving us control.
I know it's the Swiss League and all, but 14 in 42 is good enough of a record to at least suggest he might be able to nick a few goals at this level too.
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I think his movement is good and maybe he should be given a chance before writing him off. He's barely played yet and is coming back from a nasty injury.
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I'm encouraged if he did score 14 in 42 for Basel
I was going off this
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/16431/History/Birkir-Bjarnason
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Was really impressed with him in the euros so disappointed he seems to be morphing into a Holman-esque player here.
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I like him. He just seemed to be settling into the side when he got injured last season. He had four chances in the space of 10 minutes last night so if he can keep getting into the box like he was doing, he'll hopefully weigh in with a few. One to preserve with I think.
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Mediocre.
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His movement is very good
I hope I'm wrong and it's rustiness that accounts for his very poor touch and passing to date
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I'm encouraged if he did score 14 in 42 for Basel
I was going off this
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/16431/History/Birkir-Bjarnason
I don't think Whoscored covers the Swiss league, understandably - looks like those stats are just for Champions League and when he was in Serie A a few seasons ago, and presumably a different player then.
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Yep sounds right thanks
Slightly more encouraged now
I still wouldn't have him in the team v hull though unless the other options aren't fit
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I'm encouraged if he did score 14 in 42 for Basel
I was going off this
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/16431/History/Birkir-Bjarnason
I don't think Whoscored covers the Swiss league, understandably - looks like those stats are just for Champions League and when he was in Serie A a few seasons ago, and presumably a different player then.
It was 14 in 42 for Basel. 10 in 35 for Pescara before that in Serie B.
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He was gash again last night. Maybe he needs to get a goal to calm himself down a bit. He seemed desperate to score in the first half and looked out of his depth in the second. Against Walsall.
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Got to the ball in the box FIVE times in the first half last night ahead of our so called striker. Says a lot
He wasn't much cop mind
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He was gash again last night. Maybe he needs to get a goal to calm himself down a bit. He seemed desperate to score in the first half and looked out of his depth in the second. Against Walsall.
Some players just struggle to adapt to the pace of English football. I'm worried he's one of them. He gives the ball away all the time. Not sure how readily available these sort of stats are in our league but I'd be keen to his versus say grealish
Jack could however look at his off the ball movement and learn from that
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The positive was at least he was having some chances, when was the last time we had a midfielder in the box so often? His finishing was wank mind.
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That is what we lacked last season. Far too rare that we'd trickle midfielders into the box let alone flood it.
Territory and the line the midfield holds is important. We were 10-15 yards too deep. Whether that's because it was more important not to be best given the fragile mindset at the club (evident amongst the supporters still) is a possible answer.
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One of my hopes for the season is that I'm proved wrong about this bloke. I think he's absolutely hopeless. but as I said, i live in hope that I'm massively wrong.
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You and me both Desmond
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Me too. I think he is pony. I hope that I am wrong too.
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I think you can tell from his movement he's potentially good. He's rusty but he's hardly had any game time since his injury so that's hardly uncommon.
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Right place, right time, wrong guy = face palm
This appears to be the case so far. At least he's getting scoring chances though
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He's played what 8 games? Don't people think it might be a bit quick to rush to judgement.
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Well people can only judge on what they have seen, lots of effort but looks like he's petrified whenever he gets the ball and rushes his decisions, wether that be a pass or shot.
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Yes but I think it's a bit premature to make a definitive judgement on someone who has come to a new league, played hardly any games and who is just coming back from a nasty injury.
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It took me one game to work out how shit Tonev was, despite the "there is a good player in there" comments.
I have seen less of Bjarnson.
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I haven't seen him much but in the pre season games he has jogged around and had the ball bounce off him a few times. Shrug. Hopefully that will change for the better.
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It took me one game to work out how shit Tonev was, despite the "there is a good player in there" comments.
I have seen less of Bjarnson.
I'm sure people are lining up to get a dose of your football expertise.
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It took me one game to work out how shit Tonev was, despite the "there is a good player in there" comments.
I have seen less of Bjarnson.
I'm sure people are lining up to get a dose of your football expertise.
Yep, I'm surprised he's not been snapped up by clubs needing scouts already.... Or SkySports for that matter.....
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It took me one game to work out how shit Tonev was, despite the "there is a good player in there" comments.
:)I have seen less of Bjarnson.
I'm sure people are lining up to get a dose of your football expertise.
Yep, I'm surprised he's not been snapped up by clubs needing scouts already.... Or SkySports for that matter.....
Yes, it takes genius to recognise talent as mediocrity will always find its own level.
Anon. :)
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Really happy for Thor getting his first. He's not the most technically gifted but he puts in a shift and gets into really good positions in the box. Last night he came close before finally breaking his duck. Good for him.
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He's another player who I think will be ok. He's much better further up the field rather than in a defending role.
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Yes, let's hope he builds on it because it's a long old season and he can cover a few positions.
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Yes, let's hope he builds on it because it's a long old season and he can cover a few positions.
Except left back of course!
Worked very well last night but lets not lose sight of its a 2nd tier Wigan after all
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Yes, let's hope he builds on it because it's a long old season and he can cover a few positions.
Except left back of course!
Worked very well last night but lets not lose sight of its a 2nd tier Wigan after all
Third tier Wigan.
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Yes, let's hope he builds on it because it's a long old season and he can cover a few positions.
Except left back of course!
Worked very well last night but lets not lose sight of its a 2nd tier Wigan after all
Third tier Wigan.
Third tier Wigan reserves.
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Why does he take so many touches of the ball? Quite a few times last night he could have crossed or passed earlier, just tends to run with it
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I was pleased for him to score his first goal last night against Wigan lets hope he will only get better.
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Was good yesterday. Could have had a hat-trick, but still scored, set one up, and worked his arse off throughout. Much better.
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I thought he was pretty bad first half, some poor decisions, touches and passes.
That said, I'm not going to knock a player who works hard, gets into good positions and ended the match with a goal and an assist. He'll be useful to have about.
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I imagine an elephant wearing clown shoes playing on a frozen pitch would have a better touch than this guy
He was effective yday against Wigan reserves but he really doesn't look great to me at all
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Impressive tonight. We looked much more dangerous when he was on. Beginning to think he might turn out okay.
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Yup. Was very involved when he came on.
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He was involved in giving the ball away, being needlessly offside, and shooting poorly. Yet to see him have a good game in a Villa shirt.
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Just a shame about his final ball. Hourihane was in acres of space 12 yards out, but he couldn't find the cross.
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He was involved in giving the ball away, being needlessly offside, and shooting poorly. Yet to see him have a good game in a Villa shirt.
Yes, thought he was poor again. A busy player who runs around a lot but contributes very little in the way of quality.
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I think if you've decided he wasn't going to play well before he came on the pitch, then he might have had a poor game. He was excellent yesterday and we looked much more dangerous when he came on.
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Seems that way.
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I think if you've decided he wasn't going to play well before he came on the pitch, then he might have had a poor game. He was excellent yesterday and we looked much more dangerous when he came on.
I thought he did well too, added a bit of energy and drive. Understandably it has taken him a while to get up to full speed following his injury but now looks to be getting there.
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I thought he looked a lot like Brett Holman, ran around a lot and got involved but didn't actually impact the game very much despite that.
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Didn't watch but glad he seemed to be better
His energy and movement never in doubt
It's with the ball I've been disappointed but happy if I can be proven wrong
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Very busy just lacks quality. Ok as a back up to be relied on for a few games.
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I thought he looked a lot like Brett Holman, ran around a lot and got involved but didn't actually impact the game very much despite that.
Was put rough, had a great opportunity to create a chance and fluffed it, I think Holman was a better player, this bloke is very ordinary.
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Him and Hogan were ideal subs last night because they've got a lot of energy which oppoistion players won't like 75-80 mins into the game. I like him a lot, the sort of player every squad needs.
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Him and Hogan were ideal subs last night because they've got a lot of energy which oppoistion players won't like 75-80 mins into the game. I like him a lot, the sort of player every squad needs. To remain in Division 2.
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Utter nonsense Hogan and Thor are well capable of being involved in a team that gets promoted.
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And what's Division 2 anyway?
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Hogan is absolutely capable of performing in a team chasing promotion.
Bjarnasson is fucking gash on every attribute apart from his effort.
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I think if you've decided he wasn't going to play well before he came on the pitch, then he might have had a poor game. He was excellent yesterday and we looked much more dangerous when he came on.
Oh come on, surely it's possible to have a difference of opinion without resorting to comments like that. What I saw was that he came on, ran around a lot but did absolutely nothing of use with the ball, including completing ballsing up a simple cross when Hourihane was in acres of space. Still, if you've decided that "there's a player in there" before he came on the pitch etc etc.
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I think he's got something about him and if he gets enough game time I could see him scoring 8-10 goals this season. I'm sure this isn't the case with everyone but I think he's one of these players where some have already decided he's rubbish and nothing he does will change that view.
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I think he's got something about him and if he gets enough game time I could see him scoring 8-10 goals this season. I'm sure this isn't the case with everyone but I think he's one of these players where some have already decided he's rubbish and nothing he does will change that view.
Agree with that. Some people have absolutely no patience whatsoever.
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I think if you've decided he wasn't going to play well before he came on the pitch, then he might have had a poor game. He was excellent yesterday and we looked much more dangerous when he came on.
Oh come on, surely it's possible to have a difference of opinion without resorting to comments like that. What I saw was that he came on, ran around a lot but did absolutely nothing of use with the ball, including completing ballsing up a simple cross when Hourihane was in acres of space. Still, if you've decided that "there's a player in there" before he came on the pitch etc etc.
You're such a sensitive soul Risso. This is a fairly mild comment that does not need a victim response.
Just as well you can't ban people anymore.
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I think he's got something about him and if he gets enough game time I could see him scoring 8-10 goals this season. I'm sure this isn't the case with everyone but I think he's one of these players where some have already decided he's rubbish and nothing he does will change that view.
Agree with that. Some people have absolutely no patience whatsoever.
I'm not sure anyone wants to dislike him as he's a trier, it's just difficult to see a lad of his age picking up the necessary basic skills required. His control is simply awful.
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I think he's got something about him and if he gets enough game time I could see him scoring 8-10 goals this season. I'm sure this isn't the case with everyone but I think he's one of these players where some have already decided he's rubbish and nothing he does will change that view.
Scoring 8-10 goals would be great, but I would have to say I think it's highly unlikely. I think we'll be lucky if Hogan or Snodgrass get that many, let alone the new Brett Holman.
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The comparison to Holman is a good one, he plays like a enthusiastic puppy.
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I've watched him largely through gritted teeth since he joined, but he wasn't too bad against the tits. He's definitely in the Holman vein, but I think a player like that could prove useful at this level. He'll have to be sold if/when we get back to the Premiership because he'll look almost comically out of his depth. Down here, for a side as persistently unfit as we seem to be, that energy on 70 minutes might prove useful. His final product should get better with more confidence. I think his goal in midweek will have helped because, whilst erratic, he certainly looked more confident friday night.
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Thought he looked better when he came on Friday night, albeit his final product was still a bit poor.
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I still wonder how we came up with him as a potential signing in the first place - all those signings from English football, and him.
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He has looked a bit better lately, think the goal against Wigan gave him confidence.
He works hard, but sometimes lacks an end product.
To be fair he has been asked to play at left-back before, which is never his preferred position.
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I still wonder how we came up with him as a potential signing in the first place - all those signings from English football, and him.
I remember a discussion about him on WM after he signed. The opinion was that Bruce had been watching him for a while and really rated him.
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He has looked a bit better lately, think the goal against Wigan gave him confidence.
He works hard, but sometimes lacks an end product.
To be fair he has been asked to play at left-back before, which is never his preferred position.
I don't think he is a wide player at all really. I think he would be much more suited to one of the two more advanced central midfield roles occupied by Onomah and Hourihane. Him coming on in one of those roles could give us that extra bit of energy.
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I still wonder how we came up with him as a potential signing in the first place - all those signings from English football, and him.
I remember a discussion about him on WM after he signed. The opinion was that Bruce had been watching him for a while and really rated him.
I do remember that - it just seems a bit odd that he'd be watching given where he's played at club level recently: Pescara in Serie B, and Basel - although the latter plays in Europe every season, of course.
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I don't think he's as bad as others are making out. He can be a very useful squad member. I think coming off the bench he could be particularly useful. Last 20 minutes especially his energy could be a valuable weapon.
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A lot of fans like players that run around a lot.
We have a surplus of better players in all,the positions this guy can play.
He is at best a squad filler or a poor replacement at left back.
Another dim signing and Bruce is good at these.
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By all accounts his best performance was against Wigan (reserves)
That's good to see and he does get in good positions
But even against Wigan he had a couple of absolutely shocking first touches
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Yeah I think he's a central midfielder. Trouble is we have loads of them, so he won't get a game there.
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You've got to wonder why we signed him as no-one seems to know his best position or how to use him.
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You've got to wonder why we signed him as no-one seems to know his best position or how to use him.
Sounds like most of our signings over the last few years.
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Unfortunately he's not good enough to get into or fit into a struggling team...but he looked ok against Wigan reserves. Says it all really.
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Unfortunately he's not good enough to get into or fit into a struggling team...but he looked ok against Wigan reserves. Says it all really.
Not reallly, it says he's come to a new country, played a few games, got a nasty injury and is working his way back. I've seen something I like in the way he plays, but I'm puzzled as to how anyone has had enough time to ultimately decide how successful he'll be. He needs to be given a decent opportunity before that decision is made either way.
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Unfortunately he's not good enough to get into or fit into a struggling team...but he looked ok against Wigan reserves. Says it all really.
Not reallly, it says he's come to a new country, played a few games, got a nasty injury and is working his way back. I've seen something I like in the way he plays, but I'm puzzled as to how anyone has had enough time to ultimately decide how successful he'll be. He needs to be given a decent opportunity before that decision is made either way.
Technique is pretty easy to spot, and this guy lacks that.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
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Unfortunately he's not good enough to get into or fit into a struggling team...but he looked ok against Wigan reserves. Says it all really.
Not reallly, it says he's come to a new country, played a few games, got a nasty injury and is working his way back. I've seen something I like in the way he plays, but I'm puzzled as to how anyone has had enough time to ultimately decide how successful he'll be. He needs to be given a decent opportunity before that decision is made either way.
You're puzzled? He's been here 7 odd months not 7 weeks, more than enough time to mske a judgement. He's absolutely gash on every level other than his effort which is admirable.
Even last game when he had one of his better 10 minutes after coming on he managed to completely ruin a break with his awful decision making. But atleast he ran around abit and that makes some people happy.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could make you're mind up that he's amazing. Equally as easy.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could make you're mind up that he's amazing. Equally as easy.
Who's said he's amazing?
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Clampy world. Bruce needs time, when thats proven wrong then he needs to buy his own players, when that is proven wrong then we need stability, yep that doesn't work out well so he needs a pre-season, after a pre-season we still look as bad as the day he walked in so now he needs the beginning of the season. This theory is now applied to a player that is completely out of his depth.
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Clampy world. Bruce needs time, when thats proven wrong then he needs to buy his own players, when that is proven wrong then we need stability, yep that doesn't work out well so he needs a pre-season, after a pre-season we still look as bad as the day he walked in so now he needs the beginning of the season. This theory is now applied to a player that is completely out of his depth.
No, it's not childish digs like 'clampy world' it's differences of opinion. It's a forum, it's how it works.
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Helps if you're not so delicate on a forum in the face of other opinions too.
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Clampy world. Bruce needs time, when thats proven wrong then he needs to buy his own players, when that is proven wrong then we need stability, yep that doesn't work out well so he needs a pre-season, after a pre-season we still look as bad as the day he walked in so now he needs the beginning of the season. This theory is now applied to a player that is completely out of his depth.
How about you knock off making digs like that.
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Will do.
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Thank you.
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Actually - some players can with effort and mentality make a whole team become winners. He did with Iceland against England ;)
But it is very often that players get written off and every move is analysed negatively. It could affect their performance on the pitch. That sigh in the crowd before kick-off etc.
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Clampy world. Bruce needs time, when thats proven wrong then he needs to buy his own players, when that is proven wrong then we need stability, yep that doesn't work out well so he needs a pre-season, after a pre-season we still look as bad as the day he walked in so now he needs the beginning of the season. This theory is now applied to a player that is completely out of his depth.
He had a solid cameo v Bristol when he came on. He is hardly one of the high earners either. Bruce, Terry, Whelan, Snodgrass, Jedinak, Chester I suspect are the core people that we are banking promotion this term on with crazy wages. Let's hold them to account before writing off others.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could buy some different glasses.
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I think he's got something about him and if he gets enough game time I could see him scoring 8-10 goals this season. I'm sure this isn't the case with everyone but I think he's one of these players where some have already decided he's rubbish and nothing he does will change that view.
Agree with that. Some people have absolutely no patience whatsoever.
Bloody hell, you took your time with that.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could buy some different glasses.
No irony in that.
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could buy some different glasses.
No irony in that.
How ironic.
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It's like ten thousand midfielders when all you need is a reserve left back.
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Being patient with crap players hasn't led to much of a pay off in recent years.
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It's like 5 defenders away to Bristol....
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Actually being short of match fitness and adapting to a new league is likely to impact on a player's sharpness and technique. Pretty sure if you've ever gone a long time without playing football your touch will be a lot worse than it was when you last played, doesn't mean your fundamental technique is flawed.
Or you could just make your mind that he's crap. It's easier.
Or you could buy some different glasses.
Why would I need different glasses when I don't own a pair in the first place?
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His twin brother just scored the second for Iceland in Turkey.
Maybe we should sign him.
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His twin brother just scored the second for Iceland in Turkey.
Maybe we should sign him.
..and it was a good finish
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Evil twin ??
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His twin brother just scored the second for Iceland in Turkey.
Maybe we should sign him.
Is there a possibility that we messed up identity there and got the wrong man?
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Or perhaps the real Birkir Bjarnason is locked away in Le Château D'If wearing an iron mask.
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I actually rate Bjarny. Although I seem to be the only one who is in the fan club. I anticipate just me and him being there at a very Alan Partridge style fan club Xmas party.
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I reckon if he ever got a sustained run in this actual position he might do alright.
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He's another one like Hogan who will play his part at some point this season. I think he's ok to be honest.
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Or perhaps the real Birkir Bjarnason is locked away in Le Château D'If wearing an iron mask.
Imagine what he'll do to him if he ever escapes!
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Probably chase him a lot but never catch him.
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I think he’s wasted out on the wing or LB. for me he gets into great positions to score so better suited in an attackjng positions down in central midfield. He ain’t no Platt but I think played in this position he’d grab a few goals.
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I agree.
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If he played centre mid I think his shocking first touch would be even more of a problem
Coming in from wide like a poor man's ljungberg is his best role for me
He's obviously capable of more than he's shown to date so let's hope he can contribute
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If he played centre mid I think his shocking first touch would be even more of a problem
Coming in from wide like a poor man's ljungberg is his best role for me
He's obviously capable of more than he's shown to date so let's hope he can contribute
He should be nowhere near the squad at the moment. We have better players in every position.
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He is part of an Iceland team doing very well, there must be something about him.
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If he played centre mid I think his shocking first touch would be even more of a problem
Coming in from wide like a poor man's ljungberg is his best role for me
He's obviously capable of more than he's shown to date so let's hope he can contribute
He should be nowhere near the squad at the moment.
Unless he's driving the team bus or something.
I have seen nothing from him in a claret and blue shirt that makes me think he is remotely near good enough.
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He is part of an Iceland team doing very well, there must be something about him.
A team that is all about running and pressing, what they lack in skill they make up for in organisation and hard work.
Seems almost opposite to the way we play.
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Yeah by that logic we should sign a load of Norn Irn players
Different game
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I thought he played well for Iceland during the Euros and thought he'd be a good pick up for a lower half prem team. Was pretty happy when we signed him.
I do think he's better than what he's shown but probably another who will amount to little playing for us.
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I'm pleased for him that Iceland have got to to the World Cup for the first time lets hope his form gets better for us now he should be going to Russia next summer.
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From memory don't Iceland press as a team, something which we don't do?
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In the away game last year where he picked up his injury (can't remember who it was against) he looked very good for the half an hour or so he was on the pitch and nearly scored a goal. Apart from that he's looked very poor.
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At least he puts a shift in unlike many we have had in the past. Worth persevering with for this reason alone and may still improve enough. I can remember many who took a full season to come good, or even longer. It is still possible that it is about how the pressing game is played-or not in our case. If you have ever played in midfield you will know that you can run and run but never fit in with the players around you. Maybe we should inject him with Gareth Barry cells...I'm sure a Russian coach could help with this.
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At least he puts a shift in unlike many we have had in the past. Worth persevering with for this reason alone and may still improve enough. I can remember many who took a full season to come good, or even longer. It is still possible that it is about how the pressing game is played-or not in our case. If you have ever played in midfield you will know that you can run and run but never fit in with the players around you. Maybe we should inject him with Gareth Barry cells...I'm sure a Russian coach could help with this.
Putting in a shift is the bare minimum required. Absolutely pointless without any sort of end product though.
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He is part of an Iceland team doing very well, there must be something about him.
A team that is all about running and pressing, what they lack in skill they make up for in organisation and hard work.
Seems almost opposite to the way we play.
Yeah true but some feedback I have seen is his actual ability as a player
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He is part of an Iceland team doing very well, there must be something about him.
A team that is all about running and pressing, what they lack in skill they make up for in organisation and hard work.
Seems almost opposite to the way we play.
Yeah true but some feedback I have seen is his actual ability as a player
Which with us has been nonexistent.
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Lets hope he has a good World Cup then...we might get some money for him
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Lets hope he has a good World Cup then...we might get some money for him
Or perhaps we could instead hope that he performs brilliantly and becomes a key member of our squad.
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He will be playing left back this Saturday.
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He will be playing left back this Saturday.
you know for sure?
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No I am guessing that's what Bruce will do.
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Lets hope he has a good World Cup then...we might get some money for him
Or perhaps we could instead hope that he performs brilliantly and becomes a key member of our squad.
I'm a realist
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The lad has come in for a lot of criticism since he joined and we might lose him this window if the reports of him possibly moving to Italy are true. But the past few games he has put in very assured displays and arguably his very best one today.
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I thought he had his best game for the Villa today
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Agree best game and maybe his best position, Nice, simple and effective play
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Agree best game and maybe his best position, Nice, simple and effective play
I like him more advanced because of the runs he can make, but given the way he played he should step in for Jedinak, not Whelan.
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What I saw in the 2nd half , the ball seemed to come to him in the middle of the park, which shows good reading of the game
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I’ve never been impressed at all with him
But he was fantastic today. Maybe that deeper position suits him as he’s got more time on the ball
He’s probably off though of course!
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Excellent today. If he plays like that he offers more than anyone we have in that role.
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He needs to back it up though. He's a trier and if he does stay he's not the worst back up, but one good game does not a good player make.
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No but how many times has he been played in the right role? There's responsibility on the player, but also on the manager.
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Good point. Maybe he should get a small run of games in that role should Jedinak's injury keep him out for a while.
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He needs to back it up though. He's a trier and if he does stay he's not the worst back up, but one good game does not a good player make.
Has he ever played in that role for us before? I thought he was superb in the second half. I thought Whelan did well in the first half to be fair, but Birkir is so more mobile in the role and would keep him there even ahead of Jedinak for next game
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He needs to back it up though. He's a trier and if he does stay he's not the worst back up, but one good game does not a good player make.
Thought he looked good against Bristol City too to be fair.
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No but how many times has he been played in the right role? There's responsibility on the player, but also on the manager.
To be fair on the manager (who I have slagged off more than once), it was a great choice ahead of Lansbury and Onomah. He was superb
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
I like Jedinak, but why would you go with him mate?
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
I like Jedinak, but why would you go with him mate?
Just think he offers the physical presence needed sometimes in the Championship. I think the current back four with him in front gives us a really solid base and make us hard to break down. His fitness record is becoming a bit of a concern though, so it was good to see Bjarnason do well in there earlier.
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
The real issue there is that the role he plays for Iceland is closest to where Grealish is playing and, for me, he has very quickly proven himself to be absolutely key to us looking the sum of our parts going forward so it's the bench and an option in any of the 3 roles for me.
For what it's worth Jedi, Houri, Grealish back to front seems to be the obvious midfield and anyone else is just injury cover/a change if we're struggling.
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
I like Jedinak, but why would you go with him mate?
Just think he offers the physical presence needed sometimes in the Championship. I think the current back four with him in front gives us a really solid base and make us hard to break down. His fitness record is becoming a bit of a concern though, so it was good to see Bjarnason do well in there earlier.
I like Whelan and thought he did a good job first half. Your man comes on second half and he influenced the game for me. I so like Jedinak and he will have a massive role to play, I just think your mans performance made massive difference to the team
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I have seen him play a couple of times for Iceland and he plays in a more advanced central midfield role for them. Still haven't seen him feature much there for us but we are playing a formation to suit that now. I would still go with Jedinak in the holding role when fit, but would be tempted to look at Bjarnason a bit further forward.
The real issue there is that the role he plays for Iceland is closest to where Grealish is playing and, for me, he has very quickly proven himself to be absolutely key to us looking the sum of our parts going forward so it's the bench and an option in any of the 3 roles for me.
For what it's worth Jedi, Houri, Grealish back to front seems to be the obvious midfield and anyone else is just injury cover/a change if we're struggling.
Fair enough Paul and I would agree about the three you name as being the ones in possession at the moment, although Hourihane has been a bit quiet the past two games and if we were looking to improve then someone capable of getting the box and scoring goals from midfield would be ideal.
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Hourihane scored against Bristol City Tom! In fairness I thought he had a really good game both ends against Bristol, and was noticeably further forward with Jedinak in the holding role. He is a very decent player.
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Hourihane scored against Bristol City Tom! In fairness I thought he had a really good game both ends against Bristol, and was noticeably further forward with Jedinak in the holding role. He is a very decent player.
Fair point and he did score. Maybe it was just that he was outshine by Grealish's performance and went a bit unnoticed. As Paul said earlier in the thread, Hourihane and Grealish are the two starting more advanced midfielders and it is up to the others to force their way in. Which is how it should be.
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Thought he did very well in that holding role second half. More movement and energy than Whelan. Also can pass a ball which tends to help
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He did ok yesterday but his role for me is where Hourihane plays. He's got knack of getting into the box.
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Ok is harsh, I think he did very well.
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Thor's playing for a move, hitherto he's looked gash
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Or he's not been played in the right position before.
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Or he's not been played in the right position before.
Right position thus far has been on the bench and staying on it! Glad to him put a good performance in, and hopefully it is the first of many. Petrov (debut aside) was rubbish for the first season, then went on to be a really good player for us. Maybe it has just taken him a while to adjust to the British game.
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Being reported that he's agreed a move to Parma. After recent displays would be very disappointed to see him leave.
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Being reported that he's agreed a move to Parma. After recent displays would be very disappointed to see him leave.
After saturday's performance i will be disappointed in this if true
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Being reported that he's agreed a move to Parma. After recent displays would be very disappointed to see him leave.
After saturday's performance i will be disappointed in this if true
It does seem typical and maybe he is about to come good. But given his general level of performance since he joined you can understand why we would cut our losses with him. Frustrating timing though.
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Putting it in context he's had one good game as a substitute.
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Putting it in context he's had one good game as a substitute.
Out of position too.
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We are running out of players to support at the World Cup.
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Just saw a great tweet asking if we could send them Glenn Whelan in a wig instead...
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the wig on its own would be more effective than either.
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I never thought he was a bad player but if the deck chairs are suited round a bit to bring in a striker and player who is a bit more mobile to deputise for Jedinak becoming a 1in 4 game player then so be it
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We are running out of players to support at the World Cup.
That's possibly why he's moving on, to keep his World Cup place. Shame if it's true, he's not a bad player at all.
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Don't let the bjarn door hit you on the way out
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I don't know how much is true in the Amartey loan rumour but if we are looking at him and Ulloa from Leicester, it's an upgrade at that position over Bjarnason. Although I'd be surprised if it happened as Amerey started vs Chelsea this past weekend and looked very good.
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If there's a concrete offer in for him, we should definitely take it. Midfield is one area where we're not exactly under-resourced, and give the financial constraints we need the money to strengthen other areas. Keeping players around after one good game is the sort of thinking that led to Agbonlahor's new contract.
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If there's a concrete offer in for him, we should definitely take it. Midfield is one area where we're not exactly under-resourced, and give the financial constraints we need the money to strengthen other areas. Keeping players around after one good game is the sort of thinking that led to Agbonlahor's new contract.
I agree, no point if it's just a loan but a loan with a fixed fee or a straight up transfer that sees us get most of our money back would be silly to pass up after about 60-70 minutes of decent performance from him.
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If there's a concrete offer in for him, we should definitely take it. Midfield is one area where we're not exactly under-resourced, and give the financial constraints we need the money to strengthen other areas. Keeping players around after one good game is the sort of thinking that led to Agbonlahor's new contract.
Yep, agree with this. It's no good thinking there may be something in a player if you can never realise it. There's no evidence he can play in English football. Though there was with Agbonlahor, that was a long time ago.
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But he came with a good reputation and has had trouble adapting to a new league. Can play in more than one position too, it's just a shame we have no offers for Lansbury.
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But he came with a good reputation and has had trouble adapting to a new league. Can play in more than one position too, it's just a shame we have no offers for Lansbury.
Yep, I'd prefer to see Lansbury go instead of him as well.
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But he came with a good reputation and has had trouble adapting to a new league. Can play in more than one position too, it's just a shame we have no offers for Lansbury.
Yep, I'd prefer to see Lansbury go instead of him as well.
Problem is for whatever reasons neither of them have had much game time and opportunity to show their worth to any potential suitors
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But he came with a good reputation and has had trouble adapting to a new league. Can play in more than one position too, it's just a shame we have no offers for Lansbury.
Yep, I'd prefer to see Lansbury go instead of him as well.
Problem is for whatever reasons neither of them have had much game time and opportunity to show their worth to any potential suitors
Lansbury has probably had more of a crack than Bjarnnason has. I can't think of too any games where I've come away thinking he had a good game.
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But he came with a good reputation and has had trouble adapting to a new league. Can play in more than one position too, it's just a shame we have no offers for Lansbury.
Yep, I'd prefer to see Lansbury go instead of him as well.
Problem is for whatever reasons neither of them have had much game time and opportunity to show their worth to any potential suitors
Lansbury has probably had more of a crack than Bjarnnason has. I can't think of too any games where I've come away thinking he had a good game.
How about the 2-2 with Forest at VP last season? Sad face
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The holding role behind the midfield 4 isn't even his position internationally.
He added legs for sure over Whelan but I'd have Jedi in there if fit all day every day. I think Onomah would excell there and it's where Pochetino sees him.
I'd sell him.
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The holding role behind the midfield 4 isn't even his position internationally.
He added legs for sure over Whelan but I'd have Jedi in there if fit all day every day. I think Onomah would excell there and it's where Pochetino sees him.
I'd sell him.
My biggest frustration all season is that we haven't tried Onomah in that role and instead Bruce has tried to turn him into a 10 which he looks totally unsuitable for.
Aside from that I think we need to start looking at moving a few players on for some money, we've got far too much value tied up in players who are out on loan or who aren't in with any chance of making the matchday squad. Our U23s are top of their league and none of them have let us down when given a run so we don't need people like Bjarnason and Lansbury taking a big wage to offer very little. If we could get rid of both along with Gabby and Richards I'd be much happier and we could probably let de Laet go as well seeing as Bruce clearly doesn't see a place for him.
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The way Steve Agnew is rehabilitating under performing players, will it be long before Gabby and Richards are ´resurrected´?..............Godzvilla! ( watching the horizon for incoming Pigs!)
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Thor's going nowhere - we are asking too much for him apparently
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The holding role behind the midfield 4 isn't even his position internationally.
He added legs for sure over Whelan but I'd have Jedi in there if fit all day every day. I think Onomah would excell there and it's where Pochetino sees him.
I'd sell him.
The problem I have with Onomah is that he is prone to giving fouls away and to playing himself or others into trouble. Would we really want to play him just in front of our CB with these habits?
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I’d let Onomah go back to Spurs, he isn’t as good as several other of our own players and will not be signed permanently (nor should he be for the few Spurs would expect). If we are to give game time to prospects from the youth team then we have players of our own to bring through that are arguably better.
As for Bjarnason I’d take anything over 1m for him if offered. One of the players we could shift and not damage squad depth much. You could shift Onomah, Lansbury or Bjarnason and not see any real difference. Similarly we have any of three right backs we could let go.
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I wouldn’t sell anyone. We have strength in depth and we finally look like that when we lose a player through injury/suspension the replacement slots straight in a looks the part, so why rock the boat now? If we’re gonna offload players we should leave it till the summer.
The run-in is when the squad plays its part so let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot, eh.
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Agreed and Thor was a prime example of the value of squad depth last week.
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I'd turf Gabby and Richards in a New York minute but besides that, we aren't so broke or desperate that we MUST sell now.
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Agree with SH too as potentially another 22 games still to play
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Id keep him. Experienced, international player that is just starting to adapt and look the part. Still lots of games to go. Would only get a pittance if we did sell him...etc...
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First time I watched him was at Reading, he was mince.
He's improved hugely so he's a keeper for now.
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Bearing in mind Whelan often looks knackered and Jedinak is made of glass, I'd keep him. We can reevaluate in the summer.
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Keep. He's starting to show why we recruited him in the first place. I'd start him as well.
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He seems to be settling in. Keep him, at least until the end of the season. By then we will have a better indication of his worth and value to the team.
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Keep. He's starting to show why we recruited him in the first place. I'd start him as well.
I'd play him ahead of Onomah, Whelan and Lansbury (obviously).
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I think we may be getting a bit carried away with a couple of good games. But if he does keep it up he could become a vital asset in the second half of the season. This is real squad depth that a lot of our competitors could only. dream of.
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I would start him tomorrow and see how he is in that role again. Will boost his confidence and hopefully he can perform in the same manner he did last week
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First time I watched him was at Reading, he was mince.
He's improved hugely so he's a keeper for now.
I know Steer is out for the rest of the season but I’d rather have Bunn as the back keeper than Bjarnason.
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First time I watched him was at Reading, he was mince.
He's improved hugely so he's a keeper for now.
I know Steer is out for the rest of the season but I’d rather have Bunn as the back keeper than Bjarnason.
Not so sure about that tbh
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He’s been one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in all but one of his appearances for Villa
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He’s been one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in all but one of his appearances for Villa
How often has he been played in his normal position? I assume you mean the one performance was last week, if so would you start with him tomorrow?
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He’s been one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in all but one of his appearances for Villa
I agree, but in his defence, that one game was the last game, which puts a different spin on it.
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Not on your nelly, we look a far better team with Jedinak as DM, if he’s not fit then Whelan, then Barney, reluctantly. He’s been poor for all but one appearance in a year.
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He’s been one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in all but one of his appearances for Villa
I agree, but in his defence, that one game was the last game, which puts a different spin on it.
He’s looked crap, playing in a crap team against crap players in a crap league.
Not for me, sell in this window and give one of the young home grown players a chance from the bench.
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As it happens I’ve got an Icelandic friend of a friend kind of mate who asks me, via FB, every week how Barney is getting on. I might be enjoying reporting on how shit he is too much to retain any objectivity.
He is shit mind.
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Not on your nelly, we look a far better team with Jedinak as DM, if he’s not fit then Whelan, then Barney, reluctantly. He’s been poor for all but one appearance in a year.
I disagree. I actually like both Jedinak and Whelan, but in a game like tomorrow, we want to keep the ball moving quickly and thought he did that well v Forest and deserves another chance.
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Keep. He's starting to show why we recruited him in the first place. I'd start him as well.
This
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Keep. He's starting to show why we recruited him in the first place. I'd start him as well.
This
I agree.
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I agree with Peter Withe to a certain extent, has he shown his talents? The answer is no and I text my lad when I saw he come on for Whelan, who I thought had a decent half to be fair. He was excellent, covered play well and was mobile, played it simple. I would start him tomorrow as he was superb IMO,
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Good solid performance today, did the simple things and kept the ball moving. More matches will mean more confidence. Nice to have a player than can adequately fill that position if required, at the moment, after today's display, he should keep his place.
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Good again Thor.
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I wonder if some of these opinions about him have anything to do with that night, when I was in Nice in 2016? ;)
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About 3 times in the first half I said well played Barny and that’s unusual for me and means a player is more than very active in good stuff😊
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I wonder if some of these opinions about him have anything to do with that night, when I was in Nice in 2016? ;)
Did it involve you and Thor, a seedy motel, whipped cream, a fake moustache and a rented outfit from Allo Allo?
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I wonder if some of these opinions about him have anything to do with that night, when I was in Nice in 2016? ;)
Did it involve you and Thor, a seedy motel, whipped cream, a fake moustache and a rented outfit from Allo Allo?
Might - can’t remember much the next morning.
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I like Nice but I prefer Custard Creams.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
I'm not sure there is such a thing as a poor mans Reo-Coker......he'd win the ball, turn 180 degrees then give it back.....very poor player
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
This is why i questioned if the dislike is purely based on performances, as he played well against Barnsley- not like PW describes it.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
He did Paul. Kept it nice and simple when he had the ball and made a couple of good interceptions. My only concern about him in there is that he maybe lacks the big of physicality Jedinak brings. In this league the ball spends quite a bit of time in the air in that area of the pitch and he wasn't really imposing in that regard yesterday.
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When Jedi is fit, he obviously starts. However, I much prefer Bjarney as his back up ahead of Whelan
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Poor in the air.
A lot of negative back passes which jack rightly had a go at him for.
Misplaced too many forward passes which he blamed others for.
If I was NRC I'd be on the phone to my lawyers.
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When Jedi is fit, he obviously starts. However, I much prefer Bjarney as his back up ahead of Whelan
Yep. Would still like to see how he gets on in a more advanced midfield role as well.
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Claude Makelele made a career out of standing around passing square and backwards. Didn't stop the media creaming themselves even though I thought he was crap.
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He is in Italy today. Short break or transfer I wonder?
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Claude Makelele made a career out of standing around passing square and backwards. Didn't stop the media creaming themselves even though I thought he was crap.
I guess that’s why Chelsea didn’t win anything with him and nor did Real Madrid; and why both found it so easy to replace him
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My point was when Claude does it it's fantastic. When a Villa player does it they're shit.
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He is in Italy today. Short break or transfer I wonder?
There was something a week or so ago about a Serie B team being interested in Bjarney
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Nobody questions Makelele's ability to protect the back four, but he was way more than a sideways or backwards merchant with the ball at his feet.
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I really hate that stupid dance he invented.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
This is why i questioned if the dislike is purely based on performances, as he played well against Barnsley- not like PW describes it.
I thought he was poor again, too many passes went either backward or to the opposition. Plus he’s not a lot of use defending set pieces.
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It will be interesting to see what Bruce does now, against Sheff Utd. Usually he’s very reticent to change a winning team, but with the likes of Donaldson and Clarke in their line-up we’re going to have to be solid at set-pieces (which we haven’t been of late) if we want to get anything up there. I can definitely see Barney being sacrificed if Jedinak is fit. Potentially even if he’s not, for Whelan or Onomah (or maybe Tuanzebe..?!).
He’s shown enough in the last game and a half to keep him around for the rest of the season though, if only as an option from the bench. Unless, of course, we get a cash offer that would allow us to bring someone in that would be a guaranteed improvement to the team.
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If Jedinak is fit he will play.
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Jedinak is fit he has to start at Sheffield. Barney has done great but he's not Jedinak
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A damning indictment of our previous coaching from him:
"I think we have got the best squad in this league, but we have not shown that yet. Now we seem better drilled than before, and now when there are only three points separating us from the second spot, I think we have a very good chance of doing something great."
birminghammail
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
This is why i questioned if the dislike is purely based on performances, as he played well against Barnsley- not like PW describes it.
I thought he was poor again, too many passes went either backward or to the opposition. Plus he’s not a lot of use defending set pieces.
He hit 2 or 3 misplaced passes, if that’s too many I’d hate to think how you’d describe Jedinak’s . Both players have their merits. Passing certainly isn’t Jedinak’s
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I saw Bjarney make a couple of good sliding interceptions and also a couple of decent defensive headers against Barnsley.
Jedi is better at the same things but he can't direct passes/headers any better.
Glenn is potentially the best of the three at spotting attacking passes but he's more prone than the other two to an absolute clanger.
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I am in Reykjavik. There are statues of Bjarnasons everywhere. They can put up another one if ours helps us win promotion.
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Yes, give him a break, he's clearly improving which is the main thing. I would still have Jedinak in too but he now looks like a very capable stand in, and let's face it Jedinak has more than his fair share of injuries. Could also be good to bring him on for one of the more attacking players to see out a victory, alongside Jedinak.
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I thought he was decent on Saturday. Anticipated well and made interceptions rather than tackles then just moved the ball on. First time i have seen him play there and thought he was competent.
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I thought he was decent on Saturday. Anticipated well and made interceptions rather than tackles then just moved the ball on. First time i have seen him play there and thought he was competent.
Agree. He did OK on Saturday and just kept it simple.
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Jedinak is fit he has to start at Sheffield. Barney has done great but he's not Jedinak
I like Jedinak, but he’s no passer of the ball. I am convinced that if he could head it at ground level he would. Reads the game very well defensively though.
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When playing in the DM role he looks like a poor mans Nigel Reo-Coker, his athleticism get him into positions to win the ball before his lack of any kind of talent means he gives it straight back to the opposition.
I admire his effort, I really do, not so much anything else.
Sounds like he did alright to me.
This is why i questioned if the dislike is purely based on performances, as he played well against Barnsley- not like PW describes it.
I thought he was poor again, too many passes went either backward or to the opposition. Plus he’s not a lot of use defending set pieces.
He hit 2 or 3 misplaced passes, if that’s too many I’d hate to think how you’d describe Jedinak’s . Both players have their merits. Passing certainly isn’t Jedinak’s
Agree regarding the comment about the passing capabilities of both players. For me though, Jedinak shades it in a couple of key areas, physical presence (particularly in the air) and experience of the situation we are in.
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Jedinak is fit he has to start at Sheffield. Barney has done great but he's not Jedinak
I like Jedinak, but he’s no passer of the ball. I am convinced that if he could head it at ground level he would. Reads the game very well defensively though.
I was going to say, Jedi is alright but he's not a nailed on starter for me. I like Thor's ability to pass the ball and get us going forward.
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It's like signing a new player!
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He’s been making quite a few comments latterly in how he is now loving life at Villa and especially this new role. Saying how he’s not a winger and this suits him better.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/mFJKPG/A00_C087_C_3854_4_E84_B039_31_ADB4734_EF9.png) (http://ibb.co/mFJKPG)
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I like what he says!
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Given a choice between Angela and him I think he shades it
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Another good performance from Barney who looks to have made himself a key performer at the moment
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like a new signing
hes doing great
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He looks to be perfect for the role, really tidy and in the right places when needed. Looks much more confident and nothing like enthusiastic puppy he’s looked since he came.
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Doing very well.
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He works very hard. He’s not as naturally talented for the role as Jedinak, but he brings an energy that Jedinak’s physical condition doesn’t allow for. He’s done very well.
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He's a more talented passer than Jedinak.
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He definitely is.
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TV I am sure you remember Des Bremner? He was never rated as a footballer by many but was such an effective part of our team at that time. I hope Barny keeps on improving and become a key cog in our wheel.
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He's a more talented passer than Jedinak.
There might be aspects or specific skills that Bjarnason is better, but overall as DM when fit Jedinak is better footballer IMO.
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TV I am sure you remember Des Bremner? He was never rated as a footballer by many but was such an effective part of our team at that time. I hope Barny keeps on improving and become a key cog in our wheel.
Yes of course, and all good teams need players who do the dirty, unheralded work. A slightly more recent version would be Kevin Richardson. Yes, would be great if Thor keeps maturing in this role and makes it his own. Important to remember it’s only game 3 or 4, so he’s still learning it.
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Except Jedinak can't pass the ball competently more than two yards.
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and with respect, Brian, neither could Thor up until a couple of weeks ago. In fact, when I first saw him 'play', I thought football was a completely alien concept to the guy. But top marks for the last few weeks.
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There's always been a decent player there. Some players coming over here and take time to settle and get used to it. I'd still prefer to see him further up the pitch though but he's doing well where he is for now.
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TV I am sure you remember Des Bremner? He was never rated as a footballer by many but was such an effective part of our team at that time. I hope Barny keeps on improving and become a key cog in our wheel.
the other one I thought of was Frank Carrodus, never standout but was very important for the team
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and with respect, Brian, neither could Thor up until a couple of weeks ago. In fact, when I first saw him 'play', I thought football was a completely alien concept to the guy. But top marks for the last few weeks.
I thought he was shocking in the first half against Sheffield, but much improved after the break.
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I thought the same. At half time I was hoping he was gonna be taken off as we weren't at the races and the midfield was being dominated. Gotta say I'm not convinced by him yet either technically or composure wise (although I appreciate his endeavour). I've a feeling Axel Tuanzebe will take his chance when it comes along.
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There's always been a decent player there. Some players coming over here and take time to settle and get used to it. I'd still prefer to see him further up the pitch though but he's doing well where he is for now.
Agree with that Clampy. From watching clips of him playing for previous clubs and for Iceland, he looks like he has a knack for getting into the box and getting goals here and there.
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I through in general the MF was poor FH , Sheffields 5 man midfield were dominating and neither Thor or Houriane were up to much .Thor got better in 2nd half his mobility is a clear benefit in the area other Whelan and Jedinek his passing got better too.
I think he could play as part of a 3 man midfield with say Axel as the DM if we needed to be more solid whats clear his that he is no wide player.
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I through in general the MF was poor FH , Sheffields 5 man midfield were dominating and neither Thor or Houriane were up to much .Thor got better in 2nd half his mobility is a clear benefit in the area other Whelan and Jedinek his passing got better too.
I think he could play as part of a 3 man midfield with say Axel as the DM if we needed to be more solid whats clear his that he is no wide player.
Definitely agree about that. I would like to see him given a chance in that more advanced role, but he is doing fine where he is for the time being.
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and with respect, Brian, neither could Thor up until a couple of weeks ago. In fact, when I first saw him 'play', I thought football was a completely alien concept to the guy. But top marks for the last few weeks.
I thought he was shocking in the first half against Sheffield, but much improved after the break.
Was keeping a good eye on him (due to this thread) - and didn't see him as the culprit of the 1st half (AA and Elmo) - the balls were being lumped up and down, and we generally were messy. Some of the passes that didn't hit target was just as much to do with the receiver of the ball not doing his bit.
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and with respect, Brian, neither could Thor up until a couple of weeks ago. In fact, when I first saw him 'play', I thought football was a completely alien concept to the guy. But top marks for the last few weeks.
I thought he was shocking in the first half against Sheffield, but much improved after the break.
Was keeping a good eye on him (due to this thread) - and didn't see him as the culprit of the 1st half (AA and Elmo) - the balls were being lumped up and down, and we generally were messy. Some of the passes that didn't hit target was just as much to do with the receiver of the ball not doing his bit.
I musty admit that I read the negative comments about him on the match thread, while watching the game. I just assumed that the posters were watching Antiques Roadshow repeats on Dave and were just expressing their pre-conceived opinions. :)
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Match thread comments are of no value.
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TV I am sure you remember Des Bremner? He was never rated as a footballer by many but was such an effective part of our team at that time. I hope Barny keeps on improving and become a key cog in our wheel.
the other one I thought of was Frank Carrodus, never standout but was very important for the team
Oh yes please either of those two
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Match thread comments are of no value.
I don't know. "Fffffyeeeeefapfapfapyeaharrgghh!!!" is quite informative.
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Match thread comments are of no value.
Au contraire, I find that because they're given without really having time to consider them properly, they're usually the most honest and accurate comments on the site. The first half was utter shite. The second half was a fair bit better, but the last minute winner obviously elevated that by a factor of several times.
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Match thread comments are of no value.
Au contraire, I find that because they're given without really having time to consider them properly, they're usually the most honest and accurate comments on the site. The first half was utter shite. The second half was a fair bit better, but the last minute winner obviously elevated that by a factor of several times.
We appeared to get stronger as the second half went on, which must be the first time I've thought that of a Villa side for what seems like decades.
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I thought we got better in the second half which given how the first half went shouldn’t have been much to ask. The cup game might have taken its toll on them a little but also credit Bruce and his team for making adjustments at the break. And probably having a word also about upping our game.
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Did he leave the field quickly because of petulance or did he need a wee?
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Did he leave the field quickly because of petulance or did he need a wee?
I mentioned this in the post match thread but I wonder if he was 100% - he looked a bit peaky to me...
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probably overdid the putrefied puffin on toast for breakfast
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Or maybe he just does not get the association some of the others do - he seems a very paid back personality
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I think maybe he's a bit of a loner
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Love this bloke. Brilliant goal.
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Classic toe-poke tonight. Love a toe poke!
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Excellent goal - question for the people there - did he leave the pitch before the others as well for this one? Seems like he did that the last few games. Might just be that he always needs a shit after a game? ;)
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BB should be DB (for those inebriated souls, like me - DOGS BOLLOX)
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Everybody, including both of my brothers and Lee Hendrie say it was a toe poke. It was not a fucking toe poke. In boxing terms, it was a straight short right jab from a southpaw. Off the meat of the instep.
Thor has it in his locker. It is well documented.
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Excellent goal - question for the people there - did he leave the pitch before the others as well for this one? Seems like he did that the last few games. Might just be that he always needs a shit after a game? ;)
Yes he did Edvard, first off the pitch I think. I'm not sure if he had a turtle's head though.
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Excellent goal - question for the people there - did he leave the pitch before the others as well for this one? Seems like he did that the last few games. Might just be that he always needs a shit after a game? ;)
Yes he did Edvard, first off the pitch I think. I'm not sure if he had a turtle's head though.
Might be shy just as all Icelanders are... :)
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Everybody, including both of my brothers and Lee Hendrie say it was a toe poke. It was not a fucking toe poke. In boxing terms, it was a straight short right jab from a southpaw. Off the meat of the instep.
Thor has it in his locker. It is well documented.
From where I was sat it looked like it was exquisitely placed with the outside of his toe.
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Definite toe poke. Nowt wrong with a well executed toe poke though.
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The Icelandic ronaldinho
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The Icelandic ronaldinho
Romario
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Excellent goal - question for the people there - did he leave the pitch before the others as well for this one? Seems like he did that the last few games. Might just be that he always needs a shit after a game? ;)
Yes he did but as you know you northerners like to jump straight into an ice bath as soon as you break sweat😉
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Having recently returned from Iceland I can vouch for the natives non gregariousness. With 85% of the population in a conurbation the size of Shirley and the rest scattered around a vast coastline where half a dozen dwellings is the local town they are hard, resourceful, independent loners by breeding and habitat. Interestingly they consider themselves descended from the Picts/Celts of Scotland, Ireland and Wales as much as Viking stock. They certainly are scruffier than Swedes, Danes, Finns and Norwegians. Good bunch. Very strong toes.
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Iceland is an eye wateringly expensive country to visit.
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It was a damm fine toe poke as toe pokes go.
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Spot on Richard. My eyes are still watering. £25 for a sit down fish and chip supper served in a polystyrene tray, condiments in sachets. £3.50 max in Witton.
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Iceland is an eye wateringly expensive country to visit.
Yes indeed but don't give them any prizes till you have been to Singapore.
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Norway is prohibitively expensive for tourists at least, if not the locals. I know per capita they are one of the richest countries on earth but I'm convinced there must be a two tier pricing policy
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I suspect that Iceland became exhorbitantly expensive in the fall out from their banking collapse and their government's refusal to underwrite losses to savers who made deposits with Icelandic banks. I imagine as a country their banking status is at rock bottom. They pay their way in cash of which tourists are a prime source.
Back on topic there are pictures of Bjorn In every Reykjavik shop window. With his teammates in the national side.
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Norway is prohibitively expensive for tourists at least, if not the locals. I know per capita they are one of the richest countries on earth but I'm convinced there must be a two tier pricing policy
Nah, it's one of the most transparent countries in the world. The pricing is a funny one, the main issue is that you pay a premium for service. Go to a bar and order the local beer (Hansa for example) and you'll pay about £8 for a pint (well half litre). Buy something imported and you'll pay £12-13. However buy that same beer in cans and you'll pay about £2-3 for the local stuff and £4ish for the imported. Still expensive but not on the same level. It's the same with restaurants, you can expect to pay about double what you'd spend in the UK but groceries are about 20-25% higher, again because you're paying a massive service charge. The main reason is that most of those people are going to be earning 2-3x their UK counterparts (I know a lad who works in a bar in Bergen and is on £17 an hour, he's 19 so here he'd be on £5.60).
Sorry, that's got very little to do with Bjarnason who i still think looks lost playing wide left but he's looking much more confident now than when he arrived.
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Norway is prohibitively expensive for tourists at least, if not the locals. I know per capita they are one of the richest countries on earth but I'm convinced there must be a two tier pricing policy
Nah, it's one of the most transparent countries in the world. The pricing is a funny one, the main issue is that you pay a premium for service. Go to a bar and order the local beer (Hansa for example) and you'll pay about £8 for a pint (well half litre). Buy something imported and you'll pay £12-13. However buy that same beer in cans and you'll pay about £2-3 for the local stuff and £4ish for the imported. Still expensive but not on the same level. It's the same with restaurants, you can expect to pay about double what you'd spend in the UK but groceries are about 20-25% higher, again because you're paying a massive service charge. The main reason is that most of those people are going to be earning 2-3x their UK counterparts (I know a lad who works in a bar in Bergen and is on £17 an hour, he's 19 so here he'd be on £5.60).
Sorry, that's got very little to do with Bjarnason who i still think looks lost playing wide left but he's looking much more confident now than when he arrived.
my son is 17 and earns about 16 pounds per hour.Bare minimum. but the Icelandic are the crap navigators, that couldn't find Faroe Islands
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Brian - Norway is more expensive than Iceland.We fight with Iceland to be no 2
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So based on the above posts was it a toe poke or full on money driller?
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Iceland is an eye wateringly expensive country to visit.
Yes indeed but don't give them any prizes till you have been to Singapore.
Too bloody true.
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If we put our backs into this we could have Birkir's Toe Poke up there with Reversus Africanus, Pourquoi Barry ne prend pas le penalty? and which twat changed the badge? As legendary topics.
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So based on the above posts was it a toe poke or full on money driller?
Well its the Icelandic version of the classic Brazilian toe punt finish. Ronaldinho, Romario and Ronaldo. Esq
However if it was a premier league match or a Brazilian or even current England player every one would be on it.
Brazilian Oscar scored a very similar goal in world cup 14 v Croatia. The dribble and deceptive toe ender finish giving element of surprise and, bang! good goal.
So Bjarnason has a touch of South American influence on that super finish!
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I wonder how many Iceland people have started to support Villa even thou there is not a lot of them.
I remember a few norwegians started to get into us a few years ago..
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Well they are all welcomed.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/eZzEXn/Iceland2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eZzEXn)
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They look about 12
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This is more the Icelandic style - stelpur
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cZSG7BYIses/hqdefault.jpg)
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that's the three in the first picture from a different angle and a bit of photoshop
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They look like they're modelling for Edvard's jumper business.
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This is more the Icelandic style - stelpur
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cZSG7BYIses/hqdefault.jpg)
Go easy on the baking soda girls.
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/gSDkq7/Iceman_cometh.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gSDkq7)
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/gSDkq7/Iceman_cometh.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gSDkq7)
Brilliant
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I wonder how many Iceland people have started to support Villa even thou there is not a lot of them.
"Why is thy football team, oh Icelander? Thou musteth have one, even though thou dost not say it."
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you need to get out more
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Shirkir Bjarnason, more like.
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Whilst that is a good play on his name I actually don't think he did shirk, he was just pretty shit really. Jedinak back in please.
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He wasn't great but not helped when Conner was anonymous again and then Bruce decided to play with him as the one CM ...but overall he should of played against QPR and Jed should of played against the more physical Bolton ..
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They kicked him to pieces and then he was left as the only midfielder as we went for an 'interesting' 4-1-1-4 formation.
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Whilst that is a good play on his name I actually don't think he did shirk, he was just pretty shit really. Jedinak back in please.
Neither do I, it's all about the play on his name (see Grealish thread).
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Byard-na-son. Is how to pronounce his name!!
And yesterday v reading showed qualities to why bought him. Like others needs a run in team but similarly to Hourihane has been capable of scoring a goal.
Well played yesterday Barney B what a hit!!
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Lovely goal, great to see the fella flourish in a position more suited to him.
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Absolutely excellent display. So much energy and purpose.
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Would he real Birkir Bjarnason please stand up
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I came across this earlier when looking for last nights highlights:
Interestingly, at the end, Birkir walks down the tunnel with all the Sunderland players at the end whilst all his team mates are acknowledging the away support. I'm no comfortable wth it, whatever the reason.
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I came across this earlier when looking for last nights highlights:
Interestingly, at the end, Birkir walks down the tunnel with all the Sunderland players at the end whilst all his team mates are acknowledging the away support. I'm no comfortable wth it, whatever the reason.
This gets said regularly. Maybe he just likes his own company once the match is over, maybe it's superstition. Whatever the reason, it's not a problem while he's playing like he is lately.
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I really thought he was terrible until recently
Glad he’s proving me wrong. He’s definitely not a winger though!
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I came across this earlier when looking for last nights highlights:
Interestingly, at the end, Birkir walks down the tunnel with all the Sunderland players at the end whilst all his team mates are acknowledging the away support. I'm no comfortable wth it, whatever the reason.
This gets said regularly. Maybe he just likes his own company once the match is over, maybe it's superstition. Whatever the reason, it's not a problem while he's playing like he is lately.
Yes, in the grand scheme of things it isn't a problem.
I just hope there isn't some underlying issue. It was pleasing to see him approach the Holte End after scoring last night.
The very slight niggle that I have is that 1,500 fans traveled a long way that night and many would have lost time from work in doing so. I don't think that it's asking too much to acknowledge the travelling fans like the rest of the team did. Footballers are in a very privileged position and at times should make an effort in certain scenarios. I always get a feeling that Birkir isn't overly happy here. I can't put my finger on it and hopefully I'm wrong.
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A huge influence on that pitch. He was every where. Nearest thing to Des Bremner I have seen at Villa Park.
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I came across this earlier when looking for last nights highlights:
Interestingly, at the end, Birkir walks down the tunnel with all the Sunderland players at the end whilst all his team mates are acknowledging the away support. I'm no comfortable wth it, whatever the reason.
This gets said regularly. Maybe he just likes his own company once the match is over, maybe it's superstition. Whatever the reason, it's not a problem while he's playing like he is lately.
The other thing to point out is that it clearly doesn’t bother his teammates who were all over him when he scored vs Wolves and last night
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I really thought he was terrible until recently
Glad he’s proving me wrong. He’s definitely not a winger though!
Maybe he would have proved you wrong earlier if he had been played centrally sooner.
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In that Sunderland video he's with Johnstone anyway at the end - I don't think there's any issue at all.
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Had his moments and I think he would flourish with a consistent run.
Perfectly capable of a lower Prem club taking him on or overseas interests and I would think he could be one sold.
His contract is up in 2020 so this window would best time to make some money on him
Have to say the goal against wolves will never be forgotten what ever happens
A good world cup against Argentina Nigeria and Croatia could see his value rise and that's where we can get a decent fee.
For the greater good I propose we sell him.
(personally want him to stay and be a midfield boss)
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I think he will be gone this summer. There was interest in him in January if I recall correctly and I think a decent showing at the World Cup will see him move on. It would be a shame, as I don't think we have seen much of him in his best position (attacking midfielder in a three man midfield).
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I think he will be gone this summer. There was interest in him in January if I recall correctly and I think a decent showing at the World Cup will see him move on. It would be a shame, as I don't think we have seen much of him in his best position (attacking midfielder in a three man midfield).
We tried him that position v Preston and Fulham and didn't really come off.
Think he's best in box to box role so him or Hourihane.
He plays wide left for Iceland.
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Think he will be off as he is easily sell able especially if he has a decent world cup ..
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flashes of ability but little more. I'd look to sell for some ready coin to put in the FFP pot
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Sell for me - Hasn't set the world alight here and the transfer fee along with reduced wages will help.
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Not been overly impressed but there have been flashes of ability, especially when played in the centre.
I'd prefer to keep him if it were a simple choice between him and getting rid of Whelan and/or Jedinak (who'll both be a year older and less mobile next season).
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Rather keep him than Whelan or Lansbury.
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Rather keep him than Whelan or Lansbury.
Likewise. But I fear he'll go to the first bidder, no questions asked.
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His style is most similar to Hourihane.
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Birkir being similar in style to Hourihane isn’t a bad thing. Thinking about it, Birkir offers more with his bursting runs and can beat a player or two. See his goal v dogheads and he’s scored another with a dynamic run v Bristol city. He’s certainly improved in his time here let’s hope with more game time he will get even better.
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Our only central midfielder other then Jack that don't shit himself when asked to bring the ball forward. Bastard.
Make it stop!
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Not sure we'd get that much for him?
Personally if we got a big bid for hourihane I'd sell him and keep BB
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If someone offered 10 for Hourihane based on his goal return I'd snap their hands off.
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Not sure we'd get that much for him?
Personally if we got a big bid for hourihane I'd sell him and keep BB
Agreed.
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If someone offered 10 for Hourihane based on his goal return I'd snap their hands off.
10? Fuck yes
We bought him for so little it would make a massive dent in our FFP problem. Plus he's not actually that good, albeit his habit of scoring is very handy
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If someone offered 10 for Hourihane based on his goal return I'd snap their hands off.
10? Fuck yes
We bought him for so little it would make a massive dent in our FFP problem. Plus he's not actually that good, albeit his habit of scoring is very handy
No brainer, he was so ineffective in too many games including the final.
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I’d still want more than a tenner for him, though.
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tonight (8 hours ahead) against argentina has proved he is a quality player. keep.
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tonight (8 hours ahead) against argentina has proved he is a quality player. keep.
A quality player that barely gets a game here - hopefully someone might want to give us some decent money for him! That'd be a win for us and him!
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Yep, could be a masterstroke for the finances. After the world cup loads of clubs want a vanity world cup purchase and we have just the man.. 8)
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Been a dirty bugger today. Effective but a dirty bugger 😂
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tonight (8 hours ahead) against argentina has proved he is a quality player. keep.
I think "quality player" is stretching it: he proved to be very competent at doing the job required of him (even if he was very fortuitous not to get a yellow for persistent fouling).
And, he could have been a far more influential player for us last season had he played more often.
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He did well and perhaps could have scored. We should keep him and play him centre-mid.
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Wish we could sell Jedi and Whelan and keep BB. Surely that daft prick Pulis would be interested in Whelan.
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Wish we could sell Jedi and Whelan and keep BB. Surely that daft prick Pulis would be interested in Whelan.
Unfortunately,we also have a daft prick.Jedi could be a mainstay of our defence .
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tonight (8 hours ahead) against argentina has proved he is a quality player. keep.
A quality player that barely gets a game here - hopefully someone might want to give us some decent money for him! That'd be a win for us and him!
No way! He needs to stay next season. Xia needs to go by selling up to someone who knows what they're doing!
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He did well and perhaps could have scored. We should keep him and play him centre-mid.
He plays as left sided winger for Iceland.
I know we played him as DM last year but to me an effective area for him would be box to box midfielder, I certainly don't think he'd have posted poorer stats than Hourihane if he'd had a similar number of starts.
Anyway he was close to leaving in January so suspect he'll be gone by August so hopefully a good World cup will push his value up a bit more.
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I hope he’s here next season. If we play him in the right role I think he’s a really good player. He’s good on the ball and has intelligent movement.
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I hope he’s here next season. If we play him in the right role I think he’s a really good player. He’s good on the ball and has intelligent movement.
Intelligent movement is not compatible with any Bruce side.His ability shows up Bruce's limitations.There was no need to buy Whelan.With him and Jedi we could have played 352 or 4231 or a diamond 442 but Bruce is so inflexible.
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His performance today in a way reminded of the display Carlos Sanchez put in for Columbia against Messi. Everyone was raving about it. Then he comes back to us and either he was just magnificent that night or as probably was the case we never used him in his best position. Sanchez was a good, not great player that we should have got more out of. I hope we don't make the same mistake with BB because as a defensive midfield player he looked more than solid for us at Championship level last season.
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His performance today in a way reminded of the display Carlos Santos put in for Columbia against Messi. Everyone was raving about it. Then he comes back to us and either he was just magnificent that night or as probably was the case we never used him in his position. Santos was a good, not great player that we should have got more out of. I hope we don't make the same mistake with BB because as a defensive midfield player he looked more than solid for us at Championship level last season.
Sanchez you mean?
I was thinking of him earlier. All those players we signed who barely got a look in and then got moved out on loan for the rest of their contracts.
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His performance today in a way reminded of the display Carlos Santos put in for Columbia against Messi. Everyone was raving about it. Then he comes back to us and either he was just magnificent that night or as probably was the case we never used him in his position. Santos was a good, not great player that we should have got more out of. I hope we don't make the same mistake with BB because as a defensive midfield player he looked more than solid for us at Championship level last season.
Sanchez you mean?
I was thinking of him earlier. All those players we signed who barely got a look in and then got moved out on loan for the rest of their contracts.
Yeh sorry Sanchez
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His performance today in a way reminded of the display Carlos Santos put in for Columbia against Messi. Everyone was raving about it. Then he comes back to us and either he was just magnificent that night or as probably was the case we never used him in his position. Santos was a good, not great player that we should have got more out of. I hope we don't make the same mistake with BB because as a defensive midfield player he looked more than solid for us at Championship level last season.
Excellent point. I loved Carlos. Just another that was bought without a thought to how he was going to be used or played to his strengths. May as well have bought Messi as our 6th right back choice. Not physical enough.
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His strengths must have been under nines football as the bloke couldn't last an hour.
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Is he at Fiorentina with Veretout these days? He did have fitness issues but there was a player there. Did he leave just before the relegation season?
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His strengths must have been under nines football as the bloke couldn't last an hour.
Yeah, typical donkey Villa management, ask a player to be the opposite of what his strengths are.
When will we learn?
While we're at it, is it only England players that deserve a rest? Carlos played every summer in international competitions but was treated like a mule. And then fans wondered why he disappeared after 60 minutes.
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Is he at Fiorentina with Veretout these days? He did have fitness issues but there was a player there. Did he leave just before the relegation season?
We loaned him out after we got relegated and the move was made permanent last summer. Got loaned out to La Liga at some point last season, I think.
Thing is, we effectively replaced him with Jedinak, who has similar strengths and weaknesses (crap passer, but shields the back 4 well and wins everything in the air), except we paid 4 million for that privilege. Unless he was really, really keen to leave, just one out of a series of pretty unnecessary transfer decisions.
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Wondered who you were unabout before realising you were talking about Carlos Sanchez.
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Is he at Fiorentina with Veretout these days? He did have fitness issues but there was a player there. Did he leave just before the relegation season?
We loaned him out after we got relegated and the move was made permanent last summer. Got loaned out to La Liga at some point last season, I think.
Thing is, we effectively replaced him with Jedinak, who has similar strengths and weaknesses (crap passer, but shields the back 4 well and wins everything in the air), except we paid 4 million for that privilege. Unless he was really, really keen to leave, just one out of a series of pretty unnecessary transfer decisions.
Jedinak can at least last 90 minutes, so you'd expect him to cost at least a 3rd more than Sanchez.
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It fucking grieved me, our use of Sanchez. I'd been a big admirer, I've always loved his kind of player, and thought his arrival was signalling a new dawn of uptempo direct football. Instead he got to play behind the most confused static forward line the world has ever witnessed.
Yeah, well done there.
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Some players just aren’t suited to the Premier League. Sanchez was one of them.
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Some players just aren’t suited to the Premier League. Sanchez was one of them.
Aye. The problem was him, not us.
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Sid would've struggled to pick a forward pass from behind those twonks.
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If someone offered 10 for Hourihane based on his goal return I'd snap their hands off.
10? Fuck yes
We bought him for so little it would make a massive dent in our FFP problem. Plus he's not actually that good, albeit his habit of scoring is very handy
A tenner? Hourihane is worth more than that surely. Barney would of done a good job for us in the final. He would of covered every blade of grass. That's not hindsight speaking either many posters on here and elsewhere made the point.
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If someone offered 10 for Hourihane based on his goal return I'd snap their hands off.
10? Fuck yes
We bought him for so little it would make a massive dent in our FFP problem. Plus he's not actually that good, albeit his habit of scoring is very handy
A tenner? Hourihane is worth more than that surely. Barney would of done a good job for us in the final. He would of covered every blade of grass. That's not hindsight speaking either many posters on here and elsewhere made the point.
if Hourihane was given away free we would struggle to get him gone
how many other championship clubs are going to pay or could afford to pay 30k a week wages for a bang average championship midfielder
so yes the 10 whether it’s million pounds or pence is to much
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Brighton were very interested in Hourihane in the last transfer window.
Can't imagine we'll have too many issues selling him for 4/5 million in this window.
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His performance today in a way reminded of the display Carlos Santos put in for Columbia against Messi. Everyone was raving about it. Then he comes back to us and either he was just magnificent that night or as probably was the case we never used him in his position. Santos was a good, not great player that we should have got more out of. I hope we don't make the same mistake with BB because as a defensive midfield player he looked more than solid for us at Championship level last season.
Sanchez you mean?
I was thinking of him earlier. All those players we signed who barely got a look in and then got moved out on loan for the rest of their contracts.
Sanchez was o.k in a few games in his defined defensive role.
Weirdly because he was South American people seemed to have this odd idea he was going to be this attacking playmaker who'd dribbled past 4 players and hit one into the top corner from 30 yards.
He's done fine since he left us and will be starting for Colombia again on Tuesday.
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Some players just aren’t suited to the Premier League. Sanchez was one of them.
Aye. The problem was him, not us.
Think Veretout was more unsuited, Carlos at least could mix it physically.
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Brighton were very interested in Hourihane in the last transfer window.
Can't imagine we'll have too many issues selling him for 4/5 million in this window.
clubs will look at his statistics and sign him
they wont realise he can be mostly meh in games but has this knack of being in the right place to score but he frustrated me so many times last season.
Hes never a prem player
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Brighton were very interested in Hourihane in the last transfer window.
Can't imagine we'll have too many issues selling him for 4/5 million in this window.
clubs will look at his statistics and sign him
they wont realise he can be mostly meh in games but has this knack of being in the right place to score but he frustrated me so many times last season.
Hes never a prem player
if we get 4-5 mill for him and someone takes him on his wages
I'll eat my sou'wester
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I suppose its possible. Norwich have just sold Josh Murphy for an alleged £11m and he ain't that great.
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If we want to sell Hourihane I reckon we'd get a decent price for him. He works hard and has, over 2 seasons in this league, 18 goals and 16 assists. He can be a bit anonymous but just his ability to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and hit the target gives him a value to clubs wanting to get promotion to the prem or to try to avoid relegation. I wouldn't be surprised if we got something around £7-8m.
Bjarnason will probably see bids of £4-5m as well and I reckon we could get offers of a couple of million for Elmo and Lansbury. Yes they're on big money for most of the championship clubs but the ones who came down and have the parachute payments might well be willing to do what we did and gamble on a few players who've got lots of experience in this league.
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If we want to sell Hourihane I reckon we'd get a decent price for him. He works hard and has, over 2 seasons in this league, 18 goals and 16 assists. He can be a bit anonymous but just his ability to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and hit the target gives him a value to clubs wanting to get promotion to the prem or to try to avoid relegation. I wouldn't be surprised if we got something around £7-8m.
Bjarnason will probably see bids of £4-5m as well and I reckon we could get offers of a couple of million for Elmo and Lansbury. Yes they're on big money for most of the championship clubs but the ones who came down and have the parachute payments might well be willing to do what we did and gamble on a few players who've got lots of experience in this league.
3 clubs came down
none of which in my opinion will be offering the sort of money you suggest for any of the above players
they will need players to improve their squads and get them back up
Not the midfield failures we have hanging about
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If we want to sell Hourihane I reckon we'd get a decent price for him. He works hard and has, over 2 seasons in this league, 18 goals and 16 assists. He can be a bit anonymous but just his ability to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and hit the target gives him a value to clubs wanting to get promotion to the prem or to try to avoid relegation. I wouldn't be surprised if we got something around £7-8m.
Bjarnason will probably see bids of £4-5m as well and I reckon we could get offers of a couple of million for Elmo and Lansbury. Yes they're on big money for most of the championship clubs but the ones who came down and have the parachute payments might well be willing to do what we did and gamble on a few players who've got lots of experience in this league.
3 clubs came down
none of which in my opinion will be offering the sort of money you suggest for any of the above players
they will need players to improve their squads and get them back up
Not the midfield failures we have hanging about
You can't call Hourihane a failure though, he's not as good as we might have wanted but he had a good enough season to be interesting. Bjarnason didn't play as often as he should've but he looked easily good enough for a side chasing automatic promotion and Elmo has been around the leagues so long that he'll have interest regardless and he, again, had an ok season. Lansbury is the outside chance of the 3 but I think we could easily get £15-20m for those 4 (combined).
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If we want to sell Hourihane I reckon we'd get a decent price for him. He works hard and has, over 2 seasons in this league, 18 goals and 16 assists. He can be a bit anonymous but just his ability to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and hit the target gives him a value to clubs wanting to get promotion to the prem or to try to avoid relegation. I wouldn't be surprised if we got something around £7-8m.
Bjarnason will probably see bids of £4-5m as well and I reckon we could get offers of a couple of million for Elmo and Lansbury. Yes they're on big money for most of the championship clubs but the ones who came down and have the parachute payments might well be willing to do what we did and gamble on a few players who've got lots of experience in this league.
3 clubs came down
none of which in my opinion will be offering the sort of money you suggest for any of the above players
they will need players to improve their squads and get them back up
Not the midfield failures we have hanging about
You can't call Hourihane a failure though, he's not as good as we might have wanted but he had a good enough season to be interesting. Bjarnason didn't play as often as he should've but he looked easily good enough for a side chasing automatic promotion and Elmo has been around the leagues so long that he'll have interest regardless and he, again, had an ok season. Lansbury is the outside chance of the 3 but I think we could easily get £15-20m for those 4 (combined).
e
every one of our central midfield was a failure apart from Grealish imo
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I know Hourihane goes missing in games at times but I generally found that when he wasn’t played in a more advanced role. Midfield players who chip in with 10+ goals and who are good at set pieces don’t grow on trees. I would not be selling him at all.
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I know Hourihane goes missing in games at times but I generally found that when he wasn’t played in a more advanced role. Midfield players who chip in with 10+ goals and who are good at set pieces don’t grow on trees. I would not be selling him at all.
you'll be ok then because none of these players mentioned in the last few posts will be going anywhere
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Hourihane needs a more mobile holding midfielder than either Jedinak or Whelan to play alongside.
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Its a big if, but if we had BB, Hourihane and Jack as a midfield three, most of the other sides in the league would be fearful of that midfield.
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Some players just aren’t suited to the Premier League. Sanchez was one of them.
Aye. The problem was him, not us.
Think Veretout was more unsuited, Carlos at least could mix it physically.
But only for so long as he lacked the fitness to play the game here.
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We would get over run with a midfield of Hourihane, Grealish and BB as I think they have energy but don't have enough physical presence. Be interesting to see how Bruce builds the midfield with no money. Jedinak is likely to drop in to the back four I reckon, so we will need some physicality in the middle of the park. For me, it's BB OR Hourihane, but not both.
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Jordan Lyden is still on our books and would be ideally suited for the defensive midfield role.
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Good player, marked Messi out of the game v Argentina. He should be a regular in the 1st team next season.
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If I was him, I'd play out of my skin in the WC and get myself a move away from here, to a club that will play him.
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Jordan Lyden is still on our books and would be ideally suited for the defensive midfield role.
You're a consistent champion of this fella, Mark, how come? I've barely seen him play.
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I think he'll look for a swift exit after the World Cup.
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Jordan Lyden is still on our books and would be ideally suited for the defensive midfield role.
You're a consistent champion of this fella, Mark, how come? I've barely seen him play.
I like him as well, works his tits off, is a good passer and he's scored a decent number of goals (5 in 13 last year). He's had a few injury problems but without those I reckon he'd be a regular for us by now. Lyden, Bjarnason and Grealish would be very good midfield at this level.
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Jordan Lyden is still on our books and would be ideally suited for the defensive midfield role.
You're a consistent champion of this fella, Mark, how come? I've barely seen him play.
I like him as well, works his tits off, is a good passer and he's scored a decent number of goals (5 in 13 last year). He's had a few injury problems but without those I reckon he'd be a regular for us by now. Lyden, Bjarnason and Grealish would be very good midfield at this level.
Agreed. He loves a tackle too and won't go hiding. Not sure how the injuries have impacted on his development but whenever I've seen him play you can't help but see the maturity and potential of the lad. I was hoping he'd have shadowed fellow Aussie, Jedi but Bruce brought in Whelan and like most managers when they buy a player, they feel obliged to play him.
One thing about Lyden is given the chance you just know he won't let you down.
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Good player, Lyden. Versatile as well.
A shame he's so injury-prone.
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(https://thumb.ibb.co/g7MVny/A9632_FF9_2_ADC_46_D9_B0_BD_4784_E1_D75122.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g7MVny)
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(https://thumb.ibb.co/g7MVny/A9632_FF9_2_ADC_46_D9_B0_BD_4784_E1_D75122.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g7MVny)
Maybe he could raffle it off on behalf of his employers.
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First time I've seen him smile.
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Lionel must've left that in his pocket when he climbed out.
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It’s amazing to think that we have or had players who have marked Lionel F Messi out of a game. How many clubs can say that? And neither player barely featured or feature for us.
File under “only at Aston Villa...”
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well in fairness he only did it with the help of at least one other player - it certainly wasn't one on one.
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he had a great chance to score as well. must admit he does get into good positions to score. I cant believe he wasnt used more last season and properly.
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I cant believe he wasnt used more last season and properly.
Because SB has a way of playing and is loyal to a certain band of players - it is that simple. Totally shit but simple
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I cant believe he wasnt used more last season and properly.
Because SB has a way of playing and is loyal to a certain band of players - it is that simple. Totally shit but simple
I think the formation Bruce played last season would have suited him to be honest. I would have liked to see him given a run in the role Hourihane played in midfield, as I think that is where he would be most effective.
Think he will move on after the World Cup.
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Think he will move on after the World Cup.
Let's hope he bags plenty of goals then. That'd push his price up.
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I cant believe he wasnt used more last season and properly.
Because SB has a way of playing and is loyal to a certain band of players - it is that simple. Totally shit but simple
I think the formation Bruce played last season would have suited him to be honest. I would have liked to see him given a run in the role Hourihane played in midfield, as I think that is where he would be most effective.
The same Hourianne who scored a eleven goals from midfield?, the best goal scoring return from a Villa midfielder in yonks?
I'm not sure about that logic to be honest, and i'm not even one of Conor's biggest fans.
Since when did Birkir become a great player all of a sudden?
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
yes he had his moments, they all did in that central midfield area but all to few and none were consistent enough
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I cant believe he wasnt used more last season and properly.
Because SB has a way of playing and is loyal to a certain band of players - it is that simple. Totally shit but simple
I think the formation Bruce played last season would have suited him to be honest. I would have liked to see him given a run in the role Hourihane played in midfield, as I think that is where he would be most effective.
The same Hourianne who scored a eleven goals from midfield?, the best goal scoring return from a Villa midfielder in yonks?
I'm not sure about that logic to be honest, and i'm not even one of Conor's biggest fans.
Since when did Birkir become a great player all of a sudden?
Hourihane's goal return was impressive, but I felt his overall game just wasn't good enough for where we wanted to be last season. I thought his performances dipped as the season progressed and would have replaced him with Onomah or Bjarnason a few weeks before the season ended.
As for Bjarnason, I would agree that he didn't make a huge impression last season, but then I don't think he was played in his best position very often.
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
This is of course 100% true, and yet he's now become a footballing God who should've been the first name on our team sheet and it's another ridiculous stick to beat Bruce with
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
This is of course 100% true, and yet he's now become a footballing God who should've been the first name on our team sheet and it's another ridiculous stick to beat Bruce with
Or, people think the extra mobility to handle Cairney would've been a good idea, but carry on being a tit towards anyone who disagrees with you about Bruce if you like.
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
This is of course 100% true, and yet he's now become a footballing God who should've been the first name on our team sheet and it's another ridiculous stick to beat Bruce with
cant speak for others but iv'e never criticized Bruce for not playing him more
i have criticized Bruce for his midfield buys of Barney, Hourihane, Whelan and Lansbury who for me are probably the worst collection of midfield buys i can remember, costing fortunes in wages with virtually no money back
i said during the season that you could put all their names in a cloth bag and pick them out every game at random as to who plays as it didn't matter most of the time
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
This is of course 100% true, and yet he's now become a footballing God who should've been the first name on our team sheet and it's another ridiculous stick to beat Bruce with
cant speak for others but iv'e never criticized Bruce for not playing him more
i have criticized Bruce for his midfield buys of Barney, Hourihane, Whelan and Lansbury who for me are probably the worst collection of midfield buys i can remember, costing fortunes in wages with virtually no money back
i said during the season that you could put all their names in a cloth bag and pick them out every game at random as to who plays as it didn't matter most of the time
I think that may be what Bruce actually did. Like you I don't think I've ever criticized Bruce for not playing him, just playing him in the wrong position. Looking back at last season, our central midfield was a shambles, not because of the players we had but the positions and roles they were given. Glenn Whelan and his knackered old legs? Let's get him playing box to box. Hotshot Hourianne scores a hattrick, let's play him deep. Onamah on the wing or as a 10. Even Jack would spend the first 25 minutes every game dropping back to pick up the ball from the defence.
If Bruce got the chance to play our central midfield in their least effective position he went for it every time.
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cant speak for others but iv'e never criticized Bruce for not playing him more
i have criticized Bruce for his midfield buys of Barney, Hourihane, Whelan and Lansbury who for me are probably the worst collection of midfield buys i can remember, costing fortunes in wages with virtually no money back
Easily Championship level players though, as is Jedinak. I'd argue Hourianne has more then proved his worth. I also think Whelan gets a lot of undue flak for being the steady eddie keep it simple player he is. He was never going to come in and turn into Cowans. I bet the four of them cost less than 6/7m combined, and that's about all they're worth
Whoever sanctioned their wages (i say that, we have no idea what their wages actually are other than pure speculation) should be asked some strong questions though for sure
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cant speak for others but iv'e never criticized Bruce for not playing him more
i have criticized Bruce for his midfield buys of Barney, Hourihane, Whelan and Lansbury who for me are probably the worst collection of midfield buys i can remember, costing fortunes in wages with virtually no money back
Easily Championship level players though, as is Jedinak. I'd argue Hourianne has more then proved his worth. I also think Whelan gets a lot of undue flak for being the steady eddie keep it simple player he is. He was never going to come in and turn into Cowans. I bet the four of them cost less than 6/7m combined, and that's about all they're worth
Whoever sanctioned their wages (i say that, we have no idea what their wages actually are other than pure speculation) should be asked some strong questions though for sure
well i'm glad your happy with them because that's the midfield Bruce has built for next season so we should be all set
they might not have cost the earth to buy but i bet they are on the highest wages in the whole of the championship for a midfield quartet
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Parma interested in him supposedly.
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Parma interested in him supposedly.
That'd be a good move all round. I didn't realise he was as old as he is - 30, so it's not like he's going to improve much. If we can get a few quid for a player who was mostly pretty uninspiring, then I think we should cash in.
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Parma interested in him supposedly.
That'd be a good move all round. I didn't realise he was as old as he is - 30, so it's not like he's going to improve much. If we can get a few quid for a player who was mostly pretty uninspiring, then I think we should cash in.
rip their hands off I think is the term your looking for
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He played well in a few games in front of the back four after coming on against Forest away, but apart from that he's looked slow, uninterested and generally not up to Championship level.
I'd keep him as a squad player, but wouldn't be bothered either way.
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cant speak for others but iv'e never criticized Bruce for not playing him more
i have criticized Bruce for his midfield buys of Barney, Hourihane, Whelan and Lansbury who for me are probably the worst collection of midfield buys i can remember, costing fortunes in wages with virtually no money back
Easily Championship level players though, as is Jedinak. I'd argue Hourianne has more then proved his worth. I also think Whelan gets a lot of undue flak for being the steady eddie keep it simple player he is. He was never going to come in and turn into Cowans. I bet the four of them cost less than 6/7m combined, and that's about all they're worth
Whoever sanctioned their wages (i say that, we have no idea what their wages actually are other than pure speculation) should be asked some strong questions though for sure
well i'm glad your happy with them because that's the midfield Bruce has built for next season so we should be all set
they might not have cost the earth to buy but i bet they are on the highest wages in the whole of the championship for a midfield quartet
To be fair, Hourihane was lauded at Barnsley and was easily their best player and Captain. Whelan had tons of experience, International, and was liked by Stoke fans, Championship was his level last year though. Lansbury was one of those players that might just have worked but didn't. BB has been useful but didn't rip up trees.
I'm not sure that there were many criticising those buys when they were made.
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Whelan wasn't needed though as we had Jedi, BB and got Onomah on loan, though he was never played in his preferred sitting position. I know he was cheap but the money spent on his wages should have been used elsewhere, now we have a player on high wages who no-one else will want.
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Hourhane has been ok for what we paid for him and no-one really knows how much the guy is on. Lansbury has been a massive let down though and we could have done without Whelan.
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He's on 25-30K a week, probably mainly due to the reduced fee. The problem is if you want to sell him there's not many clubs in division 2 that can pay that and I doubt a top flight club would take him.
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He didn’t play more often because some of his performances were dire
people on here questioning whether he was an actual footballer at times
yes he had his moments, they all did in that central midfield area but all to few and none were consistent enough
Wasn't that in his first six months?
Last season after the new year period he looked decent in most of the games I saw. I agree his best position is the Hourihane box-to-box role.
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Whelan wasn't needed though as we had Jedi, BB and got Onomah on loan, though he was never played in his preferred sitting position. I know he was cheap but the money spent on his wages should have been used elsewhere, now we have a player on high wages who no-one else will want.
We signed Whelan as Jedinak missed periods the previous season injured (and he also missed start of last season). Think there was also big talk at the time we would play 3-5-2 and it would be him, Chester and Terry as back 3.
Of course Jedinak hardly misses a game from returning in September so suddenly Whelan looks a very expensive sub. Still hoping Boro will come in for him.
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Whelan wasn't needed though as we had Jedi, BB and got Onomah on loan, though he was never played in his preferred sitting position. I know he was cheap but the money spent on his wages should have been used elsewhere, now we have a player on high wages who no-one else will want.
We signed Whelan as Jedinak missed periods the previous season injured (and he also missed start of last season). Think there was also big talk at the time we would play 3-5-2 and it would be him, Chester and Terry as back 3.
Of course Jedinak hardly misses a game from returning in September so suddenly Whelan looks a very expensive sub. Still hoping Boro will come in for him.
Looking back, I think there was also the feeling that we needed someone a bit better on the ball than Jedinak to play in that defensive midfield role. Whelan did fine when he played in that position last season, but I agree that unless he starts pretty much every game then he is surplus to requirements given the money he is likely to be on.
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I'm not sure that there were many criticising those buys when they were made.
I raised plenty of concerns about Lansbury and Whelan, The other 2 I'm ok with and I'd be happy to keep. Lansbury is a show pony and always has been and Whelan was a waste of money when we had Jedinak and Bjarnason. If he wanted cover for Jedinak whilst he was injured then Onomah (or an alternative loan) was enough, we just didn't need another senior player in there especially one with the same mobility issues as the guy he came in to compete with, it was like Bruce was doing everything he could to form the slowest midfield in the league.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
That's all true about Lansbury, but it's irrelevant to what you asked because you said you didn't think there were many criticising those buys at the time and I just pointed out that I was against both of them from the first link because they weren't what we needed either in terms of numbers or quality.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
I think Lansbury was also Forest's star man for a few seasons
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
That's all true about Lansbury, but it's irrelevant to what you asked because you said you didn't think there were many criticising those buys at the time and I just pointed out that I was against both of them from the first link because they weren't what we needed either in terms of numbers or quality.
Very true Paul, very true. I'm not sure why I posted it, such was it's irrelevance.
Good on you for calling it though, you were right.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
That's all true about Lansbury, but it's irrelevant to what you asked because you said you didn't think there were many criticising those buys at the time and I just pointed out that I was against both of them from the first link because they weren't what we needed either in terms of numbers or quality.
Very true Paul, very true. I'm not sure why I posted it, such was it's irrelevance.
Good on you for calling it though, you were right.
So rather than being patronising why don't you explain how those stats show that Lansbury turned out to be a great signing for us and I was wrong to not want him.
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It is true that there wasn't too many people at the time against us bringing Lansbury in. There were one or two questioning Whelan though.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
That's all true about Lansbury, but it's irrelevant to what you asked because you said you didn't think there were many criticising those buys at the time and I just pointed out that I was against both of them from the first link because they weren't what we needed either in terms of numbers or quality.
Very true Paul, very true. I'm not sure why I posted it, such was it's irrelevance.
Good on you for calling it though, you were right.
So rather than being patronising why don't you explain how those stats show that Lansbury turned out to be a great signing for us and I was wrong to not want him.
Read my last sentence.
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Lansbury had scored 6 in 19 at the time we signed him. He was a former Arsenal player, playing a division down but had been a good creative player scoring and creating chances, which is what many wanted us to go for.
Whelan was slow, but given Jedinak had time out due to age and injury, and the number of games we were faced with, it seemed sensible if unimaginative.
I think Lansbury was also Forest's star man for a few seasons
Forest fans were not fond of him at all.
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Lansbury certainly hasn't been anywhere near as good as I expected. On his debut he showed a good touch and pass and I assumed he'd chip in with goals like Hourihane has.
Pretty much amounted to nothing and will certainly be on a big wage here so he's another problem player in the squad.
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Lansbury certainly hasn't been anywhere near as good as I expected. On his debut he showed a good touch and pass and I assumed he'd chip in with goals like Hourihane has.
Pretty much amounted to nothing and will certainly be on a big wage here so he's another problem player in the squad.
He's the one i never fancied from the off. I'dseen all the highlights, and in the flesh for Forest a few times but i was never that impressed. Very much an all fart and no shit player.
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
Ah, Mr Burns whose greatest achievement for the rags was flicking the V's at the Holte End. Flat faced prat.
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
Ah, Mr Burns whose greatest achievement for the rags was flicking the V's at the Holte End. Flat faced prat.
Didn’t Kenny Burns once do a shit in the house of a poster on here? Can’t believe I’d dream such a thing.
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I thought he looked a right ****** when I saw the video of his initiation song, and have pretty much kept that view since. Maybe I'm quick to judge.
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Ange's best game for us was his debut 60 minutes when he wasn't fit. Since then he's looked like someone who doesn't know what football is.
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I thought he looked a right c*** when I saw the video of his initiation song, and have pretty much kept that view since. Maybe I'm quick to judge.
Yes you are. However, I'd say you were bang on the money in this instance.
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
I know a few forest fans who said similar, they played a big part in why i thought he was a poor signing. The main feedback was that he'd do something good (score a goal for example) and then strut around like he was doing them a favour playing for them for the next game or 2.
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
Ah, Mr Burns whose greatest achievement for the rags was flicking the V's at the Holte End. Flat faced prat.
Didn’t Kenny Burns once do a shit in the house of a poster on here? Can’t believe I’d dream such a thing.
My friend’s parents house
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
Ah, Mr Burns whose greatest achievement for the rags was flicking the V's at the Holte End. Flat faced prat.
Didn’t Kenny Burns once do a shit in the house of a poster on here? Can’t believe I’d dream such a thing.
My friend’s parents house
Kenny Burns son used to bet in the betting shop I managed in Alum Rock. There is a reasonably chance he once took a shit in the toilets there.
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I would have heard that Henri has a very active social life which could well impinge on his ability to play football to a high standard. Mind you even without these distractions I still think he was useless.
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Certainly should have been rotated with Hourihane who did pretty close t fuck all in the latter part of the season.
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I used to teach Kenny Burns's son.
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I used to teach Kenny Burns's son.
Did you ever suspect him of being a gambler or a shitter?
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At the time he signed for us, I read an article by Kenny Burns (I also did not know that he could read and write) who said basically that Lansbury was a tosser and would not be missed.
At the time I thought, sour grapes.
Maybe not.
Ah, Mr Burns whose greatest achievement for the rags was flicking the V's at the Holte End. Flat faced prat.
Didn’t Kenny Burns once do a shit in the house of a poster on here? Can’t believe I’d dream such a thing.
My friend’s parents house
Kenny Burns son used to bet in the betting shop I managed in Alum Rock. There is a reasonably chance he once took a shit in the toilets there.
How desperate for a shit do you have to be to go in a bookies?!
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he probably had a few bob on doing it
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A potential saleable asset otherwise keep and play him consistently in one position
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On his way apparently. No real surprise
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i think to be honest, anything over 4m for him would be far too big to turn down for a player of his quality
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Bjarnasson and Jedinak out, Marny in and Whelan left. You can see how this is going...
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i think to be honest, anything over 4m for him would be far too big to turn down for a player of his quality
And his age. At 30, it's not like he's going to improve much.
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to be perfectly honest for most of his time with us Thor has been shite. When I first saw him play I thought he'd won some sort of fan competition to get on the pitch for a few minutes. He was like a Sunday League player - but I'd agree that his man marking job on Messi was great , notwithstanding the help of several other players.
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I thought he improved as the season went on once he got settled.. I'd have liked to have seen him stay because there's a decent player in there for this level.
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possibly but when Tone is in the position of having to sell his Grandma to pay for the postage stamps, it's not an option
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Who is in for him?
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Boro
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Who is in for him?
Boro are being mentioned today, think there was a Turkish club at the weekend.
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I thought he improved as the season went on once he got settled.. I'd have liked to have seen him stay because there's a decent player in there for this level.
He's another one that unsurprisingly looked better when Bruce played him in the right position.
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Losing first team players is one thing, but to lose them to Championship clubs is a very depressing thought.
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Losing first team players is one thing, but to lose them to Championship clubs is a very depressing thought.
Only if they're players we really don't want to lose surely
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Relegation beckons.....I wan't the waste of space Xia....OUT!!
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you can't possibly know or believe that without a nanosecond of the new season being played
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Vs Hull
Came on late. Was awful and did a stupid foul. Booked.
Maybe frustrated or just not up to speed.
Maybe thinking why am I on bench
I can see him in for Yeovil and having to play himself in to team.
Hope Bruce uses him , appreciate him and appropriately rotate this season . Also players must be given a decent run .
I always feel BB gets a raw deal and because of versatile play he gets shifted around
Mcginn coming in (that rhymes) could be another in the way of BB ever holding down reg spot.
I don't think loaning out should be considered and seems late to be selling him on.
So thankful he kept as think he has quality in right areas and needs manager to give him more time this season.
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Yes, I'd be getting rid of Gardner and Lansbury before him.
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His form for us is so incredibly variable. Beginning to think he is just one of those players who will always be better for country than club. Might be a positional thing, feeling more at home, confidence, whatever it is it's hard to pick a player where you don't know what you're going to get.
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I didn't think he was that bad v hull?
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interest from Italy, apparently.
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interest from Italy, apparently.
I think he's a pivotal player as he can cover so many positions. I would let him go for the right price but we could do with a replacement. Despite signing MCGinn I think we are still light in midfield, especially if we are to rely too heavily on grandad's Whelan and Jedinak. Andy King from Leicester might not be fake news!!
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but he's a junior-ish grandad too
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Similar to other rumours feel that Bjarnasson should be kept on despite signing McGinnty.
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I don't think he's very good. Jack of all trades, master of none. He has more legs than Whelan and Jedinak, but that's about it. Plus he looks like a right miserable sod, who thinks he's better than he actually is.
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obviously related to Ayew
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I didn't think he was that bad v hull?
I did Matt
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I like him a lot. I'd love to see him get a run in the side but I can't see it happening.
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I like him a lot. I'd love to see him get a run in the side but I can't see it happening.
I'm in a similar boat, Clampy.
I watched a couple of Iceland's World Cup matches here in Japan with my mate and her Icelandic boyfriend. They love Birkir in Iceland, and I think he's a better player than he's showed for us so far. Certainly for Iceland, he knows his role, and does it well. When he's played for us, he's been shifted all over the shop. It isn't beneficial for us or him.
Like a previous poster said, I'd rather get rid of Lansbury, who has been hugely disappointing for us, than Bjarnason.
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I file Birkir down as one of those players i dearly want to love. But the very very few things he's done in a Villa shirt make it almost impossible
I still have no idea what his best role is either
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I'm glad he's ours and not someone else's.
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I file Birkir down as one of those players i dearly want to love. But the very very few things he's done in a Villa shirt make it almost impossible
I still have no idea what his best role is either
Van driver.
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To be honest, I think McGinn's arrival means he will be gone if an offer comes in for him before the end of the month. I remember Mark Regan saying on WM just affter he signed that Bruce thought his capture was a real coup and that he was really pleased to have got him. Hasn't really worked out for him though and his frustration at not playing regularly has been visible at times.
Would rather keep him than Lansbury, as BB is more versatile, but I think a move away for a decent fee might be in the best interests of all parties.
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I don't think he's very good. Jack of all trades, master of none. He has more legs than Whelan and Jedinak, but that's about it. Plus he looks like a right miserable sod, who thinks he's better than he actually is.
2-1 still hurting? 😉
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When I first saw him play at Reading away last season he was toilet.
The Wolves goal aside I remain to be convinced otherwise. What does he actually do?
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another midfielder who's best football so far has been played for someone else
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It’s very difficult and perhaps harsh to judge him until he has a decent run in the first team.
That still hasn’t happened since he joined. The squad being full of central midfielders doesn’t help his chances.
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As someone said, played in the world cup and had Messi in his pocket. First game of the season for us and he's a sub. Do you trust the judgement of a tactically astute international boss who regularly gets the best out of a team or Steve Bruce
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He is only decent when he play for his country.
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When I first saw him play at Reading away last season he was toilet.
The Wolves goal aside I remain to be convinced otherwise. What does he actually do?
He's not a winger
But as the deepest midfielder he had several good games and we play better football with him there
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I file Birkir down as one of those players i dearly want to love. But the very very few things he's done in a Villa shirt make it almost impossible
I still have no idea what his best role is either
Van driver.
My brother, who is a professional musician and has played with many moody types, says he would rather nail his scrotum to a block of wood than play base guitar for Van the Man, so I sure has hell wouldn't like to drive Van's Van. Fuck that for a game of soldiers.
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He is only decent when he play for his country.
because he plays every game in his right position?
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I file Birkir down as one of those players i dearly want to love. But the very very few things he's done in a Villa shirt make it almost impossible
I still have no idea what his best role is either
We've noticed, Steve.
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I love you Birkir!
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I love you Birkir!
ég elska þig líka. hvernig er rétti skinninn þinn?
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Jah, flobba dobba dob dob.
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Vs Wigan
Haven't now recently seen all goals and some highlights it was brilliant to get on the end of that cross and get the 3 points .
Well played Bjarnasson!
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He' rough, crude and not very good.
Just my opinion of course
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I thought he was okayish but was partially at fault for the 2nd goal. It was his responsibility to prevent the cross. He was too far away from his player. Whelan might have done a better job defensively but there's no way he would have got himself into the position to score the winner as BB did. So all is forgiven.
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I'm still really torn on BB. Does some things really well, and others really poorly. I agree that we could have done more to stop Powell getting the cross in for the 2nd goal and he very nearly gifted them another after a very heavy touch when taking the ball whilst facing his own goal, later on that half.
Despite his transition to a holding midfielder, he still seems to me to be a player that doesn't really have a natural position. That said, I think he did enough on Saturday to warrant an extended run in the side now, so hopefully he can add some more consistency to his game.
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He was largely very poor on Saturday for me. Then pops up with a crucial winner and it's all forgotten
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He was largely very poor on Saturday for me. Then pops up with a crucial winner and it's all forgotten
I agree. He mostly doesn't do very much with the ball, and played a part in their first goal with a lazy pass back to Jedinak when he wasn't under any pressure.
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He was largely very poor on Saturday for me. Then pops up with a crucial winner and it's all forgotten
Agree. He couldn't seem to get into the game but he did what he normally does quite well and get's into the box which won us that game.
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If we can sell him. Do it. He's not bad but we could loan to buy so much better.
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I'd like to see him have a run of games to see how good he is, or isn't. He certainly has the knack of getting into goal scoring positions, but I think his longest run of starts is 3 games, which has happened only twice since he signed.
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He was largely very poor on Saturday for me. Then pops up with a crucial winner and it's all forgotten
I agree. He mostly doesn't do very much with the ball, and played a part in their first goal with a lazy pass back to Jedinak when he wasn't under any pressure.
Woah, woah, woah! That first goal was no-one's fault but Jedinaks.
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Clickbait site but rumours of him departing
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2018/08/14/player-agrees-terms-but-aston-villa-resisting-selling-to-italian-club/386195/
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I'd like to see him have a run of games to see how good he is, or isn't. He certainly has the knack of getting into goal scoring positions, but I think his longest run of starts is 3 games, which has happened only twice since he signed.
Agree with PWS. I would say the same about Elphick too (tin hat now on head). Players need to have a run of games before you can judge them properly. I was with most people about Westwood and a good few others who kept getting played without improving but we have dissed some talented players in the past because we did not give them enough time.
(BTW) I realise for Tommy it is second time around-but I have seen him play well on occasions previously.
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Can come across clumsy and gives away fouls too many needless times .
I not sure if he knows where he's playing or has managers full confidence .
Was right to be subbed off v Ipswich
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I have Bjarnasson back in against Reading at the mighty Whelan expense .
If not he'll be in for league cup Burton but at home and fir balance with McGinn maybe Bjarnasson get his game.
I'm actually all for Whelan but rotation needed and be good to keep him involved
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Can certainly acknowledgement to his contribution and goal Friday v Bristol city .
I think he's played himself in to team and Bruce will have him in v Preston.
Seems Steve "am I really that bad" Bruce plays the one who scores the goal
Also Bruce suggetsd he was saving Bjarnasson after his long summer which I don't know how true that is however I feel he is someone who must be included in the system we play in midfield
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It smells like bullshit as has been mentioned on another thread that a much older Jedinak was also at the World Cup but has played practically every game for us this season.
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It's a tough one with Barney. I like him. He's rarely let us down when he's played and he's got a goal in him but it's just a case of deciding where to play him and who to drop. He does deserve a run in the team though.
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It's a tough one with Barney. I like him. He's rarely let us down when he's played and he's got a goal in him but it's just a case of deciding where to play him and who to drop. He does deserve a run in the team though.
I still think his best position would be as one of the two advanced midfielders in a midfield three. As you say, he has got a goal in him and I think playing him in a position where he could get in and around the box might suit him more.
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It's a tough one with Barney. I like him. He's rarely let us down when he's played and he's got a goal in him but it's just a case of deciding where to play him and who to drop. He does deserve a run in the team though.
I still think his best position would be as one of the two advanced midfielders in a midfield three. As you say, he has got a goal in him and I think playing him in a position where he could get in and around the box might suit him more.
So left back then.
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I like Barney , I think Bruce hasnt really treated him that well too be honest but you could probably say that about a few players . Bruce has his faves and Barney is not one . Would not be suprised he is dropped tonight .
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He's nailed on for a starting place tonight, he scored in the last game. Bruce's reward.
I still don't rate Bjarnason
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He's nailed on for a starting place tonight, he scored in the last game. Bruce's reward.
I still don't rate Bjarnason
surely because he scored he'll be dropped and Bruce will play Glenn Whelan in a defensive 6 at home.
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Bjarnasson scored a goal running on to pass from outside the box and sidefooting into the net . Right footed powerful accuracy.
Vs France for Iceland .
Well played BB !!
I hope he's used effectively and continuously in the villa midfield as he's a very decent player.
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I think we under rate him and he's an eye for a goal so maybe play him as one of the 3 behind the striker - Dean Smith type of player I reckon
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It's a tough one with Barney. I like him. He's rarely let us down when he's played and he's got a goal in him but it's just a case of deciding where to play him and who to drop. He does deserve a run in the team though.
I still think his best position would be as one of the two advanced midfielders in a midfield three. As you say, he has got a goal in him and I think playing him in a position where he could get in and around the box might suit him more.
So left back then.
Honestly, I think he would convert well to full back.
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He plays left midfield for Iceland.
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Interestingly he never cracked a smile when he scored that goal last night.
So rather than us thinking he is a moody so and so maybe he is just "Mr Cool"
I think a very decent player
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I'd be delighted if Smith get get a bit more out of Barny. There's a decent player in there somewhere.
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It's a tough one with Barney. I like him. He's rarely let us down when he's played and he's got a goal in him but it's just a case of deciding where to play him and who to drop. He does deserve a run in the team though.
I still think his best position would be as one of the two advanced midfielders in a midfield three. As you say, he has got a goal in him and I think playing him in a position where he could get in and around the box might suit him more.
So left back then.
Honestly, I think he would convert well to full back.
Are you related to Steve Bruce? ;)
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Honestly, I think he would convert well to full back.
I think a lot of box to box midfielders can convert to full back so long as they've got a bit of pace and can be be coached to cross a ball. Most of the skills are pretty transferable. The issue is you do it with a 19-20 year old not a guy who's pushing 30. It works in reverse as well, for example I think Mitch Clark could be converted into a fantastic defensive midfielder from what I've seen of him.
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Interestingly he never cracked a smile when he scored that goal last night.
So rather than us thinking he is a moody so and so maybe he is just "Mr Cool"
I think a very decent player
Mr Grumpy I’d call him
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He only got to score because it was a friendly and Deschamps was fannying about with the teamsheet. ;-)
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He only got to score because it was a friendly and Deschamps was fannying about with the teamsheet. ;-)
Oui, oui, bien sur.
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Honestly, I think he would convert well to full back.
I think a lot of box to box midfielders can convert to full back so long as they've got a bit of pace and can be be coached to cross a ball. Most of the skills are pretty transferable. The issue is you do it with a 19-20 year old not a guy who's pushing 30. It works in reverse as well, for example I think Mitch Clark could be converted into a fantastic defensive midfielder from what I've seen of him.
My favourite Villa right back was Kenny Swain and he was converted from an attacking midfielder, without that much pace too. He must have been mid 20s minimum when Saunders switched him. He had a good football brain and was a tidy player. It can be done.
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I think he looks very suited to playing the deep lying midfielder role in a Smith team. Perhaps even Lansbury could come back into the fold there. I'm not sure we'll see Whelan or jedinak there regularly
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I think he'll be in again v Norwich and hopefully doing a press in Mcginn absence .
Be interesting who comes in along side him
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I think he looks very suited to playing the deep lying midfielder role in a Smith team. Perhaps even Lansbury could come back into the fold there. I'm not sure we'll see Whelan or jedinak there regularly
Lansbury seemed to lack energy whenever I saw him play. If that’s his style then I can’t see him fitting in.
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I think he looks very suited to playing the deep lying midfielder role in a Smith team. Perhaps even Lansbury could come back into the fold there. I'm not sure we'll see Whelan or jedinak there regularly
I'm not so sure Matt as he doesn't really get on the ball enough. When you think how many touches that Ryan Woods has had in the games we have played against them, then I think is more what is needed as the midfielder is going to have to be comfortable getting the ball off the goalkeeper and defence. I would still like to see how Bjarnason does in a more advanced midfield role.
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I was actually really impressed by him last night. Worked really hard, scored a super goal. Very positive attitude.
Nice interview here after
https://twitter.com/7500toholte/status/1151849772640342017?s=12
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Always thought BB was a player. Very committed and capable of a storming run.
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I like him and really want him to do well, but I just don’t think he’s good enough...I’ll be delighted if he proves me wrong.
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I like him and really want him to do well, but I just don’t think he’s good enough...I’ll be delighted if he proves me wrong.
He's certainly not a PL player anyway. Fine as 3rd choice back-up... not somebody I ever want to see in the starting lineup again tbh.
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I remember he did well against Swansea in Deans first game in charge as DM. I think he picked up an injury not long after that and hasn’t seemed to settle since. Also seems to have a miserable face on him in team photos...not that it’s a crime to be miserable! 😂
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Whenever I’ve seen him play, he’s seemed more than decent. I’m half he’s staying , even if he’s not a first choice.
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AVFC & Birkir Bjarnason have today mutually agreed to the termination of his contract with the Club.
The Icelandic international made 54 appearances & scored six goals after joining from FC Basel in January 2017. The Club would like to wish BB the best of luck for the future.
https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1159480841329922048
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Contract terminated by mutual agreement!!!
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Good luck. Under used in my opinion but never really seemed to settle.
Always remembered for the 4th vs Wolves.
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Not really surprised.
The Icelandic super cool persona masks what to me, looks like a miserable fucker.
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All the best, Birkir, except against us!
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I would guess he was touted around and no one wanted him. Good luck, wasn't my favorite player, but always seemed to try, so thanks.
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Just a keeper or two to lose now!
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He really was a miserable fcuker. Guess that’s because he experienced darkness in the uk. No I mean Bruceball.
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Never expected that. Thought he would be sold or loaned out rather than being terminated. Unfortunately he hasn’t been good enough and won’t be challenging for a place this season so makes sense and wish him all the best at his next club.
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Any rumors on possible suitors? I think he'd do well in Germany.
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Any rumors on possible suitors? I think he'd do well in Germany.
Nope and I’m guessing that’s why he’s been terminated.
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He’d have rarely got near the first team as I guess we need to play the Brazilian kid x amount of games to keep his work permit and fulfill our agreement with Man city.
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well obviously so - Doug is a fantastic talent and BB isn't. Plus he's the most saturnine footballer ever.
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Good luck to him, he always tried, the goal against Wolves capped one of our best days this decade and the goal against Wigan may have been crucial to us going up, in the end.
Hope he finds a decent club.
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We've done him a favour by making him a free agent before the window closes. Good luck to him, just never got going for us.
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I am a little sad to see Birkir leave ,not the greatest player to wear a Villa shirt but always gave 100% and was useful in the Championship as a squad player. Would'nt be surprised if he ended up at Small Heath ,that is where all our rejects seem to end up
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I wish him well, he should have no problem getting fixed up. Thanks BB and good luck.
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Never really got going did he? Not the kind of player we need around if we are looking to be aiming higher. He will do a job for a half decent championship side still.
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Not remotely sad or surprised to see him go. He was mostly crap, and a miserable looking sod as well.
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I quite liked him but we've got better players than him now, all the best to him.
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Upset
Not a good Day to be half Icelandic!
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I wish him luck, always gave his all and he did get somewhat better after a very poor start with us. Would have preferred to hear Tosser or Lansbury had gone but his game time would have been severely limited this season anyway so he's probably set something up elsewhere.
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I know he wasn’t the greatest player we’ve ever had but I always had a soft spot for him and wanted him to do well, that goal against Wolves will stay in my memory. Hope he does well wherever he ends up.
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Not remotely sad or surprised to see him go. He was mostly crap, and a miserable looking sod as well.
This
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He always played better for his country than us, but on some days he looked quite good.
The highlight was the goal v Wolves and also the bullet header at Bristol. I also recall the dreadful miss at Preston last season.
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Not remotely sad or surprised to see him go. He was mostly crap, and a miserable looking sod as well.
This
This again.
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Not remotely sad or surprised to see him go. He was mostly crap, and a miserable looking sod as well.
I 100% agree with Risso !
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Just a keeper or two to lose now!
So Tish has definitely gone as well?
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I know he wasn’t the greatest player we’ve ever had but I always had a soft spot for him and wanted him to do well, that goal against Wolves will stay in my memory. Hope he does well wherever he ends up.
Same here. I never saw him as a winger or box to box midfielder, I always thought he was more suited to defensive midfield. Problem for him, he never really got a run in that position, what with Connor, Jed and Whelan fighting for that role. I don't think he's as bad as some make out but for this season we've outgrown his use.
Good luck to him. I always thought he'd end up at Leeds.
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All the best to BB, he struggled to get into the Villas Championship team so his appearances this coming season would have been even rarer.
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It does seem strange that we couldn't get any club across Europe to part with a transfer fee for BB. Limited player, patently unsuited to Smith's style of football, but I've seen a lot worse in a Villa shirt.
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Not remotely sad or surprised to see him go. He was mostly crap, and a miserable looking sod as well.
I'm glad you said it because that's my feelings on him as well
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He came, he played (occasionally), he didn't make much impression, he left.
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I hap high hopes when he signed so very disappointing that he didn't make it. Best wishes Birkir.
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He didn't really get a run in the team but he did ok when he did play without being brilliant. Good luck to him wherever he ends up.
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Signed in January 2017 on a three and a half year contract. So there was less than 12 months left to expiry. Guess the club waited until the last minute of the EPL/Chamnpionship window to see if anyone wanted to pay money for him but it would not have been a lot anyway I would have thought.
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With the window closing far earlier this year I would have kept him. We've got the best part of five months to get through now and injuries can take hold.
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With the window closing far earlier this year I would have kept him. We've got the best part of five months to get through now and injuries can take hold.
We'd have to have the mother of all injury lists for him to get a game. Jack, McGinn, Hourihane, Marvellous, Luiz and Lansbury are going for three places as it is. Even then I'd rather see O'Hare get a game.
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He is also aged 31 years so he is not going to improve on what we have seen already.
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With the window closing far earlier this year I would have kept him. We've got the best part of five months to get through now and injuries can take hold.
We'd have to have the mother of all injury lists for him to get a game. Jack, McGinn, Hourihane, Marvellous, Luiz and Lansbury are going for three places as it is. Even then I'd rather see O'Hare get a game.
I'd rather you played.
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With the window closing far earlier this year I would have kept him. We've got the best part of five months to get through now and injuries can take hold.
We'd have to have the mother of all injury lists for him to get a game. Jack, McGinn, Hourihane, Marvellous, Luiz and Lansbury are going for three places as it is. Even then I'd rather see O'Hare get a game.
I'd rather you played.
Steady on.
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What an underwhelming signing he was.
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Good luck Barney..you were ok mate
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As the kids say or used to say...”Meh!”
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He was often the worst player on the pitch, he put in some proper turgid performances that weren't worth the occasional decent performance he turned in. Not disappointed at all to never see this guy again.Not good enough in the Championship, so there's no way he was going to contribute this season.
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Not good enough for this level.
A poor signing but he scored a couple of goals, including one very good one, whereas we have signed some players who have contributed literally nothing so he's not the worst.
Always looked miserable as sin.
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With the window closing far earlier this year I would have kept him. We've got the best part of five months to get through now and injuries can take hold.
For the record this wouldn't have been an option, we had too many over 21s (we still have) so he wouldn't have got a squad number and wouldn't have been eligible to play, so one of the U23s has to take that backup role instead.
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He would have been okay, just about, assuming we don't pick four goalkeepers in the squad.
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Keeping the 4 keepers is one thing that has surprised me. Obviously you need someone to want Kalinic or Nyland but i'd have thought someone would.
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Keeping the 4 keepers is one thing that has surprised me. Obviously you need someone to want Kalinic or Nyland but i'd have thought someone would.
Still can go elsewhere, I suspect Kalinic will
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As for Barney, sorry he has gone, not sure he would have been involved much. Did a decent job in dcm role
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He was a miserable sod but he seemed to try. Good luck to him.
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Meh
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I remember watching him when he first came and he looked like he'd won a fan competition to play pro football for a day. To me it seemed like he'd never seen a football in his life. Great goal against Wolves, though.
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He will get offers from lower divisions but typical of the hit and miss of that management.
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Tar-rah
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Keeping the 4 keepers is one thing that has surprised me. Obviously you need someone to want Kalinic or Nyland but i'd have thought someone would.
Still time to go abroad, 4 weeks left I think.
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I think this is one of the nice things that has happened since the takeover and successful promotion. From the players point of view in almost all scenarios, release gives them the maximum opportunity to pursue a career in football or out of it. Look at how many are left hanging around at other clubs holding out for a million or two or just because they can.
I see this as a thank you to those players from the club or in the exception of McCormack's case, a quick ending to a difficult situation. Even with him-he obviously was one unhappy person and is at least free to tackle his own demons.
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Does this mean that both parties agree to terminate the contract and walk away owing nothing to either?
Plus - it stops us having to pay any remainder of contract
Minus - we lose any transfer fee we paid originally
Nice way to deal with a player who caused us no harm (unlike a good few we have had) and only failing was that he was not really good enough. I feel another who fell to the complete lack of tactical nous that Bruce had and was never played in the correct position
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I suspect we had an agreement that we'd let him leave during the window and because it hadn't happened he was told he wouldn't be involved so could leave on a free so he could find a new club or he could stick around until January. I think it reflects well on everyone that he didn't sit out his contract and that we haven't held him back to try to save a bit of money.
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Has signed for Al-Arabi in Qatar.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sKgH1ByfV/
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Has signed for Al-Arabi in Qatar.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sKgH1ByfV/
He looks as thrilled as ever.
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Not the most talentèd player we've ever had but let's not forget where we were when we signed Barney and players like him. I thought he was a top professional always available never whinging or getting into trouble off the pitch. Scored a blinder against Wolves. I wish him all the best in the future.
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Has signed for Al-Arabi in Qatar.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sKgH1ByfV/
He looks as thrilled as ever.
He's a proper miserable bastard isn't he.
I wish him all the best, but fuck me, he could crack a smile once in a while.
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It's an interesting question as to whether we have ever had a more miserable looking ****** play for us. Charles N'Zogbia maybe, any others?
I do also wish him all the best though as i have no problems with him other than him looking like a miserable ******.
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I really did think he was absolute garbage.
I've got a friend who married an Icelander, they are a dour bunch, its put down to the lack of sunlight and well, everything else apart from fish.
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I really did think he was absolute garbage.
Same here, goal against the Dingles aside, he was utterly toilet.
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I really did think he was absolute garbage.
I've got a friend who married an Icelander, they are a dour bunch, its put down to the lack of sunlight and well, everything else apart from fish.
plenty of sunlight now
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A big disappointment, the Wolves goal was one of his few bits of quality I will remember him for, but I wish him well.
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Personally very keen on miserable looking bastards and his goal v Wolves was a great moment. Good luck BB
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I really did think he was absolute garbage.
Same here, goal against the Dingles aside, he was utterly toilet.
Dont think he smiled when he scored, did he?
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His goal against Brizzle (5-0)was a good one, as well. He played a few good games in the defensive midfield role in 2018.
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I really did think he was absolute garbage.
Same here, goal against the Dingles aside, he was utterly toilet.
He was my motm v the noses when we beat them 2=0.
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I think he was entitled, speaking as a miserable old git, not to look happy. How many Villa players have there been whose auntie has a statue in front of the Parliament building?
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I think he was entitled, speaking as a miserable old git, not to look happy. How many Villa players have there been whose auntie has a statue in front of the Parliament building?
To be fair it’s a lot easier when you come from a country with a similar population to Dudley.
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I think he was entitled, speaking as a miserable old git, not to look happy. How many Villa players have there been whose auntie has a statue in front of the Parliament building?
To be fair it’s a lot easier when you come from a country with a similar population to Dudley.
And just as cold.
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If he had as much difficulty finding somewhere to eat as we did when we spent the New Year in Reykjavik I’m not surprised he’s bloody miserable.